photo courtesy of OldMotherHubbard.com

On Saturday, July 23, more than 40 local NBC and Telemundo television stations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, up from 28 last year, as well as regional news network necn, will join forces with hundreds of animal shelters around the country for Clear the Shelters, a nationwide day of activism in support of shelter pets. What’s the goal? Finding forever homes for thousands of homeless animals. Participating shelters are sweetening the deal by offering either reduced fee or no-cost adoptions, or will waive pet spaying and neutering fees. Last year, Clear the Shelters helped to adopt over 20,000 animals; this year, they’ll be more.

This year, my favorite local shelter will be one of them. Abandoned Pet Rescue, South Florida’s largest no kill, cares for over 300 dogs and cats. I like to call them the little engine that could, because they do so much with so little. For this story, all of the photos you’ll see feature Abandoned Pet Rescue adoptables.

“Clear the Shelters took the nation by storm last year and inspired thousands of families to open their hearts to animals in need. I’m very excited that our stations are working with hundreds of local animal shelters once again to help save the lives of thousands of deserving animals,” said Valari Staab, President, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. “Having recently adopted a Puerto Rican rescue dog, I know well how a pet’s love can impact a family. Help us ‘Clear the Shelters’ and let’s make change happen once again to give deserving pets a chance at a new life.” Amen, Valeri!

Ashton

Natalie Morales, TODAY show West Coast Anchor and soon-to-be host of Access Hollywood and Access Hollywood Live, will again host a Post-Adoption Drive Special on NBC stations, with Telemundo’s Stephanie Himonidis “Chiquibaby” and Elva Saray to host a special on the Telemundo stations. The NBC Owned stations and the Telemundo drives will both air on Friday, July 29 (check your local listings for times).

Bubba

Participating stations will feature special shows and programming that will air on local stations before and after the pet adoption drive (check your local listings for what’s happening in your area). Also, keep an eye out on social media for the hashtag #ClearTheShelters, so you can participate in spreading the word about this great event.

Adoptables from APR

Nuba

Abandoned Pet Rescue, like most shelters, has a wide variety of wonderful pets. Nuba is a great girl we’re all rallying around. She’s a beautiful burnished red Pitbull mix, who loves people and kids, but not other dogs, as she’s an alpha girl. She came to APR from a high kill facility, when her time was up. She had four adorable puppies in tow. APR took them all. She’s an energetic, loving girl, who has been at APR for a few years. This dog deserves a loving home. Come visit her!

Jeanie

Jeanie was rescued with other Cocker Spaniels from a house fire. She is a special needs dog, as Jeanie is completely blind. Silvie Bordeaux, Jeanie could use a Muffin’s Halo! 🙂 Are you someone who opens their arms to special needs pets?

Guiness is an adorable Shih Tzu/Maltese mix, who was surrendered by his owners when they ran into financial issues. He is about 6 or 7 years old. He loves children, but is nervous around strangers, so someone with patience and an experienced dog parent is best.

Guiness

If it’s the kitties you adore, APR is a great place to look. There’s the gorgeous snow white, Ashton (see photo above), a super friendly cat with green eyes who, along with his two sisters, has been at the shelter for several years. Why? This guy is a total looker!

Bubba (see photo above), a handsome tabby, was dumped on the shelter’s doorstep. He’s so frightened and bewildered as to what he did to go from a home where he was obviously well cared for to a shelter. Will you ease his mind and take him into your home?

Or the endlessly entertaining Chit Chat, a talkative girl who isn’t shy about making herself heard. She’s about 5-7 years old and gets along well with kids and other cats.

Chit Chat

Whether it’s Abandoned Pet Rescue or a shelter near you, make the trip and fall in love.

Celebrity support

Last year, the celebs came out to support, including Ellen DeGeneres; Steve Harvey; extra’s Mario Lopez; NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt; Bravo’s Andy Cohen; actress Sarah Michelle Gellar and singer/songwriter Rob Thomas, by posting selfies with their favorite pets on social media.

Already, Lopez has hit the Twitter-sphere, posting an adorable pic of him and his baby, Julio Cesar Chavez Lopez, a mouthful of a name for a little Frenchie.

Mario Lopez and Julio Cesar Chavez Lopez
photo courtesy of @extratv

For more information about the national pet adoption drive, visit www.ClearTheShelters.com. Remember, you can also follow the events on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by using the hashtag #ClearTheShelters. Additionally, Clear the Shelters themed Snapchat filters will be activated on July 23 for pet adopters and supporters to enjoy as they document their day.

And, don’t forget to visit Abandoned Pet Rescue on Facebook and Instagram and, if you’re in the Fort Lauderdale area, come in and find the love of your life.

Did you adopt or know anyone who did on Clear the Shelters day last year? 

Photo credit: The Dog Styler

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!

I want one!

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!

Entry form for the giveaway is below.

I Want One For a Friend!

Do you have a favorite shelter or rescue?

If you like what you’ve read, sign up to our email list for more fresh news on fashion, home decor, travel, lifestyle and rescue!

photo courtesy of Dorie Herman

photo courtesy of Dorie Herman

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!