Meet ‘Smoke,’ Anderson Animal Shelter’s Wonderful, 50th-Anniversary Spokespet
It will be all Smoke and no mirrors at the Anderson Animal Shelter’s 2016 Pets-a-Palooza, set for Sept. 18 at Mooseheart.
Smoke, a 10-year-old beagle mix, overcame a rough start to his life to become a lovable, loyal member of the Parthun family. Now this adopted dog is playing another role: Smoke was named the 2016 Pets-a-Palooza Spokespet.
Smoke will lead the Pet Parade & Walk and greet attendees at Pets-a-Palooza — a free, family- and pet-friendly festival that Anderson Animal Shelter is hosting on Sunday, Sept. 18 to celebrate the joy of animals. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mooseheart Child City & School Mooseheart Child City & School, off Route 31 between North Aurora and Batavia.
Smoke
More than 3,000 people are expected to attend.
Smoke, who is owned by Jason and Jessica Parthun of St. Charles, won the Pets-a-Palooza Spokespet title based on an online voting contest featuring four other finalist dogs, all of which were adopted from Anderson Animal Shelter.
Jessica Parthun decided to enter her family’s dog into the Spokespet contest because she felt Smoke would be an excellent example to show how a a good home and a good pet can overcome almost any obstacle.
“Smoke has never given up trusting and loving people and moving on with life,” Parthun said.
The Parthuns adopted Smoke in late 2010 from Anderson, after seeing him featured in a local newspaper. They were attracted to his handsome looks and his name of Smoke, which complemented Jason’s job as a firefighter. When they first met Smoke at the shelter, he immediately jumped in their laps, though they could tell he was scared and seemed to show previous signs of neglect.
Smoke had been surrendered by his previous owner, who could no longer afford to care for him.
“Instantly, we could tell Smoke had more love to give than any other dog we had rescued,” Parthun said. “We knew we could not leave Smoke, so we took him home that day.”
When they first adopted Smoke, he was very thin and anxious, along with having hair loss, chipped teeth and a heart murmur. While his prior experiences are unknown, he would cower if anyone raised their hand or any object, and he feared being put in a crate.
“Fast forward almost five years, Smoke has improved greatly,” Jessica wrote in her contest entry. “With lots of love, training and positive reinforcement, he is the picture of health … and is extremely loving to all of our family and anyone who greats him — pets and
people). Smoke is an independent free spirit, and just looking in his eyes, you see his love for life. While Smoke loves to run like the wind, he also is the king of relaxation.”
The Parthun family — with three children between the ages of 1 and 14 and another 6-year-old rescue dog named Hank — is looking forward to attending Pets-a-Palooza, where Smoke is ready to be the center of attention and star for the day.
“Smoke is a wonderful example of a pet’s unconditional love and the difference that caring and committed adopters can make in the life of an animal,” said Beth Drake, executive director of Anderson Animal Shelter. “Pets-a-Palooza is a celebration of all our pets like Smoke, and we enjoyed hearing from so many other adopters who shared their stories with us.”
Just like a grand marshal, Smoke will lead the festival’s Pet Walk and Parade, which starts at 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 18. While a registration fee is required to participate in the Pet Walk and Parade, the rest of the event is free.
Walkers have a chance to collect goodies along the easy 0.8-mile route while meeting new furry and non-furry friends. Costumes aren’t required, though walkers and dogs are encouraged to embrace the festive spirit of the day. The route is wheelchair-accessible, and dogs must be leashed.
Proceeds from the Pet Walk and Parade benefit Anderson’s life-saving programs to help more pets like Smoke find loving homes.In celebration of the Shelter’s 50th anniversary, this year’s Pets-a-Palooza event will feature a Reunion Tent, where families of adopted pets can gather and reunite with foster families and littermates.
“Our foster volunteers are looking forward to seeing ‘their’ babies again,” said Ryann Sanchez, foster coordinator. “When they first arrive, many of our puppies are pretty sad, having come from difficult conditions. After a couple weeks in a loving foster home though, they’re healthy, happy and ready for their forever families! Being a foster is bittersweet. On the one hand, you shower them with love and nurse them through illnesses and injuries and it’s hard to let them go. On the other hand, you know you can’t keep them all, and that they’ll be happy with their new families,” she said.
In addition to the Pet Walk and Reunion Tent, Pets-a-Palooza will feature free pet contests and demonstrations throughout the day, as well as pet- and-human themed merchandise and plenty of food for sale. Local businesses will have booths, and Anderson, along with other rescue groups, will have dogs and puppies available for adoption.
How to Join Smoke and Register for the Pet Walk and Parade
Convenient, online advance registration is available for the Pet Walk and Parade. An individual walker registration is $25. A family (up to four people) is $75, with $10 for each additional family member. Onsite registration also will be available for an additional $5 fee.
In addition, walkers and any residents can also create their own fundraising web page to seek donations from family and friends that will further benefit the shelter. An individual walker who raises a minimum of $25 will receive a free Pet Walk and Parade registration and free Pets-a-Palooza T-shirt.
A family of four who raises a minimum of $75 will also receive a free family registration and free t-shirts for up to four persons. The fundraising page is easy to set up and share with others.Go to http://www.andersonanimalshelter.org/PetsAPalooza to register or start a fundraising page. Pets-a- Palooza is one of our shelter’s largest fundraising events of the year.
Sponsorship, Advertising and Vendor Opportunities Are Still Available
Pets-a-Palooza is made possible with the support of event sponsors and advertisers, including: Petco Foundation, Autumn Green Animal Hospital, Baird & Warner Fox Valley, Bethany Animal Hospital, Blue Buffalo, Batavia Animal Clinic, Batavia Chamber of Commerce, Cleveland Veterinary Clinic, Costco Wholesale, DePaw University Canine Campus, Just for Paws Pet Salon, Loyal Companions Nova Communications, Orchard Road Animal Hospital, Paws In Time, Pepsi Beverages Company, Perfectly Posh, Pet Supplies Plus, Ruffner’s Luxury Pet Boarding, River Heights Veterinary Clinic, Sam’s Club, School of Art, Scott Queen State Farm Insurance and South Town Animal Hospital.
Sponsorship, advertising and vendor opportunities are still available.
More information about the festival, Pet Walk and Parade, sponsorship and vendor options can be sniffed out on Anderson’s website or contact Anderson’s Development Department at (847) 697-2880, Ext. 25.
About Anderson Animal Shelter
Anderson Animal Shelter collaborates with public and private organizations and individuals to shelter, care for and promote the adoption of homeless, stray and unwanted companion animals.
The shelter is a 501c3 charitable organization and does not receive any federal or state funding. The shelter advocates for the compassionate and humane treatment of these animals through direct care, humane education and community outreach programs. For more information on Anderson Animal Shelter, including adoption, volunteering, donation drives and membership opportunities, please visit www.andersonanimalshelter.org, email info@andersonanimalshelter.org or call 847-697-2880. The Shelter is located at 1000 South La Fox Road, South Elgin, IL 60177.
