APRiL's Monthly Challenge Theme is...

Raining Cats and Dogs:

Rain, Rain, Rain…

Things to do with cats, dogs

AND lots of rain !

I once heard that the phrase “It’s raining cats and dogs” started in England in a time when thatched roofs were common and relatively low to the ground so that animals such as cats and dogs could climb on them. Cats and dogs who happened to be walking on house rooftops in rainstorms were suddenly swept away when a storm became too heavy, thus pouring enough buckets of water down to sweep a 40-pound dog or a 10-pound cat off of a roof!

There is an obvious error with this derivative idea: cats and dogs do not seek shelter from a rainstorm on top of a roof!

But the true origin of the phrase isn’t any better, and I’m not going to divulge it here. Suffice it to say, I can’t ever remember using the phrase myself and, after learning what I’ve learned, I am glad that I haven’t.

What is more important is that we are a group of individuals have joined together in order to help animals!

So... here are some thoughts for this Monthly Challenge:

One could focus on providing shelter for cats and dogs when it’s raining outside or even adopting a cat or a dog thus saving it from an outdoor life which includes inclement weather.

One could focus on providing rain gear for a dog if one has to go out for a walk on a cloudy, potentially rain-filled day, especially if one happens to live in a region where it rains more than it shines,

OR one can simply focus on rain itself :)

I found quite a few art works that would be perfect for our challenge competition but I didn’t want to show them here because I’m hoping that these works will be entered in our April competition so that we all can see, enjoy, and share together!!

This month’s tag is “teamefaraining”, all one word without the quotation marks.

If you are an EFA member & would like to submit an entry, please convo our Challenge Volunteer, Jess of jessicalynneart, with the following information:

1. PROViDE the link to an item in your shop that fits the theme or has been created for the theme.

2. EXPLAiN how you think the item fits the monthly Challenge theme

3. TELL US a bit about your work/donations/volunteer work with animals or animal charities

4. TiTLE your convo with the name of the MONTH and the word CHALLENGE, for example: APRIL CHALLENGE.

One more important step:

5. TAG your Etsy listing with the monthly Challenge theme tag (see the Themes-at-a-glance list here) and be sure to ALSO keep your regular team tag in place, either 'team efa' or 'team efa cotm'.

Submit your entries asap…remember that once we have 16 entries, those will be entered in our Monthly Challenge Competition where the winner will win a free advertising slot with EFA!

THANKS !

Heather of thebluewindmill

Challenge Leader & Promotions

Lovebirds ACEO Card by thebluewindmill

Nothing says "sweet shelter" and "comfort" like a nice, pretty branch to land on (if you happen to be a bird, that is)! And what is more "cozy" than a fellow companion bird (wink, wink)? So, here's to the Sweet Shelter and Cozy Comforts found in this ACEO by thebluewindmill! I volunteer as Challenge Leader and give to the EFA's COTM!

Lilac Scented Cat Pillow by catcalls

This little pink and gray pillow by catcalls is filled with a lovely lilac scented sachet to help bring the fragrance of spring into your home. It can be used in a closet, thrown into a drawer, or tucked into the corner of a favorite chair. The cats are hand drawn with an original design.

I am a supporter of my local shelter, Rescue Village, and donate whenever possible to their fundraisers. I also support the Feral Kitten Rescue Project by sending cat toys and donations when ever possible. Recently, I am the very proud new owner of a 3 month old guinea pig that I 'accidentally' found while writing about Petfinder's Adopt the Internet Day for my blog. $2.00 of the sale from this pillow (and the sale of the other pillow) will go the current month's charity.

2 Little Owls ACEO by SharonFosterArt

This ACEO by SharonFosterArt features two little owls cozy in their nest. Nice and warm with room service from Mama Owl - who could ask for anything more?

