Koncerts for Kanines – Blue Gin stars in concert to benefit shelter dogs
The Koncert for Kanines benefit, presented by Blue Gin Entertainment Productions and organized by Blue Gin drummer Rick Herdt, is set for Saturday, Sept. 18. The Skyview High School Performing Arts Auditorium in Vancouver, Wash. is the location. Guest M.C. for the event is Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt with special guest host Uncle Don Wright.
Expect to be entertained by the band Blue Gin, featuring vocalist Kelly Helm; special guest vocalist Woody Bartlett; and special guest guitarist Jimi Lund. The Blue Gin Band lineup is Rick Herdt, drums; Larry Congram, keyboard and percussion; Tim Helm, bass; Ken Brewer, keyboard; Steve Robertson, trumpet and the K 4 K Horns.
The beneficiary is Ginger’s Pet Rescue (www.gingerspetrescue.org and gingerluke@comcast.net). The web site lists tons of great information.
Many people enjoy the company of a dog, even including the pet in important family activities such as backyard parties, camping, fishing and more. Some dogs have innate special skills like the herding instinct, webbed toes for swimming and more. A mixed breed, former stray dog might spontaneously alert on a person in the household who is starting to have a seizure or other persistent medical condition. Dogs are often used to help blind owners, track criminals, even help locate human bodies.
In laboratory experiments, a dog has been shown to differentiate between up to 12 different kinds of cancer cells. Dogs can provide companionship to folks whose lives may be very painful or shortened due to social or economic isolation. Additionally, cruelty to animals is a serious predictor of cruelty to humans.
It’s usually in the nature of a dog to crave attention and approval from their human caretakers. Unfortunately, too many dogs end up in a municipal animal facility. No matter what kind of facility, resources are limited and plenty of animals get “put down” (killed). The ideal is, of course, for a responsible person or family to adopt a dog. If it doesn’t work out, the dog can be returned to the facility but if the dog comes back a third time, it is euthanized (killed). The pet shelters try to keep the animal safe and healthy until it can be adopted. Shelter workers often end up with a “new” dog in their household because they form a bond while in the shelter!
The goal of Koncert for Kanines is to help raise funds for Ginger’s Pet Rescue. If a dog has been abused or suffered cruel abandonment and the consequences, some time in a shelter with appropriate structure, evaluation and care may be enough to gain the animal’s trust and turn a damaged animal into a nice pet for someone. Not all animals can be saved, but organizations like Ginger’s Pet Rescue do all they can to save them.
Founder Ginger Luke says, “We are a non-profit organization that specializes in saving death row dogs and puppy mill dogs. We have saved over 3,000 dogs in the past four years since we started. We get 20 death row dogs every other weekend. They are fully vetted and ready to go into foster homes until they are adopted out.”
Luke continues, “We need your help as we currently owe over $15,000 in vet bills and there is no end to this. We take in deaf dogs, blind dogs, three-legged dogs, senior dogs and special need dogs.”
Luke claims, “We need more foster homes and all you need to do is to provide love and food and basic training and we pay for all vet bills. We need people who can transport, volunteer, foster, adopt or donate. We have 102 ways you can help, listed on our website www.gingerspetrescue.org.”
Luke adds, “Next weekend, we are getting 24 little dogs that were scheduled to die today at 12 noon. They will be flown up here on Alaska Airlines from a very high kill shelter in California. Can you help find us more foster homes? They are the grassroots of Gingers Pet Rescue! Please email me for a foster application: gingerluke@comcast.net.”
The Koncert for Kanines on Sept. 18 starts at 8 p.m., with gates opening at 6 p.m. The tickets are $20 per adult and kids are admitted free. Search Koncerts for Kanines on Ebay to buy your tickets.
For more information, contact Blue Gin Entertainment Productions; email HERDTDICK@yahoo.com, Facebook page RICK HERDT or phone 425-223-1876.
