Thursday Afternoon Brief Update

Update: I found out that, after getting checked out by the vet, the decision was made to leave Leo to board overnight at the 24-hour vet in Alexandria, to which he was taken, until arrangements were made for ARCBCR to pick him up today. He was badly in need of a bath! But everyone agrees - he's a LOVE! On the ride to the vet center, he would lean on one person while reaching over to kiss another. He was clearly SOOOO relieved to be in safe hands at long last.

Pictures: Will come as soon as possible! There are some pictures from the hours leading up to his capture that pumped up the volunteers during a tense time (thanks to Jim Poor for the camera donation a year ago!) and then hopefully more pictures following the capture.

Celebration: If anything calls for a celebration, this is it! But we know that if we don't do it soon, it won't be done. So, with all of the critical participants that we want at the celebration, we will have an impossible time scheduling one that everyone can be at. Please do your best to keep open the evening of Sunday, June 19th for that celebration. Can you recommend a food establishment in Shirlington? A club house at a nearby community? Please use the Comments for any suggestions as soon as possible, and stay tuned for the time and location!

One Last Fundraising Push: Clearly, there were MANY players that contributed to the success of this mission (and I intend to eventually provide a list!) but there's one in particular that we want to fundraise for so that the rescue organization's funds aren't depleted (any more than necessary) to cover her services. Those close to the operation know I'm speaking of Sam Connelly of Pure Gold Pet Trackers, whose help we couldn't have done it without. Sam was there to consult with when we needed insight into how Leo might be reacting to what was happening around him. She pulled the two consecutive all-nighters to come from Baltimore to build the trap that eventually contained Leo; monitor it, break it down, and then come back and do it again. She strategized and re-strategized with our volunteer team, and "pulled the trigger" at the moment needed to contain him! She returned a third day to break down the trap and deliver our first (traditional) trap to the person we borrowed it from. We want to see her be as richly rewarded as possible for her invaluable contributions, so please -- donate to her through ARCBCR (see menu at right) or bring cash to the celebration on Sunday. She promises to be there!

Back later with a fuller update!

Nancy Despeaux
TesterDesp@aol.com