I can officially SPILL THE BEANS

Ok.. it's 1.15am.. which means it is officially Sunday.. and today is the day that I am allowed to spill the beans about what I am up to!

All covert behaviour ceases here!

First I would like to tell you a story... are you sitting comfortably?

Then I will begin...

In Southern Afghanistan, where desert meets mountains, lies the small war torn town of Now Zad. Here during late 2006 a group of Royal Marines attempted to look after several stray dogs that had been abandoned by their owners. The choice of leaving them to fend for themselves was not an option, the dogs were scared, lonely and in a poor state of health. The dogs became the Marines' companions for the 3 months they spent in the small town facing the daily threat of attack.

The dogs became known as "Nowzad", "Jena", "RPG", "AK", "Tali", "Dushka" and "Patches". An Afghan dog's life is not one of comfort at the best of times; most of the day is spent hunting for scraps of food or hiding from the hot desert sun during the summer and the freezing cold of an Afghan winter night.

There is no pampered pet status in Afghanistan. When their tour of duty in Afghanistan was over, the Marines couldn't leave the dogs behind.

With the fantastic support from fellow animal lovers the world over, they managed to rescue "Jena", "Nowzad", "Tali" and "Helmand" to safety in the US and UK and the Nowzad Dogs charity was formed, Registered Charity Number 1119185.

The Nowzad Dogs have a special meaning for us all - they represent the dogs and animals of the world that have no voice and no hope.


This is the story of how the Nowzad Dogs Charity began. Heartwarming I'm sure you will agree. So I hear you ask.. what does that have to do with covert shopping trips and me having my mouth taped shut for a week?

Well...

Although Nowzad, Jena, Tali and Helmand are all now safe in their new furever homes in the UK and US the work of Nowzad Dogs is only just beginning. They didn't walk away from their beloved camp dogs and they are not about to walk away from the dire situations of the hundreds of other dogs suffering.
They know that they cannot simply bring all of the strays of Afghanistan back to the UK or the US

BUT

they can help support those soldiers who find themselves trying to look after the Afghan strays that seem to have no hope and by further funding the vital work of the Afghan rescue by helping them with their educational programme for children, free neutering programme for stray dogs and cats bought into the rescue and to help with the further welfare and local re-homing of rescued animals. They also support the Mayhew Animal Homes' training programme for vets from developing countries who are working to help the animals in their local communities.

So what does all of this have to do with explosions of doggy/kitty related articles in my house I hear you all cry again..

Ok... Ok... I'm getting there!!

From Sunday 28th September through to Sunday October 5th I shall be hosting the

Supporting Troops Supporting Dogs Nowzad Fundraiser

It will be a week of fun, competitions, challenges and most importantly (I guess) LOTS AND LOTS of prizes! All are welcome to come join in the fun, win prizes and have some fun.

All are welcome to join in .. everypup, kitty, hamster, bird.. no species is prejudiced.. not even your two legged owners, bring them along too! E-mail your friends, phone your Grandma, refuse to pay your Vet till he joins in, grab everyone you can think of and lets have some fun, this isn't limited to regular blog visitors, and there is no requirement to keep visiting once its over..

THIS ISN'T ABOUT ME (did I actually just say that!!)

This is about making a difference!

now here comes the catch... you knew there was one right?

Throughout the week of frolics I will be asking.. in fact shamelessly begging for folks to pledge a donation to the Nowzad Charity. You will not be required to send your donation in until the frolics are over and done with (though you can if you wish) All donations will be required to be paid direct to the Nowzad Paypal account (on their site).. not to me.. I have no use for money.. I just spend Mum's!

I know we are in a biscuit crunch right now (umm Mum says Credit Crunch but biscuit sounds much yummier) but any amount you can afford will be so very much appreciated and every penny/cent they receive goes straight to helping the dogs/cats.. the two leggeds who run this charity do not get paid.. they are just kindhearts. Even a £1/$1 can help, but if you really can't afford to donate then please consider adding a button for Nowzad Dogs on your blog.
Anyone making a pledge, or adding a Nowzad button to their blog will be eligible to enter to win prizes throughout the week.
Once the week is over and the pledged donations are made then all who donated to the charity will be entered into a grand prize draw with a chance to win something really cool.

ARE YOU ALL STILL AWAKE????

a medal to all of you that are!

Anyway... feel free to ask any questions, and here is a little taster..

this week I would like you to suggest a few challenges for me to complete during the fundraising week..

I'm game for almost anything..

Ben xxxxx

Nowzad Dogs is a registered Charity # 1119185

Please click the image below to visit the Nowzad Dogs Site. If you would like this button for your blog e-mail me (e-mail address is up there on my sidebar) and I will send you the code.






I would also like to say a huge thank you to

Dannan and George for awarding me the Gold Paw Award

and to Thor for awarding me the Kiss Ass Blogger Award

I love you guys!

I will be passing on these awards to some of you very soon..