May/June APRIL 2003 2004
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Hound dog hustle 2004 Storms dampen the course, but not the spirit!
Upcoming Events
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July 4, 4:00 pm, Softball, BBQ, Annual Meeting & Elections, RAW Clubhouse July 10, 5:00 pm, RAW Luau, home of Bill & Annette Collins September 25, Protectors of Freedom 9-1-1, Gaylord Texan
Saturday Night Live
Another Hound Dog Hustle is behind us, and in spite of Mother Nature’s best efforts, it was a rousing success! We approached race day with expectations of setting numerous records. The record number of sponsors and vendors, fifteen dog rescue groups and five demonstration groups were all on board to make the Vendor Expo and Dog Adopt-AThon the biggest and best ever. Participants were also looking forward to the 2004 Hustle as evidenced by the record number of early registrations. 539 entries (200
(5:00 pm, First Saturday of the month) Check the bulletin board on our website for changes. • • •
July, No event other than the Fourth of July party August 7, potluck at the home of Rick Fogel September 4, Jack Shaw’s in Southlake (Kroger shopping center)
Renewals Your membership expiration date is shown on your Footprint mailing label. When it’s time to renew, fill out the membership application in the newsletter and mail it back to RAW along with your check. The winner of the “Mr. Blackwell’s Best Dressed” Award looked ravishing in her yellow slicker
more than last year) were received before race day! Prior to the event, the RAW volunteers worked tirelessly to make our new venue at Oak Grove Park exciting for everyone. The new location by the soccer fields came with trees supplying natural shade and a new and safer course for runners, walkers and their dogs. Friday night the area looked fabulous with the banners, tents, stage and sound system ready for Saturday’s big race. Then the storm came rolling in and stayed the entire night! When we got to the race site Saturday morning, we found scaffolding blown down, grounds under water, and lightning and rain still pummeling the area. Not to be deterred, the volunteers and the young men from Scout Troop #769 pitched in, moving food, water, registration and banners to the covered pavilion just across the road. By 7 a.m., eight rescue groups and their dogs braved the elements and set up booths in the parking lot, as did the Grapevine K-9 unit, Animal Control and Canine Companions for Independence. As the sponsors and vendors arrived, we gave them space in the pavilion. It was close quarters, but the sense of adventure kept everyone in good spirits. The storm took a breather around 7:30 a.m. and within 10 minutes people started arriving to register and run the race! We had 57 race day registrations for a total of 596 entries, besting last year by 10%. (Continued on page 2)