oakenguy ([personal profile] oakenguy) wrote2005-07-13 11:13 am
Entry tags:

The Announcement

(Feel free to spread this around)

I have a small dog. This small dog has diabetes and Cushing's Disease. As a result of this, I have vet bills. HUGE vet bills. $2600 for the three days he just spent in critical care, added to the "normal" cost of his treatments.

Now, it goes against all my rural New England instincts to ask for money. And I'm not certified to sell my chocolates commercially.

However, I think I've found something that works:


The First (and Hopefully Last) Toby T. Chien "Insulin Costs WHAT Now?" Pledge Drive



Do you like small fuzzy animals? Do you like high-quality gourmet chocolates? By helping one, you can enjoy the other!

As a thank you for your donation to the Toby T. Chien "Sixteen Dollars for a Bandage??" Pledge Drive (we're still working on the name), a gift box of gourmet truffles of your choice will be delivered to your door! (Directly, if you're in the Greater Boston area; by mail, otherwise*). A donation of $15 gets you a 6-piece assortment; a $25 donation earns a 12-piece box; $35 garners a 20-piece box, and any donation larger than that...well, we'll negotiate something special! ALL money raised will go directly to Toby's medical bills.





I've been making truffles since '97 using a simple principle: "If the flavor rush makes my pupils dilate, it's good". I use the best Ghirardelli dark chocolate, make each piece by hand, and take pride in the fact that I've never served a piece that was more than 48 hours old.

Our Current Selection (edit: please note that, by request, we can substitute milk or white chocolate for the dark chocolate):

(Tis a Gift to be) Simple: A dark chocolate truffle rolled in cocoa powder. Our basic building block.

Chambourdy: The Simple truffle with Chambourd added for a little kick and the taste of raspberry.

Bzzz: A truffle made with coffee liqueur, coated in a mixture of cocoa powder and espresso powder. Efficacious!

The Foresthouse Crunch: A truffle with cashews and pecans, coated in powdered sugar.

Mint Zowie: Mint liqueur and chunks of peppermint make this the 'shamrock shake' of truffles. Only (arguably) better for you. And slightly alcoholic.

Hey Now: An orange vodka truffle! Startling!


Thank you for your support! With your donation, please let me know the type and quantity of truffle flavors you'd like in your thank you gift.







*If sent by mail, we'll need to work out the postal fee.

[identity profile] sykoreact.livejournal.com 2005-07-14 11:22 am (UTC)(link)
Hey I found you from ne_rennies and i just donated but i dont want the truffles. I hope your doggie feels better. Also you seem pretty interesting and I am always lookingfor new journals to read. Mind if i add you?

[identity profile] oakenguy.livejournal.com 2005-07-14 03:13 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm flattered! And grateful. :) Please, add away!

[identity profile] sykoreact.livejournal.com 2005-07-14 03:21 pm (UTC)(link)
No problem. I know what it is like to worry about vet bills and how much a pet can mean to its owner.

[identity profile] amyura.livejournal.com 2005-07-14 12:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Brian, I don't do Paypal. Would you take a check mailed to your place? If so, email me your snail address.

[identity profile] enochs-fable.livejournal.com 2005-07-14 12:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Is Toby the dog's name? Would you mind also posting the name of the vet /vet clinic you're taking the dog to?

[identity profile] oakenguy.livejournal.com 2005-07-14 03:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Given recent events (god, the timing...), not at all.

[identity profile] enochs-fable.livejournal.com 2005-07-14 04:05 pm (UTC)(link)
saw that too, did you?

Blah.

[identity profile] podkayne8.livejournal.com 2005-07-14 02:18 pm (UTC)(link)
I sadly don't have two pennies to rub together until August. Toby is a cutie - I wish I could help (sincerely) and wish you the best of luck. I'll post a link to this in my journal.

[identity profile] helianthas.livejournal.com 2005-07-14 02:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Ordered, and posted! :)
I have a strange feeling your business is about to get off the ground... :D

[identity profile] northernminx.livejournal.com 2005-07-14 06:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Sent :)
You said magic words.
Sick puppy.
Chocolate.
::many hugs and hoping Toby feels better soon::

[identity profile] samajh.livejournal.com 2005-07-14 06:22 pm (UTC)(link)
I can't do the chocolates, but I made a little donation. I couldn't say no to the cute fuzzy animal.

