http://www.torudog.com/index.htmlDogone News!eninfo@torudog.comCopyright 2007 Toru2008-07-25T11:00:40-04:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 12:53:10 -0400info@torudog.comnews2008-07-25T11:00:40-04:00http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/000f89038fec16806a91f5acd1440be6-9.html#unique-entry-id-9http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/000f89038fec16806a91f5acd1440be6-9.html#unique-entry-id-9
TORU llc, which produces hip rock ‘n roll clothing for dogs, is embarking on a very special project to raise awareness and funds for The Good Dog Foundation in New York (www.thegooddogfoundation.org). The Good Dog Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to all forms of animal assisted therapy.
 
TORU will be producing and selling a line of "Good Dog Wear" to help raise money for The Good Dog Foundation therapy program. In conjunction with the launch of the clothing, a new "spokesband" had been created. The band, LIXX, is an all dog band made up of therapy dogs from the Good Dog Foundation, and will help promote the fund-raising clothing line as well as the therapy dog program.
 
"Tony, the "to" in TORU, and I  are a volunteer therapy team through the foundation and have been wanting to do a tie in with our rock 'n roll style shirts with the foundation," said Susan Levine, President of TORU. "From first hand experience, I can honestly say that the foundation's tagline - dogs helping humans heal - really lives up to it's name.”
 
Levine and Tony volunteer with weekly visits to NYU Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital and P.S. 96 elementary school’s reading program.
 
LIXX  has just completed a photo shoot with Rolling Stone photographer Andrew Brusso (www.andrewbrusso.com). The shoot features the story of a day in the life of an all dog band, with the rock star pooches modeling TORU clothing. A microsite www.lixxrocks.com has been created to invite fans to follow the band. In conjunction with this piece TORU is rolling out a "Good Dog" line of hoodies that will help raise funds for the foundation and launch at NY Pet Fashion Week this coming August.

]]>info@torudog.comnews2008-07-05T19:14:56-04:00http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/a7673841f01a8c7380f2b987d209b24a-8.html#unique-entry-id-8http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/a7673841f01a8c7380f2b987d209b24a-8.html#unique-entry-id-8
Monday was a hard day for me. For Tony, it wasn’t.

Tony and I returned to the children's hospital after a month long whirlwind of traveling. We are a therapy team certified through The Good Dog Foundation and The Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders has become one of our regular visits. Tony was so excited to return he pulled all the way to the entrance of the hospital from the subway station.

He let out a happy howl when he entered. As he always has to announce himself when we arrive at the children’s hospital for a therapy visit.

His buddy was there who he hasn’t seen in a month. She was one of his first visitiors at the hospital and has been a loyal friend to Tony every Monday at 11am. I’m afraid to ask why she is there every Monday and am not exactly sure what is wrong with her. All I know is that she usually has an IV port hooked up to her arm. She has overcome her fear of dogs through weekly visits with Tony. At first she just watched him from the other side of the room, in no time she was petting him and giving him treats. She brushes him, walks him & even reads to him. She has become my little therapy assistant.

A toddler came to pay Tony a visit. It was his first time meeting a therapy dog. He clearly looked like he was going through chemo as he only had a tiny bit of hair left on his head. The little boy hesitant at first saw Tony lick a little girls face. It was his first time seeing a dog kissing someone. He started laughing so hard – his laughter cracked all of us up. He didn’t stop laughing, which egged Tony on even more. For a few moments, you wouldn’t have known we were at the hospital as this little boy’s laughter could be heard throughout the entire building.

A little girl tethered to her stroller was brought in. Tony and I have met her before. Her mom untethered her as Tony sprang into action curious about the little girl who kept hitting herself. Flying fists and all, Tony joined in with her frenzy and followed her fists showering them with kisses everywhere they flew. Even though he got whacked a few times, he kept smooching her as if it were a game.

Our hour flew by.

We were asked on our way out to stop by the “teen” room to say hi to a young man who wanted to meet Tony. He had a Maltese who looked just like him. As we were talking a young father holding a baby girl came in. The little girl’s face was completely deformed and she had a breathing tube. I’ve never seen a condition like this and was thrown for a loop seeing such a little girl so sick. Even though I tried not to show it on the outside, I was completely heartbroken on the inside. Tony wasn’t fazed at all – he wagged his tail at her and I scooped him up to bring him close to her. He gave her a ton of kisses as she began to wiggle and giggle with delight.

It’s pretty amazing how unflappable a dog can be. How unjudgmental. How loving.

No matter what.

If only we can live in the moment and see life through the eyes of a dog.

xoxo,
Susan & Tony

For more information on animal assisted therapy, please visit: www.thegooddogfoundation.org

]]>info@torudog.comnews2008-05-22T22:16:47-04:00http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/055495d4167600e085d6baf226954fc1-7.html#unique-entry-id-7http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/055495d4167600e085d6baf226954fc1-7.html#unique-entry-id-7
TORU's taking it's "Summer of Love" tour on the road and heading north of the border June 6-8th to attend Woofstock in Toronto. Last year over 140,000 people and their dogs attended. Rumor has it that some of our tanks may appear on the runway. We are totally psyched and can't wait to rock out at woofstock!

