Brandy and Val

American English Coonhound

Brandy, Val and I are so excited that the Westminster Dog Show starts today.  It’s a great event for showcasing all types of dogs.  If you are contemplating getting a done, the commentators do a great job talking about each breed’s personalities and “maintenance” levels,  enabling the uninitiated dog person to better make a decision on a selecting one that would be a best fit for the family.   Take note: all dogs aren’t alike!

As much as we enjoy the pomp and circumstance surrounding the Show,  we are very disappointed with the AKC (American Kennel Club) decision to break its’ relationship with Pedigree on the grounds that their ads promoting adoption of shelter dogs, many of whom are mixed-breed, are not in line with the AKC’s mission of “celebrating” happy dogs especially of the pedigree variety.  This is sad and misguided as we believe both worlds can and MUST co-exist at the show .  At Brandy and Val, we have long been advocates of adopting shelter/rescue dogs and we have also noted on numerous occasions that almost every breed sports a rescue of its’ own for pedigree pooches who have also been abused, abandoned or given away.  Pedigree’s campaign brought awareness to the crisis of animal abuse and abandonment in this country and helped raise funds to support adoption programs.   Money and support is desperately needed to help these animals.   A recent NEW YORKT TIMES article and graph on charitable giving showed that in 2010 ONLY 2% of donations went towards animal rights and environmental issues.  (to see graph click on link in Multimedia area).

No living creature should be left to suffer.  Helpless animals need all of our support of love, money or both.  Brandy and Val are two real rescue dogs and it is through the sales of their books and toys that they help animal shelters and sanctuaries throughout the U.S.  Visit BrandyandVal.com to learn more about us.

*United Feature Syndicate, Inc.

It’s that time of year when everyone ramps up their charitable giving.  At Brandy and Val, LLC, our mission is “doing good where good is needed” and we practice that mantra year round as there is plenty of work to be done 24/7, 365 days a year!  With donating a portion of sales from our books to animal shelters and through our pet therapy duties, we hope to benefit the lives of animals, children and their families.  There are SO many good charities and causes out there do you ever wonder though, what a $100 donation can do?  Find a cause and MAKE IT HAPPEN for others this holiday season.

REAL SIMPLE magazine, in their December issue, had a really interesting page showcasing a few that I’ll share here:

BEST FRIENDS an animal sanctuary that Brandy and Val supports, can microchip 10 cats

READING IS FUNDAMENTAL can give away 50 children’s books in their effort to promote literacy (another cause Brandy and Val supports through Open Books in Chicago)

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS provides 3 first-aid kits, 24 blankets and 10 surgical scissors to communities in medical need

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY an organization who helped re-build hard hit areas affected by Hurricane Katrina and helps create housing worldwide can purchase 1 toilet, 2 hard hats and 3 hammers with your $100 donation.  (Val is a Katrina dog which is why we mention the Katrina connection)

A few others not in the article include:

CITYMEALS ON WHEELS can provide 20 holiday meals for home-bound elderly ($128 donation)

PETS ALIVE Animal sanctuary (we support them, too!) can sponsor 2 senior dogs in need of additional medical treatment to improve their quality of life

We are pleased to announce that yesterday, Brandy and Val, LLC, donated 100 of our books and 100 of our mini-toys to the TOYS FOR TOTS Holiday toy drive campaign.  Recent news broadcasts in the Chicago area foretold a bleak outlook for toy contributions this year and we were happy to lend a helping hand along with our books and toys!