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Community Corner

Milo's Cafe Honors Late Founder With Pet Adoption Fair

Nearly 1,000 people turn out for the event, which is named after Scott Sellman.

The spirit of a Lake Forest pet lover came to life Saturday at an animal adoption fair created to honor his legacy.

Nearly 1,000 people turned out for the first Pet Vendor and Adoption Fair, held at , the canine-friendly restaurant where Sellman died of a heart attack in June, barely three months after he opened the eatery.

Some of the largest animal-welfare groups in the county banded together to honor Sellman with the event.

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"We brought in 48 dogs today and 11 were adopted out to new families," said Stephen Terry, founder of Desperate Paws of Orange County Dog Club.

Sellman's wife, Grace, basked in the atmosphere.

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"This is exactly what he lived for," she said. "He would have loved to see this."

The fair's timing coincided roughly with what would have been Sellman's 43rd birthday, on July 6.

Vendors and sponsors spoke warmly of Sellman and the way he helped animals and animal advocates.

"We put one of our donation bins outside of Milo's and it would be full of blankets every week," said Eileen Smulson, co-founder and president of Operation Blankets of Love. "Every time I see a tall, handsome man it reminds me of him. I think of Scott and his kindness."

Smulson's husband, Brad, the group's vice president, added: "Scott was remarkable. He was a giant in stature and in the animal rescue world. This entire fair is all because of him."

Tiffany Norton of the Coastal German Shepherd Rescue said the fair was a perfect tribute to Sellman: "I remember chatting with him and telling him how Milo's would become a cornerstone of adoption. I'm really proud of what's happened today and to do this for him."

Organizers said they hoped the fair would become an annual event. Sellman's spirit also lives on at Milo's.

"A common question I always get is if the restaurant is closed," his wife said. "It's not closed and it will continue to run for as long as it can."

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