Freedom is LOVE

Watch and you will see the love.
In fact, I'm pretty sure that you will not only see the love,
but you will FEEL it.
Because with Fences For Fido it's not just about changing the lives of the dogs that we meet,
it's about making a difference in the families and volunteers.
My heart is imprinted by each and every build.

There have been a lot of fences built throughout the beginning of 2014,
but here are just a few.

Enjoy!

Freedom is LOVE

By the Sea

Murphy and I breathe better along the Oregon Coast.
We just do.
I know that some people dream of a warm beach...
always sunny with water like a bath tub...
I like that too, for a fun vacation spot.
But when I want to relax and just breathe, I head here.

Perfection.
Just look at that sky!  Look!

Warm?

That day, yes.  

A perfect 60 degrees, and for this gal it was warm.

Don't judge me...Spring has just started and it's been chilly.

So, yes...it was warm.

The next day, no.

But that is the beauty of visiting the Oregon Coast!

One day, sunny and warm, 

then the next it's stormy with thunder and a little lightning.

But Murph and I don't dwell on the quick weather changes, we just roll with it.

Because nothing...
and I mean NOTHING,
makes us more happy than paws in the sand.

We play.
He runs like the wind with nothing in his way.

There isn't a care in the world when we're by the sea.

Sometimes I swear he take flight across the sand...zooooooooooom!

Nothing wipes the smile off our faces.

How can you not smile while watching pure joy explode all around you?

You can't! 

When I see this,

it is bliss.

And I breathe better...

by the sea.

Along Came Moose

Every day is a chance for something to change.

Many days might seem mundane,

But this day was definitely not that.

Actually, whenever I build a fence it feels like Christmas morning.

And this morning is extra special, 

because I've been waiting for the perfect dog to sponsor a build for...

specifically a border collie who needed space to run free from a chain.

And along came Moose.

His human heard about Fences For Fido on 99.5 The Wolf,

And applied for our help.

After a few road bumps,
and the unrelenting dedication of Jessica, Andrea, and Larry, who worked tirelessly to actually make it happen...

The day had finally arrived for this sweet, shy and very nervous boy.
So, we cut, build, and tie...

Making a safe place for Moose to run.

All the while, Moose is hanging out, prancing...supervising our progress.
Are we doing ok Moose?
Yeah...I thought you'd like it.

Then it was the moment of truth...

FREEDOM!

Moose was a bit unsure of his new area, 

but he soon became more comfortable and explored.

So, THANK YOU!  From me and Moose for making this fence possible.

We both are overjoyed with the love and support of all of YOU!

I may look happy in this picture, but nothing makes me happier than this...

...a useless chain. 

Now that is something to really celebrate! 

Want to see more useless chains? 

Join in the fun and volunteer with us at Fences For Fido.

It will change lives...yours and the dog you help.

That promise is guaranteed.

Lessons from Grandma

 Happy 103rd Birthday to my Grandma Mary.

No, I'm not going to list 103 different pieces of advice.
Though I'm sure that if I really thought about it,
I could think of 103 things that my grandma Mary has told me about life.
But that's not going to happen.
Instead, I'm going to give you the top, most memorable advice.

5. Move.

A little every day.
Grandma was never one for formal exercise,
but she was always moving.
Whether it was gardening, walking her dog, or dancing around her living room, she moved.
Even at her birthday on Saturday, she refused to sit down very often because, "Honey.  I gotta keep moving and keep the circulation going."

4. Have a little snort.
Yes, Grandma says, "Drink a little."
Up until she turned 100 she would have a little bit of Brandy each day.
There must be something to that,
because doctors have also given that advice.
Thanks, Doctor Mary.

3. Vitamins.
Take them.
Take them all, everyday.
I actually don't know how many vitamins she takes on a daily basis.
It's a lot.
Handfuls.
I suggest starting out with a multi-vitamin and then add a vitamin every year of your life.
Then, by the time you're her age, you will be taking the same amount she does.


2. Apple Cider Vinegar is the elixir of life.
She drinks it everyday.
A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with honey helps in digestion,
and is what she claims has helped her stay healthy all of these years.

1. Athletics:
And my favorite piece of advice...given to the guests at her 88th birthday while she was a little tipsy. :)
"Honey.
Let me tell you.
Never.
And I mean NEVER go bowling in a strapless bra.
As soon as you go to release the ball, WHOOPS!!
Your boobs pop right out of the top!"

Ha!
Thanks Grandma.
That advice has stayed with me all of these years.
And yes, I have followed that advice explicitly.

Do Something.

Anything.

Just do something to help someone else.

It sounds so simple, but people come up with excuses to avoid it.

And I get it.

The weekend is your time.  

Time that you get to do whatever you want, 

and relaxing is high on most of our lists.

But have you tried volunteering for something that you love?

You must love something...

a passion that would benefit others?

You know what my main passion is...

this is it.  

My heart and my life...

it's all about the love of dogs.

Especially dogs in need.

No matter how stressful my week is,

when I get to Saturday...I can feel myself relax.

It's rejuvenating to help others.

No really...it is.

Try it and you'll see.

This week it is all about Moose.

Moose is a young Border Collie living life outdoors at the end of a chain.

Near his home is a very, VERY busy highway, so running free for this dog is extremely dangerous.

Therefore, tied up is the life that Moose knows.

His human loves him, and Moose loves his person, but like so many people

his person doesn't have the means to provide him a safe place to play and run.  Moose's human is struggling...and well, fences are expensive.

But, that's where Fences for Fido can help.  
And this is the build that is being built because of this...

 and because of YOU!  Yes, YOU!!  

This fence is being funded by all of you who have supported my bake sales 

and have consumed mass amounts of sugar and love.

THANK YOU!!

So many people have helped with this build, including my students.

A small group of dog loving kids painted this house just for Moose.

How cute is this?!

Phase 1: Post Setting for Moose.

It was a very wet day, but that doesn't stop us.

Nope. Not us.

We have waterproof gear 

and we are always prepared to use it.

Due to the heavy rains, there was a river running through the property...which actually worked out well for preparing concrete and washing tools.

Reusable and sustainable.

Boom!

See, we're not scared of a little water or mud.

We're here for the dogs.

Nothing will stop the dedicated volunteers with Fences for Fido.

The river may run through this fence, 

but I was sinking in the mud...that's what's happening above.

Ah...now that's a group.

Thank you to all my beloved friends here and all around.

You have made my life so full 

and I'm so thankful for every minute.

Want to learn more about how you can help us?

There are so many ways!

Check out the website at www.fencesforfido.org

or on Facebook

Believe me, little things make a difference.

Just because you don't have a lot, 

doesn't mean that you can't do something.

All my love,

Lori