I don’t normally do this sort of thing in this space, but there are a few causes that are near and dear to my heart.  This happens to be one of them.

Otto

In August of 2008, my friend Colleen found out that her dog Otto needed emergency surgery to correct entropion (inversion of the eyelids) that had caused ulcerations in his eyes. She couldn’t afford the surgery, and turned to her friends on the internet to help. We all pitched in to help, and Otto got the surgery he needed!

Cappy

My other friends Jared & Bethany have a wonderful dog named Cappy who has needed surgery on more than one occasion. Despite the expense, they have always had the surgeries done because he’s Cappy and they love him.

Recently, I learned about the Brown Dog Foundation, a wonderful organization whose mission is to “offer pet owners in temporary financial crisis an alternative to euthanasia when their pet faces a treatable but life-threatening condition or illness in order to restore quality of life for pet and owner.” Basically, this mission means that the Brown Dog Foundation helps pet owners around the country with vet bills (for prescriptions, surgeries, etc) that allow them to not have to surrender or euthanise their pets.

Barney practices his Top Dog pose.

Every year, Brown Dog Foundation runs a Top Dog and Cat competition,a 10-week fundraising campaign where candidates are vying for the title of Top Dog and Top Cat. The candidates, at the end of 10-weeks with the most “votes” win. Each “vote” is $1, and my dog Barney has been nominated as a Top Dog candidate. If you can find it in your heart (and, of course, your pocketbook), Barney and I would really appreciate your vote for him as Top Dog.  Simply visit our donation page at http://www.firstgiving.com/courtneyfuson to make your secure donation.  We’re trying to raise $1,000 by June 12!

The Brown Dog Foundation is doing some really wonderful things, and I think they deserve our full support.