1st Annual Giant George Service Day was a giant success

1st Annual Giant George Service Day, November 17 was a giant success.

On November 12, 2013 the Pima County Board of Supervisors in Arizona proclaimed November 17 as “Giant George Service Day”:

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Giant George was awarded the Guinness World Record of “World’s Tallest
Living Dog” and the “World’s Tallest Dog Ever” in February 2010; and

WHEREAS, Giant George has touched the hearts of people worldwide, especially the
people in Pima County; and

WHEREAS, Pima County has more than 40,000 homeless animals; and

WHEREAS, Pima County citizens can help to reduce the number of homeless animals
by taking action; and

WHEREAS, Giant George and Team Giant George strive to reduce the number of
homeless animals through education and philanthropic efforts; and

WHEREAS, in honor of what would be Giant George’s 8th birthday, he is asking that you
donate your time and/or funds to an animal cause or charitable organization that is
important to you and your family;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Pima County Board of Supervisors
proclaims Sunday, November 17 2013, to be:

“GIANT GEORGE SERVICE DAY”

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 12th day of November 2013. Signed by Ramon Valadez, Chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors.

Info about Giant George from Pima County Communications:

Tucson, AZ—-Giant George was the lovable Great Dane that was best known to everybody as the “World’s Biggest Dog.” But to Dave and Christie Nasser, he was their “baby” who filled the lives of everyone he met with endless happiness before he passed away on October 17, 2013, one month before his 8th birthday.
Contact: Paul O’Rourke, Team Giant George
Phone: (520) 465-9902
Email: paul@giantgeorge.com

Giant George was big in size, but seems to be as big in spirit too — over a hundred people showed up today at the new Bookman’s Sports Exchange (3330 E. Speedway) for this first Annual Giant George Service Day. And thousands “participated” online via Facebook. Over 3300 people said they were “attending” today’s event, plus 180 “maybes”, and almost 7000 people invited by FB friends. Comments from all over the nation were from people donating to their local shelters or rescue organizations, including New Zealand and Canada. This could become a Giant George Service movement, to assist dog and animal assistance agencies & causes.

Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll (District 4) spoke about George today, whom he knew as a pup, being neighbors with the Nassers. He thanked everyone who were helping to “reach out to animals who deserve loving homes”, and “encouraged all to reach out to those fallen away from pet ownership” to create a “community of rescue, a community of adoption awareness, a community of gratefulness”. Giant George ‘s owner Dave Nasser said that “everyone’s dog is as important as George”, that he felt “honored to give back to the community, as the best outcome for us all.”

Team Giant George raffled off “pawtographed” 8 copies of Dave Nasser’s book, “Giant George: Life with the World’s Biggest Dog” every 15 minutes during the event. The Humane Society, Pima Animal Care Center (PACC), Hermitage Cat Shelter, Azmira: The Holistic Animal Care Shoppes, Hope Animal Shelter provided information as well as treats for the pets. A Loving Companion provided free massages to several dogs. Eegee’s gave out free eegee’s (a frozen fruit drink of different flavors such as strawberry, lemon, pima colada, cherry cider). Team Giant George gave out $100 checks to the Humane Society, PACC, Hope Shelter, Hermitage Shelter, Handi-Dogs, and Gabriel’s Angels.

Lots of pet owners brought their dogs today including “Blue” a six year old Great Dane who weighs 140 lbs. A Giant George FB friend Gary Harlow from Austin, Texas drove in to participate, but his Great Dane “Titan” passed away on Wednesday in Yuma at age 8. Several dogs seemed to enjoy the pet massages including Supervisor Carroll’s recently rescued Schnauzer “Simon”, and the O’Rourke’s Boston Terrier “Beanie”.

Giant George passed away a month ago, almost age 8, was 43 inches (1.092 m) tall, weighed 245 lbs.

R.I.P. Giant George. Your memory will live on through Giant George Service Day.