Auri McFadden-Knock, a fourth grader at Iola Elementary School, fell in love on Thursday.
The object of her affection was Remy, an 8-month-old Labrador retriever brought to the school by the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility (ACARF) for “Paws for a Cause,” a special event that brought students and families together for a night of reading and animal-themed activities.
Again and again, Auri returned to pet and hug Remy.
“He’s so beautiful,” Auri cooed as she stroked his black fur. “He just seems like such a sweet boy. He’s my favorite.”
Remy was one of five dogs and two cats ACARF selected for the event. They chose animals that love people, shelter director Brittni Israel said. Most of them are used to traveling and public events, but Thursday’s event with about 300 people was a bit overwhelming.
“They’re not used to this many people at once,” Israel said. “Some of them are a little unsure about the crowd.”
Remy, though still a puppy, was selected because he loves people, handler and ACARF employee Nikki Victor said. But as the throng of children and adults walked through the hallway, Remy sat quiet and cautious in a corner. He perked up when Auri returned for a second round of petting.
Kaiden Jones, a fifth-grader, and his brother, Gaberial, a fourth-grader, said they were most excited to see the animals.
“I’m a dog person,” Kaiden said.
“I’m a dog person, too,” Gaberial chimed in.
“We have a cat. I want a dog but my mom said no,” Kaiden added.
And though the dogs got most of the attention, the two cats, Abu and Berlioz, got a little love, too. Cameron Vaughn, a second-grader, settled in to read a book to Berlioz.
The event was intended to encourage students to read to the animals, but most students seemed more interested in petting them.
SAFE BASE, the after-school program, and Title I offered the event as its fall Blue Plate Dinner Special. Another dinner will be offered in the spring.
This event celebrated the IES library, which also had a ribbon cutting ceremony with a proclamation read by Mayor Steve French, declaring Thursday as Iola Elementary School Library Day.
The library gave each student a free book. Activities were organized around the award-winning children’s book, “Because of Winn-Dixie.” Part of the library also was decorated as a grocery store to honor the book.
Angela Henry, SAFE BASE director, said she felt the evening was a success.
