Hi friends!

So, as I’m sure you all know, I love dogs. All dogs, but rescue dogs have a very special place in my heart. So much so that when I have to cry in an audition I just think about the poor little peanuts sitting in cages, waiting for someone to love them, and I’m such a bawling mess that the casting people are petrified and my mascara is dripping into my cleavage.

I’ve been volunteering with rescue organizations in New York City for almost a year now, and through that, I met a whole group of incredible women who also cry when they think about our furry friends who go unloved for years, often before meeting an untimely and unceremonious end. Oh god, I need a tissue break.

Okay, THIS is where the happiness starts! One of these women, Rachael Ziering, has taken it upon herself to start a brand new rescue in the NYC area. Went through the whole government application process, is tirelessly raising money to defray startup costs, and works nonstop to find as many foster moms and dads as possible so she can pull more and more dogs from high kill shelters. The name is Muddy Paws Rescue, and if you follow me on any sort of social media or blog site, you will involuntarily commit this name to memory before long, because I’m gonna be a HUGE pain in the ass about it.

This is Fawn, a 9 week old boxer mix. She was neglected for the first two months of her life, but is now gaining weight and becoming the playful puppy she was meant to be. Now all she needs is a home!

http://www.muddypawsrescue.org

TONIGHT is Muddy Paws Rescue’s very first adoption event in New York City! It is taking place from 7-9 PM at Doggystyle pet store, which is located at 46 University Place at 9th Street, just south of Union Square. 8 pups have been adopted already, and there are 23 more who need their angels to come in and give them homes, so they can finally learn how to be safe and happy and, well, dogs.

This is Petey. You can’t have him.

I personally witnessed the dramatic change when we adopted Petey, our 2 year old terrier mix. He was skin and bones and wouldn’t look anyone in the eye. He was incredibly submissive, though very protective over his food. But after just 3 days of being in a home, with a canine brother and two loving human parents, getting fed every day at the appropriate time, and snuggling so deep into our laps that we couldn’t tell where his head or tail was, he was well on his way to trusting a human, something he probably had never been able to do before.

So please, help any way you can! If you can, foster! If you’re feeling charitable, donate. Even $1 or $5 will help immensely. If you aren’t in a position to do that, please follow Muddy Paws Rescue on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and retweet and share and share and retweet. You never know, one of your posts could very well help to find a pup their permanent family.

I’ve always loved dogs. But it took a while for me to realize just how much. I’m so proud of Rachael, and so honored to be sharing this journey with her from the very beginning.

This is Monkey, a 4 month old, 4 pound chihuahua mix. You know those terrifying TV shows about hoarders, where they find animals amongst all that filth? That has been Monkey’s life so far.

Saving one animal will not change the world, but for that one animal, the world will change forever.

http://www.muddypawsrescue.org