February Challenge: The Bucket List

Living 08 Feb

With a new year upon us, it’s time to say hello to a new column on Pretty Fluffy. Every month, I’ll be looking at a new way to make life that little bit sweeter, that little bit more exciting, that little bit more luxurious…sounds good doesn’t it? At the end of each post, I’ll be giving you a challenge on how you can turn words into action. This month, we’re talking Bucket Lists.

I was chatting to my mum the other night and she mentioned her latest vacation was a trip to cross off the Bucket List. Seems today everyone has some version of a Bucket List – that is things they want to do before “they kick the bucket”. Sounds macabre, but really it’s more a celebration of life and the world of opportunities out there.

So it got me to thinking, what would our dogs want to put on their Bucket Lists? When I sat down and thought of the things that would make my dog’s life more enriched I was surprised at what I came up with…

1. To go to the Beach. It may come as a shock that Soda doesn’t visit the seaside every weekend, considering we live in Sydney, but for the younger years of her life Soda couldn’t care less about beach time frolicking. As a result her outings began to consist of parks, bush trails and suburban streets. I would like to take her to the beach again to see if she enjoys putting her paws in the water.

2. To return to her puppy home. We’re lucky enough to still live close by to where Soda grew up as a puppy. It’s a great trip down memory lane to walk the paths we did when she was 10 years younger and Soda may even see a few familiar faces.

3. To get a family photo shoot taken. On the surface this seems like a item that fits better on my bucket list, but the reasoning behind it is, I want Soda to be recorded as the significant part of life that she is. For dogs, their stars shine so brightly, that we need to capture them while they’re here.

4. To stay at a luxe doggie hotel. That’s right, I’m talking room service, in house movies and a day of snuggles. I can’t wait for our little family of three to book into a luxury dog friendly hotel – it’s the perfect base to explore the city together.

The great thing about a doggie bucket list is, it makes you see things from your dog’s perspective. You start thinking of little ways you can make their days sweeter and brighter. Because after all, that’s what they do for you.

It also gives you much more insight and clarity when you start to work on your own bucket list. Here’s just some of the ideas I came up with for myself…

1. To travel to Santa’s Village. I think it’s in Finland, or somewhere Nordic, and ever since I found out it’s existence I’ve wanted to visit. I may have to borrow a small child to get in, but the 32 year old me just wants to meet Rudolph. He TOTALLY exists.

2. To see the Big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhinoceros) in the wild. I’m not a big fan of zoos, but would love to see these majestic creatures in their natural habitats. If I can be greedy I want to add a family of Giraffes in for good measure.

3. To write and publish a work of fiction. They say you have to dream big to achieve big! I love the idea of a printed work remaining here long after I’m gone.

Funny thing is, just like the doggie bucket list for Soda, experiences, travel and achievements top my personal list. The best part? I’ve found it’s a great way to help steer the course of the decisions and choices you’re making on a daily basis.

So why not jump in and write your own?

THIS MONTHS’ CHALLENGE: Write a bucket list for you + your dog and start dreaming of which experiences you’re going to cross off first.

Tell us in the comments, what would be the first thing you’d put on your Bucket List?

UPDATE: The 13 Project – 13 Acts of Kindness Towards Animals Before 2013

Behind the Scenes 20 Nov

Have you joined The 13 Project? I have to say since the original post, each week I see new and wonderful ways in which people are getting on board…

The staff of Dogster joined as a team! Such a good idea – with each of them pledging to make a difference in a few short goals.
The 13 Project went Spanish with this poster by Pao Pao Diseno Soportable.
Ashli from the Mini Manor Blog told the story of her own rescue – and had tears a flowin!
Ammo the Dachshund took a trip the the SPCA with donated blankets, and met some friendly faces in the process.
Capree from Dog Milk shared her super cute and super easy DIY for fleece blankets which she plans to donate to her local rescue.

I have to say, THANK YOU all for your involvement, it’s just amazing.

