Paw-sitively Fabulous: Operation ResCUTE!

This is a very special post for me, because it marks our 100th entry for Little Holly's Big World. I started this blog to chronicle all the fun things there are to do in the city with your pup, but quickly realized it was a great platform to raise awareness for rescue, and all the great fur-riends in shelters just waiting for their moment in the spotlight!

One thing I have heard a lot recently is that Holly is "so pretty for a rescue." I think there is a misconception that all rescue animals are somehow damaged goods, which is of course the farthest thing from the truth! 

That's why when I was visiting the Friends of Finn pup-up shop a few weeks back, I was immediately drawn to the ladies of Operation ResCUTE, a series of children's books and corresponding plush toys that seeks to educate the next generation on animal rescue and encourage them to adopt a shelter pet. I was able to chat with Laurie, the founder of Operation ResCUTE, to hear more about her incredible mission. 

Little Holly's Big World: What inspired you to educate children about animal rescue? 

Operation ResCUTE: After working over 30 years in marketing and product development, I decided to change gears and pursue my greatest passion [aside from my kids, of course!]...that of helping dogs in need of finding loving homes. It is very evident to me that the only way to create change in the way people approach getting a pet for the home is to EDUCATE the younger generation of kids and make them AWARE of the plight of the shelter dog. Young children generally drive the decision to get a pet for the home and for the most part, the majority of kids remain unaware that so many dogs currently live in shelters, in less than ideal situations, longing to be loved and belong to a family. Most young children think dogs come from pet stores on the street where they see adorable fluffy puppies jumping in the window! Kids remain unaware of shelters and the sad reality and plight of the shelter dog. So our series aims to EDUCATE and CHANGE THE CONVERSATION in homes to ADOPT vs. purchase pets!

Operation ResCUTE founder, Laurie, poses with her first books and plush toy, based on her own pup!

LHBW: What made you decide to write books and create toys to get your story out to the world? 

ORC: Books and stuffed animals are both great learning tools and have an important place in any child's life. So, in order to promote change among the next generation in regard to adoption of pets, I felt books and stuffed animals were a universal vehicle to best speak to kids.In developing a series of children's books and stuffed animals based on individual rescue dog's true-to-life stories, I also knew it was crucial to change the current perception of the shelter dog as well.  To date, shelter dogs are often portrayed as dogs having issues, or aggressive breeds, sad and pathetic in their pleas. In order to appeal to young kids, it is necessary to create a friendlier "face" to the shelter dog [hence the name Res"CUTE"] and make them more approachable and adorable and most importantly, identifiable. Our books address basic needs felt by children as well as animals: the need for love, security, and a sense of belonging! In addition, our book series teaches important life lessons and helps to create EMPATHY among the younger generation so that they feel responsible to help those less fortunate around them.

The books and plush are great for the pup-ruvin' kids in your life.

LHBW: Tell us a bit about Jingles, your first official Operation ResCUTE!

ORC: As the Story of Jingles depicts, it was by chance that I found Jingles. (As a child, I was raised with full bred dogs and I was never fully aware of the option to adopt from animal shelters.) Out of all the dogs I have had to date, I can unequivocally say that Jingles remains the most heartfelt dog I have ever met. She loves everyone with her entire being and is so incredibly loyal and intuitive. 

Knowing that she ever had to suffer for a single moment in her  life is unbearable to me and , as my muse, she will propel me to continue to always work on"her" behalf to do the same for other homeless dogs.

Laurie poses with Jingles, the inspiration behind Operation ResCUTE

Plush Jingles, in the fluff!

LHBW: Readers are able to submit their own pets to become a story. Tell us more about how that process works!

ORC: In terms of Operation ResCUTE's on-going CONTEST, we encourage people to go on our website (www.operationrescute.com) ,send in pictures and the background story of their rescue dogs and how they came to be rescued. We then select "winners" and give donations to the shelters that helped cared for them prior to their adoption. Selection of "winners" is based on many factors: the courageousness of the dogs, the efforts and fortitude of  their shelters as well as their new owners in caring for them, etc. If sales allow us to continue to move forward with the series, we plan to choose our next ResCUTE characters for the book and plush series from the Contest dogs!! 

