Purr Prints of the Heart.... dealing with pet loss and letting go

Toby here!

A dog with a blog... sharing my take on life and the great things people are doing to change the world!

Today mom interviewed Deborah Barnes on her radio show:

Deborah's book is called PurrPrints of the Heart 

Photo Credit Deborah Barnes

In the show, Deborah shared some tips to dealing with aging pets and pet loss:

- Find a support system
- Communicate and share with others
- Appreciate the time you shared with your pet
- Create a family scrapbook of your pet's life
- Allow yourself the opportunity to feel and to heal

Photo Credit Deborah Barnes

Photo Credit Deborah Barnes

 Pets aging is part of life.  Deborah's book, written through the perspective of Mr. Jazz the cat shares valuable tips for coping with your aging pet.

Thank you Mr Jazz for a book that so respects the dignity and honors pets and the value they bring to families. And most of all.... thank you for helping teach humans how to deal with letting go.

Please take a listen to the conversation that mom and Deborah had on Pawsitive Radio Show.


 

Check Out Pets Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with PAWsitive Radio on BlogTalkRadio

Please share with others you think might enjoy the show.

Thanks
Toby....

Bring Jake Home- a rescue story with a happy new beginning

Toby the dog here!

I'm a dog with a blog on a mission to change the world through kindness.

And here is a totally pawsome story about a rescue dog Jake, who has a new beginning because of the kindness of others.

You can listen to the update on Jake's happy beginning story here:
 http://www.blogtalkradio.com/teamtoby/2015/04/14/bring-jake-the-dog-home-update-collaboration-at-its-finest-for-pet-rescue

Today's guest blog post is from my friend Lisa Litwinski. 

 thanks Lisa for sharing Jakes' story with us.

Jake’s amazing  story involves  a community of some of the most incredibly caring & dedicated people in Canada & the USA  who pulled together in a magnificent collaboration to bring this wonderful  rescue dog home to Alberta & give him the best second chance possible.  

 Lisa Litwinski deeply loves animals and has been devoted to animal rescue her whole life. She heard about an Alberta Black Lab dog who got lost,  ended up in an Imlay Shelter, and launched Bring Jake Home to Alberta.  (Jake did not have a tattoo or microchip. With extensive efforts in Canada & the US we were not able to locate his family.) Lisa partnered with Aimee Orn at Lapeer County Animal Control, Wendy Yax at Lapeer’s Adoptable Animal Rescue in Imlay, Michigan & April Oakes at Infinite WOOFS Rescue in Edmonton, Alberta so that Jake could journey home to a loving foster home while we help him to settle in & find his new forever family. (His Foster Mom Megan volunteered before we had our Alberta rescue in place. 

 Wonderful people stepped up to join Jake’s team & community of support. )Jake’s story is one of LOVE, hope, & kindness, & the positive difference we can make.  It is an honour to have worked with so many caring, thoughtful people who have collaborated to help Jake. Thank you profiles of our Jake team & family members are on Jake’s Facebook page: Bring Jake Home to Alberta, with more to come. Please stop by and get to know these wonderful people.

Our boy JAKE IS HOME & settling in very well! Thanks to everyone for caring, sharing, & helping us to help give Jake the fabulous second chance he deserves. He is one incredibly wonderful dog and everyone who meets him falls in love with him. Jake is a happy and affectionate boy who is part Lap Dog. J He loves to snuggle time, snack time, play time with his tennis ball, and truck rides.

We are fundraising to cover additional care & vet expenses for Jake in Alberta. Jake has an approved Charity ATB Financial Community Spirit bank account: Bring Jake Home. Contact: BringJakeHometoAlberta@shaw.ca for ways to donate or private message Jake’s page. We accept Pay Pal to a friend & transfer.  Check out Jake’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bringjakehometoalberta or Twitter: @BringJakeHomeAB  #BringJakeHometoAlberta    Jake’s profile is on the wonderful: InfiniteWOOFS.org 

Lisa is a Facilitative Trainer, Professional Speaker, & Mentor Coach who specializes in collaborative Team Building, Leadership Development, & Life Leadership/Empowerment. She is a Certified True Colors Facilitator who loves to work with people to focus on their strengths.  Lisa works with organizations & teams to Create Leaders at Every Level  & is the creator of Today, I Choose™ daily inspirational cards for consciously choosing successful thoughts, feelings, & actions.

