February 2022 Volunteer Profile: Patty Ruffeski

Patty Ruffeski has been a fixture at various Winnipeg Humane Society special events for several years, and perhaps best known for taking part in successive Paws in Motion fundraisers, accompanied by her Pug/Boston Terrier cross, Winston.

Patty’s had a long volunteer career with several animal welfare organizations. “I volunteered with a pug rescue for nine years and then when Winston was two we got Ringo, my other dog (a Pug/Miniature Pinscher cross)” she explained. “He passed away late in 2013. Shortly after that, in February 2014 I started volunteering at the WHS to remember Ringo, as a tribute to him. So, I’ve been here for eight years. I started off in Special Events, doing the Book Sale, Craft Sale, 1001 Donations Telethon, In the Ruff Golf Tournament and the Fairmont Galas, but my favorite was Paws in Motion,” she said.

“I worked with Patty while she was a volunteer in the WHS Pet Shop. She was amazing with the clients and would always help out with all their questions!” says Daniel, Adoption Supervisor. “She also was at every Paws in Motion event that I have been to.”

When the pandemic took hold, Special Events volunteers were offered other positions with the Winnipeg Humane Society. Patty chose to become an Adoption Maintenance Assistant. To her, being active in the shelter has kept her connected with the WHS. “It is a very important job, more than just cleaning the windows and touchable surfaces, it keeps the shelter healthy for the animals and the public, one bad germ and the shelter could shut down, I take it very seriously. The bonus part is I get to play with the puppies and the senior dogs as well” she pointed out. “There have been a few dogs that I wanted to take home!”

Patty calls herself a ‘total, passionate dog owner.’ She’s had dogs most of her life, except for in her career-oriented 20’s. And even though she doesn’t have a dog right now, she’s committed to animal welfare groups. She volunteered with the local pug rescue for nine years and has volunteered for the Gimli Humane Society for the last five years. At one point she worked at PetSmart, where she organized food drives and even got the Gimli Humane Society on board with PetSmart Charities. She has hosted/run Bingo Bowls, Socials, Pug-themed Playdates, Craft Sales, Garage Sales, BBQ’s and sold tickets for numerous Manitoba dog and cat rescues. If there was an animal in need, she was there.

It wouldn’t be fair to not share some stories about Winston, since he and Patty were so close for almost 14 years. Peacefully, Winston passed away just before the 2021 Paws in Motion event, he was 13 years, 8 months and 3 days old. “Winston was the longest serving dog for Paws in Motion before he passed. And he was the oldest dog still attending Paws in Motion.” It was a devastating loss, but it has given her a second reason to continue volunteering with the WHS and similar organizations. Winston was born second in the litter, the middle boy. “We were looking at the older brother because he was a calm dog and Winston was very active. He would run around and bring back to me every toy he had, licking us and jumping at us.” Patty said. “His brother wanted nothing to do with us but Winston did. Winston picked us. It was the best moment of my life.”

At home, Winston was a ‘chill’ dog who would lie on the bed while Ringo would be the guard dog, watching for squirrels and ‘intruders’ running across the property. “My 2 boys were so different, but they got along” Patty claims. Winston’s public persona was different than what he showed at home. “Winston was a character with a lot of personality,” Patty explained. “He was a poser who never met an outfit that he didn’t like.” Patty has boxes of matching clothes, hats, collars & leashes. If Patty was going out shopping, she could easily put an outfit on him and sit him in the shopping cart or his stroller and away they went, making an impression on everyone he met. But sometimes he would have to stay home and he would curl up on the bed with his stuffed cat, his favorite toy out of the boxes of toys he had. Going to see the vet at McPhillips Animal Hospital was fun for both Winston and the clinic staff because they all wondered what outfit he’d be wearing that day. And he would parade around to all the staff, making sure he got treats and back scratches. He sure loved his vet visits. He also enjoyed getting out in public, especially at the beach or at events with other dogs.

Paws in Motion was always fun for him and Patty said he made a big impression at an event in 2019. “We were out at Crazy Jumpers Dog School & Boarding in Fraserwood fundraising for the Gimli Humane Society,” she said. He was up against mostly Shepherds and Border Collies that are known for their agility, unlike 40-pound beefy Pugs. “It was a fundraiser, and he won first place!” Winston was a celebrity! He was in the Interlake Spectator Newspaper for being the only 12-year-old Pug who ever won an agility event.”Patty describes herself as a big-time fundraiser and thought it was only fitting to use Winston’s birthday to raise funds for animal causes. “Paws in Motion always brought in a lot of money because Winston’s team, Winnie’s Wuggie Walkerz always took part and my friends all knew how passionate I was, so they never hesitated to donate“ she explained. He even appeared in the 2020 Paws in Motion TV commercial promoting the event.

“Patty is passionate about helping animals,” said Michelle Hedin of the Foster department. “She is a real go-getter who is very involved and has the ability to involve other people as well.”

For now, Patty misses not have a dog around but she really enjoys getting her dog “fix” at the WHS. Friends have asked her to dog sit and others have talked to her about fostering. One day she’ll get a dog. Or dogs. Certainly a rescue Pug.