It’s time for the ASPCA-Rachael Ray $100K Challenge!

Click on the logo for more info!

The ASPCA is gearing up for the start of the 2013 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge, where a total of $600,000 in prize grants are up for grabs to help shelters save more homeless cats and dogs.

The ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge is a groundbreaking contest that challenges animal shelters across the country to come up with innovative ways to engage their communities and get more homeless cats and dogs into loving homes.

The 49 contestants will work to save more animals – during the months of June, July and August 2013 – than they did over the same three-month period in 2012. Last year’s competing shelters saved more than 56,000 cats and dogs during the contest, an increase of 14,376 over the same period in 2011. For a full list of participating shelters, visit challenge.aspcapro.org.

Since Dakota and I live in Michigan, we are going to be pulling for the  Friends for the Dearborn Animal Shelter  and will help promote them when we can to help them increase their adoption numbers!

The ASPCA and Rachael Ray will award a $100,000 grand prize to the shelter contestant that achieves the greatest increase in lives saved during this three-month period. The contestant that does the best job of engaging its community members in helping to save more animals will win $25,000. Those organizations that do the best in their divisions will be eligible for between $10,000 and $25,000 in additional grants. In total, $600,000 in grant funding will be awarded for increases in animal lives saved, as well as a photo contest and general participation.

All her life, Rachael Ray has been an advocate for animals and a supporter of animal welfare groups. Her love for animals and for her pit bull, Isaboo, inspired her to create her pet food (which you read about A LOT on Dakota’s blog) called Nutrish® to raise money for animals in need.  Ray donates 100 percent of her proceeds from the sale of Nutrish® to organizations like the ASPCA so they can implement programs like the $100K Challenge and support shelters and animal organizations around the country.

So what are you waiting for? Find a participating shelter in your area that you can support by visiting:  challenge.aspcapro.org. 

Follow all the #100KChallenge action this weekend on Twitter, and best of luck to all the shelters as they embark on this exciting Challenge to save more lives!

Dakota and I wish them all the best of luck!

In full disclosure: Dakota and I were not compensated for this post. We were contacted by the ASPCA and were asked if we would share this info and we are more than happy to do so!

 

 

 

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#MICHIGAN PET ADOPTION EVENT! FIND YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND!

MICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY PARTNERS WITH PETSMART

FOR NATIONAL ADOPTION WEEKEND

Pets available for adoption at three metro-area PetSmart stores

The Michigan Humane Society (MHS) is teaming up with PetSmart for its National Adoption Weekend, being held February 22 through 24 at PetSmart locations across North America.

 

In order to help more animals find loving homes, MHS will hold three major adoption events at PetSmart locations around metro Detroit this weekend, featuring adorable dogs, cats and rabbits!

 

Katie Johnson, MHS Offsite Adoption Manager, holds a feline friend at the adoption center in the Dearborn PetSmart. Photo Courtesy of Michigan Humane

The adoption events will be held at the following locations and times:

 

• Friday, February 22 – Dearborn PetSmart, 5650 Mercury Drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

• Saturday, February 23 – Taylor PetSmart, 23271 Eureka Road, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

• Sunday, February 24 – Rochester Hills PetSmart, 2724 S. Adams Road, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

MHS adoption fees for cats and kittens at its PetSmart partner locations are $65 or two for $95; adoption fees for dogs over 4 months are $200; puppies and lap dogs (20 pounds or less) are $300. Rabbits are $20. All dogs and cats have been spayed or neutered and received age-appropriate vaccinations. All cats have been microchipped at no additional cost.

 

The adoption process mirrors that at MHS’ three adoption centers. Adoptions are on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified families. A listing of pets and further information about the MHS Adoption Package is available at www.michiganhumane.org/adopt. For more information, call 1-866-MHUMANE (648-6263), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or visit www.michiganhumane.org.

The Michigan Humane Society is a private, nonprofit organization which cares for more than 100,000 animals each year, while working to end companion animal homelessness, provide the highest quality service and compassion to the animals entrusted to our care, and to be a leader in promoting humane values.

