When I started this blog in 2009, I had no idea if anyone would read it. I started out writing about our first house (the “bungie” in our name is short for bungalow, which is the style of house we live in) and I occasionally received comments from my mom or one of my friends, but I didn’t really think anyone really cared about what I had to say. Then one day I wrote about the book The Lost Dogs and how owning Turk, a pit bull mix, had changed my life. I received just a couple of comments, one of which was from Aleksandra, who wrote, “this is beautiful.” I am pretty sure that up until that point, no one had said anything that I wrote was “beautiful.” I was floored.
I wrote a few more posts about my dogs and began to receive more positive feedback from readers. When I began volunteering with an animal rescue organization (a lifelong goal of mine) and took in my first foster dog, Ginger Rogers, my passion was realized.
Since I began my foray into the animal rescue and dog blogging world, I have been lucky enough to get involved in so many different ways. I’ve fostered four beautiful pit bull-type dogs: Ginger Rogers, Ginger Jr, Lucy Lou, and our current foster, Polly Pocket.
I co-founded a structured pack walking group, KC Pittie Pack & Friends, with fellow blogger Crystal of Wayward Dogs after seeing the benefits of pack walks from groups like Chicago Sociabulls and HikeaBull. Since January we’ve hosted almost 20 walks!
I have been able to help raise awareness (and money) for pit bulls in need, like Kimba, who touched so many hearts that our amazing community was able to raise nearly $1,500.00 for her care in 72 hours!
Most certainly my proudest moments have been when I’ve heard from a blog reader that they have started volunteering with an animal rescue. Most recently, my next door neighbors took the plunge into fostering with Lucy-Carolina, and I relish every moment I see that pup playing happily in their backyard. I feel lucky to have played a small part in Lucy-Carolina’s rescue – and love that my neighbors are now spreading the word to their friends about fostering too.
If anything I write can help to inspire one person to volunteer at a shelter, do a leg of a transport, or foster a dog, then I feel like I have done something of value. I have given back some of the good I’ve received from this world. I hope to continue writing about volunteering, fostering, responsible dog ownership, and pit bull advocacy for years to come. I feel like I have a lot more work I can do and a lot more to say – if you all will continue to indulge me by reading this blog.
In an effort to continue the work I’ve been doing on the blog, I recently entered the Bloggers for Good contest.
The grand prize is $1,000.00 for the blogger’s favorite charity and $500 for the blogger to continue his/her advocacy work. The charity I will contribute to if I win is Unleashed Pet Rescue – a Kansas City rescue group that focuses on rescuing dogs who have run out of time at local shelters (especially pit bulls) and reaching out to neglected dogs and their owners in the city by providing lightweight tie-outs instead of heavy chains, medication, food, and dog houses. This rescue is dear to my heart because I fostered Lucy Lou through them and because they pulled Kimba when she was running out of time at the local shelter. As for the $500 – I would use it to further my pit bull advocacy efforts. I want to leave my options open so I can put that money where it is needed the most – helping a pit bull get vetted before going to rescue, purchasing supplies for a shelter, etc. So, if you have a moment today and you believe in the work I’m doing, please vote for me in the Bloggers for Good contest and share the link with your friends. Oh, and while you’re at it, vote for That Touch of Pit too, who also entered the contest and is doing amazing work with The Bully Project in New York City.
Thank you for letting me share my life with you… I truly appreciate each and every one of you for letting me blog about my life’s passion day after day!
19 comments
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July 19, 2012 at 7:35 AM
crystalwayward
Good luck, girl! You inspire me all the time. I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished and the things we have done together. The local rescue community is lucky to have you!!
July 19, 2012 at 9:52 AM
Emily
I’m so glad our blogs helped us to connect! 🙂
July 19, 2012 at 7:38 AM
Long Life Cats and Dogs
Fantastic work you are doing and I support you all the way. Will definitely vote for you.
July 19, 2012 at 7:45 AM
Mr. and Mrs. and Nola Kisses
Good luck, I voted for you! You are one of the reasons I started fostering and blogging. Thanks for all you do!
July 19, 2012 at 9:43 AM
Emily
That is so sweet! I love your blog and am very glad you started fostering! 🙂
July 19, 2012 at 7:56 AM
fidofetchphotography
It’s such great work you do Emily. Just think of all the lives you have changed (including mine). Thank you for everything you do.
July 19, 2012 at 9:52 AM
Emily
Words cannot express how glad I am to have met you, Amy!
July 19, 2012 at 8:10 AM
Married with Dawgs
You rock! I feel very fortunate to cyber-know you. Keep up the good work! 🙂
July 19, 2012 at 10:37 AM
Sara
Who knew after 10 years we would start talking again because of the dogs:)
Sara
July 19, 2012 at 10:40 AM
Emily
I’m so glad we did reconnect! 🙂
July 19, 2012 at 11:49 AM
That Touch of Pit ...
Your blog post is so much better than mine. I voted for you! Good luck, friend!
July 19, 2012 at 2:08 PM
Emily
Don’t tell Lucy you said that! 😉
July 19, 2012 at 11:49 AM
The Rufus Way
You’ve got my vote! Congrats on the success of your blog, and for fostering so many wonderful ladies!
July 19, 2012 at 12:09 PM
TwoKittiesOnePittie
Awwww baby Turk!!!!!!!! Ah hem– anyway, I voted for you. 🙂 I love your blog and have learned so much from you! I’m so glad we got to meet in person, and I hope we can meet up again! Keep up the great work you do!
July 19, 2012 at 2:08 PM
Emily
Katharine – we will most definitely meet again and do drinks or something!
July 19, 2012 at 1:12 PM
Jill Heisterkamp (@jheiste)
Emily, this was an awesome blog post. Almost brought tears to my eyes. All the things you’ve done are amazingly awesome, just like you! I am honored to call you my friend! So glad you’ve been able to start down this path of fostering and advocacy. I know it’s not an easy one, and it has its ups and downs and sideways corkscrews, but you keep persevering and giving those not quite perfect dogs the chance at a perfect life. Plain and simple – you rock!! 🙂
July 19, 2012 at 2:08 PM
Emily
Awww thanks, Jill! You’re going to make ME cry!
July 19, 2012 at 2:23 PM
Anita
Emily, you are such an amazing writer and I am so glad that I’ve been able to get to know you in person (YAY) and through your blog. You are so compassionate and do such amazing work with rescues.
In addition, I would like to declare that Lucy Lou is the cutest ever.
July 19, 2012 at 10:26 PM
Vicki
Hell yeah! You’ve got my vote! You are doing so much good and kicking so much butt. What you do for pittie awareness and for rescue awareness in general is so kind and thoughtful and truly making a difference. Through your blog I’ve learned about and been able to contribute to organizations I never would have known existed. Keep up the good work. We’re with ya. 🙂