A Place to Bark ... and Meow

Articles about "A Place To Bark"

2011-12-19T23:11:00.000-05:00

Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable. ~Kenyan Proverb

Because of you, who donate & believe in a vision of a no kill nation, "A Place To Bark" has been Blessed to save over 2,500 homeless pets in the past 5 years. Thank You so very much!!!

Our model program, is where each entity does their part, to further animals along the adoption process. We rescue animals in need, from high kill shelters, puppymills & cruelty cases.

By being a full time foster & rehabilitation program we take them in, get them well, provide full veterinary care & any rehabilitation needed.

It is then a win/win situation for the homeless pets & the people who adopt them!

Working together is the answer!

We are their safety net, if for any reason the animals does not shelter well, they are always welcome back into our program, for as long as they need to be here.

Our partnering shelters have the means to showcase, screen, spay/neuter & adopt the animals out in large numbers. So we do our part on the front end & they do their part on the back end!

Thank you"Adopt A Pet" for the mention about "A Place To Bark" in their newsletter!

Their dedication to finding a homes for animals in need is Amazing!!!

Wonderful article done by "The Humane Society Of The United States" in their Sheltering Magazine pages 14-15, about our rescue efforts, titled "Travels With Bernie" .

We've been getting some great press, but that won't keep our doors open.

We need recurrent donations to continue on.

For as little as $10.00 monthly, you can help save the life of a homeless pet in need & if in Chicago or Florida can adopt one of our rescues, from our partnering shelters.

This Holiday Season, keep love in your hearts and support rescue efforts!

The animals cannot help themselves & depend on us to care for their well being.

Help "A Place To Bark" continue saving homeless pets everyday by donating HERE

"Travels With Bernie"

Updates!

2011-12-19T21:25:00.004-05:00

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do" ~John Wooden

Please accept my apology for not posting sooner...

I've been working double duty, between my art world & my rescue world.

This has been the hardest year ever, keeping the rescue open.

After 11 years of doing rescue, I almost had to close the program, earlier this year.

The economy has been so bad, people are surrendering their pets because they can't afford to keep them. People aren't adopting because they can't afford a pet and people aren't donating because they don't have the disposable income to do so.

Not to mention rescues are closing like you've never seen because of lack of donations & funding.

So it's become a very difficult situation all around, with homeless pets being put to sleep at greater numbers.

"A Place To Bark" is not out of the woods yet, but we are working hard on restructuring by partnering with businesses, who would actively fund the rescue & also creating residual income giving back.

The program has been so successful at saving lives, it's grown beyond what I ever envisioned it to be. But along with that has been growing pains. Baptism by fire so to speak, in learning what works & what doesn't as far as generating enough money to save the animals in need.

The operational costs, transport, gas, food, veterinary care, becomes very expensive. But Life shouldn't have a price tag attached to it...

Thanks to "Chase Community Giving" giving us a grant we will be able to get a grant writer & cover some basic operational costs.

We still have alot of catching up to do, with outstanding bills, that have grown due to lack of donations. I have Faith, everything will work out and the program will continue to grow.

The grant money won't arrive for 8-10 weeks I've been notified by the grant giver.

Please donate this holiday season so that we are able to continue saving homeless pets from needless death at our local animal controls.

Life is precious and should not be disposable. Together we can change things...

So in the next few months the website will be overhauled, many changes on the horizon...

Stay tuned & Thank You for visiting, donating & loving your pets....

Till there are no more homeless pets, we are "A Place To Bark"

30 days & A Small Miracle Needed: 20K Matching Grant

2011-06-14T23:32:00.022-04:00

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do." ~Edward Everett Hale

Photo Credit: Joe Frazz photography

“A Place To Bark” is in need of your help!

Due to record numbers of homeless pets & lack of donations we may be forced to close our doors at the end of July. The “Zoline Foundation” has given us a 20k matching grant, 7/1 – 8/1, 2011, to help us keep our program open, to continue helping animals in need.

Please donate, even the smallest of donations makes a huge difference. Spread the word, via the social networks, "Facebook", "Twitter" & Your Blogs. Together WE CAN make a difference. Recurrent donations are what keep our program alive! 10 or 20 dollars a month, helps to make all the difference in the world.

With the economic challenges these days, there are more pets in need, than ever before. We seriously get hundreds of pleas for help monthly. It breaks my heart to think we may have to close.

In “2010” we rescued & placed 705 animals on a shoestring budget. In the past 5 years over 2,500 hundred were saved by "A Place To Bark" This certificate of recognition was given to us earlier this year by our county commissioners.

Can you imagine, if we were properly funded, how many more we could save? Our program is very successful, with 6 shelters waiting to take animals from our program. Unfortunately, it comes down to dollars. Sad, the reality of it all. That it is cheaper to euthanize than to rescue. In most animal control facilities here in the south, it is a 98% euthanasia rate. Can you imagine? Those numbers are staggering. Most of the beautiful faces you see on my blog, facebook, twitter, etc, would have all been put to sleep needlessly. My mind races daily with the ways of the world. How is it that society has become so cold? That life is measured by dollars… We Need To Change the practices of this world & Change will only occur, if people care enough to work together, by the masses. The sheer numbers of loving caring, hearts, CAN CHANGE THIS WORLD! “A Revolution For Life” needs to become a global mantra.

This program has grown beyond anything I could have ever dreamed, 12 years ago. Happy that I’ve been Blessed to save so many. It has come at a cost though. The cost being, that I know, all these precious lives can be saved! Thru hard work, long drives, networking and dollars. I’ve waged a war with my own money that began this rescue, to prove a point. That life does not have to put to sleep needlessly. After going thru most of my own personal dollars & family inheritance, it became painfully clear I needed to lead with my business head & not my heart. Even with the biggest of hearts, Love will not pay the utility bills, food, veterinary, fuel, van rentals, boarding, grooming, etc.

So the last few months have been, looking at the best way to restructure "A Place To Bark" to be viable & sustainable thru buisness practices. A new board is being put into place as I speak, all seasoned business people who love animals. We have connected with many big businesses that will give back, so it’s just a matter of time till we have this all figured out. But in the meantime, we have lives to save…

Won’t you help us continue on and donate? I’ve always been terrible at asking for help, but we have come too far to just give up. So I'm asking now, we need your help!

If for some reason we can’t raise our operations costs for this year, I will never give up! My life is one dedicated to the cause of helping animals in need, so I may have to slow down to catch up so to speak or change directions. But I will NEVER, EVER, give up…. Did I mention I wouldn't give up? I won't ever :)

These faces will tell you why I'm so driven... This was a delivery brought to me by the Sheriff's Dept on the day they were to be euthanized. Look into those precious faces, I laughed so hard, I cried when I saw them... ALIVE & Smiling right back at me as if they knew, they were safe. All dogs have been placed into loving homes.

Be A Part Of Something Great... SAVING LIVES!!! #aplacetobark Rescue/ Adopt / Educate

Please spread the word about our campaign.

A donation of any amount can help us save LIVES!

It's up to us to make a difference in this world!!!

The Power of ONE + One= The power of EVERYONE!!!

If you need to donate via Paypal, the email to be used is: aplacetobark@aol.com

Happy New Year "2011"

2011-01-01T11:11:00.000-05:00

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right"

~Oprah Winfrey

It's "2011" A New Year & we will continue to achieve the same goal as past years... Saving Lives! More to post, but for now, please view our Smilebox and smile that because of your support these faces live on!!!

Over 700 dogs/cats saved this year...

Free collage created with Smilebox

Will post more in a day or so...

A Revolution for LIFE, begins at "A Place To Bark"!!!

"2011" is going to be an AMAZING year!

Stay Tuned!

"Change The World" Help us win for animals in need!

2010-10-04T13:53:00.017-04:00

"Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand into the light"

~Norman B. Rice

Another year almost at end... Where does time go?

Will try to catch you up in the next few blog posts, but for now...

I need to ask a favor of every person who Believes in LIFE!

I NEED YOU TO VIEW, RATE & SHARE THE VIDEO BELOW!

Every person who loves animals &

Believes that they should be given every reason to LIVE,

I NEED YOUR HELP!

We have done a commercial for the "Go Daddy" contest & hope to win!

Or at the very least inspire people to come together

& join the movement of a no kill nation mindset...

Click here to rate this video, give us 5 stars!

Go Daddy has the final say, but we hope to keep on their radar

by staying in the top rated videos during their contest.

Not to mention the cash prize would help keep our doors open & finish building:)

I am doing everything I can, to not close the shelter at the end of this year.

Even with the least amount of donations, we continue to save

more dogs than last year, but the bills need to be paid.

So we will just keep the faith, hope & pray that we inspire a nation to follow

our model,to build more quarantine/rehab rescue facilities & save lives in bulk!

This is my friend Claudine & one of two of

her rescued pets she has adopted from

A Place To Bark.

Maggie who is nuzzled in Claudine's neck in this photo,

was scheduled to be put to sleep an hour after I rescued her.

Can you imagine?

Look at that beautiful face...

She is an AMAZING dog!!!

A victim of circumstance, as most of these precious animals are!

Together we can change the world, but it will take all of us!

Come & join our "Revolution for LIFE!!!"

They depend on us... Let's not fail them!

BE A PART OF SOMETHING GREAT!!!

SAVING LIFE!

(Photo Credit: Joe Frazz Photography)

help a place to bark with ebay! It's easy!

2010-07-20T12:24:00.004-04:00

Support A Place to Bark on eBay today! Do you use eBay? Did you know you can help A Place to Bark when you buy and sell? Here’s how:

SELLERS: Sell your unwanted items on eBay and donate 10-100% of the final sale price to A Place to Bark.You’ll get a tax deduction and a credit on your basic eBay selling fees.

SHOPPERS: Buy items listed on eBay to benefit A Place to Bark. You’ll get a great deal and A Place to Bark will get funds from your purchase.

EVERYONE: Make us your Favorite Nonprofit and you’ll be invited to donate $1 (or more) whenever you checkouton eBay.

SPREAD THE WORD: Help spread the word! Please Twitter this blog post and mention it in Facebook too! This will all help A Place to Bark!

GET STARTED today by visiting our dedicated page on eBay here!
thank you so much for your support of the animals!

Operation Bark "A Place To Bark" HELP US In our "REVOLUTION FOR LIFE"!!!

2010-07-13T11:22:00.024-04:00

"It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing

because you can only do little,

Do what you can"

~Sydney Smith

The months that have past have been a true test of Faith for me as always, time passing faster & faster, moments gone in a blink of an eye...

A struggle of my mind & heart, but even more so with the recent loss of my mother.

My emotions running high & deep, each and everyday.

Looking into the eyes of those that cannot speak, but yet, I know what they say...

The emotional exhaust that comes with taking care of hundreds of animals yearly, but also the elation that follows, when they are adopted, loved & held in the arms of their new families.

The phone calls, pictures & Love, THAT is what keeps me going...

Focusing on the good, the end result of all the work.

You can just imagine what it's like....

Knowing the dark side of the world, but also knowing that there is HOPE for all these animals if people work to save them!

The unfair side of what I see, is where life is put to sleep needlessly for mere dollars, while it costs hundreds to save.

Life isn't fair, many things can change if we come together to make a difference for these helpless animals.

This is where I need you, to help me fight & make a statement with the numbers saved!!!

Fight to save these animals from a needless death...

JOIN ME IN A REVOLUTION FOR LIFE!!!

Our rescue is in need of serious donations to keep taking in the hundreds of animals we do yearly.

Please, I hate asking for money or help, it is not for me, it is for these animals I rescue.

Just think.... I struggle everyday with funding, but yet we still save & continue to rescue.

IF we had an endowment, enough money to pay the vet bills, buy a transport vehicle & finish the shelter how many more we would save!!!

For a mere $10.00 monthly /or more, if we could get 1000/ or more people to do this recurrent donation, we really could make a huge impact & create this program into a national model.

Currently we are working with 2 shelters & 3 others (one as far as Nova Scotia) are willing to take our dogs into their adoption programs.

So life is waiting for these dogs on death row at every animal control in the nation, they just need someone to step up & take responsibility for their lives like we do here.

It takes work, but the end result is LIFE!

Please consider making the ten dollar or more monthly donation to "A Place To Bark" thru Network For Good or PayPal & help us save the lives of these precious pets!!!

Please spread the word about our campaign.

Ten dollars can help us save LIVES!

It's up to us to make a difference in this world!!!

The Power of ONE + One= The power of EVERYONE!!!

This picture says it all: Love & Life lives on because of your donation!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! From: A Place To Bark

2009-12-31T13:11:00.000-05:00

A happy New Year!!! Grant that I may bring no tear to any eye...

When this New Year in time shall end. Let it be said I've played the friend.

Have lived & loved & labored here & made of it a HAPPY Year! ~Edgar Guest

In the blink of an eye...

Another year passed.

WoW!!! And what a year it's been!!!

Never have I worked so hard & felt so behind...

But it's all about lessons, this life, this journey.

I've learned so much, this past year & even as old as I get, I'm always learning something new:)

First I want to say "Thank YOU!!!!" to all who visit & read this blog...

Your support, friendship & constant compassion helps me continue on & find strength daily.

Thank you seems so inadequate, but please know, I do appreciate you so very, very much!!!

As so far behind as I get, my disappearances from the blog & my e-mail, I'm learning to find balance & will one day master it:)

This year in a nutshell, has been our most AMAZING ever...

I'm still wondering how we did, what we've done.

The sleepless nite, the non stop round the clock, care, cleaning, etc..

All pays off & we have saved 611 dogs this year & 42 cats.

Here are some of our highlights:

We were able to assist the animals in need saved by The Humane Society of the United States this past year on 2 separate occasions. Here are a few before & afters:

Just a few of our HAPPY videos. The dogs from the confiscation above & their progress:)
Learning to trust again: A Tail wag first...
And we're UP!!! On the road back to trusting people

The other assist was a Horse rescue where 84 horses were saved in Tennessee.

At this confiscation several dogs that we took in and cared for have now been adopted!!!

Here is one of their before & after pics:

I've been at almost every confiscation done by HSUS in Tennessee over the past few years.

The people who have dedicated their lives and live most of it on the road, saving these helpless creatures, get my deepest respect. I'm blessed to know many of them & call them friend.

Until the day there are no more in need, together we work together, cry together & pray for a better future...

This is just a few of the many dedicated AMAZING people on the HSUS Emergency Services Team, led by Scotlund Haisley.

Next I want to introduce you to some AMAZING kids!!!

They have presented us with a $1000.00 donation this Holiday season.

Their organization Assist A Pet believes in our vision!!!

In 2010 we will be partnering with Audrey, Andrea & Jack to make

a difference via our social networks.
These driven kids are going to be our spokes kids for a new website we will be launching later in the year, dedicated to everyone coming together to make a difference, via our social networks. Focusing on being socially responsible, spreading awareness & believing in a common vision of saving Lives everyday & the end of needless killing of shelter pets!!!
"A Revolution For Life" begins at "A Place To Bark"!!! Stay Tuned it will be VERY exciting:)
Our younger generation will lead this revolution...

Another puppymill confiscation where 285 dogs were saved by the ASPCA in February of 2009. Another AMAZING group!!! I don't know what would happen to the world without this animal welfare organizations....
We took in 28 of these dogs who were all extremely emaciated & extremely pregnant.
All of which left healthy, loved & have ALL have been adopted!!!

A VERY special THANK YOU to PetSmart Charities!!!

Without their support we would have never been able to care for the medical needs of so many of these dogs.

This is one of the babies who is now an adult & happily living with artist Julie Bergmann & her family. Pom Pom is very loved & spoiled as all dogs should be:)
Another artist Sue Pelletier has sweet Eloise who also was born out of that horrible situation. Both live perfect lives & for that I am forever grateful!!! Thanks for adopting instead of buying:)

The key to our success is networking & working together. Sometimes we don't see eye to eye, but the bottom line is, we have to learn to agree to disagree and keep working towards the common cause & vision. That is to end the needless killing. The only way it will happen is by EVERYONE working together. So that is what we try to focus on everyday!

Here's a little video on our daily efforts in making a difference where we live, by working with the Sumner County Sheriff's Dept Animal Control.

They deliver dogs weekly to our rescue & help us save lives.

Our partnering shelter Anti Cruelty Society in Chicago is really who makes us successful.

