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I recently put the call out for silent auction items donations to benefit Furever After Small Dog Rescue, the non-profit and volunteer-run dog rescue group from which I adopted Jordy. The numbers from the fundraising dinner are in, and over $11,000 was raised to help pay for veterinary care, dental care and medical equipment to help dogs that have been abused, abandoned or neglected.

I’d like to personally thank Miss 604, Mom 604, Pure Smile Studio Yaletown, Hans Peter Meyer and Alissa Staples for their generous donations. All your effort and support has been greatly appreciated and will bring smiles and wagging tales to many more dogs!

Meet Jake and Zack. Both boys are pomeranians and, though not brothers, clearly have a lot of cuddly love for each other.

I’m sure your first instinct may have been a heartfelt “awww…” However, if you look closer, you’ll notice that Zack is missing his right eye. If Jake’s mouth was open, you wouldn’t see a single tooth. And though their bodies are being held in a big hug, what you don’t see are the massive patches of fur that have been ripped off and the deep wounds that cover their bodies.

Jake and Zack were seized just two weeks ago from a hoarding breeder within BC and, if you can believe it, were forced to engage in dog fighting. Yes, these little 3 and 7-pound pomeranians were forced to rip at each other. Now they’ve got a loving – yet temporary – home with Jordy’s former foster mom. These boys are just two of many dogs that you have the opportunity to help out.

Do you have a craft, some dog toys or supplies, a business, a service or just something extra lying around that could fetch a price?

Please consider donating to the silent auction that Furever After Small Dog Rescue is holding in late November. Jordy is just one of many dogs who’ve been helped and re-home through this fantastic organization.

If you’d like to help out, please leave a comment or contact me directly. Donated items are tax deductible and 100% of the proceeds help dogs like Jake and Zack.

Do you paint? Run an auto shop? Knit? Distribute books? Own a shop of interesting and unique treasures? Provide a service that benefits the community? I’d like you to consider for a moment the fact that whatever you do can be of even further benefit if you wish.

When I first set out to bring a dog into my home, I found a wide range of rescue organizations across BC that were taking care of – literally – thousands of dogs that were neglected or homeless. Through that search, I stumbled upon Jordy’s profile page. At the time he was living in a foster home in Duncan on Vancouver Island, being cared for by a non-profit group known as Furever After Small Dog Rescue.

Monty, pictured above, was one of Jordy’s foster brothers. When first brought into care, Monty was filthy, emaciated, his teeth rotted and his fur was so horribly matted that the weight of the knots caused sores and bruises all over Monty’s tiny body. Both Rebecca and I had the chance to meet Monty and see the progress he’d made in foster care on the day I went to pick up Jordy to bring him home. Today Monty has bounced back triumphantly, only through the care and funds of Furever After.

Most of these dogs require emergency dental care, as well as even basic veterinary care (and most aren’t spayed or neutered), food, shelter and rehabilitation in order to be adopted out. This coming November, Furever After is holding a charity dinner and silent auction to raise these desperately needed funds. The group is entirely run by volunteers, and when the money dries up, the expenses must come out-of-pocket. 100% of money raised goes to helping the dogs!

If you have a service, product, item you’ve made or the like that can be auctioned off at this dinner and silent auction, please contact me as soon as possible. No item is too big or small and the dollar value isn’t important. Tax receipts can be provided for all items with an attached invoice/receipt detailing item value and business information.

For more information or to donate your item or service, please send me an e-mail. Any help is much appreciated! To learn more about the fundraising dinner, please click here or visit the Furever After Small Dog Rescue website.

After months of planning, preparation, anticipation and tireless fundraising efforts, the BC-SPCA’s Paws For A Cause finally arrived. While these walks were simultaneously taking place in communities all across British Columbia, Jordy, Charley, my mom and I found ourselves at Marina Park in Comox.