 

#PuppyLove Dating Show! Presented by the #ASPCA. Help Shelter Pets Find Homes For Valentine’s Day!

Share the Love Valentine’s Day Fundraiser from Pawsitively Pets and the Winner of the Puppy Parcel from Five Wags!!

Wouldn’t you like a special photo of your pet(s) like this, created just for you?

I knew you would say yes!

Well check out

this super adorable and fun

fundraiser being sponsored by

Pawsitively Pets

Click on the Badge to learn more!!!

 

Now…on to the winner of the Puppy Parcel from Five Wags!!! This lucky winner is going to get a TWO MONTH SUBSCRIPTION to the Puppy Parcel!! Thanks to all who entered! Hint: there is ANOTHER give-away coming up on Friday…be sure to visit us!

The lucky winner(s) as chosen by www.random.org are:

Click on their blog name to visit their blog!

 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Donna: please email my Mom your complete mailing address to: cgittleman at mi dot rr dot com

Enjoy your Puppy Parcels!!

Barks and licks and love, Dakota

MICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY AND DETROIT RED WINGS: TEAMING UP TO HELP ‘FILL THE TRUCK’ FOR PETS IN NEED

Former Red Wing greats Kirk Maltby, Ken Kal to ‘assist’ at Dec. 19 pet food drive

Every year, too many struggling pet owners are forced to give up their pets because they can no longer afford to feed them. This holiday season, the Michigan Humane Society (MHS) is teaming up with the Detroit Red Wings for a “Fill the Truck” event to support MHS’ free pet food bank and help keep families together. MHS is asking for the public’s support of this pet food drive to help keep its pet food bank stocked throughout the holiday season and beyond. The “Fill the Truck” event takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the MHS Detroit Center for Animal Care.

 

“Every day, our lobby is full of people who love their pets, but have fallen on hard times and can no longer afford to care for them,” said Debby MacDonald, MHS Chief Cruelty Investigator and MHS Detroit facility manager. “Our free pet food bank program feeds thousands of hungry pets every single year. That’s what MHS’ Keeping Families Together program is all about – helping those most in need in order to keep pets in their loving homes.”

During the event, an empty truck will be parked outside the MHS Detroit Center for Animal Care at 7401 Chrysler Drive. MHS needs the community’s help to fill it up for local pets in need. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., MHS will be joined by former Detroit Red Wing great Kirk Maltby, and the voice of the Red Wings, Ken Kal, to help fill the truck. All members of the public are welcomed and encouraged to drop by with donations of food and to lend their support.

 

Unopened bags of pet food are preferred. If a bag is opened, it can still be accepted as long as the food is in its original manufacturer packaging and includes the expiration date. All dog and cat food donations will support the MHS free pet food bank program. For more information, visit www.michiganhumane.org or call

1-866-MHUMANE, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

 

The Michigan Humane Society is a private, nonprofit organization which cares for more than 100,000 animals each year, while working to end companion animal homelessness, provide the highest quality service and compassion to the animals entrusted to our care, and to be a leader in promoting humane values.

Puppies are not Toys: Take the ASPCA Pledge not to Shop in Stores that Sell Puppies-Enter to win an ASPCA Holiday Gift Pack!

Before I began blogging I knew nothing about Puppy Mills and was one of many others who would walk into a pet store and would begin to “ooooh and ahhhh” over the adorable puppies that would greet me.

I didn’t have a clue.

I knew nothing about where these puppies came from and what they had been through, until one day when I was playing with a darling Shetland Sheepdog puppy named Scarlet whom I had fallen madly in love with. I had fallen so deeply, that my husband and I were set to pay the $900 (YES $900 fee to purchase her), and then…I called the vet.

While excitedly telling him of my incredible “find”,  he asked where I had found this puppy. When I told him she was at a pet store I received an education…AND FAST. In no uncertain terms he told me NOT to purchase this puppy no matter how much I had fallen in love with her because she had more than likely come from a puppy mill. He proceeded to tell me exactly what that meant.

Please share this video with your friends on Facebook and Twitter—and kindly ask them to share it, too. We’re counting on your help to reach millions of people with this important message. For more info please visit www.nopetstorepuppies.com.

