Clambake for a Cause

As you know, from time to time, I use my blog to advocate for an organization that is very near and dear to my heart, Secondhand Mutts. I have been a Board Member for Secondhand Mutts since 2011, but have been involved with the rescue as a volunteer essentially since we brought Otto home in 2008. Since that time, Secondhand Mutts has grown tremendously! What I am most proud of as Board Member is that Secondhand Mutts has never shied away from the difficult cases, the overlooked and unwanted dogs.  Ruby was one such story.

Ruby came to Secondhand Mutts blind from diabetes. Through our incredible foster network, we were able to find her a foster home while we assessed her medical issues. Once we found out that her vision-loss was reversible, we decided that we were absolutely going to do everything in our power to restore it! A few weeks ago, Ruby underwent eye surgery, and has now successfully regained vision. In even better news, her foster mom fell so in love that she decided to formally adopt Ruby. That said, Ruby must remain on a daily regimen of insulin and eye drops for the rest of her life. All told, Ruby's rescue cost over $3,500 and she is worth every. singly. penny. I mean, look at this face!

In any case, to defray some of the cost of Ruby's care, and to honor her restored eyesight, Secondhand Mutts is hosting a clambake on October 5th. A single ticket is $45 and includes a clam and chicken dinner, and unlimited beer, wine and soda. Couples can enjoy two tickets for $80! If you're not into clams and just want to drink, you can buy drink-only tickets for $20. To see all the ticket options, and to buy tickets, please go HERE. There will be no tickets sold on site, so these are presale only!

While this is not a dog-friendly event, Ruby will be making a guest appearance to say hello and give thank-you kisses. The clambake is being held at the Pavilion of the West Side Irish American Club which is a covered outdoor facility. So, dress appropriately!!

As a side note, one of my favorite things about clambakes is the opportunity to tap into my outdoor fall wardrobe: skinny jeans, boots, cozy sweater, maybe a puffy vest....

I hope you will attend. Nick and I will definitely be there to support the cause, and I would love to see you in person!! XO

A Delicious Friday in Cleveland

This past Friday, I took the day off from work, to spend some quality me-time. My day started with breakfast at Blackbird Baking Company.

Cafe au Lait and Pan au Chocolat were the perfect way to begin the day.

A quick appointment at my chiropractor was followed by a few quick errands (which naturally included shopping), by which point it was time for lunch. 

Lunch was wine and salad at Sweet Melissa, and because it was my birthday week, I threw caution to the wind and got creme brulee for dessert!! 

Lunch was followed by a mani, nap and dog walk, by which time it was time for dinner.

Luxe never disappoints, and on Friday, N and I decided to just do a bunch of small plates. 

Overall, an absolutely delicious Friday!!!

Pancakes for Pooches: The 4th Annual Pancake Barkfeast

So, if you've been following this blog for some time, then you know that from time to time, I use this as a platform to promote an organization that means a great deal to me: Secondhand Mutts. Secondhand Mutts has been around since 2006, and over the years has done many many wonderful things for neglected and ignored dogs, saving them from death row and finding them new homes. In 2012, Secondhand Mutts rescued 115 dogs, and by the end of the year, had placed 105, including two dogs that were heartworm positive- Sookie and Rollo

Sookie (look at that underbite!!!! SO CUTE!)

Rollo-- look how happy he is to be safe!!

Left untreated, heartworm is extremely dangerous and can kill dogs. If your dog is heartworm positive, the cost to treat your dog can range from between $500-$700.  In contrast, it costs $7-$10 to give your dog their monthly preventative medication. Secondhand Mutts takes in 2-4 heartworm positive dogs into their program each year, and must rely on having a committed foster home to let the dogs recover in a calm, peaceful environment. The dog must stay inactive for up to a month, and may have to have a second treatment after that! I don't know about you, but there's no way that my dogs could be inactive for that long, so I'm religious about giving them their heartworm preventative year-round (I don't take winters off even though there are no mosquitos. With the abnormally warm/uneven winters we've had, its just not worth the risk).

So, given the cost to treat heartworm positive dogs in their program, Secondhand Mutts hosts an annual pancake breakfast to not only treat heartworm positive dogs, but also raise awareness of heartworm and its prevention.

This year's event is at Pilgrim Church in Tremont on Saturday, Feb 2, 2013. $12 buys you buttermilk/chocolate chip pancakes, sausage, bacon, coffee and orange juice. There is also a vegetarian sausage option for those who are interested.

I hope you will consider attending and supporting this worthy cause. Please RSVP on Facebook so Secondhand Mutts can properly anticipate attendance and food buying. I will certainly be there on Saturday, and hope to see you there too!! XO