Tuesday, August 30, 2011

NE Weenie Roast! Event Update

Congrats to our awesome NE volunteers who had a "Weenie Roast" this past weekend outside a local Omaha grocery store, Russ' Market.

Thanks to the following Volunteers helping out!

Merry Burne
Kris and John (Master Grillers) and their gorgeous Newfies
Mary P
Andrea and Joslyn
Kaywin
Bob and Amanda

The next NE event is scheduled for Sunday, September 18 from Noon - 5:00 pm. BDHP will be appearing live at the Road Gems Last Fling till Spring Car/Craft Show in West Point, NE. Admission is free and includes the following: Live entertainment, crafts, food, drink, tailgate parties and a poker run cruise. The event covers 10 blocks of the downtown streets of West Point, NE. We will be selling our homemade dog tugs and dog treats. Attendance is huge at this event -- 10,000 - 15,000 people participate every year.

See you there!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Dogs and Storks

From Bree Dew, BDHPI VP/COO:

In less than 8 weeks, my husband and I will be welcoming our very first 2 legged baby into our home. I had the revelation last week that I am the first of us Officers to have a baby and while we in "theory" know how to counsel our adopting families, I am really the first one of us to live it! I am also finding lots to worry about and aside from the pain of labor, I am most worried about the dogs.

Will the baby have allegories? Than what?

Will the dogs welcome the baby?

Will they feel abandoned?

Do I keep them out of the baby's room? Or do I let them come in?

How many arguments are on the horizon with extended family about me letting my dogs smell/lick/nudge the baby?

I've heard what you all have...bring home the baby's hat or blanket from the hospital to let them smell it. I started thinking a few weeks ago about what the real point of it is? What's the difference between letting the dogs smell the hat the day before I come home or the day I come home? I've asked a few behaviorists who say it's not a bad idea, but don't really have a concrete answer as to why.

In my conversation with my favorite behaviorists, I've asked their opinions and have been given these two great websites:

www.dogsandstorks.com ( love their blog link!!!)
www.preparingfido.com

I am not oblivious to the fact that ALL of our lives are about to change- human and dogs. I am also not oblivious to the fact that my priority will become the baby, but never do I want any of our pups to feel unwanted or unloved. Nor do I ever want to give them the opportunity to "fail" when it comes to Baby Dew!

This weekend I was chatting with Pat Blocker of Peaceful Paws about our brave (not!) Mastiff and she suggested we set up the swing so he can get used to the noise and motion before baby comes- which I thought was a great idea! Knowing Deacon, the swing will be a VERY scary addition of our decor!

Our Mastiff has already helped himself to a few soft and sweet plush baby toys he has found in the nursery and now we go out of our way to be sure the door is shut. I had to laugh out loud today when I heard banging and turned to see him head butting the door to open it. Apparently he is not done shopping yet!

I would encouage everyone to check out these links while preparing for Baby. Setting up your dog for success is #1!

2011 5k Fun Run






SUCCESS!

We raised over $5300-more than $1000 than last year! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

A special thank to our Sponsors & Vendors:

Furry Baby Fashions *Bronze Sponsor
High Country Pet Supply *Bronze Sponsor & Vendor
Peaceful Paws *Vendor
Big Dog Insurance *Bronze Sponsor
Big Mamma's Pet Stuff *Vendor
Pure Puppy *Vendor
Gentle Vet, PC (Chiropractic & Accupuncture) *Silver Sponsor & Vendor
Wag N' Wash Healthy Pet Center *Bronze Sponsor & Vendor
BigBreedDog.com *Bronze Sponsor
Camp Bow Wow Castle Rock *Bronze Sponsor
The K9 Body Shop *Silver Sponsor & Vendor
CHuck and Dons *Silver Sponsor & Vendor
My Handy Husband *Bronze Sponsor
Precise Pet Products *Vendor
Endura Pet *Vendor










We cannot thank our very own BDHPI Volunteers who showed up at 6am to load in and worked hard all morning to make sure things went perfectly! Also, to our wonderful Liz Dalzell who put her DJ skills to perfect use!


And lastly, to those of you who came out to run, walk and shop...we would be lost without you and so appreciate your support! Also, to those of you who chose to "Snooze with the Big Dogs", your t-shirts will be mailed out shortly!


If you would like to order a race day t-shirt, please email bree@bigdogshugepaws.com. Cost is $15.


See ya next year!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

2 days left

Only 2 days until the 3rd annual BDHPI 5k Fun Run at Clement Park in Littleon, CO

We encourage you to register before hand, but you can register the day of!

Cost is $25 for a single, $50 for a family. Cost includes t-shirt and a GREAT goodie bag!

To register, go to www.bigdogshugepaws.com and click on "donate".

