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2008 Giving Thanks Contest... |
A big thanks to out to everyone who voted in our2008 Giving Thanks Contest. We received a total of 144 votes.
As such, Sew Many Paws will prize/donation fund will be $144. The favorite charities of our voters who were not represented by a thankful tail this year cannot be left out either.
They will receive the Honorable Mention prize. PRIZES: - FIRST PLACE: $40 gift
certificate June ; $40 donation Rags2Riches
- SECOND
PLACE: $40 gift certificate Kathy; $40 donation LOLIN & CILRA
- THIRD PLACE: $10 gift certificate Kelly; $10
donation ARPO
- TIED FOURTH PLACE:
$10 gift certificate Jennifer; $10 Lucky Lab Rescue
- TIED FOURTH PLACE: $10 gift certificate Mike; $10 Paws &
Think
- HONORABLE MENTION: $5 donation MCHS
- HONORABLE MENTION: $5 donation Molly's Meals
- HONORABLE MENTION: $5 donation Humane Society of Indianapolis
- HONORABLE MENTION: $5 donation Jericho Society
- HONORABLE MENTION: $5 donation Indiana-PAW
- HONORABLE MENTION: $5 donation Dauschund Rescue of North America
- HONORABLE MENTION: $5 donation Indianapolis Animal Care & Control
Thanks for voting. Please
remember - Every day is a Gift.
How you use that gift is up to you. Use it wisely!
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| Sierra, Buddie & Maddie |
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Story #1 - Submitted by Kathy Sierra, Kutter, etc "32" Votes as of 10-31-08 2nd Place Winner
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| Sunny |
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Story #2 - Submitted by: June Sunny
"36" Votes as of 10-31-08
1st Place Winner
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| Peaches & Mazy |
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Story #3 - Submitted by: Kelly Peaches & Mazy
"26" Votes as of 10-31-08 Representing - ARPO |
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| Bailey & Beau |
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Story #4 - Submitted by: Jennifer
Bailey & Beau "25" Votes as of 10-31-08 Representing Lucky Lab Rescue
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| Mike & Gracie |
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Story #5 - Submitted by: Mike - Gracie "25" Votes
as of 10-31-08 Representing "Paws & Think"
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*****Story
#1 - Submitted by: Kathy "Giving Thanks, that in itself is a Statement
all of us that are fortunate to have the company of our Furry Critters. Those that are animal lovers of all shapes and
forms know the full impact they have on our lives...Especially the furry labbers, as I am so partial to them. We have had labs for over 36 yrs and while we have had to make that terrible decision when the final day comes,
we have relished in each and every day they were so lucky that spent their lives within our family. It is a wonderful life to be owned by a Labrador, one that is not lost on most of us."
*****Story #2 - Submitted by: June "No
words could ever explain the depth of love for my animals and how grateful I am for each one of them. To explain would be
taking people to the heart and soul of myself. A place that we each have for ourselves and allow few to go to. I can say that
the unconditional love from my pets has strengthened me in the toughest times. From the loss of my twin sister, they were
there and would comfort me like in some odd way they knew and would always be there for me. Always giving and never taking.
Again with sudden loss of my husband’s son, their strength carried me through the toughest and darkest times of my life.
Thanks to them they inspired me to help other animals in which I lobbied successfully at the State of NC for standards under
the Dept of AG for county shelters. I continued on to take one of the poorest counties in NC and elevated them to first class
shelter in 2006 and the first shelter to open in the State of NC under the law. http://www.vancnews.com/articles/2006/11/08/warrenton/news/news03.txt http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1088288 I continue to help rescue organizations with my efforts. I will always be eternally grateful for my animals,
which they are the ones that deserve the recognition for giving me strength. Thank you Angel, Mama, Wildthing, Cutie, Bredon
an in loving memory of Sunny. (passed away 9-9-08)"
*****Story #3 - Submitted by: Kelly "I am the proud owner of two wonderful four legged girls. The first one came to me at 8 wks old. I fell
in love with Peaches, my lab/shepard/husky mix at Petco. Peaches was rescued from the yard of a family that did not take care
of her and her siblings. When Peaches came into my life I had to learn to be more responsible. There was no more going out
and coming home when I pleased. I now had somethat that relied on me waiting at home. Peaches and I started to do lots
of activities with other pet owners. These activities ranged from dog walks, dog fundraisers and dog parks. From this I started to learn more and more about the amount of dogs looking for a home. Peaches was so high
energy that I decided to start fostering dogs. Peaches loved having a play pet. Each dog that came into my
home, could have ended up staying forever, but I watched as they all found their forever home. I still knew that Peaches could
use a playmate and found my next dog through Petfinders. This is when Mazy., my american Bulldog came into our lives.