They have the staff & facilities to place the hundreds of animals we save yearly.
By coming together, each doing our part, to get these animals healthy & well adjusted, it becomes a win/win for the animals, adopters & the humane society.

This is the wave of the future!!! The collaborative efforts SAVE lives!!!

The staff keeps me updated on my animals via my Facebook, Twitter & my social networks.
If one does not shelter well, it is returned to us, for private placement.

As you can see, I'm proud to call these people my friends!!!

How could we not be, after all, what feels better than saving life...

Yes, shelter policies and procedures are changing!!!

But we have to BELIEVE & be the CHANGE, if we expect to see it!!!

The extreme emotion & hard work it takes to run a rescue successfully & the huge numbers we have been taking has been taking it's toll on me... But the vision is almost complete.

The matching grant from the Zoline Foundation & your donations have brought us to a place we can continue to finish the shelter.

I'm not sure yet, if we've met the match, but whatever the case, we are grateful for whatever we have collected:) In the next few months, we will have walls, plumbing, electric, heating & air!!! All that will left to finish will be the veterinary equipment, washer/dryer, dishwasher, stainless steel sinks, kennels & veterinary cages. So much to do in the next few months, but we are almost there!!! WooHoo!!!:)
It's been a tough year for all & financially everyone has been stretched, but you've come together for us and it's been a MIRACLE to say the least. Again: "THANK YOU ALL!!!"

A final note is truly CHERISH each and every moment you have with your pets!

I lost my BIG guy Zeus this year....

While the void in my heart will never heal, his memory lives on in each and every animal that I come in contact with.

Till we meet again at the The Rainbow Bridge. I will miss you're snoring & smelly feet everyday:)

These faces here, each & everyone you see... You've helped me save by donating!!!

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!

MAY YOU ALL HAVE THE MOST WONDERFUL NEW YEAR AHEAD!!!

HERE'S TO A GREAT "2010"!!!

RESCUE, FOSTER & ADOPT!!! TILL THERE ARE NO MORE HOMELESS PETS...

P.S. If I have forgotten something or someone, please forgive me, I'm writing this on the run, from a hotel on the road between my transport & home:)

GREAT NEWS: Xmas Miracle!!! Matching GRANT!!!

2009-11-29T20:28:00.016-05:00

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” -Helen Keller

My Ten Year journey doing animal rescue has been one of Faith, Hope, Miracles & a belief in the greater good...

Just when things seem to be the darkest, you turn a corner & realize it was just a test of Faith:)

I received a phone call on Thanksgiving, from Patricia Zoline.

Over the years she has become a very, very, dear friend & huge supporter of "A Place To Bark". Her deep committed belief in this cause, me & of saving LIFE.

I could have never gotten so far or saved so many, without her foundation's financial support.

Not to mention her open door, when ever I have had a bad day...

For that I am FUREVER grateful:)

Well, now she is giving us the chance to make our DREAM COME TRUE for the animals!!!
From November 29th to December 31st

The "Zoline Foundation" will match dollar for dollar up to $23K!!!

If we can raise the extra $23k we can finish the shelter!!!

Despite all the financial hardship we've had this year, we have hung on and endured, clinging to a Hope & Dream...

All the contests we entered this year, didn't get us to where we needed to be, but this is a sure thing and will get the job done!

Your donation dollars will be doubled, what could be better than that:)
We are so, so, very close!!! Won't you help us, reach our goal & finish the shelter?

Please ask your friends, relatives, everyone & anyone who LOVES animals and believes that Life is precious & should not be put to sleep needlessly.

Winter is upon us, we NEED this now!

We sit on 20 acres with 10,000 square feet of kennels.

If we can save 600+ in a years time & an unfinished shelter, just think how much more we could do in a finished one!!!

Please, please, if ever I needed all my animal loving friends it's now...
This will be the beginning of something so AMAZING for animals in need, please help us spread the word!!!

If we all pitch in, we can create the BEST TEMPORARY HOME or permanent if needed.

A place of healing and LOVE with the BEST atmosphere, for these poor creatures who would be put to sleep needlessly had we did not taken them in.

Christmas IS everyday of the year here, celebrating LIFE!!!

Follow what I do here daily on:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/aplacetobark

Twitvids: http://www.twitvid.com/videos/aplacetobark

Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/aplacetobark?ref=profile

Our Facebook Cause:http://tinyurl.com/ydbtcwq

The BEST is yet to come!!!

BE A PART OF SOMETHING GREAT... "A PLACE TO BARK"

Saving lives everyday!!!

LIFE IS WORTH SAVING AT ALL COSTS!!!

Some of our link:
A Place To Bark Website
Twitter
Facebook
Twitvids
Twitpics
YouTube

Thank you for reading, your kind words & on going support...

If you cannot donate, please just spread the word & create awareness!!!

Till there are no more homeless animals... Rescue, Foster & ADOPT!!!

(Edit) ONE DAY LEFT: All donations matched to 23k till December 31st.

We need to meet the 23k to get the match. Whatever is short, that money will not be matched.

Currently we are about 13k short of the match. So if we don't generate the 13k which would come out to be 26k with the match, that would be lost. All that is already donated we will receive, just to clarify any confusion:)

But I have Faith that if we all join together we can make miracles happen!!! We have so far...

Sorry for such a short post, I can't begin to tell you how busy we are with all the animals in our care. Will update soon!!!

Life On the Runnnnn.....

2009-10-23T22:17:00.008-04:00

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile" -Albert Einstein

Life has been non stop, challenges for the past few months.
From Jeff being in a horrible car wreck and now having spinal cord damage to the financial struggles of the rescue & the over abundance of animals being surrendered to the pound in record numbers.
But as all things, this life is a journey and with each day and every new challenge that arises, we must face and find the joy within:)
That too can be a challenge, but one that is necessary for spiritual growth...

My joys are in saving LIFE!!!

A pictures tells a thousand words... What do these pictures say to you?

Some of the faces saved from needless euthanasia at our local pounds...

Lately, I have found myself in a curious place, one that has shown me how much I have learned to value my friends..
Those who love me, even though I have dropped off the face of the Earth, when I haven't responded to e-mails or phone calls.

I know it sounds terrible, but those that know me, know that if I have disappeared it's for good reason. Saving Lives!!! So many wonderful, beautiful lives depend on what we can do, to care for them and get them into our partnering shelter program to be adopted. Please bear with me, keep after me and know that I value you, your friendship and your patience with me. I'm on a mission to prove a point, that we can make a difference and to raise awareness thru our social networks. Life is precious and people need to know that this needless killing of shelter animals has to stop.

My friends Claudine and Lynne have teamed up to help me with my fund raising efforts and will be helping me with many things so that I don't fall behind too much and disappoint people.

I don't have much time these days for anything else but caring for the animals, we have close to 100 animals on site with a transport headed north on Tuesday, & every other week after that. But I needed to check in and say HELLO!!!

We will also have t-shirts available for sale very soon!!!

If anyone is interested in donating a design to help us fund raise please let us know!!!

Nov. Ebay Art Auction Call for Artists is underway! For info, email: aplacetobark2009@gmail.com Lynne Gillis is coordinating this for me, so if you e-mail her you will receive a response quickly, since it's not me:)
The whole month of November will be an on going art auction to fund raise to finish the shelter, so we can save more animals this winter. Detail posted soon!!

Thanks for visiting, reading, supporting us & being a part of something GREAT!!! LIFE:)

Party Animals Ebay Auction

2009-10-08T23:11:00.003-04:00

Hey everyone, the auctions is LIVE!!!
Click Here to see the FUN & Fabulous Art
The Party Animals original art auction will begin on Oct. 15th and go through Oct. 19th.
So please spread the word & bid often, we are in dire straights and need funds to continue on & stay open.

This will be a 5 day auction over at Ebay and all of the original artwork that was produced for the Party Animals zine will be auctioned off to benefit A Place To Bark.

I will post an exact link to the auction on the 15th, but for now, here is a little flyer with all the info. Please tell all of your pet loving friends about the auction. The work is AMAZING and 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the animals!

Below is a list of the artists who participated…please visit their sites and check them out!

Jill Beninato – www.sitstaysmile.com
Bernie Berlin - www.aplacetobark.blogspot.com
Suzi Blu – www.suziblu.typepad.com
Rebecca Collins – www.artpaw.com
Wendy Crumbley – www.2dogstudio.com
Ingrid Dijkers – www.ingriddijkers.com
Manon Doyle – www.hoochiepoochiestudios.com
Sarah Fishburn – www.sarahfishburn.com
Rice Freeman-Zachery – www.voodooandzen.com
Heather LaHaise – www.heatherlahaise.com
Melissa Langer – www.pugnotes.com
Maija Lepore – www.maigirlz.typepad.com
Anne Leuck Feldhaus – www.annesart.com
Tamandra Michaels – www.heartdogstudios.com
Kim Rae Nugent – www.kimraenugent.com
Linda O’Neill – www.abbycreekstudios.com
Nancy Schutt – www.gooddogart.com
Jill Marie Shulse – www.jillmarieshulse.blogspot.com
Kelly Snelling – www.soulhumming.typepad.com
Carla Sonheim – www.carlasonheim.com
Kathy Weller – www.wellerwishes.com

SHOUT OUT TO ALL ARTISTS – 2009 EBAY ART AUCTION SIGN UP INFO!

2009-10-07T20:58:00.003-04:00

“There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.” ~ Dorothy to Toto, in Oz

We are SO CLOSE to being able to finish our new shelter building at A Place to Bark that the dogs are ready to lay claim to their “bedrooms”!

To help to get us the rest of the way there, A Place to Bark is teaming up with eBay Good Works (the charitable giving arm of Ebay) to host our annual EBAY ART AUCTION! During the entire month of November, a portion of the proceeds (decided by the artist) of the sale of each piece of artwork from participating artists will be donated to A Place to Bark. Your donations, of course, are entirely tax deductible.

The beauty of eBay Good Works is that it makes it so incredibly easy for every artist to participate – and to do so in a way where they are completely in control of how big a portion of the proceeds of the sale of their artwork is donated to A Place to Bark.

Our goal is to raise $25,000, which is enough money to allow us to finish the shelter before winter sets in – and WE NEED YOUR HELP TO DO THAT! If you are an artist and would like to help raise desperately needed funds for A Place to Bark by being a part of the Art Auction, please email us at: aplacetobark2009@gmail.com and we will send you all the details you will need to participate.

Above is a short video of the initial building phase of the shelter. Now that the shell of the building is up, we need your help to finish it!

Thanks in advance for your interest and participation! So far in 2009, we’ve rescued, rehabilitated and re-homed more than 500 dogs and cats who would otherwise be put down - and the numbers keep climbing!

Now you can be a part of continuing the crusade to fulfill the dream of a truly no-kill world! Thank you for your support!

Going the Extra Mile: Some of the Special dogs we help...

2009-08-27T12:11:00.001-04:00

"Determine that the things can & shall be done & then we shall find the way."

-Abraham Lincoln

I'm currently in Chicago, getting ready to return to Tennessee.

Jeff & Terry are holding down the fort in my absence caring for the dogs, for which I am very appreciative of their help, love & dedication to the cause.

I've just transported 43 of our rescues to our partnering adoption program with Anti Cruelty Society on Tuesday & many have already found homes yesterday, while I was there:)

I become very reflective while on these trips, for the rescues leave me, to go into the world to find their people. A leap of Faith for me, a chance at life for them...

It really is a bitter/sweet parting, for I get to know each & every dog that comes into my life.

But the lessons my grandfather taught me long ago, still stay with me to this day...

His kind, sweet voice, lingers in my memory.

"If you LOVE something, you must not possess it... That Love, no matter how painful, is always wanting better for that, that you LOVE" -Clyde Jewert

In this post, I want to showcase some of our special needs animals.

We go the extra mile, to take in any animal that we can help, as long as space & resources are available. Treatment is given for all illness & injuries.

Parvo treatments, eye surgeries & 16 orthopedic surgeries are just a few examples of what has been provided this year.

We focus on the animals at our local animal control & work closely with the Sheriff's Department, as do many other rescues locally.

But even with all our combined efforts, the euthanasia rate where I live & for most of the southern states animal controls is, 98% with only 3 working days for the pets to be claimed.

Unbelievable as that sounds, it is a very harsh & true reality:(

So that is why I do what I do, for free... I BELIEVE in LIFE!!!

My time is donated, the costs to support what we do are staggering, but necessary to save lives. I am dedicated to creating awareness & making the statement that the needless killing of animals has to stop!!!

I am on several social networks to spread the word of rescue & friend all, that are animal lovers who want to be a part of something great for the animals in need.

Life is not disposable and while I have been asked in the past, how can you hope to make a difference when the problem is so great? My reply is: If we all give up, then for sure, all is lost.

My favorite quote is: "All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing."

- Edmund Burke

We must NEVER give up, but work harder to come together for the greater good.

By many of us banding together, creating an unbreakable united front dedicated to the animals,

this is when we will see, Life changing! Miracles can & will be created, if we BELIEVE!!! Despair gets us no where.. Hope & Love will create the dream, a better world!!!

Rescue work is not easy, it is hard work. The daily pick up from the pound, veterinary runs, cleanings, feedings, washings, medicating, round the clock care, not to mention my monthly transports which are mostly about 9 hours but have gone as long as 18 hours, depending where we are going.

But this for now, is the only way, these lives will be spared. Spay/Neuter is the long term solution to this problem. But it will take time for it to take hold & the numbers to decrease.

My friend Ruth has built a fabulous low cost spay/neuter clinic that will be opening September 9th in Franklin, KY. I will post a link as soon as the website is up!!

I get many questions daily about rescue work and how to start a program like mine.

This is a long answer, but I promise to address the question in depth in future posts.

But for now, the Best advice I can give if you are new to rescue, is to volunteer your time with established rescues & Humane Societies.

Start slow, for it can consume your heart, soul & mind quickly and put you into financial ruin that has devastated many rescues...

Compassion fatigue & the burn out are our greatest challenges.

If we don't care for ourselves, it won't help the animals for the long term.

(easier to tell you this, than do it myself:)

I know this is a bit long, but I'm just in one of those moods today to write...

So now onward to some of our many stories & the animals that are healed because of your generosity!

"Bullet" was a stray, who had been shot.

He was from another county in rural Tennessee, where there is no animal control.

Which means then, the local Sheriff's department has to handle any injured or stray animal situations. In this case the dog had been shot by a shotgun.

The Sheriff raised his gun, to put the suffering dog out of his misery, when the dog looked him in the eyes & started to wag his tail. The Sheriff started to tear, picked the dog up, took him to the vet and the dog was brought to us. He named the dog "Bullet".

As you can see he quickly stole the hearts of everyone he met!!!

This photos above were of the injury & during the surgery.

The photo below, was taken the last day he was in our care, before he was placed for adoption.

My happy memory of a sweet hound/mix that could run & play because of my animal loving friends, supporting our animal rescuing endeavors.

This year we have brought 6 dogs to our vets that needed leg amputations.

These injuries were from either being shot or being hit by cars.

All were treated and are doing well!!!

This dog came from a cruelty case.

She was starved, beaten & so terribly pregnant, she almost died at the vet's office during labor.

This dog had one of the most AMAZING spirits I have come across & it reflects in this HAPPY VIDEO we took of her.

"Shayla" has been adopted & happily living in Chicago.

Her mom keeps up with me on Facebook to let me know how she's doing:)

The x-ray below shows how many little lives she was carrying... Amazing technology!

Below one of the many puppies that are treated for Parvo yearly.

We also take some cats into our rescue.

While our main focus are dogs, we don't want to leave our feline friends out:)

"Pong" was attacked by a dog, the vets tried to save his leg, but it had to amputated.

He has since been adopted by the vet & his wife!

I hope you realize how much I value your readership and that even though I disappear or seem unavailable, it's because I get so busy with the animals.

Please know I appreciate you and for believing in what we do!!!

Breaking Traditions quilt show accepting entries!

2009-08-10T23:59:00.006-04:00

Hey all you artists and quilters out there! I just got word from Lynn Krawczyk about a quilt show accepting entries to help A Place to Bark!

Here's the text from the Breaking Traditions web site:

Breaking Traditions has become a community effort, helping to support the fund raising projects of fellow fiber/mixed media artists.

