We had a male and a female dog scheduled for 'the works' at the Riverside County Department of Animal Services spay/neuter clinic and a male and female cat scheduled for 'the works' at the Mary S. Robert's spay/neuter clinic. I received a call at 6:30am that one of the people was already waiting at the first location. She was very early but said she rather be early than late. Around 7:15am, I received a call from the other person. She said he ride had not showed up yet. I told her if she could not arrive by 8:15 or 8:30am that she needn't bother coming, because it would be too late. I would be gone and they won't do surgery if a pet arrives after the other surgeries have begun. I left around 8:15am and received a text soon after that the ride showed up for the second person. I told her it was too late and we would need to reschedule. At that point, I went home for a few minutes to tend to my own dog and then went back out to the other clinic. The cats and their companions rode together and were there right on time. One of them did not have a carrier so I brought one she could borrow. I will go back tomorrow morning and pick it up. When I was done there, I drove out to the Costco in Eastvale, stopped at our PO Box and then went home. I was very thankful to find someone had sent 4-14 pound bags of puppy food through Chewy.com and now I will be able to feed a few puppies during the next week. "One by one we get them done, because the only way to combat pet overpopulation and euthanasia in our shelters is to spay and neuter"... ARCO fuel cards, handmade pet jacket, holiday headband, jingle bell necklaces, cat collars. 17 pound bag of cat food from the Star Milling Company, wet cat food, Inaba chicken stew for cats, wet kitten food, Christmas cat toys, collapsible pet bowls, small bag of senior dog food, small bag of tender bites for small dogs, wet dog food and Inaba Twins for dogs were shared.

I spent most of the morning at two locations. The first was a river bottom outlet off of Grand and Streeter. The second was in the parking lot of the Hardman Center. I was able to give all of the pets and Animal Victory Holiday Love Bag, other holiday items and needed supplies. When I left the second location, I ran a quick personal errand and then went to our PO Box. I got an email that there were two boxes coming from our Chewy.com Wish List. I emptied as much of the back seat as possible in order to make room. Thankfully, one of the postal workers was kind enough to get them to my vehicle and put them in for me. The boxes were very heavy so I cut them open and unloaded them, when I got home. I don't know who sent the packages but I will post photos within the next twenty four to seventy two hours... Bottled waters, Animal Victory Holiday Love Bags, holiday pet scarves, jingle bell collar, jingle bell necklaces, holiday headbands, Max and Neo dog leash, Hip and Joint Chews with Glucosamine and Chondroitin, extra hand and toe warmers, cans of tuna, vienna sausages, extra beef sticks, extra cracker packs, chicken jerky treats, small bag of senior dog food, small bag of adult dog food, 2-20 pound bags of dog food from the Star Milling Company, wet puppy food, Inaba Twins for dogs, wet dog food, Inaba Churus, small leashes, kabob chew sticks and bully sticks were shared.

On Saturday, a gentleman told me he was out of dog food. He has two dogs. I said he might want to borrow some from someone else for a couple of days, because I didn't have anymore with me. I told him I would drive back out there and meet him on Monday. I just asked that he call me at 8am to confirm. I didn't want to make the trip, if he wasn't sure he would make it. Today is Monday and I heard nothing from him. I contacted someone else to see if she wanted to meet me, while on my way to Fairmount Park. She said yes and we met at a river bottom outlet in an industrial area of Jurupa Valley. My next stop was Fairmount Park and I met with someone there with her pet and another she was watching for a couple of hours. All three dogs received Animal Victory Holiday Love Bags and other items as well. I was going to look for other people with pets but realized I would not have time to go home and empty the back seat of my vehicle if I did. I was meeting Christine Langdon at our storage units, after she picked up our monthly donation of cat/dog food from the Star Milling Company. With all of the holiday pet supplies I had, there would not have been room to bring any of the pet food with me, which is why I had to go home first. I only visited three pets but three more Animal Victory Holiday Love bags were distributed for a total of 30 now. I am determined to get them all shared by next week and it looks like that may happen. I got off to a late start but everything fell into place and the 'Home Street Home' project seems to be going well for the fourth consecutive year!... Bottled waters, Animal Victory Holiday Love Bags, holiday pet sweaters, holiday pet scarf, holiday headbands, plush squeaky holiday toys, beef sticks, chicken jerky treats, small bag of senior dog food, wet puppy food, small leashes, kabob chew sticks and bully sticks were shared.

