Join us for our 9th Annual Bichon Picnic & Rescue Reunion

1:00 PM to ?????
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Cinnaminson, New Jersey
(Rain date: Sunday, June 8, 2008)

Planned events include:

• Raffle to benefit rescue
• Spare Change Collection
• Fine Sterling Silver Jewelry fundraiser
• Pet portraits with a MOBILE pet photographer
• Costume Contest
• Yankee Swap
• 50/50
• Swimming! (bring a bathing suit & towel, weather permitting)
• Bichon Games

Want to learn more about the picnic? Sign up for our mailing list and we will update you with important information as it becomes available. We have a large, fenced yard, so no one's dog needs to be leashed once they are all acquainted. We will provide some sort of main dish. This year we are thinking fried chicken and hot roast beef sandwiches. Guests should bring an entree, side dish or dessert to share. It's not necessary to bring enough to feed everyone - just make a large portion and when we put everyone's food contributions together we always have more than enough food. Guests should also bring a wrapped gift for the yankee swap if they want to participate (and it should be a really fun activity, so please plan on participating)!

We will email registered guests with a valid email address as details on the above activities become available. Stay tuned!

PET PORTRAITS

This year Carol from "Little Pals Pet Photography" will be here. Past picnic attendees might remember that we've tried pet portraits once before and it was not much of a success. In fact, between the chaos of the picnic and the unpredictable weather, it was a bit of a disaster! However, Carol will be here with her 33-FOOT mobile home, which has been turned into a photography studio. Her mobile home will be set up in the FRONT of our property, while the picnic is underway in the backyard! In this way, the dogs will have a QUIET, climate-controlled place away from the chaos of the picnic. Carol will make a contribution to DVBR for every pet portrait taken. Advanced sign-up is an absolute MUST because Carol needs to know that a minimum number of people will participate, and in addition, she can only accommodate a certain number of people in the short time she will be here, so if you are interested, be sure to indicate that on our sign-up page. There is a nominal sitting fee (I think $10 or $12) and each sheet of portraits costs $29 to purchase. Carol will use a couple of different backgrounds and it is up to you to pick the portrait you'd like to purchase. Everything is done digitally while you wait. We apologize in advance if you are interested but sign up too late to take advantage of this great opportunity. Click here to go to Carol's web page and read more about her pet photography business: www.sjpetphotos.com. We are VERY EXCITED to give this a try again. Unfortunately, Carol may not be able to make the picnic if it takes place on the raindate, so keep your fingers crossed for unquestionably good weather!

RAFFLE/ TRICKY TRAY

Each year DVBR volunteers organize a "raffle"/tricky tray. All proceeds from this activity will go directly to DVBR & will help to pay the extraordinary medical care that is sometimes required to ready our dogs for adoption.

If you would like to donate an item, please let us know in advance so that we will have a better idea as to what we should expect on picnic day. Donated items can be sent in advance OR brought to the picnic on the day of the event. If you have questions, such as where items should be sent OR what would be appropriate, email Nadinia & Marion, organizers of the event. Their email address is: nadinia_davis@hotmail.com .

The purpose of the "raffle"/tricky tray is to have a fun activity AND to raise a little money. The nicer the items you are willing to donate, the more fun it is for participants, and the more money we will raise. Therefore, we ask for NEW items only. Check your "re-gifting" stash! You can even make a little basket of goodies or other small items. Here are some suggestions, based on items that were very popular in previous years:

Wine basket
Dog toy basket
Dog snack items
Gardening items
Sports items
Bichon-related items
Coffee basket
Tea basket
Decorative pillows

You do not have to make an entire basket! If you donate a very small item, we may include it with other small items to even out the prizes.

Please let us know if you have any questions! Whether you donate or not, plan to participate by buying tickets at the picnic. As usual, we will be selling tickets for $1 or 6 for $5.

FINE JEWELRY FUNDRAISER

This year we will have a Fine Sterling Silver Jewelry fundraiser at the picnic. Sue Clegg is a DVBR adopter AND a Fine Sterling Silver Jewelry representative. She will have samples of the jewelry with her and will have a table set up. 25% of the profits from each order will be donated back to Delaware Valley Bichon Rescue.

If you'd like to contact Sue with any questions her email address is jeclegg_99@yahoo.com.

SPARE CHANGE

SECOND YEAR!!! This year DVBR is once again asking that picnic guests start saving their spare change. This is a PAINLESS way to donate money to the rescue. All donations will go to help pay veterinary expenses for the dogs in our care. If you are willing to participate in this fundraising effort, pls. start saving your spare change NOW. On picnic day we will have a large water-cooler type bottle located in a prominent area where everyone can watch their donations grow! Last year we raised nearly $100 in this way. That may not sound a lot, but when you consider that it represents just a few coins from each family, it's actually pretty impressive. At least we think so! $100 can pay for shots, a heartworm test and a check-up for one dog. It can also help pay for one neutering. $100 can purchase two large, 30-pound bags of special diet dog food such as C/D (for dogs with bladder stones) or W/D (for dogs with diabetes). Every little bit helps! Start saving your pennies & other coins now to participate in this great effort! You'll barely miss them, but they'll make a BIG difference to a needy dog!