I feel like I know Mary Doane even though I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting her. Mary is @turtlelady81 on Twitter. That’s where I first discovered Mary and her love of all things dog.
Then, she started her blog, Mary’s Dogs Blog, to chronicle the trials and triumphs of fostering Aaron who came to be known as Aaron Foster. Here’s Mary introducing Aaron:
“Aaron came to us from Darlington, South Carolina, where he was slated for euthanization. He was an extremely shy dog when he arrived in late July, 2010. …Our handsome Autumn-colored Aaron is a charming, intelligent, well-mannered dog with luminous eyes and a deep passion for life. Please enjoy his journey through the many blog posts I wrote beginning with his arrival in late July. In these short stories you’ll discover moments of laughter and tears, self reflection and self doubt. I learned a tremendous amount about patience and commitment, perserverence…. and mostly, love.”
Awesome Aaron
I fell in love with Mary’s blog and featured it last August in a #Follow-Friday Fab Four post. Mary wrote straight-from-the-heart, honest, unsentimental posts about her failed foster exceedingly successful adoptee, Aaron. You can read all of Mary’s installments of Aarons’ Journey here. Head’s up: You’re in for a treat.
I must be a slow study, because I didn’t ‘get it’ until recently that Mary runs a very active rescue—Mary’s Dogs! She says:
I am committed to rescuing and re-homing dogs and puppies from high-kill shelters, primarily in the Southern US. I also wish to serve as a resource to communities in Southern New Hampshire and pet owners nationwide by providing education and information on responsible pet ownership, including the importance of spay/neuter, positive behavior training, and good nutrition.
Mary Doane
Mary maintains a dynamic Facebook page, Mary’s Dogs (Please “like” it!), where you can learn about the fabulous dog’s currently being fostered while they are in search of their forever families. Check out these two heart-throbs, Buzz and Woody.
And then there’s Dolby, now “Stash” loving his new home. Look at that sweet mug.
You can help Mary’s Dogs find forever families by “liking” Mary’s Dogs on Facebook and “sharing” posts about the dogs up for adoption.
Mary also provides private and small group dog training classes and educational programs for kids in schools and libraries.
Okay, let’s recap. Mary saves the lives of dogs on death row by first finding them foster homes and then forever homes; she rehabilitated, fell in love with, and then adopted Aaron Foster; she wrote exquisitely about her and Aaron’s journey. And, she’s a humane educator.
But, wait, there’s more!
Bark Out Loud Weekly: dog. friendly. conversation. (BOL) Along with Hilary Lane of Fang Shui Canines, Mary founded Bark Out Loud Weekly, which features a podcast with a special guest followed by a live chat with that guest.
BOL’s mission? “Our mission is to improve and enrich the lives of all dogs through the use of education and interaction with pet owners and dog experts. Our goal is to empower pet owners with the knowledge to make positive changes, either for the benefit of their own pets or for the good of other animals.”
How cool is that?
You can listen to the Podcasts with knowledgeable and inspiring guests who cover any and all topics related to dogs, from advocacy to rescue to health care and all things in between by clicking here. Podcasts are posted on Thursdays.
Then, the following Monday evening you can participate in live, stimulating chats with the expert guest featured in podcast. All you have to do is login to the Dog Den. (I love that!) The format is Q&A. Just listen in or bring your questions. Click here to join the Monday Evening Chat.
Dog Den Doors Open at 9:00 PM (EST)
Featured Guest Arrives at 9:15 PM (EST)
Last week’s guest was one of my favorite dog experts, Irith Bloom of The Sophisticated Dog. Which reminds, me…
Is this the first you’ve heard of BOL? Worried you missed some great interviews and chats? Well don’t. All of the previous podcasts and transcripts are available for your listening and readying pleasure. Just peruse the right sidebar of The Dog Den: Podcast and Chat Room.
In addition to Mary and Hilary, other BOL contributors include Kim Clune (also one of the founders of Blog the Change for Animals), Kim Thomas, and Bill Boublitz.
Don’t forget to “like” Bark Out Loud Weekly on Facebook!
Deborah,
I am truly honored and humbled by this post. It’s amazing, what we can do with this one life we have. Tired? Yes? Overwhelmed at times? Absolutely. Yet, the need to help dogs and other animals… just one at a time, and most importantly, to nurture a relationship between a two-legged and a four-footed? It’s what drives me, mostly.
Thank you, Deborah, for recognizing my work and for sharing it with others. You and I will meet someday at a conference, at a shelter, at a training seminar….and we’ll already be good friends. Just hugs. We’ll just share hugs. For the doggies.
Mary, you are most welcome. I’ve been admiring all you do for animals for a long time. It’s a pleasure for me to be able to celebrate your work and passion.
Yes, indeed, one of these days somehow, somewhere we will meet. Can’t wait!
What amazing things Mary is doing for animals! I will have to catch up on all the missed podcasts!
Cairn cuddles, Oz the Terrier
Awesome round-up of all that Mary does for dogs, Deborah. She’s pretty amazing in my book! It’s always a pleasure to know her and work with her. Thanks for celebrating who she is!
Thanks for Blogging the Change!
Kim from
BtC4animals.com
ThisOneWildLife.com
BarkOutLoudWeekly.com
Mary is amazing! Oh, what an angel to animals! Thanks for sharing all that she does with everyone!
What a terrific post about someone who embodies everything “Be the Change” is about!
Hurray for Mary! I liked her page, and plan to visit often.
Peggy from
BtC4Animals
peggyfrezon.com
I had the great honour of being interviewed by Mary for Bark Out Loud Weekly a couple weeks ago. Her passion is absolutely infectious and you’re right, she *is* the change!
Great profile! 🙂
Thank you. And you are so right about Mary!