Since its inception in 2006, I have worked behind the campaigning and competing scenes, administratively supporting this fundraiser and the contestants. It has been absolutely great working with the many, many contestants and helping each as best I could. And, the money FuzzyFotosKC raises for the agencies is so needed and so appreciated - so many doctor visits for both people and animals!

I never felt that I could compete … I don’t know why … until now. I am competing this year because of how important the work of both agencies is to the community, my community.

I have been a patient myself at the Clinic; it was 1974 and I was a young woman working full time as a waitress, a job which even many times today does not offer insurance. Being sick meant no money, so being able to see a doctor at the Clinic was indeed a miracle for me at the time! Since 2006, I have worked at the Clinic and seen for myself on a daily basis the miracle the Clinic presents thousands of people, the miracle of a visit to the doctor when they are sick.

It was earlier this year when I realized that I was ready to welcome a dog into my family. I have a good job, my life is in good balance, and it was time. I love my two cats (rescued of course) dearly but they are not into long walks and car rides. From a friend I heard about 15 puppies (related but from two moms) taken from a hoarding situation. I sat on the grass in the front yard of the rescuer’s home and was surrounded by these little spunky, all-American, similar and dissimilar balls of various colors and lengths of fur. I found an adorable little spikey haired guy*, a gorgeous milk-chocolate brown female and her dark-chocolate, “sickly” acting sister. I was “talked” into fostering the three. I was told it is best to foster more than you would ever be able to keep!

Here we are months later, the girls, both girls stayed. Lily wasn’t sick … I think it was an act to convince me to take her. They are the loves of my life. When people comment on how cute they are and then ask, what are they - my new response (which is what Elaina, our wonderful photographer called them) is “muppets”.  For curiosity reasons only, a DNA test is being done at Heartland to determine just what in the world they are!

My adorable dogs, Lily and Daisy, are patients at Heartland SPCA. We all know that healthcare for our beloved pets is vital, just like our own health care, but also expensive like health care for people. I wanted Lily and Daisy to have the best lives and that means they needed to be spayed, vaccinated and taken care of overall.

A vote or two or ten for FLOWER POWER – me, Lily and Daisy will be votes for good in the world - we work, we play, we love, we are!

* he was adopted by a wonderful family with two kids who fell in love with him!

FuzzyFotosKC
benefits these
local organizations:

Photo Credit: All contest photos were provided by Elaina of Photography by Elaina.
You can see more of Elaina's work at www.elainag.com.