Volunteers are the heart of any nonprofit organization and CPR is not an exception. Giving of both their time and their talents, volunteers at CPR do all kinds of essential jobs, some at our sanctuary and some from off site.

So why volunteer? Why go work for free? There are many reasons. To me, the most important reason to volunteer in animal rescue is to know that I am helping something that cannot help itself. That makes me feel like I am giving something forward. Invariably there will come a time when I will need help. I hope there is someone out there who will feel the same way that I do about helping.

Further, the poodle is a dog that man has created through selective breeding. In doing so, we came up with a marvelous animal who is intelligent, inquisitive and doesn't shed to boot. The down side to that is we, mankind, have created an animal who cannot live on its own without human aid. A poodle left unattended for over a year will most likely die because of all that hair. We've had dogs come in here who are so matted that they can't defecate or urinate. They can't see, they can't hear. In short they are totally dependent on man and our clippers and scissors for their very existence. This doesn't just apply to poodles and poodle mixes but to most of the breeds we work with including Shih Tzu's, Maltese and cocker spaniels. All are dependent on us.

I also volunteer because I like the satisfaction of seeing something made better. Many of our animals come to us sad, sick, dirty, and scared. A few weeks or a few months later, to see them prancing out on the end of a leash, whole and happy, will bring a smile to the heart of any dog lover, no matter what breed you like best.

Best of all – I've made most of my important friendships right here at CPR. The people who make up CPR are the best in the world and I am blessed to call you all friends.

I tossed the question – why do you volunteer – out to the volunteer who is here this week. Jen Logan is a Virginia resident who is spending a week at CPR and loaning us her talents in dog training. Jen is not only a CPR volunteer; she is an active SAR (Search and Rescue) handler with her standard poodle. Jen says she volunteers with CPR and as a SAR handler because she loves dogs and especially poodles and because she wants to make someone's life better.

Other reasons to volunteer include:
The Value of Volunteering—Top Reasons to Volunteer

There are as many reasons to serve as there are people who serve. Volunteering is not just an altruistic act. It's an opportunity to advance in all areas of your life. Here are a few of the things you can gain when you give your time and yourself:

• Connect with your community.
• Conserve funds for charities, nonprofits and faith-based and other community organizations by contributing your time.
• Share your skills and gain new ones.
• Develop self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Meet new people from all walks of life.
• Enhance your resume and make important networking contacts.
• Promote a worthwhile activity.
• Feel needed and valued.
• Experience something new.
• Serve your country.
  (Reprinted from: http://www.nationalservice.gov/for_individuals/why/index.asp)
  

In the last five years we've grown by leaps and bounds. Our growth is limited only by the hands to do the work. We're at a point where we need new volunteers to continue to grow and we need existing volunteers to step up into more involved roles. I will introduce you to some of those areas in our next newsletter.

Hope you're having a great week.—Donna

The Carolina Poodle Rescue Calendar is back. We all missed having one this year. The calendar is a great opportunity to raise money for our favorite charity. What's better than having all of those fun pictures of our curly friends. WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME THOUGH, SO SUBMIT THOSE PHOTOS NOW.

Our judges will select an entry to represent each month. But all photos will be featured throughout the calendar.

There is no limit to the number of photos you can submit. Send pictures of all of your dogs, even those not adopted through CPR. We welcome individual and group pictures. Please include pictures of holidays and special events so we can have the appropriate photos to feature each month: patriotic photos for July, dogs in costumes for October, sweetheart pictures for February, winter pics, summer pics, family vacation, etc. You get the picture.

SUBMISSION FEE FOR PHOTOS: $10 PER PHOTO OR 3 PHOTOS FOR $25

You can also choose to reserve a special date in the calendar. Commemorate adoption dates and birthdays. Remember our loved ones who have crossed Rainbow Bridge. Just submit the photo with a short caption and the requested date. All dates will be reserved on a first request basis, so send them in quickly to reserve your special date.

