Lunenburg Elderdog fundraiser a success

Older adults and older dogs gathered recently in Lunenburg to celebrate the national launch of Best Friends Day on June 8, a fundraiser for Elderdog Canada, a non-profit established in 2009 that offers services that may lengthen the time the owner and dog have together or assist in re-homing the dog to a loving home.

Local merchants, such as Ironworks Distillery, Saltbox Brewery, Petite Riviere Vineyards and Solas Kombucha, added to the festivities by offering free samples of their libations. Lynne Mackay, owner of Ironworks Distillary, explained how businesses across the country can raise awareness of Elderdog and contribute to help maintain the services. “A hang tag showing Elderdog’s logo can be placed on the product of choice letting the purchaser know a portion of the sale will be donated to Elderdog. Ironworks has chosen its dark rum during the month of its highest sales, August, we are calling it our ‘Dog Days of Summer’ sale.”

It may be a brief medical situation where Elderdog volunteers assist with the care of the dog, such as exercise, grooming and vet visits, or perhaps a more life changing event such as moving to an assisted-care facility where pets are not welcome. Elderdog offers a gentle solution for these dogs, who might otherwise be put down, by fostering them and finding them a new forever home. The organization now has branches in seven provinces across Canada.

Ardra Cole, the founder of the organization, was pleased to see so many people at the event, but even more pleased to point out the number of happy re-homed older dogs in attendance. She explained, “The process of fostering and re-homing is a lengthy and very supervised part of Elderdog’s services. There is something special about the relationship between these dogs and the humans who care for them.” To participate in the Best Friends

Day fundraiser or to attend an Elderdog Canada event, check out www.elderdog.ca or Facebook page.