SoHo Says…Live your dreams!

Several years ago when momma and I were driving to my eye doctor appointment in Allentown, Pennsylvania, she and I noticed a billboard on the Pennsylvania Turnpike that really caught our eye. It had an uplifting message featuring Kermit the Frog and overall promoted positive values. My None (that’s Italian for grandmother in case you didn’t know) did research and found that the billboard was sponsored by “The Foundation for a Better Life” which is a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 with the objective of promoting positive values and encouraging viewers to pass the message along. They do this through messages in billboards, radio, television and their web site.

Wanting to pass along an inspirational message, in February 2010, my momma created a values.com billboard using me as the inspiration and posted it on the values.com website. In 3 short years, my billboard received nearly 29,000 likes from viewers. WOW! That’s a lot of viewers! Who would think that a dog sitting in an “orphanage” in Bayonne NJ would receive nearly 29,000 likes to his inspirational billboard? If you have a dream, go for it and live it! I am living my dream every day!

http://www.values.com/your-billboards/3232

SoHo Says…Santa brought me another early Christmas present!

For the second year in a row, Santa brought Coco Chanel, Prada and I a sister….a 7 year old maltese named Chelsea. Chelsea and I have a lot in common – we both lived with elderly people who could no longer take care of us therefore we were surrendered to a shelter. Chelsea was fortunate to be surrendered to the loving care of Blue Chip Farms Animal Refuge which is where my momma met her, fell in love and decided to adopt her. I am thankful to Blue Chip Farms for taking care of Chelsea until she joined our family.

My sisters and I have so much to be thankful for – we have really come a long way since our shelter living days.  This holiday season enjoy the wonderful people in your life and be thankful for all that you have– forget shopping malls and holiday stress – remember the true meaning of the holidays.  May you and your families have a holiday season filled with happiness, health, joy and LOVE!

SoHo Says…all I want for Christmas are homes for the holidays for shelter and rescue animals everywhere!!

Santa Claus has a very busy schedule – he runs a very successful business – with elves working around the clock – reading letters from children all over the world, fulfilling their dreams and in between he makes public appearances at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC, The Grove in LA, and other places like Whitings on November 24th, Pet Supply Plus on December 1st and 2nd and Dymond’s Farm on December 8th to get a pulse check on our Christmas wishes.

My sisters (Coco Chanel and Prada) and I are looking forward to meeting him on December 8th at Dymond’s Farm. We know he is busy so we have been discussing how we can maximize our time with him – to do so we have come up with only one Christmas wish from the three of us….our Christmas wish is for all homeless animals to have homes for the holidays.

This time of year, many shelters are asking that you welcome an adoptable pet into your home as a foster for the holiday season. Fostering provides the opportunity to brighten a homeless pet’s holiday season by providing the much needed attention and warmth they need which will also help them socialize and improve their chances of being adopted. The love and affection you’ll receive in return will be like no other!
If you are considering adding a fur-friend to your home, please consider adopting or fostering a pet from a shelter or rescue group. Who knows….you may receive the best holiday gift of all – a new forever family member and you are helping Santa fulfill my sisters and my Christmas wish!

SoHo Says…October was Pit Bull Awareness Month!

It is hard to believe that October has come and gone and as you can see, I am a bit delayed in writing this very important blog about one of the most misunderstood breeds…the pit bull. I have met so many pit bulls with my momma and I have never met a pit bull I didn’t like. One in particular that I loved was named Trucker who was at Blue Chip Farms Animal Refuge. Trucker was a gentle soul, who despite being thrown from a moving truck, didn’t have a mean bone in his body. Another sweet pit bull friend of mine is Rita, my Nanny Janet’s pup. Rita was at Griffin Pond Shelter where Nanny Janet adopted her.  And one of my sister’s favorite pit bull friend’s of ours is Bradley, our famous photographer’s pup!

