If you would like to find a furry Valentine, or even if you already have one, be sure to mark Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, on your calendar and plan to head to Tractor Supply in Shelby from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. for Clifford's Army Rescue Extravaganza (CARE)'s "Be My Valentine! $5 Fundraiser."
The featured activity of that day's event will be Kissing Booth photos, printed on-site for $5. Participants can have photos made with their own dog, with "Clifford," or with one of CARE's adoptable dogs.
"Along with the photos with our lovable adoption dogs, we will also have Valentine treats, including freshly made baklava, heart-shaped cookies, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and roses," says Deb Hardin, president of Clifford's Army. "In addition, we will have pet-care items such as Pet Odor and Odor Exterminator candles, along with CARE shirts, decals and many other fundraising items for sale."
To get an early start on Valentine's Day now, CARE Dog Valentine cards are currently available for $5. The card cover features photos of 14 of CARE's dogs that are looking for forever homes. CARE volunteers will address the card envelope, add postage and put the card in the mail.
To purchase a CARE Valentine card, send $5 to CARE, P.O. Box 370, Earl, NC 28038, or send money to the CARE Paypal account using the organization's email:
cliffordsarmy@gmail.com. Donors are asked to be sure to include the recipient's name and address for each card ordered.
Orders for the Valentine cards will be accepted through Feb. 9, 2019, and will also be available for purchase at the Tractor Supply event on that day.
"We survive and are able to help animals in need through fundraisers such as these and through generous donations, since we are an all-volunteer organization," says Hardin.
The Valentine fundraiser will feature the following adoptable dogs:
Three nine-week old puppies named Merry, Joy and Frosty, who were found in a pile of leaves without a mom. They were bottle-fed until old enough to eat on their own, and they have now had two of their three sets of vaccines and are working their way towards being ready for adoption.
Kaleb (so named because he was found on Caleb Road), a Cattledog-mix male who was found in a ditch, unable to stand or walk. He has since had surgery and is well on his way to a complete recovery.
Four "Bark and Heal" dogs - three females from Cleveland County Animal Control who were owner-surrendered and one male from Rowan County who just escaped being euthenized. The Bark and Heal program pairs dogs with children from the Alexander Youth Network.
Chip & Dale, five-month-old pups found in the upper part of Cleveland County with Demodex mange that CARE has now treated. "Both are a bit scared at first, but we are working on that, and they warm up nicely once in your arms," says Hardin.
For more information about CARE and the "Be My Valentine" fundraiser, search for "Clifford's Army Rescue Extravaganza" on Facebook or call Hardin at 704-460-9030.

By April Hoyle Shauf, Special to Community First Media