As you may know, the holiday season presents a time when many people are buying gifts in pet stores. According to newly released poll, Americans plan to spend more than $2.5 billion on pets over the holidays this year. Unfortunately, 59% of pet gift shoppers would consider shopping at a store that also sells puppies—meaning some of that $2.5 billion in revenue may be supporting the puppy mill industry.  The ASPCA is aiming to reduce this high percentage of potential shoppers by encouraging them not to shop for gifts at stores that sell puppies. As an alternative, shoppers may consider giving gifts that make a difference in the lives of animals in need, such as those from our online store.

When the ASPCA contacted me asking if I would share this video and information I happily agreed. If it will help educate millions of others the way I needed educating myself, I am happy to do so.

For those who may not be familiar with the ASPCA here is information about them from their website: “Founded in 1866, the ASPCA was the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere. Our mission, as stated by founder Henry Bergh, is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.” The ASPCA works to rescue animals from abuse, pass humane laws and share resources with shelters nationwide.”

The ASPCA has kindly offered a Holiday Gift Pack for one of my lucky readers and YES, THIS CONTEST IS OPEN TO EVERYONE, NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE!!!

THE HOLIDAY GIFT PACK CONTAINS:

• Jingle Bell Collars
• Smidge Cat Toy
• Paw Stockings
• ASPCA Holiday Cards
• ASPCA Orange Tote
• Walker’s Shortbread Cookies
• Gift Card to Paperless Post
• ASPCA Orange Wristband

How to win:

1) Please “like” the above post

2) Please share it either on Facebook or Tweet it or share it via email

3) Please visit http://www.nopetstorepuppies.com/ and take the pledge that if a pet store you visit sells puppies, you will NOT purchase anything there!

Leave a comment (with a way of contacting you should you be the lucky winner) and let me know how many of the above steps you have completed. (The more steps you complete the more entries you will have in the contest). All entries must be received by 5pm EST MONDAY, DECEMBER 10th. THE LUCKY WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12! GOOD LUCK!

Also check this out! I am going to try to make it and hope that many of YOU will be there too!!!

Freekibble.com Donating 500,000 Healthy Holiday Meals of Ellen DeGeneres’ HaloPet Food to Pets in Need

 

There are a few things about Ellen DeGeneres that everyone knows:

• She’s hilarious
• She LOVES to dance!
• She is highly philanthropic
• She ADORES animals

When I lost my job in 2007, due to downsizing, if it weren’t for her show I don’t know how I would have made it through. Watching Ellen not only made me get OUT of myself. She made me LAUGH in SPITE of myself!

Ellen enabled me to learn to appreciate what I DO have, instead of focusing on what I don’t, give to OTHERS and by doing so, you will feel GOOD about YOURSELF!

This holiday season, homeless pets across the nation will be looking and feeling their best, thanks to Ellen DeGeneres and a 16-year-old girl named Mimi Ausland.

 

DeGeneres, who co-owns Halo, Purely for Pets, and Ausland, who founded Freekibble.com when she was just 11 years old, are launching their second annual Holiday Kibble Drop.  The initiative will deliver 500,000 meals of all natural Halo Spot’s Stew to pets in need across the country.

The Kibble Drop trucks will make a joint 14 stops throughout this holiday season, making food donations to 69 shelters and rescues, including many along the east coast that were affected by Superstorm Sandy.

At most of the Kibble Drop stops, Halo retailers have generously provided a place where area shelters and rescues can meet the truck and pick up their Freekibble.com donation of Halo’s Spot’s Stew all-natural dog and cat food. [DY1]

The Holiday Kibble Drop provides homeless pets the highest quality food possible. Organizations that feed the pets in their care premium food like Halo say it makes a big difference in their health and well-being and even in their adoptability. In a recent survey of 85 shelter professionals, 71% said that better food quality “definitely helps” dogs and cats to get adopted.

And helping homeless pets find their forever homes is a cause close to co-owner Ellen DeGeneres’ heart. “Pet adoption is something I’m extremely passionate about.  I believe that by working together, we can find good homes for the millions of homeless and abandoned pets out there,” she says.