The 2009 exhibit will benefit Bernie Berlin's dog rescue, A Place to Bark. In honor of Bernie's efforts to find orphaned and abused dogs permanent loving homes, the theme for the 2009 exhibit is "Home."

The exhibit features 12"x12" art quilts. Participants for the 2009 show will express those things, memories or emotions that define home to them. This is an open call exhibit, everyone is encourage to participate. Prizes are donated for those in the exhibit and an Exhibit Favorite is chosen.

Guidelines and entry form can be found here.

Prize information can be found here.

Would you like to help? Find out ways you can here.

There are two ways in which updates are posted regarding the exhibit. Any changes to the guidelines or rules of the exhibit will be posted in the yahoo group. General announcements and installation shots of the exhibit as it travels (currently showing the 2008 exhibit) can be found on the exhibit's blog.

Visit The Breaking Traditions web site for more information!

Can't seem to catch my breath...BUSY beyond words!!!

2009-08-07T22:30:00.009-04:00

“Dreams are like the paints of a great artist.

Your dreams are your paints, the world is your canvas.

Believing, is the brush that converts your dreams into a masterpiece of reality.”

-Author Unknown

I cannot express to you how busy I have been...

This is our busiest year yet!!!

We are going to increase our rescued animals numbers this year,

with the least amount of funding.

It truly has been the biggest struggle financially, but we are hanging on:)

We will be actively fund raising from now, till the end of the year.

So much to share & I promise will post more in detail very soon, about fund raising,

art auctions & products that will benefit the rescue!!!

For now, I will share some photos of the dogs that have been adopted!!!

I hope these photos, of some of the faces that have passed thru our doors,

will bring a smile to your face.

Those of you that donate your money & time, it's because of you, they live!!!

Together we make a difference for the animals in need...

A HUGE THANK YOU, goes to the Anti Cruelty Society in Chicago!!!

They have given me a chance to grow & develop my, shelter to shelter program

& helps me find the hundred of homes each year, for these loving dogs!!!

The staff at ACS keeps in constant contact with me & gives the adopters our contact

information, so they may contact me with any questions or concerns.

If for some reason one of my rescues isn't adjusting well, they contact me & arrangements

are made for the animal to come back for private placement.

By working together, it has created a win/win situation for all involved!

The Absolute BEST, is the updates on the adopted pets and their new lives:)

So many, many, success stories to come in the future months...

((((Just need some time to do all the computer work:)))

These are just some, of the many dedicated staff workers at ACS !!!

Don't forget we also take in several cats yearly... Please contact us for an updated listing.
IF you are looking for a cat that we don't have, we can surely find it for you!!!
MORE soon!!!!

Please help A Place To Bark win a check for 10K

2009-08-04T19:07:00.006-04:00

"There are only two ways to live your life.

One is as though nothing is a miracle.

The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~ Albert Einstein ~

Please help "A Place To Bark" win $10,000 by Nominating us, as your favorite charity!

The Christie Cookie Company is giving away $25,000 total to 12 charities.

It only takes a few moments, and will help us in our final phases of finishing

the shelter to continue helping animals in need.

Click HERE to vote!!!!

What you will need to vote is our:
Charity Name: A Place to Bark
Charity City: Portland
Charity State: TN
Charity Contact Name: Bernie Berlin
Your Name & Your Email

Spread the word and share with all your animal loving friends!!!

We need all the help we can get, these little guys can't support or care for themselves..

Much more news to follow in the upcoming weeks.... Stay Tuned!

Moments at "A Place To Bark"

2009-07-30T01:11:00.000-04:00

" The noblest question in the world is, "What Good May I Do In It?"

-Benjamin Franklin

"This video was donated by my friend Suzi Blu"
Thank you so much Suzi for your time & efforts to help us, help the animals!!!

Party Animals Zine Helps A Place to Bark

2009-07-14T22:25:00.008-04:00

I'd like to introduce you to the Party Animals Zine! This is the second project that Jill Beninato (thank you Jill!!) has hosted to support A Place To Bark animal rescue. Jill invited 20 other artists to create an original piece of artwork based on the "Party Animals" theme, using any medium they wanted. Jill photographed each piece and created a zine featuring everyone’s work, along with other fun articles and info about A Place To Bark. The finished zine is full color, 43 pages and printed professionally by Lulu Printing.

You can get your copy of the zine here and remember, ALL of the proceeds go directly to helping the animals at A Place To Bark!

The original artwork from this zine will be auctioned off on Ebay on October 15th, 2009. We will post info about the auction here on the blog as we get closer to that date. We would like to thank all of the artists who donated their beautiful work to this project. Some of the artists were also a part of Dogs Rule (Jill's first project for APTB), but we had quite a few new artists join the sisterhood as well. Below is a list of the artists who participated…please visit their sites and check them out!

Jill Beninato – www.sitstaysmile.com
Bernie Berlin - www.aplacetobark.blogspot.com
Suzi Blu – www.suziblu.typepad.com
Rebecca Collins – www.artpaw.com
Wendy Crumbley – www.2dogstudio.com
Ingrid Dijkers – www.ingriddijkers.com
Manon Doyle – www.hoochiepoochiestudios.com
Sarah Fishburn – www.sarahfishburn.com
Rice Freeman-Zachery – www.voodooandzen.com
Heather LaHaise – www.heatherlahaise.com
Melissa Langer – www.pugnotes.com
Maija Lepore – www.maigirlz.typepad.com
Anne Leuck Feldhaus – www.annesart.com
Tamandra Michaels – www.heartdogstudios.com
Kim Rae Nugent – www.kimraenugent.com
Linda O’Neill – www.abbycreekstudios.com
Nancy Schutt – www.gooddogart.com
Jill Marie Shulse – www.jillmarieshulse.blogspot.com
Kelly Snelling – www.soulhumming.typepad.com
Carla Sonheim – www.carlasonheim.com
Kathy Weller – www.wellerwishes.com

Here is an image loop of the finished zine!
Get your copy of the zine here!

So much to tell!!!

2009-07-05T21:27:00.022-04:00

"Miracles, in the sense of phenomena we cannot explain,

surround us on every hand: Life itself is the miracle of miracles"

-George Bernard Shaw

I have so much to catch up on and tell!!! Just don't know where to start...

Not having Internet at the house has been such an inconvenience & as busy as I've been, I just don't have time to sit still long enough to wait for a tech to get it fixed.

But I will put that on my to do list for the next month.

That to do list is getting longer & longer:)

Till then, please bear with me and my inconsistent entries, just know we are busier than ever!!! Taking in more dogs in need than last year.

It never ends, but we have to keep on, knowing lives are saved & that awareness is being raised thru our rescue efforts.

I guess I will start with my most recent trip to California.

Yes, it was mostly a business trip!

But also had a few days of fun with my art/animal friends & publishers:)

First to let you know, we have been working VERY, VERY hard on trying to get a reality show.

I am represented by Rotbart/Axelson Management Inc. & my legal counsel is Lyon & Phillips Law Firm .

All I can share with you at this moment is, that they are working on this & that there is an interest from the networks.

But as with all things in TV & film, anything can happen...

It is a number driven industry, so we have to make it known, that people are interested in topic of animal rescue, in an uplifting, positive, informative format.

So I am asking for your help, if you would like to see a show on "A Place To Bark" please subscribe to my blog, our YouTube station & follow me on Facebook & Twitter. Tell anyone & everyone who loves animals!!!

I'm being watched, so these things do make a difference in proving to the networks what people want to see on their TVs.

Think of what an impact could be made for shelter & rescue animals everywhere!!!

Not to mention if I get good subscriber numbers on YouTube my station can make money for the rescue:) We have some HUGE vet bills right now..

I know it's a long shot... But that has never stopped us before!!!

We believe in Miracles here!!! Always have, Always will!

Truth be told, seeing what I see everyday has made me more passionate & driven to get the rest of the world motivated on making a difference. Social responsibility is such an important part of life, I am willing to do & try any type of media, to inspire others to help change the world. We can do it, TOGETHER!!! In the smallest of ways, we can reach others and make this movement spread like wildfire... This is my belief & I hope yours too!!!

If you have kids in grade school, high school & college, I need this audience as well if not most of all.. Their social networks are powerful, not to mention, they are our next generation of pet owners. What a world of difference, they could make, if they learn and believe in the cause and are passionate now!!!

More news to coming soon...

But now to share some of the highlights of my trip!!!

My hostess with the mostest,
Suzi Blu & GiGi, took great care of me & Pom Pom while in Cali..

We had a fun filled Hollywood adventure with my management company & producer, then we went to the fabulous Stampington offices & had dinner with my friend & editor Jenny Doh.

All the staff at Stampington & Company welcomed & loved us bringing our furry friends!

This is a funny video Suzi put together during our trip.

Then between meetings, I was able to sneak out to the Surf Dog Contest.

That was so FUN to watch!!!

I was also able to meet up with my friend Jamie Pflughoeft Photographer extraordinaire from Seattle, at this event. Please check out her Blog Post, the photos are stunning!!!

Words cannot describe the way she captures life.. You'll see what I mean:)

On another day, I met my Animal Activist friends & participated in a pet store protest.

The dedicated women who do these protests, urge pet stores to go humane & sell rescued puppies, instead of puppy mill pups.

They are ladies I respect so very much & am blessed to know.

Thru their peaceful protests, they have created change & encouraged several stores to do the right thing, not selling puppies who come from these horrible places.

Educating the public to know the truth and not support the greed driven, enslavement of poor animals.

Everyone can do a little something to help... Everyone!!!

The animals need us, for they cannot speak for themselves. Our power is in numbers!

I will post more on how you can participate in these protests or start one in your city...

In the meanwhile, if you live in California, want to be a part of this cause & can get to the protests in L.A., join these powerful ladies on FaceBook.

Carole Sax is a key contact person & would love you to join her group of friends/animal activists, to help stop pet stores from selling puppy mill dogs.

In addition to the protesting, I had the pleasure of sharing an afternoon with Carole Raphaelle Davis, Jana Kohl & Victoria Stilwell. If you don't know who they are, you should, check out their links.

All dedicated, powerful, AMAZING women!!!

So that is some of the highlights of my trip..

All animals, All the time with Art in the mix!

Till there are no more homeless animals, RESCUE, FOSTER & ADOPT!!!

But most of all, Spay/Neuter your pets!

Be a part of "Something GREAT!!!"

Join us, join our circle of friends for animals everywhere..

Because the animals need us...

***Please stay tuned...
We have received confirmation on a matching 15k grant.
If we can match this, we will be in the final phases of finishing the shelter!!!! Wooo Hooo!!
New blog post Monday!!!!

help A Place to Bark with ebay! it's easy!

2009-06-15T20:56:00.003-04:00

Exciting news! A Place to Bark is being highlighted on eBay’s "Sell Your Item" form this month, making it easier than ever to list for A Place to Bark on eBay!

HERE'S HOW:

Ebay Sellers: Sell your items on eBay and donate 10-100% of the final sale price to A Place to Bark and you'll receive a credit on eBays basic selling fees.

Ebay Shoppers: Or, if you’re in the mood to shop, buy items already on eBay! Throughout June, when you buy an eBay Giving Works item or make a donation in eBay checkout you will automatically entered to win one of five $1,000 eBay shopping sprees. Shopping, helping animals, and a chance to win! What could be better!?

SPREAD THE WORD:
Help spread the word! Please Twitter this blog post and mention it in Facebook too! This will all help A Place to Bark!

thank you so much for your support of the animals!

Crazy Busy...

2009-05-29T22:40:00.010-04:00

"Dogs are our link to paradise.

They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent.

To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace."

- Milan Kundera

First: I am excited to announce, we have met our matching grant!!!

So we have been able to pay down some of our vet bills...

There is still much, much, more to pay, but at least we are on our way:)

We just have to keep the FAITH and continue on!!!

Second: If you have wondered.. Where in the world have I disappeared to???

Well... I've been busy beyond words!!! Dogs, lots of dogs!!!

Cats & kittens & real work that pays the bills.

Thank goodness I can work at nite, while the critters sleep. Non stop more so than usual, truly not sleeping much, working harder than I ever had before, but all for a great cause with our vision is coming to fruition!!!

In addition to our regular amount of incoming dogs from animal control, we are also caring for 11 litters too.

Our journey of three and a half months with them is almost at an end...

Bitter/sweet, but sooooo, soooo, worth all the hard work!!!

The 11 litters of puppies we have been fostering are from the puppymill confiscation done by the ASPCA back in February. They are all healthy & of perfect weight to be fixed and will be up for adoption at Anti Cruelty Society in Chicago.

I leave to transport next week...

So off I will go, on the road again!!!

A few really cute pics of them to grown up!!!

More pictures of the pups & their moms in earlier posts of my blog..

Below are some of our new intakes from animal control.

I am so Thankful for the Sheriff's Department being so cooperative with getting the animals to me.

They deliver many of them, so that I don't have to leave the house.

We really have a great relationship with them and can't say enough good things about them!

"Auggie" is a male Beagle, approximately 1-2 years of age. Super friendly and loving!!! Of course loud talker as most Beagles are:)

"Bitsy" is beside him. A real ham for the camera. She is a Terrier/mix. Approximately 4-6 months old. Found under a house with her sister.

"Brownie" is a Beagle/mix. Busy, Busy, puppy!!! Approximately 12 weeks old.

"Sunshine" is a female Boxer/Pit mix. The BEST dog you will ever have. Approximately 2-3 year of age. Social with everyone and just the Biggest Love you will ever find!!!

"Hobbs" is a male Beagle/mix, approximately 10-12 weeks old. Full of personality.

"Simba" is a trickster as you can tell:) He is a very small Husky/mix, about 35lbs. Approximately 2-3 year of age. Very Busy guy, loves to run!

He also has two other siblings that came in with him. All just beautiful dogs.

"Tallulah" is a female Foxhound. Approximately 3-5 years old.

The laziest most LOVING dog I have ever met!!! Perfect with other dogs.

For anyone who is waiting for an e-mail response, please be patient with me.

I've been struggling with catching up on my e-mails.

I have been without Internet for almost 2 months and have to rely on going to town.

I do have my iPhone, which has kept me linked to my social networks, such as FaceBook and Twitter. I hope to be caught up with everything by early July.

So please, I haven't forgotten you!!!

Just as always am taking care of large amount of animals and their care must & does come first.. Many, Many, new and exciting things to share with you on the horizon.

So stay tuned!!!

Soooo, do you think the dogs are getting too comfortable at our house:) (((giggles)))

Giveaways coming in the next blog post for commenting...

"Signs from Above"

2009-05-04T13:11:00.004-04:00

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement

that something else is more important than fear"
—Ambrose Redmoon

Do you BELIEVE in Miracles? I do!!! I always have & always will..

Faith, Hope & Belief, is the only way we can create change, towards a better tomorrow.

My emotions lately have been tested to the extreme..

Nothing unusual for those of us who do rescue.

We all know it wears on your heart, mind & pocketbook.

This year especially has been a test of Faith and on this day, I was asking for answers and praying that we would not have to decrease our intake numbers due to our lack of donation funds.

But on this day, I asked for an answer from above and this is what I got...

It's really a bit crazy the way my life is, running all the time, between running this program and my professional life.

But this journey, is my life's passion, something I never planned...

Life sometimes takes you places you never thought and it has in my case:)

The rainbows arch went from the shelter to my Angel statue, then to the front of my house, before it disappeared.

There is actually a double rainbow if you look real hard.

So I will continue on and put doubt out of my mind... Work on plan B and BELIEVE:)

Everything will all work out, it has to!!!

I have been without internet for almost a month, so that is part of the reason I have been delayed to update the blog.

I've actually been more active on my FaceBook account, just because I can update it daily from my mobile phone.

These are many of the dogs that have been placed for adoption thru our shelter partnering program and some of the new faces.

It is almost impossible for me to keep up with their care, the photos, updates, transports, etc.

So if you are looking for a special dog, just send me an e-mail with what you are looking for and I can tell you what I have.

Enjoy the photos, these are the precious lives saved because of your donations:)

These are a few, of the many moms that were confiscated in a puppymill raid done by the ASPCA earlier this year.

All of the 11 mothers have been adopted out thru Anti Cruelty Society in Chicago and the babies will follow in early June.

We loved caring for them, but WOW what alot of work!!!

It took several months of round the clock veterinary care and lots of socialization and exposure to new things.

