4 The Love of Animals- animal rescue, wildlife, pets, and more!

Here is wishing you, and your animal companions, a very Merry Christmas, and a prosperous and happy 2008! Let’s make this a great year for animals and people. There are so many great charities working on behalf of our animal friends, it’s been a pleasure to support and help spread the word this past year. There are exciting reviews and giveaways coming up for this blog, so stay tuned! For now though, we are going to take a little break and enjoy the holiday season!

Brickfish has a contest going on until the end of the month, so if you look like your pet be sure to hop over to and enter! Here is the info:

Description:   Submit the best photo of your doggie duplicate or feline facsimile and be judged on similarity. If you and your pet have the best matching mugs you could win!

Rewards: Grand Prize: One winner, chosen by PawsConnect.com, wins pet food for a year!

Most Viral: The entry that gets the most attention across the internet, wins a “Birthday in a Bowl” package or their pet including a PawsConnect Pet Photo Bowl, party favors, gourmet cookies, cupcakes, pizza, beer and more!

Sweepstakes: Sign up at PawsConnect.com with the coupon code “PAWS” AND enter or review in this campaign for your chance at $250 or $500 scholarship/cash. *See sweepstakes rules for specific details.

Duration: November 15, 2007 12:00 AM (PST) - December 31, 2007 11:30 PM (PST)

How to Submit:

   1. Grab your pet and strike a pose!

   2. Click the Submit Entry tab and follow the steps provided.

   3. Tell friends to come to Brickfish and vote for your entry!

 Requirements:   Single photo entry must be of you and your pet. Separate photos of you and your pet should be entered as an album.

Legal Notice: No purchase necessary. Open to anyone who has access to the Internet, and is 14 or older at the time of entry. Click here to view the complete campaign rules and regulations. Campaign ends on December 31, 2007. *Sweepstakes winners must be 18 or older and reside in the Continental U.S. See rules for complete details.

Studio 904 salon owner Kay Hirai came to a profound realization–her Jack Russell Terrier, Yumi, was the four legged embodiment of all she had incorporated into her successful business during the last 20 years. That realization led to Hirai to author Yumi’s Life Lessons, a book detailing the six principles Kay observed and learned from Yumi during her life.

Hirai also believes every person and animal fortunate enough to have a good life should become a part of her network in giving back. Hirai relates, “I used to always tell Yumi how lucky she was to be owned by me and would often wonder what Yumi could do to affect a change for the better for other animals who are not as fortunate.”

Her answer to her own question became Yumi’s Life Lessons. In keeping with the principles outlined in the book, 10% of all proceeds from the book are donated directly to Pasado’s Safe Haven; thus far, Hirai has raised more than $3,000 for Pasado’s.

Pasado’s worked hand in hand with Washington State Legislators and Governor Lowery to pass The Pasado Law, in 1994. Pasado’s Law is rightfully credited with the successful prosecution and conviction of dozens of animal abuse cases and has moved Washington State to the forefront of animal rights. Pasado’s Safe Haven currently operates a shelter in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, providing 24-hour rescue of abused, neglected or abandoned dogs, cats, and factory-farmed animals.

On Wednesday, November 13th, Hirai is giving Pasado’s Safe Haven a check for $2,000, the proceeds raised to date from book sales.

Yumi’s Life Lessons goes hand in hand with Hirai’s use of Kaizen in her successful award-winning business. Kaizen is a Japanese term meaning life-long learning in small, incremental steps with a focus on continuous improvement.

Hirai considers Kaizen to be an integral part of any thriving small business and proves the theory in her own business, Studio 904. In addition to offering a full range of salon services, her business philosophy stresses building long-term customer relations through unique one-on-one training with each of her employees, as well as the salon’s clients.

Kay’s successful use of the Kaizen philosophy has been recognized by Seattle’s business community as well as publications such as Working Mother, Day Spa, and Self. Taking the concept into the community, she also offers programs such as “You’re Looking Good,” to provide haircuts to hundreds of disadvantaged children in the Seattle area.

Hirai recognized that these same principles were also traits her beloved Terrier, who passed away in 2005, consistently displayed. An affectionate and agile, energetic bundle of love, Yumi became Hirai’s unlikely teacher. Hirai’s book, Yumi’s Life Lessons, is her loving tribute to both Yumi and to the philosophy which guides both her life and business.

Wouldn’t this book make a lovely Christmas gift for an animal lover? It would be the perfect stocking stuffer, and I love that part of the sales goes towards animal rescue. Way to go Kay Hirai, keep up the wonderful work!

Purina has some great programs going to help pets and people who love them. Visit this link to learn more and find out what you can do to help. They have a lot of support for rescue groups, including Rally To Rescue, which helps rescue groups with financial support, promotion, and event support. So be sure to check it out and apply if you can!

Way to go Purina!

This little dog bed is just too cute! It’s a woody, the classic car that all surfers just love. And what pup wouldn’t love to ride to dreamland in one of these? I just think it’s adorable. It could be a great gift for a car lover, a surfer, or anyone else with a pup who already has everything.

This is super fun and cute… who would your pet vote for? I have no idea who our pets would vote for, but it sure would be fun to think about and enter the contest.

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