Spunky PR / Spunky Scribbles

To my past and current clients:

I want to thank ALL of you for your support over the years. Some of you may know if you’ve been following me; after years of doing marketing, public relations and business development for artists and nonprofits, I realized, through my volunteerism at MaxFund, that I was ready for a change. Therefore, I have left the rat race of promoting awesome people and projects and have been working at a dog daycare for the last few months. I recently began a training program through Animal Behavior College to become a certified dog trainer; in spring, I will also be doing their veterinary assistant program.

The domain for Spunky PR will be active until it expires in spring but I am no longer taking on any new projects or clients so I am letting everyone know ASAP about this change. You can contact me at my email, lauramc719@gmail.com, and through my blog at http://spunkylife.wordpress.com/. My phone will remain the same, 303-550-5652. In 2012, I will be officially launching my new business, Delightful Doggies, offering pet sitting and dog walking services, and ultimately dog training services.

I do still plan to promote my husband’s work; I am also committed to helping market the film on which I have worked in other capacities, “Walk-ins Welcome.” But other than these commitments, my new business and my work as a volunteer with MaxFund, I do not plan to take on any new clients or projects in the foreseeable future under the Spunky PR banner.

If you have marketing/PR needs down the road, I am happy to try and find resources for you. I really value the relationship we have had and your support of my talent and abilities. I have really been fortunate to work with people and projects in which I really have a lot of passion and love, and all of you are very talented and wonderful people! I wish you all the best moving forward. Don’t hesitate to contact me for any help, regardless of the status of my former business!

All best and much love to all of you,
Laura, your Spunky One

All my life I have loved animals. One of the best things about my childhood is that I grew up in a place where I could connect with so many. One of my uncles in particular always had different animals on his farm and I always had a cat or dog, or a combination thereof. When I was a child I aspired to be a veterinarian.

As I grew older, my life took other directions. I have been blessed to be able to have done a lot of things I always wanted to do–travel, promote great art, music and causes, and work on projects that create community impact. Since last fall I have volunteered time with MaxFund No-Kill Animal Shelter and Adoption Center. I admit I was a bit timid to do this but I felt it was the right thing to do. I am sensitive about animals and it is sometimes challenging to be at a shelter, to wish for a better life for these homeless and “unwanted” souls among us, but it has been far more enriching than saddening, and it has really inspired a new path for me.

Therefore, Spunky PR is on hold…in a sense. I am no longer accepting new clients and I have taken a job at–of all places–a dog daycare facility! It’s a huge change of pace for me and it’s another step to developing a career working with animals to hopefully make an impact on their welfare and educate people for a more humane world.

FOUR MILLION cats and dogs–about one every eight seconds–are euthanized EVERY YEAR in shelters across the U.S. That’s a terrible statistic. We buy and sell animals as commodities and then toss them aside. This is wrong and while I know I won’t solve the problem overnight, I do want to try to be part of the solution. A dog daycare doesn’t directly equate to solving pet overpopulation but it does give me some experience dealing with dogs and learning more about their behavior. It is my goal to enter a training program this fall or winter to obtain certification as a dog trainer and veterinary assistant so that I can work with people who would otherwise relinquish pets to shelters to solve behavioral issues, as well as have a strong foundational knowledge to help with physical problems. Besides working with animals and their people, I would use these added skills to help area shelters and rescues.

This is my dream–and we all need to try and pursue our dreams. While I am not completely opposed to helping artists and nonprofits under the Spunky PR banner as I have for several years now, it has definitely taken a back seat to these pursuits. It’s been a pleasure working with so many to promote such great music, art and causes. Thank you and keep in touch–I’m not completely gone, just gone to the dogs!

All best,
Laura “Spunky” McGaughey
Spunky PR / Spunky Scribbles

Spunky and Jasper, Bear Valley Park, Memorial Day 2011

Today we’re only one week away from MaxFund No-Kill Animal Shelter‘s Lucky Mutt Strut, which takes place in Washington Park here in beautiful Denver!

