Trupanion, the medical insurance company for dogs and cats that we love and use, has done something even more wonderful this year, with its fifth Annual Holiday Pet Food Drive. Besting last year’s internal team competition to raise the most food for shelter animals, the brand’s staff pulled together six tons of food they then hand delivered to their home state of Washington’s Seattle Humane Society, Everett Animal Shelter and The Humane Society of Tacoma and Pierce County.
The donation came just in time for the Everett Animal Shelter. Their pet food bank was just about dry and they hadn’t received many donations. They thought they would have to dip into their funds to purchase pet food and then Trupanion came to their rescue, unexpectedly. With their food banks refilled and their rainy day funds intact, they were in great shape to take care of their furry charges.
“Trupanion’s annual food drive has become one of the team’s favorite times of the year, and we’re thrilled to know that our efforts are making such a difference in the lives of pets,” said Emily Renfrew, shelter support manager at Trupanion. “These shelters work tirelessly to make sure that all pets are receiving the best care possible and we hope this donation will help support their great work.”
Shown below is Trupanion’s CEO, Darryl Rawlings, atop some of the food delivered:
The Trupanion staff that organized the drive and hand delivered the food:
Trupanion really came through for us when our cat, Isabel, was diagnosed with intestinal lymphoma. For the additional two years she lived, they paid 90% of everything. Anyone who has a pet with cancer knows how expensive treatment is. Trupanion gave us one less thing to worry about, when we were so concerned about Izzy and her care. Thank you, Trupanion!
If you’re in the market for pet insurance and live in the U.S. or Canada, I recommend checking Trupanion out. It’s been over five years, and we’re happy. With the recent addition of rescued Chihuahuas Anabelle and Albie to our brood, we’ll be adding them to the plan!
Wishing all of you a very happy new year, and a 2016 filled with good health for you and your pets, lots of love and prosperity.
Do you have a favorite shelter you donate food and goods to? Tell me about them!
Mimosa and Mai Tai in their crate at Abandoned Pet Rescue
Have you ever fostered a dog? This was my first, and I definitely had reservations. We didn’t really have much time to think it through. Why?
Here’s my story of how two Chihuahua puppy mill rescues came into my life and took it over in one fell swoop. And…what I learned along the way. Crazy, you might think. But, sometimes, life throws you curveballs and with a bit of luck, you make them into home runs.
Most shelters have dog fostering programs, where volunteers fill out an application to foster a dog. The shelter usually handles all health-related issues for the foster and sometimes provides food, as well. Abandoned Pet Rescue, where I volunteer, has a vet who comes in twice a week, so fosters can bring their charges to see her. It’s good to find out exactly what your shelter offers to foster parents, so you’re financially prepared.
What happened with us? It was just a regular day, when I walked into the shelter to walk some dogs…
A First!
Like the picture above, taken on one of those first visits, two adorable, cream-colored Chihuahuas looked up at me from their large crate. One was doing the see me-pet me-take me out dance. The other stared, large eyes searching. They were a daughter and her father, and had just been pulled from the city kill shelter, after being rescued from a breeder/hoarder. The little boy, Mai Tai, had lived 7 long years at that puppy mill. The little girl, Mimosa, was about 2, and you could already see that her nipples were larger than normal. I asked if it would be ok to walk them and was told that no one had yet tried and that, more than likely, they had never been walked or felt the grass beneath their feet.
As you may know, puppy mill dogs spend their entire lives in cramped, wire cages, forced to breed over and over again, so we can buy cute puppies (who often come with health issues) in pet stores. Lord knows what these little two endured. No one could get close enough to the boy to touch him, much less put on a leash, because he was petrified of people. They gave me the ok and the universe must’ve been aligning its forces for what was to come, because I was able to climb into that crate and get a halter on Mai Tai, armed with treats. I knew I wanted to get them onto some nice, lush grass, so I carried them across the street and found our spot. What happened next is something I will never, ever forget.
Albie (Mai Tai) with his happy smile during one of our early walks at the shelter
You know the look of a child in pure ecstasy? It wasn’t like that, at least in the beginning. Mai Tai, frozen in fear, sat like a little statue in the grass for about 10 minutes. Then, all of a sudden, he took a couple of tentative steps, literally jumped up and down (the cutest thing to watch), then started dancing and running in circles of pure glee. I’d never seen such an unfolding of joy. His enormous smile, bright eyes…all, priceless. Mimosa was happy to be out and about sunning herself, but she was a bit more reserved. We were to find out this girl is anything but reserved.
Anabelle laying in the sun on one of our first walks at the shelter
Finding A Home
So began a routine of regular walks and bonding sessions between me and the Chihuahuas. I’d never thought of myself as a Chi girl; never considered getting a Chihuahua. But, something about these two little souls, whose lives I was helping to change for the better, filled my heart with love and a fierce maternal, protective instinct. I wanted to find these babies a great home and it became my mission.
I connected with my network back in New York City, including friend and colleague, Ada Nieves, who runs a 1,000-strong Chihuahua Facebook group. I brought a couple of my Couture by Sophie Haute Collars to the shelter, put them on the Chi’s and did an quick photo session, posting those pictures on Facebook pages. And, I created a flyer. I asked permission to change their names to something I thought was more fitting. Mai Tai became Albie (short for Albert), because he was such a stoic little guy, and Mimosa became Anabelle, a name I thought was fit for the princess she seemed.
Activity on Ada’s Facebook page led to an adopter. She was a friend of one of Ada’s network regulars and lived in New Jersey. I was planning a trip to NYC in a couple of weeks, and the shelter was thrilled I’d found someone who was already a Chi mom and seemed like a major dog lover. We had a couple of long conversations, and I was excited by the possibility that this was a great, forever home. The shelter gave me permission to take Ani and Albie up to this woman’s house, and make sure all was ok; home visits are a mandatory part of APR’s adoption process. So, the three of us set off on what would be their first plane ride and their first visit to the Northeast.