If you can't come, you can SNOOZE FOR THE BIG DOGS from the comforts of your own bed! Donate $25 and we will send you a race day t-shirt.

Come walk, shop, eat and visit with dogs who are looking for their forever homes!

Monday, August 22, 2011

Update on Samson- Adopted in 12/10


I really want to thank Samson's original family for loving him enough to find a rescue site for him when they knew he wouldn't work out in their home. They could have just let him live in the back yard or given him to the animal shelter, but they didn't. They brought him to you and you brought him to me. (Truth is, I think that he was supposed to be with me at the end of his life, but that's my hippie way of looking at the world.)

He was clearly loved at his previous home and he is such a joy. He's affectionate, confident, well behaved, eager to please, independent and sweet - he's really such an amazing balance. Everyone - I mean everyone - that meets him LOVES him. I go to the coffee house and I end up trading phone numbers with couples who want "play dates" with Sam and their dogs. He has a nick-name at the dog park ("the Sheriff", because he does not stand for fighting when he is there - he'll break it up - not kidding)! He is so well-balanced that when I go to New York for a few days and leave him with friends he is playing with their kids, he is jumping around, eating, sleeping, happy... but when I come through the door he can't get close enough to me and ends up knocking me over with his big adorable snuggle. Fifteen minutes later he is lying on the floor totally chilled.

I'm not sure how I could love him more. I just want them to know that he's well and he's happy. I think he'd be more happy with kids and other dogs around, but I do as much as I can to keep him socialized. He goes to work with me every day where there are 2 other dogs that he plays with, he goes to the dog park a few times a week, he gets walked 3 times a day and he goes to the coffee house with me to meet peeps and just get out of the house. He and I play tag and chase and he gets lots of belly rubs.

I just wanted to share that, because the more his fantastic personality comes out, the more I think they must miss him soooo much, and I want them to know they did the right thing and even though I'm sure he would have rather stay with them, he's happy and loved.

Thanks again for bringing me the best dog EVER!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

How we found our homes...

This girl found her home... And this boy found his home....

And this special needs puppy found his home..




and over 400 others found their homes over the last year due in large part to the annual success of our BDHPI 5k Fun Run! This is by far our biggest fundraiser of the year and we only have 10 days left for you to register (of course you can register the day of, but it would be nice if you could beforehand!)



Saturday August 27th at Clement Park



Registration starts at 7:45, Race time starts at 8:30am



Fees are $25 for a single, $50 for a family....goodie bags and t-shirts included



To register, please go to http://www.bigdogshugepaws.com/, click on donate and complete your information!

See you there!!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Have you????



Registered for the 3rd Annual BDHPI 5k Fun Run? You only have a little over 2 weeks!

You're Invited....

When: Saturday, August 27th
Where: Clement Park in Littleton, CO (same location as the last 3 years)
Time: Registration tent will open at 7:45, Blessing of the Animals at 8:25 and the Race is off at 8:30

Afterwards, please stay to shop, snack and socialize!

Cost: $25 per individual, $50 per Family- cost include t-shirt and goodie bag!

What if you can't come? You can "Snooze for the Big Dogs"...donate $25 and we will send you a race day t-shirt!

To Register: Go to www.bigdogshugepaws.com and click on Donate. Be sure to indicate in the "notes" section what your donation is for an t-shirt size!

PLEASE SUPPORT THIS FUN EVENT!

PS- We are still looking for Sponsors & Vendors! Please email bree@bigdogshugepaws.com for more information!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Zeus the Lion

Lindsay asked if I could give Zeus a ride to a vet appointment this morning and being 7 months pregnant and not knowing if he would jump into our Durango, I dragged my hubby from the warmth of our bed to give me a hand....just incase.


I strolled into The Big Backyard to pick up my guest and literally laughed out loud when they brought him up to me, I was greeted by this Lion!






We strolled out to the car, where he promptly jumped into the car with no assistance (and I did catch the eye roll of my husband who I am sure was thrilled he had gotten up early to watch Zeus effortlessly jump into the car!)



As we drove, he kissed our ears and laid his head on mine. We were 5 minutes into our drive when I declared I loved Zeus and most definitely believed we should foster him....yet another eye roll from Hubby.



When it came time for me to leave him at the vet, Zeus got very nervous and clingy. Which in my world, means even more he should come home with us. I wasn't even done putting back on my seat belt before my husband said the following, " I know where you are heading and before you even start let me say that I think he is a great dog. He is very cute and I love his crazy hair and I think he will make some lucky family VERY happy, BUT that family will not be us!"



So with that in mind, I am turning to you all to find space in your hearts and home for Zeus the Lion and for any of the other adorable dogs we have in rescue! BTW, have you noticed how many Great Pyr's we have right now? They are all waiting for YOU!