If you follow my blog you know that our pets are a huge part of our family. So when my friend Jeanette from Country Design Style and Hometalk asked me to take part in their 2nd Annual Thrift Benefit I of course said yes!
Here is my furry family:
Charlie:
Gracie:
LuLu:
And we’ve recently lost our two cats.
Baxter:
And Kitten:
Throughout the years, they have all come to us through different ways.: the Humane Society, Petfinder.com, and area rescues.
Since our pets are so near and dear to our hearts, and since we are all suckers for animals, we started volunteering at our local Humane Society a few years ago. You learn a lot by volunteering, like how many animals are surrendered each year; how many animals are not spay or neutered when they’re dropped-off; how in need of volunteers rescues are; and how little money rescues have to provide for these animals.
When people find out that we are volunteers, I hear over and over again how they could never do it — it would make them too sad. Is it overwhelming to see all of these sad and frightened little faces looking at you for help? I’m not going to lie … at first yes.
But when I leave there, do I feel that I accomplished some good? Absolutely.
We are fortunate to have a beautiful new building for the Humane Society in our town, but no matter how nice the facility, whenever a pet is uprooted from their home and their family, it is a traumatic experience. Sometimes, just sitting down with a cat or a dog and snuggling with them helps them calm down, and they are then more adoptable when people come to look at them.
Also, there are just not enough volunteers to walk them all as frequently as needed. If a dog is potty trained, he will hold it for hours and hours like he’s been trained … but then when he gets a chance to leave his kennel, he’s wound-up and ready to take care of business (not the best first impression for potential forever parents). Having volunteers there to take them out for exercise and potty breaks makes them happier and more calm .. making them more adoptable.
There are so many different volunteer jobs — everything from washing food dishes, to working in the office, to helping with obedience training, to socializing puppies.
If you don’t have time to volunteer and financial donations are more your speed, you can always go to your rescues, and they can give you a list of everyday supplies they are needing.
Our assignment on the Thrift Benefit was to find a local thrift store that gives some of its proceeds to local pet shelters and purchase something there to makeover.
Sadly, I couldn’t find any local thrift stores that did that, so I decided to just buy something at Goodwill and make it over to sell and give the proceeds directly to the Humane Society.
I found this wine crate for $2.
I removed part of the slats and then sanded the whole thing down. I then stained the whole thing and coated it in a poly.
I then took an old pillow I had and covered it in this cute fabric covered in dogs.
It makes the perfect dog bed. I do think I am going to have a hard time getting Charlie out of it so that I can sell it!
Make sure you check out all of my other bloggy friends below who are participating!
Crystal says
The dog bed is so cute and creative! I have two HUGE dogs that wouldn’t fit into a wine crate, but I pinned this for my other friends. My daughter, in college, volunteers at the local Human Society. She has loved every minute…especially playing with the puppies 🙂
Shanna says
Thanks Crystal! Maybe you could make one for your bigger babies out of old pallets. Hope you’re having a great week!
Marcia Banach says
The wine crate doggie bed is adorable! I have 5 small dogs that would love that bed. I see one in my future!
Shanna says
Thanks Marcia! It’s an easy project and my pups all love it!
Karen @ Dogs Don't Eat Pizza says
That is a great dog bed! What a great idea! I love the pics of your pets – thanks for sharing!
Shanna says
Thanks Karen! They all have been fighting over it!
Sherry Fram says
The wine crate dog bed is adorable!!
Shanna says
Thanks Sherry!
Paula@SweetPea says
Adorable! I’m sure your fur babies are going to love taking turns using it.
Shanna says
Thanks Paula! I had a hard time getting them out of it just long enough to take the picture!
Christina says
What an adorable idea! The fabric is Perfect! I’d love to clip it to my Hometalk DIY Pet Bed board- your pets are precious – we’ve lost some of our beloved cats too- Your “Kitten” looks like our “Angel”- she was a stray and we have no idea what breed – a friend said Siberian mountain cat?
Shanna says
Thanks Christina! It’s so hard when you lose one of your furbabies! We just lost Kitten a few weeks ago. She was 21 years old and I miss her everyday. I will try to get my dog bed on Hometalk soon!
Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio says
Oh my gosh Shanna that’s the cutest stinkin’ dog bed! What a fun way to use an old wine crate and that pretty dog fabric on its pillow makes me smile. Love seeing you fur babies.
Shanna says
Thanks so much Therese! It’s amazing how pets can enrich your life! Glad to do anything that can help these shelters that do so much good!
Jeanette says
Shanna, the dog crate bed came out perfect…just like everything you do. 🙂 Love reading about your volunteering at the shelter! I’ve been volunteering at our “little shelter that could” for 4 years. You’re right a new building is still a displaced home for the animals and they get scared. When I first starting volunteering it was to raise money for a new building. The old was too small and falling down literally! Now they have a new building that’s safer but the fears and needs still remain. I always try to focus on the happy stories, but still leave with tears. Hugs for all you do for the animals and for joining us. ~Jeanette
Shanna says
Thanks Jeanette! Thanks for putting this all together! I love getting the awareness out there!
Meagan B. {The Charming Farmer} says
Super cute idea with the wine crate – I just need to find an XXL version for my dogs!
Shanna says
Thanks Meagan! Have a great weekend!
Amy @ StowandTellU says
Wow, I hadn’t realized that volunteering could mean walking the dogs or just spending some time with them to calm them. Great info on volunteering. The pet bed in too cute!!
Shanna says
Thanks Amy! There are so many different volunteer positions are our Humane Society! We see volunteers from age 12-90 there!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Adorable Shanna!!! 🙂 I bet your babies love it!
Nancy