WHAT: Music, Mutts and Margaritas

WHEN: Every Saturday!

July 19th, 4-8 pm benefits Agape Animal Rescue

WHERE: Music City Bar & Grill at 2416 Music Valley Drive #161 (Opryland Area--Right behind The Nashville Palace")

Music, Mutts, & Margaritas is a weekly happy/yappy hour on the patio at Music City Bar & Grill.  This is your chance to enjoy happy hour with your dog on the patio and get to know other pet parents.  Join us each Saturday afternoon this summer for live music, door prizes, great food, cold drinks, and lots of fun.  Best of all, each week a different local animal welfare or rescue group is featured.  The rescues will have volunteers on hand to accept donations and sell raffle tickets for great prizes donated by our sponsors.

Saturday July 19th, the featured rescue group will be Agape Animal Rescue.  Live Music on the Patio.  Put a leash on your best furry friend and come join the fun on the patio at Music City Bar & Grill.  For more info, please see the attached flyer or visit myspace.com/musicmuttsmargaritas

Dogs are allowed only on the patio
You must be 21 to attend.
Sponsored by: The Whole Kit & Kapoodle, Nashville Paw,  A Bark Above, and Music City Bar & Grill.

BLACK TIE Adoption Day 2008

Saturday, February 9th marked Agape’s 2008 Black Tie Adoption Day at the Murfreesboro Petsmart.  What a crowd!  With our adoptable dogs adorned in their black bow ties, this Valentine’s Day themed event was a big hit.  Many all of our dogs attended this adoption outing: Rex, Belle, Lady, Hunter, Patton and Hannah. 

There were treats aplenty, ranging from red and pink iced cookies to pink punch and candy.  And, of course, dog treats for the animals.  Thanks to all the Agape volunteers who came out and made this day a huge success!

For a complete slide show of the 2008 Black Tie event, click on Event Photo Gallery under the News and Events tab.

Above right: Rex show all the Black Tie guests his charming personality

Below right: Belle poses for the camera

Frothy Monkey Teams with Agape for Santa Photos

A huge thank you goes out to the owner and staff of the Frothy Monkey Coffeehouse on 12th Ave. South in Nashville. The Frothy Monkey allowed us to hold pet pictures with Santa on the cozy porch of their restaurant and coffee shop on December 22, 2007. We had a fabulous time on a brisk but busy Saturday before Christmas. We met a lot of neighborhood friends and saw many familiar faces too. Thanks to each of you who came out to support us. The photos turned out INCREDIBLE and you helped us raise $351!!!! A big thanks to Santa and his elves for dropping by to help. Also, special thanks to Performance Costume for donating Santa's suit, all the way down to his white wig! We could not have done it without all of you!

Agape Goes to Barkaroo

On Saturday, November 10, 2007, the Barkaroo Dog Festival was held at the Bark Park in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Agape was happy to be part of the Barkaroo festivities. We met lots of new folks at this event, which is held annually for dogs and dog owners in the Murfreesboro community. It was a bit chilly but the sun shone and everyone had a great time with their furry 4-legged friends. A big thanks to our volunteers who came out and helped make Barkaroo a great success!

photos: (left) Agape volunteers gather for warmth and a group picture at Barkaroo '07; (middle) Hannah meets a Great Dane puppy; (right) Agape volunteer Ashley helps Tater Tot greet a new friend

Agape Visits Printer's Alley for "Cause for the Paws" Event

The Cause for the Paws Downtown Pet Party was held this year at a Nashville landmark, Printer's Alley, on October 6, 2007. The third annual event benefits Metro Animal Control and allows them to showcase their adoptable animals. It was attended by many area rescue groups and animal advocacy organizations, including Agape Animal Rescue. The Pet Party featured music, silent auctions, dozens of vendors, and, most importantly, dogs and cats up for adoption and needing good homes. It was an awesome way to generate public awareness of the many adoptable pets available right here in Nashville.

