Luszi’s Legacy is fundraising to help members of the community afford life-saving and quality-of-life care for their beloved senior pets. The fundraiser is on Saturday, March 28 at the Canasawacta Country Club from noon to 3 p.m. (Submitted Photo by LA Photography)

NORWICH - Luszi's Legacy will hold its very first fundraiser on Saturday March 28 at the Canasawacta Country Club. All proceeds from the event are donated towards a fund at a local veterinarian office to help others afford life-saving and quality-of-life care for their beloved senior pets.

Luszi, a Jack Russell terrier made her way from Hungary along with her dedicated owner Anett Slater around a decade ago. She said they made Norwich their home and became known around town as “the girl and the little dog.”

They would stop at Nina's for a few special treats and would also visit friends at Teaser's, whose owner began buying carrots just for Luszi when she stopped by.

Luszi even walked down the wedding aisle alongside Anett to her husband, Tyler Slater.

At almost 17 years old Luszi, sadly, passed away in January. The Slater's trialed through the last six months of Luszi's life which brought unexpected health challenges and expensive decisions.

They made regular visits to their hometown veterinarian and specialists to maintain Luszi's quality of life. The Slater's had to make the difficult decision to have Luszi's undergo surgery to preserve her quality of life and despite the health struggles she was experiencing, Luszi kept her spunk, demanding chicken, playing with her favorite toys, and rolling in mud.

Having gone through the difficulties of caring for an aging pet, Anett felt called to support other pet owners in her community and that no one should have to watch a beloved companion suffer due to high costs of care.

That is how Luszi's Legacy was created, to honor the memory of her little dog, who loved to walk around town getting food from Nina's and visiting her friends at Teaser's.

“The last six months of her life, she had a lot of vet visits which came with lots of expenses. And I know that there are a lot of people out there who's unable to afford vet care or more expensive care for their pets.” said Anett, adding, “but helping others who's unable to afford quality-of-life care or emergency care for their senior pet, that's my goal with this.”

Luszi's Legacy, with their motto “Saving Senior Paws” is raising funds to support their local Veterinarian office, Pet Street, so they can help families struggling to afford lifesaving or quality-of-life care for their senior pets. The Fundraiser on March 28 will be held from noon to 3 p.m. at the Canasawacta Country Club and will feature raffles, live music, vendors, a cash bar, and of course fresh local food.

They would like to raise enough money to provide each person seeking help with veterinary care with $500 as needed, but it will depend on how much they're able to raise. Luszi's Legacy will also be selling T-shirts and bandanas with their logo on it as an ongoing fundraising effort for their cause.

“We're doing something to honor her and her memory. Hopefully we can help some pets and she can live on in other dogs,” said Anett. “But of course we can't do it alone, and I've seen the community come together several times. I encourage everyone to come even if they just purchase a raffle ticket, every little bit helps,” she added.

Raffle prizes include: Nina's Restaurant gift card, Pilates classes at Pure Pilates, Teaser's Hair Studio gift certificates, Artwork, Books, liquor store gift baskets, handmade items, gifts from The Pound gym, Olliver's Campers, Willow Avenue Boutique, Smith Seasonal Services, and more as donations come in.

The live music will feature Dan Wakefield who will be singing.

A variety of vendors plan to attend including a pop up bookstore by Roots & Runes Book Co., Willow Avenue Boutique, Tasteful Temptations, Twisted Tree Design & All Natural Products, K9 Addict Dog Training, a Sourdough Baker, and more.

“No one should have to watch a beloved companion suffer simply because the care they need feels out of reach. Older pets give us so much, they deserve comfort, compassion, and dignity in their final years,” expressed Anett in Luszi's memorial speech.

The event is being held indoors at the Cansawacta Country Club, so pets are unable to attend. However, future fundraisers and events might include a potential corn-hole tournament in May on Luszi's birthday, likely held outdoors and open to pets.

“I think everybody could use a little help every now and then, and to have to make a difficult choice due to financial barriers, nobody should have to make those choices, because sometimes it depends on that,” expressed, Anett.

Anett would like to specially thank Luszi's veterinarian for the care they provided in her final months, saying, “She was my heart dog, and to anyone who helped her and to our vet, I will never forget the vet care they have provided her. And I know I've told them several times but the care they gave her meant everything to me, to always see her happy and comfortable, I miss her very much.”

To become a vendor you can call or text (607) 244-3638. To learn more visit Luszi's Legacy Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588643574028.

Donations are accepted at anytime on Venmo, to do so, simply scan the QR code.