Pay it forward: Pets of the Homeless

Last weekend at BlogPaws, I attended a great session by Felissa from Two Little Cavaliers and Neil from Life with Dogs.  I’ll be posting a bit more about the session in another post – I have a few more BlogPaws recaps in the queue, after all.

However, at that session we discussed the idea of community – what the word meant and how we as a community could help each other raise awareness and share each other’s causes.  From that discussion came the inspiration for today’s Pay if Forward Blog Hop.  Today, pet bloggers are sharing one (or more) of the causes that they are passionate about and adding it to the blog hop.  Then, those participating in the blog hop or reading through the posts can offer to help out with causes they are interested in or even solicit some guest posts for their blogs.  I will definitely be checking out the other causes, and I may approach a few bloggers about doing some guests posts to share their causes with you.  I’ve included the list for the blog hop at the end of this post – so I hope you’ll also take a moment to see what everyone is talking about today.

Today, I’m sharing a cause I’ve written about before.  I’d like to tell you about a group called Pets of the Homeless.  This nonprofit organization provides pet food and veterinary care to the homeless and less fortunate in local communities across the United States and Canada. For my last birthday, I told all of my friends not to buy me gifts.  If they absolutely felt the need to bring something, I asked that they bring a bag of dog food instead.  I then donated this dog food to Pets of the Homeless.  I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday gift – the chance to make a difference for pets (and their people) in need.

Imagine, if you will, that due to circumstances beyond your control, you find yourself homeless.  What do you do with your pet?  Your pet gets sick.  You can’t afford veterinary care.  Where do you go?  Or, let’s say you are currently homeless and encounter a stray dog who becomes your companion.  The nearest homeless shelter doesn’t allow pets.  Do you go to the shelter and leave your companion to fend for himself? 

These are tough choices.  Choices that I hope none of us ever have to make.  However, many people do have to make these choices on a regular basis.  Pets of the Homeless notes that the National Coalition for the Homeless estimates that as many as 3.5 million Americans are homeless.  Between 5 to10 percent of homeless people have dogs or cats – in some areas that number may be as high as 24 percent.

There are many reasons people end up homeless, including foreclosure, poverty, domestic violence, lack of affordable housing, unemployment, and declining public assistance.  The demographics of the homeless population show that anyone can be affected – young, old, and in between.  The homeless population is not just one ethnicity, gender, or age.  Their homes may have been destroyed by a hurricane or a tornado.  They are veterans, victims of domestic violence, the unemployed, families with children… and so many others.

Pets of the Homeless aims to help this population in many ways.  It has established collection sites to accept donated pet food.  This food is distributed through partnerships with homeless shelters, soup
kitchens, and other entities.  The organization also makes two types of grants:
one to veterinarians that go to where the homeless congregate and
provide veterinary care such as vaccines, spay/neuter and other needed
treatments; the other to homeless shelters looking for ways to allow
pets sanctuary with their owners.  

Want to know how you can help? If there is a collection site near you, donate pet food and supplies.  (If there’s no collection site near you, find out how to become one.) Pets of the Homeless also provides a list of other ways that you can donate your time (like volunteering at a distribution site) or money to this worthy cause.  You can also help by spreading the word about Pets of the Homeless to bring awareness to this cause.

If you have tissues handy, I urge you to read some of the success stories and view the touching photos on the Pets of the Homeless website. I hope you’ll check out this great organization as well as some of the others being highlighted in today’s blog hop:

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If you’re confused, just tilt your head

It’s a three-day weekend!  I could not be happier to have an extra day off.  That being said… it’s time for some Friday linkage!

  1. This week’s punny goodness is inspired by a fantastic book I just finished.   In honor of the entertainment she provided during my brief hurricane-induced power outage, I give you… Catty Griffin.
  2. I would like to request that all sheet music do this from now on… not too much to ask, right?
  3. The face on this Corgi reminded me of Bella.
  4. Remember Edward Peanutbutterhead? Well, it appears that he has some competition.
  5. Eating peanut butter is one thing, but I wouldn’t recommend stealing it from the trash.  You might end up like this guy.
  6. You know I’ve had BlogPaws on the brain lately.  You may enjoy seeing these cute pets who were in attendance.
  7. Speaking of… there have been some pretty fun BlogPaws post over at Something Wagging This Way Comes this week.  Check them out!
  8. If you just can’t get enough BlogPaws (and can’t wait for my posts… they’re coming, I promise), then I have the link for you. Might I suggest you start with this great post from This One Wild Life about the ACES Pet Rescue Workshop?

Finally, just because it’s Friday… have some head tilts, or as we like to call it at my house: “making the puppy face.”



(via Cute Overload)

Happy Friday!

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BlogPaws Episode 2: Say hello to my not-so-little friends

After the welcome reception on Thursday evening, I was feeling pretty good about returning to BlogPaws on Friday.  I wasn’t disappointed.  The day started out with a pretty great keynote speaker.  Or, more accurately, a duo of speakers:

Meet the men of Rescue Ink.  These are some pretty tough customers from Queens. If you’re looking for peaceful conflict resolution, they may not be your guys.  (Although I have a feeling they’re the type that can solve problems without knocking heads together if the situation allows it.)

