What’s your favorite part of the holidays? Helping others who have less? Or giving and getting rad gifts?
Be honest. Both, right?
We have two favorite activities of our own here on the blog — fundraisers and giveaways. And this year, we’re rocking two in one. Excited?
Two years ago — our first holiday season blogging — we rolled out our Kibble for Comments fundraiser, in which our then-foster Lollie Wonderdog earned 250 pounds of kibble for our local shelter’s homeless dogs thanks to your participation on the blog. Has anybody been with us since then?
And last year — though this was before the holiday season — we raised a stupendous $4,130 for the care of Little Zee, our then-foster whose neurological issues and medical complications put her at serious risk for the wrong end of the shelter.
Of course, these made perfect sense. Two years ago, we were pouring our time into shelter dogs, so naturally, shelter dogs should benefit from any funds we could raise. Then last year, our focus shifted, and we opened our home to eight homeless pit bull dogs, including Little Zee. We treated them like our own, so when one needed a small miracle to have a chance at a new life, we did what we had to do and raised the money.
This year, our focus has shifted a little again. In February we adopted Doodlebug, which took us out of the fostering game for a while. I also thre myself whole-heartedly into the fascinating world of dog training. At the beginning of the year, I started working, learning, observing, and just spending time at the best shop in Austin, and it changed everything.
At the Center, we see dogs every day who might have ended up at the shelter if their owners were a little less committed to resolving behavioral challenges — sometimes rather serious ones. How many of you, who volunteer or work at shelters, have seen dogs turned in because they bark, or pee, or nip, or run away? What about the ones who growl, or hide, or have bitten another dog or a person?
Often, there is only a small difference between these dogs and the ones who turn into success stories with their current owners: resources. With a great, experienced, gentle, creative trainer — and the money to pay for her — a dog with serious behavioral challenges can learn how to relax and act safely and appropriately. We all know good training ain’t cheap — especially private lessons. But does this mean that only those with means to pay should have the opportunity to turn around their relationship with their dog?
We think no.
So this year, training is our special cause. And in particular, helping those who are desperately in need of tailored, one-on-one help with their dog to afford the help they need. Tomorrow, we’ll introduce you to a fantastic program in Austin that does just this. And on Friday, we’ll launch our fundraiser and reveal this year’s beautiful prize pack.
Who’s excited??
Love and a Six-Foot Leash 
I’ve been here since that first kibble drive! 😀 Can’t wait to hear more!
So cool guys : )
So excited to hear about it and love watching your growth as a trainer. The great pix of the handsome boys are a draw too!
The Center looks like an amazing place! I wish we had something like it here in L.A. We’ll be back. We’re still wearing our turtlenecks that we won!!
-Bart and Ruby
If, say, I know a dog who is regularly described as “the world’s most retarded and frustrating animal,” where might I find help for him? It’s not clear if it’s a learned issue or a mental issue… But he’s worn out his welcome everywhere, in spite of his loveable personality!
Been along for the ride the entire time 🙂 and loved every minute of it.
I’ve been here that long! Can’t wait to hear. What a great idea. I’m from eugene oregon, hometown of your friend Kate L from DC….that’s how i got turned onto your blog. read it faithfully! thanks for the posts and great photos.
Yay! We could not have afforded the much needed training for Piper without this great organization. It’s thanks to them and the Center that we are able to work with Piper and keep her in our home, and we love her so! I can’t wait to help out and give back a little when we’ve received so much!
Awwww Dora in the santa hat. I miss her. Was she ever found?
You know I’ve been here that long Lollie/Lilly Fireworks was my baby! And I am excited to hear more about the fundraiser.
I can’t believe it’s been two years since Lollie the Wonderdog. Wow. It all goes so quickly and I am so glad I have been reading along since the start so I have witnessed the changes in your family first-hand.
Congratulations on the new and exciting career!
Wow! Two years since I fell in love with Lollie in the video with the Manu Chao song! I can’t wait for this year’s contest! And love the pics of the boys in their Santa hats!
I love how each year, not only do you come up with awesome ideas, they surround passions that are close to you. If you feel strongly about it, sign me up!!!
It is awesome to give back! Love those photos at the end:)
Very excited about this year’s fund raiser … if I ever win the lottery one of the things I would love to do is setup a dog training program for shelter dogs and their new owners.
I have been lucky enough to find a trainer in KC who lets me train with her for FREE (in addition to offering those who adopt/foster crazy discounted prices for training) – I am so excited to hear about your new fundraiser!
That place is awesome. Anything to help the pups
Benny & Lily
Sounds like a fantastic idea!
Question regarding animal shelters. I’m returning to Mazatlan, this year and I’ve made a few ‘adopt me ‘jackets that I’ll pop on the dogs when I take the for a walk. But my questions is feeding methods for kennels where two or more dogs are sharing nice-sized kennels. Does any one have ideas, in a shelter kennel situation, of a container to give then food. I want to be respectful of how busy it is for helpers to feed a large numbers of dogs quickly, yet the container serves as a food puzzle, Also, I’d rather see the puppies with a food puzzle that last a a long time, so they don’t overeat. A kong isn’t big enough but a large gator aid bottle might work, which I believe has been suggested on “Love on a Six Foot foot Leash”? I haven’t volunteered in a shelter before, so I’d appreciate insights or concerns that you may be able to offer.
Lyn,
A single serving Gatorade bottle holds two cups of food, which should be plenty for most puppies and many dogs. One thing to be careful of in a multi-dog situation though is food guarding, where the dogs may compete and try to “protect” their prizes from one another…
Typed by my trained monkey. Please excuse tybos.
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Good Luck with this years fund raiser, you are such a Godsend to these doggies and Im sure you get it all back when they have happy wagging tails and are successfully rehomed 🙂
A dog definatly makes a home a home, they offer you so much love and loyalty.
My Georgie was a rescue and we love him so very much xx
Billiant Bog !
Victoria xx