Here’s where things got messy…
I won’t go into details, but suffice it to say that when we arrived at this potential adopter’s home, it was clear this wasn’t the right situation for these babies. The experience of going to her house taught me something. If you are taking your foster pup to meet a potential adopter, here’s what to consider:
do they have other dogs? If yes, find a neutral place, a local park or down the street, where the foster pup can meet them and take a walk. See how they do in that setting. If possible, arrange to do this a couple of times before you bring the foster into their home. Once you do, look for signs of stress – body language showing fear or potential aggression. There are often going to be kinks in the road when introducing a new member to a family, so don’t be discouraged. A friend of mine who is a longtime foster mom and handles the interviewing for adoptions at a shelter, told me, “If you don’t see blood on that first visit, you’re doing good.”
what is their home like? Is it clean or cluttered? Does it smell? Do you get a feeling that this would be a good environment for a dog to live?
what is the person like and how do they behave to their own dog(s)? Are they open, warm? Trust your gut. Mine told me no, even though I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. Thank goodness, in the end, I listened to my gut.
You know the song that goes, “It’s Saturday night and I ain’t got nobody….,” well, after I left her house with Ani and Albie, I had two somebodies I didn’t expect for the next week! I took them to our NYC apartment, where we camped out. It was chilly already in New York, colder than what these nuggets were used to. Sweaters? Food? Wee wee pads (no, not house trained)? Toys, etc. etc.? We made an emergency pet store run to stock up. Luckily, we still had my Sophie’s puppy playpen, which proved invaluable for Albie; Ani learned how to jump over the two foot structure in no time.
Albie in Sophie’s puppy playpen in our NYC apartment
The next week was a whirlwind, as it would be for a NYC pup. The Tompkins Square Park Halloween Parade, a Petco Halloween contest; getting our trusted pet sitter, Alice Downes, on speed dial was a given, but she wasn’t available right away. So, me, Ani and Albie settled down and they seemed very happy in their new digs. Who wouldn’t? They had a spacious apartment to run around in. No barking dogs, no people filing in and out like at the shelter and, certainly, no living in a cramped, filthy cage with the abuse of the puppy mill. Albie quickly transformed from being a very frightened guy to a playful pup, running through the house with a little plush toy hanging from his toothless mouth. He allowed me to put on his sweater and harness for our walks and braved the crazy NYC streets like a champ. Between Alice and I, the Chi’s were well looked after for the week. They even got to participate in their own celebrity photo shoot.
Albie and Ani nestled together in our NYC apt
The Chi’s 15 minutes of fame & what we learned about New York
Anabelle posing in her professional photo shoot, wearing Anthony Rubio Designs. Photo credit: Yoni Levy
Albie in his Anthony Rubio creation. Photo credit: Yoni Levy
Pet couturier, Anthony Rubio, met them at the Tompkins Square Park event and volunteered to do a photo shoot in his beautiful designs to help them get adopted. Wow! They met Anthony’s famous Chi’s, Bogie and Kimba, and donned gorgeous couture for their moment in the spotlight. Those pictures were shared all over, commented on, reshared, but still, no adopters.
In the process, I learned a some things after living with them for a week.
New York City was too intense an environment for them. After their experiences, they needed more quiet and calm. The noise, crowds (and dirt, when you have a tiny dog) was too much. Ani was too scared to walk outside and they were both quite cold. It’s important to know as much about your foster’s history as possible, and to notice how they respond to new things.
Ani was a serious resource guarder. If Albie got too close to me, she would viciously attack him.
Albie lifted his leg everywhere, making it a huge challenge to keep the legs of furniture or corners of couches and chairs clean in an apartment that was on the market to be sold. 🙂
Even though Ani went after Albie regularly, they still found comfort in each other, one looking for the other in times of stress.
Noticing the little quirks, personality traits, behavior issues in your foster makes you the best person to find the best adopter for them. You can seek someone out who will offer them the best chance at success and communicate their issues to any potential adopters, so there are no surprises, one of the top reasons for returned dogs.
Sunshine, here we come!
On Halloween Day 2015, we flew back to Florida. Bringing them back to the shelter, the cage, noise, stress had been weighing heavily on me for days, until my husband and I talked about it and both agreed. We couldn’t do it. In that moment, we became official foster parents to Ani and Albie.
I introduced them to our dogs away from the house with the help of our Florida pet sitter, Dawn, and we all went on a long walk. So far, so good. I didn’t have the luxury of doing this a couple of times, so we brought them all inside and prayed. What happened surprised us.
Anabelle, at 5 pounds then, became the immediate alpha dog in the household. Eighteen pound Jasper bowed to her will, seriously! But, she also got along with Sophie and Jasper like a house on fire. She and Jasper became rowdy playmates and, in no time, I’d find them sharing a bed or see Ani flirting with him unabashedly, batting her eyelashes, pawing him, wagging her tail. And, he was smitten, too. Sophie would join in the play on the periphery. But that grew, too, to where Ani and Sophie developed their own playtime games, bonded and Ani now sleeps next to Sophie; two female besties. Here’s a video of them playing together; it’s an Ani sandwich! 🙂
Jasper and Ani sun puddling together
Albie was a tougher situation. He was so damaged from years of abuse and he was older, at 7, so he had a scared, nervous energy. The attacks Ani would execute on Albie in New York had a magnified impact in a house with other dogs. Jasper took to reading them as a call to action to protect Ani, and he would pounce on 4 pound Albie, hold him down and yell at him. Terrified, Albie came to fear Jasper. We were heartbroken and afraid for Albie’s safety. Even though we saw that Jasper wouldn’t bite Albie, his weight alone could seriously hurt the little guy. I thought, we have to find a home for Albie fast.