I recently donated items to the Columbus Lowndes County Animal Shelter for the fundraiser to build the new shelter. The items donated included 10 new Halloween costumes for dogs among other items. I also painted 2 watercolors for the Friends of Rabbits in Huntsville, AL and 1 has already sold (Yeah!). I agreed to donate to the Palm City, FL Rabbit Fund Raiser and sold an ACEO for Cedarhill.

Wool Lamb Toy by yarnmiracle

Nothing can get much cozier than a woolly lamb, like this charming creation by yarnmiracle! His fleece are from the cozy, happy sheep of another Etsy seller (shadysidefarmstudio) and his stuffing is equally snuggly and predator-friendly eco-wool. He will definitely keep you warm on a rainy night.

Yarn Miracle Animal Update:
Daisy (our current foster dog) is off on an overnight auditioning a new family. Daisy being Daisy, I am sure her potential family has had NO sleep at all because she is SO EXCITED to be there. Y'all cross your fingers that they love her anyway - she loves their big fenced yard.

William Henry reports that the kitchen trash can is still delicious. He loves the edges of Ellie's phony bologna sandwiches. Without mustard, please. I'm glad they don't go to waste.

Birdhouse Stoneware Bead by bitsofclay

The singing of the birds this month not only signals the beginning of Spring, but also the time to clean out the birdhouses for new nests to come. This sweet bead by bitsofclay celebrates the homes of birds everywhere as spring approaches.

I volunteer as a rabbit rescue. I keep the rabbits at my home, take care of their daily needs, see to their medical needs including spay/neuter, and hopefully adopt them to forever homes. Today I have 13 rabbits in my care. 10 are for adoption and the other 3 are under medical care.

Doogie Treat Bone Pillow by AubreyMade

This bone pillow by AubreyMade is customized with the doggie's name and promises to comfort any canine pet. It offers a sweet, personal way for your pup to enjoy his or her home and space.

15% of animal related listings goes to the Team EFA COTM. I also feed stray cats in my home.

Quilled Dragon Shadow Box by fairycardmaker

Many moons ago, I was once told that my dragons are unique and interesting and that I should find ways to incorporate them into a greater work, like mobiles or other room decor. I have finally done it! This shadow box quilled dragon monogram by fairycardmaker is my first foray into home decor. I'm glad my adventure was spurred on by Team EFA and our "Sweet Shelter and Cozy Comforts" team challenge.

10% of the proceeds of this item will go to the Southern Ontario Animal Rescue which is a small registered charity who rescues, fosters and finds homes for dogs.

I teach card-making and other paper crafts on a volunteer basis for the Southern Ontario Animal Rescue (SOAR). Having grown up with pets, I really wish I had more time in the day to keep one of my own. Since I can't, I try to help in what way I can. A portion of my class fees and a portion of some items in my shop are donated to SOAR to help dogs in need.

Small BarkingDogBlanket in Waikiki Coral

For the lucky pampered furry one, whether at home, in the car or traveling, he or she will always feel cozy with their coral blanket from BarkingDogBlanket.

I am a finance/business major and never did anything creative until my blankets. My husband and I work together in our photography business; he the creative one and I the business one. Until I started making blankets for my late "Rockie" I didn't know I could create anything. Being able to help animals through my blankets has been such a gift.

I love animals, especially the abandoned and lonely ones. I volunteer at both our local shelters on Oahu, OahuSPCA and Hawaiian Humane Society, with my time, monetary donations, and gifts. Yesterday I was at HHS helping with the 150 puppy mill dogs that were just recovered in the largest puppy mill bust in Hawaii. Hopefully this travesty will bring awareness to this issue and bring about improvements in our animal protection laws here in Hawaii. Also, I am working with OahuSPCA on designing a pet product that they will be able to sell at the shelter and events and make 100% off the sales :)

I support also ECOTM, EMAR BooBooZoo on Maui, United Animal Nations, Farm Sanctuary, SeaShepherd Conservation Society, and PigsPeaceSanctuary. Every little bit helps!

