Lend a Helping Paw over the Holidays

With November a third of the way through, my thoughts are turning towards the fast approaching holidays and how I have so much to be thankful for - a kind, generous husband, a caring family, awesome friends, and of course my four footed clan (yes, even the ones that meow). On top of that, we have food on the table, (and in the doggie dishes), jobs that pay the bills (mostly to the vet), and a roof over our heads. We have warm clothes, heat, a phone, and we even access to the internet - so I can look up and diagnose doggy diseases to my heart's delight!

Having so much to be thankful for, I couldn't help but think about the many people and animals who are less fortunate than myself, and how great it would be if I could find a way to give back during the season of giving. After much thinking, I've decided to try and encourage my readers to help others during the upcoming holidays, and of course, since this is a dog blog, I've chosen to highlight a canine cause.

With so many animals ending up homeless thanks to the failing economy, please consider helping shelter dogs over the weeks to come. While we can't always save them all, we can at least try to make their lives a little more pleasant while they are sitting in a cold lonely cage waiting for their forever homes to (hopefully) find them. I've come up with a list of simple ways to help your local animal shelter - most of which won't cost you a dime. I hope you'll be inspired to do at least one of the items on the following list, do a few of them, or maybe even do them all.

Gifts that Give Twice: I'm guessing that most other dog owners are just like me when it comes to spending on their dogs, in that their pockets get a little looser this time of year and they often purchase new collars, toys, beds, etc., for their pets. But before you throw that old stuff away, take a good look at it - if it's still in fairly decent shape, your local shelter would appreciate the donation. All you need to do is drive it to the shelter and drop it off. What could be easier? For each gift that you give to your pets, you can help an animal in need!

Clean out that Supply Closet: Don't forget to go through your old supplies, and see if you have anything that has been hanging around unused for too long. Old training tools, extra brushes, duplicate dishes. Why let it take up space at your house, when it might be of use to your local shelter?

Go through your Own Stuff: Yup, even 'people' stuff might be of use at a shelter. Getting new bedding or towels? The shelters will take the old stuff, as long as it is in relatively good shape. Your home redecorating project might keep a castaway doggie warm on a cold winter night!

Set up a Collection Box: If you have access to a public business, you can set up a holiday collection box and ask people to donate gently used and/or new items, as well as unopened food. Even better, ask your shelter specifically what items they need most, and then simply hang a sign on the front of the box informing people what to donate. And make sure to check that box a few times a week so you can empty it out each time it fills and make room for more. You'd be surprised at how much you might gather for your shelter during just one holiday season.

Buy a Present for a Pooch: At the store buying new collars for your darling dogs - why not pick up an extra collar, to give to a shelter dog? Or make use of that discount coupon you have lying around - for dog food, treats or a toy that you really didn't want, but couldn't see the sense in throwing a perfectly good coupon away. Why not dust it off and put it to good use, by purchasing that item and giving it to your local shelter?

Coins for Canines: Don't be that person, you know, the one who holds up the entire line at the cash register while digging around in their pocket lint for a penny. Instead, how about collecting all of your coins, and then cashing them in during the holidays and donating the money to your shelter? Better yet, make it a new goal to save your coins all year, so you can donate it all to a favorite doggie cause during the holidays.

Donate your Time: Of all the donations you can make, this is perhaps the best gift of all, yet it is also the hardest thing to manage as the holidays approach. But if you can spare the time to take a shelter dog for a walk, you will be enriching a lonely animal's life, while getting them out from the confines of the shelter. Or find out if there is another way you can help...maybe your shelter could use some help manning an adoption booth at Petco, or maybe they have some paperwork that's overflowing. Even just an hour of your time could make a difference.

So you're probably wondering what I'm planning to do to help shelter dogs this holiday season, besides write about them, that is? My goal is to try my hardest to accomplish each item on this list sometime between now and New Year's Day. Really, most of the items are easy - the hardest part will be finding the time to get everything done. But isn't that everyone's biggest challenge? Yet if we could all just spare a few hours of our time over the coming weeks, we could make a big difference for the animal shelters in our communities. Won't you join me?