Here’s to The Goethe Fund, CVMF and 2011!

Ultimately, I’d be happy with writing a check for my remaining commitment to CVMF and Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital today. I’m sure that would piss off a couple of my credit card banks, but, hey, you gotta have priorities. Still, this year looks to be a very fruitful one for not only me, but for the strides I’ll be taking to fulfilling my $25,000 pledge to Harrison via The Goethe Fund.

I know many of you reading this may live in parts remote to Denver, and perhaps your local (or personal) economy isn’t recovering they way it appears to be here, but I urge you to consider a small gift to Colorado’s largest non-profit veterinary hospital. Fixed-income pet owners across metro Denver travel to Harrison every day for veterinary care that will keep their pets healthy, but may be out of reach based on their ability to pay. Help these people keep their pets healthy; help Harrison maintain their day-to-day activities and help me keep Goethe’s legacy alive by fulfilling my promise.

Go to Giving First and give a gift today. Don’t forget to add the word Goethe in the comments box.

And if you’re in the market for buying or selling a home, I donate a portion of my proceeds to Harrison Memorial. Not only do you succeed in selling or buying a home, but I will make a donation in your name to Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital. Visit Karl Lueders Presents to see what I’m selling, or to find your dream home!

Thanks again.

2010 Goal for The Goethe Fund Almost in Reach!

The simple math is that if I raise $5,000/year every year between 2009-2013, I’ll reach my goal of raising $25k for my favorite cause: Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital‘s day-to-day operations, which helps low and fixed-income dog and cat owners provide veterinary care for their animals. All things considered – general economic malaise, downturn in the local real estate market, the whole Denver sports base realizing that the Broncos do, indeed, suck – we are looking at raising more money in 2010 than 2009! Of course, it helped immensely that two major players – Janus Capital and Marta Designs – stepped up and answered the call. I can’t thank you two enough!

Plus, there are so many people that have gone directly the Giving First site to donate to the Goethe Fund, but there are dozens of people who recognize the invaluable service that Harrison and CVMF provide to pet owners across Colorado. Click on the Giving First link or get some more information here before donating. It’s the gift of health and happiness! Whether it’s $25 or $250, your donation will go a long way at Harrison (plus, it’s tax deductible!). IMPORTANT: Please enter The Goethe Fund in the window that asks for comments or special instructions. Thanks!

Thanks, and happy holidays.

Karl Lueders

PS – Karl Lueders donates a portion of his proceeds from every sale to Harrison and CVMF. Please contact him for details if you’re planning to buy or sell a house.

Penthouse living in Denver – another donation in waiting

Karl Lueders presents 700 Washington #1106

#1106's hip kitchen

The Master Bedroom

For more details about this beautiful 1BD/1BA penthouse condo in the heart of Governor’s Park, visit  Karl Sells Denver or visit the unique home page for 700 Washington, #1106.

When this condo is sold, Karl Lueders will donate a portion of his proceeds to CVMF and Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital to assist with their day-to-day operations in helping provide veterinary care for low and fixed-income dog and cat owners. They also run the largest neuter/spay facility in the city.

Karl Lueders is a Realtor with The Kentwood Company at Cherry Creek.

The Goethe Fund on Twitter

Check us out at @TheGoetheFund.

New Cory Merrill listing in the heart of Central Denver

Denver Deluxe Homes

Please visit the Web site for more details, but if we get this fine home sold, another $250 will go to The Goethe Fund.

Click on the pic to get to the house, but here are a couple of details about 1091 S. Madison:

-Listed with Karl Lueders and The Kentwood Company

-Amazing remodel… 4bd/4ba, 2900+ sf, two-story cottage, huge yard, three bedrooms upstairs with master suite.

-Dual zone central AC, gleaming hardwood floors

Beautiful home. It’ll raise money for a great cause.

Mutts and Models Fashion Show Coming Up!

Donate to The Goethe Fund

If you’re a dog and cat lover, and you like parties, the Mutts and Models fashion show on Saturday, May 15, is a no-brainer.  It’s a pretty swanky event with a silent auction, an amazing catered spread, your usual bevvy of beautiful people (Jill and I were there last year) and tasty beverages. My first experience was last year and (with the exception of a somewhat scary drag queen), it was pretty fabulous. Mutts and Models is at the EXDO Center again this year, so don’t miss this event!

Tickets are $65 but every dollar raised goes toward supporting the Colorado Veterinary Medical Foundation and Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital. Harrsion Memorial is not-for-profit veterinary hospital that helps low- and fixed-income pet owners by providing veterinarian care at a cost that might prohibit the pet owner from keeping their pets healthy and happy.

However, if $65 is a little too spendy for you, consider an alternative route: give to CVMF and Harrison via The Goethe Fund. As many of you know, Jill and Karl Lueders created The Goethe Fund in 2008 after they lost Goethe to cancer at the age of 4.