Some tips to help with dog on dog aggression in the home
In the meantime, we quickly learned how to put certain procedures in place to avoid these confrontations. Here’s what we did:
anytime the dogs were together, we’d place them in separate areas, so they each had their own space. Even on the couch, they’d settle into their own part of it. Awesome dog trainer, Justin Silver, who I did a weekly Training Tips series with on Bark & Swagger, did a Skype session with us from Los Angeles and taught us some really helpful things. If you don’t allow a dog to “claim” you, by sitting or lying right up against you, then there’s no reason for confrontation with the other dogs, because they aren’t protecting their “claim.” Giving them their own space also helps build confidence in them to be able to be separate from you and fine.
I started training Ani to sit and stay, the beginning of a structure we had found very helpful for Jasper, also a volatile personality. Training is also a great way to build confidence in a dog. Looking to you for instruction makes them relax. When they’re left to their own devices, dogs often will make bad decisions. Ani acts out like this because she is insecure about getting anything – love, food, treats. Resources were probably very limited where she was and she learned to fight first and ask questions later.
we started demonstrating to Ani that there was enough love for everyone. While Justin suggested we only show individual attention privately for each dog, we decided to go a different route to communicate to Ani that she could be loved at the same time Jasper or Sophie or Albie would be receiving love. It seems to be working. Ani is slowly settling into being part of a family.
Probably one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned, which began when we adopted Jasper, is this: there will always be bumps in the road and obstacles to overcome when bringing a new dog into the family, whether you have one dog or four. And, like when we first got Jasper, you may feel at times that this is too much and want to give up. The issues will vary. But just about all of them can be overcome with time, love, patience and training/structure. So, don’t give up!:-)
Where are they now?
It’s been two months since my husband and I first picked up Albie and Ani from the shelter for our journey to New York. They have settled in quite a bit, but I know, especially with abused dogs, that it could take a year or more for them to completely settle (it took Jasper about a year and today, he’s like a different dog).
Ani’s resource guarding is much better, but it’s a process that will take some time. Ani has learned to make most of her poops outside (yay!) and Albie is pretty much house trained. We haven’t had an incident of Ani attacking Albie in about 2 weeks, which is great, but Jasper did run over Albie when Jas was in the yard hunting down a noise, and Al wouldn’t go in the back for a day (thank goodness, he was fine and is over it). Now, I am more careful to protect Albie when they’re in the back together and haven’t had another incident. And, one day, Albie decided he didn’t want me to touch him anymore. Getting his belly band and his harness on and off was loads of fun for the week plus that it lasted. Then, he warmed up again and now, all is good. He’s cautious, but cooperative. So please know, severely abused dogs can volley back and forth with their boundaries. It requires a ton of patience I wasn’t always sure I had. But, we did get through.
We’ve taken them to a couple of adoption events. I would come up with excuses for not going to more, some that made a lot of sense to me, like they’re not ready to be adopted; they’re not completely house-trained; Ani hasn’t completely gotten over her resource guarding; Albie hasn’t gotten over his fear of people. But, the truth of the matter was, I was smitten. Those early days of bonding – giving them their first walks, taking them on their first journey, protecting them and hanging out with them (yes, they slept in our bed in New York)…through it all, they became ours. So, at the last adoption event where we took Ani, it was my husband who turned to me and said, “Let’s just adopt them.” And so, we did. And our family of four became six. We must look like the crazy dog people, when we’re out walking, three and three. People smile, some stop to say, “You have your hands full!” And, we do. It is a lot of work. But, you know what? We wouldn’t give these little guys up for the world. We see the dogs they are becoming, and to us, we’ve hit the biggest home run.
UPDATE 2020: It’s been 5 years since I first laid eyes on these two and, at the time, I had no idea how much of a difference they’d make in our lives. Albie grew to be my heart dog; we were inseparable and he’d let me do whatever I needed to to care for him. We lost my little boy last February to an awful, insidious auto immune disease called optic neuritis. We are still heartbroken and miss him terribly.
Ani became the little terror we saw glimpses of back then. She still protects her space (meaning me, mostly) but is also a very happy, playful girl. She is sitting behind me on my chair as I write this, snoozing away.
I’ve learned that Chihuahuas burrow their way into your heart with feist and fury and a whole lot of personality. And, as much as we changed Albie and Ani’s lives and showed them what a loving home felt like, the trust, love and laughter they gave to us seems so much greater, and will resonate for a very long time.
Albie looking oh-so-cute in his sequined Santa hat
Ani in her poinsettia Christmas collar by our tree
Have you fostered a dog? What were your biggest challenges?
Albie and Ani enjoying some sun in our backyard recently
Who’s 11 years old, 3 lbs of sass and packs a major media punch? That would be the queen bee of the other K clan, Chloe Kardoggian! You might have heard of her. As PeoplePets Instagram reality star to watch, Chloe’s adorable bug eyes and permanently exposed tongue (she only has 2 teeth) have charmed over 70,000 loyal followers. She’s a rescued, senior Chihuahua, a tough breed to place as seniors, and Chloe aims to help change all that. She is driving home the message of adopting seniors, and dispelling the stereotype that Chihuahuas aren’t funny, fun-loving, energetic and sweet dogs, all through her cuteness overload pics and witticisms about fashion, beauty and how hard it is to get good human help these days. Read on to discover a giving gift she’s created and the super adorable items you can win in our giveaway!
