In addition to March’s basketball competitions, it’s ‘Puppy Madness’ time in West Hartford.

Submitted by Ryan Keating

March – the month between winter’s end and spring cleaning. Thankfully there is a bit of Irish luck and bracket upsets to pass the time during this month of madness. 

And what better than Puppy Madness!   

It is exciting to announce we will be adding a new family and office member mid-April.  Like in sports, it is a player to be named later, with your help of course.  We will be taking name suggestions and then putting them into a bracket to vote.

You can submit a name here through March 17.

A little bit of back story

The year 2019 marks our 50th year in business for the Michael J. Keating Agency. We are grateful to be part of the local community through three generations of our family business, and in honor of my late Grandfather Michael J., I want to tell a quick story that not many know. 

We could easily, or not, be celebrating the 50th year of “Keating Pet Grooming” which I do not think would have perpetuated into a third generation. After moving to Connecticut from New Jersey, my grandfather fell in love with the local community. He knew he wanted to own a business in the heart of West Hartford. Being a multiple dog owner, the idea to open a grooming salon became an almost reality, until a friend told him: “You are a great people person and salesman, you are in the insurance capital of the world, if you can sell 10 policies, I will help you open your own business.” Ten life insurance policies later, my grandfather was learning the insurance industry and with that, the Keating Agency was born.

Growing up we had a Labrador retriever named Poco my parents got as a gift when in the Pocono Mountains (Poco from the Poconos), who passed away when my brother, sister, and I were in elementary school. After years of rabbits, birds, turtles, fish, maybe a hamster, and plenty of “when are we getting a dog again,” I was told “get straight As we will get a dog.” Well, last quarter of eighth grade I did just that, and Halloween of freshman year we brought Maximus – aka Max (for maximum honors, of course) – into the family. 

My sister, really wanting a monkey, was a bit reluctant but ended up coming around. It is also exciting to announce that she will be starting full time with the Agency in May.

When I returned to Connecticut a few years ago, Max had recently passed and that void was very noticeable. My parents had “downsized” to a cat, and it just was not the same as being met by the unconditional love of a dog. Anyone that knows me is well aware there has been no shortage of “I am getting a dog” talks over the last two years.  

Charitable Component

One of the most rewarding things as an independent insurance agency and as a small business owner is being able to give back to local charities and organizations.  As independent agents we have a variety of insurance companies to choose from to help protect what is important to you for your personal and business needs, and our job is to recommend the best choices for you. 

There are many amazing nonprofit organizations out there and it is hard to support them all. We want you to help us choose which local animal charities we will donate to. The organizations pre-selected are ones that are in the Greater Hartford area and we welcome suggestions of others that are dear to you.

What does that have to do with a naming a dog?

My grandfather’s favorite number was “3,” and in honor of that, we will donate:

• $0.33 to each of three charities you choose for entering your name nomination
• $3.33 to each of three charities you choose with an Auto and/or Home Review or Business Owner

Charites we are supporting

Animal Friends of CT, Connecticut Cat Connection, CT Humane Society, Dog Star Rescue,Fidelco,Kenways Cause, Protectors of Animals, Running for Rescues, Simon Foundation, US Horse Welfare and Rescue,West Hartford Dog Park Coalition.  

Let the Madness Begin!

ENTER A NAME: Now through St Patrick’s Day we will be accepting name suggestions

Bracket Details:

64 names = March 18-22  

32 names = March 23-27

16 names = March 28-31

8 names = April 1-5

4 names = April 6-8 at 5 p.m.

2 names = Tip off April 8-10 = dog name picked

April 6 = Adoption event at Uberdog with Dog Star Rescue

Follow the Puppy Madness on Facebook and Instagram.

Rules:

• No limit on name suggestions
• Inappropriate or non-realistic names will be discarded and not qualify for donations
• Names will be entered into bracket by most suggested and uniqueness
• One donation will be made per unique email for name and voting rounds
• Auto/Home/Business Review must be reviewed with a team member for donation
• Donations will be made on behalf of Connecticut residents only
• Donations will be made over the course of 2019

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