LHBW: 100% of your proceeds go to rescue organizations. Why was it important for you to give back in that way? 

ORC: 100% of the profits from the Operation ResCUTE book series go towards helping shelters in their adoption efforts. I feel it is important to give as much assistance to all the wonderful individuals and organizations who, on a daily basis, care for and work effortlessly to find these wonderful pets a loving home.  In order to institute great and meaningful changes in life, I feel it is important to PAY IT FORWARD!

100% of proceeds go to helping more animals in need.

LHBW: Finally, what do you hope for Operation ResCUTE?  

ORC: In looking forward, I can only hope that Operation ResCUTE Inc. has been a successful tool in changing the conversation in homes in regard to pet ADOPTION . In addition, if our series can help teach empathy to kids and help them to become more aware of those less fortunate around them, then the world  will be a better place.

If you have an animal ruvin' child in your life, consider Operation ResCUTE as a paw some gift (buy it here). Not only will they get to snuggle up with a great story and a fluffy new pal, but you can feel good knowing you helped save a shelter animal in need. Talk about win-win!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: by far the best thing about this blog is meeting all the inspirational people who are truly changing the world of animal welfare every day. If every one of us takes a small step towards improving the life of animals, I know we will make a big impact. Thank you for joining us on our journey so far--I can't wait to see where we all go next!

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Getting Carrie-d Away!

I'm so excited to share that the insanely talented Seriously Sabrina Photography is returning to New York to do another photo shoot with us! You might remember that last year we recreated the iconic opening to Breakfast at Tiffany's and Holly's namesake, Holly Golightly. For our dress-up adventure this year, we decided to channel a more modern-day, but equally iconic single New York gal. Look for clues in the collage below, and let me know if you can guess this year's theme!

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Can my dog eat that? This infographic answers once and for all!

I was contacted by a fellow pup blogger, ChewieSays, about our home cooking and healthy recipes for both people and pups alike. I'm always on the lookout for new meals I can prepare for Holly, but knowing that pooches digest food differently than people, I'm always hesitant to add new ingredients. Luckily, ChewieSays has this handy infographic to help take some of the mystery about what dogs can and can't eat. I loved it so much I asked the good folks about ChewieSays to share some of their insights with all of you! Read on to hear directly from the ChewieSays authors themselves, and to see the handy and helpful infographic for yourself!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Hello Darlings!

I realize I have been a very bad blogger recently, and I hope you all have been satiated by checking out our Instagram and contributing posts on Bitches Guide NYC!

But since it is St. Paddy's Day and Holly and I are proud Irish gals (Holly in an honorary sense, though she does look excellent in green), we knew we had to share some photos from the St. Patrick's Day event we attended last weekend at Furry Tails NYC benefiting Social Tees Animal Rescue. 

With vegan cupcakes and champagne for the humans, clover shaped treats for the pups, and a wacky St. Paddy's Day photo booth with complimentary mini sessions courtesy of Hilarious Hound, the party was the perfect way to celebrate our Irish pride without having to worry about being squished by over-eager (and often over served) parade attendees! A special thanks to Puppy Parties NYC for putting the event together--we had a great time!

Portraits courtesy of Hilarious Hound

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Paw-sitively Fabulous: Breuer Premium Pet Food

I love social media for so many reasons, but the biggest one has got to be that it connects you with people and brands you might otherwise never have met. 

Breuer Premium began following me and my mom since we have mentioned home cooking for our pups in our posts. A New York based company, Breuer Premium has the unique concept of creating the same wholesome, home cooked meals we do for our dogs and delivering them right to your door (genius). Think of a private celeb chef cooking up a gorgeous, all natural meal for your pup that is then delivered fresh to you weekly. That's what I call glamorous!