How are your goals coming along? Here’s how my list in shaping up so far…

UPDATE #2: The 13 Project…

1. ~~Go through all of my old towels, bedding and sheets & donate what I don’t use to my local shelter.~~ DONE!
~~2. Attend the Oscar’s Law Rally against puppy farming.~~ DONE! (If you would like to support them please consider joining the Oscar’s Law Facebook Page)
~~3. Share and repost a rescue dog’s profile on Facebook until I know they find a loving fur-ever home.~~ DONE! An updated photo made all this difference for this little guy who is confirmed to have a new family ready to take him home. However, if you’re looking at adopting, please see his friends at Hawkesbury City Council who are still looking for fur ever homes.
~~4. Go through Soda’s toys and donate the ones she doesn’t use anymore to my local rescue centre.~~ DONE! With Soda’s blessing we were able to feel like Santa for a day!
~~5. Buy this calendar knowing that all profits go towards helping dogs in need.~~ DONE! (You can still buy copies here though)
~~6. Send a letter to my local representative asking them to ban the sale of animals in pet shops.~~ DONE! You can do so too – a 5 minute email is all it takes.
7. De-clutter my closet and sell the clothes that I no longer wear on eBay. Donate those profits to the RSPCA.
8. Organise a group of friends to spend an afternoon walking dogs or cleaning at our local shelter.
~~9. Purchase a collar in the WSPA’s Collars Not Cruelty campaign.~~ DONE! You can join me by buying your own collar here.
10. Join POOPs – the program that assists elderly pet owners with basic and emergency pet care.
~~11. Sign this petition to help save greyhounds from a cruel export trade.~~ DONE! (I encourage you to sign it too!)
~~12. Pin Pro-Adoption & Pro-Rescue posters and images on Pinterest to encourage others to think of adopting.~~ DONE! (Inspired by other 13 Project lists, I also started a board just for cute pups up for adoption here: Adopt Me!)
~~13. Share and promote The 13 Project to inspire others!~~ DONE! (But you’ve just got me started on this one!)

So let me hear from you. How is your 13 Project going?

I’m here to be your personal cheerleader to get those goals crossed off your list by the time 2013 rolls around. Whether you can do one, five or thirteen goals – every bit makes a difference. Remember, every action you make has the chance to change an animal’s life forever. Good Luck!

It’s our 2nd Birthday! (And a Surprise Announcement)

Behind the Scenes 14 Nov

It all started with this post.

Since then, we’ve come a long way, but I’m proud to say we’re still all about the pretty and the fluffy.

Since launching this blog two years ago we’ve made Puppy Cupcakes, we’ve Kept Calm and Loved Dogs, we’ve made No Bake Treats, celebrated a Puppy’s First Christmas, Trick or Treated, met a bunch of Dogs of the Blogs, and made No-Sew Doggie Bow Ties for Dogs at Weddings.

We’ve stolen the style of celebrities and their dogs – including Blake Lively and Penny, Rachel Bilson and Thurman Murman, and Olivia Palermo and Mr Butler.

We’ve raved over fab canine brands such as Bocce’s Bakery, Blanket ID, Mungo & Maud, Gangs of New Yorkie, Diesel + Juice, PAW by Blackmores, Luxemutt, Puppylocks, SilhouPETte, and many more. We celebrated Aussie brands as well including the fabulous Best in Park, Sweet Chops, FuzzYard, Pooccio, Hey Pup!, DOGUE, Tolly & Applewood, Wellbeing for Dogs, and Sculpture by Teangi.

We’ve drooled over gorgeous photoshoots, and given tips on how to take your dog’s own photo at home. We’ve made DIY Dog Bowls, 5 Minute Valentines, DIY Luggage Tags, Paw Print Wall Art, At Home Medical Kits, and Backyard Cinemas.

We’ve said hello to a new writer Sarah, and welcomed new columns on Cruelty Free Living.

We’ve featured over 400 Daily Fluffies, which equates to around 1209 smiles, 672 laughs and 3009 days improved.

