Donations needed and appreciated

In the past few weeks, we have been inundated with unexpected expenses. I have been so busy, the cats are handling the desk work.

It all started with a food run and a blown tire. The good news was that I had really great help replacing the tire, and we got a whole pallet of dog food.

Then our computer totally took a nose dive. Had to have it wiped and reloaded. GAH! During that waiting period, I finally moved the MABCR offices out of the house and into the new/old office. Of course we needed some new equipment, fortunately some of it was donated (a spanking new wireless printer) but we are still in need of a wireless signal booster (new or gently used) for our wireless...

Apparently all of that is not enough...last week I arrived home after work to find no water pressure...and while trying to clean kennels ran out of water. If that wasn't fun! So, three days later we had a new pump installed. I was sure glad, and so were the pups!

In addition to those pocket drainers, these guys arrived:

And these guys are on their way here (ok, so this guy and another guy I don't have a photo of):

So you can see, we could really use some help....if you have a few dollars to chip in the kitty (pun intended) we'd really appreciate it. If you'd prefer to donate goods, we are in need of the following:

• a wireless signal booster 
• 16 and 18 inch 'No Slip" Collars
• Extra Large Milk Bones
• Bully Sticks
• Acme or Fresh and Green Gift card to purchase raw bones and yogurt
• Scotch Brite sponge/scrubbers
• Comfortis Tablets, largest size
• Bleach

As always, we thank you for your support.

(stay tuned for details coming on a November 11 Collies and Coffee JR Work Day)

Good Search -- A Free Way to Support Us!

Just got a note from "Good Search" and discovered that four of our supporters are using the Good Search tools and have generated a $40 donation check for MABCR!! How cool is that? MABCR garners a donation each time you search using the Good Search tool bar with no effort from you! Thanks!

Mid Atlantic Border Collie Rescue - MABCR - Free Way to Support Us!:

"Raise money for Mid Atlantic Border Collie Rescue - MABCR each time you search the Internet or shop online!"

Every time you shop online or search the internet, a donation will be made to MABCR. With the holiday shopping season quickly approaching, that can add up to quite a bit of moolah.

Here’s how:

GoodShop.com works with more than 2,500 stores (including Target, Apple, Petsmart etc..) and every time you purchase something, a percentage will be donated to us! And, even more exciting, GoodShop also offers over 100,000 of the most up-to-date coupons and free shipping offers so you can save money at the same time. It’s win win.

GoodSearch is a Yahoo powered search engine which makes a donation to us each time you do a search.

Join the rest of our community in using these sites to help us easily raise money for our mission. Get started by clicking the “Become a Supporter” button on our profile page (www.mabcr.org)!

'via Blog this'

Safe, Secure and Smart (and Free) Ways to Give

Why We Trust (and LOVE) iGive.com: 

Established in 1997, iGive is the first online shopping mall where a portion of each purchase benefits the shopper's favorite cause. iGive members have raised over $5 million for charities across the U.S. and Canada, and this small army of caring shoppers have become an influential force in the internet marketplace. Over 900 of the web's best stores have come to recognize the value of iGive shoppers, and this allows iGive to negotiate some of the best donation rates and exclusive coupons for its members. As an added bonus, when you shop through iGive you always have the extra support of their highly responsive customer service team, just in case something goes amiss.

An iGive member cause since August 2005, iGive searches and purchases have raised nearly $1500 for MABCR. Interestingly, the majority of this income has happened because of only a few dedicated iGive users. I can't imagine the income that would be generated if more of our supporters used the iGive service. Remember, it isn't the shopper making the donation, it is the webstore that gives a portion of each purchase...a win/win!!

Create your free iGive account. After that, all you need do is shop through the iGive.com website, newsletters, or install the optional iGive Button* to make sure you never miss an opportunity to raise money when you shop online. It’s all automatic, and it's all free of charge. iGive lets you control your membership information with a private password. You can review your store visits and purchase/donation history, and confirm the total amount raised and distributed to your cause. iGive values your privacy and will never release shopper information without consent. And there are no hidden fees or extra costs when you shop through iGive.

Start iGiving at: www.iGive.com/MABCR

*The iGive Button is an optional feature. You can use iGive without installing the Button - just remember to go through the iGive website or e-mail newsletters to get credit for your donation. To learn more, visit: http://www.igive.com/button

iGive

Hi there!

I wanted to remind you all about a cool way to help raise money for Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue. I 'make' a donation every time I shop online, and I think you should check it out.  iGive.com helps me earn a donation for MABCR every time I shop at any of their 926 participating stores at no additional cost to me.