Chloe’s just released something new!
Just in time to spread holiday cheer and help some very needy and deserving dogs, Chloe and mom, Dorie Herman, have released the chloe kardoggian 2016 calendar. It benefits Foster Dogs NYC’s Fospice Program, which provides end-of-life comfort and care to a homeless terminally ill/elderly dogs, and every penny made from the sale of this calendar goes to this cause.
“I was immediately drawn to the idea of Fospice when I heard about it through Foster Dogs NYC,” shared Dorie. “Many dogs are discarded simply because they’re ‘too old’ or because their owners die and they have nowhere else to go, so they are handed over to shelters. These loving companions deserve a home, no matter how much time they have left, and Foster Dogs NYC Fospice gives them everything they need to do so – they find a home, give the rescue money to cover care and also provide a variety of creature comforts, like a new dog bed, and gifts like a photo shoot with the animal to make it a wonderful experience for all.”
photo credit: Real Happy Dogs
Each calendar month not only features a great Chloe pic from some celebrated dogtographers, but also highlights a fospice dog helped, with a bit of their backstory. Some have come from some pretty harrowing existences, and knowing the rest of their lives were or will be good warms the heart. Senior Cocker Spaniel mix, Beau, was rescued from a hoarder in Korea, where he lived with 2,000 other animals. Once he was brought to NYC, Foster Dogs found him an incredible Fospice home in the Upper West Side, with another dog and three cats. His terminal heart condition doesn’t stop his love for life. Daisy, the 12 year old “Elderbull,” was saved from an abusive home, where she was used for breeding puppies. Her body was in terrible shape. Foster Dogs found her a permanent home with another dog, and she lives happily in the heart of the East Village. Fluffy, the 14 year old Miniature Poodle, was rescued in early-2015 in terrible condition. Her veterinarian predicted that she would not last six months, due to renal failure. Amazingly, she lived longer than anyone predicted; she’s spoiled rotten in her loving home on Long Island.
Funds, like those raised from Chloe’s calendar, allow Foster Dogs NYC to continue to do their amazing, life-saving work. And, at $35.00 each, they’re perfect for gifts for your Chihuahua-loving, senior dog-loving or just plain, all-around dog-loving friends!
Feast your peepers on these Chloe snaps from her calendar and her Instagram page, and tell me you wouldn’t want to gaze at that cutie pie, fabu face next year! She’s a wonderful reminder that there can be a silver lining for other homeless, senior dogs this holiday season. #AGivingGift
Keep reading. Giveaway details just below!
photo credit: stoetzel photo for shopdogandco.com
photo courtesy of Dorie Herman
photo courtesy of Dorie Herman
The Giveaway!
Who wants more Chloe?! Thanks to Dorie and Chloe, one lucky Bark & Swagger follower will win this generously-sized, super adorbs tote, featuring a montage of Chloe pics, and a beautifully illustrated Chloe greeting card (placed right in the middle of the tote in the photo), specially designed for Chloe by Elizabeth Caparaz of @ShopPurpleDahlias. Elizabeth has a cool shop on Etsy,too!
Entry Rules
How can you enter? It’s easy! If you’re not already part of the Bark & Swagger family, sign up to our email list and get the fresh news first! Then, follow us on Instagram and follow Chloe on Instagram. That’s it! You must be 18 years of age or older and live in the U.S. or Canada. The giveaway will run from Thursday, December 10 at 7am EST to Wednesday, December 16 at 11:59pm EST.
Chloe’s a very popular gal, so enter now, while supplies last, and take advantage of the extra things you can do to increase your chances. And, most of all, have fun! You know Chloe is. 🙂
Leaving you with more cuteness overload pics of Chloe and her furiends. Enjoy!
Mr. March, Danny Pino & Prado (photo courtesy of @CathrineWhite)
I couldn’t decide because all of the guys were so hot! That was my dilemma in choosing the photos to accompany this story on the brand, new 2016 Tails of NYC RescueMen calendar. There was the adorable dentist, Adam Shoukry with Sophie, and the sexy veterinary student/model, Anthony Ruffin with Naomi; the handsome actor, Danny Piro with Prado, and the macho, Gregg Avedon with bunnies Emily & Emilia. What all of them have in common (beside being so very good-looking, animals included) is they are all animal rescuers. And, each has a wonderful story about how their rescues came into their lives. Casting director, Jen Halpern and actor, Felicia Greenfield are behind this eye candy meets eye-opening sexy calendar idea to encourage the world to Adopt, Never Shop!
Mr. June, Anthony Ruffin & Naomi (photo courtesy of @PetraRomanoPhoto)
“We consider the 12 men featured in the following pages to be true superheroes—they’ve come to the rescue by saving the lives of their companion animals and welcoming them into loving homes,” enthused Greenfield and Halpern. “It is our hope that their stories will show how extraordinary rescue animals are and will inspire people to visit their local animal shelter to rescue future furry family members.”
Felicia Greenfield & Jennifer Halpern (photo courtesy of @PetraRomanoPhoto)
While many of us already know this, pass the important message around, because in NYC alone, the municipal shelter receives approximately 35,000 surrendered animals per year that are in need of forever homes. Across the U. S., it’s about 8,000,000! Every year. Why would we need to pay someone for a best friend, when so many are waiting for us at our local shelters?
