It was around this time last year that I saw a posting for a small business called Grateful Pawz. I learned that this owner/entrepreneur makes coats for pets and uses a portion of the proceeds from sales to make beautiful handmade coats for dogs in local shelters. Not only do the coats keep the dogs warm, but they also help to make the dogs look more attractive in pictures that are seen by potential adopters. 

I then selected a material that I liked and placed my order. What I received was a beautiful, warm, custom made coat, intricately hand-crafted and even reversible! One side was a fashionable camouflage and the other side plain brown. Not only was the workmanship beautiful, but putting it on was a snap – just two Velcro tabs to attach. Easy breezy!! During last year’s very cold and seemingly endless winter, Mickey stayed nice and warm and really enjoyed his coat.

I met Lisa, the woman behind the Grateful Pawz sewing machine, a few weeks ago and was interested in learning more about her business. Lisa was more than happy to answer a few questions about her background and her business.

Back in May, 2009, Lisa began volunteering as a dog walker for the Westport, CT Humane Society.  At the time, the Humane Society had this to say:  

“We would like to take this opportunity to honor Westport volunteer Lisa Luperella for her meaningful contribution to the care and welfare of our animals. Lisa decided to start dedicating her spare time to serving animals for two reasons. She was mourning the recent loss of her 14-year-old dog and she had also gone through an orthopedic surgery. Volunteering in our dog program would give her the opportunity to share her love with many dogs and provide moderate exercise for continuing rehabilitation purposes. She began serving as a dog walker in May 2009 and has rapidly become a valued member of our team. She visits as often as she can in order to give all the dogs a good walk and some playtime in the fenced dog park. She also makes warm, fleece jackets for some of our special dogs. Lisa is hoping to expand her service to the community in the future by exploring pet facilitated therapy work and search and rescue work. She and her husband have 4 wonderful children and 3 awesome dogs. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys riding her motorcycle, camping, traveling, music and spending time with family and friends. One of her favorite activities is joining her husband, and the dogs, for a walk at Seaside Park. The "canine kids" just love chasing the seagulls! Thank you Lisa for all your hard work, dedication and compassion.”

Now Lisa uses her skills as a seamstress to make coats for any dog, anywhere. Lisa states, “The best way to order a coat from me is to message me on Facebook through Grateful Pawz or email me at gratefulpawz@charter.net and I will let you know what I have available after you give me your dog’s measurements. (I am trying to post a video on how to measure on my Facebook page). I need neck measurements, length which is just below collar in between shoulder blades to beginning of tail and girth, I also need sex so I know where to place the under tabs. I would also like a picture of your fur friend.”

Lisa makes coats for pigs, goats and cats, also. 

She is currently a vegetarian but also owned a fish restaurant in her past life and still loves to cook.

Lisa and her husband will be at Celebrate Shelton in the Conte Building on Howe Avenue in downtown Shelton, CT on November 29th, December 6th and December 20th. In addition to making coats, Lisa and her husband run a CATV construction business. She is also a realtor and has four children ranging in age from 20 to 26. They have four dogs Boss-Chick who is 14, Elvis who is 7, Letta-Bugg who is 7 and failed foster Daizy Dotz who is around 4.

If you need a winter coat for your best friend, I am most happy to recommend Lisa Luperella and Grateful Pawz. Not only will you be keeping your pet warm, you will be performing a valuable service, helping shelter dogs to brave the winter cold and look good in the process.

Thank you Lisa for all you do. Mickey and I are proud to support Grateful Pawz.

Perhaps you have heard people say that their dogs rescued them. Well my dog certainly did not rescue me. When I first saw his picture in early February, 2011 I already had an incredible life, filled with many blessings. I had a home and a job and plenty of food. I had a wonderful family, two amazing children, great friends and pets that I loved. I was in a committed relationship with a man who supported me and understood me more than anyone ever had. I really had it all – or at least I thought I did. Little did I know that something was missing. Nor did I know when I turned on my computer to check the New York City urgent dogs that night that my life was about to change forever.
   

I had seen another dog on the urgent page a few days earlier who had since been adopted. Now I was watching for the companion dog that had been surrendered with him and that night I saw him for the first time. I had been diligently networking the death row dogs each day for several months and had seen a few that interested me, but this one was different. When I saw him there was an immediate and profound connection. I knew I had to do everything I could to help save his life. I just did not know that I personally would be the one to give him a home.

Mickey remained on the urgent list for about a week. During this time I spent every minute I could networking him and reaching out to rescues and anyone who expressed the least bit of interest. I kept hoping someone would look past the ambiguous behavioral evaluation he was given at the shelter and see what I saw, but no one did. On the evening of February 9, 2011, while at dinner, I received a text that Mickey was on the list to be destroyed the next day, possibly as early as 6 AM. Although I had not planned to adopt him myself, now I was reconsidering. Certainly, I would at least be willing to foster him.

I got home and started contacting rescues again, prepared to stay up all night if necessary, but no one wanted to take a chance on him or on me. Just when it seemed hopeless, a woman from a rescue returned my email in the early morning hours and offered to help me. The only catch was that I would have to agree to adopt Mickey outright. Without hesitation I said yes.

I had no idea what I was getting into and the first few months were anything but easy. I could go on and on with details, but I will not. All I will say is that adopting Mickey turned out to be one of those life altering events. It was a major contributing factor in making me the person I am today.

I did not know it at the time, but Mickey is my heart dog – the one dog out of all the dogs I have loved who grabbed my heart and has never let go. We have a special bond. He “gets” me and vice versa. Mickey has taught me tolerance and patience. Because of him I have learned volumes about dog training and behavior. Knowing what would have happened to him has led me to devote myself to animal rescue and pit bull rescue in particular. Mickey inspired me to write a book with the goal of helping others learn what Mickey has taught me – that it is not the look of a dog that matters, but what is inside. He has taught me the true meaning of unconditional love.

