Zone 1 chair Joanne Jacques from the Lions Club presents Gail Pifer and her seeing-eye dog Tyrell with gifts during the Purina Walk for Dog Guides in Oliver last Sunday.
Lyonel Doherty photo
A lackluster showing at the Purina Walk for Dog Guides in Oliver on May 25 didn’t deter the Lions Club from raising more than $2,700 for the cause.
President Joanne Bray said only nine dogs and their owners showed up.
“There are hundreds of dogs in this town,” she stated.
She joked they should have wine at the event next year.
However, kudos for the day belonged to Kathleen Brown and her golden retriever “Amber,” who raised $651 in pledges.
Amber made quite a name for herself recently when she went missing for 24 hours after bolting from the firefighters’ training seminar in the community park on May 3.
Brown had Amber on her leash during the opening ceremonies, which featured a truck that was dropped (by a crane) onto a bus. The subsequent explosion freaked out Amber and she took off like a shot.
Brown couldn’t find her and ended up blitzing the neighbourhood with posters. A lot of people helped look for Amber, but to no avail.
The next morning she returned home, all wet and dirty.
Bray later hit Brown up to participate in the walk, and it didn’t take long to raise $651.
“It’s really nice to give something back. So many people helped find her (Amber).”
The May 25 event attracted another special guest – Gail Pifer and her seeing eye dog Tyrell. Pifer is a member of the Vernon Lions Club, to which Tyrell is an honourary member. He actually attends the meetings.
Amber is given a treat while owner Kathleen Brown looks on after the Purina Walk for Dog Guides held in Lions Park on May 25.
Lyonel Doherty photo
Needless to say, Pifer and Tyrell share an unbreakable bond.
“He keeps me safe in parking lots; he’s got his eyes on the vehicles all the time.”
Pifer truly believes that Tyrell can feel her thoughts.
Three years ago she suffered depression. If she went for a walk while feeling stressed or anxious, Tyrell would turn around and take her home.
“I’ve had some people tell me that dogs can’t feel emotions, but he does.”
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