The sunshine decided to take a day off, but rain clouds didn’t damper the excitement everyone felt. Dozens and dozens of beautiful, amazing, playful dogs turned out to support their fellow animals.

I’m still waiting to hear the final tallies regarding how much money was raised both Province-wide and in the Comox Valley, but I have no doubt that the goals of $950,000 and $20,000 respectively were reached.

My readers have been completely awesome! Many contributed funds and many more offered supportive words of encouragement – both of which kept giving me the drive to keep up with the efforts I had undertaken to make. I’d like to take a minute to offer a huge thank you to my financial sponsors for their generous donations: Katrina Mellis, Danielle Ciavarro, Marda Mischa-Miller, Tyler Ingram, Tania Morrison, Sixty4Media, Madeline Lagden, Lindsay Davis, Phil Ogynist, Buster the Dog, Jennifer Stoddart, Mikis Manolis, Duane Storey, Tanya Martin, Winnie Sung, Nicole George, Colleen Brown, Blain Sepos, Erin McConnell, Dom Richards, “Jenn,” Sarah Dawson, A.M. Chalupa, Marlee McConnell, Craig Jangula, Eileen Henderson, Sea To Sky Network Solutions and Double S Sales (Courtenay Sears).

Between all of you, $1,590 was donated to help many grateful animals!

One of my favourite things about events like this is not only the socialization they provide for dogs – which is crucial to their well-being – but it’s also a lot of fun to watch the animals play and interact together. Anyone who doesn’t believe that dogs are loving, intelligent and communicative creatures is completely nuts.

A last hearty and huge thank you to everyone who participated, donated, encouraged and cheered all of us on around British Columbia. It’s classic cheese to say, but you’re the true heroes for giving of what you have for the betterment of another creature. One friend who donated told me that she did so because “there’s an animal out there that needs food more than I need a new shirt or a couple drinks at a pub!” That’s hitting the nail on the head and then some.

Stay tuned to my Twitter for final totals! (And don’t forget: just because this event is over doesn’t mean the need is gone. If you’d like to support, donate to or volunteer at your local shelter, please visit the BC-SPCA’s website.

With only six more sleeps until this year’s Province-wide BC-SPCA Paws For A Cause, I’m getting excited to participate in such a great event that helps any and all animals. Most people think of cats and dogs when they think of their local shelter, but as I’ve said in previous posts, even farm animals and wild animals need a little help sometimes.

Photo: Wy@rt on Flickr

As of today, I’ve reached 52% 57% of my goal. I’m hoping to reach $1,000 by Sunday’s walk and this is my last beg, plea and petition to all of you.

…Even if all you can spare is your pocket change, that’ll buy some tins of cat food or a few apples for displaced horses.

…Even if you don’t like me, you can donate anonymously if you still want to support the animals!

What you give can and does make a difference!

Photo: studom on Flickr

To those who have already generously given, I offer you a huge heartfelt thanks! There will be many wagging tails, purring kittens and oinking pigs because of what you’ve helped accomplish. Those wishing to donate, please visit my donation page before midnight on September 12, 2009 and check back next week for pictures from the Comox Valley event!

While the residents of Vancouver are sharply divided on the upcoming 2010 Olympic Winter Games, related constructions projects are starting to wrap up across the Greater Vancouver area. Rising above the waters of False Creek one will find the Olympic Athletes Village, designed to hold nearly 2,000 competitors. However, it’s the large influx of tourism that is going to really impact Vancouver’s population, driving it from just over 2 million to just under 3 million.

With a desperate need to house Vancouver’s less fortunate and those that will be visiting the City, a project has emerged that I can finally throw my support behind. Home For The Games is non-profit group uniting homeowners and tourists for a great cause in an effort to meet critical needs in Vancouver.

Photo: John Bollwitt on Flickr

Local homeowners that are renting out spaces to Olympic spectators can register with Home For The Games and see their rental income put to good use. While homeowners maintain 50% profit, the other 50% is divided between Streetohome and Covenant House.

