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

Thursday, December 31, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! From: A Place To Bark

A happy New Year!!! Grant that I may bring no tear to any eye...

When this New Year in time shall end. Let it be said I've played the friend.

Have lived & loved & labored here & made of it a HAPPY Year! ~Edgar Guest

In the blink of an eye...

Another year passed.

WoW!!! And what a year it's been!!!

Never have I worked so hard & felt so behind...

But it's all about lessons, this life, this journey.

I've learned so much, this past year & even as old as I get, I'm always learning something new:)

First I want to say "Thank YOU!!!!" to all who visit & read this blog...

Your support, friendship & constant compassion helps me continue on & find strength daily.

Thank you seems so inadequate, but please know, I do appreciate you so very, very much!!!

As so far behind as I get, my disappearances from the blog & my e-mail, I'm learning to find balance & will one day master it:)

This year in a nutshell, has been our most AMAZING ever...

I'm still wondering how we did, what we've done.

The sleepless nite, the non stop round the clock, care, cleaning, etc..

All pays off & we have saved 611 dogs this year & 42 cats.

Here are some of our highlights:

We were able to assist the animals in need saved by The Humane Society of the United States this past year on 2 separate occasions. Here are a few before & afters:

Just a few of our HAPPY videos. The dogs from the confiscation above & their progress:)
Learning to trust again: A Tail wag first...
And we're UP!!! On the road back to trusting people

The other assist was a Horse rescue where 84 horses were saved in Tennessee.

At this confiscation several dogs that we took in and cared for have now been adopted!!!

Here is one of their before & after pics:

I've been at almost every confiscation done by HSUS in Tennessee over the past few years.

The people who have dedicated their lives and live most of it on the road, saving these helpless creatures, get my deepest respect. I'm blessed to know many of them & call them friend.

Until the day there are no more in need, together we work together, cry together & pray for a better future...

This is just a few of the many dedicated AMAZING people on the HSUS Emergency Services Team, led by Scotlund Haisley.

Next I want to introduce you to some AMAZING kids!!!

They have presented us with a $1000.00 donation this Holiday season.

Their organization Assist A Pet believes in our vision!!!

In 2010 we will be partnering with Audrey, Andrea & Jack to make

a difference via our social networks.
These driven kids are going to be our spokes kids for a new website we will be launching later in the year, dedicated to everyone coming together to make a difference, via our social networks. Focusing on being socially responsible, spreading awareness & believing in a common vision of saving Lives everyday & the end of needless killing of shelter pets!!!
"A Revolution For Life" begins at "A Place To Bark"!!! Stay Tuned it will be VERY exciting:)
Our younger generation will lead this revolution...

Another puppymill confiscation where 285 dogs were saved by the ASPCA in February of 2009. Another AMAZING group!!! I don't know what would happen to the world without this animal welfare organizations....
We took in 28 of these dogs who were all extremely emaciated & extremely pregnant.
All of which left healthy, loved & have ALL have been adopted!!!

A VERY special THANK YOU to PetSmart Charities!!!

Without their support we would have never been able to care for the medical needs of so many of these dogs.

This is one of the babies who is now an adult & happily living with artist Julie Bergmann & her family. Pom Pom is very loved & spoiled as all dogs should be:)
Another artist Sue Pelletier has sweet Eloise who also was born out of that horrible situation. Both live perfect lives & for that I am forever grateful!!! Thanks for adopting instead of buying:)

The key to our success is networking & working together. Sometimes we don't see eye to eye, but the bottom line is, we have to learn to agree to disagree and keep working towards the common cause & vision. That is to end the needless killing. The only way it will happen is by EVERYONE working together. So that is what we try to focus on everyday!

Here's a little video on our daily efforts in making a difference where we live, by working with the Sumner County Sheriff's Dept Animal Control.

They deliver dogs weekly to our rescue & help us save lives.

Our partnering shelter Anti Cruelty Society in Chicago is really who makes us successful.

They have the staff & facilities to place the hundreds of animals we save yearly.
By coming together, each doing our part, to get these animals healthy & well adjusted, it becomes a win/win for the animals, adopters & the humane society.

This is the wave of the future!!! The collaborative efforts SAVE lives!!!

The staff keeps me updated on my animals via my Facebook, Twitter & my social networks.
If one does not shelter well, it is returned to us, for private placement.

As you can see, I'm proud to call these people my friends!!!

How could we not be, after all, what feels better than saving life...

Yes, shelter policies and procedures are changing!!!

But we have to BELIEVE & be the CHANGE, if we expect to see it!!!

The extreme emotion & hard work it takes to run a rescue successfully & the huge numbers we have been taking has been taking it's toll on me... But the vision is almost complete.

The matching grant from the Zoline Foundation & your donations have brought us to a place we can continue to finish the shelter.

I'm not sure yet, if we've met the match, but whatever the case, we are grateful for whatever we have collected:) In the next few months, we will have walls, plumbing, electric, heating & air!!! All that will left to finish will be the veterinary equipment, washer/dryer, dishwasher, stainless steel sinks, kennels & veterinary cages. So much to do in the next few months, but we are almost there!!! WooHoo!!!:)
It's been a tough year for all & financially everyone has been stretched, but you've come together for us and it's been a MIRACLE to say the least. Again: "THANK YOU ALL!!!"

A final note is truly CHERISH each and every moment you have with your pets!

