Do you know how this challenge started?
Raise the Bar Challenge was created to honor my beloved “Jack.” Jack was my dog that I rescued from a shelter on a very cold night in December of 2003. I found him on a huge farm in Chester County. No one wanted Jack because he was the runt of the litter. The moment we met he walked straight towards me with his little butt wiggling. He was wearing a ridiculous little down jacket that had "Harley Davidson," printed on it and metal studs around the collar. The irony was that he wasn't a little tough guy. Just a smart little Jack Russell Terrier with the sweetest most pleasing personality. He could pick up my mood on any given day and would sit beside me till I either got over it, cried myself out or fell asleep.
In the early days of moving to this place I went through a lot. My dad had just passed, I was moving my life to a new town where I knew nothing or no one. And then there was a business to move, an apartment to clear out and a house that needed a lot of fixing. Not to mention a relationship that was over. So, there you have it all bunch together in one year. They say that the five toughest things to go through that are life changing are death, moving, buying a new home, relationship problems i.e. divorce or break ups and financial insecurity. I decided to do all of that in one year - Welcome to my world in 2004.
But, I got through it - so let's talk about my little Happy Jack. Jack was my sidekick and only buddy since I didn’t know anyone in this new town that I was calling home. Jack, by far became a bit of a celebrity and way more popular than me! He would happily accompany me to my new store in West Cape May and sit by the door looking out the window while I cleaned, painted or helped a customer. He’d greet everyone that walked through the door never barking always just happy to see you and meet you. Jack had his favorite people too and if he didn't like you, he'd pee on you. This was a tell all for me - the two people he peed on he was absolutely right about! Truth be told Jack rescued me. He was the one that got me up in the morning when I wanted to just lay in bed and not think of a thing. We went for long walks, to the beach and he even attended festivals and events walking by my side. Jack was easy. Easy to love, easy to be with as he feared nothing, not lightening or thunder or loud noises. He was even keeled always.
As the year of 2004 dragged on and I tried to keep my new business afloat, I came to the realized in December of 2004 that it just wasn't going to work. Sometimes it's better to just count your loses and move on. That's what I did and joined the corporate world full time. Jack seemed a bit lonely that he was no longer coming to work with me yet being Jack he was still happy. That's when I decided to adopt another Jack Russell Terrier at the local shelter here in Cape May County. I found a sweet little girl JRT online so we made an appointment to see her. Jack and I. It was love at first sight for us - Honey Blue came to her forever home that day. A scared 6 year old that was found wandering the streets. Most of her hair was gone and the shelter had no idea why. It was January and so cold she just sat in her cage shaking. I think Jack and I saw something in HB that no one else did. It was in her big brown eyes, a loneliness and sadness. Honey Blue had been in the shelter for 3 months and no one wanted her with all of her problems. But we did. Immediately we took her to the vets and tried to find out what was going on with her coat. After lots of research and steriods that I felt uncomfortable giving her, I decided to take her skin issues into my own hands and started her on a no grain diet. Within 4 weeks her coat was coming in and her endless scratching and itching subsided! Honey Blue had food allergies and now she was on a clean diet. Life was good. Honey is now 19 years old this month and is outliving her younger friend Jack who passed away from Congestive Heart Failure in 2017.
He is so missed.
As I always say, out of bad comes good. Three years ago prior to Jack passing I knew Honey Blue would be lonely without her friend Jack so I found a mix mut puppy who is a Jack Russell Terrier and an Australian Heeler. His name is Oliver.
Ollie (for short), Honey Blue and Jack were priceless together. They loved each other and played so happily together. I won't get into the sorted details of Jack's passing but I will say, in Jack style he did it his way - with grace and by my side. I still cry over him he was that good of a friend.
Upon his passing I created the “Raise the Bar Challenge,” in his honor.
What is the Raise the Bar Challenge?
For every item made by Sea Foam Soap Company by Blue Eden we donate 10% of the net profit.
While we have already donated to several local charities this year, Raise the Bar Challenge donations this year will be sent to RSPCA Australia: The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Australia, the nation's leading animal welfare charity. The donations will be used to fund the rescue and treatment of animals affected by the fires. RSPCA chapters are in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. To date over 1 million animals have perished in these devastating brush fires unfortunately caused by the driest spring on record and climate change.
I hope you will find it in your heart to support this challenge by placing an order today.
xo
Caroline (and in memory of Jack)
Left to right, Honey Blue, Oliver and Jack
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