Life with Leia: Leia Becomes a Philanthropist!

Why we up so early?

Excited to be going too!

Leia was confused when I stumbled in to the living room at 6am. It was time for a short walk and some breakfast. This is totally off our normal schedule (where she eats around 10am) but she was happy to get to walk in the cool weather.

She got nervious when I started packing the car with a few things (a jug of water, and her "baby bag" stuffed with treats, a pop-up water bowl, several doggy poop bags just in case, and some yellow ribbon to let people know she is still learning to socialize.

Leia poked her head through the garage door "Coming too?" Normally it is just a wish and then she is in the crate but today I called her out. She wiggled the whole way and was psyched to leap in the car.

What she didn't know was for the past week and a few days we'd be bombarding facebook with invites to join our team or to donate to a fundraiser called Paws for Peace. This worthy cause is raising money to build a shelter for pets. This shelter will house the pets of survivors of domestic violence so when the family leaves their abuser they can all get to safety, instead of having to leave their pets to a grim fate.
Here are some facts about Domestic Violence, families, and pets:

48% of domestic violence survivors delay leaving an abusive home because they don’t have a safe place for their pets.
Battered women have been known to live in their cars with their pets for as long as four months until an opening was available at a pet-friendly safe house.
According to the American Animal Hospital Association, an estimated 88% of pets living in households with domestic violence are either abused or killed.
71% of pet-owning women entering women’s shelters report that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims.
Pet abuse is often a retaliatory action of abusers. Animals are used as leverage by the batterer as a means to control their victims or as part of a pre-emptive strike to gain or maintain control.
Abusers kill, harm, or threaten children’s pets to coerce them into sexual abuse or to force them to remain silent about abuse.
Of all survivors who enter shelters to escape violence, 57% have had a pet killed by their abuser.
Harbor House will be the only shelter in Central Florida with a kennel for pets of domestic violence survivors. Pets are not Pawns!

Before we continue with our story, I have to point out how crucial this cause is... In September 2012 alone there were 10 deaths due to domestic violence in Orlando... Who knows what stopped those people from leaving, or if they were trying to escape when they were killed... Now more than ever, we need this shelter.

If you are interested in Donating here is Our Personal Donation Page & Our Team Donation Page.
Also here is our Team's Facebook, just for the record.

When we got to the event we checked in at registration and waited for Amber and Rachel to arrive. As we waited Leia had her picture taken by and event photographer and a lady told me that Leia looked so much like her dog. She then told me her pup recently and suddenly passed at 9 years old. She began to tear up as she patted Leia's head. I offered her a hug and she accepted. As I hugged her she quietly said "At least I know that here, people understand." Leia just smiled and wagged, loving the sweet attention. She met several pups including a chow who's name means "Smart loving bear" (which was perfect for her!).

The registration booth!

It is called "paws" for peace and
here is our Kitty representative!
What a brave girl!

Opening Ceremonies: The release of the butterflies

Right about 9 Rachel arrived with her dog Kilo and her boyfriend Jayson and right after was Amber with her dog Jack and her boyfriend Allen. Our team of 8 was assembled! The pups all sniffed each other and then we were off to opening Ceremonies.

In honor of the 10 people lost in September, The Harbor House crew released 10 butterflies in their honor. Shortly after the opening words and introduction of special guests it was time to walk!

There were tons of people and pets walking through the park in a long caravan of wagging tails and noses in overdrive. Within the first 10 meters it was a good thing I brought extra poop bags as our entire team relieved themselves all at once (the girls thanked me for bringing enough bags to share). From there we were off again and walked with dogs of all sizes (and one brave kitty!). Along the route were signs with stats about domestic violence.

The long trail of walkers goes around the loop and over the bridge.

Jack was excited about free samples!

We finished our first lap quickly and decided to do another two. For some reason none of our dogs wanted to drink from the doggy watering stations so I whipped out our collapsible water bowl and everyone had a drink.

When it was time for closing ceremonies we parked the dogs in the shadow of one of the vendor booths. Lucky for our dogs, it turned out to be the Pookie's Pet Nutrition & Bow Wow Bakery booth!

The dogs lined up for free treat samples. Leia loved the apple cinnamon treat but also tried a beef treat and has a peanut butter one waiting for her in her bag. The Ladies from Pookie's were so very nice to all of our pets and were more than generous (Thank you!).

As we rested a small, small little girl, probably under a year, toddled over to Leia. I watched both very carefully and sat with them, making sure everything was ok. I showed the little girl how to hold out her hand for Leia to sniff and then I petted Leia's ears while she petted Leia's back. Leia was awesome with the little girl and totally unphased. She was just happy to have the attention. I didn't snap a picture because I was too busy monitoring the situation but it was an awesome moment to see Leia interact with such a small little girl so gently. The little girl was equally gentle and clearly has been raised with dogs. She wasn't afraid of Leia at all, even though Leia had a good 8 inches on her when Leia was sitting down.

Our Team at closing Ceremonies

Amber, Allen, and Jack

Rachel, Jayson, and Kilo

We stayed through the raffle (Jack got to see a toy dog {a stuffed animal} on a leash and was very curious!) and by this point all of the dogs (not just our team) were getting tired a tiny bit cranky; they were hot, tired, and needed a nap! Everyone got one last sniff in and then it was time to head home.

All in all it was a great day and we raised a lot of money toward the shelter: