OK, folks, it's time to get serious. By now you must know about our Chain Off 2006 contest, if not, click here.

Since we haven't been able to find a sponsor for our event, we've determined that either we at DDB are the world's WORST salespeople (and we are), or potential sponsors for our Chain Off 2006 event find us too 'risky' to sponsor.

In either case, we CANNOT and MUST NOT let that stop us from holding an event that in and of itself could bring our issue MORE AWARENESS in two weeks than its gotten in the 4 years since our inception! Isn't that worth an investment of $30,000?

So, SINCE we've CONVINCED YOU of the importance of holding our Chain Off Contest, and we are apparently the world's worst salespeople...we bring our plea to you, the individuals who love their dog. Picture your dog out on a chain for even one day. If that thought is repulsive to you, know that there are as many as 10,000-100,000 others that look just like your dog, your breed, your baby, living chained out there right now. In other circumstances, that could and would be YOUR dog living out there today. Please, don't turn a blind eye to this issue. Your dog, your favorite breed is as affected as the others.

So what can you do?

It's simple: All we need is 10,000 people to send us $3 each. That's it!

Surely, surely, there are 10,000 people out there in the U.S. who believe that dogs should live inside with the family and love dogs enough to give $3? Please DON'T prove us wrong, or we will indeed be heartbroken.

So, here's the plan:

You send $3 to P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684 (or send via the paypal link below). You make sure two of your friends send $3 to P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684. If they don't want to be on any mailing list, (which we DON'T sell, btw), they can just mail 3-$1 bills in an unmarked envelope (yes, it WILL still need a stamp), and they can remain anonymous.

If you're reading this, you care enough to make this happen...so please, stand over your friends to ensure that the envelope makes it to the mailbox. The road to hell is paved with good intentions!

So, now that THAT's out of the way and you've put your $3 in the mailbox (you did, didn't you?), we have a couple fun contests to encourage you to seek event sponsors (we don't give up easily!):

1. The Biggest Failure

Everyone hates to fail, right? So that's why none of us ask as much as we should. Helen Mueller, who just stepped up to help us with the event, told us something very memorable. She said "Every NO I get, I say, good, that means I'm ONE STEP closer to my YES!"

In this contest, we will make it fun for you to fail, and fail BIG! Whoever gets a NO from the most famous person or company will win their name and photo on the website, as well as a selection of their choice from our cafepress store (up to a $50.00 value.)

So far Tammy Grimes has the biggest star-power NO, from Jason Reitman, director of the recently released movie "Thank You for Smoking". When asked if he could sponsor, he replied, "I love my dogs, but I don't have time for this right now." (Don't have time to write a check? Hey, at least he responded.) So, Jason Reitman is the current star to beat! BTW, a no reply doesn't count...you have to receive an actual NO. If we had $1 for every time we received no response to a request for help, we would have our training center built by now...

Rocky Shepheard has a NO from Animal Planet, who said it sounded like a great idea, but they just weren't interested. So on the corporate side, beat Animal Planet.

Just download this letter, and send it or your own letter plea (since ours doesn't seem to work!) to as many stars/companies as you possibly can. When you get a NO, forward it to Tammy@dogsdeservebetter.org. We will compile a list of our NOs; the board of directors will vote on the best NO, and one of you will WIN for being the biggest failure. Pretty cool, huh?

2. The Biggest Success

If one of you actually SUCCEEDS in getting a major sponsor where we've failed, not only will we KISS your feet, but we will pay to bring you to the event if you'd like to come, put your name, photo, and story on the site, and give you three items of your choice from our cafepress store.

3. The Biggest Gatherer

Whoever gathers $3 donations from the MOST people and forwards them to us will win their name and photo on the site, plus an item of their choice from our cafepress store. Just use this form in .pdf to gather names and $3 (or MORE!) donations, and send them in to us at P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684.

That's the plan. If you have questions, or you DO happen to succeed, call us immediately at 814.941.7447. We'll start the party right away...you're all invited!

Donate Toward the Event

If you'd like to sponsor via regular USPS mail, send to P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684

Bonus: Tammy Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, has decided to remain chained this year for 72 hours to show her commitment to this issue, and will mention your support at every media interview!

Additional Information about the event:

1. We are taking contestant applications from any individuals who are in good health and able to withstand up to two weeks of boredom and sleeping in the elements. Contestants who have a dog chained at home, live near a chained dog, or have a rescued dog will be first considered, then others by random drawing. Please fill out the contestant application, and mail it to us at P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA by June 7, 2006.

2. Prospective contestants must mail a photo of themselves and their dog (if they have one, or the dog they want to play on behalf of if applicable). They must be willing, if the contest winner, to work with Dogs Deserve Better to bring the dog into the home and family if the dog is living chained outside.

3. The winner will receive the title to a new Chevy Aveo. All further liabilities and insurance become the winner's responsibility at the end of the contest.

4. The event will take place beginning July 1, 2006, and continue as long as two weeks. If, after one week, there are too many players left, reality-tv style elimination challenges will begin, until we are left with one player. That player will win the new car.

5. The event will be held in Mundy's Corner, PA.

6. Contestants will remain chained at ALL times. Each contestant will be given his/her own port-a-potty, which he/she may use while remaining chained. Anyone seen removing collar and chain for even a moment will be eliminated. Dogs Deserve Better will also reserve the right to remove contestants who seem to be in any kind of physical distress.

7. Players will be filmed by media as well as Dogs Deserve Better, and must consent to such filming to be considered as contestants.

8. Dogs Deserve Better will undertake getting all contestants to the site, as well as getting any contestants back home. Contestants will be responsible only for clothing to get to the event, and to get home. Dogs Deserve Better will provide transportation, suncreen, chain, doghouse, collar, umbrella, and blanket. Dogs Deserve Better will also provide water and food.

9. We are seeking bands to donate playing time at the event, as well as other food and craft vendors. Any interested bands, please contact us at 814.941.7447. Food and Craft vendors, please fill out the application and mail it to us.

10. Any other questions, please call us at 814.941.7447.