Keira-anne.com

If you were to ask me what I love most about blogging, it is the opportunity it provides to share information, invoke thought and open up lines of communication between people that otherwise might never interact with each other. I’m entirely grateful that I have a slice of the internet to call my own. Blogging can be a catalyst for discussion and forward-thinking ideas but it can also slide very quickly in the other direction.

A little more than a week ago, I published a post entitled “Numbers“, designed as a simple fact-blast. Several days later, I received the following comment on that post:

“What about all the children in the world that are homeless or mistreated? It’s seems very trendy these days to focus so much attention on the well-being and wardrobes of pets, dogs in particular. Sure, dogs are great, but why do people personify them to be more than they are, which is in fact animals. Seems rather self-indulgent, if you ask me.“

My instant reaction was to hit the delete button. The label of “self-indulgent” quickly stung like a bee and, on the whole, I felt discouraged. In truth, the comment caused me to question why I am even trying to raise funds for the BC-SPCA. I considered that perhaps my personal effort is a waste.

Something about the comment lingered with me for days after as it sat in my WordPress trash can. The author of that comment had a valid point: what about the children of the world? Yes, what about them? Do I feel that the welfare of animals is of greater importance than that of the children of the world? Absolutely not. So does that mean that the welfare of animals is unimportant? Again, absolutely not.

You and I are unalike. We are different people with different backgrounds, different passions, different families and different goals. We each have our personal and public beliefs and because we are each individual, we aren’t required to justify ourselves to the world around us. The dissimilar passions of people, in general, is what makes society work. Whether we advocate for the safety and well-being of children, aggressively push to end homelessness in our communities, raise funds for cancer research, promote green and sustainable living for the planet or speak for animals that have no voices, each of us is a crucial link in the chain of philanthropy. And though we may feel less fervor about one cause and more passionate about another, none of us has the right to judge that any one is unimportant.

My attempt to raise funds for the BC-SPCA is not fueled by self-indulgence. It isn’t my hope than animals will become especially personified or that we’ll adorn them in adorable wardrobes. The suffering, abuse and neglect of animals in British Columbia is far more rampant than the majority of people will ever realize. While it is certainly not at the top of the charity food chain, nor should it supersede the dire needs of humans, it is still a need nonetheless. Were it not for the BC-SPCA, and SPCA branches around North America, I fear to think what our society would look like.

Dogs don’t need chic jackets, cats don’t require shiny bells jingling around their necks and farm animals can do without luxe barns. However, they do require – and deserve – to live free from harm and violence, in care and in love. The BC-SPCA is not funded by the government that you voted for (or against). In fact, little more than 1% of taxpayer dollars cover shelter costs and abuse investigations. That, my friends, is why I am raising funds.

In less than three weeks, I’ll be walking with Jordy and Charley and standing up to declare that I believe our Province’s animals deserve to be treated in fairness and dignity. If your passion is for something other than animals, then I encourage you to donate to that charity and take a stand in what you believe is right. If you believe in the fair and dignified treatment of animals, then please consider donating to the BC-SPCA – even if it’s the change you scrounge from your couch cushions.

While it’s true I hope to see money poured into what I believe in, what I wish to see even more is people taking a stand for what is it they feel passion for and getting active within that passion.

43 – The number of chihuahuas abandoned at a Victoria-area SPCA last week. [source]

1 – The number of suspects arrested and charged under BC law for tying up and dragging a dog behind a truck in June. [source]

40,000 – The minimum number of wild, domestic and farm animals the BC SPCA rescues each year.

1.3 – The percentage of the BC SPCA’s annual costs that are covered by the government.

98.7 – The percentage of the BC SPCA’s annual costs that rely on charitable donations from people like you.

2,000 – The dollar amount of my personal fundraising goal for the 2010 Paws For a Cause campaign.

400 – The dollar amount I’ve personally raised to date.

30 – The number of days left to raise funds.