On top of that, if you make a purchase through iGive within 45 days of joining, they'll donate an EXTRA $5 to your favorite cause! With 926 stores in the iGive Mall, it's easy to find the things you need AND raise money for a good cause.

HOW IT WORKS:

1.  Join iGive.com to support Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue.  It's free, safe, and easy to join.  Use this link:

http://www.iGive.com/welcome/warmwelcome.cfm?c=32672&m=411967

2.  Shop through iGive.com's online mall

The iGive Mall features over 900 trusted online retailers like Amazon.com, Staples, Nordstrom, JCPenney, Expedia.com, Barnes & Noble, QVC, & PETsMART to name just a few! You'll NEVER pay more when you reach these stores through iGive.com. And if you take advantage of the coupons and free shipping deals posted at iGive, you might even save a few bucks!

3.  Watch the $$ roll in for Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue!

Up to 26% of EACH purchase through iGive benefits your cause. Make that first purchase within 45 days and get a bonus $5 donation, too!

I have used iGive for about four years now, it is a great service, it helps our dogs, and it is safe (you actually give nothing, the participating stores do!)

I hope to see you at iGive.com soon!

- Sarah

P.S. iGive.com would like you to know that all the causes at iGive.com have been listed by members for their own and others' benefit. They don't endorse the causes, and the causes don't endorse them. But I DO! So, c'mon, click on that link above.

August Eight Fundraising Update

Just wanted to give you all an update from yesterday...We are about half way to our goal. Please keep sharing around, about 1/4 of the donations have come from 'strangers' which means that you sharing the blog post helps us raise more funds!

MABCR must have $125 quickly (by Monday or Tuesday) for the initial transport and medicals, and an additional $700 for the remaining medicals and spay/neuters for the entire litter. If everyone that cared and was able would chip-in a teeny bit, it will all add up quickly.

Donations can be made through paypal, through our website, or by mailing a check to:

MABCR

24420 Chestertown Road

Chestertown MD 21620

Thanks so much for considering...

Jane Update and Wine Bin Yappy Hour Fun!

On First Friday in June, MABCR visited the Wine Bin in Ellicott City Maryland. The owners of the Wine Bin are staunch rescue supporters, and hold fundraisers throughout the warm months to help their rescue friends. MABCR is fortunate to be among those friends.

The evening was lovely and warm, but not too warm to prevent a passel of peeps and a pack of dogs from attending. Our evening was very successful and a fundraising record for a Yappy Hour was achieved! Thanks to the staff of the Wine Bin, the friends who helped pour the wine and beer, and to the MABCR volunteers and supporters who came out for the evening.

Also in attendance was Miss Jane.

Who of course was a star!

And did very well during her first public appearance as an MABCR Rescue Dog.

Maes didn't think Jane should have all of the attention, so stole her toy.

Then tried to hide it!

Our evening at the Wine Bin was very successful. For those of you who enjoy the evenings out, our next official visit to the Wine Bin will be the First Friday in October. Mark your calendars, a fun time is sure to be had!

Jane enjoyed her evening as well. By all accounts she was exhausted in the end (always a good thing for a puppy) and had a grand time getting lovies and kisses from everyone. Her training is going very well, her collar has arrived and will be part of her daily training routine. Funding for her collar (and two books on training deaf dogs that will go along with her when she is adopted) was generously donated by Rachelle and Phoebe, Peggy and Pippa, Chris, Bob and Tuli, and  Elaine and JB.

Thanks again to everyone who came out, and who has supported Jane. We would not be who we are without all of you!

Jane: Donations needed

Meet Jane:

oh, sorry.

Meet Jane:

Jane is deaf. 

Jane came into rescue to help her find the perfect home. She is a wonderfully fabulous pup, who is smart and silly, and sweet, and bright and all of the great things anyone would want in a pup. She just cannot hear.

Jane is in a foster home that is working with her to teach her hand signals and such so she will transition easily into her new home. 

Her training has already begun, she knows how to take long walks (off leash) with a human and a pack of dogs. She also knows how to hang out at dog trials and how to ooze uber-cuteness.

She likes watching the dogs work, though can sometimes get excited and bark (silly girl!!)

MABCR is asking for financial assistance in order to purchase a vibrating collar for Jane. Her training will include using the vibrating collar to teach her recall and to 'look' at her handler. The collar will go with her to her new home so her new family can use it for continuing training, and communication with Jane so she can become the great dog she is destined to be!

Donations can be made through our website via paypal, or by mailing a check to:

Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue 

24420 Chestertown Road 

Chestertown MD 21620 USA

Jane says Thanks!

