Hector ain’t a hound dog [All photos of the Dog Rock Concert provided by Shadi Kafi] 4/10/16
Is that REALLY Hector undercover sneaking an extra dog?
On April 10, 2016, the Rochester Academy of Music & Arts hosted its Third Annual Dogs Rock Concert benefitting Nuts for Mutts, the link between Rochester’s homeless dogs, their foster homes and forever homes.
The evening concert was a superb combination: Rochester’s young and brave performing, all you can eat pizza buffet (for humans) and nothing but love for our cute furry friends. And a little borrowing from Henry David Thoreau in the headline.
The event was first inspired by Hector, a Jack Russel-chiwawa mix from Kentucky, being held in a kill shelter. Before the day Hector was to be put down, a chain of phone calls from animal shelters landed him at Nuts for Mutts in Rochester. Nuts for Mutts intake coordinator Nicole picked up Hector — starving, flees and a crooked nose from abuse — and drove him back to Rochester.
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” Could be said by Hector or Henry David Thoreau
Seeing Hector in a store front, Brigid Harrigan and Brannon Hungness, founder of the Academy of Music & Arts, couldn’t resist adopting him, crooked nose and all:
We were thinking of a bigger dog at first, but when we got home we thought his cool zen personality would be the perfect fit for us. Turns out, he’s our best buddy! He even comes to the music school and lets the kids play with him and loves the piano and guitar.
At the school, Hector has plenty of company. Brannon started the Academy of Music & Arts 9 years ago with 12 students. Today, the Academy, the largest privately owned music school in Rochester, teaches 400 students learning all instruments.
Founder of Academy of Music & Arts Brannon Hungness (on guitar) and Brigid Harrigan
Like Hector’s music school human friends, dogs definitely have personal reactions to subtle nuances in sounds. Some prefer the loud trumpet over the more measured tones of the piano or the zap of the guitar over the softer violin. With animals, though, even the sight of various instruments can draw them near or closer away as they anticipate prior associations the sounds bring.
Their love for Hector, and the enormous growth of the music school over the years, inspire Brannon and Bridget to back to the Rochester community they love.
Every year, they match the amount raised at the concert: totally from $2,500 to $5,000 to this year’s $5,050. That’s over $12,500 for medical and pet supplies for Nuts for Mutts and its commitment to nurturing all the dogs before going to foster moms or permanent homes.
(left to right): Colleen Wilkens, intake coordinator and foster mom; Roxanne Mauragis, Foster Mom for six years; Nicole Rongo, intake coordinator and foster mom
The event was buzzing with fun raffle games and prizes, lively music played by students of the Academy and lots of pictures of cff’s (cute furry friends) to take home.
According to Sara, a foster mom, “Rescuing a dog saves two souls, for that I am darn certain. And I am so glad that I did!”
Nykko (selfie)
And, according to Roxanne, a foster mom for the past 6 years, “Everyone thinks you can’t foster because you can’t let the dog go but if you think, there’s always another one to help out there, it’s easy!”
Nykko and Nykko’s mom [Photo: Shadi]
So when you support Nuts for Mutts Rescue in Rochester, you may be giving a dog his day at Carnegie Hall.
Happy to receive copy from our new reporter at Talker’s off site headquarters at the Twelve Corner’s Starbucks. Below more cute dogs, more on and from Shadi. [Photo: Starbucks staff]
Shadi’s bravura performance at the Brighton Town Square gazebo. 40 dollars earned! 3/12/16
WE ARE THRILLED TO ADD HECTOR AND NYKKO TO OUR CUTE DOG SERIES
“Après TJ le déluge” Our second instagram and our first cute dog submission
MORE FROM AND ON OUR NEW REPORTER SHADI
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