I left my heart...in Colorado!

It’s hard to believe I’ve been in Oregon for 30 years!

What many people don’t know is that when I left New York City in 1977, with all my worldly belongings in two little duffel bags, I didn’t know where I was going to wind up. I spent some time with friends in Tucson, then hopped a bus heading north. I was ticketed to Montana, but somewhere between Tucson and Denver my ticket was stolen.

So my new destination became Colorado. I landed in Boulder, and immediately fell in love with the Rocky Mountains! I would have loved to make my home there, but for one reason or another I wound up at the Denver Airport, holding a map of the United States in my hands.

“Where should I go?” I asked the ticket agent. She said she heard Oregon was nice, so I chose the biggest city – Portland – and bought a ticket. I flew into town on June 1st, and had no idea I would never leave this city. The Rose Festival was going on, and within a few weeks the Blazers would be the NBA champs. This was a very happy city!

But a large part of my heart has always remained in those Rocky Mountains. With the writing of my books, I would meet many Rocky Mountain animal lovers, too, and would have the privilege of getting to know some of the dedicated people working on behalf of animals in need.

Good Samaritan Pet Center is one such organization. These people help to provide “shelter alternatives” for homeless animals, working with a network of foster parents until permanent forever homes can be found. I had the pleasure of meeting Beth Springer and Carol Vogel several years ago. They are wonderful, committed people, and the animals who find their way to Beth and Carol are fortunate indeed.

If you live in the Denver area and are looking to bring a new animal companion into your life, you might want to contact Good Samaritan www.goodsamaritanpetcenter.org/main.asp. And while you’re there, be sure to look up at the top of those magnificent Rocky Mountains and make a wish….just for me!

Chris