The rescue stories these men recount are wonderful. It makes them even sexier, right? Here are a few:
DANNY PINO AND PRADO
As they grieved the sudden loss of their beloved rescue dog Mambo, actor Danny Pino (star of NBC’s Law & Order: SVU), his wife Lilly and two young boys were not sure if they were ready to adopt again. But inspired by the laughter, security and companionship Mambo had provided their family, and knowing how many dogs were in need, Danny and his wife ultimately decided to look for another rescue. Their search led them to a puppy whose mother and siblings had been saved from euthanasia by Rescue Dogs Rock NYC. Soon—and just in time for his son’s birthday—Danny and his family welcomed Prado (named for Cuban musician Perez Prado, King of the Mambo) as the newest beloved member of the Pino family.
ANTHONY RUFFIN AND NAOMI
A few days before Thanksgiving 2014, veterinary student and model Anthony Ruffin took his trash out and thought he heard a cat by the garbage cans. Looking closer, he saw it was actually an adorable black pit bull puppy trying her best to hide from the elements on that cold November day. When Anthony reached out his hand to the little one, it was clear they were meant for each other—and they’ve been inseparable best friends ever since. Anthony claims rescuing Naomi was the easiest decision he has ever made: “At first I thought I was the rescuer, but I ended up being so thankful for everything Naomi has done for me and the many ways she’s enriched my life.”
Mr. April, Vince Oddo with Laila & Lucy (photo courtesy of @PetraRomanoPhoto)
GREGG AVEDON, EMILY AND EMILIA
Fitness expert, author and model Gregg Avedon has appeared on the cover
of Men’s Health more than anyone in the history of the magazine. He is as passionate about helping others achieve wellness as he is about rescuing animals in need. Over the years, Gregg has taken in injured and abandoned dogs, bunnies and one lucky duck named Camille, who always came waddling when called. His current rescue is Sammy, a black-and-white bunny who loves to cuddle. When Gregg was in the city for work, we hopped at the chance to photograph him with Emily and Emilia, two lovable rabbits rescued from Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC). “It’s incredible how attached we become to our animal companions and how much they are part of our family,” says Gregg.
JOHN DESMOND, DARLA AND SPANKY
One day, two abandoned dogs were found tied to a tree in Tennessee and then sent to NYC in the hopes of a quick adoption. A year and a half later, they were still in a cage at a no-kill facility in Queens when John came to the rescue. As soon as the NYC firefighter and shelter volunteer met the little dogs, he knew it was his duty to give them a better life. Today Darla (a jack russell/rat terrier mix) and Spanky (a chihuahua/dachshund mix) are in perfect health, and the family of three is thankful every day for their happy home. John hopes that “all of the stories in this calendar inspire people to find the happiness that comes from rescuing animals in need.”
Mr. November, John Desmond with Darla & Spanky (photo courtesy of @PetraRomanoPhoto)
Net proceeds from the sale of this calendar benefit Pillows for Paws®, the umbrella charity for the Tails of NYC RescueMen calendar. The organization brings comfort and love to NYC shelter animals through handmade beds and toys, crafted by volunteers, as well as manufactured toys, treats, grooming and medical supplies. The funds will provide materials for these. The bulk of the items are donated to Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), the highest intake facility in NYC, and the shelter from which we adopted our Jasper. It’s not a pretty or happy place for the animals it houses, so the work Jen and Felicia do brings some joy to these poor babies waiting for their forever homes. Donations also do benefit other local rescue groups.
Children helping to make the Pillows for Paws toys
Mr. February, John Di Leonardo with Pepper (photo courtesy of @PetraRomanoPhoto)
With this being the season of giving, how many girlfriends do you know who would love to turn the page each month to one of these handsome hunks? This is a great holiday gift! And, you’re doing good with each purchase you make. It won’t break the bank at $20.00, so buy two, three, a whole bunch and give them out. Here’s a sweet deal Felicia and Jen are offering that could also make for an affordable, great gift. As if their sexy superheroes weren’t enough to get us excited, what self-respecting girl doesn’t love a good chocolate bar? For $30.00, they’ve packaged the RescueMen calendar with two Rescue Chocolate Peanut Butter Pit Bull bars. I love that!
Pick your poison of the best kind, order nowand feel good about the joy you’ve helped these animals feel when they receive a needed gift from Pillows for Paws® because of you.
So tell me, which will be your favorite month next year? I know you’ll have one! LOL
I love shopping; there, I’ve said it. There’ve been plenty of people in my life who haven’t been thrilled by this, but I am who I am and shopping makes me smile. Do you feel me? That’s why opening a boutique filled with garments and accessories I love is such a thrill. You’ve heard about my upscale dog boutique – the Bark & Swagger Boutique – opening yesterday. Now, I’m going to tell you about the beautiful things in the shop and the stories behind them, because well…I love stories, too.
Yaks Giving Back from Bhutan
When I discovered Chews Happiness, it filled me with that excitement you feel when you’ve stumbled upon something oh-so-cool. Brand founders, Tavor and Meeta, are world travelers and they fell in love with Bhutan, a tiny country in the eastern part of the Himalayas. What makes Bhutan so special is this country cares deeply about its people – about their quality of life, about conscious economic development – so much so, they are the only country in the world to have a Gross National Happiness quotient. Seriously. And, they possess wonderful artisans that knit these beautiful garments. The raw material – yak down, the finest, softest, warmest wool, coveted by master weavers, more than cashmere! Once a year, the yaks shed their outer layer and the herders collect it. Gorgeous dog sweaters and women’s shawls, shrugs and tunics are made from it under the Chews Happiness brand. Each piece is imbued with that happiness quotient energy and its color and pattern have deeper meaning about being connected to all beings and the human/animal bond. I loved the story, and I fell in love with the garments. You’ll find them all in the Boutique.
