Feed Your Good Dog

Positive Thoughts | Positive Actions | Positive Results

Rose Caplan

TGIFYGDF – Thank Goodness It’s Feed Your Good Dog Friday!

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Three giants in the entertainment industry died this week…Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. All three had a huge impact on society in their own way and will be remembered for that which they wove into the lives of millions of people all over the world.

You know you don’t have to be an entertainment giant to make a difference in the world and leave it a better place. One person performing an act of kindness or a good deed done on behalf of another will result in more of the same, and so on. We can not underestimate the far reaching infinite effect on the world of just one person making the choice and doing something good. So if you are looking of ways to make a difference this weekend (or any other day in the future for that matter) and affect the lives of others in a positive way, check out the new All for Good website.

All for Good lets you browse activities and find events based on your location or interests. It is the “Craigslist for Service” created by a volunteer group of individuals from the technology, marketing and public sectors who were inspired by the call of President Obama to engage more Americans in service. All for Good makes finding a good deed project in your community easy as pie. Check it out on All for Good’s website by clicking here – allforgood.org.

Remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so you good dog always wins!

Wednesday Wide Smile

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SHOW YOUR SMILE

Daniel Gardner received over 280 video replies from YouTubers in response to his “Show your Smile” video within 11 months after he uploaded it. The following video, Youtube smiles!, is a compilation of 100 of those 280 different smiles.   It features Amber Van Vleet’s song “Sunray Smile”,  has received over 2.2 million views since its debut in October, 2008, and is sure to make you, well…..smile!

Remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!

TGIFYGDF – Thank Goodness it’s Feed Your Good Dog Friday!

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Father’s Day is Sunday.  It’s been celebrated since June of 1910.  Why June?  Because Sonora Smart Dodd, the woman who is credited with originating the holiday, wanted to honor the man who raised her after her mother died, and his birthday was in June.

Sonora was in church, listening to a Mother’s Day sermon, knowing that her Father deserved such a glowing endorsement.  He, in the eyes of his daughter, was a loving, courageous, and selfless man who had made sure his daughter was well cared-for and well-raised after the passing of his wife.

It’s not known when the concept of giving Dads ties, barbeque tools and golf gadgets as gifts began, but the third Sunday in June has been the official Father’s Day in America since 1972 when then-President Richard Nixon penned it into law.  Fifty-two other countries observe Father’s Day on the same day, and many other countries celebrate Fathers, but on a different day.

The Feed Your Good Dog Council is all about celebrating the wonderful people in your life, and hope you can spend time with your Dad this weekend.  If so, instead of a tie or gadget this year, try to let him know what a positive impact he’s had on your life so far.

And remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins.

Wednesday Wide Smile

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Tomorrow, a little girl turns 3 years old.  That’s not remarkable – it happens to children every day, all over the world.  What is remarkable about this little girl is her Mom and the community program which made her success possible.

Leslyanne Lopez graduated high school eleven days ago in Indiana.  It was something that she thought would never happen for her when she found herself pregnant in her freshman year.  Against the odds, she did graduate from high school and she’s about to start classes in graphic design at Ivy Tech Community College in Ft. Wayne.

Leslyanne was able to raise her child and continue her education with the help of the ECHO program.  ECHO, which stands for Education Creates Hope and Opportunity, made it possible for Leslyann to spend the past four years going to school, holding down a job, participating in counseling and parenting classes, and being a mother to her daughter, all at the same time.

ECHO is a partnership between the Lutheran Social Services and Catholic Charities and is in schools in Ft. Wayne and the surrounding counties in Indiana.  The program aims to help teen girls beat the incredible statistics that come with teen pregnancy.

With ECHO’s help, Leslyanne found quality daycare for her daughter, help with nutrition, vitamins and wellness check-ups and especially with goal-setting and motivation.  ECHO helped her understand that achieving her goal of graduation and college was within her reach as long as she understood what needed to be done each day and did it.  In that simple way, each day of her life led her closer to her goal of being able to give her daughter the best life possible.

So tomorrow, Leslyanne will give her daughter Amara a third birthday party.  And every day, she gives her a wonderful role model to follow.  Happy birthday Amara, and keep up the good work, Leslyanne & ECHO!

And remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!