4/3/11 The drawing for the last flat pet and for the grand prize of a pet portrait from the Crazy Cat Lady was held today. All participants have been notified. Thanks to all who donated!!!

3/27/11 The drawing for this week’s flat pet has taken place and participants notified. Only one flat pet left to give away! And at the end of this week, we will draw for the beautiful and personalized pet portrait from our buddy, the Crazy Cat Lady! For more details, read on…

If you’re a regular visitor, you’ll know I let my photos speak for me–so pay attention because this particular post is flatly unusual.

It’s A Flat Pet and Pet Portrait Give-Away!

When I’m not traveling around, looking fabulously flat, I like to devote my time to raising money for good causes. One of my favorite causes is Small Paws Rescue.

I exist, because of Small Paws Rescue. Small Paws saved Fluffy Tyler who is my other half; my evil twin; yes, my doggelganger.

Since Small Paws started operations 12 years ago, they’ve saved over 8,000 fluffy dogs. Over 800 volunteers foster and take care of fluffy orphan dogs across the USA until forever homes can be found for them. Nearly 6,000 people in 26 countries devote money, prayers, and time to help support the work. With all that help, you wouldn’t think they needed anything more–but you’d be  wrong.

Small Paws doesn’t have a great deal of overhead–but they have some huge veterinary bills. They do everything they can to uphold a “no-kill” philosophy, and many of the dogs they rescue come from horrible situations so they need expensive medical help. Small Paws flat-out makes sure that the fluffy dogs who need treatment get treatment.

Would You Like Your Own Flat Pet?

During the month of March, to encourage you to donate (and to increase the flat pet population), I’m going to give away 4 flat pets to 4 lucky (though unflat) people. Wouldn’t you like your very own flat pet? Here’s how you can win one:

• Click on the First Giving donation widget on the right side of the page, and make a $5 donation to Small Paws Rescue.
• Every $5 is worth one chance to win. If you donate more, you get more chances to win. $50 = 10 chances to win.
• Be sure to include your email address in the proper box so that you can be contacted in case you’re picked (your email address will be hidden).
• One of the nice things about First Giving is that they will send you a receipt that you can use for your taxes.
• Flat Pet winners will be notified by email on:
  • Saturday March 12 (for donations made March 1 to midnight March 11);
  • Saturday March 19 (for donations made March 12 to midnight March 18);
  • Saturday March 26 (for donations made March 19 to midnight March 25);
  • and Saturday April 1 (for donations made March 26 to midnight March 31).

Each winner will need to provide a jpeg photo of their pet suitable for turning into a flat pet (see the instructions for information on what makes a good flat pet photo). Due to size restrictions on the finished flat pet, some flat pets may not be the actual size of the fluffy pet. My staff will construct the flat pet and get it to the winner.

But wait! There’s more!

Recently, one of my most favorite people–The Crazy Cat Lady who watches over Flat Skeezix–contacted me with an incredible offer: one of her amazing, personalized mixed media pet portraits to use as a give-away during the Flat Tyler Small Paws Fundraiser! This is an incredible prize worth $100.00!

The portrait is a 6″ x 6″ x 1-3/8″ mixed media pet portrait on gallery-wrapped canvas. It’s ready to hang or perfect for standing on a tabletop. Painted on 5 sides with high quality Golden acrylics. Embellished with emphemera which may include tarot or loteria cards, upcycled maerials, beads, scrabble tiles, etc. as appropriate. Customized for your pet and his/her place in your life.

As you can see, she made one for my staff when Bailey crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.

So, in addition to giving away 4 flat pets, we will also be giving away one pet portrait at the end of the month.

• Click on the First Giving donation widget on the right side of the page, and make a donation to Small Paws Rescue.
• Every $15 is worth one chance to win the pet portrait. If you donate more, you get more chances to win. $60 = 4 chances to win.
• Donations are cumulative (as long as the email address is the same), so if you enter each week for a flat pet at $5, at the end of the month you would have contributed $20 (4x$5=$20) and have 1 chance at the pet portrait. You could, of course, add an extra $10 in there during the month and then have 2 chances to win the pet portrait.
• Be sure to include your email address in the proper box so that you can be contacted in case you’re picked (your email address will be hidden).
• First Giving will send you a receipt that you can use for your taxes.
• The winner of the pet portrait will be notified by email on Saturday April 1, for donations made March 1 to midnight March 31.

Any questions? Leave a comment.

It’s simple! It’s fun! It’s easy! It’s a great cause. What are you waiting for? Start your donations!

3/19/11: The drawing for this week’s flat pet has taken place and all participants notified. Only 2 more flat pets left to give away–one of them could be yours!! And we’re just 2 weeks away from the drawing for the personalized pet portrait from the Crazy Cat Lady!

3/12/11: The drawing for this week’s flat pet has taken place and all participants notified. Congratulations to the winner! And for those of you who are unfortunately flat-pet-less, every $5 donation puts you 1 step closer to your very own flat pet.