Despite the hardship they went thru, they have blossomed into the most loving, trusting dogs:)

Here is a video of one of our Fun Days with all of them!!!

I have to say with a heavy heart we will be closing up for about 3 months, starting June 2nd.

Unless by some miracle, we can raise the needed funds to continue on, taking in the 30-50 dogs each month. We are full to capacity with no more room to take in any more, even though the calls & pleas for help come in daily.

In the upcoming months we will focus on catching up on past due vet bills, raising money for the shelter, writing for grants and just getting a better plan together for the future of "A Place To BArk".

No matter what, it won't be for good, just for a short while to regroup & recharge our batteries so to speak, so that we can come back stronger than ever:)

Because the animals need us...

Together we make a difference!!!

P.S. Our matching grant for $10,000 will only be matched if we can raise $10,000 in donations. We are short about $2,500.00 as of this post. Any amount is appreciated, it all adds up!!!

***If you are a store owner and are interested in having me teach, please contact me at: aplacetobark@mac.com I will be looking to hit the road to raise money for the pooches!!!

Will be announcing teaching schedule for California, Massachusetts & Indiana in a week or two.

Edit: Eeeek!!!! Sorry some of the comments were rejected by accident:( Please forgive me!!!

I am without internet & trying to do this from my iphone, hit the wrong tiny button....

I'm hoping to have my internet back up by the end of May, have transports & animal care that come first. Note to self: Never accept a free modem upgrade it is NEVER free:(

"TEN" To LIFE!!" A Place To Bark's Annual Fundraiser

2009-04-07T22:11:00.001-04:00

"I tell you the truth: If you have Faith as small as a mustard seed..

Nothing will be impossible for you."

-Matthew 17:20-21

It's that time of year that we have to start the fund raising campaign!!!

I have written this post a dozen times...

I kept putting it off..

I guess, I just really hate asking for help & especially when it come to money.

Getting over my ego, is a very difficult task,

but I'm not asking for myself it's for them..

I do not draw a salary from the rescue. ALL of my time is donated.

If anything, I'm always putting money back in:)

Your donation dollars go to the care of the animals.

We do not euthanize for illness, unless there is no other option, if they are terminal, are in pain & we cannot fix them.

We treat all illness, parvo, kennel cough, heart worm, injuries, etc. they come in with...

Many surgeries currently waiting on funding & past due vet bills needing payment.

The economy has really hurt us this year, we've lost 2 grants & our food source.

No contest & the matching grant offered is only 10k instead of 35k.

Last year at this time we had over 40,000 in donations,

this year we are at 4,000.

I believe we will get thru these hard times,

it will just take Faith, Hope & Patience.

We will make the best out of what we have and continue on!!!

I just hope we don't have to cut back our intake, we've been struggling terribly these last few months. But if we can't pay the bills, we may have to:(

I may stop for a bit, to catch up on bills, but I promise you I will never quit!!!

My love & commitment is to the animals & we have come too far to ever give up.

Pets need us, they cannot survive without the care of their humans.

So let's not let them down...

The Theme is "Ten to LIFE"

If you can donate ten dollars or more & ask ten of your friend,

we should be able to turn the tables and make this year the BEST ever!!!

ALL donations are tax deductible:)

Suzi Blu made this video for us, so that you can see what we have built this far..

To minimally finish the inside of the shelter, we need approximately 25,000.00

Then there are operation costs. Transports, food, veterinary bills, etc.

We saved 502 dogs last year and 46 cats.

So we are hoping to raise $100,000.00 this year.

Claudine is working on the thermometer so you can see our progress.

I know, I know...

It sounds like a huge amount, but it's a reality of what we are doing,

there are huge expenses, even though we try to keep cost down.

I have to believe that if each one of us, donates ten dollars,

forwards the plea on, to all their animal loving friends

& they donate, we'll be able to do this,

achieve our yearly budget and hope to save more animals in need.

The biggest part is finished. The building!!!

Now that it is up, we need to finish it.

Then it will be easier for me to write for the bigger grants.

We officially have a shelter.. That was a HUGE accomplishment!
Now we have to complete it and make it HOME!!!

I have nationally known artists from across the U.S.,

who have offered and are willing to come down to paint & decorate the inside.

We will not only have a functional animal shelter with a beautiful home environment atmosphere, but one that is colorfully bold, beautiful and artistic.

Where animals can rehab, have sanctuary & receive the care they need.

Dreams can happen, we just have to come together and believe...

You have watched us grow over the years and the work we have done,

can be verified thru our local Sheriff's Department,

Humane Societies & organizations we work with.

Many of you have adopted from us too!!!

So many of the stories are archived on this blog, thru tv, magazine & newspaper articles.

Please help us in any way you can & spread the word!!

I will continue to share their stories and we'll keep expanding the program the best we can.

Ways to donate:

Online: Network for Good badge to the right of the blog

or our Paypal account: aplacetobark@aol.com.

Checks can be sent to: A Place To Bark, P.O. Box 649, Portland, TN 37148

More ways coming in the next post, that don't cost a penny, only a few moments of your time.

No worries, one way or another, we will continue on, we have to!!!

The animals can't do it for themselves. They need caring animal loving people to help them.

We raised enough to keep us going for a year, last year & I know we can do it again!!!

WE HAVE RECEIVED A MATCHING GRANT FROM:

THE ZOLINE FOUNDATION FOR $10,000.00.

DONATIONS WILL BE MATCHED UNTIL June 1st.

Any donation is incredibly important, no matter the amount!!!

Together we can finish this shelter and help more animals in need:)

We have many things planned for this year..

An Art Auction, Zine, some online classes & possibly a craft cruise to benefit "A Place To Bark"

Many new things planned for the website & will be registering with Charity Navigator.

We Thank YOU!!! For reading and being a part of something GREAT for the animals!!!

Stay tuned, we'll be getting really creative!!!

"NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give up"

-Winston Churchill

Busy Beyond Words..

2009-03-29T20:11:00.010-04:00

"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls.

The most massive characters are seared with scars." -Edwin Chapin

Nothing new... Just same old, same old.. Dogs, dogs & more dogs...

Trying to play catch up.

Sorry I've not updated in awhile..

Life has been, non stop on the go!!!

Trying to squeeze work in between caring for all these critter.

Since the last post I went down under to Australia to teach.

It was AMAZING!!!

Have lots of pictures to share, just have to find time to post...

The Australian artists are also an animal loving bunch.

They made me feel so at home, even provided me with a few dogs on loan, to keep me company:)

I will be planning to get on the road a bit more this year, gotta bring home the bacon, so to speak, since donations are way down & we have lots of mouths to feed & care for around here as you will see.

The economic situation is a double edged sword.

More & more dogs being surrendered & dumped at the pounds with less & less donations being given. So many rescues are closing:(

We too are truly struggling and will be asking for help & posting our yearly fund raiser/ art auction in the next post. "Ten to Life" will be our theme.

So please stay tuned for details:)

Here are a few of the many, many, new faces here..

"Franzis" is a male chocolate lab/mix. Approximately 1-2 years of age. He's a fun loving guy, super, duper high energy!!

"Jester" a male Black Lab/mix. Approximately 1-2 years of age, same story.. Busy, busy, busy!!!

"Kirby" & "Derby" litter mates at the pound.

Both had mange, were very, very thin & shy.

They are approximately 10-12 months of age, both male & have an artistic ability to dig heart shaped holes together:) It was HUGE!! Better than a box of chocolates:)

"Wally" is a very naughty boy, who is incredibly smart!!

Would be a great agility dog.

Approximately 12-14 weeks old. Border Collie/Aussie Mix.

"Newton" is a Beagle/mix. Approximately 1-2 years of age. LOVES the ladies..

We are taking care of that:) But is very much a high energy snuggle bug!!

"Lovey" is a female Chow/something fuzzy mix.

Approximately 2-3 years of age. VERY, VERY Friendly.

"Flobee" is a female Goldie/poo or doodle something.

Wirey scruffiness, too sweet and cute!!! Approximately 1-2 years of age. Loves to run!!!

"Lobo" is a male White German Shepherd.

Approximately 2 years of age. He is a great dog!!

Loves to be right by you and thinks he can sit in your lap. Not a cat lover!!!

"Bullet" is a male Hound/mix. Approximately 2-3 years of age, between 40-50lbs. This guy truly did get a second chance at life... Shot twice, by some unknown person. The sheriff's department in one of our rural counties in Tennessee, was called to put this guy out of his suffering. When the sheriff arrived, the dog was in incredible pain, but as the sheriff raise his gun the dog looked him in the eyes and started to wag his tail. He couldn't do it. Instead he took the dog to the vet & paid for his treatment. One bullet was removed, the second had to remain. He will most probably have a limp once he recovers. But this boy is nothing but love and kisses!!! The dog was named by the sheriff who saved him. So Bullet it is:)

Many litters of puppies to share, just can't get them to sit still long enough to photograph:)

Updates on the puppy mill puppies soon too!!!

Leaving to transport dogs to Chicago on Tuesday... (((on the road again)))
More to come..

P.S. If you haven't voted for Joe, please do...

If you help Joe, he will help us!!!

(((O.k. he'll help us anyway, but it would be wonderful for animals in shelters & rescues everywhere if he would win his dream assignment)))

We have several collaborative projects planned in the very near future, more on that soon.

Voting ends April 4th, so time is drawing near, if you want to help animals in need, it costs nothing but your time to register & vote!!!

This is how you can help Joe win his "Dream Assignment".

CLICK HERE

Click the Pic It box to the left of the screen.

This is the most important step, other than registering:

If you don't click the: Pic It box, it will not register & be counted.

He is currently ranked in 5th place and we need to stay in the top 10 to qualify for consideration.

Leave a comment if you like, I'm sure Joe would LOVE to hear from you...

All Done!!! YOU DONE GOOD:)

Pass this along to other animals lovers, spreading the word & asking them to vote..

Animals can't speak for themselves & need us to care for & defend them!!!

Paws, Cause, Fabulous Photography & Give Away

2009-03-03T13:11:00.005-05:00

"Falling in Love is Easy.. But staying in Love, is something Very Special"

-Author Unknown

(Photo by: Joe Frazz)

The quote above really spoke to me.. Especially when I look at all these adorable pups.

I worry about their future, because I have seen their past..

For many puppy mill pups that end up in pet stores, it is so easy to purchase a pet on impulse. Seeing their cute faces in the windows & cages.

Not realizing where the pups originally came from or the conditions they were born into.

The money spent at the pet shop or the Internet bought puppy, is what millers consider a cash crop. It puts more money than you can imagine, into the pockets of some who did not have the dogs best interest at heart.

I am reminded of this every time we take in dogs from puppy mill confiscation.

I hope that if you are considering adopting one of these darlings, that you realize they are to be loved and cherished for their lifetime.. Not just the short time they are pups.

My mind thinks about this every time I rescue a dog, who is so loving & good.

That they were loved, snuggled and kissed as pups, but are now is a grown adult and given up or discarded. These are a few thoughts that travel thru my mind daily..

Enough of my thoughts, I know they make you sad, but every now & then I do have to share a bit of my reality with you, for the sake of the animals & to help spread awareness.

Now for the Good Stuff!!!

Wowza!!! Total cuteness:)
These darlings are pulling thru, getting stronger everyday & will make it into adoptive home in the near future!!!
I hope you enjoy their happy photos..

"Dumpling the Puggle & puppies"

Close up of "Dumpling's" pups

Little "Lambkins" pups, 2 of 3

My Blessed little "Soul"

"Willameena" weiner & her cocktail Weenies..

"Eenie, Meenie, Miney & Moe"

"Ernestine's" pups

My last post I'm sure was hard for many to read...
I wish I did not have to post about such things or ask people to embrace their inner strength to view my blog, but it is a reality of life.
Not a perfect world by any means, but it is the world we live in, our world.
So we have to make the best out of what we have, continue on & hope for a better future..
Tomorrow is another day and the baby steps we take, to change the world little by little.
Will help create a better tomorrow, for the animals in need!!!

Speaking of a Better Tomorrow..

A dear friend of mine, who has been dedicated to rescued dogs,

NEEDS OUR HELP to win "A Dream Assignment" contest.

"The Day The Dogs Stood Still"

A Photographic Journey of Life and Hope

(Photos by: Joe Frazz Photography)

It is a contest where our votes could help him, help animals in need everywhere.

It costs nothing but a few minutes of your time to sign in & vote.

I know it's a pain to do, but hey it could make a world of difference for an animal in need!!!

And that is of the up most Importance, in my book:)

We've done wonders together in the past, so I'm asking you now to help a friend make a dream come true...

Joe Frazz is an Amazing Man, with a HUGE heart!!!

Not to mention one of our newest additions to our creative team here at "A Place To BArk".

He will have a regular spot on our blog weekly with his photos and we'll have caption contests.

Joe has donated time & photos to animals in need since "2005".

Photographing animals at 3 local shelters where he lives, is a regular part of his life.

Willing to give up a month, to follow his dream and raise awareness for animals in shelters across the country, by creating a Visual Anthology to share with the world.

You can judge for yourself, his love for the animals... A pictures speaks a thousand words!

This is how we can be a part of this project & help Joe win his "Dream Assignment".

CLICK HERE (Edit: Revised Easier Link)

Click the Pic It box to the left of the screen.

This is the most important step, other than registering:

If you don't click the: Pic It box, it will not register & be counted.

He is currently ranked 17 and we need to stay in the top 10.

Leave a comment if you like, I'm sure Joe would LOVE to hear from you...

All Done!!! YOU DONE GOOD:) Pass this along to other animals lovers asking them to vote.. The Dogs THANK YOU!!!

For anyone leaving a comment here, you will automatically be entered to possibly win one of Joe's fabulous photo books. "Good Dog!" A book of friends.

44 pages of beautiful color photos & quotes. Signed by the Author.

Leave a comment & you could win a copy. Any comment will do!!

For example: Go JOE!!! LOVE Dogs, We Welcome you to A Place To Bark, etc...

This book is a must see, for anyone who loves dogs!!

We will be using a random number generator to pick the winner.

Winner will be picked Saturday March 7th at 11:00 p.m.

It's when I'll have a moment away from doggie duty:)

A limited amount of these books are available for purchase.

Proceeds to benefit "A Place To Bark".

$17.95 include shipping, will be available 3/20/09

Send payment via Paypal: aplacetobark@aol.com

Please include: Purchase Good Dog Book and all mailing information, when ordering.

Also, join Joe on FaceBook: Joseph Frazz, just message him & say Bernie sent you.

More news coming soon...

EDIT: The winner of Joe Frazz's "Good Dog" Book is: Debra Quartermain.

Please send me your contact information to aplacetobark@mac.com and I will have it in the mail to you soon!!!

Thanks for the comments, love hearing from everyone:)

Past the Storm, Into the Light...

2009-03-01T22:41:00.004-05:00

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing"

-Edmund Burke

This post is one of the reasons I have been unreachable lately...

"A Place To Bark" received several dogs on February 15th,

from a puppymill confiscation done by the ASPCA.

The dogs that we have taken into our program, have litters of puppies

that will be fostered here until they are healthy & old enough, to safely be fixed.

We're estimating 12-16 weeks, since they are small breed dogs.

The majority of the mother dogs. currently have health issues on many levels and it will take time for them to heal.

When ready, they will then be transferred to the "Anti Cruelty Society" in Chicago, for adoption.

This arrangement is in accordance with the directives of the ASPCA.

These dogs were not transferred out of state to the ASPCA shelters, for their conditions were very fragile and needed round the clock care.

For those of you that read this blog regularly, I ask you to read this post in it's entirety..

Not to turn a blind eye & please not to focus on the negative..

Be brave & walk a moment in my life & life of other rescuers everywhere.

Please focus your thoughts and read this story, with love in your heart and a knowing that these animals have been rescued. That they are on the road to a better life!

Your knowing & not turning a blind eye, helps to change this world.

I'm not asking you to look at gory photos, just photos of a reality, that shouldn't be.

Many of you, I know cannot look at the pictures & so that is why we always try to keep it upbeat and a bit veiled, on this blog, so that we don't lose your viewership and keep reading.

But today I ask that you walk with me in seeing what I see..

The old saying the truth will set you free, is truth on many levels.

We need to balance the scales by raising awareness, for their sakes.

It is easier to not look, to block it out, to pretend it doesn't happen.

