WATERVILLE — Dogs got to dine on special menu items Sunday on the outdoor patio at the Lockwood Hotel’s Front & Main restaurant, slurping down milkshakes, munching on beef and turkey stew and topping it off with cookies and cream served in a paper pup cup.
It was all for a fundraiser, “Paw-tio,” hosted by the hotel at 9 Main St. in downtown Waterville, to benefit the Humane Society Waterville Area.
“To do something like this for the community, and dogs, is a lot of fun,” David Beaudoin, general manager of Lockwood Hotel, said.
As part of the fundraiser, to continue every Sunday in June from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., human diners may support the humane society by rounding up their brunch bills, with the extra money to be given to the humane society. On June 12, the hotel is planning to provide collection boxes so people can donate items, such as blankets, pet food and cleaning supplies.
On Sunday, canines sidled up to a wooden doggie bar offering beef stew, whose ingredients included beef and veggies in a beef bone broth. Cookies and cream, an organic dog cookie topped with whipped cream, also was on tap. Dog treats could be added.
Bar server Samantha Thebarge, who usually waits on humans, said she was happy to help the animals. She said she also participates in other fundraisers.
Bonnie, an adoptable beagle, mingles Sunday with attendees during the “Paw-tio” fundraiser Sunday for the humane society. The event is held on the patio at Front & Main, the restaurant at the Lockwood Hotel at 9 Main St. in downtown Waterville. The fundraiser includes special menu items for dogs, and adoptable dogs are available for people to meet. “Paw-tio” is planned for every Sunday in June on the hotel’s patio, with a special menu, treats and drinks for dogs. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel
“I think it’s pretty cool,” she said.
Lockwood is a “very, very dog-friendly hotel,” according to Beaudoin, who said many of its staff members are dog owners.
Beaudoin said many hotels charge a fee for patrons to bring dogs, but Lockwood provides them a free dog package that includes a bandana adorned with the Lockwood Hotel logo, a plastic flying disc and a lobster-shaped cookie from Loyal Biscuit Co., the pet store at 109 Main St.
Kaitlyn Johanson of the Humane Society Waterville Area holds Bonnie, a beagle available for adoption, during the “Paw-tio” fundraiser Sunday for the humane society. The event is held on the patio at Front & Main, the restaurant at the Lockwood Hotel at 9 Main St. in downtown Waterville. The fundraiser includes special menu items for dogs, and adoptable dogs are available for people to meet. “Paw-tio” is planned for every Sunday in June on the hotel’s patio, with a special menu, treats and drinks for dogs. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel
“We like to do fundraisers — anything we can do to help the community,” Beaudoin said.
Mark Chapman, vice president of the board of directors for the Humane Society Waterville Area, and Kaitlyn Johanson, the society’s front desk employee, were handing out information Sunday about the society. Chapman said Lockwood has always been supportive of the organization.
“They’re doing all the work,” Chapman said. “We’re just here to enjoy the day.”
He and Johanson brought along Bonnie, a 3-year-old, 25-pound, brown and white beagle that is available for adoption and came from a home where 11 pets were being hoarded, they said.
“She’s perfect dog — happy,” Chapman said. “She loves people and doesn’t howl much, for a hound dog.”
Johanson said she is adopting, Clyde, one of Bonnie’s relatives. She described Bonnie as “sweet and affectionate.”
“She just deserves a lot of love,” she said.
They said the shelter at 100 Webb Road now has about 16 dogs and 50 cats or kittens available for adoption. Last year, the shelter adopted out about 1,000 animals, Chapman said, and spayed and neutered more than 1,000.
“We’re proud of that mission to get them healthy and find their forever home,” he said.
He said the shelter is set to hold its annual “Woofstock” fundraiser from noon to sunset July 20 at the property. The event is to feature four bands, K-9 demonstrations, children’s games and a dog agility course that visiting canines can try.
John Phillips-Sandy, director of food and beverage for the Lockwood Hotel and Front & Main, was strolling about Sunday, greeting guests, canines and representatives of Loyal Biscuit Co., which had a booth at the fundraiser.
“We’re very grateful for the chance to support an absolutely incredible organization,” Phillips-Sandy said of the humane society.
Ken Quirion of Winslow and his niece, Kathryn Fedus of New York, were chaperoning their family dogs, Brooke, a 105-pound, 5-year-old, black Newfoundland-poodle mix, and Summer, a smaller black and white Newfoundland-poodle mix.
Elise Theriault, right, holds her mini doodles Chloe, right, and Zoey, center, during the “Paw-tio” fundraiser Sunday for the Humane Society Waterville Area. The event is held on the patio at Front & Main, the restaurant at the Lockwood Hotel at 9 Main St. in downtown Waterville. The fundraiser includes special menu items for dogs, and adoptable dogs are available for people to meet. “Paw-tio” is planned for every Sunday in June on the hotel’s patio, with a special menu, treats and drinks for dogs. Also shown: Kathryn Fedus, left, and her Newfoundland-poodle mix, Brooke. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel
Fedus said she recently started a dog treat line, Farm to Fluffy, and Loyal Biscuit Co. has added the treats to its stores.
“It’s so cute,” Fedus said of Sunday’s fundraiser. “It’s super fun. I love how they did some sort of puppy smoothie. Everything goes to a good cause, so that’s amazing. It’s a beautiful day. We love Front & Main. We come in a lot.”
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