Stepping into the Wild West

Jun 21, 2012

Photo: trail guides Kendra Sweet and Nicole Geary with Catherine Pokrywa and “Pappy” the dog, of Sheba's Haven Rescue at her fundraiser at Eastern Cowboy Horseback Adventures near Parham

It was an interesting and uncommon mix of dogs in an old Wild West setting as Lynn and Leslie Cronk, owners of Eastern Cowboy Horseback Adventures near Parham, hosted their third annual fundraiser for Sheba's Haven Rescue. The countless old style buildings on the property offered the perfect setting where guests enjoyed live music courtesy of Rock Bottom, a BBQ, silent auction, kids’ crafts, and pony rides that were set up around the property.

In attendance was Catherine Pokrywa, owner of Sheba's Haven Rescue, a charitable organization that relies on donations to provide care for older, terminally ill dogs in need of a home and special care. Catherine provides such a home at her three-acre property near Inverary, where currently she is full to capacity with 13 dogs in her care. Accompanying her at the event was Pappy, a 13-year-old stray Catherine picked up in Brockville, who she says has dementia but a very funny personality.

Catherine was bitten by the rescue bug after visiting one Humane Society, and took home an older sick dog that it was clear no one else wanted to adopt. She is only person in Ontario offering this kind of charitable care to older palliative dogs and has cared for close to 50 dogs, some of whom have lasted just five days in her care and others over two years.

Friday's fundraiser was the brain child of the Cronks, who are also avid animal lovers. They have rescued numerous dogs, horses and other animals over the years. Leslie Cronk explained why they offered their home and business up for this fundraiser. “This is something that we feel very strongly about and is just something that I feel that I have to do. And it also gives me pleasure and joy.”

The Wild West setting of Eastern Cowboy Horseback Adventures is the perfect setting for animal lovers of all sorts who want to support a worthy animal cause. For more information about Sheba's Haven Rescue and other upcoming fundraising events visit www.shebashaven.petfinder.com. For more information about Eastern Cowboy Horseback Adventures in Parham visit www.easterncowboy.com