August 25, 2013

White Dog and YoYoMa had been chosen to represent the White Dog Army at the first Paws To People public meeting. We had carefully thought about it and decided that meeting at one the WDA's favorite parks with long expanses of green and lots of shade trees would provide the perfect combination of comfort during the meeting and play space for socializing.

Paws To People as many of you know is the foundation we have started to increase awareness of and funding for comparative studies research in catastrophic diseases that affect both humans and pets. Horrible monsters like cancer, seizures, dementia, diabetes, arthritis, PTSD, and more. We are still in our beginning stages, being just over three months old and still waiting for IRS charity recognition. P2P is trying to make inroads into the public and build a community of supporters who also believe we CAN beat these heartbreaking illnesses.

The meeting to last an hour or 90 minutes was free and planned to include an informative discussion about Seasonal and Environmental Allergies. Our thinking is that good health is an accessible goal and ties into the fact that a healthy dog is better able to resist...and fight...disease. One of the WDA's favorite pet supply stores, a great support, put together a list of products that might help...and provided a discount coupon for those attending the meeting. We advertised and social networked getting the word out.

It was a lovely early afternoon as we set up our cabana and proudly hung our new banners. Becks brought Daisy and Maple, the poodle girls...and their favorite squeaker ball for playtime. This was baby Lucy's first visit ever to a park and her puppy eagerness to meet every one was adorable.  YoYoMa had a great walk with Steve before settling in the grass to await guests. WD circled our enclave with zoomies.

Then we waited.

The pups rose as a group each time a car passed and when people, especially those with dogs, walked near they sent out a friendly greeting. The clouds began building and just past the hour and a quarter mark, big wet drops of rain began to fall.

Just a little damp and back in the car, White Dog lay her head sadly on her paws. "No one came, Momma," she whined. "Not one person or pup."

"I know Little White Dog of My Heart. Try not to be discouraged. Building followers takes time. We just have to believe in what we are doing and know that others will join us." I told her.

"Besides," YoYoMa added, "How can you complain about a lovely time at a beautiful park with friends?"