Richmond SPCA Blog

Travels with Lottie: two mascots meet for a tour of Cooper Vineyards

The Richmond SPCA’s 2011-2012 Mascot, Lottie Dula, is on the move to pet-friendly places around Richmond. We’ve outfitted her with a GoPro video camera so you can see her perspective on the world. Lottie's term as mascot ended at the Fur Ball in October, when Rosie, a beagle who belongs to Dr. Jacque Hogge, became our 2012-2013 Mascot. 

Rosie invited Lottie to come for a tour of Cooper Vineyards, where her guardian is one of the co-owners, and Rosie likes to spend her weekends with their other canine friends. She encourages the human guests to embrace the winery's motto: "Wine a bit; you'll feel better." 

After a stroll through the vineyards, Lottie meets Rosie who leads her into Cooper Vineyards' tasting room. Like all other parts of the winery, the tasting room welcomes four-legged guests (though wine tasting is reserved for two-legged guests). The LEED Platinum certified facility was a new addition to Cooper Vineyards in 2011 and has won numerous awards both for environmental building standards and as the 2012 favorite in the "Official Virginia Wine Lover" Visitor's Choice Awards. Most weekends, the tasting room features live music, and when the weather is nice, a picnic with your dog on the covered deck can't be beat! The trip to this Louisa County winery takes about 45 minutes from the Short Pump area, and it's a delightful drive to make with your pooch on a weekend afternoon. 

Lottie passes the leash to Rosie, who is serving as Richmond SPCA Mascot for 2012-2013.

 

A LaBorde painting commissioned by Dr. Hogge features her dearly departed dogs Lucy, Lucia, Mo and Reuben with the magician Bodo. 

This Sunday, Jan. 13, Cooper Vineyards is hosting a first-in-Virginia exhibit from New Orleans artist Martin LaBorde. His work is presented courtesy of Bee Galleries, and the gallery has generously pledged to donate 15 percent from the purchase of each piece sold at this event to support homeless pets in the care of the Richmond SPCA. Original paintings and prints will be on display at this event, along with the opportunity to meet the artist. LaBorde's whimsical works express the colorful imagery of the bayou with alligators, moons, stars, dogs, cats, hummingbirds and flowers with a central whimsical figure and mystical magician, Bodo. 

The event will include light refreshments and music by Amy Peterson & Suzanne Maertz and, of course, wine tastings from Cooper Vineyards. Facebook users can join the event and invite friends! 

Additional events at Cooper Vineyards can be found on their website, and don't forget to mark your calendar for Lucy's Weekend on May 25 and 26! This annual benefit for the Richmond SPCA is held each Memorial weekend in memory of the winery's beloved "found hound," Lucy. 

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Tabitha Frizzell Hanes is the director of communications for the Richmond SPCA. To read her biography or that of our other bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our commenting guidelines. 

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Travels with Lottie: a dog's-eye-view of Richmond BMW

The Richmond SPCA’s 2011-2012 Mascot, Lottie Dula, is on the move to pet-friendly places around Richmond. We’ve outfitted her with a GoPro video camera so you can see her perspective on the world.

This week, Lottie is visiting the showroom at Richmond BMW! 

Richmond BMW not only has a pet-friendly showroom, their team is actively working to increase livesaving in the Richmond community by donating $50 to the Richmond SPCA from the sale of every new or pre-owned vehicle during the month of August. Crown Mini and Crown Acura have pledged to do the same. 

This Saturday our mobile adoption unit – the Tail Wag’N – will visit Richmond BMW's Midlothian location to support the promotion. Pets will be available for adoption on August 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 12100 Midlothian Turnpike. 

Richmond BMW initiated the partnership with the Richmond SPCA in 2008, and since that time, they have contributed more than $63,000 to support our lifesaving programs and services. 

“We’ve been doing this for several years and it feels good,” said Matt Perry, General Manager of Richmond BMW. “Our sales people really enjoy it and our customers like the fact that they get to help, too.”

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Video edited by Eric Steigleder. To read the biographies of our regular bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.

Travels with Lottie: making a splash at Car Pool

The Richmond SPCA’s 2011-2012 Mascot, Lottie Dula, is on the move to pet-friendly places around Richmond. We’ve outfitted her with a GoPro video camera so you can see her perspective on the world.

Lottie recently visited Car Pool Professional Car Wash & Detailing Services. As the Richmond SPCA Mascot, she deserves to be chauffeured in a squeaky clean ride, and the pet-friendly lobby of Car Pool's Short Pump location was the perfect place for her to relax during the short wait while her driver's vehicle was treated to an Extreme Wash. 

Car Pool CEO Paul Carr is a great animal lover and supporter of the Richmond SPCA. Paul has adopted two dogs from the Richmond SPCA: Lumpy, a Shar Pei mix, and Bubba, a Neapolitan Mastiff mix. For his upcoming 50th birthday, Paul is doing something that is a truly unique expression of his compassion for homeless pets. He has chosen the Richmond SPCA as one of four charities to benefit from the Gratitude 100.

