Our annual Bark In The Park will be from 11 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians. Admission is $4 per person and $1 for children under 6. This year, our event is dedicated to the memory of Gypsy, a very special friend of the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society. Some of you might remember Gypsy as the little dog who ran back and forth across the highway near the old Stine location on U.S. 61 South years ago. It is a miracle that Gypsy survived that time in her life and eventually made her way to our local shelter where she was a permanent resident for the last nine years. Gypsy died recently, but fond memories of her will always remain.

Dogs will have the opportunity to compete in the following contests: cutest puppy (limited to puppies 6 weeks to 4 months old), most handsome, most beautiful, best trick, best owner look alike, best dressed, best smile and best tail wag. Dogs that have been adopted from our local shelter can also compete in the Mr. NACHS or Miss NACHS competitions.

It only costs $2 to enter your pet in each category, and you may enter as many of these categories as you wish. Trophies will be awarded. There will be T-shirts and refreshments for sale. Our emcee, will be Desiree Smith, from KFNV/KWTG Radio. The radio station is raffling off a life-size stuffed tiger to benefit the Natchez-Adams Humane Society Operations Fund as well. We ask that all four-legged participants be well mannered around others and that they keep their owners on a leash while at the event!

Special thanks to our wonderful sponsors who make this event possible each year.

We are also excited to announce our second annual, Blessing of the Animals, which will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, at Grace United Methodist Church. The Rev. Darian Duckworth will preside over this special service. Animals may be brought in carriers or on leashes to the event. If your pet cannot travel to the blessing, or if your pet does not socialize well with others, please come yourself and bring a photo of your pet or pets. Our special thanks to Grace UMC and the Rev. Duckworth for hosting this unique event once again for all pets of the Miss-Lou.

The Natchez-Adams County Humane Society has lots of other events coming up before the end of the year. If you are one of our Humane Society members, you received The Scoop newsletter in August with our calendar of events. If you are not on our mailing list, please send your contact information and annual membership fee of $15 for individuals or $20 for a couple to P.O. Box 549 Natchez, MS 39121, to begin receiving our newsletter with information about all of our events throughout the year.

Every day is a struggle to provide a temporary home and care for the hundreds of animals that are dropped off at a shelter that is rapidly deteriorating. Food costs, utilities, medical care and labor costs all continue to rise. Without the help of our many supporters, there would be no place for these animals. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the support of the animals at the shelter. Together, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of these animals that didn’t ask to come into this world, but they are here and are our responsibility.

Thanks to our generous supporters, our building fund has grown over the past year, and we continue to hope that a new shelter will be built in the near future. We still need the help of all in our community who love animals to make that hope a reality. Donations to the NACHS Building Fund can be sent to P.O. Box 332 Natchez 39121.

We hope to see you at Bark in the Park!

Susan Mingee is a resident of Natchez and serves as a NACHS board member.