Collars, Treats and Kindness! All in one day.

Today’s guest blog post feature is both a partner and good friend of Team Toby, Shannon Barnard from K9 Bytes.

 

Love that Shannon is wearing our Million Acts of Kindness tour tees sponsored by Peace Love Paws

K9 Bytes creates handmade fabric dog collars, dog leashes and cat collars. Their handcrafted quick release dog collars are as unique as your dog. Shannon fabricates matching pet leashes with their collars to make a real fashion statement! Cat collars come in many fun fabric patterns and you can choose from many fabric patterns including holiday designs. They also offers a line of home baked dog and cat treats and cuddly pet blankets.

Here are some examples.... these are the collars that Shannon donated as an act of kindness during our day in Portland on our Million Acts of Kindness tour.  The collars all were donated to a no kill shelter in Portland called Family Dog New Life.  

 

K9 Bytes’ products are handmade in the USA and collars and leashes are made from soft cotton fabrics. They offer a fun, inexpensive product that let pet parents express the love of their furry friends and celebrate holidays and seasons. Treats are made from wholesome, human grade ingredients. They are baked until crunchy with no preservatives, yet have a long shelf life. It is clear that their love and passion for pets is apparent in each item that they create!

We asked Shannon to share a time when kindness impacted her business, and why she chose to kindness to Team Toby in helping us reach our goal of one million acts of kindness.Here's what Shannon said:

Receiving little personal notes of appreciation from my customers lets me know that they value me and my products. We are all busy. Taking that little bit of time to let someone know you appreciate them can make their day.

Team Toby’s message of teaching kindness, acceptance and respect is key to changing the world for the better. If we all show a little more kindness, it impacts the whole world in a positive way, one act at a time.

Shannon’s advice to dog owners:

Exercise with your dog. Walking with your dog is beneficial to both of you. It strengthens your bond as well as your fitness. It’s also a great way to meet other dog lovers and increase socialization for both you and your pet.

K9 Bytes Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/K9BytesPets

Twitter: https://twitter.com/K9BytesPets

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/k9bytes  

Google +: https://plus.google.com/+ShannonBarnard or https://plus.google.com/b/112106131860983170605/+K9bytesgifts/about

Instagram: https://instagram.com/k9bytes

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/k9bytes

Charmaine and Shannon are both members of the Women in the Pet Industry Network. 

Bring Jake the Dog Home- collaboration to bring a lost dog back home

It's me again... a dog with a blog

Mom always say "animals connect people!"

Gotta say.... she's right!

Check out this amazing story of how people are coming together to bring a dog named Jake back home to Canada.

Photo Credit: Bring Jake Home Facebook page

Jake’s unusual story has a community of people in Canada & the USA collaborating to bring this rescue dog home & give him the best second chance possible. 

Jake is a Lab cross with an out of service # Drayton Valley, Alberta tag who ended up lost and in an Imlay, Michigan Shelter.  Lisa Litwinski is working with the USA Shelter in Imlay & an Edmonton Rescue: Infinite WOOFS making plans for Jake to journey home to a loving foster home while we help him to find his new forever family. Jake has a Charity ATB Financial Community Spirit bank account, Facebook page, & a twitter account. Things are moving up in the world for this boy! We are fundraising to cover the cost of expenses to bring this dog home. Contact: BringJakeHometoAlberta@shaw.ca for ways to donate. Check out Jake’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bringjakehometoalberta or Twitter: @BringJakeHomeAB #BringJakeHometoAlberta

Thank you for your caring, sharing and support. Let’s bring this dog home!

Here's some info that Lisa provided mom... with all the pawsome details and backstory:

Fundraiser to Help Bring Jake the Rescue Dog Home to Alberta

Jake is a Lab cross with an out of service # Drayton Valley, Alberta tag who ended up lost and in an Imlay, Michigan Shelter.  Lisa contacted the Shelter to explore how to help Jake in the event that his family was not located.  The Shelter was very open to working together to bring Jake home to Alberta & the initiative formally launched.  Jake has a Charity ATB Financial bank account, Facebook page, & a twitter account. Things are moving up in the world for this boy!

