6.16.2011

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!!!!!

30 comments:

  1. YAY so happy for you!!

    www.twogradstudentsandapittie.blogspot.com

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  2. So happy for you and Lucky Dog Rescue!! You have the determination to make things happen and this week — the determination proved to be an amazing thing for you and those babies!!! Congratulations!!!

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  3. Congratulations! This is a huge step; you deserve to be proud of yourself for all of your hard work that has brought you this far! I'm so happy for you!

    www.wyattzoo.blogspot.com

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  4. congrats! awesome news! and files are great, but FRAME one and put it on the wall! hard to misplace that!!! you'll notice doctors and lawyers don't seem to misplace their fancy diplomas! ;D hugs, Donella Spencer

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  5. That is awesome! Congrats!

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  6. Congratulations Ashley, this is amazing. You must be so proud. At the risk of repeating myself, you are an angel for all that you do. Sending love from Canada, Norman the dachshund, Oliver the lab, and Moeby the great dane. Oh and Suzanne, their mommy. <3

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  7. Congrats from me and my rescues. Buddy the dog is doing his happy dance for you.

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  8. Congratulations!!! You are a very special person for assuming this very important undertaking. I have a shih tzu/chihuahua that I rescued from our local shelter some 5 1/2 years ago and I don't know what I would do if anything were to happen to her. Itsy Bitsy is more than a dog to me. She is my little baby girl and a very important part of my family. She is also my very best friend in the whole world. I just want to say congratulations again and thank you for all you do for our furry four legged friends. Keep up the good work.

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  9. Way to go Ashley.For all the fur babies you will save and those you have LOVE AND KISSES AND A BIG GOD BLESS from AZ.

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  10. I'm really proud of you, Ash!!! XOXO

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  11. I am so happy for you! It is so exciting to know you can do more for the precious babies you save each and every day. The lucky dogs who are with you just got luckier. :) We are all so proud of you.

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  12. Way to go~~Be Proud of yourself, You worked hard for that..I'm/We're all are proud for you :)

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  13. If anybody deserve it ITS YOU!!! Congratulation may you have many many precious lives to save. You are one of my Hero!

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  14. Beautiful! You do beautiful things and I love that you are rewarded for what you do.

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  15. I have never been more proud of anyone than i am of you right now.

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  16. Excellent! Every now and then, good things do happen to good people. Congratulations and continued success in your efforts to help our wonderful canine friends!

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  17. Ashley, I could feel your excitement in reading this! So happy for you and proud of the path you have chosen to follow in life. Many, many dogs will be lucky to have you as their savior in helping them to get into good, loving homes.

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  18. Woot Wooten! This is *awesome*! You ROCK!

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  19. When the rescue I volunteer for got our 501(c)3 it was very exciting also. Congrats Ashley! Looking forward to you and Lucky Dog doing even greater things in the future!
    Laura Kitchel
    Puppy Pals Rescue...Dayton, Oh

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  20. This is GREAT news!! Now as a 501(c)3 there are grants you can apply for! Check to see if your area has a Community Foundation and if so ask to speak to their Program Manager about their grant application process...This is such great news! Congrats on a job VERY well DONE!!
    chris

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  21. YAAAAAAAAAAAAYYY!!!!!!!!!! GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!

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  22. Wonderful NEWs!! Congratulations!!!

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  23. Congratulations, way to go! I hope this means many more donations come your way.

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  24. Yeah- You are so awesome and I'm a proud of you too! Keep up the wonderful work!

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  25. wonderful news Ashley - so happy for you! Much success to you and to Lucky Dog Rescue!!
    @HFLanimals
    Lisa
    Home for Life Animal Sanctuary

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  26. Congrats Ashley!! I was wondering if you have any blogs about pit bulls and the stereotype about them. My dad does not like any dog that "looks" like a pitbull because he believes they are mean and it just breaks my heart. Do you think you can write a blog about how great they are? I feel your words would get through to him and change his opinion about this awesome breed

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