Mickey has met people who have had a lifelong fear of, not only pit bulls but all dogs, and changed their perceptions in a way that no human ever could.

If I never do anything good again, I will know that at least I did one great thing in my life – I gave a home to a scared, unwanted death row dog who has, in turn, given me his heart. I would say we both won.



No, Mickey did not rescue me but he certainly changed the entire course of my life and helped me to be a better person. So, in this season of giving thanks, I just want to say “I love you, Mickey and thank you.”

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11 as Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" In 1938, November 11th was officially proclaimed Veteran’s Day.

On Veteran’s Day, we honor and remember the military heroes who have served our country.  I wonder if most of us appreciate the freedoms we have. It is very easy to take things for granted but today is a day to reflect on the sacrifices made by all who have fought for and helped to ensure our lives and our liberty. We owe them an enormous debt of gratitude, not only today, but every day.

Let us also not forget that it is not only humans who have served us and sacrificed for us. Let us also remember and honor the war dogs who have served in the military. Dogs have fought alongside humans since ancient times. There is documentation of their use in wars dating back to the 7th century BC. Among their many functions, they have been used for guarding, bomb detection and tracking, for communication and as a police presence. They have been used as scouts and as “mascots” to improve morale of the troops as well as for search and rescue.

For those who don’t know, the most decorated war dog in our nation’s history was a pit bull.  Stubby was a stray dog found near a military training facility in New Haven, Connecticut. He served for eighteen months in the 102nd Infantry during World War I.  Besides improving morale, Stubby helped to locate wounded soldiers, warn his regiment of mustard gas attacks, and singlehandedly captured and held an enemy spy. He was wounded multiple times in the line of duty and earned the rank of Sergeant. 

Stubby was smuggled home by a solder, Robert Conroy, after the war. He attended Georgetown University Law School with Conroy and became the university’s mascot. He met three presidents and received a Medal of Honor as well as a gold medal from the Humane Education Society. Upon his death in 1926, Stubby received a half-page obituary in the New York Times and now has a place in the Smithsonian Museum’s Price of Freedom exhibit.

Currently, about 2,500 dogs are used by our armed forces. In 2000, President Clinton, signed into law, a bill that allows military dogs to come home after their service and be adopted into homes. Today, retired military dogs are often used as therapy dogs.

So, this Veteran’s Day we honor all of the heroes who have served us so bravely and so well. I hope every American will take a moment today to thank a veteran and reflect on what our veterans have sacrificed for all of us. From a proud and grateful American, I say to all of you, "thank you!"

This past Saturday, I had the honor and the pleasure of spending a couple of hours with a most extraordinary dog, Jeffrey the Positively Peaceful Pit Bull and his human, Michele. As described by Michele, “Jeffrey is a Registered Therapy Dog and Shelter Dog Goodwill Ambassador, shattering stereotypes and opening minds...one belly rub at a time!”

Jeffrey is not only a local celebrity but he also has his own Facebook page with over twelve thousand followers from all over the world.

Michele rescued Jeffrey just hours before he was scheduled to be euthanized in the Manhattan New York City Animal Care and Control Facility.  I learned that Jeffrey also has a middle name. It is Carol. Jeffrey Carol is named for the two wonderful shelter volunteers who helped save Jeffrey’s life.

It is no secret that I have an enormous respect and appreciation for shelter volunteers everywhere. These individuals give of themselves and their time often knowing that the dogs they are walking and playing with today might be gone tomorrow. Visits from these volunteers are often the only bright spots in the days of shelter dogs who spend hours on end in cages with little stimulation or human contact. Shelters, particularly in large cities, are hopelessly understaffed and overcrowded and without the volunteers, these dogs really would have no one. So, once again, I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who volunteer in shelters. You are all heroes in my eyes.

As for Jeffrey, he is one of the lucky ones. He made it out alive and he is certainly making the most of his second chance thanks to his devoted owner Michele. Michele has spent countless hours working on his training and now devotes many more hours to visiting schools, libraries and hospitals with Jeffrey. Michele proudly told me a story about a visit to a group of hospital nursing students at which one of the students from a foreign country petted a dog (Jeffrey) for the first time. As hard as it is for us to imagine, in her native country dogs are not considered pets. 

Jeffrey is an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen, a Delta Pet Partners Registered Therapy Dog and a Registered Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D.) helping children with reading and communication skills.

As if that was not enough, Jeffrey is also the official spokesdog for the Connecticut Pit Bull Project and recently welcomed all who attended Connecticut Pit Bull Awareness Day last month.

This past weekend, Jeffrey and Michele surprised me by stopping by for my book signing at Ruff Cutz, LLC in Fairfield, CT. Heather, the shop’s owner requested that a portion of proceeds be donated to the Connecticut Pit Bull Project and of course I was happy to support such a great cause.

It was a dreary, rainy day but that did not stop Jeffrey from spreading sunshine to everyone who visited the shop that day. He greeted everyone with unbridled joy, with tail wags for all the two-legged and four-legged customers. He was rewarded with lots of hugs, a little play time and finally, a nice bath. He came bounding out, proudly showing off his new fall bandana.

I would like to thank Michele and Jeffrey for braving the elements and coming out on Saturday and for all they do to bring joy into people’s lives. Jeffrey is an incredible ambassador, not only for pit bulls but for dogs everywhere. We humans can certainly learn a lot from him, too. Every day, Jeffrey demonstrates to us that with a little love and hard work, it is possible to overcome even the most daunting of obstacles and be a role model for others.

Again, Jeffrey and Michele, not only was it fun – it was an honor!