NONPROFITS AROUND TOWN: Rescuers give mill dogs a second chance

Theresa Strader can’t tell you how many dogs she and her volunteers have rescued because it changes by the minute.

She can, however, remember the first: Lily.

She had seen a puppy mill and said, “not fair,” she told the several hundred supporters at the Aug. 14 National Mill Dog Rescue RUFF! Life Benefit Wine Tasting. Dogs in cages turning out litter after litter after litter, never going outside, standing in their own waste, never being cuddled.

Then a one-line e-mail said there were 50 Italian greyhounds — Theresa’s sentimental favorite — being auctioned off at a mill in Missouri. From the 561 dogs “crammed in cages in sheds” she was able to bring back the usually lively little greyhounds, including Lily, who had spent seven years in the mill before living out her life as Theresa and Rich Strader’s beloved pet.

Now NMDR has tallied well over 2,200 rescues, including 20 the night of the fundraiser and 121 — retired breeding dogs from commercial breeders or rejected dogs — the next week. This mission will be shown on “Animal Planet” this fall.

Today, NMDR, working out of “Lily’s Haven,” has 400 volunteers, 100 of them under the age of 18.

During the evening at Norris-Penrose Event Center, patrons and supporters sipped and discussed  varieties of wine as they cautiously petted tiny dogs rescued from years of abuse in the mills.

Priscilla Littau and Stephen Posey foster Buddy, who they call “Rufus, the Wonder Dog.” The fee-paid Brussels Griffon needs “a kid, a cat, a backyard and to be a dog,” said Littau.

 The Straders introduced their own pets, a tiny Papillon named Woosie and Addie, an Italian Greyhound. Then there was a pet parade of Tang, the Shih Tzu; Sandy, a rat-terrier mix with a “Bruce Springsteen smile” carried by foster Barb Jones; Lucius, the pugnacious pug cared for by Michelle Hinerman; and tiny Katie Bug, who spent 7 years in a cage and just 3 weeks as a dog, said her foster mom Dee Ruppert.

NMDR raised $11,750 during the benefit and found a number of people willing to go through the tough application process to adopt the rescued animals.

After a buffet by Summit Catering, radio personalities Gina Kavali and Wendy LaBree auctioned off concert tickets. Cheryl Cosky walked away with two sets of tickets but Nicole Pacheco outlasted her for the Toby Keith treasures. Bidding had been in the $200 range until Ivars Spons of Sovereignty Wines threw in a case of fine wine for the first $400 and Nicole’s hand went up. With her were her friends Deb Owings and Kristina Harmon, who was carrying her tiny dog, Lucy. Why Lucy? Well of course, her husband is Ricky, explained Harmon. And when he comes home at night he opens the door and calls out, “Luceee, I’m home!”

Parade VIP reception

Last weekend’s Red, White and Brave Parade welcomed home the 4th Infantry Division and hundreds of other soldiers who had been deployed.

Kicking off the celebration was a VIP breakfast reception where the area’s newest commanders were introduced to elected officials, dignitaries, defense contractors and community volunteers.

Saluted as the volunteer “Dream Team” that put the reception together were Vicki Dimond, Mary Ellen McNally, Barb Furr-Brodock, Pat Cone, Elizabeth Youngquist, Laura Muir, Susan Wilmot, Beth Byer, Andrea Austin, Alyssa Parker and others. Air Force Academy cadets also volunteered, later escorting VIPs from the Cravings-catered breakfast tent to the grandstand.

 Introduced were the parade’s grand marshal, 4ID commander Maj. Gen David Perkins and his wife, Ginger, whose cowboy hat bore a sparkling Ivy patch.

Another newcomer was AFA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michael Gould and his vivacious wife, Paula, wearing sparkling red, white and blue.

 Col. Stephen Whiting, 21st Space Wing Commander, and his wife, Tammy, were busily shaking hands. Surrounded by cadets were AFA Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Samuel and Tammy Cox and Dean of Faculty Brig. Gen. Dana Born.

Among those at the breakfast: Ted and Dusty Severn of BAE Systems; Matt and Julie Colligan of Champion Windows, with son, Grant, in camouflage fleece; Tom Gregory, Lockheed Martin, and son Matthew; and Kery Dodge and Randy Gradishar, Phil Long Dealerships and representatives from Saddletree Homes, TriCare Health, Emeritus Senior Living, Pikes Peak United Way, Mortenson, USAA, Security Services Federal Credit Union, IBEW, Regis University, Economic Development Corp., TechWise, American Medical Response, El Pomar, Colorado Technical University, The Gazette, Delta Solutions, Gay & Lesbian Fund, Burger King, Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, Transit Mix, Doss Aviation, Ki Professional Services Group, Ki Professional Services Group, New Generation Homes, Daniels Chevrolet, Woodford Manufacturing and others.