I am walking in the event and trying to raise at least $500. I’m right now 73% of the way there and I really need YOUR help to make it the rest of the way–or better yet–exceed my goal!

Would you please be willing to make a donation today to help me out? I know times are tough but if everyone of you gave even just five bucks, I’d definitely exceed my goal! No amount is too great or small and I would appreciate anything you’re willing to give. Even if you can just share this email or the link to my donation page with others you know via email, Facebook or any other method you have to widen my ability to raise funds for this great organization, I’d be SO grateful and appreciative of any way in which you can give!

Not sure what to give?

• $15 covers one day of cozy housing and good yummies & treats
• $45 covers the cost of vaccinations that EACH animal receives when they come to MaxFund
• $60 covers the cost of a spay or neuter
• $75 covers a routine medical exam
• $110 covers a routine medical exam including blood work

MaxFund has been rated as a four-star charity by Charity Navigator for seven consecutive years, meaning their fiscal management is top-notch and money goes directly to animals in need, animals who would otherwise be euthanized. They have a special mission to help animals with medical/behavioral needs, and operate spay/neuter programs statewide to control the pet population. They are the state’s largest no-kill group and Denver’s ONLY no-kill shelter.

Please help me out. A little goes a long way. My life has really been impacted by my volunteerism at MaxFund, and I know whenever I can give, I feel so good, not just for those whom I’m helping, but selfishly for myself. Giving makes people feel good and I am grateful for anything you can spare, even if it’s just posting my links on your Facebook pages.

Thanks for listening! You can donate by clicking here TODAY!
Laura, your Spunky One

This is Jasper, who came to us from MaxFund, and he's wondering why you haven't donated yet!

MaxFund's 15th Annual Lucky Mutt Strut

What: MaxFund No-Kill Animal Shelter and Adoption Center‘s 15th Annual Lucky Mutt Strut to raise money for homeless animals!
When: Sunday, June 26
Time: 9 a.m. – registration starts at 7:30 a.m.
Where: Washington Park, Denver, Colo.
Register in advance: http://luckymutt.blacktie-athon.com/

My husband and I are both excited to be walking in this year’s Lucky Mutt Strut and we are competing to see who will raise the most money!

You, too, can also participate. If you can’t, please consider donating to our team, team Jasper. As I said, my husband and I are somewhat competing, so I hope you’ll donate through my profile!

To donate through my husband’s page, click here.

Teams are “walking for” dogs that have been with MaxFund for a while, or who have had special challenges along the way. There are 10 of these dog ambassadors. We are walking for Boogie, who is currently in a foster home and with whom I have had many walks and love dearly.

Boogie

Please donate today – I aspire to be a top fundraiser and these wonderful animals and this great organization are deserving. MaxFund is consistently rated at the highest level – four stars – by Charity Navigator, meaning their resources are used wisely to actually go to the animals in need!

One of the greatest joys in my life has been being a volunteer for the MaxFund No-Kill Animal Shelter and Adoption Center. Most of my time has been spent walking dogs and playing with cats who are given another chance for full, happy lives with no worry that they will ever be put down just because they’re unwanted. MaxFund is especially dear to me for a few reasons.

First, they have a special mission to help animals who would otherwise be put down right away: medical problems or behavioral problems, they not only focus on rescuing these animals and giving them a place to stay, but giving them the loving, rehabilitating attention they need to be successfully adopted into fitting, responsible and loving homes.

Second, I have found many animal loves there, dog and cat. While I can’t take all of them home, I can help their lives for a while, giving them much-needed socialization and exercise. I can certainly use the exercise and love I receive back from them too! It’s mutually beneficial and a really fun, simple way to volunteer time there.

