Good Paws Good Cause

Introducing Fur The Earth Dog Soap!

2012-03-03T21:30:00.005-05:00

We are giving away a FUR THE EARTH PRIZE PACK!

Register to win now through March 31, 2012!

One winner will be chosen from all entrants.

Fur The Earth Dog Soap is an all-natural soap made with natural and essential oils made exclusively for GoodPawsGoodCause.org by Miss Debbie's Soap. Specially formulated for dogs, each 4.5 ounce bar contains natural oils like tea tree, neem and eucalyptus oils to soothe the skin, and essential oils like citronella and cedarwood to help combat fleas.

At just $4.50 per bar, Fur The Earth Dog Soap provides a great alternative to shampoo and will leave your dog feeling clean and rejuvenated. Makes a great gift and is a favorite with travellers and campers!

Now available for sale at GoodPawsGoodCause.org & Miss Debbie's Soap!
Each bar contains essential oils: citronella, tea tree, cedarwoood, and eucalyptus and natural oils: coconut, neem, caster, olive, palm and soybean. Not for use on cats.

ENTER TO WIN!

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Your information is secure. By entering the FUR THE EARTH PRIZE PACK Contest on our Blog, you will automatically be subscribed to our blog. On Monday, April 2, 2012, one (1) winner will be chosen from all of the contest entries from Sunday, March 4 – Saturday, March 31, 2012. You may be subscribed to win this giveaway (and future giveaways) but may always unsubscribe at any time. Please see complete giveaway details under Terms & Conditions.

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Puparazzi!

2012-02-26T08:00:00.001-05:00

The Academy Awards are on tonight! Here is a great event you can plan for next year’s Oscar Night. You can tie the pet industry into your organization’s fundraising scheme and raise some money at the same time!

Roll out the red carpet! Get out the camera! It will be all lights, cameras, and action for animals!!

Hold a PUParazzi event with a local photographer. It’s Glamor Shots for your pet! Do you have a dog that looks like Brad Pitt? How about a cat that looks like Angelina Jolie? Get them out on the red carpet and glam it up for your charitable cause.

Feather boas, hats, jewelry, fancy plush pillows and other luxurious props will give pet owners an “award winning” photo of their pet for their collection.

This event can be as simple as offering Pet Glamor Shots with a local photographer or as elaborate as having a black-tie night out for couples and their pets to watch the awards at a venue with champagne and caviar! The sky is the limit! So be creative and also hold a Celebrity Pet Look-A-Like Contest with the Golden Bone as the idyllic award for the night!

Event to benefit animal shelter, pamper pooches | YourMurrysville.com

2012-02-23T07:31:00.000-05:00

Event to benefit animal shelter, pamper pooches YourMurrysville.com

National Dog Biscuit Day is February 23rd!!

2012-02-19T09:00:00.001-05:00

February is already a month filled with love and things most sweet. Why not tie-in man’s best friend with a fundraiser that any organization can do?

Hold a Canine Cookie Exchange. Just like a bake sale or recipe exchange, a Canine Cookie Exchange basically works the same way.

Dog owners would register themselves and their dog for an afternoon of canine camaraderie and cookies! Showcase a variety of dog snacks including treats that are all-natural, help with dental issues, and those that are reduced calorie for older and overweight dogs. Get a local dog bakery involved by asking them to attend and offer a cooking demonstration and sampling. Ask owners to bring a batch of their favorite people cookie along with the recipe to share with other owners.

Dogs in attendance would be able mix and mingle with other dogs and everyone would enjoy snacks galore! It’s a tasty way to tie-in a sweet fundraiser and the pet industry to help out your cause!

Looking to make some snacks for Fido at home? Check out this link: All-Natural-Dog-Treat.com

Pampered Pet Party!

2012-02-12T11:24:00.001-05:00

I love to treat myself to a massage – don’t you? It is a great way to pamper yourself, reward yourself or just remind yourself that you need to relax and slow down.

Some consider it a way to spoil yourself! I wouldn’t consider myself spoiled, but I do know that all of my animals are! My cats don’t always realize this, but my dogs’ sure do! That is why a Pampered Pet Party is a great way to spoil yourself AND your pet!

