Oh, come on, you know you do, you big ol’ softie.  Having been involved in C.A.R.E.‘s (Central Arkansas Rescue Effort) foster system for a number of years (hey, we all work with our strengths, and while the prospect of case-working, or screening homes, gave me the shudders, nursing pitiful critters until they were ready for “forever homes” was somehow a perfect fit for me)* , I can personally attest to the amazing amount of hard work they do, and have done, over the years.  It’s a truly inspirational story, how this brainchild of one soft-hearted human has blossomed into the powerful rescue organization it is today–they even own their own mobile spay/neuter clinic now, where they provide free sterilizations for the pets of  low-income families!  So get yourself to the River Market ArtSpace Friday night, and buy some art and save some lives!  Also, if you even THINK you have a talent that could go to good use, or a temporary warm bed and warm heart for some less-fortunate furry friend, go to CARE’s website and check out all the opportunities they have to offer.  You won’t be sorry.  Maybe you’ll even find a four-legged companion who needs YOU, for life.  Seriously, PLEASE:  Visit the website.  There are SO many ways you can help.

Here’s the press release about Friday’s special event:

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River Market ArtSpace, a gallery located on President Clinton
Boulevard, has honored CARE by selecting it as the beneficiary of a
percentage of its sales on its next “Second Friday Art Night” — which
is this Friday, November 10, 5:00PM to 8:00PM. CARE will get a
percentage of the sales made during the 5 pm – 8pm time period. This
is a great way to get out and do some early Holiday Shopping and
benefit CARE at the same time. We hope to see you there!

For more info, see:

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http://rivermarketartspace.com/ (and click on PROCEEDS NIGHTS)

http://www.2ndfridayartnight.com/

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Your Friends at CARE

*I should also not be allowed to personally pull dogs from the shelter.  EVER.  I did it once, and came home not only with the one I was authorized by hubby (and CARE) to foster, but an “extra.”  A beautiful little white toy poodle who I immediately christened “Pearl.”  Aside from my just coming home with one more dog than I’d agreed to, the naming of the “pitiful” one was a marital struggle.  See, Pearl was blind, and had a long-term crushed leg.  She was also over 10 years old, and toothless.  I have NO idea how she’d survived any time at all on the streets, but that’s where she’d been picked up, and where she had obviously been for some time.  We got her healthy enough for surgery, at which time she was spayed, and her leg amputated.  The stress of the surgery triggered Addison’s Disease (ALWAYS HAVE I.V. FLUIDS RUN DURING ANY SURGICAL PROCEDURE ON YOUR PETS–ALWAYS.  NO MATTER WHAT YOUR VET SAYS.  JUST DO IT), for which she was medicated the rest of her life, and soon her atrophied left eye literally fell out.  Alex always wanted to call her “Lucky.”

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Anyway, Pearl wound up living out her remaining years of life with us, since 3-legged, one-eyed, toothless elderly dogs with Addison’s disease don’t really scream, “ADOPT ME!”  She was happy, healthy as could be expected, and got around surprisingly well, even managing vigorous wagging of her nearly-nonexistent stump of a tail.  And for a while, at least, she was loved.  I thank the friends, both far and near, who donated to the vet clinic on behalf of Pearl for her many medical expenses.

Give it a try.  You won’t be sorry.

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Belinda also blogs from her home base on the Internet, “NINJA POODLES!”  Expect chaos.  During the month of November, expect it daily, thanks to the madness that is NABLOPOMO.

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