Some of Streetohome’s current initiatives “include funding and facilitating the creation of housing for people who are homeless, including supportive housing for homeless mothers and babies.” Funds donated to Covenant House will support “young people who often have no on else—people between the ages of 16 and 24 who have fled physical, emotional or sexual abuse or have been forced from their homes.”

It is hoped that some $750,000 will be raised for these two fantastic charities.

For more information, to volunteer or to register with Home For The Games, please visit their website.

I adore lazy Sundays, and Jordy was kind enough to let me sleep until 9:30 this morning. Most of today we’ve spent in front of the TV, escaping the heat. The weekend’s highlight was definitely making the trip yesterday to Gastown to visit Rebecca, Duane and others as they blogged for 24 hours straight to raise money for their respective charities. Congratulations to all of you tireless bloggers and a huge thanks to all that donated!

It seems that Jordy became the unofficial mascot – at least for the afternoon – and had his photo snapped a number of times…

Photo: TylerIngram on Flickr

Photo: Miss604 on Flickr

Photo: tris on Flickr

John Biehler and Duane both took some great shots that aren’t yet uploaded, but I’ll definitely post them as soon as I can!

In the meantime, my mom has been babysitting Sienna since last night and enjoying “Oma Time,” so she spent some time in the backyard with the cutest little girl in the world. Charley has taken an undeniable liking to Sienna, and I have no doubt the two will grow up to be peas in a pod.

How did you spend your weekend?

This past Sunday was our third anniversary. Jordy and I have spent the last three months together, though it actually feels more like three years. I was forewarned of his potential issues, but my little Mango Monkey (he gets that nickname based on the way he smells after a bath) has done nothing short of constantly amaze me with his resiliency and ability to adapt.

The best part of it all is seeing his true personality start to shine now that he’s become truly comfortable with his “mommy”. Jordy loves to wake me up just moments before my alarm with a few kisses and some burrowing under my pillow. He truly loves to cuddle. Surprisingly, he does well with kids and is even gentle with sweet Sienna-bear. Jordy can’t get enough peanut butter and knows the Jif jar when I bring it out of the cupboard without a word. The little guy plays somethin’ fierce with his squeaky toys and shows no shame in farting around me – a lot.

Few people know this about him, but sadly, his first owner had him de-barked as a very young puppy. The sounds he made when he first came into my home were nothing above a whimper, but now he really tries to communicate with his voice and he’s built up quite a sound for himself. It’s my hope that he’ll learn to truly bark once again.

And lastly, if you’ve met Jordy, you know he’s an introverted dog. He’s not afraid of other dogs, but initially he never, ever interacted with them. We’ve been visiting dog parks several times a week and even found one that tends to be frequented by other pomeranians. Very cautiously he’s beginning to leave my side to go and interact, and I have no doubt he’ll be running and rolling on the grass with the rest of them in no time!

I can’t even begin to tell you how much joy he brings into my life on a daily basis and how lucky I feel to have found him. Check out Jordy’s set on Flickr for more pictures snapped last night at the park.

Consider me a delinquent. I’ve been feeling rather ill lately and therefore less inclined to write, but I think I’m back up to 90% or so. Maybe even 95%. Last night I checked out the Sins Of The City tour with a few friends courtesy of the Vancouver Police Museum, so look for tons of very cool (and scandalous) photos later this evening.

The rain is falling, the sky is gray and it’s most likely unanimous that we’d all rather be in bed. Instead, let me share with you a story…

Once upon a time there were six horses who lived on a farm in Langley. Their names were Buddy, Magnum, Misty, Jock, Chewie and Lexie.

Misty – Before (Photo: BC-SPCA)

One day, 911 received a call reporting a car in the ditch. Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters and RCMP were mortified by what they saw. A team from the BC SPCA and the Langley Animal Protection Society were called in because the crashed couple were forcing Buddy to tow their car out of the ditch. Buddy was too weak, in great pain and could hardly stand; he had to be euthanized at the scene.