I have planned and attended a few Pampered Pet Parties. They are a great way to raise money for your organization because you are reaching out and offering services for pets AND their owners. It is a well-received because everyone in attendance gets to enjoy a day of luxury with massage, grooming, treats, giveaways and more.

Here is how it works (this is an abridged version of steps. If you are interested in more detailed information on how to hold successful Pampered Pet Party, contact me!)

Pets and their owners to pay a cover charge (a donation to the organization hosting the event) and visit a number of “stations” (vendors) to receive a product or service for their pet and themselves. Steps involved include:

1. Finding a venue – choose a facility big enough to allow for ample movement and booth stations – an indoor dog park, doggie daycare facility, agility training center, a banquet room at a pet-friendly hotel, or even fire hall works well.

2. Soliciting vendors – you may want to charge a few for a table or you may just want to ask each vendor for their time and a raffle prize for being a part of the event. Here is a list of folks to include:

a. Canine Massage Therapist

b. Licensed Massage Therapist - a chair massage station works best

c. Groomer

d. Hair or Nail Salon

e. Local Bakery or Candy Shop

f. Dog Snack Company or Bakery

g. Local Veterinary Office

h. Local Kennel

i. Local Trainer or Dog Behaviorist

j. A photographer

k. Add your own ideas!

3. Advertising – once you have everyone on board; decide how much you will charge for the day of pampering. A 3-4 hour time frame for the event usually works best. You can sell tickets in advance and at the door.

4. Holding the Event – Welcome everyone and allow them to enjoy the products and services offered by your vendors. Have volunteers on hand to assist owners with their pets while they are enjoying their pamper station.

5. Some precautions – be sure owners know all pets must be on a leash or in a carrier. All must have current shots, vaccinations and registrations (in accordance with your state law). Get releases signed if needed and have appropriate “clean up” protocol in order.

Single-Mingle Pawty!

2012-02-05T10:14:00.001-05:00

I met my husband on-line in 1999. Way before Match.com and EHarmony! Potential suitor advertisements did not include photographs. Back then, personal ads were just that – advertisements. All you were able to share were a few personal paragraphs along with your geographic location and some statistics.

I must have made a good match because my husband and I married on October 4, 2003 on the Feast of Saint Francis (the patron saint of animals). We have been blessed with a full house of pets. Our dogs, Lenny and Lucy along with our five cats; Ernie, Macy, Max, Wallee and Eva are at the center of our lives.

Lenny & Lucy

All of our pets are rescues. We wouldn’t have it any other way. Pet Finder found us the perfect match with Lenny & Luch pictured here, just like my husband and I found a perfect match over 10 years ago.

That got me thinking of a great Valentine (or any time) event to showcase pets that need a home. Put on a Single-Mingle Pawty! It’s easy as 1-2-3!

1. Set The Mood: Drinks and hors devours on a Friday night after work will bring out the singles. Offer Cosmuttpolitans, Cat-tini’s and Barking Brew for the guys. If you feel your shelter or rescue organization wouldn’t be the best location to get romantic, and then find a hip night spot that is willing to work with you.

2. Make A Move: Prior to the event, make cards or information sheets for all the dogs and cats that need adopted. Include a photo, age, breed, and temperament information. Buy a box of multi-colored Milkbones and some of those bright multi-colored catnip mice. When the singles arrive, have them complete an information card too – and make sure they indicate if they are a DOG or CAT person. Give all the DOG people a Milkbone and one of the dog information cards. Give all the CAT people a mouse and a cat information card.

3. Call Me Tomorrow! Once everything is distributed, make an announcement and let all the singles know the Single-Mingle Pawty is underway. Dog singles are to find the person of the opposite sex that has the same colored Milkbone as they do and start a conversation about themselves and the dog on their dog cards. The cat singles do the same with their multi-colored catnip mice and cards.

You just may make a few matches – for your four-footed friends and their potential new owners!

HOW ABOUT A SOUPER BOWL?

2012-01-29T09:00:00.001-05:00

My beloved Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t make it far in the AFC Championship Playoffs this year. However, I have my memories of Dallas and SuperBowl XLV. I was honored to see the Steelers play against the Packers. The outcome could have been better, but hey, as they say - there is always next season!

