ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING

In early December I posted a blog about a thoughtful and kind man named Fez who lives here in the Kennebunks. His dog, a cute terrier named Elvis, died several years ago. “That was a real sad day,” Fez said. He missed his little pooch so keenly that he decided to set up a Christmas tree in Elvis’ honor at Gooch’s Beach where Elvis had romped through the waves and along the shoreline with other doggies during their morning walks. 

Fez hoped that the regular brigade of 6 to 9 AM dog walkers would spot the tree and perhaps add ornaments (plus $20 donations) to honor their own dogs. He even posted a sign next to the tree which read: “IN HONOR OF OUR DOGS — Each ornament has the name of a dog who is loved (heart emoji). Some are still with us, some have passed on. ALL FUNDS received will go to the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk.” 

For the prior two years in early January, Fez delivered a check for $1500 to the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk. That hefty chunk of moolah represented $1200 received from beach dog walkers plus $300 that came right out of Fez’s own pocket. “I was happy to do that,” he said.

This year, perhaps because of a little publicity in TOURIST & TOWN, the prize-winning local newspaper, Fez noted a surge in donations. Early this morning he personally delivered $2000 to AWS. That’s a lot of Alpo.

Thanks go to any of you reading this who contributed. But special gratitude goes to Fez who conceived, collected and delivered a worthy sum to his beloved charity.

Kind of a nice way to start the new year, I think.