They asked people to write an essay,
and (then if they were chosen from that pool), somehow how they would design
the coolest dog park in the world, if gifted with the resources to do so.
The contest I’m thinking about would
be similar. But it would be advertised as an "Ambassador Project
Contest", sponsored by The Millan Foundation and CMI. This would (A) make people aware of, and
be psyched to be a part of, the Ambassador Program (B) The outcome of
a project like this would perfectly exemplify the goal of the Ambassador
program: For people to work in their local animal welfare communities to implement
Cesar's teachings through service work.
The contest: Redesign
SHELTEReality. Design the DREAM SHELTER OF THE FUTURE. Answer
the questions (1) How (in your dream shelter of the future) would you implement
Cesar's Rules? (2) How would your dream shelter get the greater community
involved and working proactively together; and (3) If you won the contest, how
would you take advantage of a "visit from Cesar" - to bring attention
and support to the shelter or rehoming or rescue organization, on whose behalf
you are entering the contest.
Beneful gave the Dream Dog park
winner $500,000. I realize that the Millan Foundation may not be able to dole
out a prize that massive. But what if the contest was sponsored by a big
corporation like Beneful, whose
commercials are promoting positive movement forward in animal welfare work, and
healthy relationships between people and their pets.
The winner would win the money
specifically to build elements of their dream shelter: either into the shelter that already exists in
their community; or - in our case here in Kona - the money would serve to bring
to life the visions we have for our beautiful new property, a blank canvas just
awaiting the unfolding of its masterpiece! Our dream shelter in Kona is ALREADY
STARTED! The land is there, a few buildings are there. More importantly, the
energy there is peaceful. It is meant to be the foundation for something
totally new, totally different, totally amazing. But, as are all shelters, we
are sorely lacking in the kind of funds necessary to implement our many ideas
for the property.
This contest would not only help one struggling shelter/rescue
organization. It would be a way to get a fundamental CONSCIOUSNESS SHIFT
rolling - about what animal shelters ARE at their very core - and what they
have the potential to become. The contest would be a way to get people thinking
about how to set new precedents in the greater evolution of animal
rescue.
To get more specific, the projects'
main goal and theme could be geared toward Cesar's Shelter Animal
Physical Enrichment/SHAPE program.
When I am dreaming my BIGGEST I
think, MAYBE THE PEOPLE FROM "Extreme Makeover" HOME EDITITION WOULD
EVEN BUILD THE DREAM SHELTER that wins! Maybe eventually there is a whole new
reality show dedicated to doing for shelters what Extreme Makeover does for
homes! Building amazing exercise and play structures for the animals, bringing
in treadmills and swimming pools, water features for dock jumping, agility
courses...SELLING Cesar's Pack Tested products in a retail store, that would
feed money both into the shelter, (to make it a self-supporting, financially
thriving business - on top of being a rescue organization); and back into the
Millan Foundation...Cesar's Way would infiltrate the very DESIGN of
shelters, so that the shelter of the future is best suited to put his
methods into action!
I realize I am suggesting that my own
“Dream Shelter” submission go up against thousands of others. But...I have complete faith in the "Redesign
of SheterReality" that we here in Kona have in mind for our VERY
FIRST DOG PARK ON THE WHOLE ISLAND, and the beautiful new Animal
Community Center of which it is a part. In other words, I
would hold myself accountable to the same rules that applied to every single
other applicant in the contest.
At any rate - maybe the public would
vote first - via social media - to whittle the entries down to a reasonable
number - like the top ten. And then Cesar would choose the grand prize winner?
(The Center) is meant to be something
AMAZING. Its existence could prove revolutionary - for Hawaii's historically
backward animal welfare situation, and for the very definition of life in
shelters for the animals who must be there. I know the ACC has the POTENTIAL
POWER to become the world's first shelter that is also a "Fitness/Rehab/healing/Dog
Psychology Resource & Community Center.
We simply need the platform...the
resources...and the exposure to let ourselves DREAM our BIGGEST,
and then see those dreams through to fruition!
Liz R. Kover
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