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Puppy Party Canines & Cocktails for a Great Cause
WRITTEN BY MARY W. BRIDGMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTIN KOZELSKY og owners do not want to leave home without Rover — witness the wealth of resources for canine lovers seeking “dog-friendly” lodging, dining and shopping establishments. Even so, it can be difficult to find social events that cater to pooch parents and their furry companions. Not so in Gainesville — drumroll — snap that leash on Fido’s collar and head over to Chop Stix Bistro Restaurant for Canines and Cocktails for a Cause. Inaugurated in September, Canines and Cocktails for a Cause has become a regular event, usually held on the fourth Thursday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. Dogs and their owners are welcome to enjoy socializing with each other while supporting worthy pet-related causes.
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Gainesville’s Chop Stix Bistro Restaurant in Thornebrook Village, 2441 N.W. 43rd Street, hosts the gatherings on its expansive outdoor patio, providing free appetizers for those who attend. And, Earth Pets of Gainesville supplies treats for all four-footed attendees. Admission is $4 per person, with proceeds benefitting different animal rescue organizations on a rotating basis. Attending dogs must be wellsocialized with humans and other dogs and kept on a leash during the events. Before gaining admission, owners are required to sign a waiver of liability and a Code of Behavior agreeing to maintain full and complete control of their dogs. Gainesville’s Canines and Cocktails for a Cause is the
brainchild of Chuck Siegel, known to many pet lovers around town as the owner of Daytime Dogs and Friends, LLC, with his wife, Alexis. Siegel said his company is especially helpful to those who worry about taking on the responsibility of a pet; it provides professionals who can check on animals when owners are at work or away. Siegel believes very strongly in giving back to the community where he does business. Daytime Dogs has a long history of providing support for unwanted animals and the rescue groups that take them in.