But the reality is does, it is and will continue on, if good people don't come together to change it. The animals need us, let's not let them down!!!

The photo below, is a sweet girl that stole everyone's heart on site.

We think she is a Jack Russell/Dachshund mix.

We named her "Ernestine". Her picture and many other pictures of the confiscation are on the American Humane website, just click the link to view.

In the next 12-16 weeks we will be watching the mothers & puppies we have taken in, grow healthier, stronger, more confident & trusting. You will see the happy ending to this story!!!

I dream of many things.. A world that is Free...

Free of cruelty, pain, neglect, sadness, hunger, illness & the list goes on and on as we know.

These babies are past the storm and now going into the light..

The light of people such as you that believe in LIFE & LOVE.

The organizations that made this rescue possible, the ending of yet another puppy mill should be recognized and commended. The people who come at a moments notice for animals in need are hero's that I've been blessed to meet and even though the meeting are brief and under the worst of circumstances, we are linked by our love & dedication to the animals for a lifetime....

Believe in a better world, donate your time & energies to your humane societies or local rescues where you live...

Become a part of a growing army of animals lovers who are against needless euthanasia & the confines of breeding for greed.

TOGETHER WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD FOR THESE ANIMALS..

See it, Believe it & Achieve it!!!

A Big Thanks to the ASPCA and American Humane for putting our link on their sites.

It is an honor to work with such dedicated people..

To read more about this puppy mill confiscation click here, here & here.
ASPCA puppy mill confiscation YouTube Video

Happy Valentine's Day!!!! The BEST is yet to come..

2009-02-14T07:25:00.012-05:00

"I have learned that LOVE , not time, heals all wounds"

-Andy Rooney

I'm swamped but didn't want to go without posting something today!!!

This beautiful pup is "Mister Omar Cupcake".

A male Terrier/mix, approximately 8-10 months old. A total KISSER!!!

In your face, I love you man!! Perfect for Valentines day!!!

This is his real photo, my friend & fabulously talented photographer/artist "Jill Beninato" dolled it up for me.

Jill will be joining our creative crew here at "A Place To Bark".

Her title will be: Official Puperatize Doggie Diva:)

Also joining us will be: Suzi Blu
and GiGi too!!!

Suzi will be our "Media Maven" to help me, bring you better videos..

So you don't have to turn your head sideways to watch:)

She is a fabulous gal, I'm blessed to call friend!!

We're actually planning a class, later this year on the road teaching together!!!

"Bijoux Voodoo" will be a painting class, taught in Louisiana, more details will follow!

Check out Suzi's newest Western Video, starring "GiGi" the Wonder Dog!!!

We all come together for animal in need & why not make it fun:)

One of our plans is to do a really fun Zine. Where art & animals unite!

Send submissions to: aplacetobark@mac.com

Sooo many new exciting changes are being planned by Claudine, myself & the creative crew !!!

We will also be announcing our much needed capital fundraising campaign for the year,

details TOMORROW!!!

It's been a tough road getting this far & together we have done so much!!!

What are the chances, pretty much against all odds...

We should all be so proud:) I know I am..

In "2008" we rescued 502 dogs & 46 cats.

Their lives were saved because we all came together & cared!!

What is a better Valentines present than that:)

We would like to do more for animals in need, especially now when times are hardest financially on people & pets have no where to go:(

So we will be asking for your help & to join our army of artist & animal lover!!!

Subscribing to our blog, will link us all together, to show our power in numbers.

One of our idea's so you feel more involved is once we finish the shelter,

we want to put a live cam in so you can be a part of daily goings on here.

Whatcha Think???

Want to see rescued, puppies & dogs live???

Would Love to hear your thoughts:)

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY FROM ALL OF US HERE!!!

YOU'VE HELPED US SAVE MANY LIVES... XOXOXOXO

MUCH LOVE & BLESSINGS TO YOU,

BERNIE

What's New At the Zoo.. Many new faces to share with YOU!!!

2009-02-12T01:28:00.008-05:00

"He that can't endure the bad, will not live to see the good"

-Yiddish Proverb

Things have been busy here beyond words!!!

I am working on the next blog post, but it is taking me some time to compile my thoughts.

So I will post a few of the many faces here, looking for homes in the meanwhile.

These guys will be leaving on February 17th, for Chicago and their adoption program.

Gorgeous, loving, happy animals!!!

Happy endings & new homes will be coming very soon:)

"Trixie" female Black lab/mix approximately 2-3 years of age.

Super happy, loads of energy & just a great girl!

"Sluggo" male Boxer, 9-10 months old. His name was Baxter, but Sluggo is more appropriate. He loves to Box, run & be right with you all day long. Also has a mean right hook:)

"Annie" female Brittany Spaniel/mix approximately 6-9 years of age.

She is one of the easiest dogs I've ever had. Just lays around & doesn't bother anyone or anything. Super sweet & darling. Has seen some very hard miles. Her teeth are shattered to the roots & she is recovering from ear and skin infections. Doing well, she'll be ready for adoption in a few weeks.

This fabulous threesome is "Harley" 6 years old, female Beagle mix, "Carney" 1-2 years of age, female Wirehair Dachshund & "Cooper" 2-3 years of age male Basset/mix.

Housebroken, super fun personalities and look good together:)

"Sugar Pie" is a female Aussie/mix 12 weeks old.

Just wants to give you kisses and lay her head at your feet.

"Teddy" is a male Golden Retriever approximately 10 weeks old. LOADS of energy, carries & chews everything. Always happy and loves other dogs. Definitely ALL puppy!!

"Billy-Belly" is a male Lab/mix, 12 weeks old. LAZY puppy:) I'm pretty sure he has some hound in him from his baying bark tones.

"Shayla" is a female Aussie/mix approximately 2-3 years old.

She is the BEST DOG IN THE WORLD!!! Busy, loves to run and play.

This dog came from a horrible abuse case & has the most love for people I've seen in a dog.

If you go to my YouTube channel you can see her video.
http://www.youtube.com/user/aplacetobark

"Sarge" is a male Malamute/Husky mix. FABULOUS guy, 1-3 years of age.

"Myrtle & Turtle" are female & male Jack/Beagle mixes. 8 weeks old Darling, shy & busy.

Large "Marge" is a female Great Dane/mix. 1-3 years of age. She is soooo funny!!! Thinks she's a poodle and will try to crawl in your lap.

"Captain Kissey Pants" is a PitBull, probably a mix. Male, approximately 3-4 months old. SUPER, KISSEY, SWEET!!!! He is a stalker of the BEST kind.

A parvo survivor he came to us with his ears & tail cut off:( He is just the sweetest sweetie pie.

Please stay tuned this week...

I will be doing a very important post coming up in the next day or so.

Please note: We have reset the badge to reflect donations made this year, so if you have our badge on your blog or website, that is why it is blank.

Please add the new badge, by copying the new text via the share tab on my current badge to the right of the blog.

More news, updates & faces in the next few days..

Blessings to you!!!!

New Year, New Faces

2009-01-08T08:19:00.006-05:00

"I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart"

-Vincent Van Gogh

Will post as soon as I can..

Over Christmas, we took in a huge number of dogs. The holiday got to me, in the sense that how can it be, on the most Blessed Day of the year, that animals would be put to sleep. That their lives would end, when Christmas is about Hope, Belief, Life & everything else that is Blessed & Sacred... So no Holiday for us, a houseful of animals.

One Christmas we will always remember!!!

Jeff & Terry are both out of commission with health problems, so it's all up to me to care for the animals. I truly don't mind, but it doesn't leave me much time for anything else..

I'll be transporting half the animals next Tuesday, so I should have time to put a blog post up by the following week.

Please check back, you are important to me & I want to stay connected...

In the meanwhile here are a few of the many faces that are with us in this New Year:)

"For the animals!!!"

Their stories in the next blog post..

On The Campaign Trail with: The Perfect Dog for the Obama Family

2008-12-11T00:15:00.002-05:00

"If we never try, we shall never succeed"

-Abraham Lincoln

I am in Chicago, with "Bean".
She loves the snow & looks so cute in her little polar fleece.

The little one accompanied me on this transport.
All the dogs I had with me, were delivered safely & are waiting for their forever homes, this Christmas Season.

Never been on a long car ride, was a bit scared & did get carsick the first hour. After that, she acclimated, started to bark & wag her tail!!! Met tons of people, in Wisconsin at my friends hair salon, then off to a Christmas party last nite in downtown Chicago. Huge auditorium full of people she met & visited with everyone.
Passed from person to person, hamming it up and giving kisses to all!!!

Bean really proved herself this trip, her tolerance & temperament, just fabulous!!!

She has covered three states now, Tennessee, Illinois & Wisconsin.

Tried to get her some press in Chicago, for my little Obama puppy candidate.

I would have been able to, had it not been for all the scandal with Governor Rod Blagojevich that was going on. It's o.k. we'll keep trying:) Head back home to Tennessee tomorrow..

These sweet photos were taken at Lucky Pup Boutique in Nashville by

Photographer Angela Bertrand she was kind enough to share these with us!!!

Now I hope you know these posts are all in good fun!!

A little over the top, but if I don't campaign for her who will?

A Hope & A Prayer, for rescue dogs everywhere:)

Below are a few cute YouTube videos of Bean so you can see her live & in action.

Ohhh, we did get a little blurb on MSNBC local news!!

Click here to view another video with Bean in it.

In this life, you never know where the journey will take you...

If the time is right, God, fate, destiny, synchronicity or whatever you want to call it, sometimes steps in and creates miracles. I truly believe this.

Now don't get me wrong, alot of hard work also factors into everyday miracles!!

We dismiss so many things, we think are everyday occurrences, they are miracles.

The greatest miracle that can come from these posts is a hope, that it inspires a nation to adopt rescued/shelter dogs, rather than buy them from pet stores or puppymills.

Puppymills are a greed based industry, profiting from misery & preying on animal loving consumers. Please don't buy pets from petstores & support this industry.

Support your local shelters & rescues this holiday season.

"IF" I could have my Christmas wish it would be: For the Obama family to meet "Bean".

After all, adopting a dog is a very personal thing, the whole family would need to connect with the animal. Especially Sasha & Malia, for Bean would be their constant companion & responsibility. If after meeting Bean they think she is the one, I would keep her till they are settled & continue her training. She's about 90% housebroken now!!

When they settle in D.C., I would happily bring her to them, if the opportunity would arise...

Even if "Bean" doesn't make it to the White House, my hope is the bigger message.

To create awareness to support shelters & rescues wherever you live.

No matter what your station in life, you can donate time, money, photography, computer & clerical skills, a dog walk, etc, it is all needed everywhere!!! Together we can all make a huge difference for the animals by doing small things:)

Locate a shelter near you that is in need of volunteers.

I know I must sound like a broken record, but this is a message I believe needs to be said.

The guys below are just a few of the many faces I brought up north with me this trip.

They will be available for adoption at Anti Cruelty Society in downtown Chicago, this week.

Give the gift of home and life this holiday season... Just please be sure to think things thru prior to adoption. This is a commitment for the life of the animal, not just for Christmas day.

They are lives who deserve love, patience & training. Just like kids they only know what they are taught. If the time is taken to properly train the pet, you will not be disappointed:)

"Vinnie" van gogh is a male Schnauzer mix, approximately 3 months old. Half an ear missing, we're not sure what happened, he was like that at animal control.

All healed now, he is a LOVE!!! Just so happy to follow you everywhere. He is a little afraid of fast downward motions, but is learning quickly no one is going to hurt him.

"Nicholas" is a male Great Pyrenees/ mix. Approximately 5 months old. LOVES everyone!! Goofy, Silly, sweet, loving boy. Will be a big guy, but just that much more to love!!!

"Honey" above is a female Boston Terrier/ Pom mix. Approximately 10 weeks old.

Sooo darling, she loves to sit in your lap and give kisses.

"Fred" is a male we don't know what mix:) He looks like a tiny Golden Retriever. Approximately 4 months old & about 8 pounds.

He likes to talk, follow you and play non stop with the other dogs.

This beauty above is "Yodel". She is a female Husky, approximately 4 years old. Great girl!!! Loves people & is social with other dogs. Had a tough beginning, but is on to a better life.

She loves to garden, dug me lots of holes:)

This is Yodel's baby, one of 5 that survived. Darling little one is now 10 weeks old, .

I haven't had a chance to take updated pictures but you get the idea of how cute she is!

Next to her is another girl, one of 5 lab/retriever mixes. They are 5-6 months old.

All have just the most wonderful personalities!!! A true companion in every sense of the word.

They are now in Chicago up for adoption.

We have so many wonderful dogs, but time gets away from me, caring for so many.

For now this is the best I can do to keep you updated..

I head back to Tennessee tomorrow..

Long drive, but well worth it!!!! Will update soon...

The Perfect Rescued Puppy for: The Obama Family

2008-12-01T23:42:00.009-05:00

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"

-Eleanor Roosevelt

"IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE-

IT'S TIME TO PUT A SHELTER DOG IN THE WHITE HOUSE!!"

Yes, I am being silly, but hey why not!!!

Life is about having fun & doing positive things..
That's what we try to do here everyday:)

Barack Obama promised in his presidential acceptance speech to get his daughters a puppy and this is where our story begins...

A few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to send my 2 puppies, to participate in the search for the Obama puppy on television. This was via Anti Cruelty Society in Chicago.
I love them and have a wonderful working relationship with them.
Unfortunately I was on the road, away from home, it was last minute & I couldn't get back on time, to get my dogs there. I was disappointed, but am a firm believer that if things are meant to be they happen.

With that being said, I am creating my own opportunity & am putting our rescued puppy out in this public forum for their consideration. My hope is that the Obama family will see this post via the web.

I've tried to find contact info, where I could send them a private note, but with no luck.

Sooo, I have to believe someone, will know someone, will know someone & let them know!!!

Based on the credentials needed to be the Obama puppy, we nominate:

"Bean" to be the First Dog of the United States of America.

To our President-Elect Obama, Mrs. Obama & most of all Malia & Sasha, I respectfully present to you...

Our sweet rescued Schnauzer "Bean". She is a 12-14 week old purebred puppy.

She was rescued with her 2 other sisters and 7 other adult Schnauzers.

Wonderful calm personality, loving, snuggley, sweet & non shedding.
Her color is black, but will most probably change with time to Silver.

We named her "Bean" because when you look at her she looks like a little jellybean.
Round, wiggly, gentle & full of kisses. Follows you everywhere you go.

I believe she meets all the criteria you are looking for: she is hypoallergenic & a rescued dog.

Here are just a few pictures, it is very difficult to photograph a black dog.

The pictures don't do her justice, she is much cuter in person!!!

Her hair is long now & she will be going in for her first haircut this week.

As the President-Elect said: "A lot of shelter dogs are mutts, like me".
"So whether we're going to be able to balance those two things, I think, is a pressing issue on the Obama household."

As fate would have it, "A Place To Bark" has the dog they are looking for.

Now we just have to somehow get the Obama family to notice!!

"Bean" does have an approved home already, but they have agreed to allow me offer her to the Obama family.

The adoptive family believes a positive example is important & they would adopt another dog if the opportunity was available for Bean to go to the White House.

We are willing to potty train and hold her until the President-Elect Obama & his family are settled in the White House.

I could hand deliver her when after they settle into the White House and visit with Claudine since she lives in D.C.

So as with all things in my life, I believe creating your own opportunities is key...

Dreaming, believing, working hard towards a goal, envisioning it & making it real, that is what life is about!! I know it's a long shot, but I believe in miracles:)

You ask why us?? Why not one of our dogs!!!

It's all about making the dream real & I think this upcoming year is going to be all about making lots of dreams real!!!

If you believe "Bean" should be the First Rescued Dog for the Obama family, please leave a comment. If you have never commented here before, now is the time.

The larger the number of comments, the better chance she will get noticed!!

An experiment of sorts in the power of people, so to speak:)

A simple "I vote for Bean" or "Bean has my vote" will do!!!

Giving Thanks!!!

2008-11-27T17:54:00.009-05:00

"We each have the power in our own hands,

to create the miracle of becoming the person we were meant to be."

-Joe Tye

Thanksgiving is a day, that we take time and reflect on what we are Thankful for:

I have been blessed in so many ways & just feel that it proper I say it out loud:)

I am Thankful for: YOU!!!
My friends, animal loving people & artists, so many I know & so many I don't personally know, but who support and believe in my visions.