photo: Maebell greets event guests, as foster mom Tanya demonstrates how to give a dog a treat

Agape Participates in Dog Day Festival '07

Agape Animal Rescue was one of many participants in Nashville's Dog Day Festival and Mutt Strut, held October 13, 2007, at Centennial Park. This event, which benefits the Nashville Humane Association, took place on a glorious fall Saturday afternoon. Thousands of dog-loving patrons visited the event to check out the fun, music, food and drink, and to see dozens of adoptable animals and many, many doggy vendors. This was a great day to meet new friends, for dogs and people! Agape dedicated its fundraising efforts that day to Tater Tot, our charming 2-year-old Chihuahua now up for adoption.

photos: (left) Rex, our newest rescue, enjoys his first Agape event; (middle) They came by land and by stroller; (right) Tater Tot meets his look alike

Faith is Home
By Nancy Hopwood, Faith's former foster mom

Once in awhile we have a success story that goes beyond our wildest expectation and Faith is one of those stories.

When Faith first came to us she had the worst case of Demodex mange our vet had ever seen. In fact, the doctor thought we should seriously consider letting her go. She had almost no hair and every part of her body was red, swollen and sore. There was no place to touch her that didn't hurt. But when Tanya Stephenson picked her up from the vet's office she was wagging her tail.

That's when Tanya took her home and began the process of getting her well. Faith's treatment was extensive and painful. There were weeks of dips, baths, medicine, special food, and vitamins. Tanya said, "I remember holding her in my arms till she fell asleep and telling her it was all going to be okay even when I wasn't sure I was telling the truth.î There were set backs but gradually she began to improve. Pretty soon her personality started to show through and what a personality it turned out to be.

Faith had not been able to enjoy much of her puppy hood but she quickly made up for lost time. She made fast friend with the other dogs. She learned about toys, swimming pools, hiking in the woods and riding in the car. It didn't matter where you were going as long as she was going with you. It was about this time that she came to my house for a little fine tuning of her manners and social skills.

Faith stole the hearts of everyone who met her. That's the thing about Faith, to know her is to love her. We have never known a happier dog. Every day is the best day ever and anything you are doing is wonderful as long as she can help. There is always a smile on her face and she made us laugh out loud at least once a day. Everything she does, whether it's playing with toys or running though the woods, she does with such enthusiasm, such joy, you just can't help but get caught up in it. There is no time for feeling blue. Life must be lived every second to the fullest. She always seems to be saying, "What's next?î

Now, I am very happy to report that Faith has found her forever family and is living happily in her new home. I actually think it was love at first sight for all of them. The first time they met, Faith watched them leave until their car was completely out of sight. On her home visit it was obvious she would have little trouble adjusting as she explored every inch of the place in typical Faith fashion. The day we took her home she ran to the door, slid across the entry rug, said hi to her new mom and then on upstairs to see who else was home.

We congratulate the Hersh family on their new addition and wish them many years of happiness with this most remarkable dog. The Hersh's have already fallen in love with Faith's spirit, personality and her happy-go-lucky nature. "It is quite clear that we undoubtedly have the sweetest dog in the world! She has been so good and is so loveable," says new mom Malinda Hersh (left, with Faith).

To all of you who have helped Faith reach this new beginning, thank you just doesn't seem nearly enough. We could not have done it without you.

Thank you Faith, you taught us more than we could have ever taught you and we are blessed to have been part of your journey.

Agape Animal Rescue has joined forces with 1-800-PetMeds! 1-800-PetMeds has agreed to donate 10% of your purchases to Agape! The next time you need animal supplies and medications, please consider buying them from 1-800-PetMeds.

It's simple! Either click the link at left, visit www.1800petmeds.com or call 1-800-738-6337 to order. When checking out, just enter the code "agape" and 10% of your sales will automatically be donated to us!