Providing high quality, nutritious food to shelters and rescues to help increase adoptions is also an important part of the Freekibble.com mission.

Since 2008, Freekibble.com has donated more than 8 million meals to shelters and rescues. Each day, Freekibble.com and Freekibblekat.com feature a new trivia question. Visitors to the sites can answer the questions and right or wrong, earn 10 pieces of kibble for homeless pets.

As Freekibble.com’s official pet food sponsor since 2010, Halo donates the kibble distributed to shelters and rescues throughout the U.S.

“It makes me feel great to know that so many homeless dogs and cats will be getting healthy, nutritious meals over the holidays. I really believe feeding them such a high quality food will make their holidays a bit brighter while they’re waiting for their forever homes,” says Freekibble.com founder, 16-year-old Mimi Ausland.

Three of this year’s Kibble Drop stops are at Pet Supplies Plus stores, which brought the Halo line into its 250 locations in 23 states earlier this year– bolstering its commitment to give our “pet companions with a happier, healthier life.”

 

Kibble Drop Stops:

Chattanooga, TN – McCartney Animal Center

Los Angeles, CA – Orange County Humane Society, Cat House on the Kings

Middletown, NJ – Petco

Naperville, IL (Chicago) – Pet Supplies Plus

Nashville, TN – Nashville Humane

New York, NY – ASPCA-helping those who are in need from Hurricane Sandy

Oceanside, NY (Long Island) – Pet Supplies Plus–helping those who are in need from Hurricane Sandy

Philadelphia, PA – DoggieStyle/Operation Ava–helping those who are in need from Hurricane Sandy.

Portland, OR – Humane Society of Central Oregon

Portland, TN – A Place to Bark

Raleigh, NC  – Phydeaux

St. Clair Shores, MI (Detroit) – Pet Supplies Plus (being a Michigander this makes me sooo happy!)

St. Louis Park, MN (Minneapolis) – Bone Marche

San Francisco, CA – San Francisco Animal Care and Control

 

The Petco Foundation is sponsoring the truck going to New Jersey for disaster relief.  C.H. Robinson is donating a part of the freight costs of the other trucks, and company volunteers will be on hand at many of the stops to help unload food.

“We definitely see a difference in the health and vitality of our dogs when we feed super high quality food like Halo,” says Shannon DeBra of Recycled Doggies in Cincinnati, Ohio, which was a 2011 Kibble Drop recipient. “And when our dogs look healthy, they are definitely more adoptable.”

 

ABOUT HALO, PURELY FOR PETS®
For over 25 years, Halo, Purely for Pets® has created holistic pet products of uncompromising quality. Halo believes nutrition is the single most important factor in the quality of a pet’s life. Halo offers natural pet food, treats, supplements and grooming products – including the award-winning Halo Spot’s Stew, Dream Coat and Liv-a-Littles treats. Ellen DeGeneres – a long time Halo customer – became a part-owner of Halo in 2008. HALO’s natural dog food, natural cat food, treats, supplements and grooming products are available at Pet Supplies Plus, PETCO, Whole Foods Market, your local pet specialty and natural food store, and online at :http://www.halopets.com.

 

ABOUT FREEKIBBLE.COM 
Sixteen-year-old Mimi Ausland created Freekibble.com when she was 11 years old, to help feed the homeless dogs and cats at her local animal shelter.

Freekibble.com and Freekibblekat.com are two of the five most-visited animal rescue web sites in the world, with over 120,000 combined daily visitors. With the help of Freekibble’s 475,000 loyal monthly followers, they have donated 9 million nutritious meals to over 200 shelters, rescues and food-banks across the country. At the end of each month, Mimi personally delivers all the donated food to the Humane Society of Central Oregon and will be working with Halo, Purely For Pets® to distribute the pet food to all the other animal shelters they are assisting. Freekibble is played in 137 countries.

 

In full disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I chose to share this great information that was sent to me!

MAKE HOMELESS ANIMALS’ WISHES COME TRUE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Have a dog AND a cat or know someone who does?

Looking for the purrfect holiday cards?

 Look no more…….they are right here!

