In my blog of June 11, 2017 I talked about Adam West who passed June 9, 2017. Adam West, best known for his role as Batman from 1966-1968 was a well known actor and philanthropist. Also starring in that same series was Burt Ward, a young actor who played the role of Robin (though he has done many things in the world of entertainment since then) However, Burt Ward had a bigger mission in mind... he wanted to rescue very large breed dogs so he, along with his lovely wife Tracy Posner Ward, created Gentle Giants Rescue for expressly for large breed dogs. Which dovetails nicely in with the work of Amy Brewer of Amy B. Stitched and a bit of a special collection for pets and their people. Those of us who are owned by rescue animals, (I say that jokingly but truly my dog Ginger Pye does seem own me as my companion, drama diva, and cardiac alert dog), know that the work of Dog Rescues worldwide is vital. Maintaining the species, to maintaining a safe environment for both dogs and humans, and to saving dogs from horrible lives in unsuitable living conditions, physical abuse, or worse. I believe strongly in rescuing pets from abuse and caring for them as best we can. When I found out Burt Ward and his wife were founders of Gentle Giants Rescue , of California, I thought it would be an appropriate subject for today. Burt Ward and his wife are both well known in the hollywood circles and Tracy has fame of her own but instead of attending every red carpet affair they choose to spend their time with the dogs they rescue. 45 different breeds of dog are rescued, nursed back to health, housed, fed, and trained they are treated like royalty. Believe me when you see the pictures you won't believe how good these dogs have it at Gentle Giants Rescue. Most of us never know what goes into rescuing a large breed dog. However, Burt, Tracy, and their family work tirelessly and chronicle everything they do so that we can peek behind the curtain. Gentle Giants Rescue not only cares for the physical surroundings they have developed a unique dog food especially for their extra large friends. Gentle Giants Dog food is specially formulated to give a dog a better chance at a long life. Burt and Tracy share some of the ways you can extend the life of your Giant friend. It is truly a legacy of service Burt and Tracy have developed. This state of the art facility run by Burt and Tracy allows dogs to live in a fully communal space with no issues. There are no cages, no bars, not even separate bowls! Check it out! There are pictures of everything so that any potential adopting families can see how the dogs are trained. The legacy Burt and Tracy Ward are building is stirring. Some of us who depend on our dogs to protect us during life threatening health events see this kind of commitment to rescued dogs and we are beyond grateful. Gentle Giants is a not for profit organization that depends on people like us to help them keep their good work going forward! How can you help? www.gentlegiantsrescue.com/donations.htm#donation-form follow the link and make a financial donation. These folks go all over the world to rescue animals. They don't just jump in the batwing to go rescue. There are a lot of logistics to work out. If you can help, please do. Just as Burt and Tracy Ward are heroes to many dogs and their humans, I've come to know a pretty special lady who is also a hero in her own right having served in the US military. Amy Brewer of Amy B. Stitched is a person I consider a friend even though we've never met in person. She's a dynamic, fun, creative, gentle, generous person who has offered an entire line of crocheted accessory patterns JUST for our pets with paws :) . Amy entitled her collection "Meandering Paws" . Significantly, thanks to the additional hard work of Doug Speeckaert there is a blanket in the collection to commemorate our four footed friends who have crossed the rainbow bridge. It is always sad when one of our pets pass on. Doug worked with Amy Brewer in collaboration to bring this blanket to the public. The collection IS the brainchild of Amy Brewer and though it is free to use, it is under copyright. As Doug has so wonderfully demonstrated you give credit where credit is due! If you use the pattern please credit Amy Brewer.
The Meandering Paws projects are among my favorite. As I said I made the scarf several times and it really does work up beautifully!
I do hope today, during this weekend of family and fun you will remember that dogs and cats are part of the family too and to keep fireworks away from them. The Fourth Of July can mean independence for everyone, and their pets :) I wish to thank Amy Brewer and Doug Speeckaert for their contribution to today's blog and also I wish to give a HUGE thank you to Burt and Tracy Ward for Gentle Giants Rescue. There are so many dogs who need love... the bigger they are the more love you can share right? Thank you to my regular readers!
3 Comments
Anne Speeckaert
7/2/2017 06:54:34 pm
As you probably can tell, Doug is our son whom we are very proud of his many art projects he has accomplished throughout his life and some of which we have in our home. Snoopy was not his first adopted cat as we had many of them as well as dogs (some adopted and some not) when he was a youngster. I admit we are animal crazy (we have one dog and eight cats) but we love every one of them and remember those we all have had in our family. Doug has done wonderful work on all his crocheted projects but especially the Meandering Paws Over the Bridge which we have only seen pictures of on FB. We live 3 hours away; so, we don't get to visit him too often but I have "threatened" to "steal" that afghan when I get to see it. He has inspired me to get back to crocheting again and keep my hands moving as well as my mind.
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7/3/2017 10:39:24 am
Dear Anne,
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Donna Harris
7/2/2018 04:44:44 pm
Hi,
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