Barnes & Noble Residency...

I mentioned it in my last post.  At the moment, it feels like I live at Barnes & Noble!  I jokingly call it my "B&N Residency Program".

Nationwide, Barnes & Noble has a number of charity initiatives and one of them is their gift-wrapping program.  Every year, the store manager or community manager at each location work with local charities in order to bring in volunteers for gift-wrapping.  This allows each charity some "face time" with a fairly captive (and usually generous) audience.

This VERY large dachshund Fred (ok, he's a lab) and his foster momma came to visit me! Highlight of my morning! #rescuedogsrock #blacklab #adoptdontshop #christmas #supportrescue

A photo posted by Nicole Fowler (@cole711) on Nov 28, 2015 at 7:29am PST

Sure, it means that you have to be dedicated to showing up for your assigned shifts and it would be best if you at least quasi enjoy gift-wrapping! B&N is kind enough to provide the signage, overhead announcements, and wrapping paper.  That means each charity is giving of their time and perhaps a little marketing material to pass off to the folks visiting your table. While their primary focus is literacy (for obvious reasons), the staff has a wonderful appreciation for animal related charities.

Coffee, reading and rescue.... Not a bad way to spend my evening! @littlepawsdr #charitygiftwrapping #littlepawsdr #rescuedogsrock #christmas #shopping #bringmeallthecoffee

A photo posted by Nicole Fowler (@cole711) on Dec 4, 2015 at 4:51pm PST

This year, the community manager at "my" store in Hingham, MA was...well, generous, with the dates he gave me.  Between Thanksgiving weekend and Christmas week, I'll be at B&N a dozen times - three of those shifts being open to close!  I'm so appreciative of B&N, as well as the generosity of the shoppers who make donations (trust me...not everyone does, even after I've wrapped quite a few oddly shaped gifts for them); it helps bring in more awareness of Little Paws Dachshund Rescue!

I'm back at Barnes and Noble for #charitygiftwrapping! Accepting visitors and all offers of caffeine! @littlepawsdr #christmas #shopping #bringmeallthecoffee #begenerous

A photo posted by Nicole Fowler (@cole711) on Dec 6, 2015 at 8:40am PST

I also have to say that I love the baristas at my store.  They keep me caffeinated!  If you happen to live near me - or know someone who does - I could use a wrapping buddy!

P.S. The book you can see on a few of my Instagram pictures (Some Luck by Jane Smiley) is wonderful.  I'll be reviewing it soon!

You Can Make a Difference!

Earlier this week I was reading Holly's "Summer of Service" post and it made me reflect a little on my own journey to helping dogs.

Running a rescue has its good and bad days.  As much as I wish I could say that it's about the dogs 100% of the time, realistically...sometimes, it's about the money too.  That's true of most rescues and a number of community funded shelters.  The more money (among other resources) we have, the more dogs we can help and/or it gives us the ability to take on more complex medical cases.

I can't count the number of times that people have lamented that they want to help, but have no money to give. Seriously, if I had a nickel for every time I hear it...I'd have...well, a whole lot of nickels!

If you want to help a rescue or shelter (hint, hint...Little Paws Dachshund Rescue), here are a few ways to do it without affecting your budget!

Going for a walk?  Add ResQWalk to your phone, start your walk and you earn money for the rescue or shelter of your choice!  Each week is sponsored by different companies and the pool of money is distributed to all the participating rescues/shelters in correlation to the number of miles they walked that week.  :-)

Want to double your money?  Add WoofTrax/Walk For A Dog too!  It works pretty much the same way as ResQWalk.  (Note: ResQWalk uses GPS location, WoofTrax uses the pedometer function on most smart phones, so keep it in your pocket!)  This app is being revamped and may have more functionality soon.

Are you an Amazon shopper?  Use Amazon Smile instead!  All of the same benefits of Amazon, but you're helping as you shop!

LPDR pup (yes, available!) BlueBell

Is your linen closet part of your spring cleaning?!  Many shelters or rescues would be thrilled to be gifted used (but in good condition) towels, blankets and sheets.  Between the need for dog baths, creating soft places for animals to lay in shelters and letting smaller dogs burrow - there's an endless need.

