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Exciting New Project! (+ That Garbage Sofa)

OTAT-couch-01

When we pulled Jack straight from the city pound 6 years ago, he was a pile of bones. His eyes were sad, and he sat at the back of his crate as we passed him by – several times, actually – to play with and consider the happier, wiggly smaller pups nearby. When we pulled these smooshy, tinier dogs from their cages, however, they wanted nothing to do with us. We brought them outside, and that blissful moment of freedom took over those smooshy, tiny bodies, and they would run, quite literally, like the wind. They writhed away from us, and after several failed attempts to make a connection, we were thisclose to leaving the slammer empty-handed that day. As we were walking out, we passed by Jack yet again (with a paper tag on his crate that read Jimbo), but this time we doubled back and said, well, maybe we should play with this one. Just to see. I mean, look at how sad! 

As a staff member brought Jack – er, Jimbo? – to the small playpen where we waited, he practically sprang from her arms and right into Scott’s lap. We barely had a chance to coo before he was licking our faces and crawling from Scott’s legs to mine. He couldn’t knead his body – his paws, his belly, his big head! – into our hands hard enough, and we were signing the papers to bring him home five minutes later.

It couldn’t be more true when we say that Jack changed our lives. We didn’t know why passersby would cross the street on our morning walks, and we quickly found ourselves spiraling down the internet rabbit hole researching things like ‘Pit Bull’ and ‘bully breed’ and all of the misunderstandings that are associated with them. On the flip side, we also found blogs and Facebook groups and television shows that love their big, beefy dogs as much as we do! Soon, we had fallen into a community where dogs ruled the roost in the best possible way. We were joining doggie group walks and making friends with puppy foster parents, and although we’d always been pro-rescue, we found ourselves diving head first into that world. It didn’t take long before we began giving back to this community we love so much.

And, well, then came Chunk. A girl who speaks for herself, and a noodle we love so much, it just can’t be considered normal. Add that to our senior rescue kitties (both hailing from our college days; I still remember bargaining with my landlord that I would clean the common hallway if he would just consider allowing me to have a cat), and that brings our pet total to four. Our lives are so full of warm, fluffy, fuzzy contentment!

I digress. All that to say, this winding path of pet love is a big part of many of our friendships today, and it’s the reason why we’ve found ourselves in a position to help with an incredible new project. Let’s talk about it!

One Tail at a Time is a local rescue doing amazing things, and they’re on a mission to make Chicago a no kill city. From the beginning, OTAT has been a foster based rescue, but by the end of this summer, they’ll be swinging open the very real doors to their own adoption center! A place for more rescuing, more fostering, more word spreading and, as a result, a whole lot less euthanizing in city shelters. We were asked by their director Heather if we would be willing to donate our time to makeover the space, and before she could complete her thought, we were all, okay, people, no time to waste! Someone hand us a paint brush!

We have a One Tail notebook where we’ve been keeping track of the needs/wants since we first sat down with Heather in April. At the top of this notebook is the word QUIRKY. This will be a space where joyous, difference-making will happen, and we all agree that this adoption center should make you feel good and silly and happy down to the core. We’re going to have so much fun with this.

So! Remember that sofa we pulled from a trash pile? It has lovingly been dubbed the Garbage Sofa, and this sofa will be the back drop of every photo of every dog that is getting their second chance with a rescue family. All those smooth talking pups that have undeniably wriggled their way into the hearts of their new moms, dads, sister and brothers will sit on this sofa as a forever family before starting a life with endless kibble, tennis balls and warm beds. Say cheese! (Are these two the poster children for their own Hey Girl meme or what?)

OTAT-couch-03

OTAT-couch-02OTAT-couch-04

Of course, Garbage Sofa will be getting a makover of its own, because, you know, we’re already drowning in fabric swatches as it is. We’ll be documenting and sharing the process for the One Tail Adoption Center over the course of the summer, and we’ve already got a great team of collaborators and sponsors that are helping us to realize their vision. You can learn more about One Tail at a Time, The Adoption Center and their goal to raise $70,000 in 70 days right here. Yeah!

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  • Ann5.21.15 - 7:16 AM

    This is just the loveliest, most heartwarming post! As a proud mamma to an OTAT alum, it makes my heart sing to see the support for our wonderful rescue. THANK YOU!
    PS- What kind of magic did you work to achieve that first photo? Hilarious and perfect.ReplyCancel

    • Kim5.21.15 - 7:51 AM

      Thanks, Ann! That first photo was a stroke of luck. The wind must have blown a delicious scent of alley trash in the air, because they both perked up their noses to sniff simultaneously. Scott and I were cracking up!ReplyCancel

  • Maggie5.21.15 - 7:33 AM

    This is so awesome you guys! And how rewarding. What an exciting venture!!!

