By Joanna Dunn Samson, Vice President of FOTAS
Last weekend the stars were out at the Aiken County Animal Shelter, where many of the resident Stars came out to walk the red carpet and meet their adoring public. The excitement in the air was palpable.
“Everyone gets so excited about the Academy Awards,” says Ellie Joos, FOTAS Board member and volunteer, “but the real action is happening right here on Wire Road. The canine and feline stars at the Shelter are nothing short of phenomenal.”
Here are some of the winners of the 2016 Aiken County Petacademy Awards.
The award in the Most Affectionate category went to Trey, a 2 year-old black lab mix. Trey is very shy and a Hall of Fame love bug who would just as soon snuggle up to your leg than almost anything in the world, with the possible exception of eating.
“I am most grateful to the Academy for this award,” panted Trey, edging closer and closer to my leg. “I can’t wait to find a home where I can share all this affection!”
The Best Hugger and Kisser award went to Shakespeare, a 3 month-old golden puppy with a huge heart and a long tongue.
“Whoa!” cried Shakespeare, with a wiggle and a shake. “You mean I get an award for hugging and kissing? You think I could get one for scarfing down those tasty little beef treats?”
One of the biggest surprises of the day: 3 year-old, golden brindle Brutus took home an award in The Most Bashful in a Large Body category. Weighing in at 93 lbs, this big boy Hall of Famer and Pet of the Week is so shy, he’d like to spend his life with his head in your armpit. In fact, if you could fit his food bowl in your armpit, too, he’d be a happy man.
“Bffdd?*&&& hnnt!!f3 djjjfddd,” mumbled Brutus.
“Brutus thanks the Academy for its recognition,” interpreted Kathy Jacobs, his agent, “and he hopes one of his fans will take him to a forever home where he will always be safe.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Madam Mim, a 9 year-old, dark gray shaggy terrier mix who was found wandering the streets without identification and with cataracts, tumors, and broken teeth. A sweet, quiet dog, Miss Mimm said, “After the kindness of the folks at the shelter and the amazing medical care administered by Dr. Levy, the shelter vet, my faith in humanity has been restored. I look forward to living out my years basking in the love of my furever home.”
Finally, the award for Most Nurturing to Every Living Thing category went to Lindy, a 4-year old white bully mix with gray markings who loves all people, kids, dogs and cats she meets. Her acceptance speech was extraordinary.
“The world would be a better place, “ said Lindy, giving her fellow nominees a soft nudge, “if everyone would adopt a dog from the shelter and stay home and give hine-y rubs. Then, finally, the world will know peace.”
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Please don’t wait to make one of the Shelter stars the light of your life. Their lives are in our hands.