Shutterbug or Photoshop junky?!  How about taking pictures of pups for those shelters or rescues?  I can tell you from experience that a good picture can get a pup the attention they need to really get noticed...which often leads to a forever family.  A picture really is worth a thousand words!

Even better, consider joining HeARTSspeak!  They're a national organization of artists (photographers, sculptors, editors, writers, etc) that bands together to provide pro-bono services for animal organizations in their communities.

Have some room in your life?  How about fostering!  It's one of the greatest needs many rescues have - sometimes, even more than funding for the never ending vet bills!  If we don't have a family to care for our dogs, sometimes, we just can't pull them from the shelter.

If you already have everything you need or REALLY want, consider a "selfless" or "pay it forward" birthday.  Go out and celebrate with friends and family - but suggest that they donate to the charity of your choice in your honor instead of gifting you with something you might not want or need!

If nothing else...share, share, share! The more people who know how to make a difference, the more lives out of shelters and starting the next chapter of their lives.

So I Started A Dachshund Rescue...

Many of you followed along as I adopted Paisley and Brady.  Then I got involved with the rescue I adopted them from.  However, I did not agree with the way business was being conducted and parted ways with them early last fall.

After some time away from rescue...I realized that helping dogs is something I can do, and do well to make a difference in the world around me.  That sounds cheesy, right?  I know, I know. Cheesy, but *true*.

Along with some people that I adore - we started our own rescue this summer!  It's been a labor of love!  Little Paws Dachshund Rescue pulls dogs from high kill shelters and puppy mills and adopts to families from FL to MA. We'll expand west as our support system grows. We are 501c3 (non-profit) pending and have our first fundraising auction starting 11/1.

You can find us on Facebook (with a whopping 2,300+ followers! sorry...had to brag a little.), Twitter and on our newly created website! Swing by on Facebook for Halloween and see our costume parade - dachshunds have an appreciation for "halloweenie".  :-)

March For Babies

You may not remember this (in fact, I'd be surprised if you did!), but in October one of my amazing friends delivered her little girl early.  VERY EARLY.  Little Miss Olivia arrived about 10 weeks early by my count. I know a few of my sweet readers have delivered their babes early too.  Just imagine the 3-5 weeks early that your kiddo came and magnify it!
Well, that little peanut has not only survived, but thrived!  She got to go home just after Christmas and is a truly a little Wonder Woman! 

On June 24th, our team - Olivia' Wonder Women, will be taking part in the March of Dimes March for Babies.  We could really use your help in raising both funds and awareness!

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Every day, thousands of babies are born too soon, too small and often very sick. Modern medicine can do a great deal for babies born well before their due dates, but more research is needed. Research, trials and training for new medicines, technology and equipment is greatly needed, and making a donation to The March of Dimes supports this need.

Our team has first hand knowledge of how hard it can be for babies born too early and their families. Many babies survive, but some do not. We are walking in the March for Babies because we want to do something about this. And your help is needed.

Please support this walk. Making a secure donation is easy.  Thank you for helping us give all babies a healthy start!

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Funds raised in March for Babies support research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And they will be used to bring comfort and information to families with a baby in newborn intensive care.

Really, how can you look at Olivia and not want to help?  If you do opt to contribute, please click here for my personal page.

A "Feel Good" Kind Of Day...

Sunday was a good day.  A really good day! 
About a month ago, I ambled upon Furever Dachshund Rescue.  I don't know where... another dog blog?  Facebook?  Twitter?  If I found it through you - THANK YOU!

This weekend, I had the distinct honor of participating in the transport team for Buddy and Murray. I took the last two legs of the journey - from Fairfield, CT to Worcester, MA.  Last minute my mom decided to do the road trip with me (at about 3 hours each way - it was most definitely a road trip), and was thrilled to have Buddy cuddle her from pick-up to drop-off.

Say hi, Buddy!

Murray is a nervous rider...so he was crated for the trip.  But such a good boy!  He only cried/whined if we went below 40 MPH.  {We hit traffic outside of Hartford, so we did end up sitting still for a while.}

Really, both boys were so well behaved and sweet and calm for having gone through nine states in two days with almost as many car swaps.