Mom is on her way to

order some now!

Barks and licks and love, 

Dakota

Card may be used for either Christmas or Chanukah or whatever you celebrate! Click on photo to order

 

Inside of card

 

Perfect for Christmas! Click on card to order!

 

This holiday season, thousands of homeless dogs, cats and other animals are wishing for just one thing – a loving forever home. Help make their wishes come true by sending holiday cards from the Michigan Humane Society (MHS).  Each box of 15 5”x7” cards and 16 envelopes costs $12.95 plus tax. Purchase your cards online at www.ShopMichiganHumane.org, by phone, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (800) 866-9189, or at one of the three MHS adoption centers: in Detroit at 7401 Chrysler Drive; Rochester Hills at 3600 W. Auburn Road; and Westland at 900 N. Newburgh Road.

 

This year’s holiday card design, illustrated by Bryan Ureel, was generously donated by Flying Fish Studios in Royal Oak, Michigan to help local animals in need.

 

 

 

 

‘PETS, PACKS AND PATRIOTS’ TO HONOR OUR ARMED FORCES THIS VETERANS DAY

Event to feature adoptable animals, donations to our canine active forces

 HOSTED BY:

This election season, it may not seem like there’s much that we all agree on, but there is one thing that brings us all together – our shared respect and admiration for our armed forces. This Veterans Day, Sunday, November 11, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Michigan Humane Society (MHS) will honor that tradition by hosting “Pets, Packs and Patriots” a celebration of our two-legged and four-legged veterans, at Petco in Sterling Heights.

 

“We are forever grateful to the brave men and women who risk their lives to defend our nation,” said Marie Skladd, MHS Director of Community Outreach. “This event is a way for us to say thank you and honor a debt to them that we can never truly repay.”

 

“Snoopy, a 6-year-old Boston Terrier mix, is ready to honor our armed forces this Veterans Day.”

The event, held at the MHS off-site adoption center at Petco Sterling Heights, will showcase pets who are available for adoption through the “Pets for Patriots” program, which connects animals who face adoption challenges with members of our armed forces who are looking for their new best friend. The program provides heavily discounted adoption fees and veterinary care for the life of the pet.

 

Local Cub Scouts will be serving refreshments, and attendees will be able to contribute or purchase items for care packages that will be donated to Desert K9s, an organization that provides supplies and protective gear to military canines deployed overseas. Examples of needed items include collapsible food and water bowls, large Kong-style toys, dry dog biscuits and more.

 

“Without these four-legged soldiers, thousands more of our brave men and women would lose their lives,” said Sandie Smith, Desert K-9s Coordinator.

 

Petco is located at 13701 Lakeside Circle in Sterling Heights. For more information about this event, please visit www.michiganhumane.org or call 1-866-MHUMANE (648-6263), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

The Michigan Humane Society is a private, nonprofit organization which cares for more than 100,000 animals each year, while working to end companion animal homelessness, provide the highest quality service and compassion to the animals entrusted to our care, and to be a leader in promoting humane values.

 

DoSomething.org and AOL Help Shelter Animals Find a Home through the Organization’s First Ever Animal Adoption Campaign, ‘Pics for Pets’

From Dakota’s Den: We love hearing about creative ways that organizations find to help homeless animals. When we sent  information about this venture we couldn’t help but “say cheese!”.How many times do parents complain that their teens spend too much time online? It seems that they post never-ending streams of photos to their friends on Facebook. Now, they can put those “itchy-fingers” and photos to good use by taking pictures to help animals in need. READ ON!

Famed Photographer and

Campaign Spokesperson

Nigel Barker

Teaches Teens

to Find Their Inner Fur-tographers

DoSomething.org and Nigel Barker are launching their first
nationwide animal adoption campaign, ‘Pics for Pets’ aiming to increase adoption
rates in shelters through teens, their cameras and Facebook, while saving some
adorable animals’ lives in the process.

DoSomething.org is putting the bite back in the fight for homeless shelter animals. With the help of campaign spokesperson and world-renowned photographer, Nigel Barker, DoSomething.org is launching their first nationwide animal adoption campaign.  ‘Pics for Pets’ aims to increase adoption rates in shelters through teens, their cameras and Facebook, while saving some adorable animals’ lives in the process.  AOL is also supporting the cause by spreading the word about the campaign to their enormous audience.

