It all started with Cooper…
Those that knew him knew Cooper was the best. A friendly dog that loved everyone, almost as much as he loved iced cubes and sucking on his pillow. In 2010, we found out that Cooper had cancer. We did everything to keep Cooper alive but after a courageous fight we lost Cooper. Knowing that death was imminent Nate Glaza and his brother Tim decided to invite all of Cooper
’s friends and family to celebrate a lifetime of love and friendship. Unknowingly this was the first annual Cups4Pups event and was modest at best. Entry was only five dollars and each person received a red cup for the pup. Despite the lack of foresight, it was a rousing success. Cooper lives on through the Cooper Fund. The Cooper fund was established in his honor to keep dogs from euthanasia. Following the success of the first Cups4Pups the brother Glaza and friends decided to start the second event in honor of Cooper. Uncle Bear’s Bar and Grill played host to the event. With their dog friendly environment and patio space there was plenty of room for people and dogs alike. Local small businesses were invited to participate and share their dog toys, food, and grooming products. Valley of the Sun Dog Rescue brought plenty of furry friends to the event for adoption. It was a success as Cups4Pups raised $2,000 in a single afternoon to support the rescue shelters adoption efforts. Best of all, while packing up for the evening, Nate turned around to see a perfect dog. Nate walked up to a volunteer from the rescue to inquire about this pup. While playing with the dog and after some conversation Nate had decided he was not leaving without his new found friend. Already pulling out his wallet he discovered the only fee was going to be neutering the dog. It was then that Nate was told the name of his new friend, Dude. Dude has gone on to be the inspiration behind the Adopt a Dude Fund. Helping more dogs find safe homes every year. Since then Dude has gone on to become a loved family member, friend, and neighbor. He still serves as a great reminder of our efforts to celebrate our best friends by brining communities together. Cups4Pups took had a six year hiatus as the original nonprofit organization dissolved and the founding member had prior obligations to with work and family. Due to popular demand and more stable support Cups4Pups is being established again to end euthanasia. As our mission statement clearly outlines each Cups4Pups event will be:
“Celebrating our best friends by bringing communities together to give every dog a chance to live happy and healthy life.”
Oliver is one of Curt’s best friends and an adorable French Bulldog. Usually a fun and playful dog, Oliver hurt himself while running about one afternoon in the backyard. After a visit to a local veterinarian Oliver and Curt discovered the worst, it was a torn ACL. The medical bills were quite large and healthcare for dogs is not exactly standard. Thus, the Cups4Pups team got together to raise money for the operation and became the inspiration behind the Oliver Cares Fund. The Oliver Cares Fund is to ensure dogs in local communities receive the support with their medical bills to live happily and healthily.