Here are some fun facts about pit bulls (from http://www.cesarsway.com/packgallery/packprofiles/Pit-Facts):
• The pit bull was so respected in the early 1900’s that the military chose an image of a dignified pit bull to represent the country on World War I propaganda posters
• Petey from The Little Rascals was a pit bull
• Buster Brown shoe advertisements included a pit bull
• The pit bull is the only breed to have graced the cover of Life Magazine three times
• President Theodore Roosevelt, President Woodrow Wilson, Helen Keller, Thomas Edison, John Steinbeck, General George Patton, Fred Astaire, Humphrey Bogart, Mel Brooks, Mary Tyler Moore, Michael J. Fox, Madonna, Brad Pitt, Bernadette Peters, Alicia Silverstone, Linda Blair, Ashley Olsen, Orlando Bloom, Ken Howard (my Aunt Trisha’s former neighbor) and Serena Williams are just a few celebrities who own or have owned a pit bull

So why is the breed so misunderstood you ask? Humans often misuse the breed which results in behavior issues. The dogs are not the problem, it is the people. There are many wonderful people (such as those from MK9) dedicated to outreach and education to help to restore the image and rehabilitate the pit bull’s reputation so that people understand that with the right care and love, this breed can make a fabulous family dog! For more information on one organization dedicated to this breed check out MK9’s web site: http://www.modifiedk9.org/

SoHo Says…I dreamed a dream!!

As you know by now, I am a huge Broadway fan!! This blog is titled after the song “I Dreamed a Dream” which is sung by the character Fantine during the first act of Les Miserables. Les Miserables was the first Broadway play my momma ever saw. It is also Brad Goreski’s favorite show – in case you don’t know, Brad is a celebrity stylist and a huge animal lover – he has two rescue dogs. Recently I heard my sisters Coco Chanel and Prada singing this song together. Coco Chanel told me that she is living her dream – outside of that horrible puppy mill she was trapped in for 5 years. Prada told me she is living her dream as an International Super Model (not sure if I told you but her photo was sent to the Prada headquarters in Milan and she received a personalized thank you note as well as a complimentary gift from Prada!). I am also living my dream with a fabulous family that loves and cares for me.

Unfortunately not every shelter/rescue animal is as lucky as my sisters and I and they are still dreaming their dream. If you are looking for a faithful companion and friend consider adopting a shelter/rescue pet and help a homeless animal LIVE their DREAM!

For information on homeless animals waiting to live their dream, check out these web sites:
http://www.petfinder.com
http://bcfanimalrefuge.org/main/Blue_Chip_Farms_Animal_Refuge_-_Home.html
http://www.spcaluzernecounty.org/
http://www.hslc.pondpets.com/

SoHo Says…the sun will come out….

I am a huge fan of the Broadway hit Annie and I am so excited that it is returning to Broadway this fall (tickets went on sale on September 1st). My sisters and I can relate to this musical….we were orphans too, just like Annie, before our “Momma Warbucks” adopted us.

Another reason that I love this show is because the part of Sandy is always played by a former shelter dog. In May 2012, the 2 year old female terrier mix who is playing Sandy in this fall’s Broadway production was rescued by William Berloni, the award-winning animal trainer. This pup was 24 hours away from being euthanized in the Houston shelter she was in and Berloni saw potential in her. Berloni adopted her, flew her to New York and she is on her way to becoming a superstar!

Berloni said it best in an article from the Associated Press titled “Pup to Play Sandy in Annie on Broadway Revealed” by Mark Kennedy: “The most talented animals are right there under your nose,” said Berloni, who makes it a point of using shelter dogs in ALL his projects. “The message is: Animals in shelters are not damaged, just unfortunate.”

SoHo Says…August is World Mutt-i-grees Rescue Month!

August is World Mutt-i-grees Rescue Month! August is a very special month that serves to remind people that there are so many fabulous fur-friends seeking their forever homes sitting in shelters and rescues across the world waiting to be adopted. According to North Shore Animal League of America, between 8 and 10 million animals enter shelters every year and only 5 to 6 million are adopted. That means 3 to 4 million are euthanized. These statistics are alarming – considering my sisters and I could have been in that 3 to 4 million had my momma not adopted us.

In Northeastern Pennsylvania (where I live), there are lots of animal shelters and rescues to visit to find your next pet! To name a few…..Blue Chip Farms Animal Refuge is close to home and close to our hearts as momma likes to spend time with the pups and bunnies there on weekends. The SPCA of Luzerne County is very near and dear to my heart as this is where my sister Coco Chanel was adopted from. I will be forever grateful to them for taking care of her until she joined our family. Another local shelter is the Griffin Pond Shelter – my Nanny Janet is on the board. And of course, if you are looking for a specific breed and don’t mind traveling a bit – go to http://www.petfinder.com (this is how momma found Prada and I).

Not looking to adopt? Please consider supporting events that benefit your local  shelters and rescues. An exciting event is coming up…..on August 20th, Keeley’s Alehouse and Grille is hosting an event to benefit Blue Chip Farms Animal Refuge. A portion of your tab (dinner & drinks) from the evening will be donated to Blue Chip Farms Animal Refuge. There will be food, drinks, and fun…but most of all you will support a wonderful organization! Hope to see you there!

