Peter loves dogs, but it’s clear he’s a cat lover too. Just look at his unusual head shot above, or is it a foot shot? or a feet shot?

He was nice enough to give me permission to have his songs on my site since he knows I’m a true fan. If you have little kids these songs are a must have because every kid loves being a part of a sing-a-long!

JUST CLICK THE ARROW BELOW TO LISTEN TO
“I Wanna Be A Dog” written and performed by Peter Alsop

[See post to listen to audio]

The song ends with these lyrics, and I can totally relate! “Bein’ human these days is gettin’ too crazy, I just wanna be a hound!”

FYI: Peter Alsop has produced nineteen audio recordings and seven videos and dvd’s for which he consistently wins “BEST CHILDREN’S” awards from Parents’ Choice and the Association For Independent Music. His songs are used daily by thousands of parents, educators and human service professionals to help families discuss sensitive issues.

Peter doesn’t do all that much really,… he’s just an educational psychologist who writes great songs for kids, a national lecturer, humorist and motivational speaker, winner of seven Best Children’s Album awards, a video producer, feature film director and actor, an organizational consultant, a video producer, feature film director and actor, and a Dad with an open mind and a sense of humor. Peter seems like an all around amazing guy and I hope to meet him one day!

Please visit his fun website, www.peteralsop.com, and check out all the other great songs that you’re kids will love to sing along with while they learn! We think Peter Alsop is Verysupercool!

Entrepreneurs Flourish In Austin, Texas

written by Michelle Anton

When I told my daughter that Austin must be doing something right, she said, “Austin Powers?” Once I stopped laughing I was able to share stories about a few new business owners I met in Austin, Texas, and how they possessed a refreshing burst of enthusiasm that I wanted to bring back to Los Angeles.

The first entrepreneur I met when I arrived was Penny of PennysPastries.com. She sells the tastiest chocolate chip cookie mix on the planet from her website. With flavors such as Chocolate Chip Indulgence, Peanut Butter Obsession, Black Magic and Chocolate-Chocolate Cherry, you’ll undoubtedly find something to delight your palette

And I would be remiss if I didn’t send a shout out to one of the entrepreneurs I met when I was leaving. Sue Rostvold of VerySuperCool.com gave me a box of greeting cards. (Yes! They really are cool.) Her tagline for VerySuperCool.com is “Green greeting cards with soul, because every dog has a story.” My friends fell in love with these adorable cards the moment they laid eyes on them. The heart-warming picture as well as the sayings inside each card makes them memorable.

Here are some of the vendors Jeannette Peten, CEO of BiGAustin, had on hand to display their unique products at the BiGAustin Marketplace last month. Read entire article here.

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR, MICHELLE ANTON:

Pet Passions: Playing with other dogs, (especially young ones with lots of energy), going on walks, meeting new people, and getting to be up close and personal to the nearest human in the room.

Pet Peeves: Being ignored and owners who don’t provide heartworm prevention.

Breed: Boxer

Age (at time of photo session): 4 years

Story: This flashy brindle boxer was found as a stray in San Antonio, Texas which landed him in a small cell at the local shelter. No one claimed Collin, so Austin Boxer Rescue got him out before he would have been euthanized. Amazingly, he doesn’t appear traumatized by his experience, he’s super sweet, very well socialized, and LOVES other dogs. He loves people too, he was all wiggles when Allan came into the studio. It was impossible not to fall in love with him while he was here. It’s just so hard to understand how he could have been with an owner who didn’t care much about him. The good news is, he’s in great hands now!

Collin will make someone very happy as it’s easy to see he’s got a lot of love to give. He was malnourished when Austin Boxer Rescue took him in, but now he’s very healthy and his coat is beautiful. He is heartworm positive, so he’s looking for a caring family that won’t mind helping him with his treatment.

We hope to see Collin on a Verysupercool card in the future. We only feature dogs on our cards after they have found their forever family, so let’s hope he is adopted soon! Be sure to check back to see what his new name will be, and hopefully we’ll have a video of him too!

