Kathryn Budig & Poses for Paws

We teamed up with ToeSox model Kathryn Budig to develop the first of our Sox for a Cause - Giving Back with Every Purchase.

A lover and teacher of yoga by day, a wizard in the kitchen by dinner time and a professional dog snuggler at night. Kathryn's love of animals lead her to co-found Poses for Paws, an organization dedicated to raising money for animal shelters through yoga.

Learn more about Kathryn.

"Be passionate. Be aware. Be active."

Beagle Freedom Project 

ToeSox and Poses for Paws are currently supporting Beagle Freedom Project (501c3) began in December 2010 when Shannon Keith received information that beagles who were used for animal experiments in a research lab were to be given a chance at life. For more on this rescue, and to meet "Freedom" and "Bigsby," please watch the video (left). Beagle Freedom Project's mission is to rescue beagles used in animal experimentation in research laboratories and give them a chance at life in a loving forever home.

"We anticipate that when the second batch [of beagles] are released, we will be getting A LOT OF THEM! So, we need to be financially ready, as well as ready with foster homes and adopters; toys, crates, blankets, food and treats." - Shannon Keith, Founder of Beagle Freedom Project

Sammy's Place  |  A Senior Dog Sanctuary

In 2010 ToeSox and Poses for Paws supported Sammy's Place. It's a place where hard to place dogs can come and stay and older dogs can live out their last days.

Sammy's Place started when Jill Gasparac adopted her first senior dog from a shelter - a black lab they estimated was about 9 or 10 years old. This lab, Sam, was the most regal dog - solid, sound and balanced. Dogs like Sam would normally be passed over at the shelter - just another big, black lab - and sadly there are many. So Jill opened Sammy's Place (in honor of her furry pal who passed in 2009) and now there's a place for loving seniors to spend their last days, weeks, years. All they need are donations to fund Sammy's Place. There is an overabundance of Seniors dumped in the shelter every day that could benefit from opening Sammy’s Place.

An Interview with Kathryn Budig

TS: When do you get your first dog? What kind was it? Dog’s name?
KB: My first dog was a yellow lab named Jay Jay. I picked her out when I was 12. She was "the dog with the red collar". She was the cutest tennis ball-obsessed dog ever.
     
TS: Describe Ashi
KB: Ashi is a mix of pug and beagle (puggle) and she is a sassy four year old. She is a 'needy-independent'-just like her mama.  Honestly, she has more personality in her paw than five people put together. She's the love of my life. Ashi is short for 'Ashtanga', like the yoga.

TS: What yoga pose does Ashi do best?
KB: Savasana. Total pro.
     
TS: Favorite Kathryn/Ashi activity?
KB: We both love to eat. She's my sous chef in the kitchen. . .anything that falls off the cutting board goes right down the gullet.  We also walk through the canals everyday.  She checks her email (AKA sniffing all the bushes to see who's been around).

TS: Do you dress Ashi up in clothes?
KB: She absolutely despises clothes, but I had to put her in a hoodie after she had an operation once. She looked like an angry house elf.

TS: Best piece of advice you have ever been given?
KB: Choose only love

TS: If you could share one thing with people that would encourage them to help animals what would it be?
KB: Be passionate. Be aware. Be active. If you don't have money to spare, give your time and love. . .it all counts.

TS: How much have you raised for animal shelters through Poses for Paws so far?
KB: You know, not positive about this one. . .$10,000? (ToeSox comment - "Let's double that this year!")