I value each & everyone of you, more than you'll ever know!!!
Below is a photo taken at Ranger U with my animal loving friends:
Terri Ventura, Claudine Hellmuth, Suze Weinberg, Me and Tim Holtz.

I am Thankful to be as Tim says: "Living the Life you Imagine.."

By paying forward the gifts life has given us, we in turn can give life back.

I am Thankful, you helped me save over 400 dogs this year and approximately 67 cats.

I am Thankful to all my friends, who go above and beyond, you helped me build a shelter:

While it is what I love, at times it can be very challenging.

Seeing bad things that happen to the animals,

who can't defend or care for themselves gets to me.
So the struggle is constant, to stay focused on what we can do, rather than not.
The contrast make me most appreciative of life at every level!!

It inspires me to continue on, learn more, do more & develop a program that will become a standard sometime in the future, that will teach others, how to do what I do & save more lives.
Yes, a book in the works:)

I am very Thankful for Jeff!!

He is the BEST dog/puppy socializer in the world. He does wonders for the shy, scared & terrified.

Due to his medical conditions he is very limited to how much he can do, so time is on his side.
Thru it all he battles his conditions & does all he can do for the critters.

He gives them love... As the saying goes Love Conquers all!!

Truly he has one of the most important jobs in rescue.

ALL of us here are Thankful for Terry!!

He is a very humble and quiet man who loves the animals...

While he doesn't like me snapping pictures, I think it's important to honor those who help us.
He is the manpower & muscle behind A Place To Bark. Here everyday, rain or shine.

Without his help, I could not care for as many as we do.

We value his friendship, dedication and love for all the dogs.

I am Thankful for this year & the many past years of saving the lives & finding homes for the animals that come into my rescue..
I have learned so much, it has changed me to be a better person and my hope is to inspire others to join in our fight to save lives.

More times than not, it gets very scary financially, but I believe in the greater good!!

Hope leads me, Faith guides me & I Believe we can make a difference....

I am Thankful for my family, both human & furry..

And most of all I am Thankful to be ALIVE today & everyday!!!

& again I am Thankful for YOU!!!

God's Blessings be with you all...

P.S. Don't forget about our ongoing Linked By Love Auction
4 items ending in just a few hours!!! New items being listed daily till Christmas:)
Tell Santa you want some art!!!

Also, more links to artist donating to us this Holiday season, they have auctions up too!!
Barbe Saint John
Maria Lamb

"Linked By Love Auction" Artists Saving The Lives of Animals

2008-11-24T15:51:00.003-05:00

"Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become.
Your vision is the promise of what you shall at last unveil."
-John Ruskin

Cha-Cha above is sporting her Christmas attire as the mascot to our new art auction.

She is available for adoption: A female Chihuahua who is soft spoken sweet, loving and not the typical Chihuahua. Approximately 5-7 years of age, she is a bit plump, but hey so am I!!!

She only has few teeth left, but who needs teeth, when you are this cute!!!

We have started our "Linked by Love Auction"

Artist Friends of A Place to Bark, Dedicated to Saving The Lives Of Animals in Need.

This auction continues till December 25th in hopes of raising the funds needed to finish our shelter and help us catch up on some Mega HUGE vet bills. New items will be listed daily!!!

Many of the art pieces are published and won't be offered anywhere else, but in our auctions.

Really FABULOUS Art!! Please bookmark the link, check back often & help spread the word!!!!
Christmas is coming, so now is the time to treat yourself or someone you love to a very special artful present and in turn help us continue on...

The physical building is finished, septic, electrical, plumbing, all the hard stuff done.

We still need about 15k to fully finish the inside.
I hate advertising how much money we need, but unfortunately, it's the nature of the beast.
Being a growing charity, these will be our hardest years financially, growing & building.
Our hope is to raise enough funds, so that we can at least get a heating/cooling unit in so that we can start to use the building this winter.
A more detailed post coming soon..

Once we complete the shelter, grants will be easier to apply for.
We are a long way from where we were 8 years ago, over 400 animals will have been rescued this year alone, that's alot to smile about!!
I have one more transport scheduled for December, just in time for my pups find a home for Christmas!!!
Please, please if you are buying a puppy for Christmas do not buy a puppy from a pet store!!!
CLICK HERE to find out why.
Please adopt from a humane society or research and find a reputable breeder.

I'll be on the road, hoping no snow storms get in my way, but if they do, we've done that before:)

FREE WAYS TO HELP US RAISE MONEY:

Let's face it money is tight for everyone..

The economy is down and many have less to donate, this is just a fabulous free way to help us generate the funding needed for the animals!!!

GOOD SEARCH:

If you search the Internet daily, GoodSearch is a great way to donate without having cash.

Just use it as your search engine and it will donate a penny every time you search.

Over time it really add up!!! I have mine as my homepage when I start up my computer:)

GOOD SHOP:

If you shop the Internet anyway, please go thru GoodShop & list us as your designated charity.

They will donate anywhere from 1% to 30% of your total purchases back to "A Place To Bark".

There are 700+ top name retailers listed, E-bay, Target, Best Buy, Gap, Zappos, Macy's, PetSmart & Vista Print are just a few of the many named places to shop.

Your buying price is the same, but a donation goes to our cause. How GREAT is that!!

WAYS TO DONATE:

MISSION FISH: Giving is easy & safe thru Mission Fish.

If you have art or anything for that matter, just sitting around that you want to sell on E-bay,

you can help us, help the animals by donating a small percentage of proceeds or 100%.

The choice is yours to make:)

If you don't see the Mission Fish logo on an auction that is to benefit us here at "A Place To Bark", make sure you ask alot of questions or check with me.

This link will show you all current auctions on MISSION FISH right now!!!

NETWORK FOR GOOD:

This is where you can make a one time DIRECT DONATION
or you can schedule a recurring monthly donation so that we receive ongoing support.

Any amount helps, it all adds up!!!

DIRECT DONATION TO THE CRITTER CLINIC:

To be applied to our ongoing vet bills, checks can be made to:

The Critter Clinic Clinic, 522 W. Main Street, Gallatin, TN 37066 615-452-1477

Please put a note in the reference/memo line: Apply to A Place To Bark bills.

If we don't raise what we need this holiday season, we will have to slow down and possibly stop intake for awhile. Money is depleted, the animals are coming in at record numbers everywhere, not just here, due to the financial situations everywhere.

I will have to pump up my teaching schedule, hit the road more often and raise the needed funding. Either way, I am fine with it:)
Never expected this to be easy and I'm not afraid to bust my butt!!
Starting this, I knew that so much of it would depend on how hard I was willing to work, never did I ever think, we would save as many animals as we do.
No matter what, I am very proud of what we have been able to achieve so far and will continue on, no matter what!!! I don't give up easily...
My life has gone to the dogs so to speak:)

Truly I want to also say, that there are many, many wonderful charities out there and we are all struggling for funding with the economy the way it is, so feel free to donate to someone else in need, it's the helping other that counts!!!
Don't get me wrong, I welcome the help, but also know there are others who do amazing work and we all have personal charities that are near & dear to our hearts.
The holidays should be about the love that surround us, the blessings in our lives and what we can do everyday to honor and appreciate life!!!
Gosh, my head is about to pop off, I have so much to do and catch up on..
Have 2 books I still need to send out, I know they are long overdue:(
So sorry girls, I will get these out this week.
I am also working on a Contributors & FAQs Page to be on the main website here, so much to do!!!...

Book, teaching proposal & magazine deadlines are all looming so I'm working round the clock, between the animals and actual real life work. Enough of my chatter about what I'm doing..

Sending you all my BEST WISHES & hope you all have a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!!!
I am thankful everyday for the friendships made, the support given and the awareness created.
I hope we will all be together for a very long time to come, in hopes to see positive changes for animals in need everywhere!!!

Even though the miles separate us, the Internet bridges the distance...
YOU ALL ROCK!!! & I LOVE YOU!!!
And I am not ashamed to say so... :)

P.S. Ben LOVES you Too!!!

A Special Situation: Rescue Confiscation

2008-11-21T23:56:00.003-05:00

"I expect to pass thru this life but once.

Therefore, if there be any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again."

-William Penn

I just want to say "THANK YOU!!!"
To the artists that helped create the "Dogs Rule Fatbook"!!!

We raised $355.00 dollars from the auction of it. That is AMAZING!!!

I have wonderful friends that help me to continue on...

Because of you, stories like this have a happy ending!!

These photos, this story, is from a cruelty confiscation that never should have been.

It happened a couple months ago and we are finally moving some of the dogs out for adoption!!!

We took 31 dogs out of this place.

It was a situation that a person who loved animals, went down a very dark path & what started out as good intentions, put the lives of animals in harms way.

Most of these animals were picked up as strays, but never fixed.

So they continued to procreate..

Too many dogs, not enough food, no money, the care became overwhelming, mental illness crept in, abuse, starvation and neglect. The photo above was the yard they were kept in.

Below are the photos, some before & afters. So many of these poor babies were never touched.

Unsocialized they are terrified of people.

For some of these animals we have a long road or rehabilitation.

Others have done well and I took up several to Chicago last Tuesday for adoption.

"Charlie" below is heart worm positive, approximately 5-7 years old, we have to wait till he gains more weight before treatment. He was pretty beat up, trying to fight for food.
Sweet loving guy, he will make someone a great pet!! Man he will talk your ear off:)
"Buster" is the picture beside him and he is ready to go!!! FANTASTIC guy, approximately 2-3 years of age, he gets along with everyone!! Loves people most of all:)

This old guy is "Woofie" he is 7-9 years of age, blind in one eye. Probably a Husky/Shepherd mix. He just wants and needs a home to hang his hat to live out his days.
Not a high maintenance dog, he just hangs out, lays around & thumps his tail as you walk by.

"Coyote boy" is just the cutest guy!!! In great need of being socialized. He is approximately 1-2 years of age and terrified of people. Catching him is like trying to catch a Jackalope:) It will take time, but he is coming around.

This mom dog, smiley as she is, we cannot touch her..

We keep working with her, she will now take treats from us, but that is the extent of how close she will come. When we caught her & here babies, that was a bit scary.

But all are safe and sound!!!
The puppies were so very sick, full of infection and had abscessed feet and tails from wounds.

Lots of medication and time, but all are healed nicely now!! Did I mention she had 10 pups?

"BIG EARL" is a fuzzy guy!!! Amazingly sweet, it's like being at a rodeo leash training him, but he almost has it:)

This other Shepherd, she also had puppies, but thank goodness only 2. She is even more unsocialized than the last:(
There are 3 of these dogs that look identical.. 2 females and a male. All within 1-3 years of age.

This little doll is "Holly" and she has already gone to Chicago, so hopefully I will hear from her adoptive people soon:)

These three amigos also headed north!!! They are sweet babies, but very, very shy..

That is until they warm up to their new people:)

So I'm just waiting to hear from their new parents!!

It has been a wild several months, record numbers of dogs coming in and going out..

One more transport left for the year.. Can you believe the year is almost gone!!!

Good grief, I think I feel another wrinkle beginning to form:)

DOGS RULE FAT Book ENDING VERY SOON!!!!

2008-11-19T19:24:00.001-05:00

"A dream becomes a goal when action is taken toward its achievement"
-Bo Bennett

The Dogs Rule Fatbook is ENDING VERY SOON!!!
Please spread the word, tell all your friends, neighbors and perfect strangers with pets about it:)
As of this post we have: 12 hours 36 mins 10 secs

"CLICK HERE" To Bid!!!!

Please stay tuned, more auctions & fabulous art to follow thru this Holiday season:)

Next blog post tomorrow nite!!

Did you hear?? The DOGS RULE Auction is LIVE!!!!

2008-11-16T18:26:00.002-05:00

"There is no such thing as a self made man. You reach your goals only with the help of others."
-George Shinn

YoWzA, WOW!!! Tell ALL your friends!!!! Our art auction is beginning and LIVE!!!

A VERY Special THANKS to Jill Beninato & ALL the artists that made this happen!!!

Where has all the time gone???

As you can tell from the slow down of blog posts, I have been busy beyond words...
But we are saving lots of lives and that is counts:)
My life has been blessed in many ways..
The love & friendships truly make "A Place To Bark" what it is today..
For that, I am FOREVER grateful!!!

Yes, I know I have said this many times before, I do, I am and I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!
Every story, Every animal saved is because people cared enough to do something, just a little something to help...

The collaborative efforts add up, equal change & hope for our furry friends.

From spreading the words of rescue, spay/neuter, donating art, helping with our contests, creating & updating our website, to shamelessly asking for money during contests to help us win and the young people who give so selflessly, you are the hope for the future of these animals in so many ways!!! It all counts, every little good deed and action:) THANK YOU!!!

Our "Dogs Rule Fatbook" is on auction and LIVE right now, for only a few more days, so please "CLICK HERE" to go straight to the auction...

The book is a FABULOUS compilation of art done by 13 artists.

This Link takes you to a previous blog post about this wonderful book:)

The following video was done by the very talented Rebecca Collins for the auction.

She compiled footage that was taken about a year and a half ago from a few YouTube videos I've done.

We have changed and grown since then. Then 2700 square feet of kenneling to just over 4000 & we now have a new 30x60 building.
She gives you a look into our rescue, the artists behind the book and some thoughtful audio on why Dogs Rule.

And..

Just a little something to smile about!!!

These are just a few of our many rescues, currently here, waiting for their forever homes...

"Sam" A male Springer Spaniel approximately 3-5 years of age. Housebroken, crate trained, loving, laid back & just the perfect companion!!

"Jake" A male lab mix approximately 1-3 years of age. Super loving!!! Great guy, but whoa!!!

Lots of energy!!! Got any runners out there:)

"Bootie" who loves to have his bootie in the water bucket:) Male Boston Terrier approximately 2-4 years of age. Funny guy who absolutely LOVES people, not so keen on other dogs.

He thinks he is a person.. NOT housebroken, was an outside dog.

((Don't these people know, that Bostons are not meant to live outdoors, but in people houses & beds:))

"Rocko" is a male pug mix. Approximately 12 weeks old.

He is Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!!!

You can tell by the look on his face he will get into all kinds of trouble, but will kiss your whole face to make you forgive him:)

"King" is a male White Doberman with blue eyes. Approximately 1-2 years of age. Previously heartworm positive he is on the road to recovery thanks to my friend Shirley who not only rescued him, but paid for his treatment. He will be available for adoption in 2 weeks.

LOVING, good with other dogs, he is a huge puppy!!! Non stop energy, it has been a huge challenge keeping him quiet during his ongoing treatment.

"Lola & Liza" are pug mixes. They 2 are part of a litter of 7 pups.

I had to hold them back for a bit, but now are ready to go!!! SUPER kissey these girls are sure to win your heart:)

It's because of you that we can do, what we do!!!

Will be posting an updated YouTube of the current dogs here, the inside of the shelter and an update on where we are, with finishing the shelter..

In the meanwhile visit our YouTube channel and see all the past videos:)

Stay Tuned!!! MORE updates coming...

Gotta LOTTA LOve!!!

2008-11-03T01:33:00.001-05:00

"God gives us dreams a size too big so that we can grow in them"

~Author Unknown

I know, Halloween was a few days ago...

But I couldn't help but share this picture with you!!!

Matt is quite smitten with Beulah and we love Matt!!!

He is an amazing young man, secure in his manhood as we can tell, who is also a very talented artist. (((Yes, I know I owe you some canvases, Matt)))

I have to board many of my dogs when I am out of town and he is one of the guys who takes care of them while I'm gone.

I'm not sure where the time has gone, but is has flown by..

The year is almost over!!! But also with time, we have saved alot of animals this year:)

Below are some of our BIG BABIES that have been here for quite a bit..

We move the majority of our dogs out in 3-5 weeks, but in the case of these poor darlings, they have been here 5 months or more..

All of these dogs are really loves and deserve to have their own homes, peoples beds, etc.

Please pass this blog post along to others in hopes that someone may be looking for a fabulous BIG dog:)

"Beulah" & "Cupcake" are female English Mastiffs.

They were taken by the Sheriff's department as part of a puppymill/cruelty seizure.

Click Here if you want to read further about their stories, Channel 5 also has video footage.

These girls are magnificent!!!

"Beulah" above is approximately 4 years of age.

More on the shy, reserved, quiet side, she loves to spend quality time with her person.