Hundreds of people shared Jake’s posts in efforts to reunite him with his family. We did not find them. Any inquiries about Jake came from Canadians as a result of this collaborative initiative. No one locally called or came in to look for Jake. The USA Shelter did their due diligence with the legal hold period to find the family.  Jake has been pulled by the Imlay rescue and they are working with us to bring Jake home. Lisa found a fabulous Alberta foster home for Jake and a wonderful no kill, foster home based, Edmonton rescue for Jake to help oversee the process of finding Jake his new forever home. www.InfiniteWOOFS.org. Lisa is excited about helping Jake to find his new family. Jake is a happy and affectionate dog who loves to run and play with his tennis ball. We are so excited to bring this boy home to have an amazing second chance!!

We have an approved ATB Financial Community Spirit Account set up for Jake. 100% of all donations go directly to covering our expenses to bring him home.  Income Tax receipts are available for donations over $20.00.  There are three ways to donate: 1) Pay Pal to a friend – search for BringJakeHometoAlberta@shaw.ca. Select immediate transfer.  2) E-transfer to BringJakeHometoAlberta@shaw.ca 3) Go to any ATB Financial and deposit directly to “Bring Jake Home” Community Spirit Account in Edmonton.  Please include your name, email address, & mailing address so that we can get a tax receipt to you. 

We are raising funds to cover the expenses related to bringing Jake home: pull fee from the shelter, vet exam, vaccinations & health certificate, travel crate & supplies, travel & plane fare, & further vet care upon arrival to Edmonton. Many of the expenses are in US dollars.

 Jake is now vet approved to travel and up to date on his vaccinations. We are working on finalizing some of the legal documents and travel arrangements. 

Thousands of people have been moved by Jake’s story.  There is a community of people in Canada & the USA collaborating to bring Jake home. Thank you to those who have donated & reached out to support Jake in so many ways. If you have questions please contact Lisa at: BringJakeHometoAlberta@shaw.ca

 Let's Rally together to bring this pawsome dog back home!!  Mom and I donated to this cause because we want to help this awesome dog get back to Alberta.  Hope you will too!

HUGS and Big Tail Wags of Support,

Toby...

xo

For people who love travelling, please check out canadiantraveller.com for awesome destinations, travel tips, bucket-list adventures and so much more.  Canadian Traveller is one of our amazing partners on our recent PAWs Across Canada tour, and, our upcoming Million Acts of Kindness Tour.

Dog on national tour to spread kindness and prevent bullying

Photo Credit Airdrie Echo newspaper

Check me out!

I'm a traveling dog.

Traveling dog with a blog!

And

I'm on a mission to spread kindness.

We just finished the first leg of the tour in Alberta and BC Canada

Now, in October, Bully Prevention Month, we are touring Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

I'll be filming the whole tour with my very own GoPro video camera.

Capturing kindness...animal human bond... lessons dogs teach people...and the places we eat, stay and play.

Would you like me to come to your school?

How about your workplace?

Want to have your business featured in our tour?

Contact me to get your community, school and business on the PAWS Across Canada map!

Together we can make a difference.  We'll also be raising funds and awareness for local shelters and rescues with our Twoonie for Team Toby fundraiser.  Watch our website to get involved  www.TheOriginalTeamToby.com

Support the Underdog! That's what Project Blue Collar does!

Carole Feeny and Kristin Waters from Project Blue Collar were guests on PAWsitive Radio show, hosted by Team Toby!.

 This is our Toby sporting one of the Project Blue Collars and showing how much we love how Project Blue Collar is doing to save lives.

Www.TheOriginalTeamToby.com  Photo Credit

Project Blue Collar – Support the Underdog™ is a movement to publicly identify and celebrate the rescue dog. Changing the perception of shelter dogs from being damaged to being priceless. It’s a way to share stories and educate and inspire others to give shelter dogs a chance.
 
Every time you see a Support the Underdog™Blue Collar, you’ll know that another underdog became a hero. A moment of recognition is created, common ground is discovered, and a conversation is started. That’s how movements are born – one conversation at a time – and change begins to happen. They are committed to donating a portion of our profits to animal shelters and rescue groups. Every purchase from Project Blue Collar - Support the Underdog™ matters. It’s that simple.  Website:  www.projectbluecollar.com

Toby with his serious face... and his blue collar  www.Theoriginalteamtoby.com

 We all know that animals connect people and Kristin and Carole stated that the blue collars are a real conversation starter!  It provides a launch pad for pet families to share stories, how their dog came to be a family member, and funny stories about their pets. 


 You can listen to more tips from Project Blue Collar at:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/teamtoby/2013/04/24/project-blue-collar


 Please feel free to share this blog and radio link with others...together we CAN make a difference!

