When a dog named Buddy was found dragged to his death in the Colorado National Monument, the heinous act of cruelty disgusted American dog lovers across the country. But one American dog lover took his digsust and did something positive with it. His name is Gary Sherman, and together with five other dog lovers, he administrated the "Demand Justice for Buddy" Facebook page that swiftly attracted thousands to join, from 100 countries. As of this writing, the number of Facebookers supporting this worthy cause was a quarter-million-plus. "It's a movement," Sherman says proudly.
People who know or have heard of Sherman weren't surprised that he would champion a dog he'd never even met. A resident of Aspen, Colorado, Sherman co-owns the successful venture K9000 Dog Wash, and sits on the board of one of his home state's best animal shelters, the Animal Rescue Foundation of Colorado; he's equally renowned for his business savvy and his animal advocacy.
Sherman is also a doting dad to two charismatic rescues: Cyrus, a lab-border collie, and Willow, a Catahoula Leopard-Blue Heeler.
Inspired by his own two lucky mutts as much as by the millions of wonderful pets just like them that are less fortunate, last year Sherman founded the nonprofit Adopt a Pet Foundation to raise awareness of the urgent need to adopt shelter animals. The goal of this 501(c) (3) corporation is to introduce a license plate bill for the State of Colorado, with the tag line "Adopt a Shelter Pet."
Funds raised through the sale of the "Adopt a Shelter Pet" license plate in Colorado will be distributed to overburdened, underfunded animal shelters, to be used for spaying/ neutering, vaccinations and medical supplies, disease prevention, and other vital services, so that the animals in the shelters' care have a better chance at surviving to find the forever homes they so deserve.
As this issue of The American Dog went to press, the bill was making it through the legislative process and waiting to be signed into law by the Governor. The Colorado Legislature couldn't help but be moved by Sherman's impassioned testimony, which could easily have melted a heart of stone.
In closing, he said: "I am not some ultra-Left, red-paint--carrying animal rights activist. I'm a guy who sees a way to help make our state better when it comes to animal welfare. When I saw the 'Respect Life' license plate three years ago, I thought, What a great message. Shelter animals are search-and-rescue dogs, they assist the blind and the physically disabled, they are companions to those who don't socialize very much, they brighten the day of the sick and dying, they cheer up the elderly in nursing homes. They are amazing creatures, with the capacity to forgive and love that we humans can learn from, and those of us who have pets know that first-hand. With this bill, there's a way to better help animals in shelters and rescues throughout our beautiful state; a way to help veterinarians in those areas most affected by pet overpopulation; a way to give a hand to those tireless shelter and rescue workers who commit their hearts and souls to saving animals; and yes, another way to 'Respect Life' in Colorado."
There's no question that Gary Sherman is a role model for American dog lovers everywhere. Not to mention a dreamboat. But sorry ladies, Sherman's Facebook page says he's "in a relationship."
