Animal Rescue Group Benefits from Newt Gingrich Rejection
posted by: Sharon Seltzer 27 days ago
I first read about this entertaining story on the ohmidog blog.
In September Dawn Rizos, who the owner of a popular strip club in Dallas, received a fax from an organization called American Solutions for Winning the Future announcing that she was being honored as “Entrepreneur of the Year” at a dinner scheduled for October 7th. The honor was being bestowed on her establishment called The Lodge for its “success in building business and recognition of the risks you take to create jobs and stimulate the economy.”
American Solutions for Winning the Future is a small conservative organization that was founded by the former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich in 2007. Their website states they are, “a unique tri-partisan organization designed to rise above traditional gridlocked partisanship, to provide real, significant solutions to the most import issues facing our country.”
Generally the group was established to – think outside the box. But it appears that The Lodge was too far outside the box for their taste and they later contacted Dawn Rizos to rescind their invitation. Apparently American Solutions had mistaken her business which is legally named DCG, Inc. for another company.
However before they uninvited Ms. Rizos, she had responded to the American Solutions’ request for a $5,000 fee so she could have a private dinner with Newt. And she had already booked a flight to Washington D.C.
The group promised to reimburse Rizos for the $5,000 fee and the money she spent for the airline ticket.
Although Dawn Rizos was disappointed about not being honored for her entrepreneur spirit she decided to turn this mishap into something positive. In a statement she said, “At first our feelings were hurt. But then we figured at least we could make something positive out of his bad manners.”
Rizos has donated the refunded money to an animal sanctuary outside of Dallas, called Animal Guardians of America (AGA) that rescues, rehabilitates and adopts abandoned dogs. When she heard they had an urgent need for a building to house unwanted Pit bull dogs, she contacted them. Now the money is being used to build an air conditioned and heated facility that will house dozens of dogs. It is expected to be completed in November.
Rizos has named the shelter – Newt’s Nook: A Home For Pit Bulls.
“We’re sorry that Dawn was treated so unfairly,” said Annette Lambert, director of the Animal Guardians chapter in North Texas. “But this will be great for a lot of wonderful dogs. I hope Newt will stop by sometime to see what we’ve built in his name.”
She also plans to invite Newt Gingrich to the grand opening.
Read more: animal welfare, animal guardians of america
comments
I think a name with the words "bite me" and "Newt" would have been awesome.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Newt is baaaad; Cheney would've been wuss.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I agree in that it is not unfair to Newt just unfair to the dogs. Maybe an appropriate name would have been "GotYa Newt"
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Love the story, love its "happy ending"...and love all the comments! Glad to be part of such a community! xo
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Naming it after Newt is unfair to the DOGS. I'd trust a pit bull before I trusted the author of the Contract on America.
And if I remember, this is not the first time that organization has given an award and had to rescind to a shady business. Didn't they honor an executive at a company that makes, uh, adult films? Due diligence, Newt. Did that ever occur to you?
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I have a personal motto to never really trust a guy named after a salamander, but in this case ol' Newt pulled through.
And a grand hats-off salute to Miss Rizo for turning an ackward situation into truly a swell cause.
This was an entertaining and if not bemusing article...
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I agree that a better name is Dawn's Lodge. Gingrich is involved only because of her kindness, not because of good intentions on his part. And the pit bulls I have known have all been very polite and affectionate dogs, not characteristics I associate with Newt!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Newt Gingrich, unwanted pit bulls, same thing.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I got a nick-name for ole' Newt: I call him Newt Gangrene.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Not unfair to Newt just unfair to the dogs, putting them in the same league as him. They are far more deserving of the unit being named after them, or indeed far better for it to be named after the lady in the story. Dawn's Lodge.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account:
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
1289961