Also, for an extra $5.00 off your next purchase, enter the code "INQ906."

Thank you for purchasing your supplies from 1-800-PetMeds and supporting Agape at the same time!!

Agape Participates in Ensworth Social Issues Day

On April 13, 2007, Agape Animal Rescue was one of dozens of presenters at Ensworth High School's Social Issues Day. This was a fun event where 100 high school juniors were given an opportunity to become aware of organizations in their community who value volunteers and civic engagement. Agape's booth, adorned with photos of happy faces of the dogs it has placed, was well received by the students. Mack, Tanya Stephenson's certified therapy dog, was a particular hit with students and other exhibitors! Thank you, Ensworth, for including Agape at this worthwhile event.

(pictured at right) Mack greets David Morgan, Ensworth Head of High School

Beau's Owner Honors Dog With Tribute to His Life, Vet and Agape

Jennifer Gies, a recent Nashville resident, faced one of the hardest decisions any animal owner has to make when her beloved dog Beauregard was losing his battle to lymphoma. Through the anguish and grief of ending Beau's suffering, Jennifer realized her dog deserved more than just a peaceful death in her loving arms. She wrote and printed a eulogy to Beau, entitled, "The Light of My Life Has Gone Out" (click here to read eulogy under SAD GOODBYES). Included in Beau's eulogy was Jennifer's request that friends could honor Beau's life by making a donation to Agape Animal Rescue.

Though Jennifer lost her best friend and constant companion, her tribute to Beau honors not only his life, but the extraordinary care he received from his Nashville vet, Dr. Summerfield Mobley. Her request that Beau's memory be honored by making donations to Agape means that other animals will have a chance to live the loving, joyful life that Beauregard shared with her.

Thank you, Jennifer, for thinking of Agape during your time of grief. You are a special woman, and Beau was a special friend.

(read Jennifer and Beau's entire story)

Second Annual Black Tie Event a Hit

Agape's second annual Black Tie Adoption Day, held Saturday, February 10, 2007, was a hit for all attending: volunteers, patrons, and of course, the animals! With brownies, cookies, cupcakes, punch and heart-shaped candy, patrons who visited the Murfressboro Petsmart found Valentine's Day treats as well as lovable, adoptable dogs at the Agape booth. This festive annual event, where the dogs sport bow ties and all volunteers dress in black and white, draws quite a crowd. Watch for next year's Black Tie Adoption Day, on or around Valentine's Day 2008!

(pictured above) Faith shows off her pretty bow tie

Happy Birthday to the Animals!

A very special anonymous donor asked for unusual birthday gifts for her 9th birthday party this year! She held a party for all of her friends and they painted dog bowls for their personal pets and made donations to Agape Animal Rescue! We received some wonderful gifts of pet food, bowls, leashes, and other needed supplies. Agape wants to send out a HUGE round of puppy and kitty hugs to this special girl and all of her generous friends. What a giving young lady to forgo birthday presents to help our foster animals! Thanks so much!

Agape Featured in Nashville Lifestyles Magazine

The May 2006 issue of Nashville Lifestyles Magazine featured an article about Agape Animal Rescue! Please click here for a sneak peak or get a copy today for the full story!

Hardee's Fundraiser a huge success!

On Friday, March 3rd, 2006, Hardee's donated 20% of their sales (from Nashville restaurants) to Agape. Thanks to Hardee's and to all of our hungry supporters we were able to make the event a huge fundraising success for our organization.

Checks Your Way Fundraiser

We are now affiliated with Checks Your Way and yes, you should check this out! Checks Your Way offers great products (checks, labels, notecards) and now, with any purchase on its website, the company will contribute 10% of your purchase back to Agape Animal Rescue. It's simple! Just enter Agape's affiliate number (270169534) when you purchase any Checks Your Way product online. Help the animals and receive customized checks, labels, or notecards with your own photos ... or choose from an extensive photo gallery. How fun and how great a cause!