At the age of twelve, Kendra Duncan had already experienced a number of cancer losses in her family.  Then, one cold winter’s night in January of 2005, she was watching the St. Jude Telethon with her aunt, Sheila.  About halfway through the show, Kendra decided she wanted to do something to help the kids.  She sat down, and drew a very simple little dog, and then named him “Trouble”.  Kendra gave “Trouble” a mission, Which is to help kids going through tough times.  With Sheila’s help, Kendra has since designed a plush, huggable “Trouble” dog and created a children’s book that tells “Trouble’s” story of encouragement and hope.  Kendra has given “Trouble” a few slogans to help, such as “Where There’s Trouble, There’s Hope” … “When Trouble Comes, You’re Never Alone” … and so forth.

Children are soothed by “Trouble” for some reason, perhaps because he was designed by a child.  So far, “Trouble” has helped innumerable children with a variety of problems, from serious illnesses to divorce to the loss of a family pet and so on.By the same token, “Trouble” has also helped many adults going through tough times, as it is simply a reminder that someone cares and that there is hope. Sheila recently presented “Trouble” to the congregation at the Wesley Church in Salem, Massachusetts at the suggestion of Reverend Ken Steigler.  The reaction was instant and so gratifying.  It makes all the effort totally worthwhile. And, at the suggestion of a child who received “Trouble” as a Christmas gift, we have sent “Trouble” to Iraq to two soldiers who had lost their mothers just prior to deployment. Our hope is to bring “Trouble” right around the world as a little reminder that “Where there’s Trouble … There’s Hope.”
 
At Kendra’s suggestion, “Trouble” is also utilized as a fundraiser, as long as the funds go toward helping children or animals. We have done a number of book signings, for example, and have donated to Hospices, Churches, Animal Shelters, Centers for Abused Women and their Children, Hospitals and More.  We have also begun a wonderful partnership with the SPCA of Tennessee.  The President, Celina Weissenborn, came up with a great idea called the Chain of Love.  When someone purchases a Trouble product for a child and mentions that they heard about Trouble through the SPCA of Tennessee, we will then donate a portion of those proceeds back to the SPCA of Tennessee to save the life of an animal … people helping children feel better and saving an animal’s life at the same time.  It’s a beautiful concept. We are very grateful to know in our hearts that “Trouble” is truly helping …one smile at a time.