Newport OR * MAY 11th * Pet Adoption Day Cherished Dream For Animal Lover And Store Owner!

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j2468 wrote: FOR YOUR INFORMATIONPLEASE CROSSPOSTPHOTO on below website!Google News AlertVia: Newport News TimesNewport, Oregonhttp://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2007/05/09/business/business01.txt---Posted: May 09, 2007 - 09:18:23

PDTPaper Falcon hosts inaugural Pet Adoption DayBy Gail Kimberling Of the News-Times"It's coming from my heart, from the truest place of caring," CarolynBrinkerhoff says of the inaugural Pet Adoption Day she has organized forFriday, May 11 in the parking lot behind her store, Paper Falcon, in theNye Beach District of Newport. (Photo by Gail Kimberling)The traumatic loss of a pet cat as a child laid the groundwork for alifelong love of animals for Carolyn Brinkerhoff."Puss Puss," a rescue cat, was accidentally hung after being tied up toa tent in Brinkerhoff's back yard. "It was absolutely devastating," saidBrinkerhoff, who was 7 or 8 years old at the time. "That's where my passion for animal care came from."Later, as an adult, a German Shepherd named "Chewy" became Brinkerhoff's"true love," followed by a pair of rescue mixed pooches, "Piglet"

andCracker."Brinkerhoff says of her pets, "Where else can you find suchcompanionship, such unconditional love?" and that's why she has devotedher time, talent and energy over the years to provide the best in carefor domestic animals - especially ones that are homeless and in need ofa loving family.Her latest, and perhaps, biggest endeavor takes place Friday, in theparking lot behind Brinkerhoff's Nye Beach business, Paper Falcon: It'sa Pet Adoption Day, featuring dogs and cats from the Lincoln CountyAnimal Shelter, vendors, T-shirts, refreshments, and entertainment. Donations of cash, food and supplies for the shelter will also becollected."My goal for that day is to raise $2,000 for the shelter - and I thinkwe can meet and exceed that," Brinkerhoff says.A business with a missionSince opening Paper Falcon, a gift store, in the fall of 2006,Brinkerhoff has generously and quietly

donated 5 percent of her businessproceeds to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter. As of May 1, the donated amount totals more than $2,100."My five-year goal is to raise enough on an annual basis to pay thesalary of a second animal control officer in the county," Brinkerhoffexplains.After owning a home on the central Oregon coast for a number of years,Brinkerhoff became a full-time resident in June 2006 following herretirement from a career in international marketing. Just a few months later Brinkerhoff came across a yellow lab tethered inthe open bed of a parked pickup in the middle of a raging rainstorm. Incensed at the animal's plight, Brinkerhoff called Lincoln CountyAnimal Control Officer Jackie Beckstead. "Although she was in Lincoln City at the time, she responded instantly,"Brinkerhoff recalls.Beskstead's quick response, and her handling of the situation, soimpressed

Brinkerhoff she vowed to do whatever she could to raise moneyfor the shelter and overstretched officer."I knew I could raise money; I'm a marketer," Brinkerhoff says. So withthe help of "a fabulous landlord" and an eye for high-quality,reasonably-priced gifts, artwork and jewelry, Brinkerhoff opened PaperFalcon and began making monthly donations to the shelter.Still another animal abuse case and its consequences - two brothers fromAtlanta, Ga. were recently sentenced to 10 years in prison and 10 yearsprobation for the horrific torture and death of a puppy - spurredBrinkerhoff to even greater action."They cooked the puppy in an oven ..." Brinkerhoff says, barely holdingback tears. "I thought, we have to do better; we have to do a better job of spayingand neutering so all pets will have homes, so no more will come tothis."Inspired by Best Friends, a large sanctuary in southern Utah whose

goalis "to bring about a time when there are no more homeless pets," andwith cooperation from the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, Brinkerhofforganized her inaugural Pet Adoption Day for May 11."The shelter will be here, and the county folks are donating their timeto help adopt pets," Brinkerhoff says. "My vendors have donated itemsfor raffle and sale, we'll have a live radio broadcast, and there willbe food and music."Umpqua Bank has signed on as a sponsor, and donations for the event havecome from Chowder Bowl, PANACHE, Linda and Michael Photography,Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer, Staples, Feed Corral, American Retail Co., RickertArt Center, Scanners, Vikki Berry and others."It's amazing - big companies and little businesses have all pulledtogether to help make this happen," Brinkerhoff says. "I want this to grow out of the back parking lot, I'd like to see thisbecome a destination event."We're

starting something that will be of immense help. Of everythingI've done in my life this is the most important, this is my truepassion."I'm not doing it for the glory, it's coming from my heart, from thetruest place of caring."Pet Adoption Day11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday May 11Paper Falcon back parking lot314 NW Coast St, NewportFor information call: 265-9389.===========================Patricia Breen www.petstorecruelty.org

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