A Fall Festival and an APL Success Story

This weekend we're taking Charlotte to a fall festival to pick out some pumpkins, see some animals, and (most importantly?) get some cupcakes. Gale's Garden Center  in Westlake (for those of you who are local) is having their annual Fall Event that benefits the Cleveland Animal Protective League. They have a huge indoor and outdoor space full of plants, pumpkins, fall & holiday decor, and activities for kids. The APL will be on site with some of their dogs and cats who need homes and a portion of the day's proceeds will go to them.

This event is especially near and dear to me because last year my parents ended up bringing home their dog, Isabel ("Izzy"). Their previous dog, Frances, had passed away about 6 weeks prior and a home without a dog is not something my family is used to. They were looking for a medium- to large-sized dog, preferably a mixed breed, preferably female and preferably a rescue. Oh, and most preferably NOT a puppy.

The APL had several adult dogs as well as a whole litter of young puppies that had just been brought into the shelter a few days before. The litter was adorable, as puppies are (they have to be cute, they cause too much trouble and mischief not to be). There were four of them, all black and all male, playing in a circle. I left the area to walk Charlotte around in her stroller and just as I was about to head back inside the store, I noticed a teenage boy holding a sleeping puppy in his arms. The puppy looked just like the rest of the litter, except it had a beautiful cinnamon color on its face, chest and feet. It was snuggled up to the boy like it had never been happier. I found out it was the 5th member of the litter and "it" was a "she." Uh oh.

I called my mom and told her to bring my dad over because there was something they had to see:

Goodness gracious. Puppies. Fuzzy eared, big eyed, clumsy cuddly puppies. They're irresistible. Within minutes she was in my dad's arms like she belonged there and, well, the rest is history.

Izzy on the porch of her new house

Izzy's first night home.

Izzy has turned out to be a wonderful addition to the family. She's sweet, mild mannered, not a barker, and likes pretty much every person and pet she meets. She also enjoys digging holes you could hide a small bear in, jumping up on things she doesn't belong on, eating anything except dog food, playing with her friends (Lila the mutt, Amani the beagle mix, Hawkeye the Westie and Doris the bassett hound) and going on car rides. She dislikes thunderstorms, fireworks, dog food, and having her schedule changed. Just last weekend she went camping for the first time, and other than a very unfortunate incident involving her discovery of a yellow jacket nest, she had a blast.

Just one example of the inappropriate things she jumps onto.

With eyes like that, you can't stay mad at her for long.

Izzy is an APL success story and I hope this year all the other dogs, cats, puppies and kittens can find their forever homes.

In addition to the APL, Alyssa's Cupcake Confections will be there from 12-3! She will have a bunch of delicious fall flavors, like Pumpkin Spice, Maple Leaf Donut, Apple Cider and Orange Honey Harvest. Needless to say, I am excited. Her cupcakes make my day.

If you are in the area, stop by! The event is Saturday, 9/22 from 10-5 at Gale's Garden Center in Westlake (24373 Center Ridge Rd.).

Come celebrate fall!!

~Stacy