Seeing into darkness is clarity . . .
This is called practicing eternity . . .

--Lao-Tzu

Friday, May 23, 2014

Speak! at the Columbus Pet Expo!


 

Lotte Moon, always smiling
 




This was Lottie's third year at the Columbus Pet Expo, and the first year that she was officially representing Speak! For the Unspoken, Good Deeds and Special Needs Rescue.  Two years ago, Lottie and I attended as part of the Petsmart booth, and last year we attended as representatives of the brand-new rescue, Speak!, but we didn't actually have a booth.  We just walked around wearing our Speak! shirts, and showing everyone how amazing the white blind/deaf dogs are.  We were such a hit last year, we knew having a booth would really be the bomb!  So our third year was busy and colorful, and all the Speak! dogs really outdid themselves -- We were a hit! 
Lottie and Kimba "watching" Joe just out of frame!


The booth was so visually stunning, but even the brilliant colors couldn't outshine our white dogs.  Lottie loves this work, she really enjoys showing everyone how amazing she is, I just love to watch her in action.


Lottie loves this work.
   
Kimba with Lottie



 
                                                                                                This year was Joe's first year, and he was just as amazing to watch as the dogs.  He brought his blind/deaf puppy, Kimba, and had a blast talking to people and showing them how incredible our double merle dogs are.   
Lottie and Kimba showing off their skills for treats



Kimba's PR debut
 
Kimba was remarkable.  She, like Lottie, loves the attention and seems to really understand her role in educating the public that double merles are not dogs to feel sorry for!  They don't know they have disabilities, and they are the happiest, sweetest dogs you'll meet.
 
 

  








Cowboy working the booth
  
 Cowboy attended on Sunday, and this gorgeous boy had no trouble attracting admirers.     After 3 days of PR, all the Speak! dogs were tired, but happy, and no doubt dreaming of next year. . .  
Lottie with Cowboy, exhausted on the way home





My favorite photo from the weekend.  Little Kimba showing she is truly magical!






Lottie and Kimba

May I help you?

 



Dahlia and Lottie Moon

There's a lot of cuteness in the Speak! booth

Me and my girl



Lottie "watching" the border collie frisbe demo
 


Lottie loves this work


The best booth at the Expo!


Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Windsor Place





Three deaf and blind dogs, three women, and a small car made a trip to Lancaster, Ohio to visit with the residents of Windsor Place assisted living. And we all had a blast!








 
It had been a while since Lottie and I had done any PR work—most of our Speak! events over the last several months involved adoption. Lottie loves to meet and greet people and show them how happy and awesome she is, so it was time. 
Gus the lap dog


We were invited by Colleen, who adopted Gus from Speak! last year, to come and visit with the residents and talk about our double merles. I used to do a lot of assisted living visits when I was at the humane society, and this visit was no surprise. Like previous visits I have done, it was a big event for Windsor Place, with more people showing up than usually come to their events. People came who rarely or never attend events, and people who rarely talk opened up and talked with us about the dogs, and about dogs they have known. There is just something about the dogs that open peoples’ hearts and bring out their soul. I’m sure the folks of Windsor Place are still talking about the pretty white blind and deaf dogs .
Dahlia does her thing
Lottie

Dahlia and Lottie
Tired girl on the way home