Paul said, "To commemorate the achievement of a hard fought and ridiculously fun 50 years, I am going to walk 50 holes of golf on my 50th birthday. Hence the catchy name." 

Paul has been collecting donations for nonprofits that are dear to his heart through the website www.thegratitude100.com, where supporters can designate for their gifts to support one or all of the beneficiary organizations. 

With your gift you can join us in wishing Paul a very happy birthday! 

Paul Carr, CEO of Car Pool Professional Car Wash & Detailing Services, embraces Lottie after her tour of Car Pool's Short Pump location.

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Video edited by Eric Steigleder. To read the biographies of our regular bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.

Travels with Lottie: a dog's-eye-view of The Jefferson Hotel

The Richmond SPCA’s 2011-2012 Mascot, Lottie Dula, is on the move to pet-friendly places around Richmond. We’ve outfitted her with a GoPro video camera so you can see her perspective on the world.

This week Lottie is visiting The Jefferson Hotel. The luxury Richmond hotel is the home of much anticipated Fur Ball, where Lottie won the honor of becoming our mascot in last year's spirited live auction. 

All areas of the famed Jefferson Hotel are pet-friendly – with the exceptions of the restaurants, private meeting rooms, health club and swimming pool. Throughout her tour, the staff greeted Lottie with genuine warmth and enthusiasm for her visit. The staff of Blooms at the Jefferson, who were working on preparations for a wedding, took time to stop and offer Lottie a rose to sniff. Many recognized her as the Richmond SPCA's Mascot, and one family of guests were quite curious about her "doggie cam." We hope they'll continue to follow her travels! 

Like all four-legged guests checking in with their families, Lottie was welcomed by name and given a bag of gourmet dog treats before being shown to her room. Mark Paterson, the hotel's director of sales, showed her to the Presidential Suite, which was recently featured on Richmond.com's list of "Five Fantastic Richmond Honeymoon Suites." 

 

Lottie on the marble balcony of the Presidential Suite, overlooking Franklin Street, with The Jefferson Hotel's Director of Sales Mark Paterson.

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Video edited by Eric Steigleder. To read the biographies of our regular bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.

 

Travels with Lottie: a dog's-eye-view of Critter Camp

The Richmond SPCA’s 2011-2012 Mascot, Lottie Dula, is on the move to pet-friendly places around Richmond. We’ve outfitted her with a GoPro video camera so you can see her perspective on the world.

During the summer months, the Richmond SPCA is filled with children who spend a week with us learning about animals. Each week brings a new focus and new kids, filled with compassion for animals and delight in learning more about our companions. Earlier in July, we hosted Dogs with Jobs. Campers were able to meet all kinds of "working" and performance dogs. Guests included a bomb-sniffing dog, an arson dedection dog, therapy dogs, service dogs, agility dogs, trick dogs, obedience dogs, and of course Lottie, the current and hard-working mascot of the Richmond SPCA. 

Martha Dula, Lottie's mom, took the opportunity to talk about Lottie's early and probably not-so-happy days in a puppy mill and the collaborative efforts of the Humane Society of the United States and the Richmond SPCA to help find her (and many like her) happily-ever-after homes and in Lottie's case, a second "career." It was a wonderful visit for everyone. Thank you Lottie!!

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Video edited by Eric Steigleder. To read the biographies of our regular bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.

Travels with Lottie: a dog’s-eye view of the Richmond SPCA Track and Training Center

The Richmond SPCA’s 2011-2012 Mascot, Lottie Dula, is on the move to pet-friendly places around Richmond. We’ve outfitted her with a GoPro video camera so you can see her perspective on the world.

This week Lottie is taking a stroll through the Track & Training Center at the Richmond SPCA!

 

Like all the dogs that visit our Track & Training Center, Lottie enjoys a good jaunt up an A-frame or a leap over an obstacle. Luckily, the training classes that we are offering this summer will give your dog the chance to beat the heat while learning some new tricks! This is a great air conditioned space to work on skills together as you develop a stronger bond with your dog through education.

Atop an A-frame, our mascot Lottie Dula surveys the Track at Training Center at the Richmond SPCA.

Enrollment is now underway for classes in July, and we offer a wide variety of classes suited to the needs of any canine. We’re currently offering Agility, Manners, Flyball, Tricks classes, Puppy classes and Canine Freestyle. You might also consider enrolling your pooch in the Richmond SPCA School for Dogs, a Monday and Wednesday “day school” program specializing in manners, obedience and agility. School for Dogs is currently at full enrollment, but we are adding names to a waiting list for our late summer sessions. For more information on our summer training schedule and to view our training calendar, visit our training page here.

For more information on all the classes that we offer, call 804-521-1332 or e-mail classes@richmondspca.org. 

Travels with Lottie: a dog's-eye-view of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

The Richmond SPCA’s 2011-2012 Mascot, Lottie Dula, is on the move to pet-friendly places around Richmond. We’ve outfitted her with a GoPro video camera so you can see her perspective on the world.

This week Lottie is enjoying the beautiful outdoors in a treasured Richmond location that you too can visit with your dog. 

