A Place to Bark and Meow -- Animal Rescue Blog by Bernie Berlin

Monday, May 04, 2009

"Signs from Above"

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement

that something else is more important than fear"
—Ambrose Redmoon

Do you BELIEVE in Miracles? I do!!! I always have & always will..

Faith, Hope & Belief, is the only way we can create change, towards a better tomorrow.

My emotions lately have been tested to the extreme..

Nothing unusual for those of us who do rescue.

We all know it wears on your heart, mind & pocketbook.

This year especially has been a test of Faith and on this day, I was asking for answers and praying that we would not have to decrease our intake numbers due to our lack of donation funds.

But on this day, I asked for an answer from above and this is what I got...

It's really a bit crazy the way my life is, running all the time, between running this program and my professional life.

But this journey, is my life's passion, something I never planned...

Life sometimes takes you places you never thought and it has in my case:)

The rainbows arch went from the shelter to my Angel statue, then to the front of my house, before it disappeared.

There is actually a double rainbow if you look real hard.

So I will continue on and put doubt out of my mind... Work on plan B and BELIEVE:)

Everything will all work out, it has to!!!

I have been without internet for almost a month, so that is part of the reason I have been delayed to update the blog.

I've actually been more active on my FaceBook account, just because I can update it daily from my mobile phone.

These are many of the dogs that have been placed for adoption thru our shelter partnering program and some of the new faces.

It is almost impossible for me to keep up with their care, the photos, updates, transports, etc.

So if you are looking for a special dog, just send me an e-mail with what you are looking for and I can tell you what I have.

Enjoy the photos, these are the precious lives saved because of your donations:)

These are a few, of the many moms that were confiscated in a puppymill raid done by the ASPCA earlier this year.

All of the 11 mothers have been adopted out thru Anti Cruelty Society in Chicago and the babies will follow in early June.

We loved caring for them, but WOW what alot of work!!!

It took several months of round the clock veterinary care and lots of socialization and exposure to new things.

Despite the hardship they went thru, they have blossomed into the most loving, trusting dogs:)

Here is a video of one of our Fun Days with all of them!!!

I have to say with a heavy heart we will be closing up for about 3 months, starting June 2nd.

Unless by some miracle, we can raise the needed funds to continue on, taking in the 30-50 dogs each month. We are full to capacity with no more room to take in any more, even though the calls & pleas for help come in daily.

In the upcoming months we will focus on catching up on past due vet bills, raising money for the shelter, writing for grants and just getting a better plan together for the future of "A Place To BArk".

No matter what, it won't be for good, just for a short while to regroup & recharge our batteries so to speak, so that we can come back stronger than ever:)

Because the animals need us...

Together we make a difference!!!

P.S. Our matching grant for $10,000 will only be matched if we can raise $10,000 in donations. We are short about $2,500.00 as of this post. Any amount is appreciated, it all adds up!!!

***If you are a store owner and are interested in having me teach, please contact me at: aplacetobark@mac.com I will be looking to hit the road to raise money for the pooches!!!

Will be announcing teaching schedule for California, Massachusetts & Indiana in a week or two.

Edit: Eeeek!!!! Sorry some of the comments were rejected by accident:( Please forgive me!!!

I am without internet & trying to do this from my iphone, hit the wrong tiny button....

I'm hoping to have my internet back up by the end of May, have transports & animal care that come first. Note to self: Never accept a free modem upgrade it is NEVER free:(

:: posted @ 1:11 PM by Bernie Berlin::

COMMENTS:

Hi Bernie, when is the next art auction? Also, do you have a button I could place on my new blog to send people to your site?? Thanks! I want to help all I can. Kari xo

# posted by

Anonymous : May 04, 2009 7:25 PM

You are a saint. What lucky dogs. The girl would like to do a fundraiser for you... She is gonna email you.

# posted by

Sprite, the odd dog. : May 05, 2009 7:55 AM

photo #11 almost looks like a Bedlington Terrier which simultaneously gives me a lump in my throat and makes me feel like throwing up. What is wrong with people to treat creatures this way? My Bedlington is very precious to me.

# posted by

daisychainsnlaughs : May 05, 2009 11:16 AM

Bernie you are a miracle worker and I so appreciate how hard you work for these dogs. I think all of us do. I know another rescue that is also having to shut down temporarily this summer due to donations drying up - the economy is not helping the situation.

