Therese Forton-Barnes,
(better known as "Tee")

A Buffalo, New York resident and native, Tee loves all dogs especially her own. She adores all children, especially her nieces, nephews and the children of close friends, whom call her Aunt Tee! She grew up with a yellow lab, Mimi, and since had her own dogs. Toby (deceased), a yellow lab, was the ring bearer in her wedding. Zaki and Venus, a yellow lab and a black lab, are her dogs now and are the subject of her books. She would love her own children, but after eight years of IVF and other procedures, she is focusing her efforts on her work, her dogs and future books! Her dogs are like her children, holding a very special place in her heart, and she is very grateful for their companionship. She's known to write silly poems for special occasions, and from all of this created a series of children's books about her two dogs, all in verse and portrayed via photography. This book is the first one of a series about the wonderful lives of her dogs!
Therese is a graduate of Ithaca College, '85 and has always had a knack for having fun! She has spent over 20 years channeling this special talent into her own special event planning company, Events to a Tee. Working out of her home, Therese is able to spend a lot of time with Zaki and Venus. Her second book is underway, and she is planning a third book around the wedding of Zaki and Venus that will take place August of 2007. Writing a book, planning a dog wedding, and having a party all about dogs...How fun!
Therese is a firm believer in giving back to her community. She volunteers for many charitable organizations and various events. She is on the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame Board and has donated much time to Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. She is also very interested in historical preservation, and recently restored her own 110 year old home, which was featured on Home and Garden Television(HGTV), Restore America. She recently started a charity in Buffalo, Carvings for a Cause, where she collected the remains of many large trees destroyed in a freak storm in October of '06. The focus of this charity is the reuse of 100-200 year old tree trunks carved into large historical figures and indigenous symbols of Western New York. The carvings, 10-16ft tall and some weighing over 2000 lbs, will be placed throughout the storm damaged region for all to view. She is also very active in her high school alma mater, Nardin Academy, where she received the distinguished alumni award in 2006. When in Buffalo and not working, Therese is usually spending time with her family and friends. Otherwise, she can be found walking her dogs, at the beach or cruising in her turquoise 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible!
For more Information: Therese Forton-Barnes Events2at@aol.com