Fundraiser held in Excelsior to help some furry friends

Helping those who can't help themselves was the focus of a fundraiser to benefit man's best friend.

The "Dog Days of Summer" trunk show and silent auction held June 22-24 at Omorphia, 206 Water St., in Excelsior was to benefit the "Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota," located in Minnetonka and "The French Bulldog Rescue Network." Proceeds from the silent auction will go to the two organizations.

"I love animals, it's a passion of mine," said owner of Omorphia Pam Ree. "I just want to help them and feel it's important to get the word out on what's happening to the animals."

Using social media such as Facebook and Twitter, Ree and the organizations were able to use a new method of spreading the word fast about the cause.

"I think for things like this, social media is a really good tool," said Executive Director of RAGOM Jerry Stahl. "You don't have the ad costs, promotion costs, it's free and you're reaching a lot of people in a short amount of time."

It was an adjustment getting to know the new tool.

"I'm very new to Facebook," Ree said. "Until recently, I never got how to use it."

"I look at this as a learning experience," Stahl said. "We have a lot still to learn about social media."

The fundraiser also complemented the "Take Your Dog To Work" day June 24. The events kicked off with a wine and cheese Trunk Show featuring Konstantino jewelry. People who brought their dogs in June 24 were able to have their pooch's picture taken wearing Konstantino jewelry.

Ree has a rescued French Bulldog from The French Bulldog Rescue Network, as well as being active in rescuing golden retrievers. Wanting to give back, she teamed up with the two organizations to help raise awareness.

"It's pretty cool and rewarding to do something like this because it's a different way to raise money," said Heidi Lillie Gray with the French Bulldog Rescue Network. "Something like this is really fun and personal."

And for Midwest Account Executive with Konstantino jewelry Rosemary Cowley, she says anytime they can do an event that promotes a good cause count them in.

"Whenever we do an event with our product we like to look at alternative ways to generate interest," Cowley said. "Some thought, let's look at the general interest across the country in dog rescue."

"I think there's much more awareness of puppy-mills and the conditions in which the animals are kept," she said. "We like to involve our events in not only animals, but partner with a cause that helps make this world a better place."

For the first time doing something like this, Ree says it's been worth it.

"I have to say, for the first time doing this I have to be pleased with it," Ree said. "At the end of all of this, hopefully people will recognize the organizations and the good they do."

People can still donate, and for more information on the organizations visit the links below.