Lucky Dog Rescue: Non-Profit Status

It’s been an insane week, for many reasons. So much has happened this week… good, bad, and everything in between. Normally, writing is my therapy. But this week, every time I’d sit down to write… the words just weren’t there. Even now, it’s taken me a good 15 minutes to type just 4 sentences. Make that 5... well, 6. 

I’m sure I’ll get some rest tonight, and maybe my brain will work again tomorrow. I hope, at least, because I really have so much to share…

But working-brain or not, there’s one thing I couldn’t wait any longer to tell y’all about. One of the best things that’s ever happened in my life, happened this week. On Tuesday, I opened my mailbox ... to find the letter I’ve been waiting for... my entire life. Most people aren’t too thrilled to find a letter from the IRS… but I’ve been checking my mailbox for this particular envelope... for weeks now.

I saw the return address, Internal Revenue Service, and I ran into the house screaming, “It’s here! It’s here!” Maddie, my new foster baby, was waiting in the kitchen, and she watched with excitement, as I ripped through the envelope. I think I tore the envelope in half trying to get to the damn letter, but I didn’t even care.  Then I saw the date stamped at the top, and I read the sentence that changes everything:

We are pleased to inform you that upon review of your application for tax exempt status, we have determined that you are exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

At that moment, my lifelong dream came true. Through my tears, I said, “Maddie, I did it! I really did it!” She was really proud of me, too.

Then, I took a minute, to let myself cry. I looked at my letter, through tears of joy, tears of relief, and tears of gratitude. It was one of those moments where all the pieces fell together… everything made sense. Every single thing that’s happened in my life—good or bad—led me to that moment.

I’m 26 years old, and I've founded my own non-profit rescue. I rarely say this, but I’m damn proud of me. I’m so proud of every dog I’ve saved up to this point, and every dog this will allow me to save in the future. I’m proud. I’m thankful. And I’m honored.

I sobbed for a few minutes… but then I realized that this letter is pretty freaking important, and I tend to lose important things on a regular basis. So, I jumped up, ran to the copy machine, and made about 100 copies. Then, since I really suck a filing things, I stuck one copy of my letter, in every single file folder, and then... I littered them all over the house, just in case. Next, I took about 20 pictures of me holding my letter, because this was a really important day, and I want to remember it forever. And trust me, I will…

Lucky Dog Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. YAY!!! I DID IT!!!!!

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