Click here to view the embedded video.

When Bernard’s first dog passed on, Flash, a Black Lab, became Bernard’s family in 2001. Flash has shared good times and bad times with Bernard. Through it all, Flash has given Bernard the strength to continue fighting to regain his health — and because of the dedicated Staff and Volunteers of PAWS/LA, Bernard has been able to see that his dog is well-cared for. Flash developed health problems that Bernard could not have afforded to pay. PAWS/LA stepped in and provided the financial assistance meeded to see that Flash received the treatments he needed.

Every month, rain or shine, a dedicated PAWS/LA Volunteer makes food deliveries for Flash, which lifts another burden from Bernard’s shoulders. Like all of PAWS/LA clients, Bernard’s primary concern is for the welfare of his animal companion. Because of PAWS/LA, Bernard isn’t faced with debilitatiing stress over Flash’s welfare.

Bernard believes in giving back what he can to the organization that has allowed him to keep Flash with him. Whenever possible, Bernard helps to spread the word about PAWS/LA, happy to share his experience of the generosity and devotion of PAWS/LA Staff and Volunteers. “Flash has helped keep me alive,” he says, “and PAWS/LA has enabled me to keep Flash.”

Always a realist, Bernard knows that his life could end before Flash. He has tried to make provisions for his beloved dog to be adopted should the need arise. His worry over this matter is greatly decreased because he knows PAWS/LA will step in and make sure that Flash finds a loving human to care for if Bernard is taken from him.

Bernard has not had an easy road to walk, but because he had Flash by his side he’s never felt alone — and for that he will always be grateful to the wonderful people at PAWS/LA.

Melissa Poppenger has been a volunteer for PAWS/LA for over three years. At a difficult time in her own life, she was looking for some way to get out of her problems and become involved in helping animals and the elderly. She began researching volunteer opportunities on the internet, and when she read about PAWS, she knew that she had found her niche. Melissa is one of the angels who deliver food bank food to PAWS clients. Melissa’s route takes her to the out of the way places in the San Fernando Valley – places that others often can’t find no matter how hard they try. For Melissa, no address is too difficult to find.

Like many of PAWS/LA clients, Melissa has two companions who are as important to her as any member of her family: Her dog, Shadow, and her African Grey Parrot, Rico. Melissa has always been an animal lover. As a young person, she had cats and a family dog. Her Whippet got out of the yard and was lost. Melissa was delighted when her family received a call that someone had found their Whippet, but was dismayed when the so-called rescuer was more interested in collecting a reward then in retuning the dog. After several days of silence, the family received another phone call about the dog – this time from the “rescuer’s” girlfriend who said that she couldn’t stand hearing the dog crying, and gave Melissa the address of where the dog was being kept. Her family got the dog back five days later. The importance of having her dog returned to her is something that Melissa has never forgotten.

When Melissa is not delivering food for PAWS, she can be found working in the IT Department for the Fashion Design Institute. Prior to that, Melissa worked in a bakery where she did the early morning baking. The grocery strike of several years ago, compelled her to seek a change of career direction.

When asked what PAWS/LA means to her, Melissa replied, “It means hope and freedom. Freedom to have the animals who mean so much to our clients remain with them, and the hope that their lives will continue to improve because of the dedication and care of the people who are the heart and soul of PAWS/LA.”

For more information about Volunteering, contact Raymundo Baltazar. 213.741.1950 x 116

BOWL PROJECT AUCTION

November 29 thru December 16, 2011

See Auction

On-line auction of one-of-a-kind celebrity dog bowls.

When does a basic dog bowl become something more? Answer — When it’s a one-of-a-kind piece of “pup art” created with love by many of today’s hottest stars. Scheduled to launch on November 29, 2011, Bowl Project 2011 is an online charity auction featuring ceramic dog bowls that are custom painted by such celebrity animal lovers as: Paula Abdul, Ellen DeGeneres, Betty White, Jessica Simpson, Jane Lynch, Chelsea Handler, Cindy Crawford, William Shatner, and many others.

These collectible bowls are personally signed by each celebrity artist and will be sure to last a lifetime. The bowls’ conveyed messages are an important reminder of the love and affection pets offer people, especially those in need of care most.

For more information about The Bowl Project call Pamela Magette. 213.741.1950 x 113 or pmagette@pawsla.org.