Gracie: A Primer. A Plea. A Giveaway.

This is Gracie.

Gracie is our (adorable!) Siberian Husky that we adopted last year from PAWS New England. Gracie was rescued from a shelter in Tennessee that has an astounding eighty-five percent kill rate. The vast majority of dogs that are dropped off at the shelter will never see the light of day again. Gracie was rescued from that fate by the grace (ha!) of PAWS, which takes dogs from the shelter, temporarily houses them in their own facility and then, when the time is right (usually after vet appointments, vaccinations and all of that rigamarole), transports these lucky dogs up to New England. Up here, they live in temporary foster homes before being placed with loving families.

This is a beneficial arrangement for both the dogs (who, presumably, would prefer to not be euthanized) and for New England dog lovers. There just aren’t as many dogs around here to adopt because we’re all too good about spaying and neutering our pets and because we don’t have the same problems up here with backyard breeders and animal cruelty. So, we get dogs and the dogs get good homes. It’s win/win all around.

Where this all breaks down is when PAWS’ facility is destroyed by massive flooding.

At this moment, PAWS is incapable of taking in anymore dogs until their facility is rebuilt. And they can’t finish rebuilding until they raise another $20,000 or so. They’d already raised a good chunk of the money (something like $60,000 raised so far), but their efforts stalled out. This is where you all come in.

I don’t ask much of my blog readers, except for the occasional piece of advice and that you sometimes tell me that I have pretty hair. I’m asking you to make a donation to PAWS. For Gracie and for all of the dogs who, unlike Gracie, will never have the same chance to go to a good home. I think about what would have happened to Gracie if the flood had been a year earlier and I tear up like you would not believe. I’m doing everything that I can to help PAWS reach their fundraising goals. To sweeten the pot, I’m going to make a deal with you all. If you donate $25 to PAWS and you send me the proof (an email receipt should work), I will send you an autographed copy of my CD (link opens in iTunes) absolutely free. If you donate $50 to PAWS, I will send you an autographed copy of my CD and a box of homemade cookies (when sending me your email receipt, please note any food allergies). For every $25 that you donate, you will be entered into a random drawing. What is the drawing for?

Let’s just say that it’s for a CARE package of awesomely awesomeness.

Let’s also say that I’m not entirely sure what a CARE package of awesomely awesomeness entails per se, but that I know that it will be, by definition, awesome.

(NB: anyone who wishes to make contributions to awesomitude, please drop me a line).

Awesome package of awesomely awesomeness will not include pictures of any Brett Favre related, erm, packages. It will include at least one handmade item by yours truly. And at least one tasty treat. It will also, in case you have forgotten, be awesome.

The contest/free CD/free cookies offer will last through the end of the month. I’ll post a couple of updates to remind you to donate, to update you on our progress and to post tempting pictures of the awesomeosity. Please consider making a donation. Every little bit helps.

For those of you who live in the Boston area, I’m hosting a benefit gig for PAWS this Sunday in Cambridge. It’s an all-ages show, which means that it’s a rare opportunity to bring your kids to a show with you. Tickets are $10. Anyone who brings a friend who’s never been to one of my shows gets a free baked good (I’m seriously pushing the sweets this month!). The baked goods are donated by Petsi Pies, so you know they’re going to be delicious.

You can get an additional entry in the awesome giveaway by blogging, tweeting or facebooking about PAWS, the giveaway or my benefit gig (must make an initial donation to be eligible). Thank you all in advance.