The Arizona Animal Fair could not have asked for a better weather day.

I took my Jett Greyhound who was a great ambass-a-dog for the retired racer breed. While he sometimes lunges and barks at dogs during our walk, he was a perfect gentleman while meeting big dogs and little dogs. He even had a love fest with the Goldens and Aussies. Not only was their butt sniffing but a lot of face licking as well.

I think Jett’s favorite interaction was with the goats. He put his needle nosed face in between the slats on their pen and both looked at each other startled. What was that? Jett was mesmerized by the goats. We avoided the exotic reptiles — my aversion, not his.

Jett loves people and just assumes they want to meet him and pet him. And he loves kids — all sizes.

While Jett had a grand time meeting and greeting, I also enjoyed meeting some people I “know” from Tucson Tails and Beading Divas to the Rescue but never had the chance to meet face to face like Sara Gromley from HSSA and Elida Burnette and Rachel Molyneux from Pit n’ Proud.

It was also fun to see rescue people I know and admire — Tammi from FAIR; Paula from TALGV who was walking Martin, a friendly St.Bernard/Terrier mix-he’s up for adoption; Brittany from Pet Genius; Marcie & Jeanette from No Kill Pima County; plus all the greyhounds from Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption and Arizona Greyhound Rescue. Loren the Pooper Scooper will be featured in a separate blog post soon.

I hope many pets were vaccinated, micro-chipped and adopted or people thought about adoption or volunteering. It looked like a good time was had by all.                                                

P.S. Jett Greyhound has his own blog called Jett’s Stream. Check it out!

(Photos courtesy Cynthia David & Diana Hansen)

The Arizona Animal Fair happens Saturday March 2 at Reid Park. It’s one of our community’s most beloved events as people and their pets and people looking for more pets come out for an amazing day. Paws crossed that we have good weather!

The Arizona Animal Fair is the largest event of its kind in the Southwest and as you can imagine it’s quite an undertaking.

And they need volunteers for the day of the event and the day before Friday March 1, to help set up.

Can you help with?

• Super adoption area
• Vendor relief and sell merchandise
• Event setup & breakdown – burn lots of calories
• Food Court & Beer Garden – keeping everything tidy
• Pet Psychic Booth – Schedule appointments

Are you bilingual? There’s a big need for bilingual volunteers as well as people with audio/visual skills and who are willing to manage other volunteers.

There are lots of ways to get involved and people who sign up to work a 4 hour shift or more get a free event logo t-shirt.

It takes a village to put this event on.  Check out the options and complete an online application.

(Photo/Humane Society Southern Arizona: Foxy was found limping through rural farmland with a punctured eye, visible ribs, tape worms and a raging case of tick fever and valley fever. It was the peak of summer and Foxy was emaciated, thirsty and exhausted. Thankfully someone discovered Foxy and delivered her to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, where she underwent surgery to remove her dead eye and correct the painful condition causing lameness in her hip. After months of foster care, physical therapy and medicine, Foxy is looking and feeling 100% better. Her foster guardian has taken in countless animals over the years and beams that Foxy is the best guest she has ever had. This appreciative pup is extremely easygoing and has impeccable manners. If you would like to meet this very special hidden gem, please call the HSSA at (520)327-6088 to schedule an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

Foxy – #732377 – 1.5 Years Old – Shepherd Mix – Female)

10th Annual Arizona Animal Fair in Tucson – March 5, 2011

Tucson is home to one of the largest day-long festivals celebrating animals in the Southwest: the Arizona Animal Fair.

The Fair happens Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Reid Park (22nd St. at Country Club Blvd., near the off-leash dog park). The event is free and open to the public. Well-behaved people and pets are welcome. Pets must be on a 6-foot or shorter leash at all times.

More than 30 rescue groups will set up in the Super Adoption area. Meet dogs, cats, and ferrets as well as llamas, horses, miniature horses, burros, and goats.

Scheduled entertainment includes “Muttalica’s Rocking Rescue Dog Sport and Comedy Show,” demonstrations by Police K-9s, Sweetwater Stockdogs sheep herding, Dust Devil Flyball Dog Racing, Tucson Musical Canine Freestyle Club, plus educational demos involving birds of prey, professional dog training, and pet safety for children.

Live music, described as “Backwoods-Americana Blues,” can be enjoyed in the pet-friendly beer garden from noon to 4 p.m.

Vaccinations for dogs will be available during the event at the Animal Birth Control of Tucson tent for only $9 each, licensing provided on-site by Pima Animal Care Center and low-cost micro-chipping will be available at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona booth.

This is your opportunity to learn about the many low-cost or no-cost spay and neuter options available in Pima County.

Last year it was cold and rainy. This year let’s all chant for warm and pleasant. Don’t forget to stop by the Arizona Greyhound Rescue booth where you and your pet can create Puppy Pawcasso art that you will treasure forever.

The Arizona Animal Fair is hosted by the Tucson-based nonprofit animal rescue group Saving Animals from Euthanasia (SAFE). The purpose of the event is to promote the welfare of animals by educating the community about the humane treatment of animals, the importance of sterilization and micro-chipping, and the re-homing of the lost and abandoned.

And of course, if you want to get involved and volunteer, check out the volunteer application.

I will be volunteering in the AWASA (Animal Welfare Alliance of Southern Arizona) booth in early part of the event. Please come by and say hello.

(Photo is courtesy of Cynthia David. Mimzy lives with Harmony greyhound but Mimzy is the boss.)

Please send photos of your dogs, cats, horses, and other pets to tucson.tails@yahoo.com. Include your name, photo credit (if different), pet’s name, and one sentence about them.

The 10th Annual Arizona Animal Fair is an all-day festival celebrating pets! The event is attended by over 8,000 people, all proceeds from the event benefit the animal rescue community. Can you help?

Event Date: Saturday March 5, 2011 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Set-up: Thursday March 3 (physical labor) & Friday March 4 (somewhat physical)

Volunteers are critical to the success of this event. Grab a friend or teenager (or a gaggle of young adults) and c’mon down. Meet like-minded animal lovers and have fun.

Assistance is needed with the following:
–Super Adoption Area – help meet the goal of finding forever homes for 100+ animals!
–Vendor Relief – the fun job of cruisin’ the fair, offering breaks to vendors as needed.
–Event set-up & break-down – put your muscles to work and it burns calories
–Food Court & Beer Garden – keeping everything tidy & safe for fair goers
–Pet Psychic Booth – schedule appointments with our animal intuition expert
–SAFE Store – sell t-shirts and other cool stuff with all proceeds benefiting SAFE (Saving Animals from Euthanasia)

Location: Reid Park, on the NE corner of 22nd St/Country Club Blvd.

If you only have an hour to help set up (during your lunch hour), all hands are welcome. But, people who volunteer for a 4-hour shift or longer receive a free awesome t-shirt commemorating the 10th annual event.

Read the specifics and how to sign up.

(Photo is courtesy of Bonnie Lewis. Cuvee belongs to Yvonne Foucher, owner of Catavinos Wine Shoppe. Cuvee often greets customers.)