Anything.<\/em><\/p>\n If anything to make it suck a little less. \u00a0I have learned that life is short. \u00a0Too damn short. \u00a0I stopped caring what people thought of me and started living life for me and me alone. \u00a0That’s why I am the way I am today. \u00a0It took something to rock me to the core of a soul that I never even knew that I had to wake me up. \u00a0I stopped taking things for granted. \u00a0I stopped taking people for granted. \u00a0I’ll admit it, I was one of those<\/em> people. \u00a0I always thought that I had more time. \u00a0Don’t we all?<\/p>\n We always think we have more, I think in a way it’s a\u00a0defense\u00a0mechanism\u00a0to offset the guilt. \u00a0Such as when we ditch our un-wanted animals in the alley. \u00a0We\u00a0figure\u00a0that they can fend for themselves. \u00a0Right? \u00a0Perhaps we drop them off at the local pound. \u00a0They’re super smart\/cute\/unique so they’ll get adopted fast! Right?<\/p>\n Wrong.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n I will spare you the horror stories of how many cats I alone have seen in this area either dead or near death due to the\u00a0carelessness\u00a0of someone else. \u00a0I have assisted in the\u00a0rehabilitation\/rescuing\/fostering and re-homing of several dogs and all of my animals have been rescues. \u00a0You’re likely wondering what NAYOP and animal rescues have to do with each other.<\/p>\n It’s quite simple actually. \u00a0Jason had the biggest heart out of anyone I had the\u00a0privilege\u00a0of knowing. \u00a0His kindness and generosity was something that always stood out to me and he would often donate to\u00a0charities. \u00a0Jason also suffered from severe depression\/bi-polar disorder and anxiety. \u00a0Jason was told that there was nothing they could do to save him. \u00a0Animals have been proven to have a calming effect on people who are suffering from some forms of mental illness and art has also be proven to be exceptional therapy.<\/p>\n When I lost Jason, my world fell apart. \u00a0I honestly and truly believed that I was going to die from a broken heart because it just hurt that<\/strong><\/em> bad. \u00a0It was because of someone else who was a part of my life at that time that I got in touch with my creative side and started painting. \u00a0I also started to focus on my photography more and Bandit, this amazing sweetheart of a dog from the SPCA stole my heart.<\/p>\n So I decided that this year on the anniversary of his death that I was going to do something a little different. \u00a0I am choosing to pay it forward using my art work, along with the donations of several other people’s work to assist the voiceless. \u00a0That being said (I’m) Not Afraid Of Your Pain (NAYOP)<\/a> and Stuff by: Chef Steph<\/a> will be\u00a0sponsoring this event.<\/p>\n A special smug mug account has been set up. \u00a0You shop and smug mug does the rest! \u00a0The quality is exceptional and their customer service exceeds even my highest expectations! \u00a0Please share this album with your friends as it will only be around for a limited time!<\/p>\n Click here to check out the gallery and purchase prints!<\/a><\/p>\n The two\u00a0rescues\u00a0who will benefit from this for the month of September are: I am alive dog rescue<\/a> and Bell’Anima rescue<\/a>. \u00a0I am hoping that this is so\u00a0successful\u00a0that I can keep doing it (using different images) for different rescues across the globe. \u00a0There is so many and after doing countless hours of volunteer work, the costs are far more vast than one would think!<\/p>\n Along with the smug mug goodies, Chef Stephanie will be selling batches of her homemade dog biscuits! \u00a0Made out of 100% natural ingredients, they are fit for human consumption, a good source of protein and best of all: They’re made in Canada from start to finish! \u00a0Everything is locally sourced. \u00a0For more information on Chef Steph’s dog cookies please go to her facebook page for more information and how to buy.<\/a><\/p>\n Thank you all for your support! \u00a0It means a lot.<\/p>\n
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