Community Corner

Fido Fiesta Reunites Former Homeless Dogs with Rescuers

Dogs and owners show support for Northeast Animal Shelter during day of reunions and fun.

Pooches had a party at Furry Friends Fiesta/Reunion/Dog Walk in Salem Willows Park on Saturday, Sept. 11.

Massachusetts dogs and owners attended the event, which supported Northeast Animal Shelter.

In addition to a 3K spons0red walk, which kicked off festivities, attendees enjoyed a day of games, raffles, a dog show, socializing and reunions with old friends.  Rescuers from Puerto Rico, who partner with Northeast Animal Shelter as part of the shelter's Sato Rescue Program, dedicated to saving stray dogs (satos) from the island, also attended the event.

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One sato, Grambly, attended the event with his owner, Leah Sak of Beverly, and had the opportunity to meet his rescuer. According to Sak, Grambly was inititally given the name Eran when a nun, who also happened to be a rescuer, found him "trash diving."

Sak said she is thrilled with Grambly, but said he is "quirky" and has some strange habits as do many other dogs that were rescued from the streets through the Sato Rescue Program.

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"He is afraid of the rain, but he loves swimming in water," Sak said. "Go figure."

Barbara Haynes, who works with cats at Northeast Animal Shelter, praised Marianna Massa, Sato Rescue Program coordinator, for her hard work and efforts to find safe and loving homes for satos.

Haynes said she and her husband, Whitey, recently volunteered to pick up and transport satos from the airport. By the end of the trip, which was Whitey's first, Barabara said her husband had "tears in his eyes."

"It's a pleasure," Haynes said of her work with Northeast Animal Shelter.  "It's a privilege to work for the animals."

For more information on the Sato Rescue Program and other adoption opportunities, visit www.northeastanimalshelter.org.


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