Page 37 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2024

HAPPY TAILS FROM HSSM ADOPT, DON’T SHOP.
RESCUE DOG DAY OUT
Hot diggity dog, Shaggy’s Restaurants don’t only have a menu overflowing with Gulf Coast flair, but you’ll also find a “Good Dog” section with howling reviews.
The pup-friendly, open-air, neighborhood beach bars have a special outdoor dining area for pooch pals with menu items such as a puppy patty and canine ice cream.
When business partners Ron Ladner and Rimmer Covington, Jr. opened the first of five Shaggy’s in 2007, including man’s best friend in the waterfront concept was an easy decision. Ladner and his wife, Laura, and Covington and his wife, Taylor, have
all been dedicated supporters of the Humane Society of South Mississippi (HSSM) for many years. They even collectively footed the bill – about $150,000 – to add a new roof to the Humane Society’s building, which serves as the largest animal
welfare organization in the Magnolia State.
But the advocacy doesn’t stop there, Shaggy’s also offers an
annual “Rescue Dog Day Out” each May. The pups get a day out from HSSM,
a doggie entrée, and lots and lots of love from the staff and patrons. Several people have adopted dogs because of the event, including Shaggy’s Marketing Director Collin Caranna, and HSSM volunteers are treated with a $10 Shaggy’s gift card for helping that day.
Given her parent's dedication to the Humane Society, it was of little surprise that Covington’s daughter, Adelynn Sue, wanted to visit HSSM for her seventh birthday with a couple of her best friends and adopt a kitten.
“The nice people at the Humane Society brought out Jackson and some other kittens for us to meet and play with,” said the now 11-year-old. “Jackson was the most sweet and playful out of all of them. As soon as I played with her, I knew she was the one for me.”
Even though Jackson, affectionately known as Jackie, was meant for Adelynn Sue, the whole family adores and cares for their favorite black cat, especially her nine-year-old brother, Rimmer III.
“She loves to hunt for lizards and stuff like that, lay by the fire, and she likes to catch up on her rest in my daddy’s office in her leopard chair,” Adelynn Sue said.
photo by
Arielle Victoria
Rimmer and Adelynn Sue Covington.
2615 25TH AVE., GULFPORT 228.863.3354 INFO@HSSM.ORG
TUESDAY-FRIDAY: 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. SATURDAY 10 A.M. - 4 P.M.
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