Fundraiser Idea for Bakesales. Thanks to Melissa Felts of SPCA Fredericksburg!

I'm always trying to find something different for fundraising ideas, and I made these picture cupcakes today, just to see if they would be bakesale worthy. I think they are! I took the photos of the animals for adoption from our website (SPCAFred.org), and printed them on white paper. Then I took the paper to the bakery dept. at Giant (the machine at Simply Sweet was not working) and they printed it for me on edible paper. When I called them, they said it was $9.99 per sheet, but when I went there, it turned out to be $6.00. Then I frosted the cupcakes, cut out the pics, peeled off the backing, and stuck them on the cupcakes. Then I simply did a quick trim around them to cover the edges of the pics. Cute, huh? I hope you all can use this idea for your fundraising efforts, too!

Dog Walking Log - Stepping Out For The SPCA

Last Wednesday I bought a pedometer to start logging my steps for the SPCA. (I am a volunteer dog walker - you could be too. Click here for typical volunteer opportunities at your local shelter OR to help out at ours.)

Anywhuuu on Wednesday, January 2ND I walked 9533 steps. Someday I'll figure out how that translates into miles. Right now I like the sound of steps! (BTW, the manual that came with my pedometer recommends that we walk a total of 10,000 steps a day.)

January 9 = 9880 Steps (Easily 10,000 steps for that day counting walking my Velvet and being up and about!)

January 16 = OPPs. Forgot my pedometer. Had a great walk just the same!

January 23 = 7879 - down a little. Didn't have as much time and just felt like taking it easier today. Listened to my body talk ...

January 30 = 9960. Wuu Huu!

Would you like to join the Dog Walkers? Just click here to locate and contact your neighborhood shelter. They - and the pups - would LOVE to meet you.

February 6 = 0. Out sick with the flu. Boo hoo.

By the way - I just determined that my average day which includes two 1/2 hour or so walks with my pup Velvet plus an errand or two plus sitting at my computer, making dinner etc. brings me in around 4900 steps. That is a lot less than I expected it to be ... I think I'll keep up my SPCA rendezvous!

February 13 = 9578 . Now this plus the above "norm" of 4900 puts me well above the 10,000 Step goal at least one day a week! (And I made a bunch of cool new friends yesterday! The pups have really been moving out quickly into GREAT homes. That makes my day just thinking about it.)

February 20 = 7069. I did more petting and connecting and brushing this week than vigorous walking. Also, I'd been to the dentist and had 3 teeth worked on ... This is not a competition and some days I need to take it easy. The fresh air and company did wonders for me!

Salty Dogs by Jean M. Fogle ...

Yesterday I came home from walking Charlotte and Precious and Lil Buddy and Maggie and Mystic and ... all SPCA pups in need of a loving home for the holidays and beyond ...

Time with these dogs never fails to re-energize me but I have to tell you it was a little bittersweet to be in a shelter filled to brim with dogs and cats and not enough hands and hearts.

There wasn't more to be done in that moment except give my heart a hug. I did that with a delightful photo and inspirational quote book called Salty Dogs! It is full of dogs being dogs at one of my favorite places on earth - the beach. It is full of dogs playing with each other and with people who love them. Just looking at the sun filled, joy filled pages warmed up my cold winter evening.

Can't share the photos here - sorry. But I can share a couple of my favorite quotes:

I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren't certain we knew better.
-George Bird Evans

In every real man a child is hidden that wants to play.

-Friedrich Nietzsche

All animals except man know that the ultimate in life is to enjoy it.

-Samuel Butler

For more information and to gift yourself or a friend, click on the photo below. It will take you directly into the Amazon.com order page. (I wonder who that little dog on the cover is? Jean's inspiration is Molly, her Jack Russel Terrier. Is this Molly's best friend?)

I've spent the last two days cleaning the dog and the puppy area at the SPCA and I have two thing to say ...

One. I wish my house - any room in my house - was half as clean as that place.

Two. I am continually amazed at the quality of care, commitment of staff and volunteers and the love that the dogs, puppies, cats and kittens receive at SPCA, Fredericksburg, VA. It is an honor to be a part of it - one of the spokes in the wheel.

Do you volunteer at your SPCA? There are so many ways to help out - it's easy. I've committed to 3 hours of dog walking a week. You could do the same or ... sign up for cat petting, cleaning, helping with special events (bake sales & fund-raisers etc.)

Why don't you give them a call today? Click here for a listing of SPCAs by city and state. Provided by http://www.PetFinder.com

One of my pups -- figuratively speaking -- got a great home today. I usually don't seem to meet the new "owner." I'm in one day a week so I typically notice the missing face and ask around and hear about the great home, family etc.