The SuperBowl is next weekend. It doesn’t matter if you love or hate football. Either way, why not tie-in to this epic sports event, get into the “red zone” and raise some dollars for your team?!?

A SOUPER BOWL is an easy and fun way to bring people out. Here is a quick play by play guide to scoring big!

Join forces with a local restaurant and pre-promote

For an entry fee, contestants can enter their favorite/ best soup recipe

Find some local “personalities” to be judges – the mayor, a local DJ or news anchor, or a local high school, college or NFL football player!

The day of the event, registered contestants come with their soup and recipes

The judges taste the entries and award a grand prize winner and runners up

Prizes can be gift certificates to the host restaurant or a kitchen appliance

Here are some “twists” on the event. Use these ideas to help create your own to tie-in with your animal, cancer or earth-friendly group:

Animal Shelters – have a rule that all entries must have the word DOG or CAT in the title – for example: Cajun Cat Gumbo or Canine Chilli

Cancer Organizations – after the contest, the soup is delivered or given to cancer patients and their families, or taken to a local hospital

Earth-Friendly Groups – all entries must be made from organic and all-natural ingredients

A Vendor’s View Part II –From the Other Side

2012-01-22T09:00:00.001-05:00

Last week, I offered some best practices that event planners and organizers can incorporate to help keep good vendors coming back to annual events as well as ensuring vendors provide positive PR for your organization through “word of mouth” and rave reviews.

This time, I am offering a view from the “other side”. I would like to share a few pointers I have used while attending shows that help attract customers and create networking opportunities.

1. Show up with a smile! A smile and a friendly disposition go a long way during a long event. There will be many people that pass your booth, so make sure you are inviting them to stop, stay and eventually buy. Say “hello” – start a conversation on anything from the weather to whether or not they have attended events like this one in the past.

2. Give it away! The old adage that everyone loves something for free is true! Handing out candy, promotional items, coupons, balloons or anything unique and fun is a great way to engage customers and make sure they walk away and remember your name.

3. Register to win! Having a raffle or drawing for a prize is a great way to make your booth interactive and you can collect valuable information as well. You can get email addresses, physical addresses, and even get some great demographic information.

4. Test it! If you have a new item, product or service you want to test out, there is a great opportunity to do so at an event. You can target your market, do some product research and get some great feedback by offering samples or asking folks to try an item and then asking a few questions. Just remember to have your questions ready in advance and organize your booth to accommodate the process.

5. NETwork it! Find out who will be at the event with you. There will be competitors and future business partners. Then, the day of the event, be sure to meet your neighbors, hand out business cards, and get a list of all vendors in attendance for future reference. Remember to follow up with an email after the show and offer a link exchange as well as any cross-promotions that could be beneficial. Events are a great way make contacts and meet some good people that you may just be working with in the future!

Best Practices/Part I – The Vendor’s View:

2012-01-15T09:00:00.001-05:00

The hot dog guy, the lady with the handmade dish towels, the fashionable woman with one-of-a-kind jewelry. Vendors – they can make or break your event, and an event can make or break them!

I have solicited vendors to be a part of the events I have organized, and I have attended events as a vendor and a customer! So, I have a Vendor’s View!

There are all kinds of vendors and all kinds of vendor personalities. I can’t speak for everyone out there, but my mother always said “treat people the way you would like to be treated”.

So, here are a few pointers on how to treat your vendors:

1. Communicate well with each vendor during each phase of your event planning. Make sure they receive clear directions to the event, information on where to check in, who to get in touch with if they have questions, where to park and where the bathrooms are!

2. If possible, provide a table and chair for each vendor. This is a great courtesy to the vendor. And, in most cases, if you are charging your vendors a fee to be at your event, the cost of a table and chair is minimal. If the event is at an outside venue, tents are also appreciated. However, most vendors know that tents are usually their responsibility. (be sure to state this in vendor correspondence)

3. Make sure each vendor gets an event program, schedule or list of the other vendors attending the event. Many vendors use expos and events as networking opportunities. It is very difficult to leave your table or booth during an event, so a vendor may never know who was even at the event!