Yappy Hour at the Wine Bin -- Ellicott City MD

One of my most favorite fundraisers is the wine tastings held at the Wine Bin in Ellicott City Maryland. Owner Dave Carney and his compatriots are huge dog lovers and hold wine tastings on the first Friday of each month, with the proceeds to go to a local shelter or rescue.


The staff at the Wine Bin are great at educating on wines, and recommending great wines for you to try and enjoy.


Next Friday evening, 3 June, is the Wine Bin's night to benefit MABCR. Alec and I (and who knows who else) will be there to meet and greet. Dogs are welcome, so if you are in the area I hope to see you there!

The Wine Bin is housed in the historic firehouse built in 1930 at:

8390 Main Street
Historic Ellicott City, Maryland  21043
410-465-7802
wine@winebinec.com

HELP!! I Need Somebody! Help! Not Just Anybody!

Yes, I stole those lines from John and Paul (apparently, John wrote it, Paul helped to refine it), but they suit well. As my friends can attest, I am not good at asking for help. In fact, I am really bad about it. I often will wait until I am desperate to ask for even the simplest things. Not my best quality for sure.

As each new year begins, I don't make resolutions, but I do make a plan. Sometimes my goals are personal, sometimes professional. Always it is a plan of improving myself; who I am and what I do. Last year I decided I would put effort into traveling more. And I did that, making trips to North Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri and Cape Cod. I am continuing to do that this year, which is an important part of that plan, to not simply make the change for a year, but for my life.

This year is the Year of Asking for Help.

The first quarter of 2011 has brought us more dogs in need than ever. The reasons for relinquishment continue to be financial and very emotionally packed. Folks getting divorced, moving into smaller homes or apartments, being transferred overseas, or moving in with family. Pet owners can't afford to vet their pets, sometimes they can't afford to feed them. Shelters are packed to capacity and are coming to us now more than ever. I can't tell if this is because we are becoming better known, or if there are more border collies in shelters.

The numbers of young dogs in need is increasing, as is the number of aged dogs. There used to be a divide (15 mos to 3 years was our median age) but now the ages of dogs in need are across the board. People aren't just giving up dogs because they need training and exercise, the reasons are now far more complicated.

The first quarter also brought some hefty bills to MABCR.

We had to purchase a new vehicle after the Yukon was totaled. Yes, the insurance paid for the majority of the new vehicle, but there are always extras that cost.

A dog came in who needed an emergency FHO. Not something we could turn our heads to.

The Jeep needed new brakes all around. Our vollies need to be safe for sure.

The washing machine quit after a huge thunderstorm and would have cost as much to repair as a new one, so we replaced it with a brand spanking new washing machine, the first ever for MABCR (in the past, the machines have all been donated).

So, while we have paid for some of these things, it has put a hurting on our accounts, and we still owe half of the FHO to the vet, and the brakes to the mechanic, and we still have to pay the daily bills.

So, today I am asking you to help. MABCR is in need of funds to help us get through this. If you can afford $10, $50, $100, or more, please consider helping us to help the dogs. We cannot do this job without your help. You can paypal or mail your donations (please see http://www.mabcr.org/donations.php ) We truly appreciate it.

For those of you who cannot help financially, we do need volunteer help and in kind donations. More about that in another post.

Thanks for reading...

Sarah and the dogs.

Fence and Gate Progress

Last week during ASB we pushed hard and got a lot accomplished. The crew worked beyond expectations in the time we had, and much works remains, including the completion of fencing and the installation of gates.

MABCR Volunteer and Yappy Hour attendee David is helping to install some of the gate hinges so the gates are operational and sturdy.

We need you now, more than ever before!

Most of you are not aware of how the economy has changed what we do.

No longer are we trolling shelters for dogs, we turn away 100 each month.

‘

No longer are dogs getting adopted at a rate of 9 or 10 each month, last month we adopted out two.

No longer can we make improvements or repairs with careful planning, we now struggle simply to pay the bills and hope the repairs can wait until we have funding again.

No longer can we count on the generosity of grantors, we count on the individual donations of our supporters, and even the smallest of donations gives us hope.

Now more than ever we need you, and your support, be it financial or physical. Assisting with events like these, or volunteering time at the farm, or fostering, or fundraising is more important to our survival than ever. In a low point this month, I struggled with the fear that if things didn’t change, we may cease to exist. With your help, we can continue to fight the good fight.

Please consider volunteering your time, or donating. You will make a difference!

for more information, please contact me directly.

iGive Supports MABCR!

If you are not already using iGive when shopping on the internet, please make today the day you sign up!!! Over the past 2 years, iGive users have raised almost $1000 for MABCR, at no cost to them, they only need to shop through iGive and the iGive toolbar on their computer. I use it and I know several of our volunteers use it. Won't you consider using it???

