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Friday, October 03, 2008 10:46 AM Pet lovers gather downtown to support For the Love of Dogs By Antonio Velarde | Times Staff Writer Shawn Mullen says he has two girlfriends, and they don't give him as much trouble as you think. Mullen's "girlfriends" are two Yorkshire terriers he owns, along with a German shepherd and an Australian shepherd mix. Mullen, 42, a Franklin County resident, says he has a passion for his pets and is an advocate for dog rescue. "I'd rather give my money to dog rescue rather than people rescue, really," he joked. Mullen and other dog lovers mingled over sweet tea and barbecue under an outdoor tent in downtown Wilson Thursday night to support the nonprofit organization, For the Love of Dogs. During the pet appreciation event, dog lovers and For the Love of Dogs volunteers got a chance to swap stories about their beloved pets and enjoy live music by MXB3 of Rocky Mount. Door prizes were also given out at the event, which organizers estimate drew between 220 and 250 people. This is the fourth year the event has been held. Sam Sandifer's two Boston terriers, 8-year-olds Tink and Dink, came dressed for the evening. Tink and Dink were clad in farmers' clothes, complete with matching overalls and miniature hats and were being chauffeured by Sandifer in an antique baby carriage. "I don't have any kids, so they're my kids," explained Sandifer, 56. Heather and Bryant Watson, who were at the event Thursday with their toddler Kaelee, watched while their daughter played with a mixed breed dog from For the Love of Dogs. The Watsons, who have five dogs, volunteer at the non-profit on Sundays. Heather Watson said they volunteer because of their love for the four-legged creatures, and that dogs can be great friends. Many of the dogs that are brought to For the Love of Dogs, she said, have had a bad life. "They need a second chance," she said. Pat and Gary Shirley of Rocky Mount said Pat comes down to For the Love of Dogs to volunteer because there is no place like it anywhere else. The Shirleys, who were out Thursday with Jackson, a black Labrador mix, said their dog is like a member of the family. And he has them well trained, too. "He tells us what to do," Gary Shirley said. Max Fitz-Gerald, who runs For the Love of Dogs with his wife, Della, said this year they decided not to sell tickets and, instead, made everything free, only asking for voluntary donations. He said it's the love of animals that people from Wilson and beyond have that makes the non-profit possible. "Without the community's support, this dream would not be possible," he said. avelarde@wilsontimes.com | 265-7868 |
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