PAWS TO PONDER

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by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc.

Did you know Warwick Valley Humane Society has been participating as a vendor in Applefest for over 20 years?

It’s a very long day for vendors beginning with early morning set up by 9 when hopefully sales begin. Setting the record straight, no, we do not bring any animals to this street fair. Instead we try to sell animal related items to raise funds for our shelter and the animals we care for. Of course, we do promote our homeless pets with their pictures right up front which garners a lot of attention, donations and inquiries. 

This year the sun was shining bright and hot leaving our cold weather merchandise of pawprint gloves, socks and knit hats unnoticed.  No one was thinking about the winter to come.  There have been plenty of Applefests in freezing temperatures over the years and some wet ones too.  We’ve weathered them all as fair vendors do.

In my absence when I was taking a break, our booth was approached by two non fans of our organization, sharing their displeasure with our shelter with another director.  Unfortunately the circumstances of their discontent were unclear. I would have liked to have had the opportunity to better understand and either offer an explanation or make amends in some way.  The rest of the day was filled with compliments and thanks for caring for our community’s unwanted animals.  Kind comments are always very much appreciated but especially so when standing on concrete for hours on end in the hot sun trying to raise funds for shelter supplies and vet bills. During the day I spoke with strangers, adopters and long time supporters who stopped by to say hello. One recent adopter told me how enchanted he is with his new cat and how grateful he was for the help and guidance the staff provided during the adoption process. With adopters from long ago we reminisced about their challenging and much loved dog who brought them so much joy and will forever be in their hearts.  I couldn’t help but smile every time a little child kissed and patted our giant Scooby Doo or when a passing dog barked at it. 

A young girl asked me if all the money from our booth goes to the animals and then spent all of her ten dollars with us.

Applefest, although a very long day, was a day filled with meeting other animal lovers, greeting friends, offering some requested advice, making sales and promoting adoptions. In all aspects it was a successful 8 hour fundraising event not including setup and breakdown.  To that end I was so tired I forgot to do this column until 11pm Monday night!

Applefest is an exceptionally well run street fair with incredible police presence and security, friendly visitors and although a bit disruptive to residents, does Warwick proud! 

Thank you to the Applefest committee for letting our organization participate as a non profit vendor granting us “our space” year after year on South Street at the tracks. Happy Fall to all!

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