Are you getting PR for your business?

Toby the dog here!

I'm a media hound (whooops for the pun)

But seriously.

I love media!

I love how media helps share good news!

I love how media helps pets find forever family and pawsome products that help.

Mom talked to Dana Humphrey of Whitegate PR. Dana is known as The Pet Lady!

They talked about press releases, building relationships with media, how to approach media and being a rock star (like me on the media)

Dana also talked about how PR can help your business. It sure has helped ours!

So as you plan promoting your next event, product launch or business event... remember to put the tips Dana provided into action. They work!!

You can listen to mom and Dana here:

Check Out Pets Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with PAWsitive Radio on BlogTalkRadio

One Dog's Mission to Spread Kindness

It's Me!

Toby the dog.

A dog with a blog on a mission to make the world a kinder place.

In May and June we did PAWS Across Canada Tour, leg #1.... Alberta and BC, Canada.  Here were a few of the many pawsome successes.



We visited schools and workplaces sharing the message of kindness, acceptance and respect, and, responsible loving pet care.  We did way cool pet friendly adventures, and, had amazing partners on the tour.

It's Bully Prevention Month and we head out on PAWS Across Canada Tour #2.... Saskatchewan and Manitoba Canada.

Please help us visit more schools with our BARK (TM) Program.

For less than a cup of coffee... for only $2 you can help us share our message in schools.  It's our Twoonie for Team Toby campaign.  

Buy a $2 Pawprint and support our efforts to reduce bullying through teaching kindness, acceptance and respect.  

Purchase your pawprint here to support kindness to people, pets and the planet!

http://theoriginalteamtoby.hammondgroup.biz/1TTU/donations/

buy a copy of my book 

Thank you for your support in building a kinder world... one paw... one person at a time!

Together we can make a pawsitive difference!

Secret Suppers and Shopping Trips... PAWs Across Canada tour

Wow!
When mom told me she was invited to a secret supper, I was jelous.
and Then
I found out I was the guest of honour!
Double WOOF!!!!

Toby the dog with a blog here.  Today I am writing about our Secret Supper with Sara and Annie of Transform Travel

so here's some of mom's pics from the Secret Supper.  we didn't know the location until the day before.... it was beyond PAWsome!!!

got to go on a Ferry to get there....

photo credit Team Toby  www.TheOriginalTeamToby.com

Then we arrived to the secret location in Deep Cove on Vancouver Island....

WOOF!  total Pawsomeness.

Photo Credit Team Toby

Photo Credit Team Toby

I took a sneak peek at everything while they were setting up....
check it out!

Photo Credit Team Toby

Chef Michael made an amazing meal....

Here's some of the guests enjoying good conversation while I am off chasing birds and barking at the air!

Photo Credit Team Toby

Check them out being interviewed by SHAW Go Island! 

http://youtu.be/3qs3BNuae3o

This was such a PAWSome event during our PAWs Across Canada Tour in Victoria, BC.

You can book your own Secret Supper through Transform Travel. Tell them Toby gives them Four PAWS UP!!

K9's perspective on spring cleaning your house and office

Toby the Dog opens the mail.... This is one way to handle your bills.  Photo Credit TheOriginalTeamToby.com

Woof!

Spring is here!

Finally!

 Mom interviews our PAWS Across Canada Partner Dianna Bowes of Fabulous at 50 and Creative on the Move and then talks about spring cleaning your business and office, on my PAWSitive Radio show.

Here's my 3 tips for spring cleaning:

1) Hide toys under snow, then when the snow melts it is like Christmas time... toys everywhere...

Found my long lost frisbee when the snow melted.  Love spring cleaning the yard!

2) Get Focused on priorities... Zoom in and focus on what matters!

My selfie www.TheOriginalTeamToby.com

3) Treat yourself and celebrate wins!

My Fave treats at the Bone & Biscuit Store in Sherwood Park!

Share your best spring cleaning tips with us!

Big thanks to our travel partner Canadian Traveller for their support on our PAWS Across Canada Tour.

We'll be posting daily blogs, our travel adventures and loads of photos of yours truly... me!  Toby the dog!

