13 Project Update and Thanksgiving Wishes

We’re a day away from Thanksgiving, and it has me thinking of all the animals out there that don’t have a family to spend turkey day with. I wish I could open my door to every single one of them, but since that’s just not feasible I know I can help to do my part through my efforts with the 13 Project.

A few weeks ago Serena from Pretty Fluffy had invited me to join The 13 Project, a wonderful initiative to get involved and help animals!

Ammo the Dachshund // The 13 Project

Incase you missed it….

THE 13 PROJECT

The 13 Project is a Pretty Fluffy initiative that involves 13 acts of kindness towards animals before 2013. The goal is to emmbark on a list of 13 achievable and worthy goals before the year is out.

To join, all you have to do is come up with a list of up to 13 ways you can help animals before the end of 2013. You don’t need to be a millionaire, you don’t need to have a website, or be a member of a rescue organization … all you need is the desire to make a difference. Any little bit helps!

Ammo the Dachshund // The 13 Project Pretty Fluffy

I’ve spent the last few weeks working on completing some of my goals, so I thought I would give everyone a little update on my progress so far.

My goals for the 13 Project….

1. Make a charitable contribution to some of my favorite rescue groups, as I have done for the past several years, through the help of sales of my paintings and artwork that my friends the Painting Ponies have made.

2. Get my photo taken with Santa at a place that donates the profits to rescue groups like I have done for the past 3 years.

3. Promote some local rescue group events to all of my followers through FacebookI have shared a few rescue events with my fans so far, but hope to share even more!

4. Purchase some toys from Planet Dog, where 2% of my sale goes to the Planet Dog Foundation, an organization that helps fund the training and placement of service dogs.

5. Share some of the available adoptable dogs (like I have done in the past) at the local shelters with my followers. I shared a few of the adoptable pets at my local SPCA, and I hope to continue to share some of my four-legged friends that are in search of their forever homes.

Ammo the Dachshund // Lending a Helping Paw // My trip to the SPCA

6. Donate some of my old towels to a local animal shelter. I took a trip to the Chester County SPCA and donated a big box of unwanted towels and blankets.

Ammo the Dachshund // Lending a Helping Paw // My trip to the SPCA

7. Create Holiday Greeting Cards for my Etsy Shop and donate a percentage of the sales to animal shelters. My 2012 Holiday Greeting Cards donate 2% of all the proceeds to the Main Line Animal Rescue. The more you buy the more I can donate!

Ammo the Dachshund 2012 Holiday Greeting Card available in the Flying Hero Etsy Shop!

8. Promote responsible pet ownership and encourage my readers to spay/neuter their pets.

9. Donate some of my outgrown sweaters and jackets that I no longer use to a rescue group that can use them for shelter dogs. I recently sent a donation of sweaters and jackets to the Dachshund Rescue of Bucks County & New Jersey to keep the rescue dachshunds nice and warm. I encourage you to do the same!

Ammo the Dachshund in his winter coat

10. Create a new page on the blog that highlights ways you can involved and help rescue animals, shelters, and good causes.

11. Purchase some Rescue Chocolate as Christmas gifts that donates 100% of their profits to animal rescues.

12. Try to promote more products on my Friday Fetch feature that donate a percentage of their sales to animal charities. Since I joined the 13 Project I am happy to say that just about every feature on Friday Fetch has helped out a rescue group/cause with the sale of their items.

Ammo the Dachshund // Friday Fetch // Scutte Pet T-shirts & Neckties

13. Encourage others to get involved with the 13 Project! I’ve been pinning and sharing the 13 Project with all my fans!

 

I still have a ways to go to complete my list, but I’m making good progress! I hope you’ll join me in The 13 Project! I’d love to hear your ideas of animal kindness too, post links to your list of 13 goals in the comment section below so that we can all share and get inspiration on how to help more animals!

And to all the animals out there looking for forever homes I send all my love this Thanksgiving and every day. xoxo.

Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Pet First Aid Kit

As you know, this week I’m on a road trip with my family to North Carolina. Before I set out on my big adventure, there was some things that had to be checked off my to-do list. Once of those items included creating a Pet First Aid Kit to have with me just incase there was a pet emergency. You can never be too prepared!

Build your own DIY Pet First Aid Kit with Ammo the Dachshund

Before creating my kit I researched what I should include in it. I ended up coming up with my own concoction of items that I gathered from lists on the American Red Cross, the Animal Poison Control Center, and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Build your own DIY Pet First Aid Kit with Ammo the Dachshund

I admit, my own first aid kit has quite a few items in it, but isn’t that the point – to be OVER PREPARED? I probably would of made a really good boy scout!

Build your own DIY Pet First Aid Kit with Ammo the Dachshund

Many of the items in my kit I already had on hand (the benefit of having a grandma who is a nurse), but I gathered them all up and put them into a handy kit that will travel with me in the car from now on.

Ammo the Dachshund's DIY Pet First Aid Kit

DIY Pet First Aid Kit:

*contains affiliate links

Not pictured in my kit are also a few handy iPhone apps that Mom helped me download.

Ammo the Dachshund's DIY Pet First Aid KitThe Pet First Aid App is $3.99 in the apple store, and one of my very favorite purchases. Not only does it help you out in the case of an emergency (by telling you how to give CPR to your pet, how to control bleeding and so much more), but it also helps you store and organize records on your pet; like when they are due for shots, their license and registration id’s, and any medications or conditions.

Ammo the Dachshund's DIY Pet First Aid Kit

Ammo the Dachshund's DIY Pet First Aid KitThe Pet MD Symptom Checker is also a useful app to have in your arsenal and is $0.99 in the app store. Easily plug in symptoms of your dog or cat and be directed to articles of possible diagnosis.

Ammo the Dachshund's DIY Pet First Aid Kit

You should also make sure you store important phone numbers for your pet in your phone. I keep on hand my personal vet’s number, a local 24 hour emergency vet number, the Pet Poison Helpline number (1-800-213-6680), and a phone number for an emergency vet where-ever I will be traveling to.

I hope to never have to use the items in my pet first aid kit, but I sleep a little sounder at night knowing that I’m extra prepared in case I ever need it!

Anyone else have a pet first aid kit in their car? Any other suggestions of items I may have forgotten to include? Do tell! Ammo the Dachshund

Road Tripping Adventures

It’s true, I go on lots and lots of adventures with my family, but did you know that when I travel with my family most of the time it is to perform with my Painting Pony friends. All that is about to change though, because this week I’m traveling without the ponies all the way to North Carolina to visit my Uncle Taylor (the same Uncle Taylor who filmed our new Painting Pony DVD).

Road Tripping Adventures with Ammo the Dachshund

This will be the longest road trip I’ve ever taken, and the best part is that I not only get to travel with my family, but I also get to travel with my bestest buddy Trooper! Best week ever!

Over the weekend I helped mom and dad pack for the big trip, so I thought it would be fun to share with everyone exactly what ended up in my personal suitcase.

Road Tripping Adventures with Ammo the Dachshund

Ammo’s Suitcase:

Road Tripping Adventures with Ammo the Dachshund

I’m so excited to reach my destination, and I’ll be sure to post pictures of my road trip on Facebook and Instagram as I travel. But in case you miss any of the excitement, not to worry – I’ll give you a full recap of all my adventures when I return next week! Ammo the Dachshund

Friday Fetch: Architecture for Dogs

It’s no secret that I’m a lover of art and design, so when I stumbled across Architecture for Dogs I was mesmerized.

