“Never doubt that a small group of committed souls can change the world — in fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead
You can’t help but be moved when you watch the video above. You don’t even need to know what it is about.
But when you do know what it is about, you will be moved to tears.
The video, created by my friend Lynn Haigh, was presented in a session at the BlogPaws conference last weekend in Columbus, OH. The video highlights efforts by individuals to bring about change in the lives of animals in need.
The “Be the Change” panel – Lynn Haigh, Pawpawty creator, Dr. V. from Pawcurious, Dorian from Your Daily Cute and Jane Harrell from Petfinder, threw out a challenge to the entire pet blogging community: Do something to change the world for pets in need, and specifically, do something to help raise funds for a designated pet charity. Pets Without Parents was selected by a prize winner at the “Be the Change” presentation.
Bloggers from all over the world are participating in this challenge. So what am I going to do?
I will be designing a T-shirt which I will put on my CafePress Shop, and all proceeds from sales of the T-shirt in the month of April and May will go to Pets Without Parents. After May, proceeds from sales of the shirt will go to my local animal charity, Friends of Stark Pound.
I have not completed the design yet, but will post it here as soon as I do.
Widgets for both organizations are in the sidebars of this blog if you wish to donate to one or both of them. Some grateful furry friends will be glad that you did!
So what will you do to be the change in your world today?
UPDATE: The T-Shirt has been designed and can be purchased in the BZTAT Studios CafePress Shop. What are you waiting for?
First, I got to meet one of my FAVORITE Twitter pals, @CosmoHavenese (pictured with my commissioned portrait of another Twitter “anipal” sensation, @FrugalDougal).
And third, I met with many people who are doing important work to support animal charities, including: Lynn Haigh, FrugalDougal’s staff and coordinator of the monthly PawPawty on Twitter; Dr. V. of Pawcurious; Dorian Wagner of Your Daily Cute; Jane Harrell from Petfinder, and Caroline Golon, staff of RomeotheCat, and BlogPaws cofounder.
Lynn, Dr. V., Dorian and Jane put on this amazing presentation entitled, “Be the Change”, challenging each and every pet lover to do something in their own way to benefit animals in need.
The have started a “Be the Change” Challenge, in which I will participate, and will post about later this week. I hope that you will participate too.
Stay tuned! More about BlogPaws and “Be the Change” to come!
In addition to the stellar speaker list and the truly fantastic sponsors, BlogPaws 2010 is hosting a Pet Art Exhibit and Silent Auction. As part of the BlogPaws Coordination Team, I have had the pleasure to gather artists and their artwork for the exhibit/auction.
As you can see in the video above, we will have some wonderful artwork by some of the country’s best pet artists available for auction. Make sure you come prepared to bid!
The Silent Auction will kick off immediately following pet expert, Charlotte Reed’s, presentation on Friday night, April 9th. Attendees will have the chance to stroll around the auction area and silently bid on some wonderful pieces of art.
Our PawsArt Pet Art Silent Auction will feature the artwork of our many talented friends in the blogging community. It will go from our opening on Friday, through 1pm on Saturday afternoon.
Fifty percent of the final auction price will go to the artist, with the other 50% going to the animal rescues we are supporting as part of our ongoing giving program.
So if you are looking to acquire some gorgeous art and support animal welfare in the process, this is the perfect opportunity! You’ll see photography, acrylic and oil paintings, sculpture, hand-blown glass and more!
Featured artists include:
Mozart Dane from Harlequin Haven Great Dane Rescue near Cincinnati, paints with his paws. He is the Rescue spokesdog against puppy mills and homeless dogs. Sales of his art help support the Rescue. Website: www.hhdane.com/mozart (@MozartDane on Twitter)
Dana Munteanfrom Canton, Ohio, paints portraits of dogs and other animals, and she creates artworks following many other themes. She has painted numerous interior and exterior murals. She has a studio gallery at Second April Galerie in Canton. She is very active with Friends of Stark Pound, a rescue group that assists the local pound with the care and rehoming of homeless dogs, and she is “mom” to several canine children in her home. Website: www.danamuntean.com
Sue Steiner from Dalton, Ohio, specializes in equine art, however, she is also well known for painting portraits of cats and dogs and other animals. She has a studio gallery at Second April Galerie in Canton. She has had her artwork published in national magazines. She is an active blogger about her artwork, community arts activities, and her journeys with horse rescue. She has 2 rescue horses that she is currently rehabilitating.Website: www.suesteiner.com (@ArtbySue on Twitter)
Angie Ketelhut from Seattle, Wa paints whimsical portraits of pets as well as people with their pets. She also works with petlovers to create unique uplifting memorial paintings celebrating the lives of four legged friends who have crossed rainbow bridge. She donates paintings & gift certificates to various rescues each year. She is mom to Fatsa, a charming Boston Terrier. Website: www.artbyangie.com (@DogArtist2 on Twitter)
Brian Gryphonfrom Columbus, OH has been a photographer since taking pictures for his high school yearbook; “a few decades ago” he says. He describes his main subjects as ‘florals and felines’ although he has photographed canines, Canada Geese and cityscapes. He has used his talents to raise funds for Cat Welfare Association and is now President of Animal Outreach; a non-profit serving central Ohio.
Bernadette E. KazmarskiUnder the supervision of her cats, Bernadette sells original paintings, prints and merchandise created from her paintings of them. Inspired by her images of her cats, others have commissioned over 100 portraits of cats, dogs and their people in various media. She works in her home studio painting animals and nature and writing fiction and poetry and providing commercial print, web and logo design and illustrations as well as photographing events, and writing articles and publicity. Website: www.bernadette-k.com
Adrian Hitt is a nationally recognized, award-winning dog photographer who creates modern, playful works of art. Her interest in dog photography is founded in her desire to celebrate and encourage the deep bond that develops between human and animal, parent and dog. Adrian’s photography has been featured in Pedigree advertisements and magazines including People, Professional Photographer and Nashville Paw. She has received numerous awards for her photography and design talents. She enjoys spending everyday with the inspiration behind her career – Benny a charming -and perfect- lab mix rescue. Website: www.adrianhitt.com.
Rachel Lauren Ridgley is a fine art freelance photographer based in Central Ohio. Her passion and focus is animal portraiture (but she also work with human clients!) In her free time she photographs people, landscapes, and abandoned buildings. Website: www.rachellaurenphotography.com
Janet Tobiassen Crosby DVM (AboutVetMed) has been working with beads as an art form since 1987. She started flameworking in April of 2003. Her biggest inspirations are color, nature and animals. All of the beads are made by her using glass rods and a propane-oxygen torch. The finished bead goes in the kiln to cool slowly over 8 hours to strengthen it; a process called annealing.
BZTAT (AKA Vicki Boatright) from Canton, OH, creates colorful contemporary artworks of cats and dogs and other companion animals. She specializes in painting custom pet portraits in a unique and personal style, and has been commissioned to paint animals all over the world. She is an active blogger on her own website, and she assists her cat Brewskie Butt (AKA The Brew) with his blog. She has helped to raise money for Friends of Stark Pound rescue group in Stark County, and has supported other rescue groups around the world. Websites: www.bztat.com and www.justmeowin.com (@BZTAT and @BrewskieButt on Twitter)
