Our First Annual 'Road Trip': Success!

Our first annual "Road Trip" event at Caras Park in downtown Missoula on Saturday was a great success!  We woke up to a drenching downpour and groaned, but by the time we got started at 10 a.m., the rain had finally quit and people started venturing outside.  The turnout actually exceeded our expectations, and the animals were a hit. The first photo shows the basic layout in the pavilion, which was a nice location for this kind of open, drop-in gathering.  We would have waves of people come by with lulls in between, and during one of the quieter moments I took the camera and shot these photos.

We had lots of people who met a disabled animal for the first time.  Here a father is explaining Travis' condition to his little girl; our volunteer Mary Ann F. on the left is holding Travis.  Having a fused jaw didn't keep Travis from being a real showman; he wanted to personally greet everyone who stopped in.

In this photo our volunteer Quincie A. is talking with a couple about wobbly Allie, who is laying at her feet.  Allie loved all the attention and had finally worn herself out by the time we closed up at 2 p.m.

We brought blind Lena and blind Nikki along, too, and folks loved meeting these girls -- especially kids!  People were fascinated to hear about blind horses.  Our volunteer Vicky C. is on the left in the photo, and our horse trainer Nichole Zupan is standing next to the trailer at the rear.  You can't really see this from the photo, but there's a child in front of the woman wearing the red jacket, and Nichole is helping the child feed a handful of hay to Nikki.

And we also had two reunions with adopted dogs!  Susan S. brought blind Buddy (on the left) out to see us, and Neely V. brought Charlie.  Buddy was adopted only a couple of months ago, but we hadn't seen Charlie in nearly a year. It was just great seeing these two wonderful dogs again.

We couldn't have done this event without the terrific support from all of our volunteers -- thank you so much!

(Click on photos for larger image.)

Comments

[Chris Benton]

I enjoyed meeting the amazing animals and the people who care for them. I excepted to be a little sad but seeing how much these guys enjoy life and love that is given to them I will save my pity for the ones who really need it, the negleted and abused animals that are not as lucky to have found a safe haven. You guys are the best.

Chris Benton

[ginger & Tobias (the greythound)]

So great to hear the road trip was a success. You took some great photos & it was nice to see that two former RDR dogs were there as well! I loved the HUGE photo of Widget at the booth. That was great. You all did a marvelous job. Hats off to all the volunteers, the animals, & you for making it all happen.
Big hugs,
ginger & Tobias

[Leilani]

Looks like a very successful event! The pictures are great and helpful for those of us who were with you in spirit but couldn't be there physically.
The education and excitement you provided will stay with people for quite some time and I'm sure enlighten those that come into a situation of having a "disabled" animal themselves.
Great job to you ALL!

[Jacque Lanier]

Thank you so very much for coming to Missoula. And thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you do for the animals. You all are truly an inspiration.