SUBMISSION FEE FOR RESERVED DATES: $5 FOR EACH CALENDAR DATE

To assure good quality, please save your photo in the largest format possible. To avoid confusion, please make sure that the file name for your photos includes your last name and the name of the dogs. For example: smith-zach.

If you have any questions regarding your submission, please send an email to calendar@carolinapoodlerescue.org. Calendars will be available for shipment in early December, so start thinking Christmas gifts.

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A Tribute to Nellie
by Leslie Feather

We said a very tearful goodbye this August.  Penelope was 16 years, 6 months and 27 days old and for all of that time, less the six weeks she spent with her biological mother, she was my best friend and confidant. I am blessed with many friends that have gotten through this heartbreak, so I imagine I will too, but, at this point in time, I am not so sure.

Nellie was also my most brilliant friend. She taught me that right now is a really good time to take a break and that such unproductive tasks as rubbing a belly were good for my mind, body and soul I know she added tremendous quality, if not years, to my life. She taught me that the anticipation of something great can bring as much joy as the treat or event itself. She taught me that chasing the ball is often  more fun and rewarding than getting the goal.

Just as my children did when they were small and I was young, Nellie taught me wonder and joy in small things; the smell of grass, the wind in my face, and the tenacity of bees hopping from flower to flower are but a few.

And she taught me what unconditional love really looks like. Earlier in her life she bestowed adoring love upon me even on my most unworthy days and later, when she became old and sick, I hope that I returned that gift upon her.

And I taught her to sit. That's it really. I want to say that I taught her not to fear or dislike humankind, but I think in reality God had given her that innate knowledge from birth. So I taught her to sit.

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Donations at Work

Lea – got her dental last week and is now blowing out sweet kisses to the world, hoping to catch herself a perfect home.

Diva – is working on hitching a ride to DC where she will go to live with Andree Johnson who offered the challenge for her surgery. Andree came by a few weeks ago and met Diva. She had not mentioned to me that she wanted to adopt but after meeting the lovely lady, went home and thought about it, and contacted Donna a few days later. Diva has a home!

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2011 Lowcountry Paws & Claws Expo
by Dennis Horn

Carolina Poodle Rescue had a very good showing at the Pet Expo! We were represented by three Poodle Ambassadors and seven volunteers.

Nigel, the standard poodle, brought Laura and John all the way from Wilmington to help put on his best for the crowd. Pebbles, the toy poodle, with Sharon and Dave from Mt. Pleasant put on all of her cuteness and had many people wanting to take her home. Buddy, the mini poodle therapy dog, brought Idette from Mt. Pleasant and wore himself out pleasing everyone with his adore me routine. Katie came all the way from Kentucky via Dreamweaver Farms to bring us the banners and other supplies for the booth.

We were able to raise $128.30 in donations and we sold $235.00 in Barkwells raffle tickets for a total of $363.30. Sharon did an excellent job at the microphone on the main stage telling Pebble's story and promoting the Barkwells raffle. We made contact with a couple of PetSmart store managers from the local area to start doing some events at their stores in the future.

Many thanks to the poodle ambassadors and their families for coming out to the Expo. I'm pretty sure everyone had fun and I know everyone was worn out. Thanks again to "All Is Well in Summerville" for their continued support of CPR and our efforts. They graciously put up the booth fee that allowed us to be at the Pet Expo.

Love seeing CPR dogs out on the town? Sadly, poodle kisses don’t pay for gas. If you’d like to see this rolling canine show continue, consider throwing a few bucks our way for the gas. Help us keep the good times rolling to events around the Carolinas.

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 The Rainbow Bridge

Dedicated to those who have passed over

"Belle"
Kelly Towe-Hanson, Cowpens SC

"Bon"
Bunny Brown, Florence SC

"Loretta"
Cheryl and Jimmy Sandifer, Hendersonville NC