Open Hearth Pizza, a mobile wood-fired handmade pizza business, is auctioning a pizza party to help a rescue dog named Barnum who underwent expensive surgery (**restrictions apply).

Barnum is a golden retriever/Anatolian rescue dog rescued by Cathy Books of the Mississippi Pyrenees Rescue back in 2004. Barnum was about to be put to sleep at 12 weeks old, because he had grown too big for the puppy room.

Cathy swooped this charming boy out of the shelter, thinking she could easily find him a home, but instead, he stole her heart. So while she continued with rescue, saving the lives of hundreds of other dogs, Barnum, Cathy’s heart dog, became a permanent resident and part of the family, joyfully greeting each new rescue that came through!

Recently, Barnum needed to have surgery on a tendon canal that was ripping one of the tendons in his left shoulder. The shoulder had deteriorated to the point of having no muscle mass left and poor Barnum was in excruciating pain. Cathy has selflessly given her time and resources to rescue for years and now Open Hearth Pizza would like to help give a little back to Cathy.

Open Hearth Pizza is auctioning a pizza party through Facebook. Our pizza is made on an artisan crafted, wood-fired, brick oven that was built on the back of a truck so it is always served right out of the oven. Our pizza is hand-tossed and made with local ingredients. You may have seen us at the Dunedin Green Market and other outdoor events in the Pinellas and greater Tampa Bay area.

Bidding starts at $300. (The regular rate for a pizza party is $650.) 

Proceeds will go to aid in recovering some of the cost of surgery as well as recovery of our dear friend Barnum.

Place your bid by messaging us on our Facebook page: facebook.com/openhearthpizza

Bidding is open until 8 p.m., EDT, on Feb 1, 2013. Winning bid will be asked to use a paypal link to make the donation directly to Cathy. Once the paypal payment is received, Open Hearth Pizza will send you a certificate confirming your party and be in touch to coordinate and finalize details.

**Restrictions – The party is for up to 40 people and will go to the highest bidder. Parties must take place in the Greater Tampa Bay area of Florida during the months of January, February, March or April 2013 or in Addison, Lamoille, Chittenden or Washington county in Vermont during the months of June, July, August or September 2013. Party date will have to be determined according to the current Open Hearth Pizza schedule.

***If you wish to donate but can't do the pizza party, you can donate directly to Cathy through paypal at cathy@mspyrrescue.org.