Cautious with new people, she warms up quickly.

Now "Miss Cupcake" (previously called Brindle) is just the silliest, lighthearted girl!!

Approximately 2 years of age, she loves everyone!!! If she sees you walking her way, she will throw herself to the ground belly up, waiting for a tummy rub:)

"Roxy" is a Catahoula/mix.

Yes I know she looks like a Rottweiler, lab mix with a funny blue eye.

Approximately 4-5 years of age, she has had a very hard life, living on a short chain, too many litters of puppy and malnourishment before she came here.

Great dog with people, fabulous!!! Just does not like to share her food with other dogs.

She was starved for so long, that she is very possessive over food, but only with dogs, people are no problem. So she needs to go to an only dog home. I love her, she gives me lots of kisses back!!!

And of course the picture below is of me and my boyfriend "Pokey" he is quite the Casanova:)

This picture was taken earlier this year in the spring. A Great Pyrenees/ Pointer mix.
He is a strong silent type.

Loves to give you hugs and kisses and as you can see he is bigger than I.

I stand 5.1 and he is slouching. He even loves me when my hair is messy and I smell like poo:)

Well I did in the picture, I'm pretty sure. Was cleaning up after the pups and rearranging kennels.

Pokey is pretty close to 2 years of age, but because he is a very HUGE mixed breed, he is still here. Great dog!!! I hope someone takes the chance to give him a home, you won't be disappointed...

We do have alot of fun around here, but don't think it's not work.

It is a ton of hard work, many times quite gross and stinky:)

But with moments that touch my heart, everyday!!!

The pictures speak a thousand words..

I need to go to bed, but have so much computer work to catch up on, I don't know where to begin. I am overdue with my book deadlines and teaching proposals....

But as always, my life has gone to the dogs and they come first, we have a shelter to finish and I'm packing all the art that will be auctioned off later this month on eBay to help raise the needed funds to finish our building.

Yes, I am already packing it, so that I'm not late with sending it off:)

We still need to buy a heating/air unit/ kennels, stainless steel cages, exam table, washer/dryer, fridge, grooming tub, blower, cabinets & counters.

But we are almost there, so just a bit more fund raising and we'll be fully functional.

I just can't believe how far we have come in 9 years, from 30 dogs a year to just about 400 this year. Just goes to show, where a dream & alot of animal loving friends can take you, to help make a difference...

Blessings, Love & Light to you all...

Autumn is here...

2008-10-02T22:10:00.003-04:00

"We do not remember day. We remember moments."

-Cesare Pavese

Can you believe it is October already???

Fall is here and soon it will be winter, the holidays and then a new year... Wow!!!

Time flies, dogs come and go and I get older:)

As I reflect with each passing season, my mind wanders to all the faces that have passed thru our place. I do get lots of e-mails from past adopters & new owners, and for that I am forever grateful.

It helps me to continue on, especially when I hear how wonderful their new lives are:)

I get e-mails daily, asking, how it is that I don't get attached and can let them go...

I do get attached, don't think I don't....

It is never easy, they all pull at my heart strings, but my grandfather taught me a life lesson long ago, the memory is still so vivid to me..

I was just a young child, in second grade. I had found an injured bird by the school I went to.

I took it home and my grandpa Clyde helped me fix it.

The day came to let it go and I cried and cried, begging to keep it.

He held my hand & looked me square in the eye and said, do you love this bird?

I looked at him with tears welled up in my eyes and quivered yes...

Then you must love it enough to let it go.

You must want what is best for it. You must love and not posses it.

He then said this:

God made all creatures for us to love them, care take and do what is best for them.

We did just that and now it is time to set her free, to enjoy it's life.

As I watched her fly away, I felt as if my heart would never heal and didn't speak to grandpa for a several days..

I didn't understand at the time, but as I grew up, those words, that lesson became a part of who I am.

Don't get me wrong, I miss each and every animal that leaves here, but I do understand the life lesson and cherish every moment that I have spent with the wonderful pets who cross my path:)

My grandpa Clyde is gone now, but he is someone I miss everyday of my life..

Now on to the cuties!!!

"Storm" Is a female Jack Russell, approximately 2-3 years of age.

Outstanding personality and super loyal companion

The Beautiful "Ophelia" 12 weeks old, Catahoula/Shar Pei mix.

Shy and darling, she quietly will walk up to you and sit down at your feet, happy to be there.

Mista "Guido" approximately 10 weeks old, he is just the cutest little guy!!

Full of personality, super friendly, outgoing & always trying to steal a kiss.

Low to the ground, longish body, with a curly tail, I'm puzzled as to what breeds of dog he is..

Any ideas? Maybe a Puggy Beagle:)

Here we have "Charlie" a male Golden/Lab mix, approximately 7 to 10 years of age.

Super, energized and quite the talker. He may have some years behind him, but he is a great companion. Has finished his heart worm treatment and is ready for adoption. Found stray, he deserves someplace special to spend his golden years.

Next to him is "Dolly" A black lab mix. Approximately 7-9 years of age. She is a GREAT dog!!!

Loves to go for walks, doesn't need a leash, stays right at your side. Super social, she loves others. She does have arthritis in her right front leg, but that doesn't slow her down. Another wonderful older dog who needs love too, just as much as the puppies...

"Bonita" & "Bronco" are mother and son. She is a female Boxer approximately 2-3 years of age. FABULOUS girl!!! Energetic as most Boxers are, but just sweet, sweet, sweet!!!

"Bronco" is about 10 weeks old. He is probably a mix.

Poor guy suffered trauma to his eye and tail. Eyesight in the left eye is minimal. Lucky for them, they were fostered by a very nice policeman and his wife till I had room for to take them in. Originally saved by the animal control officer in town.

"Molly" & "Mickey" are 2 of 5 Schnauzers I currently have. They are 2-4 years of age.

I tell you, it has been a Schnauzer month. We had 7 in September and now we have these five. It's kinda weird how they go in cycles with the breeds. If you go back in my blog you'll see, we had Weims, Great Pyrenees & Bassets just to name a few of the many that show up here in the numbers.

"Rowdy" & "Rosie" are double trouble!!! Aussie/Bully Breed mixes of some sort.

Unbelievably smart and always up to and into something:) Approximately 12 weeks old.

Last but not least is our miracle boy "Eli". A Shepherd/mix, male, approximately 4 months old. We almost lost him a few times, but he made it!!!

2 blood transfusions, many trips to the vet's office and lots of love from everyone around here, he is alive and well and ready to be adopted!!!

That's it for now, many more posts to come...

OOoohh... Momma, Mommas!!!

2008-09-25T22:10:00.001-04:00

"A home is a kingdom of its own in the midst of the world,

a stronghold amid life's strains & struggles."

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

It wasn't until I started doing rescue, that I began to look at life so very differently..

Began to truly cherish, the moments of my life, the quiet times, the very simple moments, the people and things I love that I took for granted.

Realizing that life is what we make it...

Many of you who read, know only what is on these pages..

And while I try to keep this upbeat the best I can, there is a part of me, that feels I should share just one day of my emotions with you.

Those of us who do rescue, are in the trenches so to speak, trying to save life..

It changes you forever. It is so very easy for it to overwhelm you..

Your soul screams why??!!! Your heart breaks a million times over..

Many nites my mind replays, over & over, the faces I left behind and could not take with me..

The eyes, as you see with so many of the pictures on my blog, the eyes say it all.

Doing this type of work day after day is emotionally hard, it is easy to become jaded, bitter, angry and just wanting to shut down.

I struggle everyday with being positive, knowing that I have to keep my mind strong with positive thoughts & words.

As always, I want to take this moment to Thank YOU for being here:)

Your comments give me strength and courage to keep going on..

The power of kind thoughts and words, are immense, to the point of being everyday miracles.

These past months have been loaded, with moms and pups at the pound.

It kills me to see them there and so it has been very, very, busy here!!!!

The before and after pictures are as always, so amazing...

This is "Britta" and her pups.

There are 7 of them, many were under the cot when this picture was taken.

She is a small Lab, approximately 1 year old. Super shy of people.

Afraid of fast movement and especially men.

Note the change in body language and of course the eyes in the next picture.

She is a love, when she gets to know you.

I'm sure time will change her fear of people. Her pups love everyone!!!

This is "Willa" she was terrified when we first picked her up.

Skin and bones, cuts & wounds all over her body, part of her ear is missing.

Approximately 11 months to 1 year, she LOVES people.

Can't get enough of hanging around with us!!

Not sure what she is but we'll say lab/something tall, possible greyhound or whippet mix.

She has 8 pups, who knows what they are, but they are darling!!!

Slowly gaining weight now that her pups are weaned.

Next we have "Gidget" she is ???? Boston Terrier or some type of terrier mix.

Very undershot jaw.

Approximately 1-2 years of age, weighing about 35 pounds.

Another one that loves people and food!!! Super Happy & Silly girl!!!

She had 10 puppies if you can believe that..

Poor darling...

I couldn't stand it anymore, seeing all these momma dogs...

So we sponsored the "Spay Station" to come to the community I live in, Portland Tennessee.

We truly didn't have the money to do this, but how could we not..

I just don't want to see anymore adoptable animals at the pound being put to sleep needlessly, especially pups:(

We scraped it together and over 30 animals were fixed that day, with a waiting list for the next time we can afford to do this again.

The cost was $425.00 to co-sponsor, the end result, is priceless..

Think about it, if the 3 moms I have can create 25 new lives, how many lives were saved by fixing over 30 animals!!! WoW!!!

We will be working on non stop fundraising next year, so we can do more and continue helping the animals. The shelter is up, our septic is in, but we still have to buy the heating and cooling unit, kennels, cages and many other things to be fully functional.

Times are financially tight for everyone and it does scare me, but I will keep thinking positive thoughts and know that one way or another God, the Universe or whatever you believe in will provide. We have no choice the animals need us...

So we will continue on and keep going!!!

I know this post was a bit of a downer, but please focus on all the lives saved.

Look at their faces and know they are safe & loved here and will be on their way to new homes in the near future.

I promise the next post will be really cute and fun!!!

Love,

Purrr...Fect!!! You wanted a kitty post, here it is!!!

2008-09-18T22:10:00.000-04:00

"What you see reflects your thinking and your thinking but reflects the choice of what you want to see."

-A Course in Miracles

I know we mostly talk dog around here, But I can't turn my back on kitties in need...

We do what we can, but truly there are too many cats in need & not enough people to rescue.

Tis the case will all the homeless animals out there...

We take in about 60 cats a year here, dogs are our main focus.

You would think I would be use to saying goodbye by now..
That after hundreds of animals passing thru my home and life it wouldn't affect me as much.
Well, that is not the case..

Nor do I think it will ever be the case, to not feel emptiness, when one of my sweet darlings leave.

My head tells me to rejoice that the pet has found it's forever home and people, my heart cries silently, but is full of joy. Bittersweet life.. Life nonetheless:) Life being the key word!!!

This story begins with "Pong" This cat, was a declawed Siamese cat that was mauled by dogs, found dying half in, half out of a pond.

The animal control officer who pulled him out, called me in hopes I would take him.

He said that even though he was in incredible pain, the moment he pulled him out of the water, he started to purr.

I agreed to help & asked the officer to take him to my vets office, since I was out of town.
His back leg was amputated, after several weeks of trying to save it, there just was no hope, too much damage had been done.
An Amazing cat he had been my constant companion for many months. I honestly dreaded the day I would have to let him go and that day came, not to long ago. He was adopted by one of the vets I go to. After his many visits to the office his charm rubbed off on everyone who met him. The good news is I will always hear the stories of "Pong" and get to visit from time to time:)
Funniest thing is he loves to strike up a conversation at 2, 3, 4 a.m. not quite understanding you aren't awake and talking back to him. I can hear him say "how rude" as he walks away:)
As sad as I am to see him go, I know his life will be full of love and the very best of care..
Click Here to see Pong's YouTube, cleaning a kitten named "Oscar".

"Oscar" and his little buddy "Hart" were adopted together, by another vet at the office I go to.

It has been a good cat adoption month at the clinic:)

"Oscar" is the orange kitten above, "Hart" is the black kitten below.
Click Here to see their YouTube video.

The cats posted below have all been adopted. I'm slow as usual posting, ((sorry))...

but I know you still want to see all the cute pics and ready their happy ending stories!!!

These kittens were in terrible shape when taken in..

The staff at the vet's office is wonderful and very much family to me..

They care for my rescued animals as if they were their own and you can see by the after pictures they are sooooo gorgeous, happy & healthy!!

"Irving" is a white, medium hair domestic kitty.

So handsome, isn't he!! He is deaf.. Talks REALLY LOUD:)

Charming!!!

"Onyx" Another gorgeous, sweet cat:)

Black is beautiful!!! I have about a dozen black cats here looking for homes..

Sad but true, it is harder for me to adopt them out.

That's all the cat talk for now....

Super busy behind the scenes with lots of surprizes that I am working on:)

BoW WOW!!! Dogs RULE!!!

2008-09-10T15:27:00.005-04:00

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance,

The wise man grows it under his feet.

-James Oppenheim

The picture of me in the field was taken last summer, unbeknown to me..

How time flies....

But with every year, we move forward and continue to do more.

Can you believe it has been 8 years now I have been doing resue...

Check out the current issue of "Bark Magazine", page 18, for an art project auction that will benefit "A Place To Bark" in November on the 15Th, 2008.

I have always been a huge fan of "The Bark", this is a very special honor for us here!!!

Hoping the small feature will bring more awareness to "A Place To Bark", and our ongoing efforts to be part of the movement to become a, no kill nation.

Web page to advertise our art auctions will be up soon!!!

BoW WOW!!!

If you go to the website and click current issue, you can click on "Artists unite to help a great rescue group" the link will bring you to our website !!!

I know I am rambling on about this, I'm just thrilled!!!

This fabulous video featured below was created by: Rebecca Lansdowne of Art Paw.

It showcases the artwork up close and personal. Also included is a very fun interview with artist Jill Beninato of "Sit Stay Smile Photography", who hosted the art collaboration & put the books together painstakingly by hand. She is a non stop work horse, donating time to the animals in need, doing her art and being a full time wife, mother and dog mom on top of all of that!!

An AmAZing art book project, 13 artists were asked to create 14 pages for this book project.
These were the very talented ladies that participated:

Jill Beninato of "Sit Stay Smile Photography"
Linda O'Neill of Abby Creek Studios
Jamie Pflughoeft of "Cowbelly Photography"
Leigh Jackson of "Noisy Dog Studio"
Anne Leuck Feldhaus of Anne Leuck Feldhaus Studio Ltd.
Manon Doyle of "Hoochie Poochie Studios"
Moira McLaughlin of "Dream Dogs Art"
Melissa Langer of "Pug Notes"
Rebecca Lansdowne of Art Paw
Nicole Mlakar-Livingston of Nicole Mlakar-Livingston Photography
Wendy Crumbley of 2 Dog Studio
Kathy Weller Wellerwishes Pet Portraiture
& Me:) Bernie Berlin of "The Cre8tive Eye Studio" (not as talented but humbled to be asked:)

Each artist received their copy of the book and an extra will be auctioned off on e-bay November 15, 2008. Web page coming soon!!

Each artist did their interpretation of the theme "Dogs Rule" in the media of their choice.
The book is 8x10 inches in size, with canvas board covers to protect the artwork enclosed.

These a few pictures of the many pages in the book.

Photography by Jill Beninato, because Bernie is always too busy taking care of the dogs and othewise wouldn't post as much, if not for her wonderful friends helping her out:)

A very special "Thank YOU" to Jill & the Amazing artists who created this book, Bark Magazine and to all of you that read this..

If you haven't been to "A Place To Bark's" You Tube channel, please check it out HERE

Many of the videos are older but you can get a feel for what my life is like with the animals.

P.S. If you have art and would like to join the auction festivities to help us raise money in November, it is easy to do on e-bay via Mission Fish.

Whatever percentage you would like to donate, you specify & they will get the funds to us and you will get a tax deductible receipt right away.

See what is listed now to benefit "A Place To Bark"
If you want to learn more click the little tab that says sell

and it will tell you "How it Works".

"In Memory of Otis"

2008-09-08T22:17:00.001-04:00

"Be kind- Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle"

-Plato

There are no perfect words when we lose something we love with all our heart..

