Contract!

Yesterday I decided to work with the group Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers.http://www.sdwr.org/
The contract is 20 pages long and that goes with the heavy price of $25,000.  The main reason I have chosen them is due to the extensive training the dog and I will get after he/she is delivered.  The trainers will come to my home every 2-3 months for 18 months.  This is huge since I know nothing about dogs. 

I wanted to get a new car next year but instead I will be making payments towards a dog.  The good thing about this group is that they help you raise the money for the dog.  Also all contributions that are given on behalf are tax deductible.  They also have connected me to several St. Louis families who have received dogs from their organization.  The stories I have been hearing about are even better than what Cosmo does for me. 

Last night was a good example of how much I need to keep an alert animal in my life.  I got home from working SNAP at 7:45 last night.  I was making a light dinner and laid down on the bed.  2 hours later I was woken up by Cosmo and my blood level was at 450.  Now I had not eaten anything since lunch so I have no idea what cause the high but Cosmo had been biting my arm for a very long time, according to all the puncture marks on the inner part of my arm.  Looking back he alerted as soon as I came in the house but I thought it was because he missed me. 

The tickets for the TV raffle are printed and packaged. I am waiting for the business cards to come and then I will get packages shipped to Cosmo's friends around Missouri.  I am amazed as to who has offered to help me with this event. Thank you can not express what I am feeling inside.  If everyone can sell 20 tickets this event will bring major amounts of money for the new dog.

I am also signing the contract for the Moose Lodge hall rental on Friday.  The dinner will be Feb. 20th at 5:00 pm.  There may even be live music.  I am in the process of getting donation letters printed and will be going out to businesses next week.  If you or someone you know have a business and would like to help by making a basket or donating a service please let me know.  Or if you are willing to go to companies and drop off letters and tell Cosmo's story please let me know.  I will have tickets available by then end of Jan. ready for people to help sell.

Thanks again for all of the support.

Looking for a Venue

Cross your fingers XXXXXXX

Over 8 years ago I joined the Moose Lodge in Bradenton Florida and I am finally in need of some help from their members.  (The membership also allows me to park at the beach for free.)  I am going to the Moose Lodge in St. Charles Tuesday to see if I can rent a space from them for the pasta dinner.   I will also ask about opening up ticket sales to their lodge members in order to have a larger group.  Cosmo will be going with me (if he will cooperate).

I have to admit that he is wanting to go out more with me.  I had not realized until I looked back how often he wasn't willing to go out in public in the past few month.  He is feeling better.

I am playing telephone tag with the Cat Fancy editor.  I left my email address hoping we can figure things out quickly. 

My vet gets back sometime next week,  then I can ask him if he would be willing to be interviewed in the hope to raise awareness about this type of cancer. 

I am waiting to hear from MNEA's legal department about my request for assistance setting up the fund raising bank account.  I need to get this done ASAP. 

I am also trying to get a handful of people to volunteer and help organize the dinner and gather donations.  So if you know of anyone who would be able to donate anything that we could raffle off at the dinner let me know.  Think out to the box....... paint a room, trimming bushes, teeth whitening, oil changes, house cleaning, babysitting... the list is endless.  Remember fellow teachers we are very resourceful,

Well I have a furry friend who is not happy with the computer in my lap so I have to go. 

Thanks to everyone who is currently helping Cosmo and me.

Spread the word....

Today I was offered something I couldn't refuse.  Cosmo's foster mom, Laurie Wolff, has offered to help me do a dinner fundraiser for Cosmo.  She also wants to help spread the word about the type of cancer Cosmo has due to his vaccines. This was a total surprise to me. Laurie just made me cry all the way home.  Cosmo is truly blessed by all of his friends.  This little guy was brought into my life for some major reasons. 

So we are going to have two events after the first of the year.  I now have to find a venue with a kitchen in the St. Louis area.  If you know of  a location that could be rented very cheaply or for free please let me know.  I also need some organizing volunteers to help plan and get donations for baskets and raffles.  Please let me know if you are willing to be part of the Dinner Crew.  This  is huge for me.

I saw this image last night and I think angle was meant for me to see.

 

I have started to re-post the blog on Facebook.  It would be great for people to LIKE the blog so you get updated automatically.

Still Shopping

It's been a long time since Cosmo has been able to be out with me.  I had a really blood reading today and it was great to be alerted and feel safe.  

Cosmo's friends at Roy's Auto we're living in him. They hadn't heard about the cancer.  Cat owners, please watch how your friend gets their vaccines. I found the papers from the biopsy and cried again. I'll be posting the information later so you all can become informed. 

Shopping for Business Cards

Today Cosmo has to go back to the CAT CLINIC.  There is a stitch that was missed when he was at the doctor.

Yesterday I tried to set up the account for the money raised for the new DAD.  I have to register as a non-profit with the state so that the money raised can be tax deductible.   I couldn't get through all of the online parts. I have requested legal services from MNEA.  I am hoping this is a fast process so that the process can be completed and the money raised can be tax deductible.

 I have also been in contact with another organization who train DAD's.  It is a very difficult decision which group to contract with because they are not local.  Handing over $16,000 to a group is very scary.  I am hoping to get some help from the attorney about how to run checks on the organizations.

There is going to be a DAD handover in Jan. for a young boy in the St. Louis area. I have been communicating with his mom and she is willing to keep me posted about their experience with the Drey's Alert Dog group.

On a fun note...

I cringed yesterday every time I saw someone walking in the rain with their dog.

It's been a great 8 years

As you know it has been a very long time since I have posted.  But Cosmo has been going through a lot recently  He has cancer and recently had the tumor removed.  There is no guarantee that all the cancer cells were removed since the tumor was attached to a muscle.  I have chosen not to take photos of his very long incision because I don't want to remember this time.  He is doing well now and his appetite is coming back.  I want him to gain the pound he lost. 

So Cosmo and I are starting a new adventure to purchase a DAD, Diabetic Alert Dog.  This adventure is the most expensive one of my life.  I need to raise more than $16,000.  The first fund raiser is to raffle off a 32 inch TV.  So if you live in or very near Missouri let me know and you too can help Cosmo.