Please visit Austin Boxer Rescue to see all the great dogs they currently have available. And, if you want this sweet boy with an underbite to be part of your family, just go to his page and fill out the online application!

as see in Stationery Trends Magazine
Spring 2008

Stationery Trends Magazine will be making it’s big debut at the National Stationery Show next week and we’re so excited to be a part of it! Shades of Green, written by editor Sarah Schwartz, focuses on a topic that retailers across the country are yearning to learn more about; green stationery and gifts.

Read entire article below

Shades of Green
Eco-consciousness makes a big splash in stationery.
What role will it play in your store?

By Sarah Schwartz/Editor

These days, it’s impossible to be unaware of what’s become known as the green movement. From cleaning products to cars, consumers are reexamining both what they use and leave behind. It’s easy to wonder, is this another feel-good, election-year trend — or an enduring lifestyle?

“There is no question in my mind that ‘green’ is more than a new buzz word or passing trend,” said Sue Rostvold, founder and owner of Verysupercool. “While it’s on the tipping point of the mainstream right now, I feel people are slowly becoming aware of the wider implications of their actions. As long as we’re still dependent on non-renewable energy sources, there’s no reason a green lifestyle should not be enduring.”

Indeed, the stationery industry embraced the elements of the green movement “long before it was on the tip of everyone’s tongue,” opined Patti Stracher, the National Stationery Show’s (NSS) Show Manager. Most players assumed “it was a given when green became a part of the consciousness, everyone in the industry would be compliant.”

However, manufacturers and retailers didn’t promote their green lines as much as they could or should. “I think the industry is waking up,” she concluded. “Even better, these days green products are refined, indistinguishable from anything else.”

As such, George Little Management has expanded its Best New Product Awards competition at 2008’s NSS, adding an eco-friendly Think Green counterpart to each category. The awards will recognize companies that exemplifying ingenuity with earth-friendly products.

However, the green movement is not all about products — it begins with the business model, pointed out Todd LeVeck, business and environmental director, Eco-Expressions. “We seek to enhance communication between people while creating positive change in the way business is done with respect to the environment. Creating a sustainable business model and [products] that are ecologically intelligent was paramount in our decision to bring them to market.”

But small, socially conscious stationery companies aren’t the only ones getting involved. In February MeadWestvaco Corporation was named to CRO (Corporate Responsibility Officer) Magazine’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens 2008. MeadWestvaco was recognized for its practices that exemplify a higher level of corporate integrity, accountability and stewardship.

And other lines have literally been green for centuries. Crane & Co. has used cotton paper, making the entire line tree-free, for over 2000 years. Once recycled from rags, now from textile clippings, their paper proves that everything old is new again.

Green v. green-washed
So there’s no shortage of great green paper lines — and vendors have begun highlighting these aspects on product, Web sites and signage with finesse. However, there remains some terminology confusion among many.

This occurs for a few reasons. “Often a company puts the word ‘recycled’ on their product without including percentages because it’s not required by law,” explained Rostvold. These companies are sometimes dubbed “green-washed.

Complicating the situation, LeVeck added, “The EPA uses standards in green labeling that fluctuate with the Washington political winds.” So don’t get hung up on terminology— just remember the common thread is attention to the health and well-being of the end consumer and the resources used in production.

When it comes to the recycled content of the paper itself, 100 percent post-consumer waste (PCW) paper is top-shelf. “We received a custom order using 100 percent recycled paper, and researched it further,” noted Mark Gavin, owner and founder of Ecojot, “We decided products that were 100 percent recycled and made in Canada would be attractive to people. With all the miscommunication today, we wanted to emphasize that our products have 100 percent PCW. With clients from Barnes & Noble to Whole Foods, the response has obviously been quite positive!”

For a given paper to be called recycled, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires a minimum of 30 percent post-consumer content for uncoated papers, and a minimum of 10 percent post-consumer content for coated papers. Other paper types, such as newsprint and corrugated packaging, also require post-consumer content. VerdePaperie, an online venue that literally means green paper store, has a minimum PCW content of 30 percent.