Vintage "Home" Tags by EllaQuaint

These charming tags by EllaQuaint fit right in with the Sweet Shelter & Cozy Comforts challenge, as they depict a nest, a family home for birds.

I volunteer whenever I can for small rescue groups by giving basic health care, such as vaccinations, nail clipping, arranging for neuter appointments, etc.

I also donate a percentage of my sales to various rescue groups.

Home Sweet Home Dog Collar by hollywoofstyles

Each pet out there deserves to having a loving and sweet home, just like the homes represented on this sweet collar by hollywoofstyles.

This spring you can find us at festivals in the Atlanta area working with the Rescue Me! Animal Project. We donate a percentage of our sales at each of these events.

I Know What You Did Print by JenniferLynnProducts

This photo by JenniferLynnProducts, though, altered, is of a barn. As we all know, any number of animals might seek shelter in a barn, both wild and domestic.

Because I have a full house, my work with animals at this time involves helping with rescues where I don't have to take an animal in. I am involved by sharing information and spreading the word on rescues that . I also donate goods and money when I am able.

On the Border Cards by terikor

"On the Border" by terikor depicts two Border Collies enjoying the cozy close comfort of one another. In thinking of the March challenge theme of "Sweet Shelter and Cozy Comforts", I had to pick the words "Cozy Comforts" in picking an item from my shop that fits this theme. What is cozier than two canine friends sharing time together?

To me, giving back in any way I can to those animals that play such an important part of my life gives me the greatest pleasure. My art would not thrive without those animals. I am thrilled every time I sell an original piece of art or one of my art products enabling me to give back to animals in need no matter how much it is. Getting the thank you notes from the various charities I donate to means a lot because I know I have helped in a very small way.

Love My Dogs Full Apron by AstridNicoleEtcetera

Aprons, being worn by the homemakers in our family, go back as far as I can remember. They remind me of the cozy, sheltered feeling I always had living at home as a child. I send a wish that every child and pet experience those same feelings, which is why I made this apron by AstridNicoleEtcetera.

Astrid, our dog and Etsy shop namesake, came to live with us in December, 2006 at the age of two. Our goal is to help the homeless pets she had to leave behind live a dignified, comfortable life while they wait for their own forever homes. We hope our donations of money and items for the animals and staff help to achieve these goals for the Santa Cruz Humane Society in Nogales, AZ.

Tumbler Toys by jessicalynneart

A house isn't a home unless a pet has his or her one favorite toy to rely on. I created these tumbler toys by jessicalynneart when James Dean began to tear through his toys like a little monster. When I adopted him he came home with me accompanied by one pitiful little elephant toy whose leg was falling off and whose eyes were hanging on by a thread. Poor "Elly" just couldn't go on any longer, and after buying several toys that JD tore through, I had to do something to keep him entertained and to keep me from running out to grab a new plushie every few weeks.

I pulled out my stash of polar fleece and made these toys with knotted edges instead of stitching. It has been over a year since JD started using his first tumbler toy, and it still hasn't been torn open yet. It has quickly become his favorite toy to toss around while he is playing with his brother, Ringo. I just love seeing him nap, all curled up in a ball, snuggling his tumbler. It's small comforts like these that make puppy life just a bit more special.

I currently donate at least $1 from every item sold in my shop to the Pug Rescue of New England (PRoNE) or the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA). My favorite way to help animals is by blogging about my own dogs, shelter animals in need, and other pet-related posts so that others can share in my love and respect for animals. I am also the Team EFA challenge blog volunteer who posts all of your lovely entries each month :]

Who's The Boss Print by thoseparasoldays

This drawing by thoseparasoldays was made specifically for Etsy For Animals's Monthly Challenge. The challenge for March is "Sweet Shelter & Cozy Comforts"; a stool may not seem very comfortable but often it seems as though what a cat looks for, more often than not, is some elevation - even a little helps!

I take care of the cat colonies around Costa Blanca, Spain.