Cracker Jack Flannery, a 7-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound, was the inspiration for a successful fund-raising event held in October at Flower Hill Park, hosted by his owner Kristine Flannery. The event was held to help raise awareness and funds for The Mary Ann Morris Animal Society (MAMAS) mamasanimalshelter.com in South Carolina where conditions are much bleaker than shelters here in New York. 
When looking for a dog, Kristine didn’t necessarily want to adopt from an out-of-state shelter. Her criteria were: that the dog be good with children, housebroken, and calm. Having worked in shelters, and visiting shelters in the south, she knew that they had some highly adoptable and wonderful dogs. Kristine found out about MAMAS on Petfinder.com, which is a great resource for getting the right animal.
Sadly, Cracker Jack had been at the shelter for a year and a half before the Flannerys adopted him. Kristine notes the “amazing staff at the shelter cared for and loved him, and kept hope alive that he would find a home. ‘They did an amazing job of matching Cracker Jack with my family. I call him my ‘ambassador’ for anyone who is afraid of dogs. No one is afraid of Cracker Jack! He is all the things I was looking for, she said, plus so much more.”Because so many adopters and supporters of the shelter are from the northeast, Cracker Jack was transported from the shelter by a team of volunteers along the east coast who drove legs of the trip.
Cracker Jack was met in New Jersey by the Flannerys and from there he began his new life in his happy new home. The Women’s Club of Flower Hill participated in the fund-raiser by putting together a Halloween Candy Hunt in the park. Donations from the hunt were given to MAMAS. Also present to help with the fund-raising efforts was Pet Sitters Club of Great Cracker Jack Flannery, a Treeing
Walker Coonhound from Manhasset. Neck, NY www.petsit-lu.com, 516-466-5617. Through their daily exercise walks with Cracker Jack, owners James and Naomi Garfinkel have formed a trusted bond with him and his humans, the Flannerys. Pet Sitters Club provides walks for owners who have busy workdays or are away from home for the day. In addition, they provide social bathroom breaks for puppies and
older dogs alike. The service also allows for dogs and cats to stay in the comfort of their own home when owners are on vacation. Pet Sitters Club urges people to adopt from both local and out of town shelters.
The event was such a success that it raised over $1,000 for food, shelter, and medical supplies. A little donation goes a long way at MAMAS and the staff works very hard with few resources. To donate, visit the website at: mamasanimalshelter.com. You can choose to sponsor a dog, donate toward medical supplies or purchase a dog bed for a dog at the shelter. You can also mail a donation to: MAMAS, PO BOX 1151 Bamberg SC 29003.
