Animal Rescue Groups Great Options for Gifts and Recognition

Whether it be a holiday celebration that unites the entire planet, or one in which we celebrate an individual person gifts are something we think about year long. Whats another option for giving when youve run out of ideas, or you just want to do something different? How about donating to a special non-profit group?

For my complimentary webinars I ask attendees if they want to give back in some way that a donation to one of the above charities,or one of their own choice, is always welcomed and appreciated. Similar to paying it forward.

Some of mine and Ponchos personal favorites for dogs and other non-human animals are:

1. The Canine Adoption and Rescue League (C.A.R.L.) This is Venturas local non-profit dog rescue group.
2. Dog Adoption and Welfare Group (D.A.W.G.) A non-profit dog rescue in Santa Barbara (I see them at some of my running events - they have great teams!)
3. Best Friends Animal Society in Utah. What an awesome group!
4. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
5. The Humane of the United States

For human charities both my husband and I support the American Cancer Society. We both lost parents to cancer and like to support those who have supported us.

Thanks to all who spend the time thinking of others, and giving back in some way or another.

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Obamas in the doghouse with rescue groups

Well its finally happened... the First Family received their "First Dog", Bo, a six-month-old Portuguese water dog. A "gift" from Senator Edward Kennedy. Hmm, interesting. My paranoid self immediate thought: Ruh-roh, Kennedy curse? Okay, maybe a bit too paranoid. But then my thoughts jumped to "Nice political spin there boys!"

According to the L.A. Times article, Senator Kennedy took the dog from a family who could no longer care for it, had it trained by his trainers, and thought the dog would be perfect for the Obamas. Really? Was this all just coincidental? Am I, this little ol dog trainer, the only critical thinker (albeit skeptical) about how this whole situation panned out? 

The Obamas had been going back and forth between breeder and rescue. Being the liberal democrats they are, they were really making us rescue supporters believe they were going to go the shelter route... but this just seems a tad too convenient. The perfect way for them to get their purebred dog, without hurting anyones feelings :-) Oh, and the final kicker, is that to make up for not adopting from a shelter, the Obamas will make a donation to their local D.C Humane Society. Nice spin...Well, what were we expecting? It is politics ya know. 

Lets at least hope he chooses more modern, humane, reward-based training techniques like the ones we use at the Inquisitive Canine, versus the old fashioned stuff - theres no way to put a favorable spin on that! 

Oh, and changing the name to Bo. Sweet that the girls named him after their grandfathers nickname, but IMO, a one syllable name that sounds like "no"? Well, hopefully theyll be using the former more than the latter. Or, maybe they can add "Diddley" onto it...just to keep the confusion to a minimum. 

Regardless, at least the pup has a nice home...and a loving family...and a great yard! Plus, ya gotta admit, those secret service guys and gals are perfect for puppy socialization. 

Hail to the Chief - DOG! 

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