ThatMutt.com Features RIC!

Check out this interview and chance to win a free RIC tee on ThatMutt.com! Original is here.

Note: ThatMutt.com is an affiliate of RIC by Stacey Lauren. Save 15% off your order with RIC by SL by using coupon code THATMUTT.

I love the dog-related graphic tees and tops from RIC by Stacey Lauren.

“Love Rock Live” is the brand’s motto, and each shirt makes a statement.

Stacey Lauren is the entrepreneur and graphic designer behind RIC. The brand is named after her late father Ric who Stacey said will always be an inspiration. She believes he continues to help her in ways he never could.

Dog-themed shirts to help animals!

RIC by SL offers three clothing collections – LOVE, ROCK and LIVE.

The LOVE collection features animal-related designs.

Stacey is quite the dog lover, and a portion of the proceeds from her LOVE collection are donated to the Humane Society of the United States.

“The reason I began designing animal-related graphic tees is so that animal lovers like me can proudly and fashionably display their passion for four-legged creatures,” Stacey said.

Some of the tees have specific messages of adoption and love for breeds, but hopefully each top can be a conversation starter, she said.

My favorite shirts from RIC by SL so far are the tops featuring a cute pitbull with the words “Lover not a fighter.” Ace and I are modeling it for you at the bottom of this post :) Although Ace is most likely not a pitbull mix, many of his friends are pit mixes.

Cute tan and red pitbull mixStacey owns a rescued pitbull mix named Theo.

“I love him immensely, and he has taught me so much about what it really means to rescue a dog,” she said.

While she would love to say Theo is perfectly behaved and the ideal representation of a lovable pitbull (and he is very lovable), she said he has many issues.

Theo is very fearful, she said. He was probably taken from his littermates at a very young age. He was a stray, and he may have been abused. He has developed a territorial aggression, which is clearly fear-based as he shakes and cries whenever the door bell rings.

“I do not blame any of this on his breed, but rather his circumstances,” Stacey said. “He is a learning experience for me, and I cannot wait to rescue more pitbulls.”

It is important that no matter what breed you decide to rescue that you are prepared to help the dog through any issues he may come with, she said.

In addition to the “Lover not a fighter” graphic, other dog-related designs from RIC include paw prints or various dog breeds.

I love “the golden life” shirt with a golden retriever and the “guardian” shirt with a German shepherd. Other designs feature the doberman, the Chihuahua, the bull dog and others. I’m hoping to see a design featuring big, black lab mixes at some point! :)

The ROCK and LIVE collections

Additional graphic designs are available through RIC’s ROCK and LIVE collections.

The ROCK collection features music-related designs and helps raise funds for kids’ music programs across America. I am a band geek at heart, and I truly appreciate these designs.

The LIVE collection features inspirational sayings such as “hakuna matata,” and proceeds from these shirts are donated to The Adventure Project to help fight extreme poverty.

RIC by SL coupon code

I hope you will visit RIC by SL on Etsy! I think you will love the designs as much as I do. Check out some of the designs below, and don’t forget to use the coupon code THATMUTT to save 15% off your order!

Win a free shirt from RIC by SL

RIC by SL is offering a free “Lover not a fighter” v-neck unisex tee to one lucky That Mutt reader.  You will be able to choose the color and size from the available options.

For your chance to win, please visit RIC by SL’s site. Then leave a comment below telling me what other RIC designs you like. I will select one winner at random Feb. 12 and notify the winner by email and in the comments of this post. Must have a U.S. mailing address to win.

Cute white paw hoodie for women
Cute women's long sleeve Tshirt Keep Calm and Rescue On

Ace and I thought we would pretend we are models, too!

Cute pitbull themed tshirts for people, men and women

Don’t forget to check out the original post to enter to win!

Fresno Bully Rescue & RIC Join Forces to Raise Funds for Bully Breeds

Fresno Bully Rescue

Attention bully breed lovers! Check out Fresno Bully Rescue, an organization dedicated to rescuing bully breed dogs. Based out of Fresno, CA, FBR has rescued over 500 dogs since its founding in May of 2008. They currently house and shelter over 40 dogs at any given time. Many of these dogs were designated to be euthanized. Here is their mission statement:

FBR’s job is to provide a healthy and loving temporary home while we look for forever homes for our bullies. In addition, FBR is committed to promoting responsible ownership of bully breeds, fighting against breed discrimination, spaying and neutering pets, reporting dog fighting, and demonstrating to the community that bully breeds are loyal, loving, and wonderful forever companions.

RIC by SL is donating $2 to FBR for every shirt sold using coupon code FRESNO5. As an added bonus, you will also receive 5% off your order! AND a portion of the proceeds also goes to the Humane Society of the US. Spread the Bully Breed Love!

