PUPPY LOVE FOR BRUINS FANS
Call this weekend gone to the dogs, literally. The reason: Bruins player David Backes and his wife, Kelly, hosted a Yappy Hour — that’s a party featuring furry friend guests — to spotlight homeless animals in need, while also showing fans a little puppy love Friday.
Through their nonprofit, Athletes for Animals, the Backes threw a pet-filled fete at TD Bank’s West Broadway location in South Boston. The couple worked on the event alongside the MSPCA, which brought a bunch of adoptable animals. And because a celebration can never have enough fuzzballs, the hosts also told guests it was BYOP — bring your own pet.
In addition to the husband-andwife duo, the team’s mascot, Blades the Bruin, spent the evening entertaining fans and somehow not terrifying their tailed companions. Treats and cuddles were generously doled out, and a dog sketch artist was on-site to capture the pets’ panting mugs.
TD Bank and the Boston Bruins Foundation also took the opportunity to make a $10,000 donation to Athletes for Animals, which promotes rescuing and protecting homeless pets throughout the country.
The doggo get-together was just one component that comprised
Fansgiving, a daylong celebration the Bruins and TD Bank organized to thank the folks who supported the team throughout the season. Fans were treated to a whole list of festivities on Friday, including a slew of social media giveaways and a street hockey clinic for students at Southie’s
Oliver Hazard Perry School, who were also gifted a full set of Bruins equipment.