Please see the message below from Robert and iGive. Use the link in the email and sign up before noon tomorrow and MABCR gets a bonus donation!!!

Thanks for considering!

Sarah

Sarah Ruckelshaus
Executive Director
Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue
slr@mabcr.org
www.mabcr.org
A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.
- Lawrence G. Lovasik

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Grosshandler [mailto:Betty.iGive-411967@member.iGive.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 11:01 AM
To: slr@mabcr.org
Subject: Special Bonus to Help Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue

Hi Sarah,

We know that many causes have had a hard year, so we'd like to try something new to
help Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue that requires your participation, but is free and definitely easy.

iGive.com is going to attempt to donate $5,000 in just 24 hours to Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue and other causes.

For each person who joins iGive using the special link below and does just one web search on our
site between now and noon Thursday, we'll give Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue a dollar.

5,000 new members, $5,000. No purchase necessary.

Of course, if they search more (or buy something) they'll earn even more money for Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue.
Right now, we're donating $.02 per search and a bonus $5 for that first purchase plus the usual percentage.

Here's where you come in. The only way Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue will get new supporters and that free $1 (or more)
is if you invite them. Send your friends, family, and colleagues the following link in an e-mail, tweet it, do a
Facebook posting, put up posters, shout from mountain tops (you know the drill) and let them know you think
Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue is pretty cool and deserves their support, especially since it's free! You can even just forward
this e-mail.

This is the link:
http://www.igive.com/welcome/warm_reg_promo.cfm?m=411967

We're really proud of our search capability, powered by Yahoo! We've made tons of improvements over the
past four months, so we want lots of people to try it out and put it to the test. If they keep on searching or
shopping after testing us out, so much the better for Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue and iGive.com.

The details:
- Offer active between now and 11:59 a.m., December 17, 2009 (Chicago time).
- New members only (never have been an iGive member previously). All the normal rules of membership, searching, and
purchasing apply, our site has the details.
- Once we've given away $5,000, the offer ends.

That's it. Don't forget to try our search yourself (http://isearch.igive.com). You may need to login first.

From our families to yours, we hope you have a great holiday season.


Yours,

Robert N. Grosshandler
Founder

Dogstuff.com supports MABCR!!

Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue is the featured rescue now at Dogstuff.com, one of our longtime sponsors.

While we are the featured rescue, all customers buying from their online website - http://www.dogstuff.com/ - are also making a donation to MABCR. If you need gifts for your dog-loving family and friends (they have something in pretty much every breed) now would be a good time to buy from Dogstuff and earn us five percent of everything you order.

Any time you order from Dogstuff, even when we're not featured, you can use the Dogstuff link at MABCR's website or this direct link:

http://www.dogstuff.com/?a_aid=138d7ce7

...to make sure your purchases earn donations for Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue.

We've already received more than $900 for our dogs through our participation in the Dogstuff Rescue First program, and with your help we can look for a lot more.

Thanks everyone!! Happy Shopping!

Training blog raising funds for MABCR

The Real Time Canine is a weekly e-newsletter that conveys dog training technique in words and pictures based on the life and training of a very real border collie puppy named Kensmuir Star. The Sunday digest is written by Amelia Smith of BorderSmith Stockdogs, a competitive sheepdog handler with over 15 years experience training dogs for ranch work and competition, who has been successful at the highest levels of her sport. Once aware of the plight of millions of shelter dogs that are put to death each year, Amelia conceived The Real Time Canine as a way to alleviate this tragedy. By imparting basic dog training skills to owners of all dog breeds, she hopes to create loving, forever homes for dogs that might otherwise be surrendered and killed.

For 6 months, beginning in March, 2009, 1/2 of the nominal 1 year subscription fee of $30 for the Real Time Canine will be donated to MABCR. Through this partnership, Amelia hopes to increase readership for her weekly dog training newsletter and benefit a worthy, non-profit humane organization. Please visit the BorderSmith blog for more information about Amelia, and please visit The Real Time Canine blog to subscribe using PayPal.

ASB UCF 2009: First report!!

Alternative Spring Break (ASB) at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL gives students the opportunity to use their spring break to benefit society. UCF ASB places teams of students in communities around the nation to engage in community service and learn about significant social issues in locations such as New Orleans, Atlanta, Birmingham……and of course the Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue in Maryland!

The group of students that will be travelling up for the 2009 edition of ASB, led by Faculty Advisor Darren Skinner and student Site Leader Julie Primrose, are very excited to have this opportunity! They are a very diverse group of students but they all share the same passion for volunteering and of course, animals!

