Wheely Willy

willy on a tall ship
August 16, 2005 Wheely Willy & Friends Newsletter No. 3
Our Newsletter -- Third Edition -- Can You Believe It!
Ahoy thar, matey...
Willy continues to have an event filled summer. Here are some of the highlights of his month:
  • Willy visited the Seal Beach Animal Care Center during their Adopt-A-Pet weekend.
  • Willy sailed on a Tall Ship throughout Los Angeles Harbor as part of the Tall Ships―Los Angeles celebration
  • Michael Buble entertained Willy, Deborah and special friend Susan Lawson at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles
  • A day of visiting Long Beach Community Hospital and 3 convalescant homes was made by Willy, Deborah, Barbara Brown and her two fantastic therapy dogs, Kandi and Tootsie.
  • Willy attended the July 30 Play Date at Shane's Inspiration in Griffith Park
We will continue to have more of Willy's exploits in the forthcoming issues.
Willy's Going to Germany!
 
The Frankfurt Book Fair is on Willy's October Agenda! frankfurt book fair

Willy will be attending the Frankfurt Book Fair, October 21 through 23 in Frankfurt, Germany repesenting the publisher, Bowtie Press. This festival is one of the largest in the world and where many international publishing endeavors are formed. Willy will be in the publishers booth to meet many international publishers, authors, agents and media.

This is Willy's second trip abroad. Last summer, he made a visit to Japan, a remarkable and unforgetable experience.

For more information about the Frankfurt Book Fair:
visit:

http://www.frankfurt-book-fair.com/en/portal.html
Santa Barbara Book Festival
 
Willy's First Visit to Santa Barbara at the Book Festival wheely willy mesanta barbara book festival

On September 24, 2005, Willy will be attending the Seventh Annual, Santa Barbara Book and Authors Festival in Historical De la Guerra Plaza in Santa Barbara, California from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. He will be in the booth to pawtograph his books and to visit his many friends and admirers. He will be joined by 30 other celebrities and authors at the Festival. Following the event, he travels to Fresno to see one of his favorite entertainers, Neil Diamond on Sunday. Willy does get around. More information about the Santa Barbara Book Festival is available at: http://www.sbbookfestival.org/
Walk for the Animals
 
Put October 2nd on Your Calendar willy's friends at stephens

October 2nd is Willy's favorite event: the Walk for the Animals. The Annual Walk is a special day dedicated to showing love, support and appreciation of all companion animals. All proceeds from the event go directly into community programs – SNIP (Spay/Neuter Incentive Program) and Humane Education. Join Willy and Friends of Long Beach Animals at the 6th Annual 2K/5K WALK for the Animals and Pet Fair at Heartwell Park (corner of Carson and Clark Avenues) in Long Beach on Take a 2K or 5K walk on the bike path through scenic Heartwell Park. D.I.S.C. Dogs will be on hand with an entertaining demonstration of their energetic and athletic Frisbee dogs. Bring the family and spend the day in the company of other animal lovers and support a very worthwhile cause! The event will run from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 2nd. A variety of vendor booths, food, demonstrations, opportunity drawings and a very special Blessing of the Animals all make up this exciting day for Willy's favorite animal support group.

For more information, rules and the pledge form, visit http://www.friendsoflongbeachanimals.org/walk.html
Orange County Book Festival
 
Willy to Appear at Once Upon a Story willy book japan post card
The Orange County Children's Book Festival Will Be Held Sunday, October 2, 2005, 9:30am - 4:30pm on the campus of Orange Coast College. It is a daylong interactive family festival that invites children of all ages to experience the magic of books, encourages literacy, promotes the community and supports children's charities. Willy will be appearing from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the booth of Once Upon a Story, a Long Beach children's book store.
Adopt a Shelter Animal
 
Animal Shelters Provide Quality Animals for Adoption

Every time we visit an Animal Shelter, like the Seal Beach Animal Care Center, which we visited last month, we see hardworking, dedicated and compassionate volunteers generously donating their time and energy to better the plight for homeless animals. These volunteers are a true to gift to our society, and we are eternally grateful for their efforts. It is our opinion that local shelters should be the first source for finding companion animals. Before adopting any pet, you should make sure that you have the time, energy, and space to have an animal join your family. Many people don't realize the costs involved, the commitment and many responsibilities until after adopting. Below are listed several references (or checklists) to help you make that determination.