In any event, they’re tough customers who care about animal welfare, as the dedication on their website makes clear.  They’re extremely committed to stopping animal abuse – you could really feel the emotion behind their words and their passion for this cause was evident.  That commitment was inspiring.

Rescue Ink is an international animal welfare organization dedicated to defending the defenseless.  (They joked that their lawyers wouldn’t let them go into too much detail about how they actually do that.)  Our two speakers are actually two of the founding members of the group.

Joe Panz (bio)
Big Ant (bio)

Rather than give you an exhaustive recap of their speech, I just wanted to share a few of the quotes I jotted down during the keynote:

  • “A rescue isn’t a rescue until you take it out of a bad situation and find it a better home.”
  • “You don’t send Boy Scouts to get rid of bad guys.  You’re gonna run out of Boy Scouts real quick.”
  • “They say that animals don’t have a voice.  We don’t mind speaking for them.”
  • “It takes 5 puppy mill puppies for one to survive long enough to make it to the pet store.”
  • “Money shouldn’t get between you and your animal.  Your animal is family.”
  • “We defend those that can’t defend themselves.”

You can learn more about the guys from Rescue Ink at their website, including some of their success stories.  I also recommend checking out this post at Kahuna’s K9s – Eryka did a great interview with them after their speech.  This recap at the Pet Health Care Gazette is also fantastic and perfectly describes how I felt listening to these two.  Finally, here’s a video of the interview that Miah from Start the Change did with Joe and Big Ant.

A shot of their logo on the big screen at BlogPaws

Up next: the sessions begin, I learn some stuff, more friends are made, and a puppy movie is screened.  In short… good times.

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Check out my BlogPaws swag…

Can you believe what I got in my swag bag at BlogPaws?

 

Just kidding! This little guy, although adorable and riding in a bag, was not part of my swag. He was an adorable pup at the event looking for a forever home.  It took all of my willpower not to smuggle him home and surprise Bella and the hub with a new addition.  All in good time…

(You can check this pup – and many other animals needing a home in the D.C. metro area – out over at Lucky Dog Animal Rescue.)

Don’t get me wrong – although it (rightfully) didn’t include a puppy, the swag bags were pretty darn sweet:

In case you were wondering, I had an absolutely amazing time at BlogPaws.  I got the chance to meet (and spend time with) some of my favorite bloggers, discover new bloggers, learn a bunch, and have a ton of fun.  You can expect a plethora of posts in the future – I intend to recap the weekend, share some of the tips I’ve learned, and tell you all about it!  Stay tuned…

Hope everyone affected by Irene came through the storm okay.  We lost power around 2:30 this morning, but it came back this morning, so I can’t complain.  What a weekend!

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Child leaves dog on doorstep to save him from the pound

It’s quite the story.  It’s the stuff you see in movies and cartoons – a baby in a basket, left on a doorstep by a mother who cannot take care of him.  A note penned to the basket hoping that a benevolent stranger will take the orphan in and give him a better life.  Take that familiar tale… and replace it with a dog.  Rather than let his beloved pet go to the pound, a child essentially left his dog on the doorstep of a neighbor.  Engage tear ducts…
The dog is named Mr. B.  He was waiting in the driveway of a man in Washington state with a scribbled note stashed in a bone-shaped compartment attached to his collar.  The note stated that the child’s parents were getting divorced.  It indicated that Mr. B was to go to the pound, but that the child thought the dog would have a better life with this man.  (Side note: Isn’t divorce hard enough on this poor kid without getting rid of the dog too?  Obviously there’s no way to know the full story or if the parents were really going to take Mr. B to the pound, but still…)  To help take care of the dog, who was described as being “used to kids – not other dogs,” the child included his birthday money.  Among the many heartbreaking lines in the note (found here), the final few are truly heartbreaking: “He’s a good boy.  I know God will take care of Mr. B. – Everyone loves him… especially me.  Thank you.”
Wisdom from the mouth of babes.  Although leaving your dog on a neighbor’s doorstep may not be the best plan, you can’t deny the powerful emotion behind the action.  Ending up in a pound is a death sentence for many dogs… and even if it’s not, finding a new home isn’t easy.  Had Mr. B been dropped off at the pound, he’d likely be scared, confused, and utterly heartbroken.  Fine way to treat a creature you’ve brought into your home as a family member.  My heart breaks for this child.  If only everyone felt this way about the furry beings they’ve taken into their homes.  It’s a responsibility that far too few take seriously.

On a happy note, the neighbor took Mr. B to work and the pup has already found a new home.
For more, watch the story here.

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Prepare for a stampede of cuteness!

This time next week, I’ll be at BlogPaws. So exciting! Must… focus… on… present….