[identity profile] wolfden.livejournal.com 2005-07-16 12:55 am (UTC)(link)
Sent money with with a note through paypal. I had to help out a kindred namesake. Take good care of Toby.

A little from the little star

[identity profile] sepdet.livejournal.com 2005-07-16 06:40 am (UTC)(link)
I have a strange aversion to small yappy dogs, but life is life! And Toby is YOUR dog, and you are good peoples. Glad to help.

(Although I am a Chihuahuaphobic, I can affirm to readers of this LJ that Toby does exist, and I have been bounced at by him, and his owners are extremely good-hearted folks.)

Re: A little from the little star

[identity profile] jesshartley.livejournal.com 2005-07-21 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
*blink* Sepdet from GarouMush?

Re: A little from the little star

[identity profile] oakenguy.livejournal.com 2005-07-22 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
Wait...who was your GarouMush character?

[identity profile] tarioflorien.livejournal.com 2005-07-16 02:23 pm (UTC)(link)
*waves* LJ friend of Sepdet here. My household is run by several small yappy dogs. We've spent over 10,000 on one of them and every penny was wellspent for the love she gives. (It's a chihuahua Tinw *smiles*)

I don't do the Paypal thing, but like another who posted above me, please email me with a snail mail, I'd like to help out.

Truffles!

[identity profile] cindywho.livejournal.com 2005-07-16 05:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Hi Brian,

Put me down for a 12 piece box - any mix except the mint one - For tomorrow morning, if possible. I can pay you cash - see you soon! - Cindy

[identity profile] jesshartley.livejournal.com 2005-07-21 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Hi! Long time friend of Aberdeen here, recently moved from Washington to Western Massachusetts. Would love to buy some truffles (almost typed "trouble") and donate towards Toby. Can I send you a check or such, rather than Paypal? The fabulous redheaded one will likely vouch that I'm unlikely to sneak out to your house and steal your things (although I have been known to sneak into people's houses and clean/cook on occasion... Random acts of chaotic kindness and all that...)

Please do let me know! :)

[identity profile] ngakmafaery.livejournal.com 2005-07-21 11:46 pm (UTC)(link)
...I can throw a large-small handful in...I'll click the button and see what happens, eh...?

[identity profile] ngakmafaery.livejournal.com 2005-07-25 11:30 pm (UTC)(link)
...and if you're interested, we can add each other to friends' lists...although lately all I do is Expand To Cosmic Proportions and laugh non-stop...ahahaha!

[identity profile] oakenguy.livejournal.com 2005-07-26 01:34 am (UTC)(link)
You say that as if I wouldn't love to read about them! I'm delighted to add you. :)

(no subject)

[identity profile] ngakmafaery.livejournal.com - 2005-07-26 20:27 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] ah42.livejournal.com 2005-07-24 12:28 am (UTC)(link)
Hey Brian :)

I paypalled an order lastnight for 2 dozen, but I forgot to specify what types I wanted.

I'm thinking of an assortment of Simple, Chambourdy and Mint, with milk and dark chocolates, if you please :) Or whatever you happen to have leftover, if that's inconvenient.

Thanks!

[identity profile] knowthyself.livejournal.com 2005-07-28 07:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Hi Brian,

A friend asked me to ask since I know you--he donated to the fund, and was just wondering when the delicious truffles would be in the mail. His last name is Serpico--you can email me in reply on it. I've been going on about the delicious chocolatey goodness, and he got jealous. ;)

[identity profile] flopart.livejournal.com 2005-07-30 12:56 am (UTC)(link)
oh my good lord. you make chocolates. i'm sure they're delicious. i've been thinking for weeks where to get really good, possibly home-made dark chocolate truffles...

*drool*

[identity profile] flopart.livejournal.com 2005-07-30 01:01 am (UTC)(link)
ps-- your dog is cute. i wish i had money, or a dog of my own. i miss my dog (had him for fifteen years until he was hit by a car) :(

Page 2 of 2