Meeting friends because of "For the Love of Dogs"

The following was sent to us by Olesia Kennedy and we have decided to share it as written, in it's entirety.

On November 7, 2008 I had a great time meeting Karen & Don, Hondo (EPI'r) and Miley (Hondo's side kick) on their travels through KY. We talked, we ate, we drank and shared EPI wine, "For the Love of Dogs" raising money for the EPI research. This is the first time Karen and I met, but we felt like we were 'ol friends.... we have shared so much via cyber-space because of of our common interest in EPI, both of our dogs have it. And in our desire to help our dogs, we have made a new friendship.

Finally... I got to meet one of the nicest persons ever!
... this is Karen and and Hondo.
Photo courtesy of Olesia Kennedy.

Karen with Hondo ... and me explaining the alcohol content to "Miley."
Photo courtesy of Olesia Kennedy.

... and Hondo says to Miley "Hey, the coast is clear
they are both outside chatting away!"
Photo courtesy of Olesia Kennedy.

..."uh-oh... i think the room is spinning... this wine is just too yummy."
Photo courtesy of Olesia Kennedy.

...and Miley says "Act natural Hondo, mom & Olesia...
they're coming back inside..."
Photo courtesy of Olesia Kennedy.

...and all obviously had a wonderful time!

"For the Love of Dogs" visits Dog Daze Bakery

Dog Daze Bakery, in conjunction with one of their pet partners Lad's Pet Supplies, recently hosted a seminar by Azmira Holistic Animal Care founder Dr Lisa Newman, N.D., Ph.D. at their North Syracuse store. Dr Newman is a naturopathic Doctor with a Ph.D. in Nutrition and Azmira provides Human Grade Pet Foods, High Potency Herbal Extracts and Homeopathic Flower Remedies. Approximately 40 participants attended the informative seminar which included suggestions on diet, detoxification, nutritional and herbal supplementation. The seminar was followed by a question and answer period opening the discussion to participants' individual situations in regards to Dr Newman's holistic approach.

For the Love of Dogs fund raising wines and fliers made an appearance at the seminar. A bottle of wine was donated to Dave and Ruth Sturgis, owners of Dog Daze Bakery, as a thank you for all they do to support animals in the Syracuse and Central NY area. A bottle of white For the Love of Dogs wine was donated and presented to Dr Newman after the seminar. Dr Newman was interested in the EPI project and took a flier with her.

For the Love of Dogs wines, and fliers, on the hospitality table at a recent seminar with Dr Lisa Newman of Azmira at Dog Daze Bakery in Syracuse, NY.

Dave and Ruth Sturgis, owners of Dog Daze Bakery, have been supporting animals in the Syracuse area for over a decade. Dog Daze sells all-natural, holistic and organic dog and cat food, as well as treats and accessories. More importantly, however, is the knowledge of animal nutrition they openly share and the deep care and concern they have for their four legged customers. You can now find Azmira Holistic Animal Care products at Dog Daze Bakery and Dog Daze currently has two locations in the Syracuse area: 2100 Park St. in the Regional Market plaza (315.475.9595), and at a new second location, 309 S. Main St., North Syracuse (315.410.1278).

Dog Daze Bakery's newest location on South Main Street in North Syracuse NY.

Thanks to Heather Yates of Mac Shilohs for the donation of wine, fliers and story, to Dave and Ruth Sturgis for allowing the wine to be a part of the seminar and fliers left at their store and to all involved in bringing such and interesting and informative seminar to Syracuse.

More Wine Please!!!

Both red and white For the Love of Dogs wine has been a huge hit, however, none of this success would have been possible without the help of so many EPI folks and friends, buying, drinking and promoting... and a huge THANK YOU needs to go to Heather Yates of Candid Paws for setting up this wonderful EPI blog website and to Carol Anne Rayson, for establishing the EPI Global Group.

Because Carol Anne lives in Canada, the wine was not able to be shipped to her directly... so... as the story goes... with the help of some EPI friends... and Izzy the Spanish Water Dog...

"Oh No... we are down to just 2 bottles of wine... and we've got to get some to Heather to get to Trish, to get to Carol Anne's son to get to Carol Anne in Canada!"

"Hey Mom... we need some more wine!"

"Alright... I'LL make the call..."

"Hello... hello??? Is this the Chateau Morrisette Winery ???"