Currently, Breuer Premium is only available to NYC area pups to ensure freshness, but I can see their concept of making healthy home cooking convenient catching on across the country. I caught up with them to learn more about their incredible idea, their food philosophy, and why they do what they do. 

Little Holly's Big World: As a home cooking pooch-mama myself, I love hearing there are fellow home cooking pet parents out there! What drove you to start cooking for them?

BP: The Breuer Premium Pet Food Company was built out of love for man's best friend.  This is an American story, in support of our beloved animals, our local farmers, and a way of life which focuses on the fundamentals of healthy living.  Few things in life provide greater pleasure than caring for and spending time with our beloved animals.  Our Golden Retriever, George, and our Mini Golden Doodle, Jack, are never far from our sides.  They have been reaping the benefits of the Breuer Premium recipes for years and they are the true inspirations behind creating a larger distribution channel for our food.

The inspirations behind it all! Image courtesy of Breuer Premium.

LHBW: What compelled you to take the home cooking beyond your kitchen to the pups of New York?

BP: The Breuer family has cooked homemade meals for their dogs George and Jack over the past decade.  The recipes that evolved were inspired by the local, seasonal ingredients found at the markets near their farm in Upstate New York.  Discouraged by the global recall of many commercial pet foods in 2007 due to contamination, the Breuer Premium Pet Food Company was founded to help build awareness for the benefits of a fresh, all natural diet.  

Image courtesy of Breuer Premium.

LHBW: Have you seen any obvious health benefits since you began home cooking for your own pets?

BP: We are providing dogs with fresh, all natural ingredients free from preservatives, fillers, and animal by-products present in most commercial pet foods. Each Breuer Premium meal contains a carefully selected blend of fruits, vegetables, gluten free carbohydrates and protein helping to alleviate joint stress, reduce inflammation, increase urinary tract health, boost skin & coat condition, promote healthy vision, and freshen breath!  Our mini golden doodle Jack, with his sensitive tummy, has given his full seal of approval for all of the Breuer Premium meals.

Resident taste tester, Jack. Image courtesy of Breuer Premium.

LHBW: Breuer Premium goes above and beyond most food manufacturers out there, with an FDA certified kitchen, certified food handlers delivering the food, and holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists monitoring the recipes for optimal health. Why were these additions important to the Breuer philosophy?

BP: Our beloved pets deserve the highest quality of care possible and we believe that this starts with a healthy diet.  The Breuer's and a team of experts, including holistic veterinarians, food scientists, and animal nutritionists built upon the family's homemade recipes to offer products that are not only fresh and all natural, but also nutritionally adequate.  All products are formulated to meet key vitamin and mineral requirements as defined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).  We maintain the highest standards for product development, sourcing and production, which requires a meticulous focus on the quality of our ingredients, our cooking methodology, and adherence to the laws of the NY Department of Agriculture.

Image courtesy of Breuer Premium.

LHBW: Where do you source your ingredients from? Do you have any seasonal favorites you like to add to your meals to mix things up?

BP: The Breuer Premium Pet Food Company prides itself on its all natural approach to animal wellness.  We work with local farmers throughout the Hudson Valley and surrounding areas to select only the finest meats, vegetables, and fruit.  Our ingredients are 100% grown and gathered in the USA.  All natural 80/20 ground beef, nutritionally dense, leafy green spinach, and gluten-free, red quinoa seeds are only some of the gluten free superfoods included in our products.  We currently offer Beef & Millet, Turkey & Red Quinoa, and Lamb & Brown Rice meals, and have a number of seasonal products in our pipeline including venison, rabbit and bison.  Yum and stay tuned for updates!

LHBW: Tell us more about your company’s commitment to the ASPCA.

BP: Breuer Premium is proud to support the ASPCA and its mission to save lives.  We are an NYC born & raised brand, focused on supporting our community by sourcing, producing, and delivering locally.  We believe in working with New York based organizations like the ASPCA to promote healthy living and treatment of our furry four legged friends.

Jack thinks eating well while doing good is groovy! Image courtesy of Breuer Premium.

