The Boogie Bin

12/04/2024

On Monday, this guy let his anxiety get the better of him.

He's always had anxiety and we've worked his whole life on mediating it and finding solutions to keep him safe and happy. On Monday, he ate a rubber door mat. Not just shredded, he ate the pieces.

It's frustrating to come home from work and see things shredded up. It's hard to shoulder some of the blame. Shouldn't he know better by now?

He spent Monday night sick. He was lethargic and grumpy, his third eyelids were up, he was vomiting chunks of rubber. He was miserable. I was so worried. I held him and watched him closely. He isn't that young, bounce back from anything dog he was 5 years ago. Things hurt him a little more now. He is slowing down.

It sucks to watch them age. Especially if they take a step back in some of the work we've done over the last decade to overcome his insecurities. But it's a good reminder. It pushes me to take an extra 5 minutes to pick things up that he could get into. It reminds me to spend more time being patient with him and assessing his routine. I have hard weeks too, and he's helped me through them. He deserves the same from me.

Our future time together is now less than the time we've spent together so far. Boy does that sit heavy on my heart lately. I need to slow down and listen to him and his needs. Just like I am only human, he is only dog. He is not perfect and I need to remember not to hold him to a standard of perfection.

He is a good boy, the best actually. He handles so much turmoil with grace even when it's hard for him and he feels left out. A rubber door mat isn't going to break us down. We'll just add and extra few minutes of snuggles every day from here on out.

One day, I'll miss picking up shredded cardboard or bath mats. Some day, I'd give anything to clean up a puddle of spite p*e behind the front door. Until then, we'll stay patient and love that sweet gray face. ❤️

11/30/2024

I have very much to be thankful for as we wind down the year gathering donations for our last beneficiary for the foreseeable future.

We've been operating since January of 2021, a time when we had just two small bins in local businesses helping us gather new and used pet supplies for rescues and organizations all over the state. We grew quickly and ultimately topped out at 13 locations and our support base grew outside of our immediate community.

We've helped dozens of animal organizations, met countless like minded people, and made connections I feel lucky to have.

It's very bittersweet for many of us as this mission comes to a temporary close. We have many things to look forward to in the next several months, but I'd be lying if I said I won't miss interacting with all of you!

Thank you to our Hosts, our Beneficiaries, and mostly our supporters. You all bring something unique and helpful to the table, and I am so proud of the diversity of skills we have in this little group of ours. You've all helped me keep my chin up, you've served many, many animals in need, and you've been a beacon of hope for rescues that didn't know how they'd make it through the month.

Thank you simply isn't enough, but it's important that you all know just how appreciated and loved and valuable you are!

I hope you all have time to absorb the quiet of the holiday season, I know it's so hard for many of us. I'll be thinking of you and I'll remain grateful for all of you just the same

I'll hopefully check back in every once in awhile and keep you updated on the plan. I don't want to stop permanently, we just need a little break for a bit!

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being here and supporting us.
💚❤️🤍

11/26/2024

Happy $10 Tuesday and Black Friday week, Boogie Buddies!

As we near the end of our Boogie donation collection year, we would love to go out with a bang and give Must Luv Boxers, everything on their wishlist.

Amazon, Chewy, Target, and Walmart, have all launched early Black Friday deals and so many pet items are available at a discount.

Please consider helping us, help rescue animals. We cannot thank you enough for all the support you have shown us this year. Our hearts are full of gratitude.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/IU0MYC7VQFBE?ref_=wl_share

11/19/2024

Happy $10 Tuesday Boogie Buddies!

Amazon has some great deals on pet items right now and our wishlist for Must Luv Boxers has lots of sales. Please consider taking a look and purchasing an item for them. Thank you!!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/IU0MYC7VQFBE?ref_=wl_share

11/14/2024

I'm seeing so many posts in community groups both giving away and asking for free kittens. Please spread the word that free looks fine on paper until you get the care the animal needs. It's costly, more than you might think. ALSO I have personally witnessed and taken young kittens out of very bad situations that were being given away for free! Like, they were being used for snake food. No I'm not being dramatic.

Help our communities do better by these animals and offer resources to help them find safe places for kittens, and help with spay and neuter. The best way to help the problem is to stop this vicious cycle!

PLEASE SHARE!!! Again. If you have not noticed, 'Kitten Season' is no longer just a season... it's become every week of every month. We are sooooo disheartened by the continued 'Free Kitten' posts on our local community pages, buy nothing pages, and even local business that think selling a kitten for $20 is a deal. 😾😡 Advertising them as Barn Cats is also a joke. They are kittens, they have no skills to be a barn cat and will likely be killed if they are truly being left in a barn. Not to mention nearly every shelter and cat rescue actually has a barn cat program - where animals are altered, vaccinated, etc.

Did you know that a kitten can get pregnant at 4 months? Did you know they can have FIVE litters a year? It's not uncommon for an outdoor, unaltered female cat to be pregnant before her kittens are 8 weeks old. 🙀 So litter after litter after litter... start to do the math and it's mind blowing. We appreciate that people find litters and are trying to help, but please, if you find a stray litter - work with rescue, call your local shelter. STOP the cycle by getting each and every one of those kittens spayed and neutered. Please!! 🧡🐾

11/13/2024

Happy $10 Wednesday Boogie Buddies!

Our days are all off this week, thank you for hanging with us.

We found some great $10 and under finds at Target today and if you’re a Target circle member, there are even bigger savings available to you!

Please consider picking up an item or two for Must Luv Boxers. We’re so grateful for your support!

11/10/2024

I've been pretty quiet lately, not sure if anyone has noticed but that doesn't really matter to me. Flying under the radar is just part of who I am, but when you operate an org like this, it's also important to have some transparency.

Yesterday, we celebrated the life of my sweet grandma. I've had a harder time processing this loss than I thought I would. I haven't been overly emotional or anything, it's just been hard to come to grips with the fact that she isn't here physically with us anymore.

She's been gone a few weeks now, yet I still reach for my phone to ask if I can bring her some soup, or if she's listening to the rain out on her porch. I still take photos of blankets she might like, or the old books she used to read to me. I still occasionally turn the wrong direction, expecting to be able to pop in and check on her, and visit for a few.

I'm lucky that I had her in my life for as long as I did. I'm lucky that I have so many years of memories to hold close. I'm so lucky, too, that she still lives on in the world around me...in the laugh of my mom and aunties, in the bookworm-esque and good food loving sister and cousins, and the hyper-independent, warrior that I have in me, always fighting for my loved ones and for things that mean the most to me.

She is so special, as grandmas are. But I really think this loss will take me longer to realize than usual. She's just always been there, you know?

Anyway, that's why I've been quiet. I am so sad there are things I won't get to share with her in person anymore, but I am so happy that I did have the time to share a lot. I'll always remember and feel immensely grateful for that.

💜

11/07/2024

Please join me in fawning over this NON-POLITICAL POST! 🤩🥰

This is Boogie, circa a decade ago. He was mischievous then, and still is. I always thought I wanted a dog that was perfectly trained and obedient....but he taught me that it's silly to wish for such things! The universe gives you what you need!

Now I hate words like "obedient" and "compliant", because why should we be either of those 😏 I've never been obedient and don't like being told what to do...and the universe sent me an animal that's exactly the same. Probably to teach me a lesson, but we ran with it.

Here's to cute puppies that test patience and will power. Here's to those that force us to think and see things differently. And most importantly, to take a breath and appreciate the tiny things, because a lot of good tiny things can have such a big impact. For example, have you ever tried mini M&Ms!

Your turn--share cute baby pet photos and/or favorite comfort snacks!

11/05/2024

Hi Boogie Buddies! It’s our first $10 Tuesday for Must Luv Boxers and our Amazon wishlist has a bunch of items on sale! You know the drill, let’s do this. Thank you!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/IU0MYC7VQFBE?ref_=wl_share

11/01/2024

It's November! That means we are helping our last beneficiary of the year!

If you've been around awhile, you know that historicallyl, we take December off to be present with family and encourage everyone to give where they see fit. Even if that means spoiling their own families!

So, November 1st, we name our last beneficiary of the year...this year is MustLuvBoxers Rescue!

I have a weakness for smooshy faces, wiggly butt's, and big shoulder muscles, so to find out that MLBRs home base is right close to home, I couldn't pass it up!

Let's do what we do best and give these class clowns the love they deserve. They're looking for leads, martingale collars, toys, calming treats and devices, cookies, and a few other things. We've updated our wishlist!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/IU0MYC7VQFBE?ref_=wl_share

BIG REMINDER! We are pulling bins from their permanent locations starting any time. I am greatly reducing my efforts at the beginning of the year, and will be down to 4 core locations. Donations gathered at those locations come 2025 will still find animals in need, we just won't be naming beneficiaries. If you want to help, now is the time to make the biggest impact!

💙🩵

10/29/2024

Happy $10 Tuesday Boogie Buddies!

It’s the last Tuesday of the month to support S.P.O.T and we would love it if we could get one final push for donations!

Quick little note: we know this time of year can be financially stressful for many and that each of you could choose to donate elsewhere. Thank you for choosing to support us. We strive to help the smaller rescues that most people don’t know about because their work is just as important and typically isn’t seen. Your support of us shows those rescues that they matter and that all the work they do, is greatly admired. We cannot thank you enough for being part of this community. We’re incredibly grateful for each of you.

Now, let’s show S.P.O.T. what this Boogie Buddy community is all about!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/IU0MYC7VQFBE?ref_=wl_share

10/28/2024

Is it just me or have people been really on edge lately?

I've personally felt like I've been more irritable and sensitive. People aren't in sync like they usually are, people aren't getting along like usual recently. It's been a little crazy, people have been pretty mean. This is just an example I have proof of, but I've felt a trend in personal and professional life, out grocery shopping, etc.

This happened last week on the post about forgetting my coffee one morning. 🙃 I'm a pretty gracious and grateful person, I try and be positive the majority if the time, and my second language is sarcasm. Humor helps me when I'm grumpy or sad. And I've been grumpy and sad recently.

Let's start this week off better! I'm going to make an effort to be more positive and not be so quick to think someone's comments are a reflection of who I am as a person. The reality is, 90% of people have no idea who I am in real life. They have no clue what I do to make the world a better place and they have no idea what kind of personal battles im going through. And that's okay, the comments like these offer a reflection of them, not me. I don't share most of my personal life for reasons just like this. So I wanted to remind everyone, same goes for you! Keep doing the good things and the hard things and doing what you need to do to keep going. Even if it's being burned about a lonely, forgotten cup of coffee.