EXTREMELY SUBJECTIVE GIFT GUIDE ADDENDUM:
Chicago-based dog rescue New Leash on Life is holding a “Name a Dog Fundraiser.” You make a tax-deductible donation of at least $200, you get to name a rescue dog in 2012.
JUST THINK of the possibilities! You could make a donation in a loved one’s name and give them the option of naming a dog themselves. You could name a dog after a pet your loved one knows, or after the loved one themselves (Aunt Bernice the Dog hahaha). You could use a funny name that will make you both laugh. So long as it’s not vulgar or a repetition of a previously-used name, New Leash will call a dog anything you want. How about Stacey? Roger? Tony Danza! Trashcan! Turkey Leg! Battleship! Brunhilda! Persephone! Stringer Bell! Doctor WoofWoof! The Honorable Judge Doggyweather!
SERIOUSLY. YOU CAN SUGGEST LITERALLY ANY NAME YOU WANT, AND THEY HAVE TO GIVE A DOG THAT NAME. But you cannot name a dog Pancake, because Pancake already exists (and needs a Chicagoland home).
In addition to playing God with a living creature’s identity, as a bonus (like you need a bonus after naming an animal Tony Danza, but whatever) you will also FEEL SO GOOD about yourself for helping save the life of a homeless dog. New Leash takes dogs who are days, hours, sometimes moments away from euthanasia, and places them in loving homes. It’s a volunteer-run organization, and all donations go directly towards the care of these animals. This is a cause worth supporting, in addition to a SUPER-FUN HOLIDAY GIFT. Just remember: it’ll be extra-fun if you attach notification of your donation to a stuffed animal, book or lovely plant. Give ‘em something they can hold in their hand.
(Full disclosure blahblahblah, I worked with New Leash for several years, first as a weekend volunteer, then a foster home, then an adoption counselor, and eventually foster director. My dog Radar was one of those moments-from-euthanasia pulls. Look at this stupid asshole’s face and tell me you don’t want to help another dog like him find a home in 2012!)
