Help Us Strut!

We've just ratcheted things up a notch in the Stevenson Family Get-Healthy Endeavor. We signed up for a race. To run. And in true, cruel-parent fashion, we've roped the kid into it...the fur-kid, that is.

But that's okay this time, because in the Mutt Strut to benefit the Greenville Humane Society, fur-kids (well, dogs) are encouraged. And let's be honest here - Luna's a better runner than either B or me, anyway. 

Let's put aside for the moment the fact that I generally only run when something's chasing me and that I have serious doubts about my ability to run two miles, much less in August in South Carolina. Let's focus on the "Mutt" part of this. This race, as I said, benefits the Greenville Humane Society...and it's no secret we have a HUGE soft spot for them. The facility is beautiful and always clean, but that's not why we love GHS. We love them because they take such good care of the animals while they wait for their fur-ever parents.

GHS is the largest 100% no-kill shelter in South AND North Carolina, as I very recently discovered. They frequently rescue pets from other shelters who might be euthanized, and they deserve major props for that. Unfortunately, they're a not-for-profit entity and do not receive funds from the city, state, or national animal welfare groups. This race, like so many of their other events (and they have lots!), is about more than just the fun. It's a way for them to raise money be able to take on more sweet furballs and to take their time to find them loving, permanent homes.  

Below are some stats on what it might have cost them to take in our sweet Luna and house her until we came to get her:

• To give her shelter, care, and food for ONE day, it would be $10
• It's $30 to provide formula to feed a newborn puppy or kitten for 6 weeks
• $60 provides spay/neuter surgery and vaccines for a homeless puppy or kitten
• And $100 gives an animal the opportunity to receive foster care, as we did for Luna for two weeks so that she could recover from kennel cough before being permanently adopted (and returned, and adopted, and returned again, until we said "Enough!" and took her home with us, but that's an entirely different story).

If you have a soft spot in your heart for four-legged friends or you're just looking to do a little good this summer, consider sponsoring us using this link (just type in one of our names). Greenville Humane Society is 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so all donations are tax-deductible. Look at this furry face - how can you resist helping her, or others like her?

After all, love is a four-LEGGED word.