From Architecture for Dogs:
Architecture for Dogs, invented by architects and designers, is an extremely sincere collection of architecture and a new medium, which make dogs and their people happy. Dogs are people’s partners, living right beside them, but they are also animals that humans, through crossbreeding, have created in multitudes of breeds. Reexamining these close partners with fresh eyes may be a chance to reexamine both human beings themselves and the natural environment.

Each of their 13 designs are available for download in a blueprint format so that you can build the projects yourself.

The Architecture for Dogs Exhibition opens to the public on December 6, 2012 in the Miami Design District. For more information check out their website.

Ammo the Dachshund // Friday Fetch // Architecture for Dogs

Ammo the Dachshund // Friday Fetch // Architecture for Dogs

Ammo the Dachshund // Friday Fetch // Architecture for Dogs

Ammo the Dachshund // Friday Fetch // Architecture for Dogs

Ammo the Dachshund // Friday Fetch // Architecture for Dogs

Ammo the Dachshund // Friday Fetch // Architecture for Dogs

Each design is crafted with the dog in mind. For instance, a hammock for Jack Russell Terriers isn’t just a hammock; it’s a hammock stretched from the owner’s clothing, meaning the dog can appreciate their smell while resting.

Ammo the Dachshund // Friday Fetch // Architecture for Dogs

Ammo the Dachshund // Friday Fetch // Architecture for Dogs

You can download the Architectures for Dogs designs right HEREAmmo the Dachshund

Source used.

The Fog Rolls In

The Fog Rolls In // Ammo the Dachshund

The other morning on the farm things were looking a bit eery.

The Fog Rolls In // Ammo the Dachshund

The fog rolled in over the hills and I could barely see in front of my nose.

The Fog Rolls In // Ammo the Dachshund

I felt like I was on another planet as the sky molded into the ground and each step I took had me wondering what was on the other side.

The Fog Rolls In // Ammo the Dachshund

As I drifted around the farm I began to think that this fog could be of no use to me what-so-ever.

The Fog Rolls In // Ammo the Dachshund

But I shouldn’t have been so quick to to judge because Cricket reminded me that fog was one of the best type of “weather conditions” to go hunting in.

The Fog Rolls In // Ammo the Dachshund

And that is why Cricket is my girlfriend! Love ya girl!Ammo the Dachshund

My Trip to the SPCA

In keeping with my goals for the 13 Project I have been collecting unwanted towels and blankets for the past few months. So this past weekend I decided I finally had a big box filled enough to make a trip to my local SPCA.

Ammo the Dachshund // Lending a Helping Paw // My trip to the SPCA

Ammo the Dachshund // Lending a Helping Paw // My trip to the SPCA

I was excited to lend a helping paw and put my old towels to good use by giving them to animals that could use them more than me. I knew they would love them because I personally tested each and every one for optimal softness.

Ammo the Dachshund // Lending a Helping Paw // My trip to the SPCA

So we loaded up the car and headed to the Chester County SPCA. I had to wait in the car while Mom and Dad took my donation inside, but when they returned they shared with me some of the pets that were looking forever homes at the SPCA.

Ammo the Dachshund // Lending a Helping Paw // My trip to the SPCA

Duke is a super lovable family dog who is 4 years old. He loves all people and kids and is already housebroken. If you want someone to play fetch with, then this is the boy for you!

Ammo the Dachshund // Lending a Helping Paw // My trip to the SPCA

Ammo the Dachshund // Lending a Helping Paw // My trip to the SPCA

Ammo the Dachshund // Lending a Helping Paw // My trip to the SPCA

This sweet girl Ginger, a terrier mix, was Mom and Dad’s favorite. She had the cutest little face and silly little ears that stood straight up. She is about 1-3 years old and was found as a stray.

To see more adoptable pets at the Chester County SPCA, CLICK HERE.

Mom said she wished we could have brought all of the puppies looking for families home with us, but since that’s just not possible for us we hope that by donating towels and blankets we can do our part to help in some way. Even if it’s just a small thing.

