Join me tomorrow for fundraiser at Orion Healthy Pet

Mike Hogan (Great Dane Rescue) & Mary Beth Darby, store owner

My pet food store, Orion Healthy Pet, is hosting a fundraising event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, April 2). The fundraiser benefits the Oakland County K-9 Unit and Great Dane Rescues.

On tap:
• Food from Big Dog BBQ
• Demonstrations by the K-9 unit
• Vendor booths
• Homemade pet food demonstrations
• Pet Psychic
• Professional pet portraits (photos) for a donation
• Raffle & prizes

Honestly, I'm most excited to see a bunch of Great Danes. I love big dogs and they just don't come much bigger than that!

I spoke with store owner Mary Beth Darby and here's the lowdown:
One of the Great Dane rescue guys is bringing a pull-behind smoker BBQ and will be whipping up pork sandwiches for a donation. A bake sale will also be taking place. In addition to the Great Dane rescue, another rescue group, Canine Companions, will be on hand with some adoptable dogs.
Local artist Kimberly Santini will have paintings available for purchase and photographer Mark Kelly will take photos of peoples' dogs for a donation.
The raffle drawing will likely be around 3 p.m. Tickets cost $1 a piece or $5 for seven. You can win gift baskets that will feature a $5 off coupon.
Also, the store's major brands of dog food will be offered at a reduced price (which is awesome, because I'm out of dog food!). Usually, the store offers 10 percent off on dog foods on Saturdays, but that deal won't be taking place tomorrow in lieu of all the other deals available.

Even though there will be a lot going on, I'm pretty confident about where I'll be spending the most time — fawning over the big dogs!


Orion Healthy Pet is at 1472 S. Lapeer Road. Call 248-690-7796.

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• New Oakland County pet stores offer good health food, treats, toys and non-allergenic, grain free kibble diets: Healthy Pet in Lake Orion and The Pet Beastro in Madison Heights
• Lake Orion artist finds success in unexpected career