    PS: Chunk’s facial expressions crack me up!ReplyCancel

  • Trish5.21.15 - 7:57 AM

    OH MY GOSH – I recognize that house – I park in near it every day when I go to the gym! Anyway, I have definitely made a donation and will post this on my FB page. If you need any help painting or whatever, just let me know I’ll be glad to help!ReplyCancel

  • maria5.21.15 - 8:00 AM

    enter happy tears! What an amazing thing to do for such an important cause. it breaks my heart to think of where misunderstanding and ignorance is taking all those outstanding creatures, and all of their potential is being shut down like that. And for you to give back to the community and be so commited to the cause…wow. I can´t find the words. So I´m just gonna say THANK YOU. And I´ll follow along… So lots of love to the YBH human team & furry family, and to everyone involved with the OTAT shelter in Chicago of course, from my mutts and me in Barcelona :-DReplyCancel

  • katie5.21.15 - 8:00 AM

    what a fun project for a great organization! we are also a four pet family – 2 dogs + 2 cats, so obviously animals are very important to us as well.ReplyCancel

    • Kim5.21.15 - 9:09 AM

      You gotta have the cats to balance the dogs, right?ReplyCancel

  • Kim5.21.15 - 8:32 AM

    I seriously got misty eyed reading your story about Jack. Amazing to see that you’re paying it forward with this awesome project – I can’t wait to follow along!

    My pittie Posey appreciates your support too. :) https://instagram.com/p/hl8RnLkXBI/?taken-by=ispellkonfusionReplyCancel

    • Kim5.21.15 - 9:09 AM

      Hi, Posey! Look at the little sideways hat! Cutie, cutie.ReplyCancel

  • Adrienne5.21.15 - 8:36 AM

    This is GENIUS! I just started taking ‘glamour shots’ at my local shelter last Saturday. Trees and grass are nice as a background but a statement piece would be so cool.

    One of the main reasons for selling my own products (I design paint by numbers of cities) is to give back not only to people by helping them learn how to create through my product but especially to animals. I cannot wait until I get big enough to start donating more and putting on fundraisers.

    Thanks for the inspiration!!ReplyCancel

  • Liz5.21.15 - 8:53 AM

    Well, it’s officially that I love you guys :-)ReplyCancel

  • Gloria5.21.15 - 9:19 AM

    I admit, I’ve been in the uninformed category too long. Never a need to even broach the subject until my boyfriend rescued a litter of mixed breed pits from his commercial property two months ago. They had been eating insulation and whatever else they could get their puppy teeth on. There was one dog that *somehow* ;) stayed in the truck as the rest of the pups were dropped off at the rescue. The entire litter died of parvo just shortly after, all because the tenant was too cheap and lazy to give his dogs shots. We were able to get ours to the vet in time for treatment and literally saved his life. So now, I’m a mom to a red heeler/pit mix (aka redbull) with a two year old in the house, something I would have never thought would happen.

    I so much admire what you guys are doing! I wish I was in a position I could do even more myself!ReplyCancel

    • Kim5.21.15 - 9:31 AM

      Oh, that’s heart breaking! Your dog sounds gorgeous, and I’m sure he’s a great little brother to your toddler! ;)ReplyCancel

    • Rachel5.27.15 - 11:08 AM

      What a sad story, but LOL at “redbull”! We have a rescued mystery mutt that we think is some kind of heeler/pit mix too, and she’s amazing. How wonderful that your pup found you and you guys saved him!ReplyCancel

  • ryan5.21.15 - 9:38 AM

    This makes me so happy to see! I found your blog on my own while googling for home inspiration and then discovered you know Heather (my lil sis). You guys are wonderful for donating your time and energy to OTAT. That couch is going to make for the greatest adoption photos :)ReplyCancel

    • Kim5.21.15 - 9:41 AM

      I thought you guys were related! I found your blog moon ago when you left a comment on Making It Lovely (because you had said something about being in Wicker Park), and I remember thinking, they HAVE to be sisters. Ha, small world!ReplyCancel

  • Karen5.21.15 - 9:52 AM

    I love that first picture of your pups. They look so regal.ReplyCancel

  • Emily @ Our Waldo Bungie5.21.15 - 10:39 AM

    I was hoping this was what you were doing! If only it was done by next weekend when I’m in Chicago!!!! Can’t wait to see the before-durings-afters!!!!!

    Also, Jack’s gotcha story made me tear up a bit! He is so lucky to have found you (and vice versa)!ReplyCancel

  • Jodi5.21.15 - 11:01 AM

    this makes my heart SO happy!ReplyCancel

  • Sara5.21.15 - 11:13 AM

    Thanks so much for posting! I had a good cry, of course, then donated. Thanks for helping them out. Such a wonderful cause!ReplyCancel

  • The Kentucky Gent5.21.15 - 11:56 AM

    Your dogs.. are too cute for words.