So who else is with me in helping the shelters? There is always something you can do to help; adopt a dog, donate old blankets & towels, share adoptable pets with your friends and family – I know you can do it! We can all be heroes for the animals just looking for a little love. Ammo the Dachshund

Shop Update: Dachshund Holiday Greeting Cards

Every year it’s tradition for Mom to help me make a Holiday greeting card to send to our friends and family. Last year I decided to spread the cheer to everyone and made my cards available to the public. So since Christmas is just around the corner I decided it was high time I revealed my 2012 Holiday Card Design…

Ammo the Dachshund 2012 Holiday Greeting Card available in the Flying Hero Etsy Shop!

Ammo the Dachshund 2012 Holiday Greeting Card available in the Flying Hero Etsy Shop!

And what’s even more fantastic is that I’m going to be donating 2% of all the proceeds from my 2012 cards to the Main Line Animal Rescue!

My 2011 Holiday Card Design is still available for purchase in my Etsy Shop too….

Ammo the Dachshund 2011 Holiday Greeting Card available in the Flying Hero Etsy Shop!

Ammo the Dachshund 2011 Holiday Greeting Card available in the Flying Hero Etsy Shop!

I’m sure both designs will make your friends and family smile!

The making of my 2012 Holiday card was quite involved, but I promise to show you some more behind-the-scenese photos as we get a bit closer to Christmas.

Ammo the Dachshund // 2012 Holiday Greeting Cards

You can purchase my 2012 Holiday Cards in my Etsy Shop, Flying Hero! The more you purchase, the more I can help the animal rescues!Ammo the Dachshund

 

Busybody

 

Mom says I’m a busybody.

Ammo the Dachshund // Busybody on the Farm

I didn’t know what a busybody was, so I looked it up.

bus·y·bod·y (bz-bd)
n. pl. bus·y·bod·ies
A person who meddles or pries into the affairs of others.

 
Ammo the Dachshund // Busybody on the Farm
Okay, okay…..so maybe as soon as the horses are turned out for the night I sneak into their stalls and sniff every square inch to find out what went on while I wasn’t looking.

Ammo the Dachshund // Busybody on the Farm

How else am I going to find out what they had for dinner, or how many pieces of hay they ate, or better yet….who pooped where?

Ammo the Dachshund // Busybody on the Farm

I just like to stay informed! Ammo the Dachshund

Friday Fetch: Sandy Pets Relief Totes from Bocce’s Bakery

I’ve featured Bocce’s Bakery on my blog before, but I’m back to share their newest addition to the shop, the Sandy Pets Relief Totes.

Sandy Pets Relief Tote from Bocce's Bakery // Ammo the Dachshund

100% of the proceeds go to the Best Friends Animal Society to help with their sandy relief efforts. Yay for helping pets in need! And while you’re grabbing up your own limited edition tote on Bocce’s Bakery you can check out their super yummy, but super good for you, pet treats.

Sandy Pets Relief Tote from Bocce's Bakery // Ammo the Dachshund

Sandy Pets Relief Tote from Bocce's Bakery // Ammo the Dachshund

Sandy Pets Relief Tote from Bocce's Bakery // Ammo the Dachshund

I’m already drooling over their mac & cheese cookiesAmmo the Dachshund

Mastering the Kicker Box

You might remember that for my Birthday back in the beginning of October I received a gift from my parents called the Kicker Box. This box with it’s confusing levers that held my treats captive was a source of frustration for me for the first week or so. But, truth be told, it’s no secret as to how stubborn us Dachshunds are – and I couldn’t give up on the Kicker Box without a fight.

Ammo the Dachshund // Birthday Wrap-Up

I’m now a master at dispensing my treats from the box, and to prove it to you my mom shot this video of me working for my breakfast this morning:

Do you think your dog could master the Kicker BoxAmmo the Dachshund

 

Disclosure: I was not paid or perked to write about this product, I just wanted to share with my fans this fun toy.