A Bigger (and Better) Pet-Saving Goal

Take a good idea. Make it bigger and better.

That's the simple goal of Phyllis Roby, Cheryl Costello and lots of interested parties who want to raise enough money to put a set of pet oxygen masks on every firetruck and emergency responder vehicle in the state through a program called Adopt-a-Truck.

Costello shepherded the initial idea to put the specialized masks -- small, medium and large -- in every fire station in New Castle. The Wilmington Kennel Club donated the masks in 2006. (That's Sharon Naylor demonstrating how the mask works on her dog Switzer.)

Downstate, Roby got involved, with help from the Mispillion Kennel Club and the Cat Fanciers' Association, to do the same in Kent and Sussex counties. The masks were donated earlier this year.

In Chester County, the Delaware Valley Yorkshire Club, of which Roby is a member, met the Delaware challenge and soon the county's fire stations will receive 40 sets of masks.

That brings up to the bigger and better part.

With the help of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association, Costello, Roby and others are taking on the challenge to put a set of $55 pet masks on every emergency vehicle. Roby, who is corresponding secretary with the Mispillion Kennel Club, takes the goal personally. She has 15 Yorkies at home.

"These guys are my children," the Millsboro resident says. "Before I would save my computer, or my marriage certificate, or my bank checks, I would save my dogs." It's also one of the reasons she keeps sets of the pet masks in her Nissan Altima and Honda Element. She never knows when there might be a pet's life she could help save.

If you'd like to save more pets' lives by donating money, holding a fundraiser or helping in any other way, contact Roby at 945-6634 or pjroby@mac.com.