Newsletter: Saying Goodbye to a Special Friend 😭 ; 7 Sales Phrases That Will Help You Build Credibility🎖; Nonprofits That Host In-Person Events Raise More Money 🤑

2024 is not off to a good start.

My dog, "Charlie the Yorkie," died Friday morning.

My wife and I were away in New Hampshire just after Christmas when my son called. Charlie was coughing a lot, and it was affecting his breathing.

Speeding home, we rushed Charlie to a doggie emergency room, where doctors diagnosed him with a collapsed trachea.

Yorkies have delicate tracheas, and we had spent years treating Charlie's with medication. But his trachea had finally failed.

Charlie had emergency surgery, and a stent was placed to open his airway. After a night in the hospital, Charlie came home to recover. But then he developed other issues, including a torn ACL on his right hind leg.

Finally, unable to relieve his pain, my wife and I stroked Charlie's hair and spoke softly to him as the vet put him to sleep forever.

My wife and kids are all upset, but I've cried the most.

The irony is that I was the last person who wanted a dog when we picked Charlie from a litter of puppies in February 2012.

I'm a tidy man. My wife says I'm Mr. Clean without the earring, and having a dog, even a small one, just seemed messy. I wasn't wrong!

But having a dog changed me.

I liked fussing over Charlie and catering to his every need. Even when I was away on business, I followed his every move. "Is Charlie ok?" I'd ask. "Did he poop today? Did he eat all his food? Was he being a good boy?"

On walks, I met all my neighbors and so many other people. I developed a greater love for other dogs, animals, and even nature.

Working weekdays from home, I chatted away to Charlie like a co-worker. And many of you would hear his incessant barking during calls and ask, "How's Charlie doing?!"

Charlie was the center of my world. But in Charlie's orbit, I was the moon, not the sun. He favored my wife. I was more like his valet (like Gary with Selina Meyers in the HBO comedy series Veep). I'd care for him all day, but he would snuggle with her at night!

Still, I always knew he loved me.

They say no man is a hero to his valet, but the exception must be dogs because I never tired of serving, praising, and admiring my handsome pup Charlie.

Now, I miss everything about him.

His head on my shoulder when I held him in my arms. The low woofs that commanded water, treats, or attention. His casual defiance when I asked him to "sit" or "come."

I used to think I could never live with a dog, but now I'm struggling to live without Charlie.

For now, he's still around in so many ways.

In the shadowlands of sleep this morning, I thought I heard the jingle of his dog tags, his signal that it was time for his morning walk.

Yesterday, I swore I heard his paws on the carpet and then the hardwood as he made his way from the couch to the storm door to stare out the glass.

I've seen him sitting at that door a million times, but he wasn't there today. And he'll never be there again.

There's a hole in my heart.

I'm aching to hold him again and tell him I love him. I can almost feel his sandpaper-like tongue on my cheek - dog speak for "I love you, too."

Gosh, I miss him so much.

Rest in peace, Charlie.💔💔💔

Thanks for listening, friends. I realize this is not my usual content. But I needed to get this off my chest, and who better to talk to than all of you? 🥺

✍️ Partnership Notes

1. ​7 sales phrases that will help you build credibility​ with partnership prospects. The article also includes four things you should NEVER say.

"Is that a toupée?" wasn't on the don't say list. But take it from me, it's better to keep your curiosity to yourself.

2. ​Show this to your boss​ or anyone else who needs to see it. Cross out "donor" and write in "company." 💥

🤑 Marketing Your Cause

1. For my readers in the healthcare space: ​The future of hospital marketing​.

2. How nonprofits can ​acquire and use testimonials​.

3. ​A P.S. in an email can be powerful!​ Six ways to use it. #6: Share a testimonial (or link to a case study!)

😎 Cool Jobs in Cause

1. Corporate Engagement Manager, ​National Young Farmers Coalition​, Remote

2. Part-Time Partnership Development Manager, ​For Momentum​, Remote

3. Manager of Corporate Strategic Partnerships, ​Crossroads4Hope​, Bedminster, NJ ($55k - $65k)

4. Manager, Corporate Partnerships, ​Sandy Hook Promise​, Newtown, CT ($70k - $80k)

🧠🍌 Brain Food

1. ​Nonprofits that ​host in-person events​ raise more money. 🔒 (🔒 = This article is behind a paywall, but I can email it to you. Just reply to this email.)

2. Speaking of losses, no more "Use ya blinkah." The feds are ​banning funny electronic messages​ on highways. This video includes a round-up of some of the humorous messages seen on highways across the country!