CHRISTMAS 2016: On Christmas morning, and everyday, we wish…

For every hungry animal searching in gutters for breakfast, to find a filled food bowl.

For every neglected animal chained in a frozen yard, to find a soft, warm bed with a person snoring gently nearby.

For every lonely shelter animal waiting, to find a forever home and family.

For every puppy or kitten given as a Christmas gift, to find a loving human who won’t abandon you.

For every big-hearted but ailing pet, to find a loving family to help heal you.

For every frightened and lost pet, to find a safe and well marked path to lead you home.

For every old and tired friend, to find a warm fire and soft bed to ease your aches and pains.

And for every beloved animal at the Rainbow Bridge, to find the comfort of knowing you will be loved forever.

—-Author unknown

Wishing you the Happiest of Holidays, and Peace, Love and Joy forever,

from all of us at The Pongo Fund

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live. thepongofund.org

Today in a plan hatched several weeks ago, Kibble Couriers quietly hit the streets to deliver holiday cheer to some of our community’s most fragile. Laden with gifts of love they brought hope and smiles to those who would never ask for such but welcomed them nonetheless. Some of the people reached today have the best animals so of course we were ready for them too. The plan was to bring something meaningful to those who do not long for the latest iPhone or Keurig, sparkling jewels or fancy handbags. Because sometimes a brown craft paper grocery shopping bag doubled thick will work just as well as the handbag priced at $600.

These Secret Santa Kibble Couriers went on their way not knowing exactly what to expect other than being willing to open their heart. Because when you do this work, the work of helping others, you really need little more. A faster internet? Who cares? More channels to watch? No thanks? An iPad that holds more games? Why? This was not about any of that stuff.

Socks. Toothbrush. Toothpaste. Deodorant. Gloves. More socks. Hat. Another hat. You get the idea. A bunch of basic stuff that you don’t see advertised on TV because it’s not exciting. But it doesn’t need to be exciting. It just needs to be. And we as humans need to be part of that.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” — ‎Leo Buscaglia‬

The need is there year around; it doesn’t just magically appear during the holidays. But maybe we see it more clearly during these more solemn times. Dark comes sooner, light comes later. We feel the pull to smile on others. And that’s ok. Because once you see the need, once you step forward and say “I will help,” well, those are some of the best times.

There were no Hatchimals or drones or Xboxes or Mario games. But there were books and bright flashlights and backup batteries and low sugar energy bars and laundry coins. There were even over-the-counter reading glasses because we all laugh at those until we need them. Because to not be able to read the words, that is a heartbreak.

These folks today spent the day before Christmas the same way that millions did, filling their hearts with joy. But maybe they did it differently than most of those others. They needed no frantic malls or online shopping or traffic jams to do what they wanted to do. Because what they wanted, all they wanted, was to bring joy to some folks who maybe have forgotten what joy is all about. And today they remembered.

The Pongo Fund is a pet food bank. Because hungry people have hungry pets. Our award winning and volunteer driven group helps more animals than any other group in Oregon by providing high quality food and vital veterinary care for the family pets of anyone in honest need, keeping them safe, healthy and out of the shelters. 90,000 animals helped; 9,000,000 healthy meals provided. But sometimes we do more. Today was one of those days.

To our Kibble Couriers who gave their day to deliver joy, we thank you. “I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” — E.E Hale

We would be honored if you SHARE this post so that others will also know of our good work.

We are The Pongo Fund. And this is why we Pongo.

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live. thepongofund.org

Today a small group of volunteers came to Pongo on an unscheduled day. It was freezing cold, our warehouse has no heat. But we had emergency work to do and the frozen fingers and steamy breath became part of the comfort. The week before Christmas, a busy weekend, and still so many folks dropped what they were doing to brave the ice to make a difference for those less fortunate. Look at that photo and you can see the Joy. The truth is, the laughter kept us warm.

I need you to please read this, and maybe you’ll please share this too. I know it’s a sloppy bunch of words, it’s written from the heart more than the head. But for those of you who know me you know that’s pretty much how it goes. I hope you’ll understand. I didn’t know what to write today, but I wanted to write something. I didn’t know why, but there was a really strong calling. Maybe I could write about the homeless man we helped who almost froze to death last week because he gave his sleeping bag to a homeless woman with a Chihuahua, or I could tell you about my friends Sara and Monte and how they heal each other with love, or my friend Janet who makes beautiful art that in turn feeds the animals, or my friend Bev who pretty much spends every moment fighting for the animals, or my friend Kris who has spent her life helping others through both judicious and heartfelt words and actions, or I could tell you about my friend Howard who just won an award and almost left the table so fast he missed his own presentation because he wanted to go pet a dog a few feet away. But instead I’m going to tell you about $1.34.

