DOT is 100

Congratulations to all of us. Dogs On Thursday has hit
We need to thank Paula for getting this group started and Natalie for giving her great backup. It takes a lot of work to manage a weekly blog group and keep it up to date and interesting to it's readers. As you can see, the membership list keeps growing and some terrific friendships have started here.

Welcome our newest member Lisa and her beautiful dog Luna. Drop by and say hello.

Our Big 100 Contest is winding down. There's only a week left. Be sure to make your donation by April 20 and let Natalie know. Her address is gnatchat(at)gmail(dot)com. We will be selecting the winners using a low tech, very appropriate technique which we will explain next week.

When we think about donating to a charity we usually think of writing a check, but there are other, less painful methods. Some people volunteer their time. That is probably the very best way to donate, both for the charity, in this case homeless animals, and for the volunteer. Unfortunately not everyone has extra time available.

There are other ways to make a difference. This is the season for spring cleaning. While you're going through closets, keep a box on the side for the shelter. You'd be surprised at the items you have around the house that would be useful to them.
Did you recently buy the pooch a new collar? The shelter could use the old one. Do you have some towels left from before you repainted the bathroom? The shelter could use them. How about the blanket you had on your bed until the pup chewed the corner off? The shelter could use it. A lot of us shred old documents. The shelters need shredded paper for puppies and kittens cages. How about that new air freshener you bought, then found out it made you sneeze? The shelter could use it.

Many of the member of this group knit, crochet or sew. Cats and dogs love to have a blanket to arrange and nest in.

They aren't fussy and would appreciate the yarn you bought that seemed pretty in the store but when you got it home you couldn't imagine what made you buy it.








We all have some of those mistakes stuck in closets. A blanket doesn't have to be very big. Dogs and cats come in all sizes.



















There is another way of contributing that takes a little planning, but involves one of my favorite activities, shopping.

There are websites like Stuffed Adoptions. You can purchase a cute little stuffed animal for your favorite child or for your collection. A portion of the proceeds goes to an animal shelter. Your purchase includes a gift card.

Most of us are aware of Etsy. It's a place for artists and craftspeople to sell their items online. Several of the DOT members have Etsy shops. There is a team within Etsy called EFA ( Etsy For Animals). The team members donate a percentage of the profits from their sales to animal charities. When we're looking for gifts for friends we can help an animal charity by purchasing from one of these shops.

Stacey is an EFA team member. She makes the most adorable sock dogs and donates 10% of the profits from them to The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City.















Mathilde & McKenzie


Recently she started another line. Meet Bluebird, Piper and Munchkin.






They represent actual dogs waiting in shelters. Stacey is donating 100% of the profits from these little characters to the Mid America Bully Breed Rescue.

Bully breeds are in terrible trouble as more and more communities pass breed specific laws. As dog owners we all know that no breed is born bad. Bad owners make certain individual animals dangerous by abuse or neglect. They need our help.

When you're thinking about buying gifts for friends, family or yourself, be sure to look at EFA artists. Part of your money will go to help animals.

Donating can be fun and has great benefits, not only for the animals, but for us, too.