Go to Giving First, Harrison’s offical online donation vehicle and make a tax-deductible contribution. All proceeds go directly to the hospital, but make sure to write Goethe Fund in the “comments” box. I have pledged to raise $25,000 over the next four years. I’m 10% of the way there, but need your help. Thanks.

Do it for The Goethe….

Jill and Karl Lueders' favorite photo

Donations Coming In From Beyond Denver!

(To donate to The Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital today, go to Giving First, a secure online donation site. Make sure to type “Goethe Fund” in the comments section.)

In the last few months, we’ve been receiving donations from Vail, Arizona and Michigan. I’m not tracking my most long-distance donor that carefully, but right now, I think our Seattle friend has the lock on that for now.

The year is starting out great for The Goethe Fund. We expect to be ahead of the 2010 goal by the end of February, and hope for better news as the weather improves, and we can actually see more people outside with their pets.

And remember, every time Karl Lueders helps you sell or buy a home, he donates a portion of his proceeds to The Goethe Fund, directly benefitting Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital, Colorado’s largest non-profit veterinary clinic.

Contact Karl either through his Karl Sells Denver home, or at his Denver homes search site. Thanks again for supporting The Goethe Fund, and thanks for helping Karl reach his goal of raising $25,000.

The Goethe Fund Update

Most of you know by now that I’m raising $25,000 to directly benefit Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital in Denver.  2009 was my first full year of raising awareness, but, in the process…

Click here to help raise $25k for Harrison Memorial

…I was able to raise a few funds, as well! We nearly hit our first-year goal and 2010 is looking to be a significant improvement to the fundraising efforts. Whether it’s through upcoming events or private donations, every dollar helps us meet this goal (which is pretty significant, once you think about it).

If you care to donate directly, please visit Giving First. Under the comments window, just type in Goethe, so they will know (as will I) what inspired you to help.

Of course, I donate a portion of my proceeds from every real estate transaction to Harrison Memorial. If you’re looking to buy or sell a house, call me, and we can help several dreams come true. Or you can visit my site to learn more about me. Thanks!

Mutts and Models Happy Hour tomorrow night!

As most of you pet philanthropists and party people know, Mutts and Models is one of Denver’s must-attend parties of the year. The best part is that it’s a wildly successful fundraiser for Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital and parent company CVMF.

To kick-off the countdown to the Mutts and Models fashion show on May 16, CVMF is hosting a happy hour at 5 Degrees in Denver from 5-8 pm. 5 Degrees is downtown at 1475 Lawrence (corner of 15th) and normally kicks it as a night club, but the doors will remain open for CVMF and Mutts and Models talk for three hours before the club opens up.

Check out the brochure here and hopefully you’ll be able to attend. I’ll be there tomorrow. See you there!

Mutts and Models happy hour

For more information, call Karl Lueders at 720-971-8267 or visit one of his Web sites for more details.

Plus, you can learn how Karl Lueders is working with Harrison Memorial to raise $25,000. Click on the icon to find out!

Click here to help raise $25k for Harrison Memorial

A Maudlin Anniversary

I don’t mark it on the calendar, but I’ll passing through a watershed anniversary very soon. Despite chemo treatments that had actually put Goethe’s lymphoma in remission for nearly two months early last year, I had little interest in bringing G in her for her weekly exam this time around. It wasn’t anything Goethe had been doing: she was still ravenous, energetic and frankly, a bit more enthusiastic about chasing balls and cats than I was really hoping her treatments would provide.

The problem was that we had reached the end of the full protocol and I still felt bumps. It felt like driving to the funeral of someone who was still alive, and I was the only one that knew it. Because of her spirits and because we hadn’t exhausted another protocol that was available, we decided that while Protocol No. 1 – the most commonly accepted protocol for this strain of lymphoma – had not completely knocked out the cancer, we’d give No. 2 a shot starting the following week.

For a week, No. 2 had all the makings of a winning cocktail. Even I began to doubt my original feelings about Goethe’s slim-to-none chances of recovery I had not 10 days before. There were no bumps, no side effects, no nothing. When I dropped her off for blood work, even the techs were amazed. I guess those who got to see her that week were privy to her fiery encore because I got a call about an hour after I dropped her off – a very bad sign. Amidst the general BS I was dealing with workwise, I knew when I saw VRCC’s phone number come across my cell, my day was about to implode. Despite her mood, Goethe wasn’t reacting to the new protocol and the oncologist informed me that G’s quality of life was officially in decline. I had instructed her to do that when we first met and insisted that she be very rigid in her determination.

Less than 24 hours later, we said good-bye to Goethe.

Reece - friend to Troy and Scott

Early this morning, dear friends of ours had to put down Reece, their dear golden retriever of 13 years. They acted swiftly and compassionately when they were faced with the same news and for that, I have the utmost respect. Troy and Scott, our thoughts are with you.

Don’t be selfish when it comes to your pet’s pain. Do the right thing, even though it’ll hurt you.