Together WE CAN!

Hello everyone :)

Happy Spring here in MN.  You really can feel it today, I can see green grass even!  I love winter, but spring does put a smile on my face after a long and very cold one here in MN.  I was inspired by the refreshing sunshine today...together we can!  Whether big or small steps, EVERY little bit counts and it TRULY does.  When I am stuck in my thoughts of trying to get D.O.G.S.'s logistics, paper work, correspondence and other fun hoopla, sometimes the 'nitty gritty' of the work gets lost.  I forget the 'nitty gritty' IS all of THAT too.  Good to be mindful of this when you are working in this field or any field for that matter.

I was reminded today by a great partnership/collabo that we have with one of the magnificent rescues that EVERYTHING WE ALL do DOES make a DIFFERENCE in an animals life.  From the paper work that we do, data entry, to building opportunities, to generous donations large or small, to petting an animal, to going veggie for a day, to adopting, to volunteering and so much more!  ALL we do does count.

We help, to be of help, to get help to be helped to help the ANIMALS.  AND that is what MATTERS most.  

Let's help each other out #letsdoittogether

Together we can!

Until next time,

MyLy

Presence is Powerful!

Hello everyone! :)

This week has been a busy week for D.O.G.S.  We had 3 fun filled opportunity events to plan for, participate in and learn from.  We were invited to provide food for the Northern Flyball event for dogs.  Fortunately we have a great chef on our Board and some talented help to prepare breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the 2 days of the course of the event.  We were able to connect with a community who loved their furbabies and wanted their furbabies to have a good time by having fun in this dog friendly "sport".  Many doggies were from rescue and teams donating some of their time and money to rescues.  The dogs seemed to have a great time and so did the humans.  

We connected with people, had a good time, learned a lot and also was able to raise some funds to go towards our mission of assisting animals in need.  Thanks for your support!

Us, in the kitchen cooking it up!

Menu for the day

Center where the event was held 

Our Board Secretary rocking our new t shirts with her furbaby Mochi :)

Mochi is a flyball pooch in training!

SMILE :) Our Board (minus 1) and honorary member ready for a close up

VP and Me posing in front of this awesome mural

Our Board member furbaby supporting @ BullRun Coffee for donating coffee to us for the event

Humane Lobby Day Event:

As part of our advocacy division, D.O.G.S. happily participated in HSUS www.humanesociety.org Humane Lobby Day in MN today.  We had the chance to meet with representatives and senators regarding Animal Welfare and voiced our concerns about issues below:

• Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation S.F. 36/H.F. 84
• Lead poisoning of Eagles
• The Research Animal Retirement Bill "The Beagle Freedom Bill" S.F. 2068/H.F.1370
• Protect the Wolf-S.F.666/H.F.1163
• Anti-Whistleblower Legislation "Ag-Gag"

To learn more about these bills and/or to contact your representative to SPEAK UP for  animals go to http://votersforanimals.org/2014/01/save-the-date-humane-lobby-day-2014/

Strike a pose, outside the Capitol-brrrrr

Go Lobby Day!

Our VP shows the way!

This way to positive changes-every little bit counts!

This way!

Meeting time!

You can send a message anytime when Senators are in session, be the VOICE for those who can't SPEAK!

Presence IS POWERFUL!   Whether it be at a fundraising event, a policy lobbying event, entering data for your organization, standing by each other and representing your cause, mission, vision or just supporting one another as a united front, group, team, board...IT IS very POWERFUL.  When you think you are doing NOTHING you are doing SOMETHING.  Your presence is the first step; is key to being that voice for those who can't speak.  

This past week I have learned more and more that I may not be able to do it all in 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week or 1 year, however I am PRESENT in all that I do, especially when it comes to D.O.G.S.'s mission and vision.  I am here, I am present and I am ready to help.  We at D.O.G.S. are here to help however we can.  We, if anything are present.  

Until next time thanks for reading,

Be there.

Balancing Act

Hello everyone! :)

I never liked the circus nor supported it, however one thing I admired was the Jugglers.  When my parents took me to the circus when I was little, the jugglers fascinated me. They could juggle 2, 3, 4, 5, or more things at once, while looking straight ahead and focusing on everything else, but what they were juggling!  It was crazy to see; sometimes a juggler would look at the items he/she was juggling and then look everywhere else.  If only I could have that talent literally and figuratively.   

The past couple of weeks or so have made me think about finding that balance more and more.  I have typically been one to put lots on my plate and work well with this challenge.  However, lately I am finding myself struggling to balance it all-family, work, D.O.G.S., school, social life and me time.  What I want to do most is spend time with D.O.G.S. and my family.  The strong urge and purpose to have these 2 aspects in my life be the ONLY facets in my life.  Life doesn't work how we want it at times.  We control our schedules, our outcome and inputs, I strongly believe this.  All is in choices and balances; where I need to remind myself again.  Do what makes you happy really is a mantra I say to myself-know your purpose and find your motivation.  This week has been about getting back to knowing my purpose and finding my motivation.  It makes everything I do and what's around me that much more meaningful.  From my paying job to my relationships.

I know I have strayed a bit from blogging about the 'steps' of D.O.G.S. and the whole process so I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to get back to this theme.  Letting you, the readers in on the process and journey of D.O.G.S. beginning, middle and beyond! :)  Thanks for supporting us and me! :)  

Thanks for visiting, until next time.....


Do what you love and the rest will follow......

Join the Pack

Hello everyone :)

We haven't blogged lately.  We have been busy working on our strategic plan for the next year, 1 year, 2 years...and 5 years!  Our board members are hard at work setting our plan into motion.  With a few weeks of preparation and a few hour long meeting; we finally developed our strategic plan.  It's important for any organization to have a plan down, a VISION and IDEAS on how to put the MISSION into action.  Working together collectively to build this plan is vital.  It is suggested that a planning meeting be done once a year to update or improve any new or existing ideas.  Preferably before your fiscal year ends. 

Looking ahead D.O.G.S. would like to focus more on:

•  Our Advocacy division
•  Marketing
•  Partnerships
• Supplies/funding/resources for animal organizations
•  Sustainability with funding for fundraisers and lots more!  

It's invigorating getting together with this group and nailing down ideas and a plan of action.  I feel so energized and re-inspired all over again, thanks to the board members of D.O.G.S.  

I feel so lucky and blessed to work with a talented, compassionate and AWESOME team!

If you want to be part of these great efforts there are many ways to get involved:

• Become a board member visit our website at www.dogsofagoodsociety.org to complete an application or just contact us directly @ dogsofagoodsociety@gmail.com

•  "Join the Pack" and become a Sustaining Partner by donating to our cause where 100% of the proceeds go directly to assisting animals in need right here in MN.  It's easy via PayPal, our website, Amazon or mail donations directly to us (pending 501c3)

• Become a volunteer, we can connect you with other organizations as well.  

• Make a world of difference for one animal, SAVE A LIFE, FOSTER.  Contact us for more info or to be added to our FOSTER list, where animals are waiting for a temporary home.

• Spread the word, quite simply SHARE us, LIKE us, FOLLOW us, whatever you do it MAKES A DIFFERENCE for animals :)

Instagram @ D_O_G_S_MN

Twitter @ D_O_G_S_MN

FB @ Dogs Of A Good Society

Web: www.dogsofagoodsociety.org

Until next time,

MyLy  :)