I'll definitely be volunteering again in the future.  Who knows... maybe I'll even foster or adopt too!

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (Army Edition)

Ugh, I can't wait until this deployment is over.... So, right on to business.

The Good

• Saturday's volunteer care package event was an astounding success. About 200 volunteers, 2 hours and approximately 550 care packages that should be now winging their way to Afghanistan and Iraq. I am so proud of all the volunteers and our corporate sponsors.

• Last night I packed a personal care package for JC. He wanted a few CDs that he could load into his iPod via his laptop & I wanted to send him snacks (including a last shipment of chocolate before it arrives as soup for the next 6 months) and a few Red Sox items to make him smile. I always go to the same Post Office; they know my name. Well, behind me was this really gruff older man as I signed the customs form and promised I wasn't sending anything dangerous. All the sudden, he taps my shoulder and asks if it would be OK if he pays for JC's care package!! I was stunned; shocked; awed! Of course I said YES. This man made my day and restored my faith in humanity (This comment will make sense when you read down in a minute).

The Bad

• JC's MOS (Army job) is a Master Driver. He is trained to drive everything but tanks. Right before he deployed, he found out that because of his high scores at the shooting range - he was going to be the assigned Gunner for their truck. Even with this; I rationalized that not only do I the trust the men he's with...it's still safer than if he was Infantry. Mil chics - wanna guess what I'm going to say next????
• That's right! JC called me a week and a half ago and announced that they have WAY too many "transportation" people and not enough Infantry, so the approximately 150 people that deployed w/him and ended up at his FOB are all now patrolling villages. "Don't worry" he said; in a week I'll be back on my truck.
• He called yesterday (and texted me - SURPRISE, SURPRISE - I NEVER EXPECTED A TEXT FROM A'STAN. Wonder what that's gonna look like on my phone bill...) and said that even with consistent flow of new troops - his brigade is on foot patrols for at least another 3 months.
• One of my friends (bless her sweet, non-military informed soul) suggested that JC go to his C.O. and REFUSE to do it! He "didn't sign up for that". Uh...pumpkin?!?! Insubordination isn't going to help ANY of them and once Uncle Sam has your a$$, you do what he says.

The Ugly

• While Saturday's care package event was wonderful...there was a little "incident".
• The event took place at a rifle and gun club (queue Redneck jokes) and at the end of getting all this stuff packed up and labeled - we filed out to the parking lot to go home.
• Cars, SUVs, Trucks with military decals in all shapes and forms as far as the eye could see. As we left, a group of us (I'm going to say that there were about 7-8 or us) got approached by two random guys asking what we were doing. Of course - we told them.
• They went OFF on us. "How dare we support the war?", "Didn't we know that the President would bring all the guys home if we stopped sending supplies?", "Why do we want soldiers to die?". I couldn't help it; I just CRIED!! It was so upsetting that people feel this way about those that are sacrificing for us.
• I found out from a friend that these two men are POLICE!! I am so ashamed of them; and am glad they aren't police officers in my city.

Care packages

I send JC and a few of the guys in his unit care packages. It's fun for me, and I know that they all appreciate it. Some of these folks don't have the best support system, so it makes me happy that I'm able to bring a smile to their day from time to time.

This afternoon I had the most amazing experience! About a month ago, a girl I went to high school with mentioned that her parents are on the Board of a non-profit that sends care packages to deployed soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today was care package packing day. There were about a 100-150 of us packing about 500 care packages! Little kids from Girl Scout/Boy Scouts; high school students working on service projects; friends and family of soldiers from all branches of the military. I spent the afternoon with a woman who has no family or friends in the military, and was keeping an eye on her high school student. She was enthralled with everything I told her about the Army, and I quickly realized just how much I've learned about the joys of the military lately. In a time where I've had to defend my position on supporting our troops - to feel this sense of community - was utterly fantastic!! I can't wait for the time to roll around to do it again.

It may sound cheesy... but it felt SOOO good to do something little for the men and women that do so much for us each day.