20 – The minimum donation amount required to receive a tax receipt.

2 – The number of toonies needed to pay for your morning latte and muffin.

6 – The number of puppies your latte and muffin money could feed instead.

∞ – How much I’ll love you (or your company/business) for donating to the BC SPCA.

There are few charity organizations that speak to my heart as much as the BC-SPCA. They are tirelessly dedicated to providing loving care to British Columbia’s abandoned, hurt and loneliest animals. Each year the Paws For A Cause campaign seeks to raise funds Province-wide to support their annual goal of $1 million dollars. Without you and me, they couldn’t do what they do.

Aside from simply providing health care, shelter space and fostering animal adoption, the BC-SPCA is also exhaustively involved in investigating and gathering evidence to assist Crown Counsel in prosecuting some of BC’s nastiest animal abusers. Most investigations require a minimum of $10,000 – no cheap feat!

On Sunday, September 12, 2010, Jordy, Charley and me will be joining other animal lovers in the Comox Valley (and across BC) in a Walk to raise funds for this entirely worthwhile cause. It’s my personal goal to raise $2,000. Please consider donating… any amount is worth something to an animal in need. Even the $5 you’d normally spend on your morning latte will feed a litter of newborn puppies that day instead.

Many, many thanks and much love in advance. xo

If you’d like to donate to my personal campaign and help contribute to my $2,000 goal, please visit my personal fundraising page. Donations can be made anonymously and contributions of $20 or more are tax deductible. Stay in the loop by following Paws For A Cause on Twitter or liking the event on Facebook.

One of my best camping memories from childhood involved wandering the beach at Whaling Station Bay on Hornby Island, collecting oysters and bringing them back to the campsite. My family and I would cook them over the campfire and smother the succulence from the sea in garlic butter. For the fourth year in a row the Comox Valley Shellfish Festival is gearing up to celebrate our abundant ocean with a unique event.

Photo: wallyg on Flickr

The festivities start simmering on Saturday, June 19th with a gala soiree on the shoreline of Baynes Sound as diners’ palates will be tempted and teased with a nine-course shellfish feast. Prepared by some of the Comox Valley’s top chefs – as well as Rick Bowman of Monk McQueen’s Restaurant & Patio and Scott Practico of Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House fame, both from Vancouver – attendees will wine and dine their way through some of the coast’s best offerings.

Accompanied by exclusively-provided wines from Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery (a personal favourite of mine), this evening promises to be a foodie’s delight. Only 200 tickets are available and can be purchased for $120 each with all proceeds going to the Y.A.N.A. organization, helping local children get the medical treatment they need.

Sunday, June 20th is a day for everyone at Comox Marina Park with a number of sampling booths, desserts, a beer garden, live music and an oyster shucking competition under the sun. Activities start at 11 a.m. and run until 5 p.m.

For more information on the event, and to find out how you can purchase tickets for the gala dinner, please visit the Comox Valley Shellfish Festival’s official website.

They say there’s a first for everything and for this gal it’s Twestival. The semi-annual event is held nearly simultaneously in cities around the world and is focused on generating funds for global charities. This time around the cause is Concern Worldwide, and I’m looking forward to getting together with fellow Vancouverites for this exciting initiative. Concern Worldwide was created to implement innovative programs to bring education to some of the world’s poorest children. This time around, thanks to the generosity of EF/AVHHF (Entrepreneurs Foundation) all donations and ticket sales are being matched through March 25, 2010 up to $100,000!

Twestival Vancouver is being held this coming Thursday at the CBC Broadcast Centre in downtown Vancouver in their brand new audience lounge. Tickets are $20 (c’mon… give up your latte for a couple days) and can be purchased online. It’s guaranteed to be a great night of entertainment, prizes, sushi, wine and so much more – all to help a fantastic cause. For more information, visit the Twestival Vancouver website and make sure you follow them on Twitter for updates. See you there!

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!