I limited my time on the streets to ninety minutes this morning. I figured that would give me enough time to edit photos, update all of our social media and take care of emails, calls and texts before finishing preparations for my family's holiday dinner tonight. I had made arrangements to meet with a couple of people at two different locations. I started at Fairmount Park and ended on the Eastside. It had started getting windy again anyway so I was grateful to be limiting my time outdoors. I already made arrangements to meet others tomorrow, before I go to our storage units to meet Christine Langdon with our monthly Star Milling Donation of pet food... Bottled waters, canned soup, canned ravioli, girl scout cookies, Animal Victory Holiday Love Bags, holiday pet sweaters, jingle bell collar, holiday pet scarves, holiday headbands, plush squeaky holiday toys, beef sticks, extra fleece blankets, chicken jerky treats, 20 pound bag of dog food from the Star Milling Company, small bag of adult dog food, 2 small bags of tender bites for small dogs, wet dog food, Inaba Twins for dogs, small collar and leash set, kabob chew sticks and bully sticks were shared.

At 4am I woke up and was unable to go back to sleep so I started cooking more of what I will serve tomorrow night when my family comes for a holiday dinner. At 7am I ran to the store to get a couple of things I have forgotten, even though I have already made multiple trips for the same purpose. When I got home, I cleaned up my cooking mess and loaded my vehicle for today's travels. It was really windy again and my allergies were acting up so I decided to just make one stop. There were six pets at that stop. I knew it would take time to get each of them dressed and ready for the Holiday Love Bag photos. We did not have a sweater for the smallest dog and we don't have any sweaters for the dogs over fifty pounds but I am going to do my best to make them as festive as possible. I am not exactly sure how long I was there but it felt good to get back in my vehicle and out of the wind. I made arrangements to meet people tomorrow morning and Monday morning, stopped at our PO Box and went home. I sorted a couple of donations and put a few more Holiday Love Bags with the supplies I am sharing tomorrow. I had four people coming over to pick up my soup and other goodies after lunch so I made sure I had everything ready to go. The remainder of the day was spent on social media, answering emails, answering texts and answering calls for people who either wanted to spay and neuter or others looking for medical care for their pets. It is hard telling people we do not offer emergency medical care, especially when they can't seem to find help but we have never had funds to do that and certainly don't now. I was hoping that some day we would be able to but our Grants and Donations have decreased over the past three years so it is impossible for now. Maybe in the future... Bottled waters, Animal Victory Holiday Love Bags, holiday pet sweaters, holiday headbands, plush squeaky holiday toys, hand warmers, chicken jerky treats, 20 pound bag of dog food from the Star Milling Company, small bag of adult dog food, small bag of tender bites for small dogs, wet dog food, Inaba Twins for dogs, Inaba Churus, Inaba Churu Bites and bully sticks were shared.

Most of the morning was spent on the Eastside. Wendy Kelly joined me again (thanks Wendy!) and we made our first stop at the Path of Life Community Shelter where we visited with three dogs. Each received holiday sweaters, treats, supplies and Animal Victory Holiday Love Bags. Our second stop was at Hunter Park. We did the same for two dogs there. When we left the park, we drove around different parts of the Eastside looking for people and pets. Even though I know they stay there, we were unable to find any of them today. On our way back to my home, we stopped to speak to someone in Rubidoux. Her dog had taken off and she could not find him so we did not stay. She did call me later to let me know he returned. I wanted to check our PO Box and thought I would drive a couple more miles to look for 'Chevy' and his companion. The dog was not there but his companion was. Riverside County Animal Services has a program that is helping with the dog while his companion goes in for surgery. I will catch up with him in a couple of weeks. I did speak to a couple of gentleman who want to get their dogs spayed and neutered so I gave them my card. Our final stop was at the post office where I picked up donations. I got them mixed up so I am not sure who sent what and I am waiting for replies from people before I post on our page... Bottled waters, Animal Victory Holiday Love Bags, holiday pet sweaters, holiday headbands, plush squeaky holiday toys, squeaky holiday balls, chicken jerky treats, wet dog food, Inaba Twins for dogs, small bag of senior dog food and bully sticks were shared.

