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Written by Yvonne Scott
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Saturday, 27 June 2009 |
 Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Old Town La Quinta, California
Story and photos by Yvonne Scott
To see more Yvonne Scott photos of Yappy Hour, click here.
The charm of Old Town La Quinta and its merchants helped out Guide Dogs of the Desert on the Event Lawn at Old Town La Quinta 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, June 23, with many desert locals enjoying an evening of lively conversation wine, hors d'oeuvres and happy canine companions.
 If you think local happy hours are a good way to enjoy the night with good friends at a good value, then you should have seen the great fun locals along with their four-legged companions had Tuesday evening to help raise funds for Guide Dogs of the Desert.
The wine was flowing and many tails a wagging while attendees enjoyed free food and a sense of community all for supporting this amazing organization on this balmy summer evening.
 The Yappy Hour evening was filled with dogs of all breeds. The attendees were from all across the Coachella Valley, including out-of-the-area visitors such as Kathleen Knopoff from Portola Valley who was visiting her parents, Peter and Doreen Brautovich of Palm Desert. Knopoff was the winning bidder of the night’s live auction item, winning a six-night all-inclusive stay for four at Lake Mancos Dude Ranch in Colorado near Durango. Valued at more than $7,000, Knopoff and up to three guests will enjoy horseback riding, cookouts, fishing and a myriad of other day and evening activities. The entire winning bid of $2,200 will go to support the life-changing work of Guide Dogs of the Desert.
 The local retail community stepped up to the plate in these hard economic times to raffle off gift certificates and merchandise for the crowd’s raffle ticket holders' prizes, which included a two-night stay at Hilton's Homewood Suites, $100 gift certificate at Wally's Desert Turtle and golf for two at Desert Willow, among other exciting gifts. Every dog in attendance also received a free gift for attending. There was no charge for admission, but donations were gracefully accepted.
Many of the dogs in attendance were rescue dogs with owners beaming from ear to ear alongside their beautiful companions exchanging stories and ages of the dogs with others in attendance.
 It seemed to be a great night for neighbors Camille Kelly and Margie Clements of Traditions in La Quinta who seem to really be enjoying the evening with sharing lively conversation and fun with their Laberdoodles Byron, Gunner and Higgins in tow to enjoy a neighborly evening on the town.
 Guide Dogs of the Desert also had many volunteers with their Guide Dogs, retired Guide Dogs and future Guide Dogs among the crowd. One absolutely darling little yellow Labrador retriever puppy with his Guide Dog jacket on was soaking up the night just taking it all in as most Guide Dogs do, lounging in the cool green grass. The calm manner of these future heroes of the sight challenged is simply amazing. It is not hard to see why this is one of the breeds of choice for the program.
If you get a chance to come out to another Yappy Hour, mark your calendar and don’t miss it. Your canine companions will thank you for a fun evening out, and it will touch your heart to see the mass of loving Coachella Valley residents and animal lovers.
Thanks to Old Town La Quinta for opening up the event lawn, which is normally off limits to dogs, during the event along with Guide Dogs of the Desert for bringing this Playful event together for the community to enjoy.
To see more Yvonne Scott photos of Yappy Hour, click here.
For more information about Guide Dogs of the Desert, click here.
For more information about the Lake Mancos Dude Ranch, click here.
For more information about Old Town La Quinta, click here.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 27 June 2009 )
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