Adopt Don't Shop

List of Events - 2008

International: Canada

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Adopt Don't Shop - Ohio

QUICK UPDATE! - COLUMBUS, OH: PETLAND PROTEST ON DEC. 20 (Supporting CAPS North American Pet Shop Protest)

Dear Dedicated Activists:

A SUPER HUGE THANKS to those of you who braved the cold Ohio weather to lend your support (with some KICK-BOOTY signs) in raising awareness of Petland and their relationship to puppy mill breeders! And a SPECIAL THANKS to Ann Wennberg of Alum Creek Dog Park for bringing the heat warmers for our gloves, and Marcia Perry Rhoades of Bark Park and Missi Hamilton of Bark Til Dark Dog Park who dedicated time and resources to contribute extra rally signs!

Here's a quick recap of our successes:

1. Columbus Hilliard Petland: We had a group of nine dedicated supporters, which included one four legged companion, Oslo, who captured the attention of WSYX ABC 6!

To gain a better appreciation for this puppy mill survivor, I wanted to share the following loving tribute sent to me from his family following his crossing over the Bridge:

Oslo "Swaggerin' Independence" CGC, TDI retired (11/22/1993 - 1/21/2008)

The strife is o'er, the battle done, the victory of life is won;
the song of triumph has begun. Alleluia.
The powers of death have done their worst,
but at the Bridge, the pain hath dispersed:
let shouts of holy joy outburst. Alleluia.
(adapted Episcopal 1982 Hymnal)

Oslo was born on an Amish puppy mill, then sold to a pet store before he was seven weeks old. We found Oslo only because we were looking for a book that no one else carried. Knowing we should never buy a dog from a pet store, regardless, we asked to see him because we were thinking about adopting a Norwegian Elkhound. Oslo took a biscuit the clerk had given him and pranced around the other crates, tossing the treat in the air as if saying, "see what I have that you don't." He became our dog at that moment.

Before he was six months, he went Best in Show at a 4H puppy match, the judge selecting him because of his unwavering display of the breed's personality.

By age eight months, he was diagnosed with crippling hip dysplasia. Over his lifetime he also suffered from hypothyroidism, elongated soft palate, a growth on his parathyroid, all situations that required lifelong treatment or surgical intervention.

Oslo did not know that there was anything wrong with him. He charmed birds from the trees, causing them to land at his feet.

He caught mice without running. He played jokes on us, knocking our bed pillows to the floor, then grinning. He opened screen doors with his butt when told not to open them with his head. He barked at the dark. He rolled on his back in the snow, eating it while lying upside down, loving winter as the spiritual love communion. He sat at the bedside of the dying until they were gone.

More than anything, Oslo loved with his whole being. He was an example of dignity, steadfastness, perseverance and confidence, and an inspiration of unbounded hope transcending limitations and fears.

He was my constant companion, my pillar of strength, my source of limitless love, my heart. Though death has put the warmth of his touch beyond our reach, his legacy lives forever. Our home is darker without his presence, but our lives are immeasurably better because Oslo shared his life with us.

Thank you Oslo; your life was the greatest gift of mine. May the way in which I choose to live life the rest of my life be a tribute to yours.

2. Columbus Polaris Petland: We had a group of 27, which included six four legged companions and a FORMER PETLAND MANAGER, who captured the attention of Kelley Bell, a contributing writer for The Huffington Post - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/! Watch for Kelley's article, which includes a picture of Petland mascot's, Safari Stan, kneeling in front of six supporters holding some AWESOME boycott signage behind him!

Because of you, this peaceful rally was filled with lots of "thumbs up" and honking horns from passing motorists in support of this special day.

It is my hope that our efforts have helped persuade more consumers to "Opt to Adopt" versus buying from a pet store. Especially Petland.

For the animals,

Mary