]]>info@torudog.comnews2008-04-21T19:48:27-04:00http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/4a01e2b25ec2d56ad1dbe52767e29c35-6.html#unique-entry-id-6http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/4a01e2b25ec2d56ad1dbe52767e29c35-6.html#unique-entry-id-6
We are proud to announce that TORU will now be available in Belgium, France, Germany, The Netherlands & Luxemburg thanks to our new european distributor, Mad Dogs Import. We are very excited to have the opportunity to rock some Euro Dogs worlds!!!]]>info@torudog.comnews2008-02-12T21:05:32-05:00http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/b40f176c65ae8fbe46f7f37a51726b43-5.html#unique-entry-id-5http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/b40f176c65ae8fbe46f7f37a51726b43-5.html#unique-entry-id-5


TORU tanks will be available Spring '08. Presale and inquiries, please contact us at info@torudog.com]]>info@torudog.comnews2008-01-07T20:02:43-05:00http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/958ef6ec6aec26b35785f00c908d6833-4.html#unique-entry-id-4http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/958ef6ec6aec26b35785f00c908d6833-4.html#unique-entry-id-4

Jack is Rudy’s new brother. When Jack’s original owner passed away he was sent to the local shelter.  Jamie of Jamie’s Rescue down in Miami, Florida was doing one of her daily visits to the shelter and noticed Jack crying and scared in his cage, immediately she decided to bring him home to foster. Jack was malnourished, scared and scratched up – a lot for a pup to have been through so early in his life.  Lucky for him, Vanessa was looking to rescue a dog from Paws 4 You Rescue. When Jen at Paws 4 You had heard about Jack’s situation from Jamie’s rescue group, she was quick to put them in touch with Vanessa. The second Jack and Vanessa met, it was love! We’re happy to say that Jack quickly adapted to the good life of belly rubs,  treats, and lot’s of love. He loves going to work with Vanessa and certainly keeps Rudy on his feet. Vanessa and Jack are grateful to both rescue groups for putting them together.
 
So when Jack heard that Paws 4 You Rescue is looking to raise funds for an adoption van, he wanted to help out. They’ve rescued 100’s of dogs from being euthanized in Southern Florida in 2007, but feel that they can be helping so many more if they had their own van (opposed to renting one each time). They found this cool organization that is running a fundraising event sponsored through Parade Magazine & the Case Foundation, called Networkforgood.org which enables non-profit organizations to raise funds through donations. Jack encourages you to log in and donate any amount you can or simply spread the word to help out his friends at Paws 4 You. (The fundraising drive ends on Jan. 31st.)

http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?BadgeId=108638

Jack thanks you & sends you a big sloppy kiss :)
]]>info@torudog.comnews2007-12-20T21:44:02-05:00http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/8da929cdf8b63d2877c056707cc69a2b-3.html#unique-entry-id-3http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/8da929cdf8b63d2877c056707cc69a2b-3.html#unique-entry-id-3
Wishing you all a happy holiday and a rocking New Year!
Love,
Susan, Vanessa, Tony & Rudy]]>info@torudog.comnews2007-11-12T20:32:21-05:00http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/54648b4bf5ce5cfe2638132d34d3493a-2.html#unique-entry-id-2http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/54648b4bf5ce5cfe2638132d34d3493a-2.html#unique-entry-id-2
The Good Dog Foundation’s second annual bash was at Barneys New York last Tuesday night. We thought it was pretty cool of Barneys to donate their penthouse for the benefit. It was the perfect chic setting for New York’s Good Dog supporters (and Susan’s secret fantasy of seeing Barneys after hours). When we heard there was going to be a silent auction, we were more than happy to put together a basket of TORU tees. From original artwork to botox, you name it; it was on the auction block. The party was a success!

Okay, now this is the part where we’re going to get a little mushy. The Good Dog Foundation is an amazing organization that has developed a program for training volunteers and their dogs to become certified for animal assisted therapy programs at healthcare facilities, community programs, and disaster relief. The reason why we are writing about this is because the Good Dog Foundation holds a special place in our hearts. You see Tony is a “Good Dog”. He went through 8 weeks of training and graduated last spring under the guidance & supervision of the wonderful Susy Nastasi. Ever since, he has been volunteering on a regular basis. The experience has had a tremendous impact on our lives and we cannot say enough how rewarding it is to see the difference a dog can make in the lives of those we help.

Tony is currently working on his blogging skills so he can share his stories & adventures as a therapy dog with you. For information about the foundation click here: www.thegooddogfoundation.org
]]>info@torudog.comnews2007-10-18T18:42:00-04:00http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/9448b390812d5f2c0a4fe0b5f053a83d-1.html#unique-entry-id-1http://www.torudog.com/blog/files/9448b390812d5f2c0a4fe0b5f053a83d-1.html#unique-entry-id-1
Our swag was a big hit - especially our "Butthole Sniffers" rock 'n roll pins - we're already working on the design for the shirt. Our steady feed of jelly beans & coffee kept us going along with Joey's ipod & groovy tunes.


Being newbies and all, we think we pulled it off and went home happy, albeit partially paralyzed from the standing. Many many thanks to all the great people we met throughout the weekend - A special shout out to Brielle at Modern Dog Magazine for helping put us on the map, the whole crew from Pet Style for all of your encouragement and awesome feedback, and to Jenny at Total Diva Pets (wigs for pets) for sending over the incredibly energetic pet aficionado, Charlotte Reed and her adorable pooch who was sporting a total diva "mullet" (soon to be paired with one of our favorite toru tee's "The Dogs" for her halloween segment on the Martha Stewart radio show). Her spaniel was definitely "Garthed" out Wayne's World style - party on!]]>