Travel and Play Ready in Miami
My dear friend, Aileen, in New York, turned me on to a company making high quality, chic active wear for women, perfect for walking your dog or traveling with them. They’re called Anatomie and are based in Miami. I went to the showroom and went gaga for so many of their pieces, my husband had a canary when he saw what I spent! But…I loved that theirs are garments that don’t need to be ironed. They are machine washable. You can roll them up to travel and they look great when you put them on. Why? The technology in the fibers responds to our body heat and all wrinkles fall away. How cool is that? Several styles are in the Boutique.
Repurposed One-of-a-Kind Cashmere
My dear friend, Margaret Konecky, and her partner, Raffi, created a wonderful brand called The Elegant Hare. They make repurposed cashmere pet sweaters, pillows, scarves for dogs and women. They are embellished with gorgeous crystals, vintage buttons or appliqués of lace or some other fabulous trim Margaret has found on her journeys. Each garment is one of a kind. You’ll find their leopard dog sweater and matching human scarf in the Boutique, but if leopard isn’t your thing, Margaret and Raffi can make most anything for you. Just ask.
Olympic Champion Gymnast Making Beautiful Jewelry
Margaret introduced me to Dominique Moceanu, fellow Cincinnati neighbor and the Olympic gold medal champion gymnast from the Atlanta Games> Moceanu went on to develop a speaking career, and is also a designer of beautiful jewelry for women and, now, for pets. Under Creations by C&C Dominique Moceanu Signature Collection and Crystal Couture for Pets, with partner Wendy Campbell, I’m featuring three pieces that are exclusive to the Bark & Swagger Boutique. They are made with beautiful materials and fit for a princess. Dominique and Wendy can make anything, including matching pieces for you and your dog. Explore your imagination!
Italian Design & Artistry
I came across a gorgeous, luxury dog apparel brand out of Milan a couple of years ago called Inamorada. I interviewed brand founder, Benedetta Sainaghi, for my radio show and kept up with her. The pieces she designs and makes are purely Italian – wonderful tailoring, highest quality materials and chic, European styling. I’ve chosen a few I think you’ll love; I definitely do.
Your Dog can Look Chic and Be Calm at the Same Time
A dear friend turned me on to a new brand out of Chicago called Heavenly Beasts. I loved what I saw on their site and reached out to Laura Keivan, the brand founder. Laura has designs wonderful capes for dogs! And, she’s taken it even further. All Heavenly Beasts items come with a good-looking brass Heavenly Beasts Charm that houses aromatherapy “Cloud” inserts. Her cloud inserts are all-natural, human-grade, essential oils that create a cloud of calming scent around your dog. They’re great for traveling, parties, or to simply calm down an over-active dog. Laura’s capes and a wonderful water-resistant waxy twill and red plaid coat called the Barbour Waxy Classic are in the Boutique.
Custom Beading and Bridal Leather, Oh Yeah!
My friend, Mona Straub, who I met via a wonderful organization called Women in the Pet Industry Network, makes unusual, very beautiful hand-beaded pet collars, leashes and belts for us under the brand, Just Fur Fun. She has many designs and colors, or, you can create a one of a kind yourself. The leather for the pieces is burnished and beautiful, bridal leather that wears so well and gets better with age. Mona is also a foster dog mom. She is very involved in shelter, Dachshund Rescue South Florida, and has been fostering and orchestrating adoptions for years. We love that!
The Best Boots Ever
I met Karyn Pek of PoochieBoots online, and thought she had the coolest idea of well-fitting, finely made dog boots with interchangeable straps. I went to her studio on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and saw all of the possibilities. For the first time, dog parents had an alternative to boring balloon boots, clunky boots or Outward Bound-looking boots. Your pup could express a mood; going from Chanel-inspired to glittery glam, from holiday to superhero…the sky is the limit in the different straps that are available and will be available on PoochieBoots. I loved that! And, a percentage of each boot sold, goes to animal rescue.
Luxury Haute Collar Accessory
Finally, I had to have my baby, Couture by Sophie represented. Our red and blue velvet Haute Collars are so popular, I thought they were perfect for this Holiday season.
If you really love anything you see, buy it. The art gallery aspect to the Boutique means that every few months, I will be taking down what’s there, and putting up new designers I’ve found and want to share. The objects that went before will be gone. I kind of like that; each piece has a place in time and, like fashion, time moves forward with new pieces, new designers, new trends and inspirations.
Shop the Bark & Swagger Boutique and take advantage of a 10% thank you gift coupon off of your purchase with the code OPENING10 at checkout.
There are some wonderful shelter and rescue dog stories and I’ve been highlighting sites and platforms I’ve come across recently that I especially love. When I read the new book, Rescue Me, an inspiring book by fellow animal lover/author, Val Silver, I cried. The stories aren’t sad, these are true tales of extraordinary commitment, physical and emotional healing, faith, twists of fate, second chances, and the magical joy that comes from the bond we have with our dogs. I was moved by each and every one of them. Today is giving Tuesday. Shop to give, and share this book with friends. Read on to discover what Rescue Me and the giveaway/fundraiser are all about!
Rescue Me is a must-read and a recommended buy on my list. And, what’s even better is you can help a deserving shelter receive much needed funds with the purchase of each book. Details on how one lucky Bark & Swagger follower will win a limited edition, autographed copy of a Val Silver book at the end of this post.
What’s Rescue Me all about?
Rescue Me relays the inspiring, personal accounts of twelve dog lovers like us, who rescued dogs who, ultimately, rescued them. It’s sub-title is Tales of Rescuing the Dogs Who Became Our Teachers, Healers and, Always, Our Faithful Friends. And, it’s true. Val and anyone who’s rescued a shelter animal can tell you that they are somehow different, more appreciative of the attention, love, care. “I wrote Rescue Me because it breaks my heart that millions of homeless dogs wait or die waiting for homes every year, and that rescuers are stretched to their emotional and financial limits trying to help them,” emphasized Val. “This is my way of raising awareness and sensitivity to their plight and funds to help them. It is my way of showing those on the front lines of this work that we care and support them as they do a work bigger than themselves.”
