Seattle woman wins dog-themed quilt

Jeannie Hale of Seattle says she never wins anything. Her losing streak came to an end over Labor Day weekend, when she won the Furry Friends Fundraiser Quilt.

Hale, who has a cabin at Black Butte Ranch, held the winning ticket for a quilt pieced by local quilter Valerie Fercho-Tillery. The quilt was originally won by Sandy Layne, who then donated the quilt back again.

"I'm thrilled to have won this year's quilt! I've bought tickets every year, but have never won anything my entire life other than once I won an apple pie at a local political group meeting - and I can't eat sugar. I never thought I'd win, but always hoped. I appreciate very much the great work of the Furry Friends Foundation. Every pet deserves a healthy meal, and the spaying and neutering assistance provided is invaluable," said Hale.

Hale brought along a pair of yellow labs when she collected her quilt at The Nugget office last Friday. Barney, age 10, is a special companion.

"I just wanted a big dog to protect me," Hale said. Barney's temperament, however, is anything but intimidating. He's a lover. "He'd probably kiss the burglars," Hale said.

Hale was most excited to win the quilt - and to support Furry Friends.

"It's a wonderful cause," she said.

Hale also made a generous contribution to the nonprofit, which helps families keep their pets in their homes by operating a pet-food bank and providing spay/neuter sponsorships and assistance with emergency medical needs to families in financial hardship.