March 25th

By Mutt Mulligan

Lucky’s Mutt Madness spotlight: Meet Clover

Last October, barks, squeals, and good deeds were part of the equation for the second annual Lucky’s Mutt Madness at GIE+EXPO, one of the largest trade shows in the U.S. “Who loves your yard? Your dog and your children. Who makes those yards and green spaces? The people at GIE+EXPO,” explains Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI).

At the event, 27 dogs were seeking their fur-ever homes, including a three-legged furry friend named Clover. She was just nine months old when she attended Lucky’s Mutt Madness and caught the eye of Karen Hester, who attended the trade show with her boyfriend.

“Getting a dog at GIE+EXPO was the furthest thing from my mind, but my boyfriend and I just fell in love – we had a heart for her,” says Karen, who runs an animal rescue organization. She has horses, cats, and other dogs – many of whom have disabilities. Karen’s terrier mix, Tripod, has three legs like Clover. “We’re suckers for animals like that!” Karen jokes.

Karen says Clover is a real sweetheart and fits right in with her pack. “She gets along great with the other dogs, and she’s curious about the cats. In fact, her favorite friend is our rescue kitten named Moo.” When Karen goes out to feed the horses, Clover tags along to help. “She barks at them like she’s talking to them.”

If this story inspires you to seek out a furry friend of your own, please visit your local shelter or animal rescue organization to meet the many wonderful animals looking for their fur-ever homes. If you’d like to become part of the Mutt Madness family, plans are already in the works for the third annual Lucky’s Mutt Madness, which will once again be held at GIE+EXPO in Louisville in October.

“GIE+EXPO is the leading industry trade show for landscape contracting, outdoor power equipment and hardscaping professionals and retailers. Thousands of show attendees drive to GIE+EXPO, making it possible for many to take home a dog in need of a forever home,” says Kiser. “And they have the heart to do it – because they know what a yard means to a dog and a family. These are the people who make outdoor living possible.”

To watch a video featuring more of the pets that were adopted at the second annual Lucky’s Mutt Madness event, click here. To learn more about the TurfMutt Foundation, visit TurfMutt.com.