Rebecca Sanchez MattieDog Gets Adopted

It’s my pleasure to introduce you to animal advocate, author, blogger, and social media star Rebecca Sanchez and her dog Mattie. I met Rebecca through the BlogPaws community and was so impressed by her efforts to help animals in need that I asked her to share her story with us.

Rebecca Sanchez and her husband are the founders of The MattieDog Foundation, an organization devoted to animal rescue advocacy and furthering the human-animal bond. She puts her expertise to work helping rescues with research, grant-writing, social media outreach and fundraising.

She is an inspirational example of how someone with a heart for animals can use her skills and talents to help animals (and their people) in need.

Giveaway: Rebecca is generously giving an autographed copy of her book, MattieDog Gets Adopted to three lucky winners. Enter for your chance to win at the bottom of the page. Good luck!

And now on to our interview with Rebecca Sanchez:

Who is Mattie and how did he inspire you to create The MattieDog Foundation?

It’s a simple story really. We really wanted to adopt a dog and every time we’d go to a rescue we’d find a dog and just miss out due to being a little late or someone else being right in front of us to adopt a dog. I was a bit tired from being let down and not being in time to adopt a dog… but my husband was still thrilled to find a pup and just kept pushing through.

It was a rainy day in Seattle – not the normal, somewhat drizzly day, but more so a hard rain which is very rare.  So on the way home post grocery shopping my husband said, “let’s stop at the shelter and see if we can find a sweet, little pup!” He was all excited and I couldn’t bare to say no to him, so we parked in front of the shelter and I steeled myself to go inside…knowing we’d only be heartbroken one more time. When we entered the shelter I spotted a little brownish, matted dog and it was love at first sight. Together my husband and I stayed by the cell where this little dog was held and soon enough, after shooing away two other would be adopters, we were the proud parents of Mattie.

Mattie at that time was a little 14 pound dog with matted hair. That’s why he was called Mattie. We took him home and bathed him about 6 times in order to get him clean. I spent 2 months caring for Mattie – he was so sick and we really weren’t sure he’d make it. But with love, and some clinical interventions, he did! This was the beginning! We were inseparable.

Mattie made me a better person – he changed my life. And I knew that I had to find a way to thank him. My husband and I founded The MattieDog Foundation to pay homage to our fuzzy son. A way to reflect the kindness, joy, peace, and love that he brings to our life!

MattieDog

 

What is the mission of the MattieDog Foundation?

The MattieDog® Foundation mission and programs:

  • educate and advance knowledge of the human-animal bond
  • create and promote the combination of social media and animal advocacy
  • explore products and services that help humans share their lives with animals
  • bring together groups, organizations and donors dedicated to the advancement of non-lethal animal management
  • and promote compassionate animal assistance and management  programs.

We work with a number of charities throughout the US to to help share the story of Mattie with children. We learned that Mattie was loose in the city for a few weeks. No dog should be left to fend for themselves. Kids are our future so it’s so important that they understand that dogs need them in order to live. It helps imbed empathy – way more powerful than sympathy. Little kids love learning about Mattie and after hearing our story they recognize the power that they have – looking to adopt a dog versus buy. It’s powerful!

How do you help animal charities with social media and fundraising?

We were one of the grandaddies of using social media for raising awareness and funds for animals. We’ve helped to raise over $50K for animals in need. MattieDog partnered with Linda Blair to help raise awareness for her dog rescue farm. We used Twitter, created a marketing campaign and with some good planning and quality work we were able to raise over $2.5K in less than 2 hours. It was amazing and the record still stands! I am so so proud of that campaign, we helped save a lot of dogs that day. The amount of times I’ve collaborated to host online parties, or in-person events coupled with social media, are hard to keep track of – but it’s fair to say we’ve been involved with over 120 events.

Congratulations on writing a new book – tell us about it!

Our book, MattieDog Gets Adopted, is really our way to help the world understand that adoption actually happens to an animal. They have no choice. No voice. Unlike humans who attempt to try to influence their outcome, a dog cannot. So it is so important to show compassion and empathy when engaging with animals. Our book is told from a dog’s point of view, and so we hope through using Mattie’s vision of what happened to him, that people and children understand how they hold a place of trust with animals. Adoption is a beautiful thing and it happens to an animal, so please do so with a big, joyful heart – knowing that it’s forever!

MattieDog Gets Adopted Book Cover
After wandering the streets, Mattie sits by a food dumpster to eat some goodies until he finds himself alone and unclaimed in an animal shelter. Cheer Mattie on as he learns how to trust and love again with his new forever family.
Look inside and get your copy of MattieDog Gets Adopted: a dog’s view of being rescued and adopted!

