Piper Beck of Nobleboro was about to turn five years old when she told her parents she had a birthday wish: "Can we save a dog?"

Piper's family has two dogs already: Chloe, a Labrador retriever and the recently-adopted Guinness, a medium-sized guy of “mixed lineage,” plus kittens at home.

As they are not ready to adopt again at this time, they came up with another idea: to help a dog or cat in need currently in rescue or maybe even help a few. Their partnership with the Pixel Fund, a nonprofit rescue based in Maine and Florida, seemed like a great fit, as Guinness was a Pixel Fund success story and had been featured at an Animal House adoption event.

Piper's mother, Amber, contacted her friend Aubrey Martin, owner of The Animal House, with the idea of a Pixel Fund "Wish List." In lieu of gifts for her birthday, Piper is asking, via The Animal House, for items they need: food, supplements, training implements, treats and toys.  

The "Piper's Picks for the Pixel Fund" has been running at The Animal House in Damariscotta since Sept. 2 and has already generated over $300 in donated items. They will be running the Pixel promotion until Sept. 30.

Piper will also be celebrating her birthday at The Animal House on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. She will have a Pixel Fund set-up of dogs and cats who are available for adoption in Maine, as well as her Wish List items.

For those interested in purchasing a Wish List item in honor of Piper's birthday but not able to make it into The Animal House, phone orders are also welcome and may be placed by calling the store at 207-563-5595.

The Animal House location in Damariscotta is 15 Coastal Market Suite 2, off Business Route 1.