Heart Like a Dog

The Good, the Bad, and the Oh My God of living with dogs!

A Little Goes A Long Way….Day Three Hundred, Fourteen

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I’m WAAAAAAAYYYY behind on the 31 days to a better blog challenge over at Blog Paws.

My post for today will complete task 7 “Write a Link Post.” I am still working on task 6 while the rest of the crew is up on task 9. Geesh, I wish I could get it together! Do any of you need more time in your day?

Enough rambling;  on to the task at hand. I was lucky enough to go to the Pet Exposition at our local convention center yesterday. I spent about an hour meandering about and what I found was a great deal of opportunities to help our furry friends.

If you want to get involved, here are some great organizations:

Vest-A-Dog – “We are committed in our mission to protect K-9 lives and build a community network that will learn, share, and grow. Whether you need funding for a K-9 vest, are interested in donating a K-9 vest or starting a local program, or are just plain interested, join us and with your support, we can make their protection a reality.”

Vitas (Paw Pals) “Registered Paw Pals bring joy to hospice patients by visiting them at home, in nursing homes and assisted living communities as well as hospitals.” 

I couldn’t find a direct link on their website, but an internet search of Vitas Paw Pals and your state should bring up a list of local chapters.

Kado – “We provide lifetime care for animal companions living with low income seniors and those with serious medical conditions.”  While this foundation appears to be exclusive to CT; they may be able to put you in touch with a similar organization in your area. Or maybe you can start your own local chapter!

I even found an organization supporting animal legislation. When I did an internet search it seems the groups devoted to improving legislation for animals is based at the state levels and doesn’t have a central website. In CT the website is www.CTVotesForAnimals.org; if you are interested in animal legislation; try an internet search with your state and votes for animals. You should some great resources.

If you have a breed passion (mine is labs) they probably have a rescue group. Most of these groups are volunteer based and need help with everything from bringing animals to vet appointments, training, fostering, adoption needs, event organizing; you name it. You can donate as much or as little time as you have. I saw at least four different rescue groups there yesterday; one of the lab groups even had dogs on site.

As you can see, there are many ways to get involved on a local level.  Even if you only have an hour to two to spare each week; a little goes a long way.

The Great Carrot Hunt…Day Three Hundred, Thirteen

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I have a little game I play sometimes with Delilah.  I have her sit and stay, then I take a toy and with her watching me, I ‘hide’ the toy.   I give her the release word and say, “Go find the toy.”

This morning Delilah was bored.  I could tell by the way she tried to climb into Hubby’s lap.

I was tired and didn’t have the energy for a morning walk.  I decided to put a twist on our game.  I remember reading about a lady and her dog (and I apologize because I can’t remember whose blog it was on;) I think the dog’s name was Lucy and the woman would take a piece of bacon out of the refrigerator when the dog was outside and hide it somewhere in the house.  The she would wait and see how long it took the dog to find it.

I had the dogs sit with hubby and I took some baby carrots and ‘hid’ them around the house; in obvious places.

Then I said, “Find the carrots.”

At first they just looked at me, but after helping them each ‘find’ a carrot, they got the idea.  The great carrot hunt was a huge success and kept Miss Delilah busy for about 20 minutes. 🙂

Tasty Tuesday Blog Hop get your link here http://www.kolchakpuggle.com/2011/10/celebrate-with-style-on-turkey-day.html

Day Three Hundred, Twelve

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A while back I wrote a post about an elderbull with medical needs. At the time Love and a Six Foot Leash, the fostering family were holding a raffle to raise money for Lady Zabora’s medical expenses.  Their goal at the time was to raise enough money to provide for Zabora’s medical expenses so the family who brought “Zee” to her forever home wouldn’t have that worry. 

The donations made from that raffle went above and beyond the fundraising expectations; in fact so much so that Zabora’s medical needs will be met and there is money left-over.  Think for a minute just how amazing this is.  But it gets better!  And this is the part that really blows me away.

Yesterday I received an e-mail from Love And A Six Foot Leash, that opened like this “We have sent Little Zee off to her forever-home with a hefty “dowry” for her vet, and even got to pay for a training class at her neighborhood training facility. But even after all of that, plus all of her medical bills, we have a substantial amount of money left over– this is why I am writing you today. What should we do with the excess money?”

The e-mail then went on to give four ideas for use of the excess money which were all phenomenal ideas and then asked for input!!  I’m amazed and humbled by the honesty and sincerity exhibited by Love And a Six Foot Leash, they could very well have made the decision themselves as the best way to use the money, instead they reached out on a personal level to find out what other people thought.  (I’m thinking I might have to suggest they run for congress.) 🙂

I shot her back a quick e-mail and let her know I supported option #1; which was to sponsor a 10 for $10 day at their local over-whelmed shelter.  In this event they will ‘spot-light’ 10 of the dogs who have been at the shelter the longest and the $150 adoption fee will be reduced to $10.  Hopefully this will make room for 10 more dogs to get an opportunity that otherwise wouldn’t be available to them.

If you are thinking that finances are tight, the economy stinks and you don’t have any money to give, keep in mind my humble donation was $20.  But when combined with $20 (or $10 or $5) from someone else, well we DID make a difference! 

A while back I received a phone call from the Humane Society asking for a donation to help stop puppy mills.  At the time finances were REALLY tight and I said to the woman, “Listen if I had $10 a month to spare, it would certainly be to STOP PUPPY MILLS, but I don’t.”  At the time I couldn’t even make a commitment of $10 per month. 

I can however make a commitment to do what I can, wherever that may be; and I am trusting in a higher power to guide me to it.

This is the Saturday morning  BlogHop, hosted by Two Little Cavaliers, you can get your link here.

 

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