With Love

I hope you all had a Happy Holiday! We spent it in Lake Tahoe, and it snowed, snowed, and snowed some more. It was an absolute winter wonderland up there. 

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I wanted to take the time to thank those who donated to Aviana's Elves this year. I want you to know how grateful I am for you! I am so thankful for the people I have met through this blog, for you are one of the best, and most unexpected blessing to come out of this whole thing!

As I have already told each and every one of you - for us, what you have done is multifaceted and extends far beyond helping the homeless. You have also helped carry us through another holiday season.

Having Aviana like this, especially after having her well, can be difficult through the holidays. Creating Aviana's Elves was the perfect way to refocus our attention for the better. Had we just gathered our own funds, we wouldn't have been able to make the impact we did. It's a beautiful thing...all the way around.

So, we thank you for helping, them - us - for just helping.

❤

William at Starbucks really is an amazing person and provided over 225 Via instant coffees for us! We also received some from two other locations as well. They also provide all of the cups, lids, straws and stir sticks. Starbucks is always very generous in helping anytime we ask! 

Theresa at Panera has helped us for the past 2 years in a row now. She is so sweet, compassionate and doesn't even hesitate. She provided 100 cookies both years.

Noah's Bagel is also very willing to provide whatever they can as well. It amazes me how some businesses are so willing to help.

Stephanie at Target is one of my very favorite people ever. She was leaving the company, but made sure beforehand to call me back in November to make sure I got a $100 gift card. She also made sure to line me up with the new HR person for next year. 

She is a person I met along the way that I will never forget. She's the type of person you meet briefly, but leaves that lifelong 'she made me a better person' imprint.  

Taco Bell loves my mom, and let me just say...we love Taco Bell! Have I ever told you that? Yeah, it's our guilty pleasure. Potato Taco please ; ) 

Well, my mom raised many a free meal from them.

We thank them...I mean, 

Muchos gracias.

Yo quero Taco Bell!

Have I told you I've been known to vet hop? Well not anymore. I finally found one I'm happy with a few years ago. Well, I'm a recovering pet store food hopper too. I was completely smacked out until I found Ben's Bark Avenue Bistro. Since then, I've been on the straight and narrow ; ) I'm sure you've noticed that my dog is my life, and you know, you don't just trust anyone with your life! 

If I sense that my vet, or my pet food store don't love dogs at least as much as I do...I leave. I jump ship. I don't care. I'm outtie.

Ben's is the only place that loves dogs as much as I do. I feel it in every fiber. Brad and Sally are the owners and they are all knowing about the health, and well being of our loves. They are honest, fair, kind, and straightforward. 

As I said before, I was absolutely shocked when I asked if they would be willing to donate and they wheeled out a dolly stacked five boxes high!! Not only did they donate bags, but they also donated sample sizes, which ended up being perfect so the homeless people could carry them on the road to feed their dogs.

Thank you both so much for your generous donation, but also thank you for doing what you do for the dogs, and for us to care so healthfully and lovingly for our animals!

❤