It arrived as a donation this morning via Paypal. $1.34. Last night I found a homeless man with a dog that needed a lot more help than I had with me. It was icy and about 25 degrees, he was chattering so hard he didn’t even know it. He’d run out of dog food so there he was, colder than cold but his dog had a warm coat. I gave him my coat, gloves and Pongo hat, and some money and watched him leave the store with a bag of dog food and a sandwich for himself. I thought about him all night.

Then $1.34 arrived this morning. Not from him. But from a woman in Arkansas; she donated in celebration of her cats. But it was her note that hit me; she was the strong calling I had felt.

“This is all I have, and it may not make a difference, but maybe it will. I wish I had more to give. Thank you for everything you do for those that can’t for themselves yet. Much love.”

I called her; I needed to thank her in person. I got voice mail, I left a short message. She has no idea how much we can do with $1.34, but it means dinner for another week for a hungry dog or cat friend. But most of all, her $1.34 means more than she’ll ever know.

A girl I held hands with in grade school died a few days ago. And one of my high school friends just ended up in the hospital with heart problems. I know a cat tougher than The Rock who is fighting for his life, a dog who belongs to an 80-something year old grandmother who just had an abdominal mass removed that was so large she must relearn how to walk normally again, a surgery that this dear woman could not afford in a dozen lifetimes so a small group of us paid for it instead. And then early this morning a sweet little dog stuck her tongue in my eye telling me it was time to get up. Yes, there’s a dog.

There is so much more that The Pongo Fund does than you know, sometimes we do even more than I know. But right now, for some reason I’m just overwhelmed with this $1.34. Scooby had a Treat Fund, he often used his money to direct me in some of our quiet donations to help others. When The Scoobs crossed the Bridge earlier this year, the money in his treat fund remained. Lola has now taken responsibility for that fund. Yes, her name is Lola. And I read her the note from Jennifer in Arkansas, and asked her what we could do. And this is what we decided.

Lola and Larry are going to use Scooby’s Treat Fund to match that $1.34 by 1000%, and we will match any other contributions of $1.34 or $13.40 or $134 too, or any amount that you ask us too. And that means Jennifer’s $1.34 is going to become a lot more.

Remember what she said” “this is all I have and it may not make a difference, but maybe it will. I wish I had more to give…” Well Jennifer, guess what? Your $1.34 just became $1,340. How’s that for making a difference?

So if you know what it’s like to only have $1.34, please celebrate this moment. And if you have more and you can share, please give in celebration of Jennifer and her two cats, who used all they had to help others. And know that Larry and Lola will be matching what you give.

I’m going to stop now. I still don’t know why this one is hitting me so hard. What I really want to do is head to Arkansas to find Jennifer and give her a hug and some cat food. Maybe I will.

To join in the $1.34 Club, please click here: https://www.thepongofund.org/contact/donation-page/ . But if you’re going to donate more than $10 before 12/31/16, please click here instead: https://giveguide.org/#thepongofund%20 . And if you’d like to mail a check to save on CC fees, please mail to The Pongo Fund, PO Box 9000, Portland, OR 97207.

And one more thing. I almost didn’t tell you about this, about this $1.34 that made me feel like a million. For some reason it was just too personal. I happily share so much with you, but for some reason this $1.34 was more than I knew how to share. And then someone told me I needed to tell you, that maybe it would brighten your day the way it did mine. So there you have it. Because this $1.34 has changed my life, I hope for you too.

Thank you for reading my sloppy and mismatched words from the heart. I am honored you would take the time to do so. I look forward to sharing Lola with you too. And here’s a few tidbits for your Lola playbook: she doesn’t like the rain but she loves the snow. She leaves one last bite of food on her plate and brings it to me to share. Sometimes she sits and stares at a large picture of Scooby. She loves sweaters so much that she takes them to bed with her even when she’s not wearing them. And she’s a kisser, oh boy, is she ever a kisser! I sure do love her.

When $1.34 feels like a million.

And this is why we Pongo.

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live. thepongofund.org

To join in the $1.34 Club, please click here:https://www.thepongofund.org/contact/donation-page/ . But if you’re going to donate more than $10 before 12/31/16, please click here instead:https://giveguide.org/#thepongofund%20 . And if you’d like to mail a check to save on CC fees, please mail to The Pongo Fund, PO Box 9000, Portland, OR 97207.

Marcel always brightens our day 🙂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF9-sEbqDvU

 

When Nina smiles we all smile. And smile we did when Nina and the wonderful team at Portland Pet Supply presented The Pongo Fund with a very generous check and oodles of food and other supplies to help us help others. Portland Pet Supply orchestrates a wonderful fundraiser where they invite their vendors to donate product that they then sell at retail, donating 100% of the proceeds to charity. This year The Pongo Fund was honored to be included as one of the charity recipients. And it means another 10,000 means for the hungry animals.