Also look out for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifications. Recently, some U.S. commercial forests have undergone a sustainable harvest certification process overseen by the FSC, a non-profit organization set up to encourage the use of sustainable forestrly practices. Their “Chain of Custody” is followed from the forest to the final product. The FSC certification also pertains to papers with a certain percentage of recycled and post-consumer waste content.

Soy or vegetable-based inks are less harmful to the environment than their petroleum-based counterparts. There are several types of vegetable-based printing inks, including linseed, tung, castor, canola, and safflower. Soy is popular because it is a very stable material with excellent “wetting” properties, enhancing its ability to carry solid pigments.

Amy Holland, co-owner of Eco-Wise, Austin, Texas, looks for lines that succeed on multiple levels. “Historically, finding 100 percent PCW greeting cards has been far from easy. To my surprise, most reps do not seem to know what PCW refers to or about recycled verses recyclable. Verysupercool cards was the first to be promoted as using 100 percent PCW paper while printing a color photograph using soy-based inks! The message from Verysupercool promotes mutual respect for animals, people and the planet in a creative and unique way.”

Some of the most interesting green stationery is not paper at all. Night Owl Paper Goods’ line of sustainably harvested wooden journals, desktop notepads, postcards and A2 cards has been selling around the globe — as far away as Australia. “Everyone has been really receptive to our illustration style paired with the wood,” said Partner Jennifer Tatham.

Packaging, or rather a lack of it, is also paramount. “We like suppliers who reduce their packaging where possible,” opined Scott Walker, co-owner/manager of Greenward, Boston. “This means we prefer no plastic bags on greeting cards. We would like to see more cards packaged just with a paper band, biodegradable cellophane sleeves or other environmentally responsible packaging.“

Loop, of Philadelphia, Penn., packages its product with a slender paper band featuring its tagline, “Happy People, Healthy Planet.” “We design our packaging to be as minimal as possible,” pointed Elissa Brown Barbieri, owner and designer. “We don’t believe one must sacrifice aesthetics for ethics.”

The Eco-luxe Lifestyle
This doesn’t mean that you have to only carry green lines and overhaul your business practices. Rather, consider an eco-luxe line or two as a necessary element in your merchandise repertoire — and realize that it may cost a bit more.

“A few wholesale clients don’t agree that consumers are willing to pay more for an eco product, but the sales of Loop products prove that consumers are eco-savvy and are indeed willing to pay a little extra,” Barbieri commented. “I am constantly re-iterating what makes Loop eco-luxe, versus a card that’s been green-washed by tacking a recycled logo on the back; being eco is more than being recycled or recyclable.”

In a typical boutique not earmarked as green, finding a visually pleasing green line can really please customers, explained Sherry Brown, card buyer, Breed & Co., Austin, Texas, who carries Verysupercool. “Customers love knowing they’re helping the earth and getting a cool card.”

Whatever line you select, talk it up. “Art N Soul, in Encinitas, Calif., has taken an educational approach to selling our products,” said LeVeck. “Each customer is told about the importance of our ecologically intelligent design and social give-back programs.”

Often the best way to educate customers is in narrative form. Such is definitely the case with Copper Willow Paper Studio, started by Jill Velez and Leora Mauck. “Our first movements in the eco-friendly direction were inspired by our families. Our letterpress was in Leora’s home, when her son was 18 months old,” noted Jill, who was also pregnant and operated the press well into her ninth month. “So our first priorities were using soy ink, oiling the machine with food-grade oil and cleaning up with a bio-solvent. Our first line was printed entirely on tree-free papers and premiered at NSS last May.”

Their range includes both a stationery and bridal stationery album. Now they’ve left Leora’s home, and their studio and production space are green too. With bamboo flooring, recycled wallpaper, no-Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paint and refinished antique furniture, their application to be a fully green-seal certified studio is currently up for review.

Walker also finds that small signs are well received. Dan Korman, who owns Park + Vine in Cincinnati, Ohio, agreed. “Little signs next to something makes an impression, we notice that people tend to spend more time in that spot.”

