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Supporters 'pony up' for cause

Honor Animal Rescue hosted its annual Ponies for Pups polo match fundraiser.


  • By Pam Eubanks
  • | 2:21 p.m. March 11, 2017
  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Kelly Pomerville puckered her lips for a puppy kiss and then buried her face in the bundle of fur she held in her arms.

If the puppy had a chance at a new home, it was now. It was up for adoption and on display during Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue’s Pony for Pups polo fundraiser March 11, at the Sarasota Polo Club.

“One of us may end up taking him home,” Pomerville said, pointing to her friend, Tina Straight, of Sarasota.

The Punta Gorda resident was one of hundreds who turned out for the annual event, which featured puppies for adoption, a dance demonstration, food and drink and a polo match.

Maria  and Joey Amenta, of Heritage Harbour, brought their dog, Minnie.
Maria and Joey Amenta, of Heritage Harbour, brought their dog, Minnie. "We come every year," Maria Amenta says.
University Park'    s Brenda Gradl gets puppy kisses from Harrison.
University Park' s Brenda Gradl gets puppy kisses from Harrison.
Kelly Pomerville, of Punta Gorda, gets some puppy love from a pup up for adoption.
Kelly Pomerville, of Punta Gorda, gets some puppy love from a pup up for adoption.
East County residents Carol Patulo, Lynn Shepardson, Lydia Martin and Jody Darling all volunteer with Nate'    s Honor Animal Rescue.
East County residents Carol Patulo, Lynn Shepardson, Lydia Martin and Jody Darling all volunteer with Nate' s Honor Animal Rescue.
Heather Chadwick gets help from her daughter, Kinsley, 2, in picking out silent auction items.
Heather Chadwick gets help from her daughter, Kinsley, 2, in picking out silent auction items.
Lisa and Mike Evans, of Sarasota, got their two cats from Nate'    s Honor Animal Rescue.
Lisa and Mike Evans, of Sarasota, got their two cats from Nate' s Honor Animal Rescue.
Lisa and Jerry Reeve, of Sarasota, bring their dogs, Jagger, Bowie and Angie.
Lisa and Jerry Reeve, of Sarasota, bring their dogs, Jagger, Bowie and Angie.
Michelle Senglaub and her husband, Keith, not pictured, brought their dog, Lily, to the event.
Michelle Senglaub and her husband, Keith, not pictured, brought their dog, Lily, to the event.
Dancers from Fred Astaire Dance Studio perform before the match.
Dancers from Fred Astaire Dance Studio perform before the match.
Nate'    s Honor Animal Rescue Executive Director Dari Oglesby greets event chairwoman Jessica Ortiz.
Nate' s Honor Animal Rescue Executive Director Dari Oglesby greets event chairwoman Jessica Ortiz.
Sarasota'    s Donna Koffman is on the board for the Animal Rescue Coalition.
Sarasota' s Donna Koffman is on the board for the Animal Rescue Coalition.
Erica Morton, an employee of sponsor Sarasota Orthopedic Associates, indulges in a strawberry cheesecake.
Erica Morton, an employee of sponsor Sarasota Orthopedic Associates, indulges in a strawberry cheesecake.
Sara Ferguson and Taylor Karp enjoy a catered lunch in the pavilion.
Sara Ferguson and Taylor Karp enjoy a catered lunch in the pavilion.
Debra Swain and German Carmona  have been coming from Tampa for the event for about four years.
Debra Swain and German Carmona have been coming from Tampa for the event for about four years.
Longwood Run residents Nancy Collins, Kathryn Collins and Rachel Westheimer — grandmother, daughter and granddaughter — cool off with ice cream.
Longwood Run residents Nancy Collins, Kathryn Collins and Rachel Westheimer — grandmother, daughter and granddaughter — cool off with ice cream.
Michelle and Bob Filander, with their 4-year-old daughter, Seton, were visiting from Texas. Michelle holds her niece, Quinn Long, of Sarasota.
Michelle and Bob Filander, with their 4-year-old daughter, Seton, were visiting from Texas. Michelle holds her niece, Quinn Long, of Sarasota.
The polo match started promptly at 1 p.m.
The polo match started promptly at 1 p.m.

 

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