Spring 2018 THE NEW BARKER 57 www.TheNewBarker.com “When a natural disaster strikes, one of the largest groups affected is always stray and abandoned animals,” said Amy Lukken, Chief Joyologist of Tito’s HandmadeVodka.“We knew we would have to act quickly, even before the storm made landfall, in order to save as many animals’ lives as possi- ble,” she added.The Tito’s team has an ongoing relationship with local animal shelter Austin Pets Alive! When they reached out for help, the Tito’s team provided as much support as possible, even as some of their own family members in Houston and surrounding areas would be displaced because of the hurricane. Tito’s HandmadeVodka animal advocacy program, Vodka For Dog People, donated money to Austin Pets Alive! to help with the purchase of food, supplies and shelter for displaced animals after Hurricane Harvey hit Texas. More than 5,000 animals who were in Harvey’s direct path have been saved. Vodka For Dog People also gave locally to Wags Hope and Healing and Bailing Out Benji. On the people front, the company partnered with the American Red Cross with a dol- lar-for-dollar match of up. Although Austin Pets Alive! and other Texas shelters have done a fantastic job at providing aid to these animals, disaster aid is still needed beyond the Texas border.The Tito’s team continues to help fund transportation methods for pets out of the Caribbean and Puerto Rico following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Through theVodka For Dog People (VFDP) initiative, more than 1,000 animal welfare nonprofits in over seven countries have been helped since its inception, six years ago. VFDP, which partners in more than 700 fundraising events each year, has been a permanent company-wide cause program for three years. In Florida,VFDP has provided support to more than 50 different events and charities, including Vets For Pets Charitable Clinic in Tampa and Pet Pal Animal Shelter in St. Petersburg.“We expect those numbers will continue to grow as ourVodka For Dog People program gains more recognition and visibility, thanks to partners such as The New Barker,” said Beth Bellanti,Vodka For Dog People Program Manager at Tito’s HandmadeVodka.“The easiest way to get involved with Florida animal advocacy programs is by donating to local shelters and charities.We hostVFDP events all over Florida,” Beth added. Vodka For Dog People is the perfect legacy to honor Jo, Tito’s first companion dog, almost 21 years ago.“Everyone has an incredible rescue story, including those of us who have adopted dogs from the distillery,” said Beveridge. Reflecting on those earlier days,Tito thinks about failure in terms of energy. Harkening back to his geophysics days (he graduated from The University of Texas with degrees in geolo- gy and geophysics in 1984), Beveridge said,“Energy isn’t destroyed. It simply changes forms.” He uses this knowledge to his advantage whenever he is struggling with a project. “Your first instinct is to blame everyone else,” said Beveridge. “But, don’t blame it on anyone.Wrap your arms around [the failure] and take the blame, so all the energy becomes yours. You can’t destroy energy.You can, however, change the phase.” We’ll toast to that. Tito’s Vodka For Dog People program collected food and supplies for displaced animals after Hurricane Harvey hit Texas. Keeping It Simple. Lots of folks at Tito’s Handmade Vodka enjoy Tito’s favorite cocktail, simply called Tito’s All-Time Favorite: Be sure to check out TitosVodka.com/dogs and follow them on Facebook and Twitter @TitosVodka For more information on Austin Pets Alive, Bailing Out Benji and Wags Hope and Healing, visit their websites at AustinPetsAlive.org BailingOutBenji.com WagsHopeAndHealing.org Ingredients: •1 1/2 oz Tito’s Handmade Vodka •4 oz sparkling mineral water •Slice of orange •Slice of lime Method: Combine Tito’s Handmade Vodka and mineral water in cocktail glass with ice. Stir and garnish. Garnish: Orange and lime slices Glass: Lowball glass U Gomez is in the doghouse, a good place to be, in this case.