Couple find their new best friend at Troy Night Out
TROY, N.Y. » When event- goers attend Troy Night Out they’re typically seeking a nice evening downtown - shopping, dining, maybe some live entertainment - but one lucky local couple recently gained a new member of the family after an impromptu Troy Night Out excursion.
Marissa Skinner and Kyle Rothermel of North Greenbush didn’t have plans to go to downtown Troy on the fateful night they met Ebrietas - and they certainly did not plan on adopting a dog - but some things are simply meant to be.
When some plans fell through for the pair on a Friday in late July, they decided to go get dinner at Tara Kitchen, a Moroccan restaurant on lower River Street that they’d never visited before.
After their meal, Skinner and Rothermel made another spontaneous decision to take a walk around the neighborhood after discovering they were there on Troy Night Out, a monthly festival during which down businesses offer special promotions and events.
Just a few feet into their walk, Skinner spotted a dog sitting under a sign that said “Love Story.”
Rothermel and Skinner then learned that Ebrietas, as she was later named, was part of a pet adoption pop-up at neighboring business Wooden Shoe Trading Company.
Each month, Capital Region nonprofit Peppertree Rescue brings a dog to the downtown shop on Troy Night Out to meet and greet customers and hopefully find the animal a loving home.
Wooden Shoe started hosting these Peppertree events earlier this year. “We have a soft spot for animals,” said owner Erik Vandenberg, whose family has rescue animals as well. “I liked the way Peppertree used an extensive foster network to care for the dogs in a home/family setting rather than a kennel. It really shows a commitment to the welfare of the dogs.”
Once in a while through this program a perfect match is made, like in the case of Ebrietas and her new owners.
“I remember when Ebrietas was outside the shop being introduced to her new family. It was great to see that instant connection, and the excitement by ev- eryone,” Vandenberg said. “It is a privilege to be a small part of a happy story.”
Skinner remembers this moment well, too. “She just snuggled into the crook of my arm,” the dog owner said. “She kind of stole my heart.”
Ebrietas came home to her new life in North Greenbush in early August - and she’s been happily enjoying herself ever since, her owners report.
“She’s just been an amazing dog,” said Skinner, noting that Ebrietas gets along well with their other dog Aurora. “She’s a love bug.”
Estimated to be about a year old, Ebrietas is believed to be part Catahoula Leopard Dog and
part black lab. Through a genetic condition called heterochromia, she has one brown eye and one blue eye, making her a conversation starter wherever she goes.
Before her heartwarming local tale began, Ebrietas’ life was much different - and it was almost cut short.
She and her sister were set to be euthanized in South Carolina, but luckily just one day before Peppertree stepped in and saved the dogs’ lives.
Once transported to upstate New York, Ebrietas went to live in a foster home with volunteer Ellen Harris, who felt compelled to help because of the urgent situation. Harris was also the one to bring Ebrietas to the Troy Night Out event where she so serendipitously met Skinner and Rothermel.
Appreciative of the support and exposure, “I just had a good feeling she would find her home,” Harris said about bringing the dog to Wooden Shoe Trading Company on that busy summer Troy Night Out.
“It was really special,” she recalls of meeting Skinner and Rothermel and introducing them to their future dog.
“I really do feel like there’s something magical about Troy,” Harris continued. “It did, it felt like magic the way they met.”
Pepper t ree Rescue would like to create more partnerships like the one with Wooden Shoe Trading Company in the future.
The organization is also constantly seeking volunteers, especially those who can provide foster homes for animals before their adoptions, though there are many other ways to help out.
Ebrietas’ sister has now been adopted through Peppertree too, along with many other pets.
Last year, Peppertree cared for 122 animals including one cat who was part of a bonded pair, so was fostered and adopted together with his dog friend.
More information about Peppertree Rescue and ways to get involved with the organizations is available online at peppertree. org.