Brandy Alexandra Bennett turns 14!

Hi. My name is Brandy Alexandra Bennett. Two days ago, September 17th, was my 14 birthday! I wanted to write to you all then, and tell you my story, but I hadn't learned how to blog yet. Mom and Dad adopted me on November 24th, 2001. They researched what kind of dog was best for their lifestyle and decided on the fabulous breed, Toy Fox Terrier (that’s me!) They knew how many homeless dogs there were in the world, so rather than buy a new one from a puppy store or a breeder; they went to the American Toy Fox Terrier Rescue website. Did you know that out of 49 recognized AKC breeds, 42 have rescue sites?
And did you know that most dogs in shelters are purebreds? Dad likes to tease me and say that new, I would have cost them $1500 or more, but that used, I was free! They also say I am a priceless Princess.
There is usually nothing wrong with the dogs that end up at shelters. Usually it’s a problem on the human end: a new baby, not enough research before getting a dog, a major life change, etc. In my case, I was well loved by my original family, but they had to enter housing that didn’t allow me to go with them. I ended up in a kill shelter in CT! I was terrified there, but luckily, a kind Veterinarian Technician who did small dog rescue, brought me home and posted me on the American TFT rescue site. (www.atftc.com/rescue) Because I was 7 years old at the time, I was considered a tough placement, because people think older dogs will die soon. Hah! What craziness, Mom and Dad say! In fact, they call me "skittely-do-dah-dog" because I'm still so peppy. And smaller dogs age slower than larger dogs - about 4.6 years for a dog my size. (You do the math - it's hard enough for me to type with one paw while I snack on my kibble with the other.) Middle age and senior dogs are usually well trained, calmer and anxious to relocate to a loving home. Mom and Dad said that the day I came to live with them, we became a family. They couldn’t believe that not only did I have no “issues”, but that I came complete with circus tricks! We 3 were so happy as a family, that we wanted to help other pups and began to work with other small dogs that needed fostering along the way to their new homes. In fact, Mom became a dog trainer, so that she could help rescue and shelter dogs become more adoptable – she used to be the Tri-State rescue co-coordinator for ATFTC and still volunteers with both the ASPCA (http://www.aspca.org/) and the Humane Society (http://www.hsus.org/).
I gotta tell you, I like having most of my foster siblings here for awhile, and I know how important my job is, showing them how to act like a proper pup, but I usually like having Mom and Dad back to myself once they find new homes. HOWEVER – I have recently made an exception and agreed to have a new little brother, Otie. He'll be 5 years old next month and he's a real cute tri-colored, apple-head chihuahua. So now we are a family of four! Actually, all though he was a bit of a pain when he first came, now he helps me out a lot, since I've become hard of hearing. Otie is sure to let me know, when it's time to bark. Otie will write to you when it's his birthday - he's still learning to blog - understandable, he's younger.

Otie and I have had some great adventures together, meeting celebrities, having a country AND metropolitan home - it's all the more amazing when you consider we both could’ve been on death row (shudder)!

First official blog

Hi Friends:

Well, it only took me 4 months from when I created this blog, to actually post something on it! I was so inspired by Jenna Esposito, and she told me it was easy - we'll see! There's just too much computer stuff to learn all at once. You can also find me on Facebook - I did actually learn that quickly, but then they changed it on me! Alas...

How busy are we all these days? Be careful what you pray for is right! I have been so busy with so many performing/producing/hosting projects and I mentioned this to a good friend who said, "Well, it is harvest time. We're harvesting from all the seeds we planted in the spring." It's true.

One of the most exciting "harvests", are the concerts I'll be hosting in Tudor City. My hero is Hector Coris, who asked if he could do anything to help with the concerts (see belowector Coris). I was smart enough to say yes, and he has designed amazing posters, flyers, programs and press releases! And he's gonna sing for us too! How blessed can you be?
So, along with Hector, I'm busily preparing for our NEW CONCERTS AT TUDOR CITY GREENS, which I'm producing in association with MAC, and to benefit the Tudor City Greens. The concert is sponsored by CIBO! These are private parks that are privately funded, yet open to the public, so we hope to get some lovely donations. Nonetheless, these concerts are free to all. They also provide an opportunity for the performers to increase their audience base, from a completely heretofore untargeted audience. So often we sing at open mics that cost us a cover and 2 drink minimum to sing to a group of our peers. While these are great opportunites, I wonder how much we really increase our audiences?

So, come to the Tudor City Greens on Tudor City Place and 42nd Street, between 1st and 2nd Ave, this Wednesday, 9/24 at 6 pm. (rain date is 9/25) A reception to mingle and meet the performers follows at CIBO restaurant, 41st and 2nd. And just look who's performing: ERIC MICHAEL GILLETT, RAISSA KATONA BENNETT, ROSEMARY LOAR, JENNA ESPOSITO, HECTOR CORIS, DARREN WILLIAMS, RICHARD CRAMER, CATHERINE OVERFELT, and MARIA MONCADA! They're all from the world of Broadway and/or award winning NYC Cabaret and Comedy. Come help us make this a success, and there will be more opportunities for all in the future! Many thanks to Scott Barbarino and Ruth Kurtzman from the MAC board of directors, for their help, too. And, from the board of Tudor City Greens, many thanks to Anne Stoddard, Julie Warshaw, Sherry Halperin, and all the volunteers of the Greens.

There's a lot more going on, but let's see if I can actually make this post work, and I'll do another soon!

Love and Light,
Raissa