Susie's Hope Fundraiser 11/2/13 - 11/9/13

This past Halloween there may have been "play" monsters among us, trick-or-treating, but there are real monsters in the world walking the streets and abusing and neglecting animals every day.  If you are an animal lover and spend any time on forums such as Facebook, spend any time reading the news or watching the news, you know that animal abuse and animal neglect is rampant.  I have zero tolerance for animal abuse or neglect of any kind, and if you're reading this post, I'm betting you feel the same way.

Susie was found nearly dead in Greenfield Park in Greensboro, North Carolina, on August 20, 2009. Just a puppy, Susie had licked the face of her owner’s newborn baby. Her owner became violent -- she was beaten so severely, her jaw was broken. That wasn’t enough, though. Susie was then set on fire and left for dead.

Donna survived a vicious pit bull attack from a neighbors' dog when the dog was left behind when they moved.  Donna had observed the dog chained outside and underfed for five years. When the owners moved and left the dog, Donna began caring for it instead of calling Animal Control. Each day she put a bowl of food in its doghouse and left. She did this for several days, but during a routine visit one morning, the dog attacked her from behind.  It was a miracle she survived.

One day Donna met Susie, and Susie changed Donna's life forever. Susie and Donna shared something in common: she was a pit bull mix that had been tortured by a human, and Donna was viciously attacked by a pit bull just a few months before they met. Their similar experiences allowed them to go from being victims to living victorious lives. Donna forgave the dog for her wrongful attack, and Susie forgave the human for hers.

Today, Saturday, November 2, 2013, through Saturday, November 9, 2013, 7 p.m. Mountain (Colorado) time, I am hosting a fundraiser on my Kindred Spirits Gift Shop, LLC, Facebook page benefiting Susie's Hope, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 

With your donations, Susie's Hope continues to advance its mission of educating people of all ages about animal abuse and proper pet care.  Through literature, programs, and community events, Susie's Hope has seen the lives of many animals changed for the better.  In particular, Susie's Hope has enjoyed great success with the passing of Susie's Law in 2010.  The goal is to continue to make a difference in the lives of animals nationwide.  With the help of donations from supporters such as you, we all will continue to see lives changed.

You can donate in your own name or in the name of a beloved pet.  Susie's Hope will gladly accept a donation as small as ONE dollar!    

Rules for Entry: 1. “Like” the Susie's Hope Facebook page and comment on their page that Kindred Spirits sent you.

2. “Like” the Kindred Spirits Gift Shop, LLC, Facebook page (who is donating the gifts and sponsoring this fundraiser).  If you are not already a Kindred Spirits fan, comment on our page that you are there to support Susie's Hope.  Your "Like" on the Kindred Spirits page will enter your name one time into the drawing for one of eight prizes donated by the Kindred Spirits Gift Shop, LLC.

3. Make at least a $1 donation to Susie's Hope through the Susie's Hope Web site and tell Donna how you learned about Susie's Hope (Kindred Spirits).  After you have made your direct donation to Susie's Hope, be SURE to comment on the Kindred Spirits Gift Shop, LLC, Facebook page that you have made your donation and the amount of your donation (which will be verified!) so you will be entered in the drawing to win one of the prizes. 

4. Increase your odds of winning one of the prizes by donating additional $1 increments. Example, if you wish to donate $5, you will be entered five times in the drawing. If you donate $10, you will be entered ten times in the drawing!

5. 100 percent of the proceeds raised will be donated to Susie's Hope.

6.  Another way to be entered into the drawing for a prize, though it is not mandatory, is to purchase a Susie's Hope Pearl Paw Print Bracelet.  $7.50 of the purchase price will be donated to Susie's Hope.  If you purchase a Susie's Hope bracelet, your name will be entered five times in the drawing to win one of the prizes!

7. Winners will be chosen by Random.org. on Sunday, November 10, 2013, after 6 p.m. Mountain (Colorado) Time and will be notified on the Kindred Spirits Gift Shop, LLC, Facebook page no later than the close of business on Monday, November 11, 2013. The winners’ gifts will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail the week of November 10, 2013. Please allow for possibly a little extra time for the Susie's Hope t-shirt prize as that will have to be shipped directly from Donna, once she has the winner's size.

Please note: Shipping is limited to within the USA only.

In addition to all of us pitching in our dollars, if you purchase any gift item from the Kindred Spirits Gift Shop, LLC, during the Susie's Hope event, the Kindred Spirits Gift Shop, LLC, will donate 10% of the subtotal of your order to Susie's Hope! This amount will NOT be added onto your order!  Please be sure to mention "Susie's Hope" in the shipping instructions during the checkout process so Jean will know to direct your donation to Susie's Hope.

On behalf of Susie's Hope, I (we) would like to thank you for your participation and donations.  Your commitment to helping promote education about animal care and abuse in our communities is sincerely appreciated. 

~ Jean B. Brudd

By participating/being an entrant in the Susie's Hope Fundraiser through Facebook, you agree that you are:

1.  Completely releasing Facebook 
2.  Acknowledging that our event/promotion, and the prizes awarded, is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Elements Angel Figurines and Elements Photo Frames on Sale!

As I change, or shall I say revert back to, the original focus of my business of pet-lover and pet sympathy gifts and charitable jewelry, the remaining stock of Elements Angels figurines by Pavilion Gift Company are priced to go! 

With Sympathy angel figurines, pink ribbon warrior angels, and the Love and Cherish photo frame, also in the Elements line, are a part of this fabulous sale. 

Grab yours now before they're gone as they won't be coming back!

St. Francis of Assisi - Protector of Animals

My St. Francis Protector of Animals Bracelet is handmade by me, "Auntie Angel," as a tribute to my favorite saint, St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and those who suffer.  Many pet guardians pray to St. Francis for the health and welfare of their beloved pets.