"... they put me on hold... maybe they don't understand dog-speak..."

"Still holding..."

"Success!!! I placed my order and so begins our International Travels with the wine... and more wine is coming for us in Indiana too!

"I just LOVE the red wine.... it's my favorite....hey, maybe you ought to try some too... after all it's for a good cause."

My name is Izzy, I am a Spanish Water Dog and I have EPI. I almost died 2 years ago, but because of the wonderful support my mom received from folks on the EPI Global Group I am still here today. Now we are trying to raise awareness and money to support the research that is being done with EPI so that maybe,someday, others won't have to suffer like I did and like so many others have. Please help!

Lots of Luv & Licks,
Izzy

"For the Love of Dogs" International Playdate

For the Love of Dogs red and white wines made an appearance in Syracuse NY on October 5th. Wegmans Good Dog Park and Onondaga Lake Park was the site of the Ottawa/Syracuse International Playdate meetup and wine drop! Trish McEachern and her EPI girl Ginger made the trip down from Ottawa CANADA to pick up some For The Love of Dogs wine she had purchased and shipped to Mac Shilohs.

Hamish, whose puppy photo was the basis for the red wine label, and Gareth of Mac Shilohs with Ginger posing with the wine at Onondaga Lake Park in Syracuse, NY.
Photo courtesy of Heather Yates, Candid Paws.

Time was spent chatting, walking the park, taking photos and enjoying the "Dog Park" while there. And of course, making the wine drop for it's trip to Canada where it was legally claimed at the border and duty paid.

Ginger proudly showing her Canadian patriotism posing with "For the Love of Dogs" white wine.
Photo courtesy of Heather Yates, Candid Paws.

The "kids" enjoying their time together; Hamish, Gareth and Ginger.
Photo courtesy of Heather Yates, Candid Paws.

See what happens when too much wine is shared? Gareth and Ginger making friends.
Photo courtesy of Heather Yates, Candid Paws.

Thanks to Olesia for sending up Carol Anne's wine, to Heather and the Mac Shilohs for being the central dropping point and to Trish and Ginger for making the trip down, taking some wine back and spending a lovely Sunday afternoon in CNY. But mostly to Trish for going the extra mile (or few hundred) to support the EPI Research Fund project and For the Love of Dogs wine!

Ginger trying to ignore the geese in the water while posting with the "For the Love of Dogs" wines.
Photo courtesy of Heather Yates, Candid Paws.

"For The Love of Dogs" in Montgomery Texas!

For the Love of Dogs wine made it to Montgomery TX as part of a silent auction donation during Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary's 3rd Annual Festival of the Wolves on October 4, 2008!

Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary is a nonprofit registered charity in Montgomery Texas, run by volunteers, created to provide a permanent home where wild and captive born wolves and wolf-dogs may live out the rest of their natural lives safely and comfortably with loving care and attention. These are non-releasable animals that have suffered much and deserve a stable and loving environment.

This lovely basket of For the Love of Dogs wines was donated to the silent auction held in conjunction with the Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary 3rd Annual Festival of the Wolves & Open Day on October 4, 2008.
Photo courtesy of Barbara Robertson.

These bottles of For the Love of Dogs wines not only raised funds for the EPI research study with their initial purchase from Chateau Morrisette but also contributed to the feeding, care and welfare of the wolves & wolf dogs at SFWS upon their donation and purchase at the silent auction. How wonderful is that? Charitable donations from beginning to end. We are told the wine was a hit in the silent auction.

The wine basket amidst some of the other auction/sale items.
Photo courtesy Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary.

100% of all fund raising at the Festival of Wolves goes directly to benefit the wolves! The hope is the funds raised this year will enable SFWS to install cooling fans into more of the wolves' log homes, build another enclosure to allow them to take in more wolves, and to continue to provide superior veterinary care, maintain the enclosures and of course feed the wolves. If you would like to help, visit the Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary website to sponsor a wolf or check out the sanctuary's ebay auctions.

Mystery, one of St Francis Wolf Sanctuary's residents, howling in 2007.
Photo courtesy of Charles Erick and Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary.

Special thanks to Barbara Robertson for donating the wine to the sanctuary, telling us their story and also, for her volunteer efforts at SFWS. And also to Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary for the wonderful work they do!