I was only going to be able to stay our for sixty to ninety minutes today, because I had a personal appointment to get to. My friend Wendy Kelly said she would ride with me. She met me at my house and we headed over to the Jurupa Valley Motel6 to check on three of the pets that received 'the works' yesterday and to give an Animal Victory Holiday Love Bag to one of them. We will bring something for the kitties on another day but I did give them holiday toys, Inaba tuna fillets, Inaba Churus and a few other things yesterday. When we left the motel, we drove out to Agate Park and met with a family there. The two dogs received the Holiday Love bags and some other items. Only one of the cats came over and we gave him Inaba Churus. There are other cats as well and we will have to go back with something for them. When we were done at that location, we drove around for a bit looking for other people with pets but were unsuccessful. Wendy will ride with me again tomorrow and I am sure we will be able to share more Holiday Love Bags then... Bottled water, Animal Victory Holiday Love Bags, holiday pet sweaters, holiday headbands, beef sticks, plush squeaky holiday toys, squeaky holiday balls, small bag of kitten food, stainless steel pet dish, small collar/leash set, chicken jerky treats, Inaba Churus and bully sticks were shared.

I knew I was going to have a very busy day today but wasn't quite sure how it was all going to work out. Thankfully, it went well! My holiday begins tomorrow night. My daughter will be here for dinner but I am not making my traditional dinner until Sunday when more family is here. In the mean time, I was at the grocery store by 6:30am where I picked up most of what I needed and then went to a second store to get the rest. I will make one final trip on Friday to get a couple more things and that will be it. I went home, put away the groceries and then spent an hour bringing the holiday decoration containers inside and began going through them. A did that until a little before 9am and then I headed over to the Mary S. Robert's spay/neuter clinic. I did not have to go to the clinic at Riverside County Animal Services, because it was closed today. We had two female kittens, one male kitten and one female puppy scheduled for 'the works'. Things were not looking promising, until about 11am yesterday and then the people who were originally scheduled called me to confirm. I had not been able to reach them and wasn't sure if we were even going to be doing any spaying/neutering today. After the paperwork was turned in for the four pets, I left to run another errand, go to our PO Box and then pick up the last of the items I purchased for the AnumalVictory.org Home Street Home, Holiday Love Bag project. I am still waiting on a few beanies and more of the logo bags but things have gotten off to a good start. I had over ordered some of the items and was able to go today to substitute for more of the holiday head bands which are always cute on the pets. I got back home around lunch time and spent the rest of the day going back and forth between holiday decorations and charity business. The day was productive and it always feels good to accomplish everything on my daily 'to do' list... "One by one we get them done, because the only way to combat pet overpopulation and euthanasia in our shelters is to spay and neuter"... ARCO fuel cards, puppy pads, wet kitten food, small bags of kitten food, small bag of puppy food, wet puppy food, kitty litter, Inaba Churus, Inaba tuna fillets cat toys and a dog toy were shared.

I was originally only going to one location this morning. The reason being that at least four people wanted to meet and there were supposed to be a minimum of five pets. I know that getting them dressed up and doing photos and video clips with the AnimalVictory.org Holiday Love Bags would be time consuming. I arrived early but a gentleman showed up with his dog soon after. We were done in about twenty minutes or so and I was ready to start with another pet but nobody had shown up. I tried calling the phone numbers for three people but they all went straight to voicemail. Two of the others always show and that includes the woman who I normally make contact with to make the meeting arrangements. I waited about twenty minutes and then finally left. I headed to Fairmount Park, hoping I might find a few people there. The first person I saw was there without his dog so I continued to another area of the park. There I found a gentleman with his two dogs. We put sweaters and head bands on them, before starting to take photos and video with the AV Holiday Love Bags. I drove back across town and went by Van Buren and Jurupa but did not find anyone there or near the CircleK off of Clay Street. At this point it was 11am and I was near our PO Box so I stopped to pick up a supply donation. While I was doing that, I received a call from someone who is supposed to get his pets spayed and neutered tomorrow. I had been unable to reach him and had just canceled his appointments but I told him I would try to get them back. Thankfully, it was soon enough that I was able to. If all goes as planned, we will have two female cats, one male cat and a female dog getting 'the works' tomorrow... Bottled waters, AnimalVictory Holiday Love Bags, handmade pet jacket, Christmas headbands, holiday pet sweaters, handmade pet jacket, holiday squeaky balls, 2-20 pound bags of dog food from the Star Milling Company, wet dog food, Inaba Twins for dogs, snack sized slim jim beef sticks, chicken jerky treats and bully sticks were shared.