4. Consider providing a “goodie” bag for the vendors. A bottle of water, granola bar or bag of chips is an oasis to a vendor and appreciated! If you are having food booths at your event, you could even offer a coupon for lunch or a drink.

5. If possible, provide some extra assistance. Vendors are accustomed to attending events and setting up on their own, but if you have volunteers available to assist with set up, it is a great courtesy. Additionally, checking with vendor throughout day to get feedback on the event, offer any assistance or information is another great courtesy.

6. Remember to say THANK YOU! You may feel as though the vendor is there to make money so no thanks are in order, but a thank you goes a LONG way. I was at a dog walk once and it was 52⁰with torrential wind and rain. It was muddy and cold, but I stuck it out. The best part of my day? When the event planner came over and personally thanked me for being there and asked if there was anything I needed! Point taken? Good! A follow up thank you along with the success of your event (money raised, donations realized, participants attending) is also a must.

Next Time….Vendor’s View From the Other Side.

FurEver Green

2012-01-08T09:00:00.001-05:00

Now that the holidays are over, there are pine needles falling into carpets across America! It is time for many folks to take down the Christmas tree. If you are a green organization looking for a winter way to raise some funds for your earth conservation group, why not offer residents in your community a tree recycling program or service?

For a donation to your organization, volunteers would provide a pick-up service for disposal and recycling of trees. It’s a great way to do something Fur The Earth as well as get the community involved in a great green effort!

Your group could also offer additional services like offering to take down outside holiday lights or shoveling sidewalks and driveways. Be sure of handout tips on how to be more “green” during the winter months with these tips from Home Depot:

1. Don't Wait to Insulate: Upgrading your insulation to a higher R-value can lower energy costs dramatically. Start with insulating the attic and unheated crawl spaces. Sealing ducts, caulking, and weather stripping reduce energy loss even more.

2. Lower the Flow: Your old shower head probably delivers a lot more water than you really need. Reduce that to 2.5 gallons a minute or less with today's standard shower head – it can make a difference in your water bill. For even greater savings, replace your old toilets with today's standard low flush models that use 1.6 gallons or less per flush.

3. Stay Warm: In the winter, ceiling fans can save up to 10% in heating costs by circulating warm air from the ceiling to the floor where you can enjoy it. In the summer, they can make you feel cooler while reducing air conditioning costs by as much as 40% in summer. Learn more about reducing your energy bills.

4. Look for the Energy Star Label: Replace your old, inefficient appliances with Energy Star qualified appliances and save energy and money.

5. Clear the Air: Tune up your systems to make your family more comfortable while you save on heating and cooling costs. Upgrading and properly maintaining your home air filters is easy and helps improve indoor air quality. Vented range hoods and room exhaust fans also help remove smoke, moisture, airborne bacteria, and other indoor air pollutants.

New Year, New Beginnings!

2012-01-01T05:00:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year! Lenny is exhausted! He played Santa Paws at our house and he is ready for a “long winter’s nap”.

That works out great for me! I can start planning all of the events GoodPawsGoodCause.org will be hosting or attending this year to make things better Fur A Home®, Fur A Cure® and Fur The Earth®!

So, to get everyone going for 2012, here are some of the ideas and topics that will be coming up this year to help make your fundraising and awareness campaigns successful!

January

A Vendor’s View: get some inside scoop on how vendors think and would like to be treated at events and fundraisers.

February

Match Me Up: I’ll give shelters a creative way to help their animals find a “match made in Heaven!”

March

St. Patrick’s Day: it’s all about the green on March 17^th. Green organizations will want to tune in for some ideas to make St. Patty’s Day profitable!

April

Spring Fling: all things Fur The Earth with Earth Day and some very “bunny” ideas for shelters and cancer organizations.

May

Mother’s Day: dog moms, cancer survivors, and Mother Earth – great ways to tie your cause to Mom’s apron strings!

June

Summertime Tails: some great summer events you can plan and organize to celebrate summer!

July

Yankee Doggie Dandy: ways to “pooch up” your Independence Day pawties and get noticed!

