MISSION
News
As of December, 2009, over 50 dogs have been adopted through GPRW!
This past summer, Carole and John Gonsalves hosted the second “Adopters’ Picnic”. We gathered at their house to exchange pictures and stories, tour the kennels, meet the current residents, and eat a great meal.
A group of volunteers and two dogs hosted our second rummage sale in Oshkosh in May of 2009. Thanks to all of you who donated items for these sales.
In November of 2008, GPRW marched in the Oshkosh Holiday Parade. It was the second time we participated and it was a smashing success! We had eighteen dogs and their handlers marching the route, almost double the number that participated in 2007. The group included a good mix of dogs needing homes and those who had already been adopted. Tully, a three legged dog, walked the entire route and stole the show. Tully and Polly Churma came all the way from Chicago to participate in this event. Although we had a van available to assist any dog who wasn’t enjoying the parade, all dogs and their handlers completed the entire route. The sight of eighteen wagging tails was a real promo for GPRW and the spectators obviously enjoyed viewing the dogs. We chatted with a number of interested parties and handed out informational fliers along the route. After the event, the entire crew gathered at George and Shirley Blechel’s house for a picnic and a chance to catch up.
GPRW’s initial five kennels were expanded in July of 2008 with the completion of an entirely new building on the Gonsalves’s property. An indoor training area, storage space, and room for five indoor/outdoor kennel runs were created. Carole and John also built fenced in areas for the foster Pyrs to engage in supervised play. The entire Gonsalves family takes part in the care of their foster Pyrs, including walks before and after school, feeding, and (of course) clean-up duty. They also open their house to allow indoor time during the day and at night to facilitate housetraining the dogs. All of the above, and MUCH more! GPRW is extremely fortunate to have such generous benefactors!
GPRW sponsored a Brat Fry at Stone Ridge in Wautoma in October of 2007. We had a good turnout of available Pyrs and one that was already spoken for. The dogs were a grand attraction as they always are, and we took advantage of the opportunity to educate people about our mission and about the breed in general. We had one fabulous volunteer, Shirley Blechel, who almost single-handedly ran the concession stand. John Gonsalves wrangled the grill, while the rest of us were on Pyr and PR duty. A good time was had by all along with a few pretty tasty brats!