Mozart's Friends join Woofstock | Community Spirit

As the Richmond Animal League’s 5th annual Woofstock approaches, pack of pet lovers have been raising funds to help the organization continue its mission of saving lives by providing hope, help, and homes to animals in need.

One such pack, headed by long-time RAL volunteer Carolyn Turner, is named in honor of a dog named Mozart. As Carolyn tells it, Mozart was not the easiest dog to love.

“To say that he was a bit neurotic would be putting it mildly, although… I suppose quirky would be a better term. He came completely unglued not only during a thunderstorm, but for a day or two afterwards. He guarded anything in his run, including empty food bowls.”

Another volunteer, Doug Bullett, gave Mozart his name. Doug refused to give up on “Mo,” even after Mo rewarded his perseverance with more than one bite. Despite his behavioral struggles, or perhaps because of them, Mozart had a small but loyal pack of advocates within the shelter.

After spending years at RAL, Mozart was adopted by a couple who had experience with difficult dogs, having raised wolf-dog hybrids. Mo spent his last years in their home before succumbing to cancer.

Join Mozart’s Friends on September 28th on historic Monument Avenue for a day of family and pet friendly fun. Woofstock 2012 will feature music by the Chris Adams Band, food and drinks, activities for kids and dogs, and RAL is delighted to welcome CBS 6’s Carrie Rose and Lite98’s Kat Simons to this year’s festival. Woofstock begins at 9:30 with the Strut Your Muttt Walk, and continues until 2pm. All proceeds benefit the Richmond Animal League, Richmond’s oldest non-profit no-kill shelter.

For more information about Woofstock and the Richmond Animal League, visit www.ral.org.