An unusual gathering for an unusual dog took place Aug. 25 in Corrales when some 50 people (and half again as many canines) turned out for a memorial service in honor of a rescue animal named Junebug.

            Clearly, this was no ordinary dog that could draw so many mourners after less than 18 months. Junebug was rescued by NM Dog on March 12, 2012, hours before she was to be euthanized. The white Pit Bull had been seized in a cruelty case, and was emaciated, terrified, and “shut down” after spending all of her six years in a small, filthy cage. She set off alarms when she later escaped from her foster home, prompting a full-court search of Placitas.

            Eventually Junebug blossomed and became a favorite at Corrales Kennel, where many community rescue animals are housed, for her ineffably sweet and gentle nature. Maybe because she was a tough case who had everything to learn, she became a poster dog for NM Dog and a hero to the local rescue community— living proof of what love and care can do for dogs that have been discarded.

            Junebug found a foster family at an adoption event in June. But her luck ran out again in August, when she drowned in an accident while visiting a family with a pool. Her foster family was devastated, according to NM Dog president Angela Stell. So was the local rescue community that knew her.

            At the service on the lawn at Corrales Kennel, a table was spread with Junebug’s photos, urn, and guest book. Memories were shared, and the adoption was finalized amid tears and hugs as a harpist played. The many canines in attendance were fitted with angel wings, balloons were released into the sky, and a memorial Facebook page was announced—today’s equivalent of forever in our hearts.

Build it, and they will bark

What can you do for homeless animals? If you’re an architect, you could maybe design a house. At least, that’s the idea behind a clever fundraising contest from the Santa Fe Animal Shelter and the Santa Fe pet emporium Teca Tu.

            Not all the teams competing in Barkitecture, a team doghouse-building contest, are made up of architects. There are also artists, woodworkers, dog trainers, and shelter volunteers. But architects—let’s face it—have a dog leg up on the competition.

            The real winner, though, is going to be the hundreds of homeless pets helped each year by the Santa Fe Humane Society and Animal Shelter. All the dog houses will go on display at Sanbusco center at the Santa Fe Railyard on Nov. 9, for sale to the highest bidder, to be announced Dec. 11.

            “Everybody in this office has a pet, and we’ve gotten our pets—all of us—from a shelter,” said Barbara J. Felix, whose architecture firm decided this would be the perfect kind of fun, creative outlet for a good cause.

            “We wanted to do something that was whimsical and unexpected,” Felix explained. They found their inspiration in the office Lego sets, every architect's favorite toy. The resulting design “will not be like anything that anyone else is doing,” Felix said with a wink.

Fall seems to be the season for rescue fundraisers and adoption events. Consider devoting your dollars and fun to helping critters at:

            Animal Humane’s annual Doggie Dash & Dawdle, Nov. 2 at Balloon Fiesta Park. This hugely popular event includes a 5K dash and 2-mile dawdle for dogs and their people: www.doggiedashanddawdle.org

            Santa Fe Animal Shelter’s Barkin’ Ball, Oct. 12 at Eldorado Hotel & Spa: barkinball.org

            Watermelon Ranch’s annual Fur Ball, Nov. 9 at Marriott Pyramid: www.wmranch. org/the-ranch/fur-ball

            Weems International Artfest, Nov. 15-17 at Expo New Mexico’s Lujan Exhibit Complex. The annual juried art fair also features pet adoptions and booths from many local animal groups: www.weems internationalartfest.org

      Here at home in Corrales, we’re partial to the Bowled & Beautiful fundraiser, Oct. 5 at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church. Artists will show their transformation of 30 vintage bowling pins into sculpture, to be sold to the highest bidder to benefit local rescue groups. Call (505) 440-3208.

Breakfast in Corrales

The Village's second bear of the year was spotted in a driveway near Loma Larga on Sept. 12 and tracked by neighbors (as seen here, from a rooftop) across backyards until state Game & Fish officials arrived. The bear was judged to be around 5 years old, 250 pounds, and healthy. Game & Fish officials said that they had taken 40 calls for bears this summer in Albuquerque alone.