Peaches and I traveled up north to Petsmart where Mazy would be to see how they interacted. Next we had a playdate and
then Mazy became a part of our forever home. We have had several challenges through the years (and still face some) with
learning how to raise Mazy. As she became temermental and in charge of our home. I am learning everyday to be the pac
leader . I have to show the girls I am in charge and enforce home rules. Both girls
have been great. I never knew how much a dog could need from a human. They gave me reason to get up in the morning and start
the day. At night they allow me to sleep in peace as they watch over me. They have adjusted well to having my fiance and his
four legged boy join the pac. I believe I gave two dogs a home, but they gave me a family."
*****Story #4 - Submitted by: Jennifer "Why I am thankful for our dogs! They are just the best. When I found
Bailey on the Adopt
a Lab sight and then you and Jerri brought him over it
would have killed me if you rejected our adoption application.
Phil and I
both agree that we think he knew what happened to Rhett and has tried to do
his best to make up for that
everyday. We just absolutely love that little
guy. When we talk to him he still tilts his head like he is
trying to
understand us. Then there's Beau - he is our version of Marmaduke
- a big
clod!! He is a gentle giant that lays all 100 pounds on us and gives us a
hug and kiss every time
we turn around. We will always have a dog with us
until the day we die!"
*****Story #5 - Submitted by: Mike "I thank the Lord for my dog Gracie.
In Jan 2007 we had to put down my 13yr old Border Collie, Oreo who I trained and was smart as a tack. Unfortunately
she was very dominant with our other dog Sasha and I thought weʼd have to wait a long time for another dog, but my wife
had begun looking and really liked Goldendoodles. In August of 2007 I was out running and didnʼt think much about it, but thought it would be nice
to have a dog I could run with as Sasha is older and more of a sprinter than a runner. We went camping
later that month in southern Indiana and passed by a Border Collie breeder. I didnʼt want to even
stop, but my wife did. I prayed and the Lord made it very clear to me He wanted me to have a dog I could
run with; and He took me back to that very simple request I had made. I cried thinking the Lord knew the
desire of my heart. We looked at the Border Collies and nothing clicked. Two weeks later
we were going to camp north of Indy, just around the corner from a Doodle breeder in Pendleton, Indiana; we contacted her
and said weʼd like to just stop by to visit and check out her dogs, not wanting a new puppy. She mentioned
she had a 3month old who had been socialized to her 8 kids and all the dogs, and her name was Greta Grace; there was someting
about the name that clicked, Grace, but I wanted to make sure this was the dog the Lord had for me. We
went for a visit and took Sasha, knowing any new dog would have to be lower energy (thank you Cesar!) to avoid having more
fights; Gracie just laid down, there was no fight there. We gave it a try over the weekend and, well Gracie
is now my running dog! We
began dog training right away, and while in puppy class everyone was amazed at how well all the dogs did, but especially Gracie.
At the same time I was practicing to play on my violin Amazing Grace with my nephew for Thanksgiving 2007, and the
Lord showed me that this dog he gave me is truly amazing. In fact, before she was 1 year old in May 2008
she had passed all the dog classes at the Humane Society of Indy, including Therapy Prep Class and passed the Canine Good
Citizen. By June of 2008 she became certified as a therapy dog through Paws and Think and is now sharing
her amazing grace with kids and adults who need their spirits lifted. I thank the Lord for providing me with a truly amazing dog,
that I can run with, and who He will use to touch other people. This is a complete turn around from all
the dogs we have had, which resulted in fights and stress and not wanting to take our dogs around other people.
Now we have a dog that is amazing with other people, and by her being balanced has helped Sasha be a balanced dog as
well, now no more fights!
P.S. Back in July I spoke into existence we needed a little brother for Gracie to play with
since Sasha was older and didn't want to play. My wife never wanted a male dog, but I felt this is
what the Lord wanted for us. Needless to say, three weeks ago we went to visit Gracieʼs breeder again
to let her see Gracie. Well, two days before we got there someone had returned a 10 month male Goldendoodle.
He turned out to be calmer than Gracie, so the energy matches, and Sasha accepts him - we call him Dandy, short for
Yankie Doodle Dandy. So now we have three dogs, two of which are Doodles, and Gracie now has her little
brother who LOVES to play with her. Everything is so much fun with them and he is already showing signs
that he will make an excellent therapy dog too.
P.P.S Because Gracie was so amazing, I was able to find matching t-shirts for us so when we go out and
visit kids and adults we can share the grace the Lord has given us with others.
P.P.P.S I connected with Sew Many Paws to find the Keepsafe collar, and to look into ways in which I could
have reflective running gear for Gracie when we run on the streets at night. Sue is experimenting with this and hopefully
she will have something that people can use to make their dogs safe at night.
P.P.P.P.S We will find out this friday if Sasha will continue with her fight against cancer in her leg.
The Lord has used Gracie and Dandy to help her stay young, and to know what it truly means to be a balanced dog.
See attached picture of her and I at her therapy
dog graduation, also one with just her in the shirt, and one with her at the Westfield Library with a young child reading
to her."
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