80 Dogs Enjoy Annapolis Cruise to Raise Funds & Awareness

Released: September 20, 2006

Media Contact: Wendy Thomas, Watermark Director of Marketing
Phone: 410-268-7601 x 111, Email: wendy@watermarkjourney.com
Web Site: www.watermarkjourney.com

People outnumbered dogs just 2 to 1, with approximately 80 dogs and 165 people enjoying a perfect evening on Watermark's Harbor Queen. Someone commented "It looks like Noah's Ark with all the dogs walking up the boarding plank!" Guests came together to raise funds and awareness for animals who face unnecessary suffering. All raised funds will support Animal Legal Defense Fund whose mission is to protect animals through the legal system. Specifically the funds raised from this event, Little Ben's Big Fundraiser Cruise, will help ALDF with the Sanford, NC rescue case, from which Ben, along with 300+ other dogs, were removed from horrific conditions they'd known all their lives.

WHEN: Friday, September 8, 2006 7:00pm -10:00pm
WHERE: Departed from the Annapolis City Dock on Watermark's Harbor Queen

Dan Haas' Band, Ben's Bones, entertained all aboard and added in some lively sit/stay, dance and waggiest tail contests. Local businesses including Whole Foods of Annapolis, Potato Valley, Great Harvest Bread Company, Pesce Grande and the Maryland Food Co-op to name just a few donated all the food for the event. Almost $1,400 was raised for ALDF from the Silent Auction with prizes donated by Loews Hotel, Cameron Adams Photography, www.BeachDecor.net, Harry Browne's and Carrols Creek and others. Paws pet boutique owners, Michelle and Larry Kownacki, are fostering the little jack russell, Ben, who inspired the whole affair. "This cause is very dear to our hearts, so we couldn't have been more pleased with the strong show of support", says Michelle, who spearheaded the event. By night's end, close to $5,300 was raised to help ALDF. Ben now is enjoying home life and learning to play with toys and walk on a leash. All is new to this estimated 3-year old dog, thanks to ALDF. The generous support of Annapolitans will help make difference. Thanks to all. To learn more about ALDF visit www.aldf.org

Photos available upon request.