Our Story behind the pups in the graphics this year. Our DDS 2025 Pups Image this year was created to reflect what CARA is all about – saving animals! The three precious puppies highlighted are part of what the shelter named them, “The Lucky 7 Litter”, and we wanted to share their story show what some of the funds raised at this event will go toward.
On an early December morning, our CARA Board Director, Valerie Hicks, spotted a crate with a dog in it just on the edge of the road on her way to the Shelter, and she immediately turned around. Her thoughts were to just pull over safely and scoop the pup up into her truck to safety, but little did she know until she got closer to the crate, that dog was a brand new momma who had just given birth to the eight tiny puppies that were nestled in the crate with her. Unfortunately, one of which was already deceased. She gently closed the door to the crate and called for our Shelter Manager to come and to help load the crate and take them back to the shelter. The CARA staff quickly revamped and readjusted the front offices and set up a quiet room for this new momma dog and her little family to stay in for however long was needed. Once mom and pups were settled in, everyone was relieved and the Staff named the litter the “The Lucky 7” and Momma Dog, Evelyn.
Mid-March and a little update on these precious pups!!! Just look at these beautiful babies now! They are around 14 weeks old now and have received their vaccinations, and we are happy to say are healthy, robust little puppies! Mom was spayed and the pups were spay/neutered and they just made their journey to our wonderful rescue partners in Maine where they each had a wonderful forever family waiting!! Our policy is to never leave the momma dog behind, but unfortunately, Evelyn tested positive for Heartworms, so she will have to remain at the shelter for treatment. CARA treats all our dogs for heartworms, whether by heartworm preventative medication, or in Evelyn’s case, the treatment to kill the heartworms, which is an expensive process.
Monies raised from events like Dog Days of Summer go toward the day-to-day expenses of running the shelter as well as the care of our precious fur babies, like Evelyn and “The Lucky 7” so we can give these precious babies the new wonderful live that they deserve!