Before the 2016 Best City for Pet Travelers March Madness tournament ended – the Blogging from A-Z Challenge began.
The Boys and I never got a chance to properly thank you for carrying us to victory…
Trust me when I say
Contests are not my strong suit.
But Charleston has my ❤️
I love this city and their outrageous pet friendly attitude.
When Pam Webster of Somethings Wagging This Way Comes told me about the tournament – I wanted to give it a try.
MY STRATEGY? –
See how far we could make it. Take each round one at a time, and pray.
Making it to the “Elite Eight” round exceeded my expectations.
Mayor Techlenburg boosted votes when he met with and re-named Harley & Jaxson the “Charleston Boys”…
Then there was the Charleston Post & Courier story –
This quickly went from public to personal. #inittowinit
Battling last years winner (Port St. Joe, Fl.) for the Final Four spot turned me into a competitive maniac.
With the assistance of Fuel Restaurant and Kitchen 208 passing out our “Vote for Charleston” cards all weekend long…
…we made it to the championship round against Colorado Springs, Colorado. #unbedoodlelieveable
NOW WHAT? –
I grew up in the era of –
If it ain’t broke – don’t fix it!
So that was my plan! #sillyme
I would continue what I had been doing.
HARASS MY –
- friends
- family
- church members
- social media contacts
- strangers
The Pet Mahal grooming salon graciously stepped up to ensure a Charleston championship win.
They offered $1.00 per vote for the first 100 votes. Proceeds going to the Charleston Animal Society.
Needless to say those votes came quickly.
But Colorado would not go away!
The last 12 hours of that championship round wore me out. #yesIcountedthehours
My kitchen became campaign headquarters.
It was almost 7pm before I realized the Boys hadn’t even eaten dinner. #baddoodlemom
Only thirty minutes left – I couldn’t stop. Too many people had worked so hard to help us –
- My husband was literally laying on the floor with his phone connected to the charger texting and talking simultaneously.
- My 10 year old grand niece in NC walked her street that evening after school carrying the website information written on a clipboard soliciting votes from her neighbors. #goAVA
- Childhood, college, military and blogging friends from around the globe were rallying their friends to vote for Charleston.
It was 8:59pm. The tournament would end in less than a minute. I stood up for the first time in what seemed an eternity, and went to the potty. #tmi?
At 9:03pm Lee asked me to check the score. I screamed to the top of my lungs.
Go Pet Friendly captures the final moments perfectly…
The final match-up saw Charleston jump out to a significant lead, and with just 12 hours remaining in the round, she appeared to be walking away with the win. But Colorado Springs wasn’t going down without a fight. All day she steamed along until, with just a few hours to go, she’d taken the lead! More than 1,000 people had voted, and with just two minutes remaining, only four votes separated the two cities. And then they were tied – dead even with just seconds remaining! Charleston claimed the win in a buzzer-beater, edging out Colorado Springs by just three votes.
The weeks following the tournament seem so quiet now. Occasionally someone will recognize the Boys when we’re out and about. #thatsalwaysnice
The prizes already started coming in…
I cannot begin to thank the hundreds of people who carried us to the winners circle. I wish everyone could come and visit Charleston SC just once #withorwithoutpets
You’ll quickly understand how it stole my heart…
Don’t forget to enter our Deluxe Waterproof Car Seat Dog Cover giveaway – it ends at midnight!
Make this a Doodle*tastic week
May 9, 2016
Your pups are terrific ambassadors for your city. Congrats on the win.
May 9, 2016
Thanks Monika – you and Sam helped a great deal and we’re forever grateful. If you’re ever entering a contest and you need some help – just bark! We’re here for you friend!
May 9, 2016
You definitely dove head first into the challenge and it paid off. Awesome work!
May 9, 2016
Yes Emma, that’s also one dive I will probably never take on again! LOL Thanks so much for your support – anytime you need us – just bark!
May 9, 2016
You definitely convinced me that Ruby and I should make a trip to Charleston very soon! Congrats!
P.S.: Believe it or not, we found the doggie French maid costume on amazon. It comes in all doggie sizes.
May 9, 2016
I tell you – those maid costume photos you took should be in advertising. I love them. You captured the essence completely! That face OMDoodle! Yep – you should definitely give Charleston a try. It’s a lovely city….
May 9, 2016
Sure looks like a nice place
Lily & Edward
May 9, 2016
Come on down and check it out you two.
May 9, 2016
Congratulations again, guys! I want to visit Charleston with Mr. N someday.
May 9, 2016
When I think of all the incredible “things” for Mr. N. to climb – I can’t stop grinning. We would love to show you our city!
May 9, 2016
What an awesome story and great job representing your city. I really wish Rochester was that dog-friendly – maybe someday! We will have to make our way down to Charleston for a road trip!
May 9, 2016
YES!!!! Come on down Kevin – the Boys and I would love to meet you all.
May 9, 2016
Congrats, well deserved!
May 9, 2016
Thanks my friend – it was a once in a lifetime experience LOL
May 10, 2016
Wow, Cathy, you really went all out! I imagine Charleston is thrilled to have you as one of their citizens.
I would think your phone is now ringing off the hook with calls from politicians trying to sign you up on to their campaigns. 🙂
But seriously, I’m so happy that the hard work by all of you and your family and friends paid off! Congrats again!
May 10, 2016
Congratulations Cathy, that’s fantastic!!! 🙂
May 12, 2016
Thanks Lindsay! We appreciate all the support you and the rest of our blogging / social media community showed us. #wefeltthelove
May 11, 2016
Congrats on the hard fought battle! You & the doodles do your city proud.
May 12, 2016
Thanks! We love it – and we wanted the rest of the world to know 🙂
May 11, 2016
I thought your campaign was managed with sheer brilliance. You have come a long way for sure and I love how you quickly and smoothly branded yourself and your dogs as THE blogger for your city. Well Done!
May 12, 2016
Thanks so much for such kind words. I love our blogging community and the support we give and get from each other. You’ve been with me from just about the beginning and I love all the time you’ve spent helping me understand how and what to do with my “niche.” Thanks girlfriend.
May 12, 2016
Cathy, that contest was a blast and I had a great time pushing for you guys and Charleston! Our college basketball team – Clemson – was knocked out of the other March Madness even before the madness began, so you and the boys and my favorite southern city gave me something to cheer about. 🙂
I hope that some day hubby and I can get down to Charleston again and meet up with you and Lee! It’s only a few short hours from Taylors, but neither of us really enjoys driving much any more. And I hate leaving the pups, especially Shadow now that she doesn’t have Callie to snuggle with any more.
May 12, 2016
You were truly one of my secret weapons during the tournament. Forever grateful for your unwavering support. I totally understand what you mean about not wanting to leave Shadow. Please know that I have no intentions of moving, so whenever you decide to come, we will be here!
May 13, 2016
Congrats on your win! Charleston is a BEAUTIFUL city. Love being able to visit in the Summer. 🙂
May 14, 2016
Thanks Alicia! We had a really good time – stressful but in a fun way. Please let me know when you come to Charleston this Summer – would love to hook-up.