    And y’all are awesome. Sharing this only blog + social!

    Josh – The Kentucky Gent
    http://thekentuckygent.comReplyCancel

  • […] you love cute dogs (two to be exact) and good causes then head over to Yellow Brick Home to see what […]ReplyCancel

  • Carrie @DreamGreenDIY5.21.15 - 1:09 PM

    Oh, this story made me tear up!! As pet mama to four myself, I am so excited to hear how this new journey of yours pans out—and to hopefully see LOTS more of those puppy smiles =)ReplyCancel

  • Heather5.21.15 - 1:26 PM

    That Jack, aka Jimbo, adoption story is SO sweet. Seriously, I’m like tearing up over here!

    It’s funny because just yesterday I was wondering what happened to the flamboyant couch you rescued. I love this! It’s such a statement piece and makes complete sense in a quirky and fun pet adoption center. I can’t wait to see what other cool touches you come up with!ReplyCancel

  • jenn aka the picky girl5.21.15 - 1:38 PM

    Ohhh, that story gives me goosebumps. And what a fantastic thing to do with the garbage couch. I love it!ReplyCancel

  • Alanna5.21.15 - 4:45 PM

    As a proud owner of a rescue pittie I too have gone down the internet rabbit hole to defend my bread and find like-minded, responsible pit bull owners who utilize positive, force-free methods to train their dogs. I am also a rescue volunteer and am SOOOOOO excited about this project. Cant wait to see the updates. Your dogs are beautiful and hope that your makeover will help bring more people into the shelter so more dogs get loving fur-ever homes!ReplyCancel

  • Heather MacFeather5.21.15 - 11:36 PM

    First off, I need to say I check your blog daily and love what you have been doing (I started following along just before you moved to the house).

    Ok, pets. I love rescues. I grew up and shared my adult home with more than a few rescue cats and still recall picking the first one when I was about 6 or 7 years old.

    In any case, the way you describe picking a dog is the opposite to how I ended up with two of my recent adoptees. Just goes to show that cats are a totally different, and very aloof, ball of wax. Two of the snuggliest cats I have had completely ignored me on adoption day. Cats!

    Best of luck with the new project, not to mention with that pesky kitchen door!ReplyCancel

    • Kim5.22.15 - 8:33 AM

      Aren’t cats so funny that way? I adopted Maddie because she was a limp noodle of love in my hands at the shelter. Turned out, I learned on her first vet visit that she was extremely malnourished, so I spent the first few months of her life nursing her back to health!

      Now, she’s a sassy britches. You only pet her when SHE wants it, and only then.ReplyCancel

  • Trude5.22.15 - 12:52 PM

    So exciting!! I miss shooting for my shelter, I moved too far away to be of much good to them. There are very few completely no-kill shelters here in SoCal and it was one of them. The people there are amazing! Can’t wait to see what you guys create.ReplyCancel

  • Joy5.22.15 - 3:05 PM

    This is wonderful! Can’t wait to follow the progress here. Rescue is the best!ReplyCancel

  • […] up with a “bully breed” myself, this post hit home and I couldn’t be more excited to see what Kim and Scott will come up […]ReplyCancel

  • suzanne5.26.15 - 1:08 PM

    I’m donating! What great stories.

    Caution however, you have a male and female…other combos do not mix well OFTEN (not always, just more often than not). I have two females who were great for a couple years, then… well it got bad quick. They now live on opposite sides of baby gates in the house, and a fence outside. Boy dog goes happily between them. I’d never give them up, even living this way of constant doors/gates.

    Shelter never warned us – or in fact IMO – should never have let us have two females. Any breed really, it’s a recipe for problems. Stick to boy/girl and all should be good.ReplyCancel

  • Brandy Wiggins6.10.15 - 8:44 AM

    I love love love this post! As a proud momma to 4 rescues (2 dogs (1 Pitador and 1 Pit Bull) and 2 cats) I am totally in touch with your feelings on this! Its so great that you can do this….how exciting!!ReplyCancel

  • […] exhausted but way, way too excited for sleep. Because, you guys? We spent the entire weekend at the One Tail Adoption Center! Since […]ReplyCancel

  • […] but it’s not a rush, and so, we move slow. Very slow.  Our funny little nook has acted as our One Tail staging room for the better part of three months, the living room has seen some pillow swaps, but […]ReplyCancel

  • […] Their animal rescue experience (including Jack’s and CC’s adoption stories) […]ReplyCancel

  • Megan Jenson9.18.18 - 1:50 AM

    Love that sofa!ReplyCancel

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