And...Follow us on Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeamToby2

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOriginalTeamToby

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/teamtoby1

 Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/charmainehammond

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/On-Tobys-Terms/209331272432608?ref=ts&fref=ts 

 Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hammond-International-Inc/161986823865485?ref=ts&fref=ts

https://twitter.com/hammondgroupbiz

Have you puppy trained your kids?

photo credit: CritterKin
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1633520401/critterkin-puppy-train-your-kids

 

Can we Pleaseeeeeeee get a puppy?  Have you had that question posed in your family yet? I am certain my parents heard that question repeatedly when we were children. Our dreams were answered... I remember our first dog, Duchess. She was a beautiful mixed breed dog who loved us girls unconditionally. We learned how to care for a dog, how to travel with a dog, how to be consistent with the "dog" rules and most importantly, the gifts of unconditional love that Duchess gave us every day. 

 

When I met the CritterKin pack, I knew this would be a walk in the dog park!  I am delighted to share CritterKin with you.  CritterKin is creating an app for children, and has partnered with the humane educator at the SPCA of Wake County North Carolina "to make sure that kids aren't just entertained, they're educated. Kids will be excited about owning a puppy, and the CritterKin app will ensure that they're ready." 

 

Here's a quick sample of the more than 30 lessons CritterKin has developed:
 http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1633520401/critterkin-puppy-train-your-kids
Meet and Greet - How to safely meet an animal
Socialization and Manners - How to teach your dog to play well with others
What’s a Dog Made of? - Basic dog anatomy
Good Treat/Bad Treat - Why dogs shouldn't eat chocolate!
Poop and Scoop – What goes in must come out
Zap the Fleas – What are common pests that can harm your dog? 
What’s in a Crate - The benefits of crate training
Visit to the Vet – Why vet care is so important
Looking Good – Grooming for good looks and health
Doggy Fashion – types of collars, leashes, clothes and accessories
Give a Dog a Job - The importance of exercise and mental stimulation
Lost and Found - How to avoid losing your dog...and what to do when you do
Cool! - The physiology of how dogs regulate their temperature
Play - How do dogs play? What kind of play do dogs need?
Special Needs – The importance of difference
As Long As You Both Shall Live - What it means to give a dog a forever home
Animal Sheltering 101 - How kids can help your local shelter
(Credit: CritterKin Kickstarter page) 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1633520401/critterkin-puppy-train-your-kids

 

 

What lessons do you hope your children will learn?

 

What lessons has your family learned from a pet?

 

Will you join the pack? 

 

Together we CAN make a difference and create forever homes for animals.



 



Canada Post Creates Stamp Honouring Pet Adoption

The headline of the press release that came to me in email from our friends at CritterKin said "Canada Post shines a light on pet adoption with new stamp issue." 

 We are big supporters of shelters and rescue organizations, they work they do is so important in a community, and helps save lives. We adopted our dog Toby was from a local rescue organization when he was five years old, and as a result of his books, we had the pleasure of meeting many staff and volunteers from shelters across North America.  It was exciting to see that Canada Post has taken such a key role in bringing awareness to the importance of animal shelters and animal adoption.  You can read more in the press release and see the stamps here:

http://www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/personal/collecting/stamps/2013/2013_apr_adopt_a_pet.jsf

Here are a few highlights from the recent press release:

“These stamps show us what the shelters in Canada are accomplishing,” says Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post. “The creativity incorporated into the design provides interaction and a true connection to each individual stamp and its story, ideally changing the stigma associated with shelter animals.”

 

The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies recommends that Canadians go to their local humane society when considering pet adoption. “Adopted animals come with great benefits: they have been spayed or neutered, micro-chipped, vaccinated and had a full vet check-up in addition to having their physical and behavioural health tested to ensure they are ready for a new home,” says Barbara Cartwright, CEO of the CFHS. “But the real reward of adoption occurs when the right animal comes into your life and becomes a part of the family.”

 

We can all support this effort by purchasing these stamps the next time you are in the post office.  Together we can make a difference.

 

 

CritterKin- helping kids learn the joys of petcare

Our guests on PAWsitive Radio- all things pets was    CritterKin

And what a PAWSOME conversation it was!