Lastly, I found my special boy there. When we lost Soup right before Christmas, I was devastated. I will never stop thinking of her or missing her dearly; she was a truly special, irreplaceable and precious dog love in my life. I went into MaxFund on December 26 to walk some dogs. There were several new puppies, but one caught the attention of my husband. His name was Micah and he was finally okay to walk, post-neutering, so we decided to take him out for a walk. He was such a cutie!

We returned him after his walk and took others out. I kept thinking about him. I told my husband, “You know, I’d take that dog…,” unsure of what he may think. He was thinking similar thoughts, so we decided after a little thinking together to fill out an adoption application. When we came back to the front, another lady was showing interest so I got very nervous. In the end, however, we were the lucky chosen ones and we took him home a few days later, December 29.

We rechristened him Jasper and he has been such a blessing. He is so loving, playful and a true star in our neighborhood. Everyone falls in love in an instant with him.

All this is a long story simply to implore you to help me spread the word about MaxFund and their upcoming Annual Chili Cook-off, Sunday, February 20, 1 to 4 p.m. at the Celtic Tavern. You can enter your chili here or you can simply come and taste, and have tons of fun! If you have items to donate for the silent auction (preferably chili or cooking-related), I’d be happy to arrange to get those from you so contact me.

There are many events MaxFund has and also many ways to help: volunteering, becoming a member or making a donation, and much more. MaxFund is the only no-kill shelter in Denver and has a four-star rating–the highest possible–from Charity Navigator, which means they spend their money wisely to go to the animals, not over-inflated salaries or advertising. They rely on word-of-mouth and their hardworking staff and volunteers.

Thank you for indulging me. I hope to see you on February 20! Tell all your friends.

MaxFund Chili Cook-off, February 20, 2011

I am grateful for the end of yet another election.

I won’t go so deep into my thoughts about elections but to say this: it’s really time to take a different attitude at a local level.

Generally speaking, the Feds don’t have much of a pulse on the daily lives of their constituents. They’ve not for a long time. Every time we go through these elections, we play the same games and point the same, tired fingers and the redundant, scare tactic-based ads come out. We complain about it, we harp about it–in fact, I just erased sentences now of my own complaining, but–enough of the complaining!

What the heck are you doing about it?

Beyond voting (which you should do, no matter how idiotic you may think all the candidates), what have you done to make a difference in your community?

One of the main reasons I felt Obama was the right person to elect was because of his message regarding volunteerism and his history of community organizing. I felt that, beyond all the other qualifications we can ascribe to our country’s leaders, this was one I could truly get behind. One of the core values of Spunky PR is to make a difference and support nonprofits and DIY artists. While we all need to make a living, there are some pro bono clients and projects under the Spunky PR banner, and I encourage volunteerism and giving back on other levels.

Despite the strange political and economic climate, its topsy-turviness and its ability to make us all feel a bit, shall we say, dismayed, we can’t let it make us feel completely unempowered and hinder us. There has been a lot of talk about Washington, how real progress or change can’t happen due to partisan gridlock, and that could very well be true. Perhaps the key is in not giving into that negativity. Perhaps it lies in the spirit of local action and what we do as individuals with our communities in mind.

I definitely believe that it’s time for us to dig deep, find what matters to us in the context of our communities and greater world, and join a soup kitchen’s effort to feed the hungry or donate to your local museum or mentor an at-risk youth…something, anything, to improve your own life and the lives of others. Support life and the sake of doing things because they’re good to do. If you aren’t volunteering, you really should!

I’ve found particular fulfillment recently at the MaxFund No-Kill Animal Shelter. I’m a huge animal lover and it helps me get some exercise, walking those dogs. The time I spend with dogs and cats means more socialization for them, fun for me, and ultimate better chance of adoption. The organization has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the highest possible meaning they exceed and outperform other charities in their cause.

If you’re looking for a charity to support, VolunteerMatch.org is a great place to start. Volunteerism is a huge way to shift where we are going in this country, I truly believe that, so I hope that you can volunteer and encourage others to do the same. And honestly, it’ll make you feel good!

Thanks for listening,
Spunky