Finally, one under-recognized aspect of earth friendliness involves being friendly to each other, emphasized Shannon Martin, Girl Designer in partnership with Madison Park Greetings. “This has to do with community, who we are in the world, how we treat each other on a daily basis. Yes, recycling is important. But what of our own natural resources? Our humor, our compassion, our curiosity? What could be more earth-friendly than good working relationships, or a business where our success serves our local and business community?”

Starting tomorrow, Verysupercool greeting cards will be available at Ten Thousand Villages in order to help raise funds for local dog organizations. As if they don’t do enough already, this cool store located at 1317 South Congress, has decided to support local non-profits by hosting Benefit Shopping Nights!

Bark for Peace! is sponsoring this great event and your dog will enjoy free samples of their tasty vegan, organic treats that you can eat with your dog! Verysupercool is proud to be included and we hope that lots of Austin dog lovers will come by and shop for fair trade and sustainable goods, see details below:

Stop in any evening starting tomorrow and your purchase between 5pm-9pm will benefit the following organizations!

May 12 - Lucky Mutts Mixed Breed Rescue
May 13 - Chain Free Austin
May 14 - Schrodi Memorial Training Scholarship Fund
May 15 - Austin German Shepherd Dog Rescue

Look for the giant Bonker’s (bulldog cutout) in the store and you’ll find some awesome fair trade and recycled dog gifts from Bark for Peace! as well as our own Verysupercool green greeting cards featuring many local Austin dogs! Below Becky Garcia, one of the volunteer coordinators of the event, is holding Captain, our Verysupercool foster dog! Our colorful dog cards have even caught Captain’s attention!

Be sure to visit Ten Thousand Villages of Austin’s blog to stay up to date on all their events!

STORE HISTORY: Ten Thousand Villages is one of the oldest and largest fair trade organizations in the world. Fair trade organizations connect consumers in North America, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand to unemployed and underemployed artisans and farmers in developing countries through fair trade relationships – benefiting people, rather than maximizing their own profits. The artisans’ income helps pay for food, education, health care and housing. Read more about their history…

Seven Ways Business is Green-ing Our World: One paper product at a time

The big names cannot help but pump out more sustainable paper products on an almost weekly basis. From biology college textbooks gone green to carbon friendly greeting cards, we’ve rounded up the top seven green papier goods that caught our eye.

1. Verysupercool (yes, that is their real and uber-funky name) teams with CarbonFund.org to create the Greenest Little Greeting Card in Texas. So, even while the mythical paperless office lures us with its green goodness, we still use and love our paper - printed on both sides, thankyouverymuch.

Read the entire article and see the other 6 products listed!

Verysupercool: Greenest Little Greeting Card In Texas

Verysupercool, a greeting card company out of Austin Texas, is Carbonfund.org’s poster child. They are one of only two greeting card companies that were featured in the May/June issue of Greetings etc. magazine that use only 100% post-consumer waste paper. And the carbon emissions necessary for their business — shipping cards across the country to the more than 100 stores carrying Verysupercool’s products, for instance — are offset with the help of Carbonfund.org.

Verysupercool is a member of the CarbonFree Small Business program run by Carbonfund.org. Meant for companies with 10 or fewer employees, the program offers an option for carbon offsets that fits into a small business’ budget. The program has effectively zeroed out Verysupercool’s carbon footprint.

Sue Rostvold, one of Verysupercool’s co-founders, advocates small business carbon offsets:

“Our affiliation with Carbonfund.org seemed like a natural extension of our mission. We are excited by the work that Carbonfund.org is doing and are proud to be a part of it. We feel it’s important to raise awareness and show other businesses and individuals how easy it is to make our planet healthier for everyone!”

Verysupercool’s green efforts were honored in last month’s Greeting etc. — the trade magazine covering the stationery business.

See original post on www.matternework.com

(Released from Carbonfund.org via The Corporate Social Responsibility Newswire)

Greetings etc. Magazine’s Eco-Edition Showcases Verysupercool’s Greeting Cards Made Greener with Carbonfund.org

(CSRwire) AUSTIN, TX - May 7, 2008 - In partnership with Carbonfund.org, Verysupercool announced today the success of its green greeting cards, which were featured in the March/April edition of Greeting etc., a prominent stationery trade magazine. In Greeting etc’s comprehensive Eco-Friendly issue to date, Verysupercool was one of only two featured greeting card companies that use exclusively 100% post-consumer waste paper. In addition to being made from recycled materials, Verysupercool’s greeting cards are now even greener through the offset of carbon emissions with Carbonfund.org.

