By Andria Barrios
On Saturday, February 22, an exciting contribution to the world of animal awareness will be made. Hosted by Orange Home Accessories, a book signing for a book by a local animal enthusiast will be held. Debbie Ploor, of Orange Home Accessories, remarks “As a small business, I try to give back and support those within our community.”
Author of the book The Dogs Who Rescued Us, Bonnie Sobel is also excited about this event. While shopping at Orange, Sobel happened to ask Ploor if she liked dogs. “When she replied with a heartfelt ‘yes,’ I told her about my book and asked if she would like to do a book signing where part of the proceeds go to an animal shelter of her choice,” Sobel, a resident of FishHawk, said. The passionate store owner knew just which shelter needed their help and the idea took off.
Last fall, a devastating break-in occurred at C.A.R.E Animal Hospital located in Ruskin. A great deal of expensive equipment was stolen and the non-profit, no-kill shelter found itself in dire need of additional funds to support the animals. Though this shelter has since increased security and replaced essential items, Ploor and Sobel are now working together to raise funds for this shelter through their upcoming book-signing. This event will take place inside the Orange Home Accessories store where some adoptable dogs will also be displayed. Sobel will donate $5 from every book sold to C.A.R.E. Ploor will also donate a percentage of store sales that day as a donation. “Most of all, we just want to bring some awareness about C.A.R.E, and hopefully other shelters,” said Ploor.
The Dog Who Rescued Us, the book to be sold at the signing, includes emotional, comical and extraordinary accounts of the relationship between pets and their owners. “I tried to portray an honest and heartfelt picture of pet-ownership as we transitioned from being a young married couple to post retirement age. My book shows how these dogs positively impacted our lives along the way,” Sobel said.
Orange Home Accessories is located at 1046 Bloomingdale Ave. This book-signing will be held Saturday, February 22 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. To find out more about C.A.R.E Animal Hospital, visit www.careshelter.org/. Visit Orange Home Accessories online at www.orangehomedecor.com/.
