Shops at Wiregrass Goes to the Dogs—and Cats

It was a blustery, chilly afternoon at The Shops at Wiregrass Saturday. Volunteers had to hold down their tents more than a few times.

But the biting chill didn't keep the crowds away. Plenty of people turned out for the mall's My Furry Valentine event, which featured dogs and cats available for adoption through various rescue groups and animal shelters.

A success? Well, yes.

Pasco County Animal Services volunteer Dale Spindle of Wesley Chapel said three of the four dogs they brought to the event were adopted.

The one dog who was not adopted (as of 3 p.m. Saturday), was . Though Izzy is deaf, she is playful and affectionate, Spindle said. 

And she is. My children and I fell in love with her immediately. She's too big for our small home—and she needs a fenced yard, which we don't have—so we couldn't take her with us. It was hard not to, though.

Jannae Davis, 11, of Wesley Chapel didn't waste any time falling in love with a dog at the event. Within 10 minutes of arriving, Jannae had picked up a pup named Spot and hadn't put her down for an hour, mother Janice Davis said.

The John Long Middle School student hoped they would be able to make Spot part of the family. They planned to fill out an adoption application that day, Davis said.

The kids and I didn't leave empty-handed, either. Julio the chihuahua/pug mix—a chug— joined our family that afternoon. He's bossy, a little bit stinky and thinks it's OK to hog the covers.

You know, a typical guy.

(Oh, and if you're curious about the pig smooch, you'll have to check out the photo gallery.)