By joining Carbonfund.org’s Small CarbonFree(TM) Business program, Verysupercool is offsetting the CO2 emitted from the energy it takes to run the business and ship greeting cards across the nation.

Verysupercool’s support of Carbonfund.org’s renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects demonstrates another way in which the company minimizes its climate impact.

“We are glad to see Greetings etc. begin to take notice of green and sustainable companies that are making a difference. As much as we love being different, we don’t want to be a minority,”{ said Sue Rostvold, Founder of Verysupercool. “In fact, my hope is that in the future, the majority of greeting cards will not only be printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, but also be more carbon-conscious.”

“Our affiliation with Carbonfund.org seemed like a natural extension of our mission. We are excited by the work that Carbonfund.org is doing and are proud to be a part of it,” said Rostvold. “We feel it’s important to raise awareness and show other businesses and individuals how easy it is to make our planet healthier for everyone!”

“Verysupercool uses only recycled materials and on top of that, they’re zeroing-out their carbon footprint. Their experience with Greetings etc. shows that the media recognize these kinds of efforts,” said Eric Carlson, Executive Director of Carbonfund.org. “We’re pleased to help make Verysupercool greeting cards even more sustainable.”

Verysupercool greeting cards are available in more than 100 stores nationwide and over 25 stores in the Austin area. Additionally, it is the greenest card choice currently available in the Landmark Whole Foods Market in Austin, Texas.

About Verysupercool

Based in Austin, Texas, Verysupercool is a greeting card company that loves animals and cares about the environment. From its inception in 2005, Verysupercool has printed its unique line of dog themed cards on 100% post-consumer waste paper. Founded by Sue Rostvold and Allan Little, the company is focused on capturing the soulful gaze and personality of each dog and sharing their story.

“Green greeting cards with soul, because every dog has a story.”

About Carbonfund.org

Carbonfund.org is one of the country’s leading carbon reduction and offset organizations, making it easy and affordable for individuals, businesses and organizations to reduce their climate impact. Carbon offsets enable individuals and businesses to reduce carbon dioxide emissions they are responsible for in their everyday lives by supporting high-quality verified renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects. Carbonfund.org works with over 600 corporate and non-profit partners including Discovery, Allstate, Volkswagen, Dell, Orbitz, Environmental Defense, and Lancôme.

For more information please contact:

Russell Simon, Communications Manager
Carbonfund.org
240-293-2700
www.carbonfund.org

Sue Rostvold, Founder
Verysupercool
512-426-7144
www.verysupercool.com
For more CSR news and information from this organization:

Corporate Social Responsibility Profile for Carbonfund.org

David DiTraglia lived an active life for years in Alaska, spending time outdoors, chopping wood, and raising St. Bernard dogs. Today, he is in a wheelchair, the result of inoperable scar tissue that formed following a broken neck. He lives alone in a small house just off the main road in Wimberley, with a garden and fish ponds out back. Well, he doesn’t really live alone. He shares the house, and his life, with Clifford, a shiny, black hundred-pound mostly-Labrador retriever. Clifford is more than good company, although he is certainly that. Clifford is a trained service dog from Texas Hearing and Service Dogs (512-891-9090).

THSD provides service dogs to help those with hearing or mobility challenges. These amazing animals are trained to alert their deaf owners to a telephone, crying baby or smoke alarm, and can open refrigerator doors, push buttons, pick up dropped items, and even tug off clothing for those with mobility impairments. All the dogs are obtained from shelters, and trained for about a year at a cost of roughly eighteen thousand dollars. They are provided to people like Di-Traglia free of charge.