I had not made plans for my daily travels, because until yesterday I wasn't sure if the AnimalVictory Holiday Love Bags were going to ready to distribute. Once There were enough to get started, I began trying to make contact with people to see who might be available for a visit this morning. I did not hear back from anyone by 8:30am and I had to be at a person appointment by 10am so I decided to drive to Veteran's Memorial Park in Jurupa Valley. The last time I was there, I saw people with pets and I was hoping to again. Thankfully, three vehicles were there so I knew pets were too. I just wasn't sure if everyone was awake. I might have woken a couple of them up but by the time I left, all of the dogs got holiday sweaters and the gift bags. There were seven pets total at this location. The cat was in no mood for putting on clothes so we just gave him treats and let him be... Bottled waters, AnimalVictory Holiday Love Bags, chicken jerky treats, hand warmers, holiday pet sweaters, handmade pet jacket, holiday squeaky balls, Inaba tuna fillet, Inaba Churus, Inaba Churu Bites, 20 pound bag of dog food from the Star Milling Company, kabob chew sticks, bully sticks were shared.

There were no daily travels today but I was busy preparing for something special. At 6:30am, I went out to get fuel, check my mailbox and then back home for a bit to start organizing holiday decorations and gifts and make a list of what I needed to do this week to prepare. At 8am, I drove out to our storage units. I was there to pick up waters, empty AnimalVictory.org bags left over from last year, Christmas pet sweaters and fleece blankets. Wendy Kelly met me at around 8:45 to help transport some of those things to my house. Once we got there, we started working on the AnimalVictory.org 'Home Street Home', Holiday Love Bags. I did not receive the new bags yet but had thirty five from last year's project. I had all of the items going into the bags, except for 23 beanies. Everything was in my guest room so we dragged it all out to the kitchen and started organizing the supplies and filling the bags. This is a very time consuming project. All of the items going in the bag need to be decided upon and then purchased, before I can even begin. I usually work on filling the bag, after coming in from the streets and spend many hours getting it done. With Wendy's help, we got everything done in about two and a half hours. I can't thank her enough for doing that. It made everything go quickly and it was nice having someone to talk to while doing it. If all goes as planned, I will begin distributing the first bags tomorrow. Seventeen are ready to to and the others will be too as soon as the remainder of the bags and beanies come in. I am looking forward to all of the smiles and tail wags these bags will bring to those we provide services for! Thanks Again to AnimalVictory.org for teaming up with us for a fourth year in a row for this act of kindness and generosity.

First thing this morning, I was back at the store picking up more of the items for the AnimalVictory.org Holiday Love Bags. A few of the things I ordered did not come in yet and there was no definite delivery date so I decided to substitute a few with something similar. Now we have everything except three cases of beanies and the logo bags. It is possible the bags arrived today but I did not have time to check so I will do that in the morning. I would love to get started…After unloading the purchases, I drove out to a homeless encampment in Grand Terrace. I visited with five dogs and provided them with supplies. When I left that location I drove through a few areas of Rubidoux and Jurupa Valley but did not find anyone with pets. It was already after 11am so I decided to stop for produce at the grocery store and head home.. Bottled waters, large bag of recyclables, hand and toe warmers, Inaba Mega Churus, Inaba Churus, Inaba Churu Bites, Inaba Twins for dogs, wet dog food, 20 pound bag of dog food from the Star Milling Company, kabob chew sticks, bully sticks and holiday squeaky balls were shared.

I did not visit any pets yesterday but did spend all morning taking care of business for the charity. I was checking on orders for items going in the AnimalVictory.org Holiday Love Bags and I went to our storage units. I was mainly at storage to take a look at what types of holiday pet clothes and toys we have. Every year, after the holidays, I ask people to buy clearance items and send them to us for the following year. A few people did that and we filled two large plastic containers. I planned on doing inventory for decided it would be much easier to bring someone with me. I plan to do that this week end. In the mean time, I grabbed some of the holiday toys, pet food and treats... This morning, I went to the Path of Life Community Shelter, on the Eastside, where I visited with and provided supplies for three dogs. When I left that location, I drove to Hunter Park and all around Spruce, Iowa and University but did not find anyone with pets. On my way to the freeway, I stopped at Fairmount Park after I noticed a familiar van parked there. I visited with the dog and provided supplies as well. When we were done, I drove out to our storage units to pick up waters and more dog food. My final stop was at our PO Box... Bottled waters, pet jacket, Inaba Churus, Inaba Twins for dogs, wet dog food, 20 pound bag of dog food from the Star Milling Company, small bag of soft bites for small dogs, small bag of BilJac senior dog food, Inaba Churu Bites, bully slices and bully sticks were shared.