We’ve loved rescue dogs, busted myths about Pit Bulls, launched The 13 Project and featured hundreds of homeless dogs here and one our social media pages. We’ve been featured on I Heart Organizing, MamaMia, Hope 103.2, Dogs Life Magazine, Polka Dot Bride, Little Bits of Lovely and many more!

What’s in store for year 3 and beyond? I’m excited to say it’s just going to get better! I can announce today that Pretty Fluffy will be releasing our first eBook next month, and we’ve got not one but three new features we’ll be adding to the site in 2013. We’ve got a boatload full of new DIY projects, photo sessions, hot products, celebrities and home tips for you to sink your teeth into. 2013 is going to be bigger, better, prettier and fluffier. We cannot wait to share it all with you!

So, from the bottom of my heart, Pretty Fluffies THANK YOU for your support over the last two years. Your comments, tweets, likes, emails and smiles are what keep me going through the long nights, weekend shoots, computer crashes, hackers and all the realities of managing a blog. Here’s to 2 years of fluffy friendship and to many more to come!

As a special birthday wish – tell me, what has been your favourite post to date on Pretty Fluffy?

The 13 Project – An Update!

Behind the Scenes 19 Oct

WOW.

When I started The 13 Project just 2 short weeks ago I never through it would have the response it’s had. With tweets, facebook shares, and pins now running into the thousands I am truly humbled by the number of people ready and willing to make the end of 2012 count for animals.

I’ve done my best to read and comment on every project list posted online (if I haven’t please email me to let me know) and the links on the original post are now totaling over 55 and counting. Some of them have opened my eyes to amazing foundations helping animals throughout the world, some have been bursting with creativity and others have been so touching they have moved me to tears. I’m truly floored. Because do you know what this all means? It’s means that between now and the end of 2012 there will be hundreds of small acts of kindness bestowed on animals around the world.

As someone who only a few weeks ago was questioning whether one person could make a difference, the response to this project has proven to me that even the smallest acts can have the biggest impact. Thank you all from the bottom of my dog-crazy heart.

But before I get carried away – let’s do a inventory of our lists! Are you crossing things off? Let’s take a look at my original list and what I’ve managed to do so far…

UPDATE #1: The 13 Project…

1. Go through all of my old towels, bedding and sheets & donate what I don’t use to my local shelter.
~~2. Attend the Oscar’s Law Rally against puppy farming.~~ DONE! (If you would like to support them please consider joining the Oscar’s Law Facebook Page)
3. Share and repost a rescue dog’s profile on Facebook until I know they find a loving fur-ever home.
4. Go through Soda’s toys and donate the ones she doesn’t use anymore to my local rescue centre.
~~5. Buy this calendar knowing that all profits go towards helping dogs in need.~~ DONE! (You can still buy copies here though)
6. Send a letter to my local representative asking them to ban the sale of animals in pet shops.
7. De-clutter my closet and sell the clothes that I no longer wear on eBay. Donate those profits to the RSPCA.
8. Organise a group of friends to spend an afternoon walking dogs or cleaning at our local shelter.
9. Purchase a collar in the WSPA’s Collars Not Cruelty campaign.
10. Join POOPs – the program that assists elderly pet owners with basic and emergency pet care.
~~11. Sign this petition to help save greyhounds from a cruel export trade.~~ DONE! (I encourage you to sign it too!)
~~12. Pin Pro-Adoption & Pro-Rescue posters and images on Pinterest to encourage others to think of adopting.~~ DONE! (Inspired by other 13 Project lists, I also started a board just for cute pups up for adoption here: Adopt Me!)
~~13. Share and promote The 13 Project to inspire others!~~ DONE! (But you’ve just got me started on this one!)

So let me hear from you. How is your list going?

I’m here to be your personal cheerleader to get those goals crossed off your list by the time the New Years Eve fireworks go off. Don’t ever feel alone, overwhelmed or that you can’t make a difference. None of us are perfect, just do what you can. Remember, every action you make has the chance to change an animal’s life forever. We’re in this together!