Val with Louis and Duke/The Puppy in a Newspaper Sack
Val’s own tale, “The Puppy in a Newspaper Sack” which kicks off the book, tells about how her young sons found a stray puppy in need and brought it home in their newspaper delivery sack. A scruffy dog to pick up after was about the last thing Val was looking for at the time. But she saw it needed help, imagined how frightened it must be and stepped up, and then, fell in love. Duke became a beloved member of her family, shepherding the kids and then, Louis, the French Bulldog who would follow.
Then, there’s Karal Gregory’s story of Lollipop, a tragically abused Beagle who, as a result, couldn’t keep her tongue in her mouth and looked like she was eternally sucking on an invisible lollipop. Karal tells of how people responded to Lollipop with curiosity or judgement, and of the journey she embarked on to help heal the lovable dog. Do you have a rescue that looks funny? Do you experience the stares and comments, too?
Karal & Lolli/Lollipop Can’t Hold Her Licker
Each story has its own special message of hope and the strength and resilience of the human and animal spirit. “The twelve stories in this book are written by ordinary people with extraordinary hearts and touching tales of how rescued dogs became precious members of their families, and how they have become better, happier people for it,” described Silver. “We hope your heart is touched by the spirits of these dogs just as ours are.” Mine definitely was.
Judy & Frances/A Tale of Two Judys
I’m not alone in my feelings about this book. Rescue Me has received accolades and awards. It garnered the Dog Writers Association of America Maxwell Medallion (First Place) in Human-Animal Bond and the ProPlan President’s Award (Best in Show) – 2014; the Reader’s Favorite 2014 Awards Silver Medal in Non-Fiction Animals and the 2014 USA Best Book Award Finalist, Animals/Pets: Narrative Non-Fiction award.
Here are a couple of testimonials I’ve chosen; there are many:
“Author Val Silver and her fellow Team Rescue contributors have compiled a spectrum of amusing, touching, rescued dog stories that demonstrate the power of the human-animal bond, the wondrous ability of animals to heal us, and the resiliency of animals that rewards our efforts… I heartily recommend Rescue Me.” ~Jim Willis, author, animal advocate, and former World Animal Day Ambassador for the United States
“Rescue Me is a beautiful journey of truth. It…paints the image that the greatest teachers may come in the form of the simple dog, thrown away by others…a must read by everyone.” ~Megan Blake, actress, The Pet Lifestyle Coach ®, Pet Life Radio, Animal Attractions TV
Silver is no newcomer to writing. She’s also penned a great book of rescue stories about senior dogs, called Rescue Me Seniors. Included are tips for caring for senior dogs and helping homeless seniors in shelters and rescue.
This is the autographed book the winner of this contest will receive.
So, how do I enter the contest to win a limited edition autographed book?
It’s easy to enter; just purchase a regular or an autographed copy of Rescue Me. For each book you purchase, Val will donate $5 from Rescue Me royalties and for each autographed copy purchased, Silver will donate $9 per book. Both regular and autographed books are $12.50 each, with autographed books costing an additional $3.95 in shipping.
The giveaway period will run from Tuesday, December 1st at 9am EST – Monday, December 7th at 11:59pm EST.
Purchasers will receive a thank you gift from Val; a Be a Hero for Animals e-course, a pdf with 70+ on-line resources for dog lovers, a compilation of 12 dog rescue videos, and 4 audio interviews with Rescue Me contributors.
The recipient of the fundraiser is Abandoned Pet Rescue (APR), a wonderful, small shelter in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where I volunteer (my Chihuahua fosters came from there, too). APR is the little engine that could; it accomplishes so much for the dogs and cats it cares for and does it with so little. I also love to see the good the fundraising does, first hand.
To purchase autographed booksOnly 35 autographed books are currently available for immediate shipment, if you’re thinking about this as a holiday gift, so don’t delay! Additional orders will take 3-4 weeks.
Important: If you order from Amazon, please send a copy of your invoice to valsilver11@gmail.com to be entered into the contest. Those ordering an autographed copy, directly from Val, will be automatically entered. At the end of the week (on December 8), a winner will be selected at random to receive an autographed copy of Rescue Me Seniors(described above).
If you’re still not sure, check out this video about the book, where you can see the heroes for these dogs, regular folks like us.
Rescue Me makes a wonderful holiday gift for a loved one or friend. Spend to give this season and be a part of making a difference.
You can learn more about what Val Silver does and, even if you don’t purchase, get your free Be a Hero for Animals E-course on her site. The course was designed as a companion to the book. It teaches simple and free/low cost ways to help shelter pets and other animals right from home. The course includes 6 daily quick start lessons delivered via e-mail, videos and a companion guide. Val wrote it after publishing Rescue Me, and decided to give it away for free so more people would take steps to help animals in need.
There’s Annie & Gracie, who adopter Kevin couldn’t live without. And Trusty, abandoned at the shelter for barking too much before he was trained and adopted by the shelter itself. And Lucy and Flash, who became best friends at Pet Orphans and were adopted together into their forever home. There are as many great shelter dog stories as there are shelter dogs. So, do you have a rescue, and what’s their story? Two great destinations to discover and share rescue and shelter dog stories are Positively Woof, a new YouTube channel created by Larry Kay, of the super popular Facebook page of the same name, and Project Blue Collar, an organization celebrating the rescue dog. It’s holiday time, a time of giving, and Bark & Swagger is in the holiday spirit! We have a great giveaway for you, starting today! Here’s the scoop.
