In 2013, I embarked on a personal fundraising challenge to raise money for a charity organization in Los Angeles, CA which had become special to me because of a sweet Bichon boy named Micah (pronounced Mike-a). His story began on a sad note and was shared internationally through a heart-wrenching video which clearly became a happily-ever-after fairy tale when my friend Karen Moore was granted “custody” of this sweet boy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qonjjbOZ39w So, over the month of September and with the help of many kind-hearted and generous folks, I collected over $700.00 while logging 241 kilometers (that’s 149-3/4 miles to my American family and friends)!
For those of you who know me, you’ll know two things about me; I love to walk and I am insanely crazy about my fur-kids (and all kids of the canine persuasion). In fact, I began my dog biscuit bakery The Norfolk Nibbles Treat Boutique because of my desire to give my babies treats that didn’t contain all the “junk” of commercial treats.
A 2-day whirlwind trip between Toronto, Canada and Los Angeles, CA brought little Micah home to his special fur-ever family including Mom, Karen and his two sweet Bichon sisters, Tori & Vanna.
Known as the three Furs-kateers; Miss Joee (l) and her Norfolk Terrier brother Thomas Magnum (c), and sister Teegan Marie (r) both of whom have recently gone to the Rainbow Bridge.
Over the next year, many changes and new and exciting events took place in my life but none bigger than our adoption of a precious little cock-a-poo girl named Joee. As a rescued puppy-mill mama, our little girl had spent her entire life having babies.
Through several coincidences, I became involved in a “search and rescue” for a little rehomed rescued fellow named Squirrel who had gone missing from his new home. After several days of contact with the folks at Animalert (www.animalert.ca) , the rescue organization from where Squirrel had been placed, I received an e-mail asking if I’d be interested in fostering. After a brief consultation with my husband Bill, we agreed to try. From the moment Joee and I made eye contact, we were connected for life! This sweet, submissive, and painfully timid little girl melted into my arms and as I walked through our front door (photo below of the night Miss Joee came home), I knew she was there to stay! Yes, I admit it, I became a “Foster Failure” but Joee found her fur-ever home!
But, that isn’t the end of the story. You see, in the meantime, Animalert continues their rescue missions and with these rescues comes a price tag. Medical bills for the treatment and recovery for some of these fur-kids can add up and organizations like Animalert rely on donations to continue to carry out their wonderful work.
So, once again in 2014, for the month of September, I donated .50¢ for every kilometer I walked and collected pledges and donations, this time for the locally-based rescue organization, Animalert. I was pleased to log 250.5 kilometers and presented a cheque for $1,355.50 to the Animalert rescue group.
I'm proud and excited to continue the SITPFKWB tradition and work hard to cultivate this annual event. Making it bigger and better each and every year is important and raising awareness for homeless and abandonded animals is a daily concern. But, for the month of September and always, please:
Stroll in the Park For Kids Who Bark!!!
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