If you are anything like me, when you donate to a rescue group that is not in your area, you truly hope (and cross your paws) that the money is used to feed and save dogs affiliated with that group. Henderson and her business partner, Susan Holler, agreed, so for every bag of their BOGO Bowl dog food purchased, they ship the equivalent of the same food to a nonprofit shelter of the buyer’s choice. The food is high quality, four-star rated by Pet Food Advisor, and available in a variety of flavors.
Tell Someone
Sponsor a Dog
Many of us have a blog or a microblog, like Twitter or Facebook. Tell someone about a dog who is looking for a forever home. Let a rescue dog be your cover photo for a day, a week, an hour or two. If you have a cell phone, share a photo. Show someone you know who’s been talking about “getting that second dog” or “needing to fill a void in their heart left by the last dog they had” — show them petfinder.com, show them a dog in your area that can use their love, help, and maybe even their home. I sponsor a dog every month for $10 dollars. Instead of two packs of soda or two trips to the coffee shop, I donate to a dog rescue group. Folks who foster a dog need all the help they can get, so I know $10 a month makes a difference. I hear about the vet bills, the supplies needed, and the simple but necessary items it takes to keep a dog going until he or she finds a forever home. “A walk through the kennels, and one realizes these dogs are barking for their lives,” says Terry Humerickhouse of Gulf Coast Cocker Spaniel Rescue, summarizing why he has fostered over 150 dogs in his lifetime.
16 | PUPCULTURE DECEMBER 12 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012
There is a multitude of ways to assist dogs in need and adding a bit of holiday cheer from home is a “paw-fect way” to feel good and give back as you ring in the new year. n About the author: “A dog lover of the highest order,” is how Gayle King introduced Carol Bryant when she and her Cocker Spaniel appeared on Oprah Radio’s Gayle King show to dish dogs. A frequent media contributor, Carol has appeared on television, radio, and in print. As guest speaker at conferences and seminars about dog products and travel, she also has a passion for growing social media and helped one client land the “best dog blog” honor. A repeat nominee from the Dog Writers Association of America and writer for Dogster, she also works with BlogPaws pet blogger social media community and conferences and is founder of her own caninecentric magazine-style dog blog, Fidose of Reality.