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

We're helping Noble find his Forever Family. Is it you?

My friend just recently did an amazing thing and rescued a dog from an abusive situation! Woo hoo! Now we're on a mission to help find this super handsome guy his forever home.  And trust me, this guy is HANDSOME,  she gets stopped on the street all the time so people can tell her that. :)  Please help us out by sharing his story. PS - transport can always be arranged, so if you're interest just email or call and we will get it all figured out. So without further delay, here's Noble!

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Noble. I am a neutered, two and half year old Rottweiler mix. I am up-to-date on all my shots, I have a microchip and I have my whole tail! I love to give kisses galore and have lots of fun (except when I’m modeling, I’m very serious about my modeling career). Right now I think snow is about the greatest toy ever invented. I am also pretty small for my age and only weigh 66 lbs. Most importantly, though, is that I am quite a handsome chap. I know self - praise is no form of recommendation but my rescue mommy says this all the time, so it must be true! I am a very active dog and I enjoy structure; it keeps me balanced.
Boy do I love the outdoors! So many smells and new experiences, it keeps a guy like me wanting more! I really wish I had a yard, it must be amazing to just be able to run freely for a long as I wanted. I do have a fascination with these little furry black things that scurry up trees. Foster mom calls them squirrels but never lets me play with them – what a party pooper! My foster mom says I’m really smart and in a few short days I learned how to walk nicely on the lead. I occasionally will get a tug but that’s only because she doesn’t seem to understand I just want to leave my scent everywhere – sheesh.
Right now I am totally living the good life but I have not always had it this good. I was in a shelter and when I thought I found my forever home I was passed off to someone else. I have been severely neglected and when my foster mom found me I was not being properly fed, I hadn’t been to a vet in a couple of years, and my foster mom and the vet figured out that I was beaten. I am not a fan of other dogs – I feel really insecure and guarded but only because I have never been exposed to them so I get scared. I was never properly socialized which my rescue mom calls a “tragedy” – wonder what that means.
All I know is that I have to have hope. I dream of the day I find a dog savvy pup parent who can build my confidence and show me how to be respectful because truthfully I really do want to have friends. I really want to trust but I am scared. Since I spent a lot of time in fear during my old life and I am insecure because I do not know what to expect. I am not sure if I will get a next meal or be hit – I just am not sure how to act sometimes but I'm learning super fast. My foster mom says the funniest thing I do is that I hide my treats. Getting treats is something so new to me that I like to hide them under shoes and between the couch cushions. I’ve never gotten such amazing snacks like this before – what if I want one next Thursday! I do have some manners that I am very proud of – I can sit, lay down, stay, up, shake paw and I can take treats you hold in your teeth! Typical to my breed I am highly intelligent and aim to please. I am very, very loyal and want more than anything to find a special someone to appreciate me. I have huge crate but am a bit of a Houdini – can’t hold a guy like me down! I want to feel the wind in my ears! I would be great in agility and am always eager to learn I just need the right person to show me the way. I may not be perfect but I can promise you this – I will ALWAYS try my best and do whatever it takes to show you I am devoted to you – please give me a chance. Just remember, to the world you may be one person but to me you would be my whole world.

With lots of sloppy kisses and a whole heaping bunch of love,

Noble xox

If you would like to be Noble's family, please email zeroggirl@gmail.com or call 613.709.6025.