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Meet One of the First Dogs Saved by the PetSmart Charities® Rescue Waggin’® Program...And Whose Image Still Appears on Each Rescue Waggin' Transport Vehicle

Dipper and her family will travel to St. Louis for a special honor at upcoming Rescue Waggin’ program 5th Anniversary Celebration and Summit; Find out how this rescued dog helped comfort her family during their time of sorrow and need

(PHOENIX) – PetSmart Charities’® lifesaving Rescue Waggin’® program is celebrating a number of milestones in 2009, from its 5th anniversary to the 25,000th dog transported. However, for one of
the very first puppies ever transported by a Rescue Waggin’ vehicle, every day with the family who loves her is reason to celebrate.

The magic started five years for Dipper, a happy-go-lucky Labrador/beagle who, in 2004, was facing euthanasia at an overcrowded shelter. Instead, she took the ride of her life from the Scott County Humane
Society in Lexington, Ky., to the Wisconsin Humane Society in Milwaukee.

Little did Dipper know she was not only headed for a second chance, but eventual fame within the Rescue Waggin’ program itself. Her photo, alongside then 7-year-old Kathryn Makowski whose family adopted her, was selected to appear on every Rescue Waggin’ program transport vehicle.

“The image of Kathryn and Dipper has graced every Rescue Waggin’ vehicle since it was taken back in 2004,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities. “They represent the essence of the program which gives homeless dogs and puppies the chance to find a loving home. They also illustrate the special bond between people and pets, and beautifully illustrate how our pets are important, much-loved family members.”

Indeed, the bond between Kathryn and Dipper is stronger than ever. In fact, having Dipper in her life helped young Kathryn cope with tragedy just a few years later.

REMEMBERING THE ADOPTION
Shortly after moving to Hartland, Wis., Kathryn convinced her family it was time for a puppy. That Christmas, her parents gave her a bag of dog food and a gift certificate to the local humane society. For the next several weeks, the family checked the Wisconsin Humane Society’s web site daily.

“But every time we showed up to see a dog, he was already adopted,” said Kathryn’s mom, Peggy Makowski.

“They adopt dogs so quickly at the Wisconsin Humane Society. When we spotted Dipper on the web site, we got up at 6 a.m. the next morning to make sure we were first in line to adopt her.”

Their plan worked. The Makowski family adopted Dipper in 2004, just days after she arrived at the Wisconsin Humane Society from Lexington, Ky. Shortly thereafter, Dipper and Kathryn were photographed, and the now famous image was chosen to appear on the first, and then three subsequent, transport vehicles. The vehicles, and the photo of Kathryn and Dipper, have since covered more than 1,150,000 miles in 24 states across the U.S.

DIPPER’S COMFORTING LOVE AFTER TRAGEDY
Dipper is among the lucky dogs who found a family to love … and love her back. The Makowski family helped to save her life; in turn, she has enriched and supported theirs in immeasurable ways.

In fact, said Peggy Makowski, Dipper’s unconditional love provided enormous comfort for both Kathryn and her older brother Bobby when their father died two years ago in an accident.

“Dipper provided so much comfort to my children during that very difficult time,” Peggy said. “She was a
wonderful, loving distraction from the overwhelming sadness.”

Today, Kathryn is 12 years old and has aspirations of working on behalf of animals. Dipper is 5 years old, and has matured into a beautiful and loyal dog. The two remain inseparable.

“That bond is what people see pictured on the side of every Rescue Waggin’ vehicle as they roll across the country saving lives,” Della Maddalena said. “Our goal for the Rescue Waggin’ program is to save the lives of homeless pets and find them new homes, wherever those new homes may be. Kathryn and Dipper symbolize that goal and inspire us every day.”

Note: Dipper and the entire Makowski family are traveling to St. Louis, Mo., in May for the PetSmart Charities® Rescue Waggin’® program 5th anniversary celebration and Summit. They will be honored alongside the 25,000th dog adopted – a Basset hound mix named Ernie from Kansas City, Mo. Pre-trip interviews with the Makowski family can be arranged by contacting Cathy M. Rosenthal at 210-497-1291. To meet and interview the Makowski family in St. Louis, call Kim Noetzel, PetSmart Charities’ communication manager, at 602-319-9708 or email knoetzel@petsmartcharities.org.

^{About PetSmart Charities, Inc.}

^{PetSmart Charities, Inc. is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues, and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. Since 1994, PetSmart Charities has funded more than $87 million in grants and programs benefiting animal welfare organizations and, through its in-store adoption program, has helped save the lives of more than 3.5 million pets in the United States. To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working to help find a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit www.petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS.}