I am very glad to report that The Big Hearts Fund’s Debut at the H.H. Backer Pet Products Christmas Trade Show this past weekend was a huge success and major milestone for our organization! We saw some old friends, and met many new ones. I am proud to announce that Paws & Claws in South Carolina will now be carrying the Lucy Bowl Stands, as well as our loyal friends at Wigglyville here in Chicago.

In my opinion, one of the most exciting things that happened this weekend was meeting the Founder and President of The Dog and Cat Cancer Fund (DCC Fund). The DCC Fund has been providing small-scale grants to cover the cost of cancer care for pets whose owners cannot afford the expensive treatment. Sound familiar? It was great to establish the connection, and see the obvious ways in which we overlap and can be of help and support to one another. But most of all, it gave me hope for the future of BHF. The DCC Fund has been in operation since 2007, and has funded nearly 100 pets!

For your enjoyment, here are some pictures of the trade show. Unfortunately, attendees were prohibited from taking pictures of anything outside their own booths. Oh, how I wish you could have witnessed as many dogs-in-strollers, grooming competitions, and best-dressed-pet competitions as I did! I am sorry to say that you will just have to use your imaginations to conjure up those stunning visuals!

The setup sequence, featuring our talented design partner Tim with Tangible, Inc. and Kristina:

The display at the opening Friday morning, 10/14:

Me in the booth on Friday:

Our Board Secretary Des, and One Happy Lucy on Saturday:

Des and Lucy ready for a nap (8 hour days of non-stop talking is exhausting, even for yours truly!)

Board Chairman and Treasurer Katie, Me, Board Vice President Melissa, and Director Laura in the booth on Sunday before tear-down.

And luckily, there are no pictures of the tear-down because that was relative bedlam. But I am happy to say we all made it out unscathed!

Once again, a great big “Thank You!” to all of our generous friends who helped us get to the trade show this past weekend (you know who you are!). We could not have done this without you!!! We are well on our way to making a huge difference in many lives. Stay tuned for more exciting updates on that front coming very soon!

Since last week when we asked our gracious supporters to help us get to the H.H. Backer trade show in October, we have received a total of $1,295 in donations! That is not chump change people; it is truly impressive! And a testament to just how many of you believe in the importance of helping pets with heart disease. To those of you who have donated, thank you from the bottom of our great big hearts!

While we are well on our way, a booth in the new exhibitor area costs $1835, which means we still have $540 left to raise.

The Big Hearts Fund has about 110 active followers and supporters. That means, if everyone who has not already donated gives just $5, we will make it to the trade show!!! We need to get our booth by the end of June, which means we have just two weeks to reach our goal.

Need a little extra incentive besides a warm, fuzzy feeling and our love forever? The first 5 people to donate just $5 will receive a free heartbeat collar of your choice! (Those of you who already donated, you will be receiving one, too!).

PLEASE, HELP US GET THERE! (Incase you missed it, here is why getting to the trade show with our products is so important to the success of our mission.)

Now that we have the bowl stands in hand, we need to sell them so that we can start our financial assistance program for owners and pets-in-need!

Fortunately, the largest pet products trade show in the country, the H.H. Backer trade show, takes place right here in Chicago October 14 – 16! You guys, this is HUGE. The Big Hearts Fund needs to attend, and here is why:

• Pet product vendors from ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES will be present, meaning we have the potential to sell our products not just in Chicago and on our website, but in stores everywhere. This is absolutely essential if we hope to raise enough funds through sales to support our charity!

• The Big Hearts Fund will gain NATIONAL EXPOSURE for pets with heart disease in just one weekend, with the most influential people in the pet community in the entire United States.

We here at BHF feel very strongly that we cannot miss this incredible opportunity for growth. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it is essential to our success as an organization to attend this trade show. Everyone who is anyone is the pet product community will be there.

We desperately need your help to get there. The cost of a booth at the show is $1800. After funding product development and our general operations, we have our few remaining funds allocated to helping pet-owners-in-need pay for the necessary veterinary care of their pets with heart disease, as we attempt to kick off our financial assistance program. You know, the entire reason our organization even exists in the first place.

We cannot attend the H.H. Backer show without your support! I repeat: we will miss this incredible opportunity without your help. Every little bit helps. The most successful fundraising happens when lots of people give just a little bit. (ooh-ooh, just a little bit, just a little bit!)

Please contribute to our trade show fund so that we can make a difference for pets with heart disease all over the United States!