May 6, 2000, Corning, N.Y. On a beautiful spring day at the bucolic farm that is the home of
Kay and Joe, about 50 participants (20 humans and 30 dogs) came together to celebrate our
commitment to rescue and our friendship with each other. The M.R. Angels (Mill
and Rescue Angels) event was the dream of internet rescue friends from across the country,
that became a reality. The dream was born when our hosts, Kay and Joe, met Gail and
Tony in March 1999 to receive their Mira, and the event was
dedicated to a special dog, our Angel Lily Girl, the first
puppymill rescue most of us had ever known. Although Angel and her family were
unable to attend, their spirit was with us throughout the day.
The fest started at two o'clock and ran
to nearly 10 o'clock when we reluctantly let the day end. Folks came from as far
away as Utah (D'Ette and Max) with a big contingent from the NYC Metropolitan Maltese
Rescue. Joe was the master grill cook and goodies for dog and human alike were laid
out on three big tables (who can forget Rebecca's bourbon balls or the two Maltese cakes,
one from Jaye and one from Kay and Joe). Emily and Jackie performed a darling skit
about "Mother Nature" and Lana's flowers.
We could not forget all those who were
unable to join us, so we lifted our glasses for a cross-country toast at five o'clock.
The rest of the day was spent talking, laughing, hanging out around the pond (and
the food), and, of course, watching all the doggies, as well as two mules and a donkey,
enjoy the day. The highlight for many of us was a special video "Helloooo"
from Gail and Angel, that reminded us about why our union was so desperately important to
the welfare of all the animals abused and discarded in this country.
