Saving Spaulding: Restaurant, Residents Campaign to Keep Bronze Dog

His fans have described him as “pure joy cast in metal,” but Spaulding, an 80-pound bronze canine, is going to need more than dog biscuits and scratches behind the ears if he’s to stay permanently in Edina.

Sculpture artist Heidi Hoy’s three-foot-tall piece came to the 50th and France neighborhood in 2012 as part of the Edina Public Art Committee’s rotating exhibit. Now, a local business is heading a campaign to raise the $7,650 needed to purchase Spaulding.

With his floppy ears, oversized paws, wiry frame and jutting snout, the mutt became a neighborhood favorite, particularly beloved by the staff and patrons of Salut Bar Americain, the restaurant outside of which he is kenneled.

“He’s a magnet for kids, but that dog brings a smile to everyone’s face,” Salut’s general manager, Zach Saueressig, told FSR Magazine. “We just fell in love with Spaulding, and now we can’t bear the thought of losing him.”

The restaurant is partnering with the Edina Community Foundation, the Lions Club and the Edina Public Art Committee to raise Spaulding’s adoption funds. Edina residents Doug and Sharon Pugh, whose daughter Anna has been a member of the Edina Public Art Committee for over a year, have already donated $1,000. Salut will donate 10 percent of its profits on Sept. 18. The fundraising efforts will culminate with the 50th and France’s annual Pumpkin Festival.

The uproar over Spaulding is something of a surprise for Hoy, an artist who works out of Mound, Minn.

“This piece was a real departure for me,” she told FSR. “Much of my work is pretty serious, but I was commissioned to do this piece right after I’d adopted a dog—my first—and I really enjoyed the opportunity to create something fun; to really make people happy.”

Money raised above the $7,650 will go to the Edina Public Art Committee to pay for other public art rentals.

Here’s a list of events planned to help fund Spaulding:

• Wednesday, Sept. 18th, Salut, 5034 France Ave. S., Edina 55410 will donate 10% of the entire day’s profits. Those who come for dinner between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. will have an opportunity to meet the artist, Heidi Hoy of St. Bonifacius, MN. Reservations are recommended by calling 952-929-3764.

• Sunday, Oct. 6th, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lions Annual Waffle Breakfast at Braemar there will be a tabletop display with a video of kids playing with Spaulding, an area for children to color a Spaulding-like dog character on placemats and there will be information about how to contribute.

• Saturday, Oct. 26th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the 50th & France Annual Pumpkin Festival will include activities around Spaulding and opportunities to donate.

• Donations may also be sent directly to the Edina Community Foundation earmarked “Spaulding”, 5280 Grandview Sq., Edina, MN 55436.

• Spaulding: STAY! by Barbara La Valleur
• Save Spaulding by Liz Heinecke