Don’t forget to ‘Like’ Fresno Bully Rescue on Facebook!

2011 Victories for Animals by The Humane Society of the United States

If you don’t have time to watch it, here’s a recap of HSUS’ 2011 accomplishments:

  • Over 8,000 animals saved from cruelty cases
  • Hands-on care for more than 50,000 animals through rescue efforts & animal care centers
  • Push for federal agreement to reduce the suffering of millions of egg-laying hens
  • Shut down dozens of illegal animal fighting operations
  • Free spay and neuter for thousands of pets
  • The Shelter Pet Project, promoting rescuing from shelters and rescues
  • Massive relocations of animals to safety
  • Partnerships with law enforcement to crack down on poaching
  • New laws to protect pets, farm animals, and wildlife
  • Defending laws that protect polar bears
  • Exposing animal cruelty with undercover investigators
  • Convincing companies to adopt cruelty-free testing
  • Fighting to get chimpanzees out of labs and into sanctuaries

True heroes in my book. Keep it up in 2012!

Missing Pit Mix Coming Home for Christmas After 8 Years

Petunia the Pit Mix Reunited with Family After 8 Years
Petunia (source)

Petunia, a staffordshire terrier mix, ran away from her family farm in Virginia on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in 2003. After an extensive search by her owners, it was presumed that she had not survived.

That is, until she was found in California this past Wednesday. She was brought to the Yuba County Animal Care Services Shelter, where they used her microchip to determine who her original owners were. Somehow, this pup had made it cross-country over 8 years, and survived!

Petunia will be reunited with her family in time for Christmas. Talk about a holiday miracle! This makes my heart warm :)

More Adoptable Buddies

Looking for a new friend? How about any of these adoptable cuddle buddies:

Diamond Adoptable Dog
Diamond

Come meet Diamond and let her dazzle you with her sweet, outgoing personality. She will greet you with tail wagging, body dancing, and a lick on the face, if you let her. Have another canine? She will greet them the same! This sweet girl is too friendly to be in a shelter. She needs a home where she can run and play, go on long walks or runs and take trips to the park. If you adopt Diamond, you will see the love and devotion she gives is truly priceless!

 

Dominick Adoptable Do
Dominick

Dominick is a 4yr old lab mix…he was rescued from the CACC and now in boarding we had an adopter but it fell through he gets along with other dogs…he is up to date with shots and microchipped and neutered…he does not like to be crated at all..he is getting very depressed in his cage in boarding can anyone help this guy out…

 

Leon Adoptable Dog
Leon

Anybody know a big strong dude looking for a big strong dog to play/wrestle with? Leon is a wonderful rescue dog who LOVES to play, is super friendly and waggly/wiggly, BUT his play style is VERY physical and he requires a person who can match him in physical strength and love of play. He loves all people and other dogs…especially those with lots of energy and endurance. Leon is 2 yrs old, about 75 lbs, neutered, up to date on his shots and looking for his home in NY/NJ/New England region. He is currently upstate NY, near Albany.

 

Coco Adoptable Dog
Coco

Coco is a gorgeous male, neutered, german shepherd mix, 21 mths old and a true german shepherd. He is very loving and loves his family but is protective of them too as many shepherds are. Once he meets you though, he loves you. He loves other dogs too. Coco was found as a puppy abandoned at just 5 weeks old. Coco loves going for long walks, and just loves the snow.. He is a wonderful dog and his foster family can speak with you directly. They are unable to keep him as Coco was their daughters dog and she is overseas and cannot take him with her. Please give this beautiful boy a home down load an application from ruffhouserescue.com and help get this boy a permanent home.

 

Shelby Adoptable Dog
Shelby

Meet our absolute sweet girl Shelby. Shelby was rescued just in the nick of time- you see her owner had to surrender her to a high-kill shelter when they went into the hospital. Poor Shelby, a beloved family pet was so scared. This girl is just a calm, mellow, cuddler. She is fantastic on the leash an d great with other dogs, and children too.

 

Carly Adoptable Dog
Carly

Carly is a stunning Black Lab mix. She was a wonderful mommy to her 6 pups and now needs a loving home of her own. She is about 2 years old.

 

Rumor Adoptable Dog
Rumor

This is Rumor a pretty, happy little dog who loves to play and is just beautiful. She is always smiling as she seems to enjoy just about everything. Rumor is small in stature and weighs about 40lbs. She loves to play with other dogs and is very good on the leash. She is very well behaved and enjoys sitting and relaxing with her favorite person. Please download an application for Rumor if you want a wonderful little girl to call your own. Take long walks with and just hang out with too.

 

Click on the dog to reach their adoption page. Happy adopting!

