Skagit Valley Dog Rescue

South Whidbey community rallies to help beloved local horseman

Hagglund, 48, suffered a massive heart attack Saturday, Sept. 3 and was rushed to the intensive care unit of St. Joseph's Hospital in Bellingham . He was released to the care of his family in Clinton on Wednesday.

At 10 a.m. today through 3 p.m. Sunday, the Western Games Association will hold a fundraising auction for Hagglund at the Island County Fairgrounds in Langley, behind the horse arena in the HOPE building during the regular Western Games event. The avid horseman has no medical insurance and the goal is to raise money to help soften the blow of Hagglund's medical bills.

Fellow gamer Heather Kline has known Hagglund since she was a teenager and has met him in the horse arena numerous times.

"Cliff will help out whenever help is needed and will go beyond the call of duty for our club or even a friend," Kline said.

"He is passionate about horses and has been breeding quarter horses and paints before I ever met him," she said.

Kline said that Hagglund, who lives in Clinton, comes from a longtime Whidbey Island family and is well-known for his knowledge of horses. But he is also known for his sense of humor and love of people.

"This man loves life and tries to get along with everyone," Kline said.

"If I'm having a bad day he will try his hardest to make me laugh and cheer me up. He always has something smart to say," she added.

Marta Berry is another of Hagglund's longtime friends and praised his never-ending help in and out of the horse arena.

"He is the kind of person that will help you out whenever and whatever you want to do," Berry said.

"He will take your animals and feed them, rescue animals, do whatever he can to save an animal in need. He has a very giving heart."

Joni Hanson, Hagglund's employer at Joni's Hair Design in Bayview, agrees with Kline's assessment of his lust for life.

"Oh my goodness gracious he's a character," Hanson said. "It's real quiet around here without him.

Humane Society of Skagit Valley « The PetWork®

The purpose of the Humane Society of Skagit Valley (Burlington, Washington 98233) is to provide a safe haven to shelter and care for the abandoned, abused, or unwanted animals within Skagit County; to treat the animals with dignity and respect; to place these animals into loving and caring homes; to create public education programs that increase the awareness of humane treatment and the necessity of spay and neuter of all animals; and coordinate resources for housing and placement of small animals evacuated during disaster.

Nell (Pet ID #15275)

The PetWork® features links to animal shelters, humane societies, rescue groups, feral cat programs, pet-assisted therapy programs, hospices, low-cost and free spay/neuter programs, financial aid programs for pet care, pet loss support services, veterinarians, animal hospitals, and other pet-related resources. New listings are added daily.