Fundraising Never Stops!

The first thing on the agenda this morning was to pick up another LA Breakfast Club Foundation application now that I have a nonprofit to back me. Thanks again to The Brittany Foundation! I filled out the app but want to add a photo and a copy of the surgeon's estimate, so it may be next week before that's turned in.

At a BBQ this weekend I offered to dispose of the recycling from the party if my friend would allow me to donate the proceeds to Claire's fund. My car now smells like old, hot beer, but Claire has $15 more towards her surgery!

I initiated the process of grant application with The Pet Fund via phone call as per their rules. I also completed the UAN application online, and submitted an application to Actors and Others for Animals via online form.

My neighbor kindly let me fax off the grant application to the Onyx & Breezy Foundation from her house. It was late in the afternoon, so I'll have to follow up with them in the morning.

I called the Zoom Room Hollywood location, but I haven't managed to hit it when the franchise owner was in. That's still on the follow-up list for now.

I figured out how to add a banner for Big Dog t-shirt company to the blog, so you can now shop to benefit Claire by clicking through from SponsorClaire.blogspot.com! Of course, these are people products, but I'm betting Claire would buddy right up to the Big Dog if she met him, so go right ahead and do so yourself! Please visit the blog and check out the sidebar for some more Claire-friendly shopping.

Chance got his monthly non-anesthetic teeth cleaning this afternoon at Pet Haven in Burbank, but for now I've had to discontinue that for Claire--she's so wiggly I'm afraid there would be further damage to her back. I'm still concerned about dental buildup, especially since Claire has had the root canal in the past. If you have an IVDD pup, how do you groom them, especially nail trimming? Please leave a comment with your suggestions!

I had a union meeting in the evening, and it was once again far too hot to be active in the daytime, so the dogs haven't seen much of me today. I think I'll go for some cuddles before crashing. Gardening to do tomorrow~

After the Holiday

(my little Illini, Jan. 2010)

Busy day today! For me, at least, if not for Claire....I contacted Dr Gorgi again regarding direct donations. They've spoken to the hospital manager, who will seek the approval of the Regional Manager when they meet this coming Friday. Such a long process, but I just need to keep following up.

Tried again throughout the day to get the Paypal verification done--still waiting for the small deposits to be placed into my account that I can then report to Paypal to be verified. The holiday may have slowed it down this time. If I don't see anything tomorrow, I can again contact Paypal.

I also placed wanted listings on Freecycle.org for a pet stroller so I can continue to take Claire on our walks, and for empty jars/cans that I can make into banks to be placed at local businesses.

I contacted The Brittany Foundation over the weekend. Spoke with their head person today, and they will sponsor our grant application to the LA Breakfast Club!

Disappointingly, Claire and I received an email denial letter from The Mosby Foundation. We were turned down due to a lack of resources within the foundation.

I visited the local pet store I went to on Friday, when the manager wasn't in. Spoke to her personally today, and she will consider whether or not to allow me to place a donation jar for Claire near their register. I have to check back with her later in the week.

And, I finished off my 2010 taxes, so I can apply to other foundations in earnest starting tomorrow. I know this week will be the most intense in terms of fundraising for Claire. I'm trying hard not to pin all my hopes on this effort, but I think it's our best shot.

The weather is waning--it was only 90 degrees today! I'm sure it felt like more in the apartment, but I'm still providing pedialyte along with water, running the ceiling fan in the bedroom, and watering the yard a bit to keep things moist. I'd like to limit my hours away even further so I can leave both the doors open for ventilation, but certain things need to be done right now. And, truthfully, we've weathered even hotter days here in the past, though with Claire on bedrest, I'm unable to steal the dogs away into air conditioning elsewhere. One summer I frequented a Barnes and Noble cafe with the dogs in their "L.A." carrier, which looked like a trendy purse.

Grant Sources, Pet Stores, and Homeopathic Meds

(Claire with her ornament mini-me, Christmas 2010)

Started the day early Wednesday morning at the LA Breakfast Club meeting in Los Feliz. Since Claire is a therapy dog serving the community, I thought I might have a chance at a grant from the Rotary-like organization. They reaffirmed that I'd have a good shot, but unfortunately, they don't fund individuals. So I'd have to find a nonprofit or rescue group under whose guise I can complete the application. I left with a copy of the application to complete at home, then spent a couple hours after I got home extending feelers to rescue groups, to no avail. Since I left a lot of messages I'm hoping one will get back to me soon.

This was Claire's first day on homeopathic meds. I was worried about the Dismuzyme pill because it is so big--too big to be dropped down Claire's throat--and she has food allergies making hiding the pill difficult. But she gulped it right down along with her regular food, no problem. The Traumeel, on the other hand, did not go over well. It's to be sprayed by dropper onto her gums and absorbed through her mucous membranes three times a day, but Claire does Not like anything sprayed at her. I'll keep trying to get her used to it.

I was just leaving the house when I got a phone call from Annie over at Pet Haven. I'd placed a donation jar just the day before, and she was calling to let me know that her first customer of the day had dropped in $10! It was the encouragement I needed to give me confidence to approach the next business.

Jennifer at C&C Pet Food on 3820 W. Verdugo Ave in Burbank is our newest sponsoring business! She placed a donation jar at the register for me in the afternoon. Please shop at all our sponsors--they are Claire's guardian angels!