4 PAWS FOR A CAUSE invites you to join them when Caring Hearts Goes to Hollywood! This promises to be the most fun you can have on two legs!

We look forward to spending a glamorous evening in Hollywood with you at the MUST ATTEND event of the season. Seating is limited so please visit 4pawsforacause.org for additional information and to reserve your ticket!!

The event will feature live Oscars, a silent auction with more than 50 goods and services for the bidding, a live auction, a photo booth for a frame-worthy memory of your evening of fun, an open bar, cats and dogs that are available for adoption, a pianist, a Caring Hearts Donation Board, a dessert bar and a coffee bar.

“Our goal is to support other animal welfare organizations who share our mission to save homeless pets,” said Michael Bojko, 4 Paws for a Cause vice president.

4PAWS is excited to offer their new Diamond level sponsorship this year, which includes (10) tickets at a dedicated table.

Guests will be treated like Hollywood VIP for just $100 per person, all of which goes straight to benefit four local animal-welfare non-profits: Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance in Douglas, Al-Van Humane Society in South Haven, Harbor Humane Society in West Olive and Wild Dog Rescue in Fennville.

The May 2013 PetTails Newsletter just published! Read about how you can buy tickets to the upcoming 4PAWS Goes to Hollywood event, an article on hope for our feral animals, the Golden Gala recap, and much more! Read the newsletter at http://bit.ly/15YHCxa.

The next Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic has been scheduled for Saturday, June 8! We now have a standing day for the clinic – it will be held the 2nd Saturday of each month. For information and sign-up details, please call Wishbone House at 269-455-5247.

More than 230 people attended the Golden Gala held Friday, April 26, at the Laketown Golf & Conference Center in Saugatuck – a huge success! Many thanks to event co-chairs Lynda Stein and Angel Vogel for their beautiful work and tireless dedication to both Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and Operation Injured Soldiers, the beneficiaries of the event.

New York Times best-selling author Luis Carlos Montalván and his best friend and service dog Tuesday were the guests of honor. Captain Montalván wrote Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him, his memoir about his struggles with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other wounds, and how Tuesday helped him to heal. He led a wonderful discussion of his book and life after serving several tours of duty as a U.S. Army Captain in Iraq.

“The evening was a celebration of heroes and their courage: Captain Luis Montalván and the other soldiers at the gala who have served our country; and Tuesday and other service dogs, for helping their owners deal with their disabilities,” Wishbone Director Susan Smith said. “It also was a night of celebration for the courage of Wishbone’s volunteers and staff. This small band of people works tirelessly to see the needs of homeless animals are met on a daily basis. Wishbone, which operates the Allegan County Animal Shelter, serves our community, accepting each dog and cat through our door and providing the necessary vetting and care needed.”

The Golden Gala featured hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer, a book signing, the opportunity to “smooch a pooch” and a silent auction. People brought their therapy and service dogs. It truly was an elegant affair for humans and canines alike!

Thank-you’s are in order – and if we are forgetting anyone, please let us know!

First, of course, thank you to our wonderful co-chairs Lynda and Angel! Thank you, too, to Lynda’s husband Larry Stein for emceeing the event! – great job!

Also:

• City of Douglas Mayor James Wiley for his wonderful welcome to attendees and proclamation
• Colonel Gene Gavin, DVM, for the introduction to the event
• U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Windward Division, Battle Creek, Mich., for the Presentation of the Colors
• Allegan High School Chamber Chorus for singing the National Anthem
• Bogaard Quartet for their beautiful music (thank you to Judith Meyer for helping make it happen)
• Chef Angie K & The Dishwashers for their folk-pop sound
• Canine stars Henry, Max, Benjamin and Lucy for their lovability!
• Ryan Christensen for creating this fantastic announcement video 
http://youtu.be/wwy2nys-K70
• Sharon Noorman for handling the silent auction
• Greg Gerrans of Greg’s Bleeding Art for the poster work
• Back to the Fuchsia Florist for the floral arrangements
• Platinum sponsor: Apollo’s Fund in memory of Maggie
• Golden sponsor: Perrigo Company of Allegan
• Silver sponsor: Chow Hound of Holland
• Bronze sponsors: Dogs Bay, Donna and John Leonard, Allegan Farm Bureau Insurance, Groovy Paws, Kevin Martin and Duane Brown, Sharon Noorman, Steve and Sandy Riggs, and Tom and Sue Kehr
• Friend sponsors: Bill Mendhall, Coldwell Banker Weber-Seiler South Haven, Grant Southwick, Hercules Bar and Grill, Sara Miller, Shannon and Craig Sharp in memory of Jordy Sharp and AlexZander Von Sharp
• In-kind donations: Allegan High School Chamber Chorus, Angel Vogel, Back to the Fuchsia Florist, Bogaard String Quartet, Chef Angie K and The Dishwashers, David Petro Broadway Break Thru, Greg Gerrans’ Greg’s Bleeding Art, Kilwin’s Chocolates, Kimberly Aya’s Fun Cakes, Molly Klimas of IntentPR, Lynda and Larry Stein, photographer Erica Price, Tammy Kehr of Quaint Cottages, U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps Windward Division
• Silent auction donors: African Safari Guru, Bittersweet Ski Resort, Ravines Golf Club, Clearbrook Golf Club, Hawkshead Golf Club, Nancy Plantinga, Foundry Hall, Saugatuck Dune Rides, Dogs Bay, Saugatuck Sewing/Upholstery, Mac’s Landing Vet Clinic, Camp Critters Country, Decadent Dogs, Shannon and Craig Sharp, Crane’s Pie Pantry, Lynda Stein, Fenn Valley Winery, Bob and Deb Gallery, The Olive Mill, The Grill House, Sharon Noorman, Downtown Deli, Just Dogs, Danny Hiemstra/Jax-N-Me, Donna Leonard, Bruce and Shirley Thatcher, Lisa Krosinki, Todd Knight, Talsma Furniture, Lois Robords, Kinsley Ryan, Wishbone House
• Artists showcased: Donna Leonard, Button-Petter Gallery, Nancy Plantinga, Blue Coast Artists

Enjoy more photos from the event!

4 PAWS FOR A CAUSE invites you to join them when Caring Hearts Goes to Hollywood! Seating is limited so please visit 4pawsforacause.org for additional information and to reserve your ticket for the June 1 event! Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance is one of four beneficiaries of this wonderful event!

The Golden Gala is this Friday, April 26! It’s being held at the Laketown Golf and Conference Center in Saugatuck, with proceeds benefitting Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and Operation Injured Soldiers. Here is the link to purchase tickets - www.goldengala.eventbrite.com - and more details are below. We hope you join us!

A Golden Gala: “An Evening with Luis & Tuesday”

goldengala.eventbrite.com

New York Times best-selling author Luis Carlos Montalván and his best friend, Tuesday, will keynote a gala on Friday, April 26, which benefits Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance and Operation Injured Soldiers.

Montalván is a former U.S. Army Captain who wrote Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him, his memoir about his struggles with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other wounds, and “Tuesday,” his service dog who saved and has helped him recover. Captain Montalván served 17 years in the U.S. Army, including two combat tours, before departing the military, wounded. He is highly decorated with numerous awards, including two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor and the Combat Action Badge.

Tuesday has also had his own struggles and challenges prior to being partnered with Luis. The book is really the story of how two wounded warriors, each who had given so much and suffered the consequences, found salvation in each other.

A major motion picture based on Until Tuesday, as well as an independent documentary titled Buried Above Ground co-featuring Captain Montalván, will be released in 2013.

The Golden Gala featuring Captain Montalván and Tuesday is at the Laketown Golf and Conference Center in Saugatuck. The April 26 event starts at 6:30 p.m. and includes hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer, a book signing and a silent auction – and of course, the keynote presentation! Longtime Wishbone supporters and volunteers Lynda Stein and Angel Vogel co-chair the event. If you have questions, please contact Angel by phone (847) 922-2240 or e-mail at goldengala2013@gmail.com.

To learn more about Luis and Tuesday, visit www.until-tuesday.com.

The April 2013 PetTails Newsletter just published! Read about a $10,000 grant awarded to Wishbone to help with our Transport Program, how Waggin’ Tails helped with our hound dog rescue, volunteer Justin DeJonge and much more! Read the newsletter at http://bit.ly/Z36Fu5

The Allegan County Animal Shelter operated by Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance is coming up on the one-year anniversary of the Shih Tzu rescue — the seizure of more than 350 dogs from a failed breeding operation in Cheshire Township. One year later, we’re happy to report all of the dogs were rehomed! WXMI FOX17 is doing a story on the anniversary of the rescue, scheduled to air Wednesday, March 27. Read more in our fact sheet and narrative of the Shih Tzu rescue!

The March 2013 PetTails Newsletter just published! Read about the winning names for Momma Latida’s pups, an important GVSU survey that we need your help taking, and more! View the newsletter here: http://bit.ly/ZFDOKT