“There’s a long waiting list for dogs and they are very selective,” DiTraglia says. “It is also an exhaustive process to get a dog.” He found out about service dogs through his grown daughter, and although some people wait as long as a year for a dog, DiTraglia got a call about three months after applying. Clifford was too big for the person with which he was originally placed. THSD interviewed two other people besides DiTraglia for the big black dog. “There were about five people interviewing me, and then they watched me with Clifford,” he says. “It was love at first sight. After St. Bernards, he certainly wasn’t big to me.”

Once DiTraglia was selected to receive Clifford, THSD staff visited his home multiple times over the first year. “You have to keep up the dog’s basic skills. Some of his skills I use all the time, and others I don’t use,” he says. “Also, if my needs change and I need something else from him, I just call and they would be out here to train him to do it.” As an Assistance Dog Partner, the official designation of those who have one of these animals, DiTraglia has other responsibilities in addition to maintaining Clifford’s training. These include treating the dog with appreciation and respect, making sure Clifford behaves properly in public, keeping him well-groomed and cared for, and providing preventive healthcare and vaccinations.

DiTraglia has use of his upper body and limited ability to stand, so he can transfer easily in and out of the wheelchair. Clifford leaps up when called, and once leashed to the chair, pays attention to his human’s every move. He won’t cross the threshold of the door to outside until DiTraglia tells him to. He once stood for quite some time with his nose inches from a table laden with Salt Lick barbecue while DiTraglia, unaware of Clifford’s dilemma, visited with friends. Clifford never took so much as a tiny sample. One of his few transgressions involved running off after some deer, and DiTraglia admits to having strayed too far from the dog in the first place. In short, Clifford takes his job seriously.

“Having a service dog is an amazing thing. These dogs do a lot. They are trained to do things you can’t, but more than that, they are a companion. It is like having a goal in life. You get up in the morning and, rather than zero in on your disability or pain or whatever, you zero in on the animal. You have to care for it. You have to take it out or arrange for someone to do it, which makes you get in touch with people around you. The support the dog gives you is amazing. My life changed a lot having him, I feel stronger with him around.”

If DiTraglia drops something, Clifford picks it up in his large but gentle mouth. He can close or open doors in the house, or open and close the refrigerator. He helps DiTraglia get back into his wheelchair, and can pull the manual wheelchair if needed.

“If he could drive, it would be really great,” DiTraglia jokes. “He’s two dogs, a service dog when he has his uniform and his leash on, and a companion dog. When we’re out he’s usually a gentleman, well-behaved. The beauty of these animals is that they love you unconditionally. They can use love, too.”

THSD uses positive training methods, including fun and rewards. Force, punishment or correction are never used. DiTraglia carries an ever-present store of treats in a fanny pack. People who apply for a service dog have to fi rst want a dog, Di-Traglia says. “Do you want a dog? That’s the first question. They are still dogs, not robots. He’s ninety percent obedience, and ten percent like a five year old.” Service dogs can go anywhere with their humans, just as Seeing Eye dogs can, by Texas law. DiTraglia has an ID card with his and Clifford’s photograph on it. He is rarely asked for it, and has only been seriously challenged about bringing the dog once.

People who encounter a service dog and dog partner out in public should always ask if they may pet the dog before doing so, and if the answer is yes, follow the person’s instructions. This shows respect for the person and the working dog. DiTraglia has Clifford lie down for petting. The pair visit the THSD training facility in nearby Dripping Springs often. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate THSD and the people, their mission and the place,” DiTraglia says. “I’m like a Jewish mother with Clifford. They tell me he’s fat and I say, no, he’s fluffy. He’s big-boned.”

THSD has a new program, Assistance Dogs for Military Personnel, created to provide dogs to servicemen and women injured in Afghanistan and Iraq. This and all THSD programs are funded by donations.

People can also help by volunteering, either at the training facility—bathing and playing with dogs, working in the office or at special events, or keeping up the landscaping—or by serving as a foster trainer. Foster trainers keep a dog in their home for three to four months, socializing the dog to living in a home and helping them learn to be comfortable with various public places such as restaurants, offi ces and sporting events. Dogs have already had four to six weeks of training before going to foster homes.

