A Toast To The Dogs Earns Funds For New Pound

By Kendra Bobowick

Guests were in a mood to laugh.

Stealing the privacy of shadows pushing against The Taunton Press’s security lighting, supporters sipped wine at patio tables during Saturday’s silent auction and fundraiser to benefit the Canine Advocates of Newtown (CAN). Food, music, wine, and conversation filled the night’s Putting on the Dogs III on September 13.

With a slimmer crowd than the previous two years’ events, advocates President Virginia Jess was still thankful for the estimated $6,000 in donations bolstering the push for a new dog pound.

Balancing their complimentary wine glasses etched with a paw print, Liz Neger leaned into her conversation with Donna Tomasko as the two shared an outdoor table. Chablis? Blush? The women were among the many guests sampling wines provided by Yankee Wine & Spirits and Stop & Save Liquor. With them were Jim Ritchie, Terry Ritchie, and Nial Neger.

Indoors, folding tables offered 65 auction items, including books, paintings, photographs of weathered barns, or images of filtered light slipping between tree limbs, among other toys, services, art and handcrafted items. Items ranged from “priceless,” including a Hole in the Wall Gang painted block signed by Paul Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward, to a $900 invisible fence system, to necklaces and hand-painted items. Guests lingering over the display listened to the acoustic sound of Tom Novak, who added often familiar musical licks and lyrics to the conversations filling the local magazine publisher’s lobby.

Stepping through the front door, guests encountered paintings on display, hors d’oeuvres tables and dessert trays, and soon mingled with CAN volunteers, including Adria Henderson, Brian Silverlieb, VMD, and guests who have offered professional services to the CAN dog pound fund drive. Among them were Toll Brother construction consultant Dan Walton, Danbury AIC volunteer group, and Pat McDougal of Newtown Pool. Animal Control officer Carolee Mason and kennel assistant Amy Andras also traded their uniforms for dressier clothing on the evening out.

Once inside the main lobby guests received their brochure with a personal greeting: “There are so many people to thank,” headlining a message from Ms Jess. From residents making their donations to the parties offering their help and services to the evening, Ms Jess nodded to The Inn at Newtown, Red Rooster, and Carminuccio’s for serving food, to the Roman family for the premises where people enjoyed the evening, and more.

“Please bid generously,” her greeting concluded, and “help to make our dream of a new pound for Newtown a reality.”

This week she said, “In all it was a nice night — it went smoothly.” Again she thanked everyone for the food, wine, and contributions to this year’s fundraiser. “What they did was amazing,” she said. Speaking of the food especially, Ms Jess said, “They went all out.” Taunton food staff also put in efforts to be sure guests enjoyed the evening.

With the promise of both capital funds from the town and an already more than $150,000 in contributions, the town will eventually see in brick and concrete what was on display in conceptual renderings Saturday. Slated to occupy space tucked into state land at the end of Trades Lane and behind the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard, the pound will offer a greeting room, offices, kennel, indoor play and training rooms, a feline room, and more. Learn about the pound and pets awaiting adoption at canineadvocates.org.