August

Dog Days of Summer: it’s one of the hottest months, so tune in for cool ways to raise some cash!

September

Are You Ready For Some Football?: Ready, Set, Hike! You’ll be in the Red Zone with these great ideas that will help you tackle your events and score big!

October

Barktober: breast cancer awareness, Hallo”weenie” and the earth’s harvest provide wonderful ways to celebrate autumn!

November

Give Thanks!: a great time to thank volunteers and get some fresh ideas Fur The Holidays!

December

Santa Paws Is Coming To Town!: tie up your fundraising year with a big red bow! These ideas will make you say “bow-wow” we had a good year!

The Joy Of Christmas Licks You In The Face!

2011-12-25T04:00:00.000-05:00

It’s Christmas Day and there is nothing like waking up and seeing Lenny and Lucy so excited! When you don’t have children, the joy of Christmas licks you in the face!

It is wonderful to see our pooches extra excited on this special morning. And, our five cats, in their own unique and individual ways, enjoy Christmas morning too. So, let the barking, pouncing and feasting begin!

Everyone knows that Santa Paws has been here! All of the Christmas stockings are filled with smelly wonderful snacks and brimming with plush toys (that will soon be shredded all over the living room floor).

As I curl up with my coffee and my husband, I bask in the glory of our animal kingdom, realizing in a few hours our home will be filled with humans – wanting to eat, drink and be merry.

But for now, I am able to enjoy my world of unconditional love (along with all of the fur I will have to scrape off the couch before company comes).

As you enjoy your own Christmas morning, may the blessings, joy and glad tidings of this day be with you and all creatures big and small!

Fetching Ideas Fur The Holidays

2011-12-18T09:30:00.004-05:00

Do you get invited to a lot of “howl”iday parties, events and fundraisers this time of year? How does anyone survive!?! With so many non-profit organizations after donation dollars at this time of year, you’ll want to find unique ways to generate the spirit of giving. Here are some fetching ideas!

Wrap It Up! Gift wrapping service booths are not a new fundraising idea – an organization wraps your gifts, and you give a donation. A win-win situation, right? But if your a shelter wanting to raise money Fur A Home, in addition to the traditional holiday wrapping paper, offer to wrap things up in cute paw-print or breed inspired wrapping paper, bags and bows! It will help inspire everyone to remember all pets needing a furever home!

Pink-A-Licious! A friend told me about a unique holiday house party she attended. The host had her entire home decorated in PINK! Pink lights, tree decorations, wreaths…everything was PINK! A supporter of breast cancer awareness, she decided send a message and do some good during the holidays. She served pink punch and White Zinfandel, pasta with vodka sauce (its pink), shrimp, and pink cupcakes. A pink hat was passed around the party for donations to her local breast cancer center and every guest received a pink ribbon ornament for attending. Fur A Cure for the holidays!

Holiday Greens! Have your earth-friendly group or organization offer Christmas trees for rent. Take orders for a live, potted tree and after the holidays pick up the trees and plant them on city streets, in neighborhoods, or local parks. A great fundraiser that is good Fur The Earth!

Fur A Home®, Fur A Cure® or Fur The Earth® merchandise can make all of these fundraising ideas even better. With wholesale and licensing opportunities you can turn your GOOD ideas into GOOD money!

Smile For Santa!

2011-12-11T09:00:00.003-05:00

My husband will do just about anything for our two dogs and five cats. He will also do just about anything for an animal in need. For the past few years, he has been dressing up as Santa Claus and working with me on Pet Photos with Santa as fundraisers for various organizations on our community.

My husband as Santa!

To organize a Pet Photo with Santa day, you may want to join forces with a local photographer and create package deals. Sometimes the photographer will offer services for free, others will want to be paid, but most will donate a portion of proceeds or profits.

There is usually one volunteer, husband or uncle find that fits the “jolly old elf” description. Costume rentals can be pricey, so I suggest looking at a major retailer (Sears) and purchasing your own Santa suit. The cost to purchase a costume is usually the same if not less expensive than renting.

