Santa Ana was a four paws up stop!

The Million Acts of Kindness Tour stopped in Santa Ana California, and a great time was had by all!

It started off by Dogtopia South Coast picking us up in Sport, the Dogtopia mobile pick up service.  They came right to our motorhome which was parked at Bolsa Chica State Park campground.  This was most appreciated as otherwise we would have had to move the motorhome.

Toby was greeted by the Dogtopia South Coast staff and enjoyed a day of play and fun at doggy daycare.  The standout for me as a pet parent was the:

- cleanliness of the facility,
- the engagement and support from Dogtopia South Coast clients, 
- the exceptional customer service from the Dogtopia South Coast team, and,
- the way in which Dogtopia South Coast supports so many great community organizations and causes.

The team also created a fundraiser for Toby's kindness mission, supporting local schools receiving copies of Toby's book. 

Dogtopia South Coast also launched their blanket and towel drive supporting a local shelter. This was the support the minute they launched.  Got to love the Dogtopia South Coast client support :)

At the Saturday Park and Bark Beach Bash, three more huge bags of blankets and towels were dontated.  Talk about kindness!

 On Satuday Oct 10, the Park and Bark Beach Bast was a huge success!

   

A good time was had by all.... tour legged and four legged attendees!

 

Thanks again to Dogtopia South Coast for hosting us in Santa Ana, and for all that you do to make a difference in the community you serve!

A big thank you to our tour partners who helped us travel North America to share our message of kindness.

What is on YOUR bucket list for traveling this year and next?  Follow Canadian Traveller Magazine to see where people are travelling and what they are crossing off their travel bucket list.

Businesses with heart help with kindness mission in North Battleford SK Canada

Toby the dog here!

A dog who NOSE best about the power of friendship and kindness.

On our PAWS Across Canada Tour, we had the kind support of some North Battleford businesses with heart!

These businesses are helping us raise funds and awareness for the Battlefords Humane Society, and, putting my Team Toby Classroom programs and books in the local schools in North Battleford.

Their support already helped us provide an anti-bullying presentation to the entire student body at Connaught Elementary School.

Super 8 North Battleford

The Super 8 North Battleford hosted our stay in North Battleford!  We SO appreciate their support.

Super 8 North Battleford

They are a dog friendly hotel with great staff, a big welcoming smile and supPAW places to go for a walk.

These walking trails are PAWSome!!  And minutes away from the Super 8 Hotel.

Look where else wen went... again minutes from the hotel:

And another big bark out to Just 4 Pets Supplies and Services, a North Battleford Business.  They are also helping us raise funds and awareness through participating in our Twoonie for Team Toby campaign raising funds for the Battlefords Humane Society and putting my books and anti-bullying classroom resources into the schools.  We enjoyed our visit with Katie while we were in town.

Katie- Just 4 Pets Supplies and Services.... Look at the fundraising they had already started on the second day of the tour.  thank you!

 

The Battleford Daily News did a pawsome article too!  the media plays such an impawtant role in sharing our message of kindness!

Thank you to our North Battleford champions, partners and hosts!  We appreciate you!

Please help us build a kinder world for people, pets and the planet... share our blog, follow the blog and share your comments.  :) 

 

And of course follow us on social media here:

https://www.facebook.com/TheOriginalTeamToby

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

http://instagram.com/originalteamtoby

https://www.youtube.com/user/TeamTobyTv

https://twitter.com/TeamToby2

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/teamtoby

http://tobytalesblog.blogspot.ca/

Sending some Toby appreciation to our PAWs Across Canada Tour partners for being so PAWmazing!

Adopt an animal, or a shelter

You can adopt animals, and even shelters!

Chris Ruben was my guest on PAWsitive Radio, all things pets! Chris talked about the organization he founded, and is now the CEO of, Adopt a Shelter.com. This is a great concept- people can shop online through the mall on adoptashelter.com website, and, they raise money for their favorite shelter at the same time.  Learn more about Adopt a Shelter at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chammond/2012/08/18/guest-chris-ruben



Some of the business strategies that adoptashelter.com have found successful:

- Creating conversations- word of mouth marketing is not only effective, it is essential for any business. As my friend and media coach Shawne Duperon says, “share good gossip!” Adoptashelter.com is a great example of creating conversations around the needs that shelters have in addition to financial support.

- Marketing that works- postcard campaigns, and postcards that go with the adoption kits in shelters, Facebook, a How It Works flyer, and asking organizations and shelters to share the link in their marketing.

- Collaboration- forming collaborations and alliances with other businesses and groups with similar values and mission (such as animal associations, doggie day cares, shelters, dog spas, etc.)

Think outside the box, and inside the box!

- Making the process easy, painless and focused is really important otherwise people would be less inclined to use the service.

Chris got his start in the pet industry in 1989, when he introduced dried Pig Ears, Bully Sticks and other all-natural meat-based chews and treats to the U.S. market. In subsequent years, Chris worked on such industry-leading brands as The Incredible Motor Mouse Cat Toy, Snoopy's Pet Beds, Collars and Leashes, Sticky Paws Cat Behavior Modification Products, Barnsdale Farms and Bullwrinkles Dog Treats. As Founder & CEO, Chris teamed up with three other pet industry and animal welfare veterans to develop and offer AdoptAShelter.com, a free and easy-to-use cash-rewards mall that helps animal charities raise money by shopping online. To date, over 750 shelters have registered with us and over 100 have received donation checks.


http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chammond/2012/08/18/guest-chris-ruben

If you are a shelter staff or volunteer or have a favorite shelter in your community, make sure you visit www.adoptashelter.com to register your shelter.