Claus & paws get together for good cause

November 30, 2008 01:16 am

— By SHELLEY TERRY
Staff Writer
sterry@starbeacon.com
SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP — “Say Fleas.”
Dogs of all breeds put on their best fur coats Saturday for “Pet Photos with Santa” at Wiscum’s Pampered Pet Products in the Saybrook Plaza on West Prospect Road. Cost was $5 per photo, with proceeds going to the Ashtabula County Humane Society.
“We have lots of people, a lot of dogs and two cats so far,” said Nancy Frazier, chairwoman of the Humane Society’s board of directors.
The Humane Society Kids, a group of sixth-grade students from Jefferson Elementary School, baked cookies to help raise money for the nonprofit agency.
A member of the group, Bradley Korbernik, 11, of Sheffield Township, brought his shepherd-mix dog, Lady, to the fundraiser.
“She showed up at my grandparents’ house two years ago,” Bradley said. “She’s a great watch dog.”
Debbie Davis of Ashtabula wasn’t so sure her 1-year-old Labrador/Border Collie-mix dog named “Destiny” was going to greet Santa.
“She’s pretty excited,” Davis said.
Santa got Destiny to settle down.
About 75 four-legged friends came Saturday to sit under the lights and bark or purr for the camera.
“Dogs are like children,” Santa said. “They like their picture taken with Santa.”
When he’s not donning a red suit, Santa (Calvin Hiltabidel) co-owns Wiscum’s with his wife, Terri.
Paula Taylor of Jefferson said she is going to stuff her Christmas cards with photos of her 4-month-old Shih Tzu puppy, Bandit.
The Carr family of Ashtabula were led into the store with their dogs, including a boxer wearing felt reindeer antlers on his head.
“I saw the ad in the newspaper and I wanted to get it done,” Tina Carr said. “It’s something fun for the holidays.”

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP
THE HUMANE SOCIETY
The Ashtabula County Humane Society is a nonprofit animal welfare agency, providing:
n low-cost spay/neuter services for responsible pet owners in Ashtabula County;
n humane investigation to protect animals suffering from abuse and neglect, and
n adoptable pets for northeast Ohio residents.
The Humane Society performs these services with an all-volunteer staff. It receives no government funding; instead, relying on fund-raisers, donations and memberships.
How you can join the Ashtabula County Humane Society
Ashtabula County Humane Society
P.O. Box 422
Jefferson, OH 44047
(440) 969-6100
Annual membership
Individual $15
Couple $25
Junior $1
Lifetime membership
$300
Need more
information?
go to
www.achsohio.org.

Photos

CHLOE SEEMS to be a bit less than jolly during her time with Santa Saturday at an Ashtabula County Humane Society fund-raiser at Wiscum's Pampered Pet Products in Saybrook Township. Susan Russell, of Ashtabula, brought Chloe to the store. WARREN DILLAWAY