Home

http://www.spcaluzernecounty.org/

http://www.griffinpondanimalshelter.com/

SoHo Says…I know 2 young philanthropists!

Last weekend two dear friends of mine, Samantha and Maggie set up a lemonade stand at their grandparents’ yard sale.  Samantha and Maggie did the most selfless act – they donated monies raised by selling lemonade and water at their stand to the SPCA of Luzerne County.  What is even more amazing is that Samantha and Maggie did all of this on their own – at the ages of nearly 10 and 5 years old!  I applaud Samantha and Maggie for their efforts to help the homeless animals at the shelter.  The SPCA of Luzerne County has such a special place in my heart…this is where my sister Coco Chanel was adopted from and for their care of her during the time she was there, I will be forever grateful to them!

I am so thrilled that Samantha and Maggie have shown such compassion for the homeless animals in the shelter.  They are role models for us all and have shown that helping out the homeless animals can be fun and rewarding at the same time.

Thank YOU, Samantha and Maggie!!

If you would like to get involved in helping out homeless animals, please check out your local shelters and rescues.

SoHo Says…May went by with a blink of an eye!

May started with many celebrations for my momma’s 40th birthday.  Then on May 7th, my sister – Coco Chanel’s celebrated her 7th birthday, my adoption/birthday was on the 25th and my Aunt Denise’s birthday was on the 26th. May is my favorite month!! There is so much to celebrate and May kicks off the unofficial start of summer with Memorial Day. And you know what that means…tons of sunshine and summer fun!

In case you are looking to do something this month – I’ve highlighted some fabulous and fun events you can participate in while helping out my homeless fur-friends – there is something for everyone!!!
• June 3rd is the Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club’s 16th Annual Benefit Ride for the SPCA of Luzerne County – rev up your engine and get ready for a fun ride!!
• June 9th – Cartridge World (Wilkes Barre) is hosting an Adoption Day from 10am to 2pm. Come and meet several of the adoptable pets from the SPCA of Luzerne County who want to come home with you!
• June 10th is the Pet Walk at Nay Aug Park to benefit the Griffin Pond Shelter (walk starts at 1pm). Bring your leashed pet pal and enjoy a fabulous day out for a terrific cause!
• June 9th and 10th – Petco (Wilkes Barre and Edwardsville) is hosting an Adoption Weekend from 10 am to 2 pm (both days) – come and meet the many adoptable fur-friends needing homes!!
• June 30th – Starbucks (Wilkes Barre) is hosting an Adoption Day from 10 am to 2pm. Get yourself a cup of Starbucks’ Venti Non Fat Cappuccino (or whatever you LOVE) and meet a fur-friend who is sure to jump start your soul!

As you can see, there are many fun events to attend this coming month…. Find what interests you and have fun while you are helping homeless furry friends…and who knows, you may see me at an event or two. Happy June!

Links to more information:
http://www.spcaluzernecounty.org/
http://www.griffinpondanimalshelter.com/

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SoHo Says…adoption saves lives!

My favorite city in the world, New York, started The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals in 2002. The Alliance is a coalition of more than 150 animal rescue groups and shelters working with the Animal Care and Control of NYC (AC&C). The Alliance is committed to “seeing the day when no New York City dog or cat of reasonable health and temperament is killed merely because he or she does not have a home by 2015”. To achieve this goal, the Alliance works to promote and increase pet adoptions and spay/neuter rates.

The Alliance recently released its’ 2011 progress report http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/about/reports.htm, which clearly shows that their efforts are paying off. Below are just a couple of facts taken directly from the report:
• In 2011, close to three out of every four lives were saved, as compared with one out of three in 2003.
• More than 14,000 dogs and cats — representing more than 44 percent of the animals entering AC&C shelters in 2011 — were transferred to partner shelters and rescue groups for adoption. Transfers from AC&C have increased by over 159 percent, from 5,519 in 2003 to 14,232 in 2011.
• In 2011, total spay/neuter surgeries performed by private veterinarians and non-profit organizations that participate in the Maddie’s Spay/Neuter Project in NYC reached an all-time high of over 67,000 spay/neuter surgeries.

After reading through some of these facts, I encourage you to be a part of the solution! When you consider your next pet, please check out adoptable pets at your local shelter or rescue. If you are not finding the right pet for you, check out http://www.petfinder.com or http://www.petango.com and expand your search. Adopt don’t shop, it saves lives!