World's Ugliest Dog Contest?
I just had to meet this years winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest. I just did. Before you judge me on that, let me explain the unexpected reason it was important to me. That was because she is beautiful.
The winner of this local contest tends to get national press. The contest includes some pretty funny looking dogs, and everyone takes the whole thing pretty lightly and just has fun with it. The usual winners are small dogs missing hair, sometimes teeth, and usually get a laugh even if their owners love them dearly just the way they are. All the contestants are dogs that were adopted or are for adoption.
This year the winner was a little different. It was Martha, a very large 125 pound mastiff. Sure, when she shook her head her face and jowls went flying everywhere and that was pretty striking. But the real story for me was that she was part of Dogwood Animal Rescue. Martha had some serious medical problems, and Dogwood came up with the resources to get the two eye surgeries done that she needed. Martha had been in a lot of pain, and this was an act of kindness that melted my heart... and that is why Martha is beautiful to me.
The winner of this local contest tends to get national press. The contest includes some pretty funny looking dogs, and everyone takes the whole thing pretty lightly and just has fun with it. The usual winners are small dogs missing hair, sometimes teeth, and usually get a laugh even if their owners love them dearly just the way they are. All the contestants are dogs that were adopted or are for adoption.
This year the winner was a little different. It was Martha, a very large 125 pound mastiff. Sure, when she shook her head her face and jowls went flying everywhere and that was pretty striking. But the real story for me was that she was part of Dogwood Animal Rescue. Martha had some serious medical problems, and Dogwood came up with the resources to get the two eye surgeries done that she needed. Martha had been in a lot of pain, and this was an act of kindness that melted my heart... and that is why Martha is beautiful to me.
This cake made in Martha's image was pretty amazing. To see a larger image, click on the photo.
Dogwood is like a lot of small animal rescue groups, in that they have no payroll and everyone involved is a volunteer. The animals are fostered by the volunteers and kept in their homes as special guests. The money they raise goes to pay for surgeries, spay & neuter, and food. They are able to accomplish amazing things on a shoestring. Of course I admire this, like everybody else does. There are many rescues, but I have a personal connection with Dogwood because one of their founders is my pet sitter and also fosters kittens like I do.
The celebration for Martha was lots of fun. We all got an opportunity to meet Martha, which she pretty much slept through most of. I wondered if she would notice that I smelled like kittens. She did! When I sat down her eyes popped open and her nose came over to sniff my leg. I may have been one of the only visitors to get a photo that night with Martha's eyes open!
There was amazing treats, including a large cake that was decorated to look just like Martha. We had dinner, with a percentage of the cost of the meal going to Dogwood. There was a raffle, and I won a bottle of wine with Martha's logo on it. Score! It was fun for everyone who went, but best of all, some much needed funds were raised so that this dedicated group of volunteers can continue to helping animals in my community. Love it!
With love, Ann
The celebration for Martha was lots of fun. We all got an opportunity to meet Martha, which she pretty much slept through most of. I wondered if she would notice that I smelled like kittens. She did! When I sat down her eyes popped open and her nose came over to sniff my leg. I may have been one of the only visitors to get a photo that night with Martha's eyes open!
There was amazing treats, including a large cake that was decorated to look just like Martha. We had dinner, with a percentage of the cost of the meal going to Dogwood. There was a raffle, and I won a bottle of wine with Martha's logo on it. Score! It was fun for everyone who went, but best of all, some much needed funds were raised so that this dedicated group of volunteers can continue to helping animals in my community. Love it!
With love, Ann
Won a bottle of "Martha" wine in the raffle. I don't even drink wine very often, but was excited about taking this home!