LHBW: Finally, for those looking to make the switch from kibble to holistic, home cooked meals, where do you recommend starting? 

BP: We recommend introducing a new diet slowly so it’s gentle on your dog’s tummy.  If switching from kibble to holistic, we advocate a gradual transition over the course of 7-10 days.  For example, mixing 25% Breuer Premium and 75% kibble for the first three days, 50:50 for three more days, and 75:25 for three final days before serving 100% Breuer Premium.

For more information about how to bring Breuer's Premium to your door, check them out Facebook or Instagram! 

Until Next Time, Darlings!

Big News!

We are so excited to share that starting this month we will  be Contributing Bitches over at the paw-sitively fabulous Bitches' Guide New York, "the ultimate guide to style, culture, and refined living for discerning dogs (and their humans) in New York City."

For those of you who follow us on Instagram, you may have read that we attended BarkBox's Single's Event last week, so be sure to head over to Bitches' Guide today to get the full scoop on the event (and our outfits)!

Holly's Dress: Baxter Boo, Holly's Bow: c/o Jumping and Jellybean, My top: Piperlime Collection (matching skirt here), My skirt: Space46Boutique

Paw-sitively Fabulous: Camp Canine Puppy Bowl!

As many of you have probably guessed by now, Holly and I aren’t the types to be into professional sports (unless, of course, you count Bark in the Park). But when we were invited to spend the Super Bowl surrounded by a real-life version of Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl, suddenly sports seemed much more exciting!

All geared up for game day the LHBW way! Image courtesy of Camp Canine.

Allow me to explain: every year, while pup parents head off to watch the big game at not-so-pooch- friendly places, Camp Canine NY, an Upper West Side Doggy Daycare, stays open late and throws a TAILgate for pups only. And Holly and I were lucky enough to snag an inside peek!

I arrived at Camp Canine at 5:00pm and was whisked into the main room, fully decked out like a football stadium and complete with pup-friendly pigs in a blanket, pretzels, and football-themed cookies. Team colored bandanas were at the ready, but since Holly and I hail from Colorado and could no sooner support the Seahawks as we could a bunch of cheaters (ok, maybe I do know SOMETHING about football), we were outfitted with an alliance-neutral pink bandana, which, as an added bonus, matched our tutus!

The snack table was the most popular hub of the evening!

Next we stopped by the photo booth, where pooches were brought throughout the evening to pose in their team colors against a festive backdrop. The team at Camp Canine worked a strange voodoo magic on Holly that got her to sit still and pose, and we were rewarded with a cute keepsake photo from the event at the end of the evening!

Holly looking photo booth chic. Image courtesy of Camp Canine.

Then it was time for the real fun to start! The other pups ready to party came out into the main “stadium” room, and charged around with stuffed footballs, helped themselves to some snacks and dog-friendly beer (sometimes without permission!), and got geared up from the game. Holly was nervous at first but eventually joined in on the fun, making friends with several pooches, including Camp Canine staff pups Nacho and Tamale!

 

The pups in a rare standstill. Image courtesy of Camp Canine.

Holly and fellow shy pup Dashwood bonding. Image courtesy of Camp Canine.

Someone got carried away with the Bowser Beer! Image courtesy of Camp Canine.

By kick off, everyone had eaten and played so much they were all ready to pass out (much like a human Super Bowl party). Holly snoozed in my lap and seemed to be a Chihuahua mix magnet—at one point we had five total in our little area! It would be very dangerous for me to work somewhere like Camp Canine—they were all such sweeties I wanted to take them all home (luckily they already have fur-ever homes that love them, though Camp Canine does have a foster program that many of the pups are graduates of).

Holly with Insta-friend and Camp Canine grad, Nacho!

 We had such a pawsome time getting to know the staff and pooches of Camp Canine NY. I was so impressed by the creative set up for the Super Bowl, and the love and attention the staff lavished on the pups in attendance. Its clear those doggies are excited to be there, and who wouldn’t be! At Camp Canine, every day is the Puppy Bowl!

Until Next Time, Darlings!