A special gift

We don’t want to give too much away, but here’s a little peek at a special gift that grandma Beverly won in an auction for William:

This is a beautiful blanket called a Rupert Wrap. It was handmade with love by a wonderful lady ‘Viv” – who’s lovingly known as Fiona’s Mummy. Rupert Wraps are only available through auctions and events that raise funds for animal rescue groups. Here’s the story of how these special blankets came to be…

Viv was first introduced to the world of dog rescue in the fall of 2011 when she fostered a Shar Pei that came from the largest puppy mill seizure in Canada. It was love at first sight. She adopted Fiona almost instantly.

A few months and two fosters later, another pei with a luxated patella came along and both Viv and Fiona found themselves completely smitten. Within a couple of weeks, Rupert was adopted too. Viv remembers the first time she met Rupert – he had such a vulnerable and uncertain look in his eyes. Rescue dogs are often confused. They don’t understand what is happening to them. They wonder what you will do to them. Others are too defeated and have nothing left in their eyes.

Viv later thought, if only she could have given Rupert a little something at that very moment to start his journey, to let him know he was safe. Something like a blankie…

Rupert's time with Viv and Fiona would be much shorter than they could have ever imagined: he passed to the bridge 3.5 months later having succumbed to kidney issues. Heartbroken, Viv set out to find a way to make a little difference in the lives of rescues. She always went back to that day when she picked up Rupert and his vulnerable and uncertain look. Having never sewn a stitch in her life, Viv bought a sewing machine, watched the instructional DVD, and started making dog blankets, known as Rupert Wraps. She then donated the Rupert Wraps to a local rescue she fostered for.

Lo and behold, the rescue loved them! Suddenly, pictures appeared on Facebook of dogs that had just been pulled from shelters, some in bad shape, safely wrapped in their very own “Rupies” that they would then take with them from their foster homes to their forever homes.

Kelly’s dog Gizmo all warm & snuggly in his Rupie

Viv now spends her weekends sewing in the company of Fiona, another foster failure Fergie, and her sister's peis Archie and Millie. She gives several Rupert Wraps (there are never enough) to local rescues for their new arrivals. She will not sell her Rupert Wraps for personal profit, claiming the stitching is not nice enough. However, she will gladly donate some to rescues who want to use them for fundraising. She will also sell them to individuals who ask her for one, with all proceeds going to the Friends of Rescue Network. She will also on occasion give one to a special soul who needs some chicken soup. Rupert Wraps have good karma and sometimes, we just need to be wrapped in something warm. Viv has now branched out into car seat Rupies for the muddy four legged friends and human Rupies for small children.

RIP Rupert. You were so loved. xxx

Thank you Viv for everything you do to help dogs and kids who need some good Rupie karma :-) And thank you so much for donating two more Rupies to The WillPower Project so William’s brother Aidan and sister Gwen will be able to stay warm and safe in their very own Rupies too :-)

If your dog or child would like some Rupie warmth, please visit the Rupert’s Wrap Facebook page. Viv posts about auctions and events where her Rupert Wraps will be available for bid or purchase.

Once again, we’re so amazed and touched by another act of amazing generosity!