This is a great video that helps to explain all the various facets and benefits behind service and therapy assistance dogs. It shows a wide range of organizations, as well as a little feature on Canine Assistants, one of the groups that we are teaming up with for the sponsorship of a service dog for a special needs individual here in North Carolina. We are thrilled to spearhead this effort and we look to you, our supporters and friends to help us with our goal of raising $20,000. This will go to pay for the training, graduation, and life of the dog, including all food and medical bills associated with the dog. Be sure to check back often to learn more about the Dublin Dog Dream Bike Giveaway! You may be the lucky winner!

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One of my favorite holidays of the year, St. Patrick’s Day has finally arrived! It’s the one day that feeling lucky, feels, well normal. It’s as if on this particular day we are given a pass to be happy, to have fun, and to look at the positive side of things. Which begs the question, what is it about the Irish that makes them seem luckier than the rest of us? Certainly after reading much of the history of Ireland, or if you’ve ever read or watched Frank McCourt’s, Angela’s Ashes, you will find quite the opposite to be true. However, I feel it’s the spirit of the Irish that sets them apart. Despite their tumultuous history of political and religious unrest, along with the Great Potato Famine of 1845-1852, the Irish have always seemed to come out ok. Having traveled throughout Ireland on several occasions myself, I find the people to be some of the best on Earth. So warm, and so genuine in their regard for others, especially friends and family. That’s what makes me love the Irish, they seem to have their priorities straight. In fact, today, on St. Patrick’s Day I heard an Irish economist talking about the global recession and it’s impact on Ireland. The one thing I held onto throughout that interview was his comment that while certainly the Irish are facing serious financial concerns like the rest of the globe, it has not dampened their routine of going to the pub or out to dinner with friends and family. In fact the economist snickered and said, in many cases the Irish would rather go without a car, rather than to give up their priorities of having fun and spending time with their mates. So this morning, while at my desk, I took down this postcard that I have had framed for over 10 years. This is the essence of the Irish Spirit. Luck is not something arrived upon, but rather it’s cultivated, it’s an outlook and a way of living. Just as the farmer gets up at dawn to tend his fields, the “luckier” he gets with his crop. The same holds true for all that we hope to accomplish with our Dublin Dog Foundation. We can hope for good fortune and for the ability to help others, or we can cultivate our own luck by taking action. So, pick up your tools, whatever they may be and help us cultivate some “good luck” for some good folks and some lucky dogs! Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

It’s Friday afternoon and the work week is almost over….at least for some. However when you’re fortunate enough to love your job, no day is ever truly work in the traditional sense. I’m heading out this weekend to meet up with fabricator extraordinaire, Brock Warwick. Brock has volunteered his time to help build the Dublin Dog Foundation dream bike and sidecar. This custom cruiser will be part of a major fundraising drive to raise enough money to provide a disabled individual with a service dog, while our donation will go to cover every expense for the life of the dog, as well as the dog itself. Anyhow, you’ll hear a lot more about that in the very near future. Back to the point, I’m heading out to meet up with Brock to see our progress and to then determine the final paint scheme for the bike and sidecar. I’m very excited. It’s taken me over a year to bring this idea to life, but now we’re almost there and I’m so pumped. I’ll be doing regular updates on the bike as well as posting a full gallery of photos from every step of the way. Once the bike is completed, we will do a three month national raffle which will finally end with a ride to our nation’s capital, Washington, DC from our corporate headquarters here in Charlotte, NC.  Be sure to check back often for updates. You may end up being the big winner. Any ideas on what the paint scheme is going to look like? You’ll find out soon enough.