150 Ways to Save the World: #2 - Freekibble.com

From Freekibble.com

Age ain't nothing but a number and I truly believe that. No matter how long you've been on this planet, you always have the power to create great change around you. A fantastic example of this is Freekibble.com which was started in 2008 by Mimi Ausland. Mimi had a simple goal, she wanted the dogs and cats in her local shelters to be able to have a good meal. Four years later, Freekibble.com and Freekibblekat.com, are both in the Top 5 most-visited animal websites in the world and have generated the delivery of over 7 million healthy pet meals to shelters and pet-food banks around the country. Not bad for someone who was 11 years old in 2008! To make it even more incredible is that after hearing about what Mimi was doing, Ellen DeGeneres joined the cause, making her pet food company, Halo, the official sponsor of both programs.

Now how does this program work you ask? Very simply. Every day each website posts a new multiple choice trivia question on anything from current animal news, quirky pet tricks, pet stats and more. Simply choose your answer and right or wrong, 10 pieces of kibble will be donated. Also, remember to sign up for the daily email reminder so you'll never forget to go and do your part. So go right now and sign up! What are you still doing here, I said go!...........Have you done it yet??

150 Ways to Save the World: #1 - Spring Cleaning

From farmsanctuary.org

 It's that time of year when we throw open the windows and let the fresh spring air flood into our homes that have been in hibernation mode for the past several months. I love seeing the bright flowers peeking from the earth, all the adorable little baby animals playing at Farm Sanctuary and all the birds singing as though they are heralding the arrival of warm winds. Max and Bella especially love it because this is when the ponds thaw, mud pits abound and squirrels start emerging from their homes for romps around the neighborhood. Spring is like my New Year's celebration, a fresh start wrapped in tulips and farmers markets and what better way to begin anew than clearing all the clutter from your home and life.

What you may not have realized is that this cleansing can help out a lot of little critters in your area. This year when you are making that pile of clothes (why did I buy pants that are obviously too short and not in a good capri way?), extra dish racks (seriously, how many does 1 person need?) and dog toys (we could open our own Pet Smart with this amount of inventory!) why not use it all to hold a good ole garage sale with all the proceeds going to your favorite shelter or rescue. Even better invite friends and neighbors to participate to make it an even bigger affair. When you are sorting through everything, remember to clean all the items prior to your sale (who wants to buy a shirt covered in dog hair?) and throw away items that are ripped or damaged. Also, if you have any sheets, towels or pet items like beds, bowls, leashes, collars (all in good condition of course) that you were looking to get rid of, save them for the shelter, they are always in desperate need of extra ones.

Another good idea is to let your charity of choice know that you are having a sale in their honor. They will help spread the word and may also have items they wish to donate or volunteers that want to help out. Have brochures and information about your charity where people pay and also on a nice display at the front so everyone attending the sale can learn about the cause. You could even put a donation jar at your cash area for those that want to help even more. For even more fun, see if the shelter is willing to send some volunteers with a couple of little ones looking for homes. Who knows, maybe someone might fall in love with your New Kids on the Block cd and that beautiful 8 yr old shepherd looking for a home. Now, that would be a great day! Just remember to have shade and lots of water bowls around for your furry guests and patrons.

Happy cleaning!

A New Beginning

Dear Readers,

For a while now I have been searching for just the right voice for Sit.Stay.Speak Up! As you may have noticed from the many lapses in time between posts, things weren't working out so well. Too often it felt depressing and too much like work. How can that be? Helping save lives shouldn't feel like it's dragging you down. Changing the fate of animals for the better is something that should have you singing in the rain (oh, how I love Gene Kelly)! So, after some good soul searching and clarification on what I truly want to accomplish with this blog, I have found just the right voice - mine! Ha! Ha! It was right here all along but I just wasn't listening to it. Well, that has changed and I am revved up and excited to bring you the first major series on this blog which will detail all the fun ways to bring change, be it to your neighborhood or to a land far, far away. Another major difference you will see with the blog is that while the majority of the focus will remain on our canine buds in need, there will also be wolves, bats, dolphins, dancing baby goats and tons of other wondrous creatures making guest appearances. So just don't be surprised when I start talking about products made of elephant poop (the best journal I have ever had!), you have been duly warned.
My unshakable belief is that EVERYONE, each individual person on this planet, is absolutely able to change the world for the better. The simple truth is that to change the world you need only change your own actions, be they little or big. One simple act of kindness can bring an animal from scared to comforted, beaten down to confident and even from the brink of death to full of life.
So without further ado I (re)welcome you to Sit.Stay.Speak Up! and to our first major series - 150 Ways to Change the World and Get Lots of Sloppy Kisses Along the Way!

Most sincerely,

Sarah
World Changer