|
|
|
Skating Hero Champions Shelter Dogs
| Source: |
Pets Magazine |
| Date: |
May 2008 |
Kurt Browning skated his way to the top spot on the winner's podium -
and into the hearts of Canadians - more than a few times during his
competitive career, an achievement for which he has been celebrated as
one of this country's most enduring sports personalities.
The four-time world champion and four-time Canadian champion is
perhaps best known for successfully landing the first-ever quadruple
jump in figure skating competition in Budapest in 1988 (a feat for
which he was noted in the Guinness Book of World Records). His
fancy footwork also led to three Olympic appearances, a star on
Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto, and induction into both Canada's
Sports Hall of Fame and Skate Canada's Hall of Fame.
Not bad for a kid whose first skating experiences were on a backyard
rink built by his father in rural Caroline, Alberta - "literally, four
pieces of plywood laid down and sprayed with a hose," according to
Browning - before the town had an arena of its own. (Today, Caroline's
ice facility is called the Kurt Browning Complex).
It was on this humble outdoor surface where, Browning fondly recalls,
the family dog helped him hone his early skills.
"My first dog was this crazy, white German Shepard mix of some kind,"
he says. "My dad would make a little rink in the backyard, and we'd
play hockey - but the dog would steal the puck and run across the
field... My dad finally muzzled her so she couldn't pick up the puck
anymore, but she didn't give up. She kept jumping at it and pushing it
[across the ice]...It became a great game, and we would do it all
winter, for hours and hours."
Today, Browning is putting his star power behind helping shelter dogs
in Canada, who are getting a much needed bost from the makers of
Pedigree pet foods. They hope to raise $500,000 through the year-long
Pedigree Adoption Drive campaign, for which Browning serves as
Canadian spokesperson. The money will be used to cover veterinary
care, vaccinations, shelter and food for approximately 2,000 dogs
across the nation.
Pedigree has partnered with 26 shelters across Canada, and will be
donating a minimum of $5,000 to each towards providing support for
dogs in their care. In addition, shelters will receive a digital
camera that can be used to upload pictures of available dogs onto
their shelter page hosted on www.mypedigree.ca. Pedigree will also be
providing new dog owners with an Adoption Starter Kit, which includes
wet and dry food, treats, coupons, and a dog owner's handbook that
outlines helpful tips and information about dog adoption.
Portions of the sale of Pedigree products at retailers across the
country will be also donated to partner shelters. As well, Canadians
can donate one dollar towards the cause at participating retailers,
for which they can post a 'Pedigree Pick Me' card in-store.
Browning says he's known since his early outdoor skating 'lessons'
"how amazing it is" to have a dog in his life. He and wife Sonia
Rodriguez, principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada,
welcomed Lea, a Portugese Water Dog, into their home several years
ago. She instantly became a full-fledged member of the family, to
which the couple have sine added sons Gabriel and Dillon. Browning
marvels that Lea, who normally greets him at the door with her breed's
distinctive bark, remained silent if he returned home during nap time
for either child, who were born four years apart.
"Lea is definitely part of my family," Kurt says. "But she's
definitely Sonia's dog. If we're at the lake, and I jump in, Lea just
barks at me. When Sonia jumps in, Lea jumps right in after
her."
While a rescued cat was already part of the family, Kurt says it
didn't occur to them to look at shelters when they began their search
for the right dog.
"That's the kind of person we're trying to get this message across to
with the Pedigree Adoption Drive - when your family is ready for a
dog, don't miss the local shelters. There's a perception that
shelters are where the bad dogs go. In our case, we just didn't think
of [going to one]. But there are amazing dogs there, just waiting for
that second chance to become someone's family member - and
unfortunately too many of them [are waiting]."
As for his professional future, Browning continues his run with Stars
On Ice (www.starsonice.com) this Spring; his second children's book,
co-authored with Sonia, and a reality television show that may involve
a certain rough-and-tumble, recently retired Toronto Maple Leaf in
figure skates are also in the works.
In the mean time, he hopes that Canadians will do all they can to help
the thousands of dogs available for adoption on any given day here,
and in many other countries around the world.
"The catch phrase for the program is 'Help us help dogs,'" Browning
says, adding that adopting one of Canada's many shelter animals isn't
the only way people can help them. "If you can't adopt a dog, watch
for the program in local stores. And if you love dogs, you can
donate, or buy the product, or even volunteer time at a local
shelter."
For more information on the Pedigree Adoption Drive campaign, visit
www.mypedigree.ca.
|
|
|
|
|