While pets are not ordinarily alowed in the Garden, on special evenings throughout the summer, leashed pets can take a stroll through Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with their human companions during Fidos After Five. Bring your dogs for a walk in the Garden from 5 to 9 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, June through August. You can also look forward to wine tastings ($10 ticket in addition to admission), outdoor dining and shopping.

Lottie and Jonah Holland, PR and Marketing Coordinator for Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, are at the Fountain Garden with the Conservatory in the background.

Make plans to join us for each of these evenings, starting next Thursday, June 14. Stop by the Richmond SPCA table in the Robins Vistors Center where our volunteers will provide you with doggy waste bags as well as information about our programs and upcoming events. 

For Fidos After Five on June 14 the Garden will feature:
Wine and Beer from South Africa
Vinaigrettes tasting
Music provided by Chris Vasi (solo guitarist)

For Fidos After Five on July 12 the Garden will feature:
Wine and Beer from Germany
Pretzel tasting
Music provided by The Original Elbe-Musikanten German Band who will play the traditional style of German, Austrian, Czech and Slovak music such as polkas, marches, waltzes and other dances as well as other favorites

For Fidos After Five on August 9 the Garden will feature:
Wine and beer from California
Melon tasting
Music provided by Sandbar who will use their soft guitars, mellow vocals and the tropical ambience of the steel pan to fill the air with Caribbean Country. Featuring Gary Snead, Ron McCarthy and Janet Reiner 

Regular Garden admission applies on all Fidos After Five evenings, and a suggested $2 pet admission fee benefits homeless pets in the care of the Richmond SPCA. Join the event on Facebook, share and invite your friends! 

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To read the biographies of our regular bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.

Travels with Lottie: a dog’s-eye view of the Richmond SPCA adoption center

The Richmond SPCA’s 2011-2012 Mascot, Lottie Dula, is on the move to pet-friendly places around Richmond. We’ve outfitted her with a GoPro video camera so you can see her perspective on the world.

This week Lottie is visiting the adoption center at the Richmond SPCA.

Lottie's mission as our mascot is to bring attention to homeless pets in the care of the Richmond SPCA and spread the message that adoption is the very best way to bring a new four-legged friend into your life. During the month of June, Lottie is especially dedicated to helping her feline friends because it is "Adopt a Cat Month." Starting today, all adult cat adoptions (ages 6 months and older) are discounted by 50 percent through the end of the month. 

Our friendly adoption staff will help you Meet Your Match and find just the right Feline-ality for your home and lifestyle. If your home already includes a resident feline or canine, our adoption team will evaultate the kitty you've selected to determine if he or she will play well with others. Whether a reserved "Secret Admirer," a bold "Leader of the Band" or the good company of a "Sidekick," June is the perfect time to adopt a cat!  

Lottie snuggles with adoption counselor Matt Crickenberger in the adoption center.

The great value included with our normal $95 adoption fee remains the same while the fee is discounted to $47.50 for adult cats this month. Each cat available for adoption has had a spay or neuter procedure performed, has received age appropriate vaccinations and is microchipped to provide permanent identification. We also provide free behavior helpline support, and adopted pets qualify to become clients of our low-cost Clinic for Compassionate Care. Our adoption packet for each pet includes valuable coupons and special offers. Cats adopted in June will recieve a complimentary certificate from our friends at Holiday Barn Pet Resorts for a free night's stay with a free "Kitty Kuddle."  

"Puppy Love," a sculpture by Stanley Proctor, is the generous gift of Mr. and Mrs. E. Claiborne Robins, Jr.

You can also save on all the supplies you'll need to make your new kitty companion comfortable in his or her new home. Our Lora Robins Gift Shop has select cat collars and toys for only $1 and cat carriers starting at $10.99. Your purchase from our shop helps provide a better life to a homeless dog or cat because all sales benefit the programs and services of the Richmond SPCA. To see Lottie's visit to the Lora Robins Gift Shop, click here. 

 

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Adoption Center & Gift Shop hours: 
Monday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday noon to 5 p.m. 

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To read the biographies of our regular bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.

Travels with Lottie: get a dog’s-eye view of pet-friendly RVA!

The Richmond SPCA’s 2011-2012 Mascot, Lottie Dula, is on the move to pet-friendly places around Richmond. We’ve outfitted her with a GoPro video camera so you can see her perspective on the world.

Take a look at Lottie’s first video!

Lottie is visiting the Richmond SPCA’s Lora Robins Gift Shop. It’s her favorite place to get new toys and yummy training treats because she knows that when her mom shops here, the purchase benefits homeless pets in our care. Lottie was once a homeless dog, whom we rescued from a puppy mill in 2007, and it’s her mission to help other dogs experience the unconditional love she has known since her adoption.

The Lora Robins Gift Shop carries healthy all-natural treats; toys of all shapes, sizes and styles ranging from soft and plush to durable and interactive; and collars, leashes and harnesses for cats and every breed/size of dog. If you're not sure what size your dog wears, it's no worry. Bring your dog along so our staff can ensure a comfortable fit for your companion's new walking equipment.

Lora Robins Gift Shop hours: 
Monday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday noon to 5 p.m. 

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To read the biographies of our regular bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.