Today was special. I got to say goodbye AND congratulations, to both.

Last week a man wanted to adopt one of our beloved hounds, Speigle The Beagle.

He wanted to know what I thought about Speigle's leg that had been broken and healed but could be arthritic down the road.

I told him that love is a risk. We can't promise that someone will live for long or be healthy anymore than we can for a dog. But I do know that love withheld is wasted, safe but wasted.

What do you think. Should he take a chance on Speigle? Should he take a chance on Love?

Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor moving, nor heat - oh did I repeat "heat?" - gets in between me and my afternoon walk.

Yesterday it was 90 degrees and it is only June 1st! Wow. This is not San Diego!

Hey - we had a great time. Sassy and Gus and Tippy and Deliliah and Mugsley and Princess and Lady all send their best. Have you applied to be a dog walker at your shelter yet? Just do it! Your pack is waiting ... so are your hips, thighs, butt and blood pressure.

Everyone benefits from walking off the lbs and walking on the TLC!

It has been about 3 months? since I starting walking dogs at my SPCA and I have one thing to say.

These dogs are in great hands and surrounded by big hearts. They are so loved!

Honestly, when I started this volunteer work I didn't know if it would be a good idea. I worried that I would feel too sad and sorry for the dogs. I felt I might find myself overwhelmed emotionally wanting to adopt each and everyone.

Instead I feel good about my service. Every week I hear about a friend or two or three that found a great home. Every week I see shy dogs becoming more confident and high strung dogs calming down a notch or two. And, every week I fall in love with someone new ...

I love Wednesdays - meeting potential parents - catching up with the staff - smelling puppy breath and rubbing a tummy or two. I walk for miles and come home tired, relaxed and happy.

Are you "on the fence" about volunteering at your shelter? Just do it ... you will be so glad you did.

Walk off the LBS and pack on the TLC

That's what I've been doing for the past couple months as a volunteer dog walker at my SPCA. In fact, I've walked off about 8 lbs since I started walking this pack of love every Wednesday afternoon! Can't tell you how much TLC I've packed on ...

Do you have an hour or two available some morning or afternoon during the week? Click here to locate your local shelter

BTW - wonder how many lbs we could all walk off together? Want to explore this idea? Drop me a note at: Viveca@GetReadyForLove.com

Back walking my pack today. Kept my focus on breathing, leading and loving.

Fell in love with a little beagle named Henry. Then there was Luke and Boska and Tater and Sassy and ... hey - would you like to visit my home away from home and meet my pals? Click here

Meant to post last Wed after my walk BUT I didn't ... opps.

It went great. I focused on breathing and feeling like a calm, confident pack leader.

My goal was to be able to go in and out of the kennel without stirring everyone up. Normally the pups go a little wild whenever a dog enters or leaves - they just get excited.

I noticed the calmer and happier I felt ... so was the pack.

Aside from that I spent hours thinking about fund-raising ideas ...

Had a great time walking the pups on Wednesday. There were 3 of us this time so I had time to rub ears and bellies and sweet talk vs just rush.

I also worked with Cesar's suggestion of "checking in" with myself frequently. I would catch myself feeling tense or frustrated or tired - then pause and take a couple deep breaths - reconnect and recharge.

His tip helped me stay grounded - I feel like I did a much better job meeting their needs this week AND I enjoyed it more. Win - Win - Win!

Walking Clubs + Dogs that need to be walked = Win*Win*Win!

I had an ah ha! last night while trolling the Internet in search of a walking buddy. Why not connect walking clubs with dog shelters? Both need walking - both are looking for companionship ...

We could combine efforts and walk off the pounds while piling on the love!

Anyone want to join in - help develop this idea and get the word out? Click on "Comments" to pipe in and join the pack!

Did my first 2 1/2 hour dog walking session today. I am pooped! My goodness ...

I gave them my best - walked 20+ dogs - some of which were over powering. I am not a small or weak woman and at times I was holding on for their dear life.

I need help! Contacting the Dog Whisperer tomorrow for bottom line help. Could he donate some of his special collars? If it is hard for me to walk them how is someone going to take them home to their kids?

Read somewhere that the majority of dogs in shelters are between the ages of 1-3 and they are there because their owners couldn't or wouldn't handle this kind of behavior.

They are so lovable - I will do anything possible to help them get the best homes possible - FAST.

I am almost done with my training at the SPCA in Fredericksburg. I love it! Will be going in on Wednesday afternoons to walk the dogs for a couple of hours. All the years dogs have loved and looked after me - feels good to be giving back.

If I would add a caption to this picture it would say ...

I'll watch your back. Will you please watch mine?
Spay * Neuter * Adopt me.