Showtime
by Nancy Schuessler
It’s a bright, blue Saturday morning in July and Elizabeth Mastro is starting her day. An Event Coordinator in Tucson, she is hosting a “Meet and Greet” from 11:00 to 1:00 pm at Bookman’s East, a popular bookstore. She begins by packing the car -- a folding table, chairs, signage, a tablecloth with logo, water bowls, treats, printouts of adoptable dogs, T-shirts, nametags, and other supplies. It’s going to be 109 degrees in Tucson, which means the parking lot pavement will be too hot for a Labrador’s paws. So Elizabeth has arranged “valet service.” Anyone bringing a dog will pull up to the front of Bookman’s where Tom McCreery, our “sidewalk helper,” waits. His task? Taking the pups inside while the foster parks the car.
Bookman’s is a popular venue that draws book buyers, browsers, gamers, and dog lovers. Four dogs are scheduled to arrive today at staggered times throughout the day – Prescott, Shadow, EJ, and Oliver. It’s going to be busy for Tom and Elizabeth, but they have help. Several volunteers will be on hand to answer questions from the public, refresh water bowls, and help with the dogs. Elizabeth is expecting a lot of fun activity. “This is a great location for us because it attracts a lot of adopters,” says Elizabeth. “I love it when dogs meet their forever family at an event.”
Bookman’s is not the only activity on the schedule this weekend. On Sunday, up in Gilbert near Phoenix, Marcia Barry is hosting an event at the Beer Barn, a favorite location. Here, food, beer, music, fun – and of course Labradors -- help to make a lively event, with nine adoptable dogs arriving at staggered times. Luckily, Tom McCreery has offered to help valet the dogs again.
Much goes into the planning of these events. Flyers are created and circulated, and volunteers are wrangled to help out. Each event is advertised on Facebook, announcing which dogs will be there and at what times. This allows prospective adopters a chance to stop by, meet a dog they’re interested in, ask questions, and get to know the dog’s temperament. “Posting a schedule on Facebook has really helped us,” says Tom McCreary. “We avoid having someone show up early who wants to meet a dog that won’t arrive until late.”
The goal? To showcase our available Labs and raise awareness about our rescue. But there are other benefits, too. “My husband and I didn’t know anyone when we first moved here from California,” says Elizabeth. “It’s a great way to meet other people and make new friends."
| 