  1. Weekly punny goodness: Pablo Picatso and Salvador Doggie.
  2. To follow up on last week’s post, I implore you to enjoy more cats in hats.
  3. Dear Internet: You are awesome. The Adventures of Milo & Otis totally needed a remix involving Jay-Z.  I humbly request you come up with a similarly entertaining remix for Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, The Fox and the Hound and/or Oliver & Company.  Thanks!
  4. Speaking of dogs named Otis… check out this skydiving dog!
  5. Have you ever wondered why your dog sometimes wants to snuggle, but other times would prefer to be alone?  This handy chart breaks it down for you.
  6. You know Bella’s an art lover (sometimes to a fault).  You know we love The Bloggess.  So I’m sure you’ll understand why this ad over there cracked me up.
  7. Maybe this little guy could be an artist.  Is there a market for mud paintings?
  8. This next link reminded me of the brilliant series “Pet Adoption Videos that Don’t Make Me Want to Kill Myself” over at Will My Dog Hate Me. It’s an adorable video promoting pet adoption… accompanied by a catchy tune and a bonus pup in PJs!  Fantastic.

My favorite part of today’s video might be the guy in the background
saying “puppy puppy puppy puppy.”  Seriously.  It reminds me of that
addictive Puppy Woof Woof video for some reason.  Good times.



(via Jezebel)

That’s all for today, folks.  Have a fantastic weekend, and don’t forget to swing by and Like our new Facebook page!  Bella approves.

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Blog the Change: Happy birthday, Petfinder!

Blog the ChangeIt’s that time again… another installment of Blog the Change for Animals!

I’ve focused on a variety of issues in the past (for my earlier posts related to Be the Change for Animals, click here), but today I want to keep it short and sweet.

As you know, Bella’s a rescue pup.  I found her using Petfinder… I’ll forever be indebted to that wonderful website for making these last 10 years of puppy love possible.  With that in mind, I’d like to dedicate today’s post to Petfinder… it’s Petfinder’s 15th birthday this weekend, after all.  Synergy!

Yesterday, I read an article about animal shelters and how both adoptions and donations have been declining due to the economy.  That’s why all I want to say to you today is this: if you’re thinking about getting another pet, adopt. Consider donating your time, money, or resources to your local shelters and rescue groups.  Petfinder has a wealth of info… read about how you can help and then find a local rescue group.  I’ve donated food and other items in the past, but I’ve decided that I want to do more.

Today, I renew my own commitment to helping animals and will be contacting at least one local group to donate my time.  I hope you’ll take a few moments today to think about what you could do to help animals in need.  (If you’re already involved with a rescue group in any way shape or form, I want you to know that you are my hero and I want to be like you when I grow up.)

Like I said, short and sweet.  (As short as I’m capable of anyway.) 

To read more fantastic Blog the Change entries, check out the list after the jump.  To participate in the blog hop, visit Be the Change for Animals for more information or add your link after the jump.


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Take a chance on a shelter pet!

So, I went to see Mamma Mia last night at one of my favorite outdoor venues.  You can’t really beat sitting outside with friends, munching on snacks and having a glass of wine while enjoying some classic ABBA.  It was such a fun show, and it may have the best pre-show announcement I’ve ever heard.

I’m still humming ABBA songs today… which means that I have to get one stuck in your head too.  It’s blog law. (The law of this particular blog, anyway.  As evidence, see the majority of my song-related post titles.)  However, you’re in luck – the Interwebs has thoughtfully provided me with a video that skillfully combines ABBA and adorable animals with a great message.  Enjoy…

Hope you’re having a fantastic weekend so far!

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Meow’s the time: adopt a cat!

The lovely Dawn from afFURmation had the brilliant idea to host a blog hop to promote cat adoption in honor of Adopt-a-Cat Month.  Although Bella’s the star of the show here, our feline friends do make frequent appearances on the blog (and I’ve had a few kitty loves of my own over the years).  Also, I’m never one to pass up a good blog hop… so, I’m joining up and sharing some adoptable cuties today. 

(If you want to join too – pretty please with sugar on top? – check out the information at the end of this post.)

First up, I’d like you to meet Harry Potter, an adoptable cat from the Bethesda/DC area.  As you can see, he has a cool lightning bolt on his forehead, just like his namesake.
Next, I’d like you to meet Xena, who is also available in the DC area.  Unlike the famed warrior princess, this sweet girl just loves to cuddle.
Finally, meet Vivaldi, another DC kitty.  I bet his purring would be like music to your ears.
To find more adoptable kitties, check out the blogs participating in the hop (after the jump) or visit Petfinder.  If you’d like to participate in the blog hop, scoot on over to afFURmation for more information, or link up below.
In parting, I leave you with some words of wisdom from our friend Brian: “Adopt cats, we deserve it!”
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Your mission: caption this photo

Hope your creative juices are flowing today – most entertaining wins my everlasting affection. (Perhaps I need to think up a better prize.)  Anyway, have at it…

Oh, and I wanted to let you know that afFURmation is sponsoring a blog hop for Adopt a Cat Month on Monday, June 27.  Bella’s always willing to help out her feline friends, so we’ll be participating – hope you will too!

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