Help Protect Animals From Abuse & Neglect with HSUS

Currently volunteering at a local shelter, I’m doing my best to step into the world of animal welfare. I’m working on becoming emotionally stronger so that I can eventually have a bigger impact. I’ve also created a collection of tees and tops, donating a portion of the proceeds to The Humane Society of the United States. Hope you like them:

RIC by Stacey Lauren Rescued Tee
“Rescued” Tee

RIC by Stacey Lauren Studded Paw Tee
“Studded Paw” Tee

RIC by Stacey Lauren Lace Paw Hoodie
“Lace Paw” Hoodie

RIC by Stacey Lauren Lace Paw Boat Neck Tee
“Lace Paw” Boat Neck Tee

RIC by Stacey Lauren "Studded Paw" Hoodie
“Studded Paw” Hoodie

RIC by Stacey Lauren "Studded Paw" Hoodie
“Studded Paw” Hoodie

What’s left from my 2010 collection of dog breed tees also contributes to HSUS. Click to see the whole collection:

Stacey Lauren 2010 Collection

Have a comment? Please share!

Last Hope’s Golden Whisker Society Aims to Increase Senior Adoptions

Recently, I was asked by my sister-in-law to design this logo for Last Hope‘s new Golden Whisker Society Senior Dog & Cat Adoption Program:

Golden Whisker Society at Last Hope

Below is the newsletter sent out regarding the program:

November is “Adopt a Senior Pet” Month and the perfect time for us to launch Last Hope’s senior pet adoption program, the Golden Whisker Society.  As we know, our town shelters are overflowing with homeless cats and dogs every day.  Removing any animal from that plight is rewarding; Doing so for an older cat or dog can be one of the more satisfying experiences of a lifetime.  No animal likes to be in a cage, alone and without companionship.  Older animals tend to suffer more, though, due to the stress of a major life-change at a time when their bodies are not as strong and their sensitivities high.   Many suffer physical pains and ailments that go untreated because they cannot tell anyone what hurts.  Most of them suffer broken hearts due to  the losses they have endured, having once been someone’s beloved pet and now finding themselves alone in a cage in a strange place. Many older animals languish in shelter cages for months, and even years, because most people look to adopt younger pets.  We are hoping to change this.  Our goal with our Golden Whisker Society is two-fold:  We aim to raise awareness of the incredible joy one can experience in adopting a senior pet by having our senior-pet adopters tell their stories here, and we hope to raise much-needed funding so that we can continue to take more amazing seniors out of the shelters and give them the medical attention they deserve and the comfort of the forever-homes they crave.

Please check back here often for our stories, and please consider donating to our cause. If you have ever adopted an older animal and want to share your story, just send us an email to GWS@Lasthopeanimalrescue.org to submit your story (and photo too!) and we can post your story here. For more information about the Golden Whisker Society contact Lucy at effmanlu@yahoo.com and Eileen at Eosmers@gmail.com.

We celebrate this month as Adopt a Senior Pet Month, but our Golden Whisker Society mission continues every single day throughout the year and beyond.  For as long as there are senior animals who need us, we will continue to find ways to help them.

Please support the Golden Whisker Society and spread the word to animal lovers in your circle!

Selena Gomez & Justin Bieber Adopt A Puppy

Justin Bieber & Selena Gomez

While on tour in Winnipeg, Canada, Selena Gomez took a moment out of her busy schedule to stop by local shelter D’Arcy’s Animal Rescue Centre and help out a pup in need. She took home adorable 10-week old husky mix, Baylor. He is the sixth addition to her family of rescues. He is quite the looker:

Selena Gomez Adopts Baylor the Puppy

Look at those blue eyes! I’m officially a new Selena Gomez fan.

Shelter Dog Photography by Susan Sabo

There are quite a few dog lovers on Etsy, and every once in a while you come across a talented artist who incorporates their passion for animals into their work. Its no wonder that these are my favorite Etsy shops!

Susan Sabo is an environmental and animal photographer. What caught my eye in her shop were her unique shots of shelter dogs. These stunning photos are eye-opening and inspiring. The best part is, she donates a portion of her sales to various rescue associations; some small and independent, like her local shelter, and some larger ones, like The Humane Society of the United States.

She also volunteers her time and services to shelters, and even donates sessions and prints for fundraisers.

Here are a few of her beautiful shots:

Susan Sabo Photography
Windows to the Soul

Susan Sabo Photography
Shelter Dogs, No. 30

Susan Sabo Photography
Shelter Dogs, No. 11

Susan Sabo Photography
Shelter Dogs, No. 5

Susan Sabo Photography
Shelter Dogs, No. 34

Susan Sabo Photography
Brainiac

You can purchase her shots at susansabophotography.etsy.com.

You can also find her on Facebook at facebook.com/susansabophotography.