Best of luck to you, and thanks again for all you do.

jaime smith
http://thoughtsfurpaws.com

# posted by

Thoughts : May 05, 2009 3:07 PM

I wish there was more I could do to help. I so hate to see you close. I had hoped in the future to be able to contact you about a smaller version of what you do here in Texas. Wishing for a Miracle for you soon!

# posted by

Rainy : May 05, 2009 6:24 PM

we are so thankful for all that you do to save the animals!!!!!

# posted by

claudine hellmuth : May 05, 2009 8:39 PM

Bernie sorry to hear you are having monetary problems. I will make a donation after my next pay -- before your June deadline. I also wanted to buy a T from your Cafe Press store, but the link didn't work. Have you discontinued it?
sunmart4ATaoldotcom

# posted by

janice in detroit : May 07, 2009 8:43 AM

Love this post!!!

Glad to know your fighting to help rescue dogs and animals alike

Dogpile.com just launched a new site called http://www.DoGreatGood.com - and their donating a portion of there revenue to Petfinder and the ASPCA.

Great that theres a way we can help dog adoption programs at no cost.

Love the site - keep it up!!!

# posted by

FT : May 14, 2009 12:55 PM

You are an inspiration. Thank you so much for posting it. I am going to do whatever I can to help as well as spread the word.

# posted by

David : May 14, 2009 2:23 PM

Bernie, As promised I have mailed the check, you should get it Monday or Tuesday. I have fleece for dog/cat blankets, and will be happy to send it to you , cut into whatever sizes will suit you best. I have approximately 18 yards and it's 54/60 inches wide. Let me know at sunmart4 AT aol dotcom, I will cut it and send it.

# posted by

janice in detroit : May 15, 2009 11:06 AM

I think mine was one of the comments you rejected..I also said how I wish there was more I could do to help. I'm going to forward this post to everyone I know.

# posted by

David : May 17, 2009 1:15 PM

Hi Bernie, last saw you at class at Papertrix, Nashville IN. If you still want photo's by email of the collages I did there for consideration for your new book PLEASE advise privately by email below where to send ;-) I can't find your email address. Linda Robison Please come back soon! my email: lindarealtor@netnitco.net

# posted by

LindaR : May 17, 2009 2:02 PM

Hi Bernie,

We haven't written in a while but that doesn't mean that we aren't thinking of you and your fur babies! You and Jeff are constantly in our prayers. ...as are every little soul that passes into your loving arms. Scooter, Grace and I are waiting to see your teaching schedule so we can come visit you when you're in Massachusetts. Scooter is healthy, happy and a CONSTANT JOY! Remember to take care of yourself, it's the best gift you can give everyone who loves you, (including the four pawed ones.)

Hugs and kisses,
Diane, Grace & Scooter

# posted by

Anonymous : May 21, 2009 11:12 PM

Hi, if you are going to hold an auction or fundraiser, on of my clients is the tip cosmetic dentist in chicago... he would donate $500 gift certificates for you to auction off.

I am also ready willing and able to give you every penny of a fundraiser from my Silpada business... I only have the wholesale account to buy my jewelry at cost. ALSO if we get enough orders on the site, they send me free jewelry which you could auction....

I am a PR girl and can raise money... PLEASE put me to work...

# posted by

Ali : May 24, 2009 4:34 PM

Well I am all the way in Canada so I am not sure what all I can do to help. I support A Place to Bark at goodsearch but I realize you don't make much from that. I am not in a position to make a cash donation at this time but I am an artist (not your calibre but I try) and would be happy to make some things to auction off if that helps. I doubt that you remember me but some years back I took part in some swaps and you kindly sent me an email to let me know how well you thought my art was advancing and growing. Your comment made a great deal to me. I can try to locate some other donations for you as well if you are doing some sort of an auction or whatever...I doubt that I would find anything locally that would work for you but I have a lot of family in Arkansas and I might be able to mobilize them to action! Let me know what I can do! Bernie you are truly a living saint and there is a special place in heaven waiting for you. By the way, I wish I lived in the US. If available, I would so be on my way to come and get Wally. Naughty he may be but he is so adorable and I can tell that he is spunky and filled with personality! Plus naughty dogs pretty much fit in around here! lol
cydlee61@sympatico.ca

# posted by

Cyn Gagen : May 25, 2009 11:54 PM