Do you have other books planned?

Absolutely! We are working one another book right now. The crux of the book is that if we were to just look at our dogs, watch them in their lives, we’d naturally learn to meditate. Dog’s completely and inherently understand how to live a life of joy.

My newest MattieDog book celebrates all the subtle things a dog has to teach us – if only we are open to learning.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

If there is one thing I could share with everyone – it’s the importance of dog adoption. Puppy mill dogs often infiltrate dog stores, and the stories of these types of animals are painful – it’s very important to see animals as sentient beings. Not things, property, or transactional items. By doing this people begin to understand that animals have an intrinsic value beyond retail.

How can our readers contact you?

They can contact me through my website at http://mattiedog.com/contact/

Follow Rebecca Sanchez and Mattie:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattiedogtheshihtzu/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mattiedog

Giveaway – Enter to Win MattieDog Gets Adopted

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Author Interview with Rebecca Sanchez
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29 thoughts on “Author Interview with Rebecca Sanchez

  • February 16, 2016 at 2:04 pm
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    I find remarkable how many people are ignorant of where their puppies are coming. Or basic treatment and care of their pets. We shouldn’t have to spending so much money on educating people. Unfortunately, we do. Leaving less funds to save loving pets.

    Reply
    • February 16, 2016 at 3:43 pm
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      Yes, and we wouldn’t have to spend as much money saving pets if the majority of humans acted responsibly toward them.

      Reply
  • February 16, 2016 at 6:32 pm
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    Wow, I have read Mattie’s blog – just discovered it recently, but I had no idea about the MattieDog Foundation. That’s so amazing.

    Reply
  • February 16, 2016 at 10:15 pm
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    Terrific interview, I love Rebecca & Mattie’s story! I really admire the work they’re doing around education and rescue.
    Love & biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

    Reply
  • Pingback:National Random Acts Of Kindness Day - Daily Dog TagDaily Dog Tag

  • February 19, 2016 at 10:34 am
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    I loved reading this story and about the amazing foundation. Thanks for sharing this information!

    Reply
  • February 19, 2016 at 10:53 am
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    I have loved learning about Mattie Dog and the MattieDog Foundation. I love the work that Rebecca is doing! Thank you for sharing this great giveaway!

    Reply
  • February 19, 2016 at 3:22 pm
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    Fantastic interview and sharing, as education is the best medicine for teaching others about rescues, with a woof from my rescue Layla

    Reply
  • February 19, 2016 at 7:41 pm
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    Thanks for sharing this information. I’ve followed Rebecca and Mattie Dog but never knew their story before. Amazing and remarkable!

    Reply
  • February 19, 2016 at 9:14 pm
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    Thanks for telling our story – I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your sharing it, and much lub to all for your pawesome comments!

    Reply
    • February 21, 2016 at 8:34 pm
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      Thank you Rebecca!

      Reply
  • February 19, 2016 at 10:55 pm
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    It was wonderful to learn more about Mattie and Rebecca – I had no idea he got his name from his matted fur. Loved this article!

    Reply
    • February 21, 2016 at 8:33 pm
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      Thank you – I know, who would’ve guessed. And it’s such a cute name.

      Reply
  • February 20, 2016 at 2:20 am
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    I love to learn the story behind it and that Mattie was able to live and be a happy puppy!

    Reply
  • February 20, 2016 at 10:41 am
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    What a great interview, Mattie is one lucky dog. More people should make adoption their first option. Keep up the good work.

    Reply
  • February 21, 2016 at 11:13 am
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    We love MattieDog and Rebecca. It is so important for us all to use our influence and talents to give back to those in need and educate. They do such a great job. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  • February 21, 2016 at 8:08 pm
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    We are big fans of Ms. Rebecca and Mattie Dog and can’t wait to see her in April at Wigglebutts Uncorked. Great interview, Val!

    Reply
    • February 21, 2016 at 8:32 pm
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      Thanks Carol – wish I could be there.

      Reply
  • February 21, 2016 at 8:52 pm
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    I’m such a fan of what Rebecca does across the board and think the message Mattie emphasizes in posts are super important. I will share this!

    Reply
  • February 21, 2016 at 10:10 pm
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    Great interview! What a wonderful story of Mattie. Love the cover of the book!

    Reply
  • December 27, 2016 at 1:57 am
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    Awesome interview! Thanks for sharing! Is the book available in amazon?

    Reply

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