I lost my BIG guy Zeus this year....

While the void in my heart will never heal, his memory lives on in each and every animal that I come in contact with.

Till we meet again at the The Rainbow Bridge. I will miss you're snoring & smelly feet everyday:)

These faces here, each & everyone you see... You've helped me save by donating!!!

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!

MAY YOU ALL HAVE THE MOST WONDERFUL NEW YEAR AHEAD!!!

HERE'S TO A GREAT "2010"!!!

RESCUE, FOSTER & ADOPT!!! TILL THERE ARE NO MORE HOMELESS PETS...

P.S. If I have forgotten something or someone, please forgive me, I'm writing this on the run, from a hotel on the road between my transport & home:)

Labels: Highlights, New Year 2009

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

COMMENTS:

you rock! little miss eloise is well! it is snowing but she has a pink fleece jacket so she is styling! i wish i could do more for you! we are soo happy to have eloise!

# posted by

sue pelletier : December 31, 2009 7:25 PM

When you mentioned Zeus and his smelly feet it brought back such vivid memories of my dear Oliver whose smelly feet were a joy.
God Bless You for all you have done and are doing.

# posted by

Neet : December 31, 2009 7:27 PM

You are so amazing with all you do. I wish I could donate more to help you with your work. I will continue to give as often as I can in the coming year to help you finish your shelter.

# posted by

Jane : December 31, 2009 9:01 PM

Sent a small contribution last night-wishing there was more I could do this year, but have a daughter heading to study in Italy in a few days. She has drained the savings! My rescue dog turned one before Christmas-had it not been for your message, I would not have the best darn dog in the universe!!

# posted by

Evidence of an Artistic Life : December 31, 2009 9:06 PM

Just found your blog from another and have to just say a big THANK YOU for doing what you do. Anybody who helps animals is a wonderful person in my book. My prayer is for you and all the other shelters to not even be needed because there are no homeless animals anywhere and that those animals are in LOVING homes. Wouldn't that be wonderful???!!!

# posted by

Angie : January 01, 2010 2:13 AM

Happy new year! Keep up the good work!

# posted by

The Oceanside Animals : January 01, 2010 1:06 PM

I found your blog from Tim Holtz blog and I just want to give you praise for all the wonderful work you do. I'm a volunteer at the CT Humane Society, I help with animal transports and I try and fundraise for animals here. Thank you for all you do and I'll keep you in my prayers along with all the animals you help.

Maria

# posted by

Maria@Crafty Cre8tions : January 01, 2010 2:25 PM

Words cannot express my heartfelt thanks for all you and your organization do for the animals! May the no-kill movement spread far and wide! Bless you and Happy New Year!

Angela Jordan
Knoxville, TN

# posted by

ajordan : January 01, 2010 3:20 PM

love you Bernie! thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do!!!

# posted by

Kelly Snelling : January 01, 2010 7:03 PM

I wish you a great new year Bernie. Thanks for all you and your helpers do for the dogs, cats, horses and more.

# posted by

Allie Gower : January 02, 2010 12:19 PM

Happy New Year to you all - I just adore your blog and love seeing the progress of your shelter and the animals you save - You truly are their angel...
I support and sponsor a dog via Dogs Trust in the UK..
Wishing you all the success you deserve in 2010

Dawn

# posted by

Dawn : January 03, 2010 11:54 AM

You have so many thanks from people and obvious lists and lists of pet lovers. The question I have is always "where do you begin?" because it's endless isn't it? We have always adopted,have 5 now and yet it's endless. So your try to do more & do what you can. Thank you. Jennifer

# posted by

Jennifer : January 04, 2010 1:22 PM

I make my own cards and very often they have dogs and cats on them - they sell in shops in our area - if I send some to your donation site - would there be a way for them to be sold to make money for your causes? I'd love to help... Jennifer

# posted by

Jennifer : January 08, 2010 1:37 PM

So much fantastic work you do, Bernie... please... where is your "Follow" button so I can follow your blog on mine??

# posted by

sMacThoughts : January 08, 2010 10:12 PM

Oh Bernie, I saw the HSUS video on those dogs in TN and am so thrilled to have some followup; I never made the connection between that raid and your place in TN. I'm so glad you could help and I'm so happy to see the progress you've made with them. I'll help as much as I can this year.

did you make your matching? I campaigned as hard as I could for you everywhere....

much love, marcia in colorado

# posted by

Anonymous : January 10, 2010 1:39 AM

Bernie - I wish I could show you in dollars how highly I think of what you and your friends do. I have 3 dogs and 2 cats and wish I could add some more to our family. I promise that when the time comes I will be calling you. I wish your shelter success in the coming year and good health to you and yours.
Sincerely,
Michelle

# posted by

Michelle : January 16, 2010 1:14 AM

We love you Bernie! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Lots of love,

Holly and Albie Boy (Rescue Sweetheart)

# posted by

Holly Loves Art : January 28, 2010 1:09 AM

That video was heartbreaking! I found your website from Claudia.

# posted by

Jennifer DeDonato : May 11, 2010 9:42 AM

This group should be appreciated for their effort which they have done to save the dogs and give them proper care and food

# posted by

gesundes Katzenfutter : June 20, 2010 4:47 AM

I’m really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one today.

# posted by

Animal Rescue : October 02, 2011 11:14 PM