Magnum, Misty, Jock, Chewie and Lexie were found at the couple’s home in even worse condition. All five were emaciated, hypothermic and suffering from internal parasites and rain scald. Though the SPCA immediately brought them into special care and did everything they could, Magnum died a few days later.

The good news is that through continued love and medical attention, Misty, Jock, Chewie and Lexie’s hearts and wounds have healed!

Misty – After (Photo: BC-SPCA)

Now in foster care (and awaiting their forever homes), the support given to these four beauties has made a 180-degree difference in their worlds.

In 2008, the BC SPCA conducted nearly 5,000 cruelty investigations and removed more than 1,200 animals from dangerous home situations and neglectful owners. Each of these investigations costs an average of $10,000 from beginning to end (prosecution in Court).

If you haven’t already done so, please consider sponsoring myself, Jordy and Charley as we pound the pavement (er, grass) in the 2009 Paws For A Cause to raise funds for animals just like Misty, Jock, Chewie and Lexie and countless others. Our goal for this year is $1,500 and through generous donations we’ve already reached 31% of that goal. Every little bit will help – whether you can give $3 or $30. Every penny goes to helping the animals!

Photo: Laura-Elizabeth on Flickr

In case you haven’t heard, it’s hot in British Columbia. It’s not just those warm, late-spring days we’re experiencing either. It’s humid, sticky, sweaty, still-air hot!

Last weekend I hauled my summer clothes out of storage and discovered shorts, a skirt or two and some pretty little sun tops. What became apparent to me is my severe lack of breezy, flowy summer dresses. I’m particularly fond of maxi dresses (and especially the one Carrie Bradshaw donned as she downed margaritas in Mexico). This weekend’s mission: grab a Slurpee before finding and purchasing the perfect summer dress. A new pair of sunglasses and sandals wouldn’t hurt either…

With the summer months headed our way at warp speed, it should go without saying that we humans aren’t he only ones who suffer in the heat. Can you imagine enduring this heat all the while also wearing a fur coat? Though don’t even get me started on the idiocy of fur coats…

Yesterday a Saanich woman was outed to animal control by a passer-by after having left her small dog locked in her vehicle. The entire episode was caught by an A-Channel news camera. Upon returning to her car, the lady wildly waved a water bottle at the crew and said “see, I do have water here.”

To this, the animal control officer replied, “Ma’am, dogs don’t know how to open and drink from water bottles.”

Here are some personal thoughts and ideas on how you can keep your “fur baby” cool during the summer months:

• First, leave your dog at home! If you’re out running errands, the last place your dog wants to be is in your hot, smelly car. Canines can sustain brain damage in as little as 20 minutes of intense heat. It is not worth the risk!
• Many dogs and cats tend to shed around this time of year, but consider a trip to the groomer to help thin-out the thick undercoat.
• Fans! Dogs enjoy sticking their heads out of the windows of moving cars while their tongues flop to the side. Let your pup do this in a safe manner with a home fan or two.
• Even though shade can get warm on some of the hottest days, a patch of cool grass in the shade can be a welcome respite for your animal.
• Lots of fresh water, water, water… need I say more?
• While your pet doesn’t need to be cleansed more often than is necessary (their skin can dry out easily), a quick rinse in the tub will cool their body temperature from ears to paws.
• Consider a cooling humidifier for air quality. Hot days equal dry air and smaller animals (Jordy included) can be susceptible to dry and irritated throats. As an alternative, keep your animal in the bathroom with you for the few minutes you shower – the moist air can work wonders!

UPDATE – Cesar Millan recently Tweeted this: “Dogs sweat thru the pads of their feet, but their primary way to keep cool is panting. Overheated dogs drool excessively.”

Have any other ideas? Share them in the comments! And while you’re at it, wish a big happy birthday to Danielle’s other half!