Occasionally, THSD offers for adoption dogs that need a career change—who, in other words, for some reason just don’t cut the mustard as a service dog. The organization also provides speakers who are experts on education and training, and the web site (www.servicedogs.org) includes regular training tips. After all, all dogs are, in a sense, service dogs.

Melissa Gaskill was very impressed with Clifford, and thinks it would be great if every single returning military person could have a service dog. You may e-mail Melissa at mgaskill@goodlifemag.com. Readers may also be interested in San Antonio-based Guide Dogs of Texas (210-366-4081), which provides dogs for Texans who are visually impaired. For more information, visit www.guidedogsoftexas.org.

This article was printed in the April 2008 issue of The Good Life magazine and was written by Melissa Gaskill.
Photo credit: Barton Wilder Custom Images.

Pet Passions: Chasing birds and squirrels, long walks, snuggling anytime, any where, but preferably in someone’s lap, ANY lap!

Pet Peeves: Loud people, loud and high pitched noises and singing up close. She really doesn’t like it if someone tries to sing a Whitney Houston song to her, especially “I Will Always Love You”. It makes her a little crazy!

Breed: Dachshund Mix

Age (at time of photo session): 1.5 years

Story: Little Lucy was dropped off at the Town Lake Animal Center in Austin, Texas because the owners thought she was pregnant and didn’t want to deal with puppies. Turns out, little Lucy was just a little on the chunky side, and not pregnant at all! (some people, eh?) The great volunteers at Central Texas Dachshund Rescue got Lucy out of the shelter and into their care as soon as they heard about her. CTDR paid for Lucy to be spayed and get a full medical check up. Then they put her on a little diet and hooked her up with a foster family. Now look at this beautiful brindle sweetheart!

Lucy was our tenth foster dog since we became members of CTDR.org. and she was a joy to have around. Such a submissive easy going lady, very low maintenance and low profile! : ) Captain, our other foster, and Lucy loved to wrestle and play together, and it was always very entertaining. (video snippet to come)

Little Miss Lucy Lu was adopted today! YEAH! She left in her new matching harness and leash and we were told she was going to be dressed up and ready for her first day in the office with her new Mommy tomorrow! Yeah for Lucy, the littlest lobbyist!!!

We think Lucy is Verysupercool and we’re so happy she found a great new home. Captain will miss her, but he still has Martin to pick on, I mean play with, until he finds a new family to care for him. Lucy, we will always love you!

Be sure to check back to see more photos of Lucy sporting some of her summer outfits, or maybe just hard at work in the office.

Puppy mills are not illegal, but they should be. I watched Oprah yesterday, it was a very painful but important show about the Puppy Mill Industry. There are as many as 10,000 puppy mills operating in the United States. It’s a disgrace.

Lisa Ling joined Bill Smith, founder of Main Line Animal Rescue, as they toured several puppy mills with undercover cameras. They rescued as many dogs as they could, but there were hundreds left behind.

I had not heard of Main Line Animal Rescue until yesterday. I’m in awe of the work they have done. Bill has fostered relationships with hundreds of breeders across Pennsylvania in order to save dogs’ lives. He has managed to convince these breeders to call him before killing their unwanted dogs. They rescue and then rehabilitate these animals so that they can have a second chance for a better life. MLAR has rescued over 7,000 animals to date, 5,000 have been from puppy mills. Bill Smith is truly a saint, it’s not surprising that he won the ASPCA Lifetime Achievement Award in November 2007. Bill Smith is my new hero.

Bill Smith with rescue Charlotte below

photo by Michael Bryant/Inquirer Staff Photographer

NOTE: I generally like to keep my website upbeat and fun. I LOVE sharing the happy ending stories of the rescue dogs that I meet and photograph, however I feel so strongly about this issue that I knew it had to be included on my site. PLEASE spread the word and tell your friends never to even CONSIDER buying a dog from a store!

I encourage everyone to watch Oprah’s show from April 4, 2008.
Also, please see the links below for more information. Thank you.

Humane Society Puppy Buyers Guide

Main Line Animal Rescue

Oprah April 4, 2008

Stop Puppy Mills