Here is a new spin on a great idea…why not make your pet photo with Santa Claus day a “drive” effort? In lieu of or in addition to having pet owners pay for their photo or photo package, ask for something good!

Fur Animal Shelters: Use your pet photo day to get much needed supplies – cat litter, food, bleach, paper towels, food, anything your shelter may be needed at this time of year can be the “cost” to get a free photo with Santa Claus.

Fur Cancer Organizations: Ask pet owners to bring scarfs, hats, or bandanas as a donation to a local cancer center for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments. You could also ask people to bring in toys to donate to children with cancer who are spending the holidays in the hospital. Or, you could have representatives of an national or local organization on site to promote cancer awareness and collect monetary donations. Two great organizations are the American Cancer Society and the National Canine Cancer Foundation.

Fur Earth Organizations: Hold a newspaper, plastic bag or aluminum can recycling day. Offer tips and ideas to make the holidays “greener” and more earth-friendly. You could even ask pet owners to bring in incandescent light bulbs and make commitment to replace it with a new CFL one!

Glad Tidings!

2011-12-04T07:39:00.000-05:00

Ever since our first Christmas with Lenny and Lucy, my husband and I have either featured or included our dynamic duo on our Christmas cards.

We don’t have any children, so we tend to show off and brag about our four-footed brood every year. I love hearing the “ooh’s and aww’s” on how cute the dogs are. All of the pet parents know what I am talking about!

I also like the way it feels when I receive a Christmas card. The fact that someone actually took the time to create, buy or pick out a card just for me makes the season a bit brighter. I am not into electronic greetings or tidings of joy. I know it is the computer age, but I am a bit old fashioned when it comes to tradition and the art of cards and invitations.

That being said, let’s talk invitations. There are some general do’s and don’ts when it comes to inviting specific guests or the general public to an event or fundraiser. Everything depends on what kind of event you are planning, but the same basic rules apply to all:

The Guest List:

Do invite your $50 and over contributors (or regular attendees), but don’t expect them to fill the house
Don’t only rely on your good cause alone to attract an audience, remember, people give to people.
Do reach out to members of other groups and organizations that have a vested interest in your cause

The Invitation:

Don’t’ automatically send formal invitations – use them wisely – they have a place, but when it comes to corporations, there is no substitute for a letter from one CEO to another!
Do send formal invitations to the social crowd to their home addresses
Do ask committee members to write “love” notes – personal handwritten notes – on the formal invitations…this sentiment goes a long way with your guests and contributors.
Do mail the invitations at least 6-8 weeks in advance.
Do your invitation follow-ups at least 2 weeks before your event date. Following up by phone or email is much more effective than another note.

Want a great pet keepsake for yourself or the pet lover in your life? Take a look at our NEW custom pet-sonalized note cards…just in time fur the holidays! From artist Meg Dooley at Finders Keepers Designs

'Tis The Season!

2011-11-27T17:47:00.001-05:00

'Tis the season for parties! Don’t you just love going to a holiday party?

A party always seems to make the season brighter. If you have ever planned a holiday party, you know there are many things to consider. You need to decide when to have the party, who to invite, what to serve, how to decorate, and what to wear!

Anyone involved with a non-profit organization has either attended or helped to plan an event or fundraiser. Planning an event or fundraiser for your non-profit organization follows the same basic steps as hosting a holiday party at your home.

All successful events (and parties) start with good planning! So, let’s start at the beginning. Below are some basics to remember:

Step 1: Make Your Guest List – Ask yourself and your organization this questions:

· Who are we trying to reach? It will be different depending on what kind of event you are planning – if you are planning a fashion show fundraiser, you may be inviting more women than men. Once you know WHO to invite it will be easy to figure out HOW to get them there (this will be discussed in future blogs)

Step 2: Choose Your Event Date –

· Choose a date not only based on your guest list, but also on the time of year it is, what other events may be going on in your area, as well as the weather. I am a firm believer in back up dates – the weather can create havoc for everyone involved, so it is a good idea to have a rain or snow date set, or let your participants know the event will take place rain or shine.

· You will also want to allow enough time to plan your event. The bigger and more involved the event is, the more time you want to allow for planning. This will also depend on how many volunteers and helpers will be available to assist with each aspect of planning. A good rule of thumb is to allow 3 months to plan your event.