The Positively Woof YouTube channel is an awesome destination for shelter dog stories that will make you smile. These dogs come from Pet Orphans of Southern California, a wonderful shelter that implements positive reinforcement training into their program for the dogs, so they have a much better chance of getting adopted and staying in their adoptive home. The P-Woof YouTube Channel films these dogs, creating stories around them that helps them get adopted, too! Subscribe for entry to the giveaway!
Project Blue Collar® (PBC) is a great organization bringing together all of us who care about rescues. It was started when founders, Carole Feeny and Kristin Waters, realized there’s no way to identify rescue dogs or hear their stories. They thought, “What if there was something dogs could wear to identify that they were adopted. We humans wear wristbands to identify our causes; what if adopted rescue dogs could wear collars for theirs?” So, Project Blue Collar – Support the Underdog® was born. Carole and Kristin encourage us to show our rescue pride and tell their stories, and they have some wonderful ones on their site. And, they give back to rescue groups, so those organizations can continue to do the great work they’re doing. We love all that, right?
The collaboration between these two entities made sense. “Positively Woof’s YouTube Channel films have raised more than $10,000 for shelter dogs in 2015,” enthused Kay. “P-Woof celebrates how awesome, funny and brilliant shelter dogs are. We’re dedicated to training and filming shelter dogs so that they get forever homes. Thank you, Project Blue Collar, for celebrating and raising funds with many good groups and dog lovers.”
PBC added: “When we set out to create and build Project Blue Collar, our intention was for it to be a collective effort, a grassroots movement with one goal in mind: To save the lives of healthy adoptable dogs,” explained Feeny. “So, we love collaborating with organizations who are philosophically aligned with us like Positively Woof. We’ve always believed that the idea of wanting to save a dog is universal, and by finding partners who share our vision, there is no end to amplifying our message and uniting people who care about dogs in need.”
Show your support of both of these thoughtful and conscious companies by subscribing and entering! Now, on to the details of another great Bark & Swagger giveaway! 🙂
The dogs love Larry: Shelter dogs showing their support of P-Woof! photo by Lisa Bevis
The Giveaway
Positively Woof and Project Blue Collar have reached down into their cool product kitty (not cats, folks) for this holiday season giveaway. P-Woof has these delicious treats your dog may just swoon over. They’re called Positively Pumpkin, perfect for this time of year, and they’re made with pumpkin, apple, chia seed, and love. They’re corn-free, soy-free, wheat-free, have no chemicals or preservatives, and are made right here in the U.S.A. And, 100% of all profits fund shelter dogs. The winner will be getting a package of these babies! Look how happy that dog is just standing next to them.
There’s more. Have your pup pop his or her collar with either this eye-catching Coming Out Collection or Call to Action collar and leash set from PBC and show your support or rescue dogs. Now, we can’t let just your pooch strut in solidarity and style; you’ll want a cute and cozy something, too, right? PBC is including a soft and toasty thermal top that shows you care about shelter dogs and rescues. Wearing them is a conversation starter, like the P-Woof videos, about shelter dogs and rescues. And, I saw Carole with one of these on at a conference, recently, and it looks great! They also make a great gift for someone you care about, including any men in your life, as they come in all sizes.
Coming Out Collar & Leash Set
Call to Action Collar & Leash Set
How To Enter
Entering is easy. If you’re not part of the Bark & Swagger Family yet, please join our email list to get the fresh news first. Then, subscribe to the very cool Positively Woof YouTube Channel and discover the newest shelter dog films first. And, Like us, Project Blue Collar and Positively Woof on Facebook. That’s it! There are other things you can do for extra points, too.
What are you waiting for? Some great stuff and two really great brands that are making waves supporting the underdog.
Do you have a great rescue story? Share it with us!
They gave up on Trusty. There are so many reasons dogs end up in shelters, and training is usually at the heart of what could’ve saved them. We love our pets; we wouldn’t abandon them. But, there are many, many people who are overwhelmed by animals they can’t manage and they just don’t know how to make it work. Here’s one shelter dog story I love.
Trusty is perfect example of a nice dog that, with some basic training, has become a good dog citizen. Trusty was lucky. He ended up at Pet Orphans, a wonderful no-kill shelter in Los Angeles that is advocating for its animals in a very smart and effective way. They are training their dogs to ready them for adoption.
When Trusty, a Basset Hound/Labrador Retriever mix, was abandoned by his owner, he was a real barker. Today, Trusty has a “good sit,” listens and doesn’t bark excessively. And, he looks very happy. How do I know, writing this from Fort Lauderdale? My friend, Larry Kay, has a very cool YouTube channel called Positively Woof, named after his ridiculously successful Facebook page, boasting 1.75 million fans. He, along with Pet Orphans of Southern California, showcase the shelter’s dogs up for adoption and what makes them so special. I love them, and will be sharing one a month, so we can help these pups out by spreading the word about their fabulousness!
Trusty playing with his shelter friend, Fred
Here’s a video of Trusty’s journey from being dumped to being bumped…up to the AmBassAdor of Pet Orphans, a very distinguished title for the shelter mascot he’s become, since Pet Orphans adopted Trusty themselves. Good boy, Trusty!
Subscribe to the Positively Woof channel for more cool stories about shelter dogs.
What does stylish mean to you? I’m passionate about animals, fashion, travel, home decor and rescue, and that's what you'll find here. After a recent move to Fort Lauderdale from NYC, we're loving our new life in the sunshine. Welcome to my world! Grab your favorite beverage, curl up and stay awhile.
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New Pet Life Radio Show!: STRAY: The New Award-Winning Film About Dogs