Thank you Nina and Portland Pet Supply for being such a meaningful part of our community, with gratitude from all of us at The Pongo Fund.

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live. thepongofund.org

It was a ways out in east Portland, behind some big shrubs. It was just another place, but it was their place. There was a small tent and a few things; and you knew he was a Marine by how orderly everything was. He said he didn’t need a lot but he takes really good care of what he has. Because in his world you just don’t go to the store and buy something because you want it. He said you weigh the need and the dollars and then you decide. And pretty much always the dollars just aren’t there. So you focus on the true necessities and call it good. His happy and handsome dog Frank seemed to nod in agreement.

Battle scars both inside and out frame the stories, but that’s as far as those stories went. No need to relive the past. Frank continued to nod or at least he looked like he did. Frank doesn’t stray far because his mere presence keeps his Dad anchored. They’ve been together for 10 years, two older fellas living the life that others may scoff at but seems to work for them. It’s not perfect but it’s theirs. No complaints, just a quiet, thoughtful presence for both of them that makes clear they appreciate what they have.

The motel not too far away welcomed this pair for fast baths and laundry because things like that are not easily had. The desk clerk could have easily scoffed at our request because the idea of a messy tub filled with dog hair is not really what a quick-turn motel wants to find. But this guy, he’d been there too. He understood. The large tip we placed in his hand was pushed right back; he said to please use it for someone else. This one, he said, “this one’s on me.”

It turns out Frank and his Dad had neighbors a few trees away. They too had pulled back from a hectic and stressful life. We saw them. You scan fast and see what you can see. Battered boots, home-patched coats, lumpy but not plumpy sleeping bags jumped out as things badly needed. But for many of these proud folks, making do with what you have is good enough.

A few days later we returned with the gear they needed but never requested. Thanks to a couple of folks who said “The Pongo Fund helped us once and now we want to help too,” we delivered your sleeping bags and gift cards and tents and tarps and so much more. You said you bought those things in memory of a friend who fought one too many battles and didn’t make it, and you asked us to help others who were fighting their own battles too. So we did.

There were spiffy new dog coats for Frank too, one for warmth and one for rain. And a brush and some treats and a toothbrush and toothpaste because his Dad said Frank loves to have his teeth brushed but they had no toothbrush or toothpaste so we fixed that. And there was more.

But not too much more because giving too much ruins it; weighing them down with many of the very things they wanted to leave behind. So you pay attention to what you see and you make the list and you do what you can. And that’s what we did. And those of you who send us donations to help with these special cases, well, this is how we do it.

We left quietly just as we’d arrived a few days earlier. No long or loud goodbyes were needed. We came, we saw, we did what we could. In the end, we made a difference. And you made it possible.

It was a good day. We know that Frank nods in agreement.

And this is why we Pongo.

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live. thepongofund.org

(photo of shrubs is stock photo and not the actual shrubs in the story.)

***The Pongo Fund is Oregon’s Pet Food Bank. Because hungry people have hungry pets. Our award winning and volunteer driven group helps more animals than any other group in Oregon by providing high quality food and vital veterinary care for the family pets of anyone in honest need, keeping them safe, healthy and out of the shelters. 90,000 animals helped; 9,000,000 healthy meals provided. We would be honored if you SHARE this post so that others will also know of our good work***

The one and only Ozzy DeFee. No one sang sweeter jazz than this fine gentleman. And when it came to wearing a birthday hat, he owned the room. He had style and grace and although I never met him, I know I did. Tuesday December 13th this sweet boy celebrates his 21st birthday. Although for the last five years our Alabama friend has birthday partied across the Rainbow Bridge. And this year, for the first time, Scooby will join the Ozzmeister and share a sip of birthday bourbon together. Because these two, that’s how they roll. And when they’re done they’ll laugh and smile and say really nice things about each other. Because that’s what good friends do.

Guess and Win, do it now! Just tell us how many kibble are in the giant jar and you could win a $350 gift certificate from PNW Visiting Vet. It’s that easy; just post your guess on our Facebook page and get ready to win. But if you’re in Portland and can join us, please guess in person at Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House for Community Pints, today and every Tuesday in December. You could also spend some quality time with the one and only Santa Ginger, aka The Kissing Santa.

The Paul Schatz Furniture Holiday Soiree was out-of-this world fun! A fantastic time, made even more special by the generosity of the Paul Schatz Family and their wonderful clients and designers. In the midst of their sparkling dog-friendly showroom they assembled a gorgeous table brimming with luxurious raffle packages; Blazer tickets, cash cards, designer home furnishings and so much more. And we are honored to report that this festive love-filled evening raised $2,000 for The Pongo Fund. Truly a generous amount that will make a meaningful difference for the hungry animals and the people who love them.