I thought this was a great idea - it was forwarded to me through my all-breed club:

Wed Dec 3, 2008 7:28 pm (PST)
NDR: Christmas/holiday Card Challenge

DOBERMAN PINSCHER CLUB OF AMERICA
AMERICAN ROTTWEILER CLUB
CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY CARD CHALLENGE
The point of this Challenge is personal contact between dog owners
and legislators. Sure, they hear from us when we fax or email about a
piece of legislation but we all know they rarely read those messages,
they simply tally pros and cons. A card will be a personal, positive
contact.

The aim here is to have each official receive a Christmas/Holiday/ New
Year's greeting from their dog (cat) owning constituents. We ask that
you send cards to your Governor, district officials as well as your
city and county officials. At best this would only involve sending an
extra dozen cards which will have you and your dog's (or cat's) photo
and a comment such as those listed below. If these officials are
people you voted for, state that you have supported them in the past
and hope to continue your support. If you did not vote for them let
them know that depending on their position on dog related issues, you
would certainly consider changing party affiliation to support the
candidate most sensitive to the interests of their pet owning
constituency.

If you own Conformation dogs, include a win picture or photo of you,
the dog and ribbons and trophies. Sign the card "Proud owner of an
AKC Champion (breed)".

If you own a dog with performance titles, include a photo of the dog
out duck hunting, with the sheep, whatever, and sign the card, "Proud
working partner to a (title/event) dog. i.e. "Proud working partner
to a Field Trial Champion (breed)".

If you own a dog with a CGC from AKC, include a photo of you, the
dog, and the certificate. Sign the card, "Proud owner of a Canine
Good Citizen (breed)".

If you own a Therapy Dog, include a photo with you, the dog, a Senior
Citizen or hospitalized child. Sign the card, "Active partners
bringing joy to shut-ins, Mary and Fluffy".

If you own a Tracking Dog, especially one certified for Search and
Rescue, include a photo of yourself and the dog - preferably working
or "in uniform" and sign the card, "proudly serving the
community of (city/county) with Search and Rescue efforts, Mary and
Sport".

If you own a Service Dog, include a photo of the two of you, or of
the dog and it's backpack or performing a service like opening the
door or retrieving something. Sign the card, "Blessed with
the service of "Fluffy" my service dog and constant companion, Mary
Smith".

If your dog assists with a reading program in the local school,
include a picture of you, the dog and some kids and sign the
it, "Proudly helping children to read better, John and Rex".

If you are a Judge, include a nice BIS win photo with everyone
looking good, you, the handler, and the dog. Sign it, "Proud judge of
AKC dog shows, Joe Judge, Lic. ####".

If your dog does agility, include a really nice action shot of the
dog and sign the card, "Enthusiastic participants in the sport of
Agility, Speedy and Mary Smith".

For friends/family who own dogs obtained from a shelter or rescue,
include a photo and sign the card, "Proud Adopter of Charlie, rescue
dog from (shelter/rescue group), The Jones Family".
Puppy buyers should send cards stating "sharing our lives with a
(breed) purchased from a responsible hobby breeder, The Smith Family".

Kennel & Training Clubs, vets, groomers and rescues should do the
same with messages like:
. Successfully hosting all breed shows in (city/county) for XXX years.
. Successfully helping owners train their dogs to be good citizens in
(city/county) .
. Providing quality medical care to (city/county) pets.
. Keeping (city/county) canine residents well groomed for xxx years.
. Proudly re-homing "thrown away" dogs and cats in (city/county) to
new forever homes.
ALWAYS use "owner", "owners", "owned by" - NEVER use the
words "guardian"or "caretaker".

We think you get the drift here what we are looking for - positive
contact from constituents to elected officials. If enough people do
this, including friends and family with photos of them, the
kids, and the family pet(s) signed "Happily sharing family life with
our (breed/mixed) dog(s)", legislators will realize just how many
constituents are out there with pets. You could even neatly
write at the bottom of the card, "My Dog Votes". Naturally, you would
be free to elaborate on your card, but keep it simple, not related to
any particular legislation.

The cost of a couple more Christmas/Holiday cards, stamps, and photos
is negligible compared to what you will suffer should anti-dog
legislation be enacted in your community, county, or state.
In the case of state or federal officials, the cards should be sent
to their home/district offices - not their State Capital address.
Please crosspost this DPCA/ARC Challenge to appropriate lists and all
kennel clubs, trainers,judges, veterinarians, groomers, and pet
owners. Together we can make a positive impression on our officials -
let them know we are out there; let them know we are voters; let them
put faces to their 2 and 4 footed constituents.

The American Rottweiler Club has partnered with the DPCA in issuing
this Challenge. Will your club or organization join us?

Thank you,
Dana M. Johnson Jan Cooper
DPCA Legislative Director ARC Legislative Chair
It is suggested that kennel clubs post this Challenge on their
websites along with the appropriated addresses for state and local
officials - making it very easy for members and friends
to participate in this effort.

This is especially important in Texas. HSUS just announced a Lobby Day in Texas on April 2nd. Getting those greeting cards with pictures to our representatives surely can't hurt, and may even help when April 2nd gets here.