Jena Ball, the writer and illustrator and Creative Director with Startled Cat and CritterKin talked about the inspiration for CritterKin, which actually dates back to when she was a young child.  Jena grew up passionate about wanting to prevent animals from being returned to shelters, and to teaching the importance of choosing the best pet for your family, and making certain families have the education, tools and resources to have their pets be FOREVER (or shall I say.... FURever) pets.  They are part of our family.

Jena Ball

The CritterKin Mission is "help children (and through them their families) learn the invaluable life lessons that pets can teach. These include respect for all life, an understanding of and appreciation for difference and diversity, empathy, responsibility, and anawareness of our role as the species that has the greatest impact on the planet." (Source: CritterKin).  CritterKin is closely tied to and very supportive of animal shelters, and the important work they do!

Marty Keltz talked about the importance of stories, and that stories connect people. An Emmy Award-winning producer he was the co-founder and president of Scholastic Productions, Inc. (1978-1995) and a Senior Vice-President in charge of New Media at Scholastic Inc., the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books. He led the teams that created The Magic School Bus on PBS.

Martin Keltz

CritterKin Moments are beautiful stories, photographs and music about the lessons we learn from animals, and the many beautiful ways in which they make the world a better place. I was thrilled, and honored to learn CritterKin featured our dog Toby in one of their CritterKin Moments ( http://critterkin.com/moments.html)./   Scroll down and you will see PAWS with Purpose and a wonderful photo of Toby surrounded by children. What a legacy our pets leave. 

All the CritterKin dogs have their own personality, and their own story to share. One our interview Jena shared a few with the listeners.

The next phase of the CritterKin project is their Kickstarter launch in late April. This is a fundraising campaign to hire the animators, designers, engineers, and programmers needed to transform the humane education plan and Jena’s illustrations and stories into a mobile application. 





And there is one more member of the pack....
A veteran brand strategist, Thompson brings more than 20 years of experience in market research, brand positioning, advertising, design and digital media to Startled Cat. In 1998, he formed Remedy Communications, Inc., a full service agency with clients that included Fortune500 companies like Johnson & Johnson (Tylenol), AstraZeneca, and the U.S. Dept. of Defense. Thompson is both a co-founder of Startled Cat and the founder of the Academy of Bright Ideas (AOBI) Ltd.

Doug Thompson

So how can you help? What can you do?  First, listen to the radio show to hear Jena and Marty talk about CritterKin and the many ways in which the project will help create forever homes for animals. And, make sure you visit their website www.critterkin.com and their facebook and Twitter pages to help share their message.

You can listen to the show here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chammond/2013/04/10/guests-jena-ball-and-marty-keltz-from-critterkin


Read a great article in the Examiner about CritterKin:

One blanket Can Save Two Lives

Did you know that donating one blanket to a shelter can save two lives? It is likely that the one dog will be adopted and when that happens, another dog can await finding their forever family.  Snugly blankets make dogs more adoptable!

While on a book tour, we took a break to have Toby spread the word about a local Sedona AZ Humane Society Program

Eileen Smulson was our guest on PAWsitive Radio All Things Pets, and I thoroughly enjoyed interviewing her.  She is the founder and President of Operation Blankets of Live, an award winning nonprofit public charity.  They collect and distribute recycled and new pet related items to comfort stray, sick neglected and abused homeless animals in shelters, rescue groups, sanctuaries and foster groups.

They are also an Emergency Response Team that partners with those organizations who provide relief and comfort to animals that are displaced or endangered by catastrophe.

Her adopted dog Ginger was the inspiration for her to start this charity. She wanted to make sure that every homeless pet had warmth and comfort by having a blanket to snuggle in while waiting to be adopted by a loving family and forever home. 

So one blanket really does save two lives. The research is showing that shelters who have snugly blankets for animals instead of cement floors are more adoptable. And the impacts on the animal of course are extremely positive. 

Operation Blankets of Love hosts blanket drives and also does presentations in schools and to children and youth programs. They also engage schools in blanket drives, which is a very positive learning experience for children to be engaged in animal kindness and making a difference. 

Listen to the incredible things Operation Blankets of Love are doing:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chammond/2012/10/27/guest-eileen-smulson

·         How could you host a blanket and towel drive?

·         How could you support your local animal shelter?

It starts with sharing the message.  Then by taking action.

thank you Eileen for all you do to positively impact shelters, and the many animals awaiting a forever family!

 Find out more about Operation Blankets of Love at:

www.operationblanketsoflove.com