I believe in magic...

Tartan, Honey, Ceilidh & Miles - Photo by Shaun Derman

The PADS Mother’s Day Brunch and Auction has become almost legendary...between puppies, clients, dogs, volunteers and supporters it’s a day when everyone comes together. There is friendly bidding and money spent but something bigger happens – it “all” becomes real and the atmosphere is electric...

For the supporters that have read newsletters and contributed generously it’s a chance to see the fruit of their dedication and the hopefuls for the future.

For the clients it’s a chance to catch up – to meet new friends and old – and to support the future hopefuls!!

For the volunteers that it’s a chance to get to meet and know the clients they serve so selflessly.

For the volunteers that raise our puppies and give them up it’s an opportunity to see the dogs they love deeply making a difference.

For the raisers that are trying to keep their adolescent charges calm and under control in a ballroom full of “admirers” and other dogs it’s a reminder of why they are living in “Leave It! Land” and an encouragement to keep going!

For the staff it’s a chance to witness the magic of all of these things!!

The week before the auction the staff and auction volunteers are almost always reaching the end of their proverbial rope...there are so many details and last minute things to pack and pick up and print...sleep is elusive and exhaustion can get to the best of us. Auction day snaps us out of it and reminds us that any job worth doing is a job worth doing well....

As I cued the 2009 PADS video for the last time of the morning (sound piped through a microphone held up to a speaker because something always has to go wrong with the technology!!) I had to sit silent for the 5 minutes it played. Instead of watching it (and tearing up again) I looked around the room...tears welled up anyway... for a moment I forgot that I was hungry, tired, and even that my feet were aching...as I caught a glimpse of the organization I work and volunteer for.

Right behind me was Lisa, the nurse who uses Therapy Dog Rowan to help inspire her patients through difficult and what could be tedious physical therapy. Sitting with her was a group of incredible employees from Westjet, they are no longer mere coworkers, but generous PADS donors and eager volunteers, with them was PADS’ youngest puppy-in-training – 10 week old Ella. Amazing.

To one side was a beautiful Sheltie Hearing Dog, alerting her client to sounds and identifying an invisible disability. To the other side was Sherry giving Service Dog Athens a scratch – these two selflessly give their time and creative talents each year to give back to PADS – helping more clients experience the gift they have. Across from them, Matt Mills, who has served PADS for nearly a decade – raising so many puppies we’ve lost count, serving as our board President and most recently rescuing us by MC’ing the day when our beloved Val Cole was unable to attend.

I saw a group of puppy-raisers, once strangers, now friends for life – joined by the bond of loving tiny fluffy bundles in yellow capes into full grown superheroes!

I watched Gary and Karen, dedicated puppy-raisers eagerly bidding for a painting they later took home...grinning ear to ear. The painting was of a tug boat with the name “Max” proudly emblazoned on its bow – that painting was the creation of volunteer Marnie Hartnell, who has for nearly 16 years served PADS every single week! Her commitment is the only thing more beautiful than her paintings!! It makes me smile to think that the creation of PADS’ longest standing volunteer will grace the new home of two volunteers that embody the same giving spirit...

All around me were clients, dogs, puppies and people I admire. I felt an incredible sense of pride, humbled to be part of all PADS does...and will continue to do. So to all you PADS Assistance dogs...and the people who helped you get where you are....thank you & well done...

Tara

PS...the video...