Budkis the English bulldog died nearly 10 years ago, but his legacy lives on in a foundation that helps low-income elderly care for their pets.
Mayor Denis Law will declare Aug. 8 as Budkis Day in Renton to help promote an annual birthday party to raise money for the Budkis Fund and to raise awareness about the fund’s work.
The fundraiser/birthday party is Aug. 8 at The Red House Beer and Wine Shoppe in downtown Renton.
Budkis would have been 21 on Aug. 8. In his nine years, he became quite a celebrity in Renton.
His owners, Mij and Chuck Charbonneau, held summer birthday parties at their Renton home for Budkis, inviting friends and family.
The parties became a charitable event and after Budkis died in 2001, the Charbonneaus continued the parties to raise money more formally for the Budkis Fund.
In the last decade about $350,000 has been raised in Budkis’ name to help low-income elderly, mostly in South King County, pay for emergency pet care and, when necessary, euthanasia.
This time of year, as they get ready for the fundraiser, Mij Charbonneau feels Budkis close. Because of the fund, “we never let him go away,” she said.
But the feeling is bittersweet.
“You miss him, but it’s so wonderful,” Charbonneau said of the fund.
The Charbonneaus prefer that someone needing help contact them through a veterinarian, although they also will take calls from the public.
They’ll help with all kinds of pets. They even got a call about a mouse, but its owners were from out of the area.
The Budkis Fund is part of the Renton Community Foundation, with charges the fund a small fee to handle administrative costs.
The Charbonneaus have obtained grants to further their work and the fund is on charitable donation lists at The Boeing Co. and Microsoft.
They try to avoid the limelight. Only Budkis’ photo appears on promotional material.
“It’s about Budkis and the love people have for their pets,” she said.
Did they ever get another dog?
“Are you kidding me?” she said. “I am still living with the one I have.”
Budkis fundraiser
The birthday bash to raise money and awareness for the Budkis Fund is noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 8 at The Red House Beer and Wine Shoppe, 410 Burnett Ave. S., in downtown Renton. The party for all ages will have beer, wine and ice-cream tasting – and a birthday cake. Tickets are $40 for adults and $10 for children. Tickets are available online at budkisfund.com. For information, call 206-817-4299. Donations are also being taken at participating local businesses; look for the Budkis poster.
Budkis Fund
Information about the Budkis Fund is available at budkisfund.com. Mij and Chuck Charbonneau typically work through veterinarians to offer emergency assistance, but they also can be reached at 206-817-4299.
