WoofCamp - A Message from Brue
I wanted to take this opportunity to say to the community at large how very grateful and thankful I am for having the honor of producing for the past eight years the annual pup and Handler event “Woof Camp” at International Mr. Leather (IML) in Chicago, IL. The 100% volunteer production has been a labor of love, and it was preceded by five years of my volunteer assisting with the IML pup and Handler event when it used to be called “Kennel”. I’ve also had the privilege to produce “Woof Camp Weekend” in San Francisco, CA for the beginning two years, a volunteer event to benefit the San Francisco K9 Unit, as well as eight years of moshes in the San Francisco area. I especially want to say THANK YOU to the many other volunteers (too many to mention, you know who you are) who came forward and helped make the magic happen year after year. Without all of you, none of the events would have occurred.
But in everyone’s life, there comes a time to move on. Due to circumstances and life changes, I have decided to retire from producing pup and Handler events for the foreseeable future, and I am stepping back from being a board member with the SF K9 Unit. I'm not completely leaving the scene (it’s too much a part of who I am); rather I just want to shift my focus inward and pursue other personal interests for now. However I'll still be around for advice and guidance if it's ever requested.
The good news is that the San Francisco K9 Unit board has agreed to take over producing the Woof Camp Weekend event in San Francisco, CA. Please keep an eye out for announcements about the event dates via their website, www.SFK9Unit.org, or social media posts. You can also sign up for email announcements on their Events page.
The final good news is that I am pleased to announce there is a new producer of the pup and Handler event at IML: Kenneth Anthony of Arizona Pups and Handlers (A-PAH) will be taking on the annual IML event. In addition, the wonderful A-PAH members have agreed to step forward and help Kenneth produce it. With a changing of the guard comes about a new name for the IML pup and Handler event. No longer will it be called “Woof Camp”; it will now be called “Off Leash: The Pup and Handler Romp” at IML. To help volunteer at this event or for any other questions about it, you may email Kenneth at Kenneth@A-PAH.org. If you feel nostalgic, you can still visit the photo albums of past IML Woof Camps.
Once again, thank you all for so many incredible memories and experiences, I am truly blessed. May all your pup and Handler journeys continue to evolve.
Sincerely,
~Kirk “Brue” Pierce
Woof Camp at IML Producer
Woof Camp Weekend Producer
Former SF K9 Unit Board Member
2012 Pantheon of Leather’s Community Choice Award (Man)