Darren completed his undergraduate degree in Education (Rollins College) and his Masters degree in the field of Educational Leadership (UCF). He has been an academic advisor/counselor and adjunct instructor for three years at the University of Central Florida with the office of First Year Advising and Exploration. This will be Darren’s fourth Alternative Spring Break in the Advisor capacity.

Having worked with students over the last few years, Darren really believes Alternative Spring Break gives students a chance to establish supportive relationships with peers and faculty, and helps students develop their holistic growth, as the team works toward a common goal of helping others.

Originally from England, Darren was recruited as a student athlete (soccer) and is still heavily involved in the game through playing and coaching in the Orlando area.

The student Site Leader for this trip, Julie Primrose, is a junior at UCF. She is an Advertising and Public Relations major and is minoring in both Marketing and Sociology. Julie is a Resident Assistant with the Department of Housing and Residence Life and is also involved with many clubs and activities on campus and has a real passion for volunteering in many different disciplines. This is her first year being involved with Alternative Spring Break, but she is very excited to get to the Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue and help us out in any way possible.

ASB is a great opportunity for the students at UCF and the students who will arrive here in March have been chosen for the trip by a very selective application process. These volunteers are the best UCF has to offer! They are passionate about helping others and we know they are very excited to come spend some time helping out at the MABCR for their Spring Break this March!

Well, if Victory Farm wasn’t rockin’ and rollin’ before, it is now. Denise Sayer arrived late Saturday afternoon with what can only be described as a carload of homeless Border Collies. The transport consisted of six dogs: three adults and three puppies that came in from Tennessee and Kentucky. I think she set some sort of an MABCR record for most dogs on one transport. Come to think of it, Denise also may hold a total transport mileage record as well. We didn’t have time to debate records, though. There was too much to do.

Sarah, Alina, and I were about halfway through the process of moving kennels to get ready for the onslaught when the dogs arrived. We paused to admire them, popped them into temporary crates, and replaced them with puppy Sam who was going back to the Soderstrom household for fostering so Denise could start the drive home. Shortly after she left, we got the third kennel set up. Now there are kennels up near the barn (instead of in the back lane), where they’ll be easier to keep clean. We added dog houses and settled in the new transports. (One other event of note on Saturday: Laird came down to clean kennels. He also added new wheels to both the front and back gates. Thank you Laird!)

All the new dogs seem lovely, despite being a bit nervous, but that’s true of the vast majority of rescues that find their way to Victory Farm. We’ve placed quite a few dogs in recent weeks, Rowan, Cassie, Jed and Zeke to name a few, but as this latest batch indicates, there are many more homeless BCs out there that need our help. These are just the latest lucky recipients of available space at Victory Farm.

The goal now is to place these dogs so we can help more homeless ones. There are many ways you can help us. If you can foster a dog and help get it ready for its forever home, please let Sarah know. This is a great way to help get dogs placed, because they go into their new homes with basic house manners. We have at least 10 puppies at Victory Farm now that would benefit from fostering, and may great adult dogs as well. As a foster parent, you get to help choose the home your dog goes to. Plus you get to make the adoption and get the very real satisfaction of seeing a family meet and fall in love with their new best friend.

You can also join the small group of volunteers that run applications and do home visits to find the forever homes that they will go to. Again, e-mail Sarah if you’d like to start helping with the application process. Or, come to Victory Farm for a day to help clean kennels and play with the dogs—all (dogs and humans) benefit from socialization and are desperate to spend time with people.

There are still more ways to help. We always need gently used, washable blankets as well as bath towels, fleece blankets, detergent for laundry and dishes and can use gift cards to buy supplies for the dogs. Gift cards for “big box” stores like Petsmart, Lowes, and Target are easiest for us to use, since the shopping opportunities here on the Eastern Shore aren’t that great.



Finally, we can use gifts of money. $250 pays for the expenses to vet and feed one dog while it is in rescue. $200 pays the electric bill for the month or fills the propane tank, $100 feeds, shelters and vets a dog for one month, $50 buys a bag of dog food.


I hope you all enjoy the snapshots I took of the new “class” of Tennessee BCs. Watch the Petfinder list for Sarah’s better pictures to appear of the individual dogs!


Barbara Ellis
MABCR Storekeeper and volunteer



P.S. Please do not forget that purchases from the MABCR Store also supposrt our rescue dogs!

Fundraising Update: Funny Farm

Here is Lady with her new Funny Farm Boutique collar and Silver Star. At 13, she was more than put out that I wanted her to actually model it for a photo!