Reflecting on 2024, I realize it was a very challenging year for me. It would be easy to focus on the difficulties and negatives. The morning of New Year’s Eve, 2024 hit us one more time; my husband Brad was on his way to work when he hit black ice, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. Thankfully, he is okay, and we will work on fixing the truck. But this is not how I plan to remember 2024. Let’s take a look at some of the positives.
We were fortunate to experience one of the prettiest springs I can remember, and Kudo was lucky enough to enjoy it with us. He loved the vibrant flowers and the spring grass where he could lie down. In April, we took Kudo to the beach so he could enjoy all the different smells and take long strolls on the sand.
After Kudo crossed the Rainbow Bridge at the end of May, Brad and I spent a lot of time outside, enjoying recreation. We have primarily worked in the outdoor recreation industry for the past twenty years. During winter, Brad is a groomer at Bretton Woods Ski Area, focusing on terrain parks and detailed clean-up. In the summer, he works with Real Life Adventure, building and designing bike trails across the New England states. I also work at Bretton Woods Ski Area as the Director of Skier Services and Recreation. Taking the time to embrace nature and reconnect with our roots has been essential for us to reset after the loss of Kudo.
A month later, Luke was with his foster family in North Carolina, looking for his forever home. Even though we were busy, the house felt too quiet without little paws running around. We had a packed summer planned with vacations and work; we had always traveled with Kudo, and we were optimistic that we could do the same with Luke.
On July 12th, Luke’s foster dad, Mike, drove him to New Hampshire, and we met for the first time. Less than a month later, we went on our first vacation together. I can’t say it was relaxing, but it was an adventure!
In September, I finally committed to focusing on Kudo the Dog. From the beginning, the plan was to use Kudo the Dog not only to help other dogs but also to celebrate all the wonderful qualities of Kudo. Every time I have the opportunity to create something for someone or their dog, I feel honored to use my creativity to make something truly special for them. Each purchase not only allows me to pursue my vision for Kudo the Dog, but it also helps pups in need..
Although Kudo the Dog is currently operating at a loss for the year 2024, we have made substantial investments in our future. While we did not generate a profit, we could still support dogs and shelters in meaningful ways. For Kudo’s birthday, our fundraiser brought in $771 for the Over the Hill Senior Dog Sanctuary Inc., $430 for Luke’s adoption, which included a donation to Beautiful Together Animal Sanctuary, and $128 to support the “Bark in the Park” event for the Conway Area Humane Society. Additionally, we donated products to help raise funds for dogs with urgent medical expenses. We are committed to increasing our efforts to support dogs in need.
Get ready to be excited about 2025! We’re kicking things up a notch! Our base commitment level to support dogs in need starts at 10%, but we’re determined to surpass that every chance we get. With a fantastic lineup of new supplies and innovative designs coming your way, there’s so much to look forward to!
Thank you all for your incredible support and encouragement over the past year. I genuinely believe that 2025 is going to be an amazing year filled with positive change! Let’s make it unforgettable!