This post is dedicated to my dear & talented friend, Jill Marie Schulse.

Dedicated Pug Lover & Mother.

I know many of you that read my blog are Pug People and I ask that you send her a kind word on her blog. She just lost one of beloved Pugs, his name was Otis.

We all know that when we lose one of our furry friends, you lose a piece of your heart, never to be replaced again.

All you can do is revel in the past and focus on the love that was given and shared...

Jill has adopted two rescued Pugs from me in the past and I could not ask for a better home for them, truly the rags to riches story.

This picture below was taken with Otis in it.

He is the gray, distinguished, squishy face, underneath Popeye ( formerly Brutus).

Mugsy (formerly Mister Magoo ) is the full figured Pug to the left of your screen:)

Otis will be missed by so many and I hope that Jill knows she is LOVED by ME & many, many artists everywhere!!! We are with you in spirit..

You are in my thoughts & prayers....

Till we all meet again at the rainbow bridge

At Heaven's Gate...

2008-09-04T13:58:00.002-04:00

"...whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.."
-Ephesians 6:8 KJV

There are people who leave their mark on this earth, even in their last moments...
Yesterday, I received a phone call from a woman, telling me that her mother had asked that donations be giving to our rescue in lieu of flowers. I was speechless..

Shirley Rogers was this woman.

A woman who I had never met, but somehow, heard about what we do here.

An animal loving person she did what she could for animals in need, according to her daughter.

The act of reaching out to a perfect stranger and doing something for the animals in need, putting aside the material items of this earth, is such a profound act that I felt the need to share this beautiful story..
At this moment I am sure she is standing in Heaven, surrounded by animals, basking in the beautiful light of God.

The picture above is one I took when I was in San Diego at the dog beach.

This would be my heaven, the water, sand between my toes and a dog by my side..

If you read this today, please say a prayer for Shirley & keep her in your thoughts..
I wish I would have had the chance to meet her, surely some day I will:)

ROGERS, Shirley Craig Age 67 of Nashville, died September 1, 2008. Preceded in death by mother, Doyne Speakman Boatman; brother, Bill Craig. Survived by daughter, Kelly (Johnny) Copeland; sons, Thomas E. (Becky L.) Rogers and Michael (Erika) Rogers; sisters, Carolyn Dunn and Linda (Roger) Simpkins; grandchildren, Brian, Chris and Kendra. A Celebration in her memory will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2008 from 3 - 5 p.m., at the family's residence, 4247 Horseshoe Bend Trail in Murfreesboro. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rescue Shelter "A Place To Bark", P.O. Box 649, Portland, TN 37148. BURNS-SHORT DIRECTORS, (615) 770-0023. www.burns-short.com

With each day..

2008-09-01T03:00:00.001-04:00

"The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes just a little longer:
-Air Force Motto

With each day, I count my blessings..

My family, friends, animal lovers and the artist community that rallies around to help us with our mission. The recent events with Hurricane Gustav reminds us, not to take our daily lives for granted. Life can change in the blink of an eye.. It does every day. Lives saved, lives lost..

Take a moment today to give your loved ones and pets a BIG hug and revel in the moment!!!

Over the weekend I was called by our Sheriff's department calling to see if I had room to house animals. They were preparing ahead, just in case the storm displaced more people & animals than there were places that could house them. We have plenty of land and can surely help in situations like that. I'll need to buy more kenneling for emergency housing, just in case, for the future. I could not fathom what those poor people go thru, with the hurricanes.

The thought of leaving my beloved pets behind is not something I think I could do...

I have been preoccupied with many, many things these days..

Home, family, work, new additions & we've been at record numbers for several months now with the animals taken in.

The building is coming along slowly. Almost done!!! Septic is going in this week.

Then the painting begins.. We are using an epoxy paint for the floor, trying to figure out what color to use??? As an artist you would think this would be easy, but so many to choose from and trying to envision the final result isn't as easy as you would think. I want it to be perfect:)

I know most don't want to read my lengthy chatter, but want to see the fabulous fuzzies waiting for homes, so here you go!!!

This gorgeous girl is "Azure" she is a 4 month old female Lab/mix with striking blue eyes.

Super sweet, friendly, spunky and non stop loving energy!!!

She also has a sister who has one brown eye and one half of a blue eye. Her name is Asia.

"Clover" & "Lily" are siblings, surrendered to the pound due to their family losing their home.

Approximately 1-2 years of age. Female, Collie/mixes. SWEeeeT!!!

"Eli" is a male Shepherd/mix. Approximately 10 weeks old. He had to have 2 blood transfusions from his mother. We almost lost him... His blood loss was from a very severe infestation of hookworms and fleas. He is not out of the woods yet, but is still with us and doing better. We will know Thursday when his blood is tested to see where his levels are.

This picture perfect pup is "Lil Bit" Female, truly not sure what breed, her siblings look like terrier/mixes, but she is very, very small compared to them.

She is the runt of her litter and they came to me with a horrible infestation of lice, fleas & ticks.

Doing great now, she is little but has a HUGE personality!!!

For "Parker's" family..

He is doing great and having a good time playing with everyone!!!

"Parker" is a young, male Basset Hound. Loves to be with you, never leaves my side.

Good with other dogs, Loves food, obviously being a hound:)

I'll have a video of him on You Tube soon, playing with all the puppies...

Many dogs I take in, I place with rescues, if I feel they would not do well at the Humane Societies I work with. Not all dogs do well in a shelter situation and it's in the best interest of the dogs that they go to rescues who can work one on one with them and do private placements.

I took "Bella" up north to Pug Hugs Rescue in Wisconsin.

So if you are looking to adopt her, contact them. She is a GREAT dog!!

"Mona" & "Millie" were from a puppy mill.

Transferred to Illinois Cocker Rescue & Toy Breeds Rescue. VERY, VERY, sweet girls!!

Both were in poor shape, but under Aly's care they will be well and up for adoption soon:)

"Gomez" was placed with Tennessee Shar Pei Rescue. It will take several months before he is up for adoption. They have much work ahead getting him back to health, but he's worth it.

I do transfer many of my purebred dogs, so they can go to their specific breed rescues.

These rescues know their breed thru and thru. Educating and screening the potential adopter so that it is a win/win situation for the animal.
All the great people I know and am blessed to network with, I thank you and the animals thank you!!!

Will be working on the website, updates, announcements, super exciting announcement!!!

So I will be tormenting Claudine all day today:)

If you don't know, she graciously donates her time to creating and maintaining our website.

Cat post coming soon...

Have a Blessed Day all!!!!!

We're getting it done!!!

2008-08-24T23:50:00.001-04:00

"Victory is won not in miles, but in inches.

Win a little now, hold your ground, and later win a little more."

-Louis L'Amour

Whoo- HOO!!!! We have concrete, electric & the plumbing lines are in..

I cannot begin to tell you how crazy my week has been...
Family obligations, the shelter being built, call after call about dogs, took in puppy mill dogs, driving cats all over to get them adopted, vet visits, getting ready to transport on Tuesday to Chicago, and trying to catch up on all my paperwork.

It just never seems to end.... But life is like that sometimes, eh?!!

Makes you know you are alive in every way:)

Just a quick post to show you whats going on...

Concrete going in the building.

They did a wonderful job on the concrete, the ledge you see is so there is no back splash when we pressure wash the kennels. Can't believe how excited I was about the drains:)

Electrical lines being dug & put in.

So much happening, so much to tell, just not enough time to sit and post...

I am working on a bunch of posts and will have them go up automatically each week, so that I won't go so long without posting.

My sweet friends Brenda and Julia who have offered to help me out with things, to try to catch me up. LOVE my friends:)

I will have exciting news the end of September to share with you...

So stay tuned!!!

Also, a BIG, HUGE, THANKS to the folks at Stampington & Company.

I worked as an artist on call for them, for several years and took a break to build A Place To Bark. Sometime in the near future I hope to be doing articles and art for them again.

They created this beautiful ad for us and it could not have come at a better time.

We so need the exposure for our future growth. It is featured in all their publications this month. If you are not familiar with their magazines, please check them out HERE.

Art, photography, blogging, sewing, altered art, stamping, they have it all!!

I feel like I am forgetting something, but am starting to nod off..
Gotta get some sleep!!! Nitey Nite:)

And Here we have it.. Our new building!!

2008-08-18T13:23:00.003-04:00

"Very few burdens are heavy if everyone lifts"
-Sy Wise

I have to run out the door, to check on the builders, the store, animal control and the vet...

But I wanted to share a few of the pictures with you, because I know you are excited as we are!!!

This shelter is built on the love and kindness of our fellow artists and animal lovers.

Look what we have accomplished together!!!

I will post more later and edit this post, but just so excited I wanted to post a note to you all now!!!

New faces for U at the zoo:)

2008-08-12T01:30:00.002-04:00

"No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich."
-Louis Sabin

Have we got the cuties here!!! Ooooh, don't you just want to kiss all their faces:)

These are 3 of the 8 pups that are in the litter we picked up from the pound 2 weeks ago.

The day is done and they sure got alot finished. The skeleton of the building is up!!!

We should be able to pour the concrete by the weekend if all goes well:)

Lately my phone has been ringing off the hook, people calling me to take in dogs.

I have been getting anywhere from 2 to 20 calls daily:( Eeek!!

While I wish I could take them all, there is only so much I can do...

I have a 3 month waiting list for owners who want to surrender their dogs.

It really gets to me, but I can only do so much and we are busting at the seams trying to find space. Not to mention the money is getting really tight with gas prices, tons of vet bills and we have already taken in more animals than last year and the year is not over.

I try to stay as positive as I can, but every now and then some fear creeps in...

Enough babbling, let's focus on the good, the lives saved & beautiful faces featured below!!!

This is 'Aggie" she just finished her last heart worm treatment and will be ready for adoption in a few weeks.
She is incredibly sweet about 3 years old, great with other dogs, loves food of course and is just a wonderful companion.

These are her pups, Flo, Bro, Joe & Moe:)

"Oogie" is soooo cool!!! He is some type of Shar Pei mix. 12 weeks old he drools and snores:)

We received a donation of toys from our online artist Angels last week, that he is enjoying very much!! Thank YOU so much, they are having a great time with the stuff!!!!

'These five pups were under a dog bed at animal control, one was in the drain in the back of the kennels. Only about 4 weeks old, we have been treating them for Parvo.

They are doing well but aren't out of the woods yet.

This darling Pug is "Izzabella". She is a 2 year old female. She is on behavior modification medication for the short term. When she came to me, she was spinning uncontrollably and attacking her tail to the point that part of her tail is missing.

We are retraining her and she is responding well!!!

Last one for the nite..

This is "Daisy" a Shepherd mix. Meek and mild, co-dependent, will be your shadow and faithful friend. She is approximately 1-2 years of age. About 20 pounds underweight after nursing 9 puppies.

So many more here, just wanted to share their gorgeous faces with you...

Off to bed, today has been a good day:)

And so it begins...

2008-08-10T23:42:00.003-04:00

"Your work is to discover your work and then to give yourself to it with all your heart.."

-Buddha

We have broken ground and the building is going up as I type this!!!
I'm still pinching myself:)

This is just the beginning, but here is where it starts...
Seems like just yesterday, we moved to Tennessee and this winter it will be 3 years.

The building will be 30 x 60 with 4000 square feet of outdoor kenneling.
We will have a few acres fenced off with different yards for the dogs to run and play after their 3 week quarantine.

The shelter will be dedicated to the artists and animal lovers who have helped me create this program. The animals and I are grateful everyday..

I know I sound like a broken record, but I feel you cannot let people know enough how much they are appreciated:) And I do appreciate you..

From the bottom of my heart I THANK YOU for being a part of this journey with me!!!

Life has been extremely, insanely, busy lately, with family issues, caring for the little ones and getting my professional work done. So if you are waiting for an e-mail or box from me, the mail is packed waiting for me to drive it to town and I have the e-mail on my to do list..

Jeff is doing as well as can be expected and we are headed back to the doctors tomorrow.

The shelter being built has given him some new life, he is trying his hardest to stay on his feet.

Balance and walking is very difficult for him, but he has put so much work into the plans for this place it only seems right that he be right there, even if it means sitting in a chair, with a cold drink, while they are building.

This blog is usually where I write about art & the animals, but I am sure Jeff would be tickled if you left a comment for him. He has done so much for the little ones here, the scared and the unsocialized I find it only fitting to dedicate this post to him.

Artwork has started coming in from my friends to decorate the shelter, even though it will be months before we can hang it, I believe we will not only have a functional shelter, but a very colorful, vibrant and fun place for the animals.

Later this week, I will be writing to qualify us for many of the animal programs & grants available... Tons to do, so I better get to it!!!

Again, a million kisses and hugs from one very excited crazy dog lady:)

Much LOVE,

Bernie

Quick post..

2008-08-04T00:01:00.000-04:00

"Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream preceeds the goal."
-Pamela Vaull Starr

Just a quick post..

I'm still around, but at capacity for dogs. So not much time to post these days...

We also break ground on the shelter/building this week!!!

YEAH!!!:)

This note is to:

Kristina, the pups you found are doing great here are some pictures to show you they are doing well and are happy.

Kristina, found these 4 very large puppies where she lives and called me.

They were dumped and stray, covered in ticks and fleas.

She did a great job caring for them till I got back in town.

They appear to be Great Pyrenees mixes. Big Fuzzies!!

The one looks like a Pyrenees/Boxer or Shepherd mix.

All super sweet and at about 12-14 weeks are weighing about 40 pounds:)

There's a whole lot to love with these pups!!!

On another note, Jeff's health has been declining rapidly and he has been having stroke like symptoms this past week. Will know more tomorrow...

He has really had a very hard time of things with his health, so please keep him in your prayers.

Will post more tomorrow...

Kobie gets a new home..

2008-07-15T00:25:00.007-04:00

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
-Hebrews 11:1

On the go, from the road...

Claudine made this little graphic of me with the dogs:)

Don't you love wireless!!!
I started writing this post a few days ago, sitting outside with my friend Monica's house in Chicago.

I overnited there, on my way to Wisconsin to adopt "Kobie" to his new home. Actually, his new owner is a repeat adopter, they adopted "Harvey" from me last year. Amazing how time flies, it seems like just yesterday, that I took Kobie and Kya from the pound.
Having to carry Kobie out, because he was so weak & malnourished, he could barely stand. Now isn't he just the most stunning dog!!!

Still a bit shy, but getting better with each passing day.

The picture below was taken the day I rescued Kobie and Kya from the pound.

This is the Kobie today!!!

A big smile, for everyone who helps me save these guys:)

This was the last picture I took of Kya and her kids, before I took them to Anti Cruelty Society in Chicago.
I was fortunate enough to meet one of the families that adopted them, the day I was there.

I am now at "CHA", seeing all the new art & craft products in the industry, will be doing a book signing for F+W publications booth #1817 tomorrow from 10a.m. to 11 a.m. They will be giving away limited copies of my book.

It is always great to see all my friend in the art field, it just never ceases to amaze me how fast time flies... half the year is already gone.

Now, Finally!!! Thanks for being patient with me, the winners to my blog giveaways:

The 4 x 4 painted canvas goes to: Mary LaBontel

The 2 books go to: Funky Finds & Tara Ross Studio

The 3 collage packs go to: Harley Dee, Dejablu503 & Groovy Holly

Please send me your mailing information and I will send the items out next week when I get home..

I'm very lucky to have Jeff, Terry & my vet clinic taking care of all the critters while I am on the road... So Thank you guys!!!

Without Jeff & Terry at home, holding down the fort, I don't know what I would do.

Well, yes.. I do, I wouldn't be able to leave, to work:(

I tell them all the time, how much I appreciate it, but sometimes it is just nice to be appreciated in print:) So here you are!!!

Here is another fun pet link to My Friend's Pet Boutique blog.
Brook, is currently watching Freedom for me while I am at the show, she called to tell me that she got her a new dress.
A far cry from the puppy mill she was taken from, she is being spoiled & is playing with 2 English Bulldogs & 2 Boston Terriers.
I wanted to give you something to smile about so check out this funny youtube that was taken the weekend they were at a dog show: "Dogs playing on Brook's head in the Morning"

Since I have been gone my cell has been ringing non stop, with requests to take dogs and puppies..
So looks like I'll be busy when I get home. Eeeek!!

Till tomorrow, much love...