PAWS Across Canada launches in 1 week- a dog on a mission to buid a kinder Canada

Building a Kinder Canada One Paw One Person at a time is how Team Toby is making a PAWsitive Difference in the world!

Christopher and Toby in Kananaskis

Animals are great teachers, and connectors.  Toby the dog is on a mission to inspire, teach and travel... This video sums up the PAWS Across Canada Tour that launches May 5 from Alberta Canada.


 


We would LOVE to hear your suggestions of pet friendly places to visit in Alberta and British Columbia, which is where the first leg of our tour will take place.  Please leave your comments on the blog or on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheOriginalTeamToby


We have incredible partners on the tour with us, each blog we will feature different partners.  

Canadian Traveller is our official Travel Partner.  

Also joining us on the tour is:

Our non profit partner for PAWS Across Canada is The Orange Dog Foundation, an incredible organization respected for their dog rescue activities and Freedom Flights.

With the tour launching one week from now, there is lots to do, a great deal to organize to ensure a pet friendly tour.

We have created a packing list and keep adding to it daily, here's what we have so far:

•  Dog First Aid Kit
• Toby's medical records 
• Emergency contacts list
• Head-Lites Collar for night time walks
• Leashes and collars for our daytime use 
• Water and Food Dishes
• Poop Bags
• Food and treats
• Grooming supplies
• Toby's bed
• Toys and Toby's Kongs

Keep watching the blog to see what else we add to the list of necessities for a pet friendly adventure travel.  

Special thanks to Sunny Dog Ink for the fantastic First Aid Kit, and to Head-Lites for Toby's yellow night time collar with lights, and K9 Bytes for the matching leash and collar!  We look forward to trying out these products on our tour.
 

 

Thankful Paws! Celebrating 2 years and 30 Tons of Pet Food!

 Toby the dog here... barking out some news about Thankful Paws!

 

Photo Credit-ThankfulPaws

 Can you imagine 30 pounds of pet food?  That is 30  ten foot box trucks filled to the roof. I’m drooling! 

My mom interviewed Lynn about a year ago and brought her back on her PAWsitive radio show.  Here’s what I learned when I was listening in on their interview. 

 Lynn Molnar started Thankful Paws two years ago with a vision to make a difference in the lives of people and their pets by providing the first ever Mobile Food Bank for Pets in Maryland. Their priorities are seniors, veterans and individuals who are homeless.  In addition to providing pet food, supplies (like toys, leashes, food and water bowls, blankets), Lynn is also helping change the societal perceptions about homelessness.  Lynn told mom that many people are just one paycheck away from being homeless, and it devastates pet parents to be in a position where you can’t feed your pet.

Lynn Molnar and Hero- Photo Credit Thankful Paws

Lynn’s dog Hero (paws up for the pups) is almost six and he went with Lynn to file their incorporation papers 2 years ago, now look at them! She said Hero, who’s a therapy dog, is a walking model of societal acceptance and unconditional love. I think Hero should be on our Team Tobyteam!  

You’re probably wondering how can you help?

Dog food. Cat food. Money. Blankets. Leashes. Money. Water dishes. Food dishes. Good networking to help spread the word.

www.Thankfulpaws.org

You can listen to mom and Lynn talking on PAWsitive Radio here:

 http://www.blogtalkradio.com/teamtoby/2013/10/30/thankful-paws-mobile-food-bank-for-pets

 Come visit us at Team Toby....www.TheOriginalTeamToby.com

Lynn Molnar is originally from Belmar, New Jersey, and has lived in Europe for several years. She holds a Bachelors degree from Johns Hopkins University as well as Maryland Bible College, both located in Baltimore, Maryland. She has served the community of Maryland for over twenty years through various volunteer capacities. Her professional experience includes being a paralegal at the Attorney General’s Office of Maryland, and a medical researcher at Johns Hopkins University. Currently, Lynn is the president of Thankful Paws. It was her compassion for pets and people that led her to establish the first ever mobile food bank for pets in Maryland. Under her leadership, Thankful Paws has expanded its services to include the first ever hotline for homeless people with pets. In less than two years, Lynn has helped distribute nearly 30 tons of pet food.   www.thankfulpaws.org