There are also considerations for finding a suitable type and size of companion animal. Discuss your needs with the shelter staff and they can be of tremendous assistance in selecting an animal suitable for you and your family. Each shelter and community has its own regulations and procedures to which they must adhere. Do not hesitate to ask questions. Here are some reasons for adopting from an animal shelter:

  1. Animals obtained through an animal shelter often have the advantage of physical heartiness resulting from being a mixed-breed.
  2. Many animals in a shelter are also well adjusted to humans, since they are handled frequently.
  3. It is a common practice at most shelters to vaccinate and spay or neuter a dog or cat before adoption.
  4. Many shelters will take back an animal if a serious medical condition develops soon after adoption, but that is not always the case. Ask any medical questions early on.
  5. Senior animal companions are also available and are often a better choice for adoption. Do not ignore the older animal. There's no truth in the adage, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. Housetraining an older dog or cat usually takes less time than a puppy or kitten. Senior pets are smart and grateful companions, and usually less destructive then their younger competition. They are generally calmer, and less demanding for exercise and play, yet very appreciative of the simplest things, such as being in your company. Willy is now a senior dog, and enriches my life every moment of very day. Why not enrich your life, as well as the life of a venerable older canine or feline? Give mature pets a chance for your love.
  6. Many people have learned the rewards of adopting a special needs pet. Animals are not prima donnas and don't complain about their condition. They respond with joy and appreciation to love and kindness when received. It may seem like a daunting task to have a differently-abled pet, but most people that have one, have found that they were as easy if not more so than any other pet. Having Willy has taught me so much about the joys of diversity and "specialness". I will be forever grateful to him that he has enlarged my world.

 

Companion Animal Adoption Links

http://www.gsshelter.ca/adoption.html http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_adoption_information/what_to_consider_before_adopting_a_pet.html http://animalpetdoctor.homestead.com/Bondbenefits.html

All these articles (and many more can be found) are worthy of reading as you decide to adopt an animal.
PawKet Nutrition
 
Don't Forget to Take Your Vitamins

On August 6th, Willy appeared for Pawket Nutrition, a unique spray vitamin for dogs. Sometimes it is difficult to make sure our K9 friends get the supplements that they need, because often when added directly to the food, the food is less palatable to the pet. It is so easy to use: just 2 or 3 sprays several times a day directly into your dog's mouth, and his or her coat will glisten and eyes sparkle.

Another great reason to use the product is that every time you spray a Pocket (for people) or Pawket (for dogs) Nutrition Product, a portion of the profit will go to the charity Champions for Children which is dedicated to helping children with eating disorders, abused children and to help put an end to starvation worldwide. We now have this unique product in Willy's store on the website http://www.wheelywilly.com/cart.htm#a66
You can download a free product information brochure from http://www.onestopecom.com/brochuretrifoldlegal2.pdf
Reminders
 
Items of Interest and Note

Here are some items to keep in mind in the upcoming weeks and months
  • People in the Fresno area, if you wish to sponsor a Willy visit to your school or event, contact us ASAP. Willy fill be in Fresno on September 25th and a visit can be arranged.
  • For those living in the Dallas/Austin, TX area or in the El Paso, TX, Southeastern New Mexico Area, we are trying to make a Spring, 2006 visit to those areas. Any assistance in arranging visits or possible sponsors, please contact us.
  • School is starting, for all those in the Long Beach Unified School District, it is the time to start planning to have the Humane Education program brought to your school.
  • Any school desiring a Willy visit or Author's Presentation should also contact us ASAP with desired dates.
  • On September 18, Willy will be appearing at the National Chihuahua Race at Petco Park in San Diego, just before the Padres-Nationals game. Willy and the Padres both plan on being the front runners.
 

Contact Information

phone: (562) 685-8498
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