Bring sweetie and Fido to the Animal Outreach Valentine's dance

Dance and party Saturday at NG armory to benifit MCAO

Credit: photo contributed

Happiness is a snuggly Valentine Sweetie

By: Britt Combs | McDowell News
Published: February 11, 2009

You can let your sweetie know just how much you love them on Saturday evening by taking them out dancing – even if that sweetie happens to be named Whiskers or Spot. The McDowell County Animal Outreach Valentine's Dance has become an annual event looked forward to by lovers and animals alike.
As in the past, the party will be held at the National Guard Armory on Spaulding Road. The Last Resort Band returns to provide tunes for those who want to get their boogie on, and there will be a karaoke contest for would-be stars.
The event supports the work Animal Outreach does all year – rescuing, rehabilitating and placing lost, abandoned, abused or neglected dogs and cats from throughout the community.
Hundreds of animals pass through the group's foster homes each year. The care, shelter, feeding and veterinary care are funded by MCAO, either through group funds or often by the members themselves, in hope they will find new homes.
The group holds adoption events each Saturday in the grass next to Peebles department store, and occasionally in Old Fort as well.
MCAO Vice President Marsha Carroll said the Valentine's party is a way to thank and honor the members and supporters for their work throughout the year and a primary fund-raiser to underwrite the coming year's expenses.
There will be silent auctions and raffles. Area and regional businesses contribute many prizes and premiums to suit every taste.
Primary event sponsors, Marion Video Games and More and Sassy or Classy Lingerie, have donated prizes. They are joined by Bruce's Fabulous Foods, The Jewelry Connection, The Steakhouse and Fatz Café.
The Grove Park Inn has donated a dinner for two buffets at their restaurant, and the Spa at Grove Park Inn offers two day-passes. There are $100 and $50 gift cards from Wal-Mart and gift certificates to Moondoggy's, The Hope Chest and Mi Pueblito.
Also to be auctioned will be a Sony PSP game system. Other prizes and sponsors are still signing up as of this writing, Carroll reported.
Countryside Bar-B-Que will provide dinner plates, with a portion of the cost benefiting Animal Outreach.
Admission is $7 for singles, $10 for couples, $3 for students. Pets and kids under 10 are admitted free. A dessert and one raffle ticket are free with your paid admission.
Carroll especially encourages all to bring their pets (on leashes, please) to join in the fun. There will be treats for the four-legged revelers, and you can get your animal's portrait made. To display those keepsakes, there will be handmade and decorated frames by Celesta Johnson and several other artists.
Don't forget to dress your pet in their cutest duds, as the best-dressed pet contest is a crowd favorite and competition gets pretty fierce, Carroll said.
The party begins at 5 p.m. and will go on through 10 p.m. For more information call MCAO at 527-3755. The group is a state-certified nonprofit organization.