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With a kennel full of human and dog Dog House members, Rover 411 held its Grand Opening Event on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008. Below are some highlights:
 Rover 411: The Beginning
Sandy Coccimiglio, CEO
As many of you have been there from the beginning and know, Rover 411 started out from the concept that search parties out looking for lost dogs should have real time information via text messages (Rover Alerts- product forthcoming). From there, a story and article based website for dog lovers came to life, and on August 1, 2008, Rover411.com was launched. Seven days later, we attended our first trade show: Bark in the Park in Shelby Township, MI, and signed up over 120 people to the Dog House. Here, the realization began that there is a need for a place for dog lovers to go and find information and advice, share stories and have fun with their dog.
Less than 90 days later, Rover has been all over the internet, featured on local Detroit TV and interviewed on several radio stations throughout the county. The site currently has over 500 pages, hundreds of members and receives an average of 2500 hits per day. And, this is just the beginning. With industry partners, rescue groups and, most importantly, our members, there is much fun and excitement in store for all of us! Thank you for being here in the beginning, and we look forward to sharing more with you!
 What Makes Rover Speak
Teresa Price, Programmer
The website has a little something for every dog lover, with three to five new stories and articles being added every week. Whether you are searching the site for medical information like what to do should your dog become unconscious, tips on how to socialize your dog, or how to help your child cope with the loss of your pet, all kinds of educational and thought provoking articles are available. Also, we give our members access to resources like Dr. Shawn, the Natural Vet from Martha Stewart Sirius Satellite Radio 112; Karen Anderson, America’s Animal Communicator who, since her childhood, has been able to speak to living and deceased pets; Theresa Randolph, owner of Gentle Sensations Canine Massage and dog massage therapist.
If stories are more of your interest, Rover411.com has engaging stories like Lara, the blue heeler/shepherd mix that knew just what to do to encourage her owner to focus and help overcome a disability. There are also jokes, recipes and other fun things to do with your dog.
 Dog House Story: “My Successor Paws Dog”
Ann Manning and Heath
A dog lover all her life, Ann never dreamed that not one but two dogs would play a crucial role in helping her maintain her independence. Injured by a drunk driver, Ann uses a wheelchair and canes for mobility. Through Paws with a Cause, Ann was able to train, obtain certification and adopt Dempsey to help her with everyday activities, such as carrying her briefcase daily, opening and closing doors, helping with laundry and getting help when help is needed. A year into their partnership, Ann and Dempsey traveled to Alaska together. They experienced its majesty by taking a helicopter to a sled dog community on top of a mountain, commissioned a seaplane ride that included a tour of a salmon cannery, rafted through a bald eagle preserve and canoed to a glacier. Unfortunately, Dempsey took ill and passed away from cancer within the last year.
Heath, a beautiful yellow lab, is now Ann’s partner. Once they successfully complete their certification, Ann will be able to adopt Heath and begin their travels together. Look for them in Scotland and Ireland in 2009.
 Dog House Video: Faith the Dog
Jude Stringfellow and Faith the Dog
 Faith the Dog Foundation
Tip Quilter, Tip Quilter and Associates
Because of the outpouring of love and interest they have received, Jude Stringfellow and Faith have traveled the globe telling their amazing story of hope and inspiration. They have made numerous TV and radio appearances, and have been featured in several magazines, recently appearing in People Magazine.
Jude, once a professor of English and a high school teacher, is now a writer and public speaker. She has also set up, Faith the Dog, a 501c3 Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to share their inspiring story with lower income communities and organizations while supporting Faith's continued life needs, such as training and medical costs, so she can continue to share joy and bring faith to individuals she meets. The foundation provides motivational and inspirational speaking, along with interactive workshops to lower income schools, organizations, churches and communities.
 Dog House Story: “How a Dog Adoption Saved My Life”
Cami Marks and Angela Farley
Cami has spend the better part of the last 15 years help various organizations find homes for dogs. She knew that with each adoption, she was taking part in saving a dogs life, however she had no idea that it would be through a dog adoption that her life would be changed. Cami met Angela while interviewing her for a greyhound dog adoption. They struck up a friendship, that quickly grew into a family-like bond.
If was at that time, that Cami found out that due to an illness, her kidneys were failing and that she was in need of a kidney transplant to survive. Amazingly, Angela was tested and was a match. Angela, who was unusually afraid of medical procedures, found the courage to loose over 140 pounds and go through an operation to give a kidney to her new found friend.
Cami and Angela now share more than just a friendship, and often look after each others adopted dogs.
(seal pic, Amore pic and Ginny pic) Winners of the “My Dog Looks Like Obama or McCain” Photo Contest
With the "Seal of the Winners of the Rover 411 Photo Contest" and "Hail to the Chief" playing in the background, the winners of the contest were announced. Congratulations to Amore Francine, the Obama dog look-a-like and Ginny Doll, the McCain dog look-a-like. Each winner received a $175 Rover Prize Pack.
Thank You's
Rover 411 would like to thank the following speakers and partners for helping make the Grand Opening Event and our first 90 days such a great success:
Karen Anderson
Animal Healing, Inc.
Best Friends Pet Care
Effortless Heirlooms
Angela Farley
Greyheart Greyhound Adoption of Michigan
K-9 Comforts
Ann Manning
Cami Marks
Dr. Shawn Messonnier
Nooters Club
Theresa Randolph
Jude Stringfellow and Faith the Dog
Tip Quilter and Associates
Trafalgar Square Books
And a special thanks goes to our families and friends who have supported us as well as all our Dog House Members and dog lovers that keep coming back to our site.
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