Glen Arbor’s Most Famous Golden (And How You Can Be His Groupie)

There’s nothing about this group not to like. Except the strict admission policy: You must own a Golden Retriever. Or, minimally, borrow one.

“People ask me all the time if they can bring a Goldendoodle,” club co-founder Jeff Rabidoux says. “I tell them to start their own group!” He’s laughing, but he means it. That playful and open nature is exactly what makes Rabidoux the perfect guy to host Leelanau’s most famous dog group: Northwest Michigan Golden Retriever Club.

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Late Benzie County Resident’s Desire to Help Animal Shelter Lives on in Donations

An artist and author wants to memorialize her uncle’s love for dogs and the Benzie County Animal Shelter with a display and a fundraiser.

Illinois resident Tracy Ahrens said her uncle, Art Lezotte, always had a big heart for dogs and animal shelters that took care of them.

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Traverse City’s Own Melissa Smith Gets Dream Job with the Humane Society of the United States

photo credit: Beth Price/Beth Price Photography

Traverse City’s Melissa Smith has been a familiar face in our area for more than a decade. 

After starting her broadcasting career at WLNS TV6 News in Lansing in 2005 (while still going to school), she started working as a multimedia journalist and morning anchor at TV 7&4 News soon after that. Along the way, she left Traverse City for about a year to move to Iowa but Traverse City drew her back. More recently, she’s been on 9&10 New’s afternoon show, “The Four” where she co-anchored for more than two years.

In August of 2021, she landed a dream job with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) as Media Relations Specialist. 

As a 2006 graduate from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism, combined with her editing, writing and broadcasting experience and a deep love for animals, this was truly a job that was made for her.

During her broadcasting jobs on-air, she was always doing segments and interviews on regional and local animal stories and showcasing pets on camera for animal adoption. She was one of the “crew” (and still is) in her local community as an animal welfare advocate. 

Shop Your Community Day in Traverse City on November 13th to Benefit Local Animal Charities

You can support your favorite local animal rescue charity in Traverse City on Saturday, November 13 just by shopping downtown during Shop Your Community Day.

For every purchase you make at over 60 participating merchants, 15% of the sale will be donated to the organization of your choice.

The animal organizations you can choose to donate to include AC PAW, Cherryland Humane Society and For Animals TC.