Those who are interested are encouraged to read this lovely story about St. Francis preaching to the birds.  It is one of the reasons we feel our St. Francis charm bracelet is so meaningful.

I love all my handmade creations, knowing that a portion of the proceeds honor animals and help support animal welfare organizations, but this piece is especially powerful for me in its simplicity.  It existed in a prior form, but I was compelled to redesign it, on Easter Sunday 2013, the day of the resurrection of Christ, a day of hope and faith.

The Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

Help Wanted: Cohosts for Animal Charities

Tired of begging your supporters for donations for your animal rescue organization or shelter or animal-related nonprofit?

I am looking for volunteer cohosts, what I call fellow "do-gooders," within your animal-related nonprofit to coordinate day-long online "parties/auctions" to raise funds for your organization.

On "party/auction" days, I donate 10 percent of the sales price of all merchandise purchased in my shop to the nonprofit organization of the day.  This is for all of your supporters who want to purchase great inspirational gifts but who may not be interested in jewelry.

Don't want to schedule an all-day online party but still want to know how your organization can earn money every day of the year?  Read how Auntie Angel Designs got started and what the "mission" is all about:  the animals!

Every day when a customer purchases one of my inspirational and pet-lover jewelry pieces, a portion of the sales price is donated to the charity/shelter/cause of my customer's choice (with the exception of the canine cancer charitable jewelry, which is earmarked for two different canine cancer foundations at this time).  All the customer needs to do is type in where they'd like their donation to be sent in the "Charity Donation to" box, and I take care of the rest.  It's THAT simple!

Link to the Auntie Angel Designs portion to my gift shop and let your supporters know what we're up to!  Contact Jean today for more details.

Now one can purchase heart-felt inspirational animal-lover jewelry that helps the animals.  Something for us all to feel good about!

Rescuer's Rainbow Bridge Pet Memory Bracelet

Our Rescuer's Rainbow Bridge Bracelet was handmade by Auntie Angel in honor of all beloved animals who have crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge. Made specifically for animal rescue workers, we know that this beautiful keepsake bracelet will forever be cherished by the gift recipient.

Made with beautiful turquoise-colored tear-drop crystal faceted beads and brown fire-polished cathedral beads, this sparkly bracelet is accented with pewter spacer beads and features a silver-plated rescue animal awareness ribbon charm and a rainbow with clouds charm that dangle from an adorable tiny paw prints bail. We included a couple boulder turquoise gemstone beads accented with silver and copper accents. This bracelet is made with stretch cord for ease in putting it on and taking it off.

Rescuer's Rainbow Bridge Poem

Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.

It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.

He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge. With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for awhile to explain it to him.

"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He entered rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge."

The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person, and among the older animals a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.

"Watch, and see," said the second animal. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.

"What happened?"

"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place with families on earth across The Rainbow Bridge."

"I think I like rescuers,” said the first animal.

"So does GOD," was the reply.

Personalized Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial Bracelet

No matter how long a beloved animal companion has been in your life, when the pet crosses the Rainbow Bridge, it breaks your heart.

Our Personalized Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial Bracelet is a lovely piece of handcrafted inspirational jewelry dedicated to honoring the special relationship shared between the pet guardian and the angel pet.

Made with crystal beads in the colors of a rainbow with fine copper accents, this fabulous keepsake bracelet features a nickel disk with a soldered copper heart charm with paw print stamped on it, as well as your choice of a beloved pet's name hand-stamped on the front (eight characters maximum).  On the back, further personalize your bracelet by having engraved three or four very short words (19 characters maximum), or a telephone number, or the pet's birth date (or birth date to date of death).  You choose!  (Check my Web site to see a sample of the engraving on the back of the disk.)  And, an adorable magnetic silver-plated paw print clasp completes this very special piece!

I know that this beautiful personalized Rainbow Bridge bracelet will give comfort and peace while mourning a furry family member and will serve as a reminder that you will one day be reunited with your beloved pet in the Hereafter.

St. Paw-Pad(dy)'s Day Giveaway

We are LOVING our new stone paw print necklaces and are giving one of them away to one of our Facebook friends and fans this St. Patrick's Day weekend! Our winner gets to choose their favorite of the two necklaces! How do you enter? Here's how!

Rules for Entry:

1. “Like” the Kindred Spirits Gift Shop, LLC, Facebook page (who is donating the necklace), if you're not already a fan, and share our page with your friends and family! The link to go to our Facebook page is right at the lavender butterfly on the right-hand column of this page.

2. Comment underneath this blog post with the necklace you would like should you win! Posts by "anonymous" or "unknown" don't count as I need at least your first name and last initial and have to have a way to be able to contact you! Please note: Your comment is your entry, so do not disregard this step! It is important that you comment below our blog post because of the privacy settings you may have on your own Facebook page.

3. Increase your chances of winning by posting one or both of the paw print necklaces by "pinning" them on Pinterest! Mention "Facebook Giveaway" in your Pinterest pinning so I can enter you an additional time in the giveaway. You will be entered when you "share" the necklace photos on your Facebook page and Pinterest page.

4. The winner will be chosen by Random.org. on Sunday, March 17, 2013, at 7 p.m. Mountain (Colorado) Time and will be notified no later than the close of business on Monday, March 18, 2013, via Facebook. The winner will have 24 hours to claim their gift or another winner will be chosen.

5. The necklace will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail the week of March 18, 2013. Please note: Shipping is limited to within the USA only.

DISCLOSURE: This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. Participants are providing information to the Kindred Spirits Gift Shop, LLC, and not to Facebook.