Dear Lucky Dog Family,

This has been a hard newsletter for me to write. I knew what I wanted to talk about, but I really have struggled to find the words. You see, this month is National Make a Will Month. It's a great reminder for all of us that we are human. And we need to make plans for what might happen if we were to leave this earth. 

But, who wants to talk about, let alone think about, that? Certainly not me. 

As pet owners, it is our responsibility to ensure we make plans for what will happen to our four-legged family if we are gone. Just as we would do for our two-legged family. I can't tell you how many pets I see in high-kill shelters whose reason for surrender is "owner passed away." No one wants that for their Lucky Dog or Cat. 

Having a plan, whether it is a will or a revocable living trust, is essential to making sure your family is cared for after you are gone. Lucky Dog has partnered with Freewill.com to make this process as easy and painless as possible. In fact, it can take less than 20 minutes to complete your will.  

With all that has been going on in the past 18 months -- all the uncertainty we are facing, one thing remains pretty clear: we cannot predict the future. I, myself, have lost family and seen friends suffer. The very best thing we can do for those we love is to prepare for the unthinkable. To ease their burden as they take care of what we leave behind. 

Lucky Dog and Freewill.com are here to help. 

And, if you can find it in your heart to leave a legacy of love with Lucky Dog, our dogs and cats would be forever grateful.

With gratitude, 

Strut Your Mutt to Save Homeless Dogs & Cats!

Guess What! It's time to sign up for our STRUT YOUR MUTT Team!!! We need your help this year more than ever -- raising funds to care for all the amazing Lucky Dogs and Cats in our care....and waiting to come to us! Every dollar helps support regular vaccinations, monthly preventatives, spay & neuter surgeries, daily boarding -- even those rare extraordinary surgeries that some of our dogs and cats have needed! It's super easy to sign up for the Lucky Dog team. Just CLICK HERE. Register to "join a team," look for Lucky Dog Animal Rescue and you're on your way!!

BONUS THIS YEAR: Every Lucky Dog walker that raises $100 by 10/25 will receive a FREE ticket to trick or treating at Dogma Bakery on Saturday, October 30th!

The key to raising funds is to spread the word about your fundraising efforts -- and WHY you care so much about Lucky Dog!

Save the Date to Clear the Shelters with Lucky Dog!

We are proud to again be joining with GreaterGood.org and NBC television in their #ClearTheShelters initiative. From August 23rd - September 19th, our goal is to help clear as many shelters as possible by homes for Lucky Dogs and Cats. Every adoption is not just a life saved in DC, but an animal in a shelter that gets to come into our newly vacated foster home!  Keep your eyes open and donate as soon as the campaign begins. GreaterGood.org will fully match all donations we raise dollar for dollar (up to $10,000) -- but their matching funds won't last long!

Join our Life-Saving Community Events & Save Lives!

Need a reason to get off the couch an exercise?  Want to treat yourself to a summer new outfit? Looking for a meal that does more than fill your belly? Lucky Dog Animal Rescue is here to help! Download the Sweatcoin app and log your walks to help us earn 1 million sweatcoins between August 17th and August 23rd. Every sweatcoin saves at-risk Lucky Dogs and Cats.

Stop by Rag & Bone's men's store in Georgetown between Saturday, August 21st and Sunday, August 22nd and treat yourself to a new outfit. A portion of all proceeds go towards Lucky Dog's life saving efforts.

Rescue & Replenish! Order in or dine out at Panera in Falls Church on Sunday, August 22nd for a delicious dinner between 4-8PM, and a percentage of every order will be donated to Lucky Dog. Bring your flyer if you eat in person or use code PRFUND at panerabread.com at checkout to be sure your meal counts!