Step 3: What To Serve –

· How is YOUR event going to stand out? What kinds of activities will or need to be a part of your effort? What about food? Will you need vendors or caterers, or will you rely on volunteers to make food? Are you going to give everyone a promotional item (water bottle, t-shirt, keychain) for attending the event? All of these questions and more need to be asked and then addressed.

GoodPawsGoodCause.org can help with your next fundraiser! Our wholesale program offers good stuff at great prices!

Next Time – The Invitations!

Please Don't Feed The Dog!

2011-11-20T14:01:00.001-05:00

It’s the Sunday before Thanksgiving and Lenny and Lucy know something is up! I have been running around, cleaning (we are having house guests during the holiday), shopping, and preparing for my favorite holiday! Any day that celebrates food is a winner in my book!

Anyway, Lenny and Lucy think that every bag I bring home from the grocery store has something in it for them! Just wait till I get my bird in the oven Thanksgiving morning!! They will be sniffing in circles by then!

The holidays are a great time for family and friends to be together, but please don’t forget about your pets. We all know about the dangers of feeding table scraps to our pets, however, old Grandpa Joe may not listen when you say “Please don’t feed the dog”.

I came up with this little saying many years ago (actually, it was published in the April 1997 edition of Better Homes & Gardens in their Family Network section). I use this when I know I will have a house full of guests. I fill pretty baskets with Lenny and Lucy’s favorite snacks, attach the saying with ribbon, and then place the baskets throughout the house. It helps during Thanksgiving and any time we have a party or get together:

“I really love people food, but it will make me sick!

So, if you want to feed me, Mom says take your pick!”

Use it in good health, and may Thanksgiving blessings be with you all! PS: Our Cyber Monday Deals will start on Black Friday! Be sure to check us out at http://www.goodpawsgoodcause.org/

Recycled Pets Are The Best!

2011-11-13T10:34:00.001-05:00

Lenny & Lucy

I just bought my husband a doggie DNA Kit* for Christmas. Our dogs, Lenny and Lucy, are six year old Jack Russell-Beagles (I know what you’re thinking, are we out of our minds??)

But after my Beagle-Basset Hound, Louie died of cancer; my husband and I knew we wanted to rescue another beagle-mix. We went to the shelter looking for a male, and came home with our dynamic duo.

Lenny and Lucy are siblings, and the love of our lives! We didn’t learn about the Jack Russell gene until our first Vet visit. I am sure the DNA kit will confirm things for us, but no one really needs to tell you that your dog is a Jack Russell. It is just something you experience!

I am also hoping the DNA kit will tell us even more about who they are and why they do the things they do. When you rescue a shelter animal you never really know their complete history. In a way, shelter dogs are recycled pets. They may have changed hands a few times, got off to a ruff start, or just found themselves born into their shelter-world. It all depends on how you look at it I guess. And, that got me thinking.

It’s November – there are so many non-profit organizations going after donation dollars at this time of year. What could shelters and green organizations do to find new ways to generate the spirit of giving? Here’s an idea that will boost attendance at your next event or fundraiser and put some “jingle” in your donation box!

Garbage Bag Gala:

Ditch the fancy dresses and bow ties when planning your next fundraising dinner or cocktail party! Have a Garbage Bag Gala and ask guests to come to your party dressed in their best “trash” attire or accessories. Promote the “go green” movement and offer information on recycling as well as ask everyone to bring their incandescent light bulbs in exchange for the compact fluorescent ones, plastic bags for paper, and you could even recycle Christmas trees!

Be sure to send invitations on recycled paper. Serve “dirty” martinis and “junk” food. If shelter dogs and cats will be there, put recycling “tips” and “facts” on collar tags for guests to read as the meet and greet the four-legged crowd. The possibilities are endless and priceless! You will end up with a great event, showcase the faces of those that need a home, and promote “green” stuff while making some for your organization!

* I purchased the Wisdom Panel Insights brand which was recommended by a friend. Amazon had the best price:

Dog DNA Kit

Look for our next post on Sunday, November 20th!