 

Every year, approximately 5-7 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide, and approximately 3-4 million are euthanized (50% of dogs and 70% of cats) simply because they are not adopted. One big reason why these animals aren’t adopted is due to sub-par pictures.  All too often, the pictures used to market the potential pets are taken when the animal first arrives at the shelter, disheveled and frightened.  DoSomething.org has set out make a change, arming teens with the skills to provide updated, irresistible pictures of animals to their social networks in hopes of finding new homes for these furry friends.

 

Running through November, ‘Pics for Pets’ is hoping to increase adoption rates across the country, utilizing the internet’s most powerful asset: sharable pictures of cute animals.  Working closely with Facebook, DoSomething.org has created an easy-to-use Facebook app to help teens take and share awesome pics of animals in their community.   Using the app, teens will have everything at their fingertips to locate a shelter, learn how to take beautiful pictures of animals and upload pictures to the gallery in hopes of spreading the word about shelter animals and where to adopt them.  As a companion tool, DoSomething.org will also be releasing Pics for Pets iOS and Android apps for teens who wish to visit their local shelter and become animal photographers using their smartphones.

 

Teens who participate by sharing their pics will have the chance to win a $10,000 scholarship.  DoSomething.org will also be giving up to $10,000 in pet toys, food and bedding to partner shelters depending on how many times their animals profiles are shared on Facebook.

 

“Utilizing something that teens are already experts in (sharing photos on Facebook), we are hoping to show people that their next potential pet can be the cute animal down the street at their local shelter” says Greg Thomas, Campaigns Manager at DoSomething.org. “By joining forces with Nigel Barker and AOL, we have the chance to make a significant increase in the amount of animal adoptions—and all it takes is a few photos.”

 

Nigel Barker cares about saving animals’ lives too, and is lending his expert photo tips to help these teens make a difference. He adds some bite to the bark of DoSomething.org’s animal adoption campaign by starring in a Public Service Announcement (PSA) helping teens to build the perfect photo shoot to get these shelter animals adopted.

 

DoSomething.org and Nigel Barker are launching their first
nationwide animal adoption campaign, ‘Pics for Pets’ aiming to increase adoption
rates in shelters through teens, their cameras and Facebook, while saving some
adorable animals’ lives in the process.

“It’s been a really rewarding experience helping bring awareness to animal adoption, and it hasn’t hurt that I’m working with the most affectionate photo subjects I’ve had yet: animals,” said campaign spokesperson, Nigel Barker. “I’m hoping teens will take my lead and brush up on their photography skills while helping to save a few animals’ lives.”

 

“We know that pets are a topic that resonates with our audience, and we’re thrilled to support worthy initiatives like Pics for Pets,” said Blair Cobb, Senior Director of AOL’s Cause Marketing & Partnership initiatives. “By leveraging our platforms, including AOL.com, AOL Mail and Patch, we are able to create awareness around this campaign and truly help shelters across the country.”

 

To view Nigel Barker’s PSA and get started on ‘Pics for Pets,’ visit Picsforpets.org, download the ‘Pics for Pets’ mobile or Facebook app, or text “PETS” to 38383.

 

 

About DoSomething.org:

We love teens. They are creative, active, wired…and frustrated that our world is so messed up. DoSomething.org harnesses that awesome energy and unleashes it on causes teens care about. Almost every week, we launch a new national campaign. The call to action is always something that has a real impact and doesn’t require money, an adult, or a car. With a goal of 5 million active members by 2015, DoSomething.org is one of the largest organizations in the US for teens and social change. Join us at www.DoSomething.org.

 

About AOL Inc.
AOL Inc. (NYSE:AOL) is a brand company, committed to continuously innovating, growing, and investing in brands and experiences that inform, entertain, and connect the world. The home of a world-class collection of premium brands, AOL creates original content that engages audiences on a local and global scale. We help marketers connect with these audiences through effective and engaging digital advertising solutions.