When packing for a trip, never forget your dog

This was Beezer.

She was not happy when her person had to take an overseas trip, so she decided to make her feelings known by climbing into the suitcase when "mom" returned.

Beezer was the beloved dog of Terri Foley. Terri sent me this picture and told me the following story about Beezer:

A friend gave me your book when my beloved Beezer passed. I was having a very hard time accepting her passing. I miss her so, my heart is so empty. We did everything together.

After she passed I felt guilty that I didn't feel the same type of connection with my other dogs as for Beezie. I love them very much, they are spoiled, they are very well taken care of, but it wasn't the same. Then Robbie gave me your book and it has helped me understand that while I will bring other dogs into my life and love and care for them, Beezie is my forever dog.

When Beezer was 11 she was in a terrible car accident. The emergency veterinarian said there was nothing that could be done for her, but this miracle dog had other plans. She not only survived, she lived to the age of 15 – long enough to complete a personal mission that would impact the lives of some people very close to her.

Beezer will always live on in Terri’s heart. As for me…I don’t think I’ll ever look at a suitcase again without seeing beautiful Beezer curled up inside it.

Happy travels, sweetie.

Chris

Interviewed by The Real Dr. Doolittle!

There’s just nothing better than spending time chatting with another animal lover. I had the great fortune of being interviewed on The Real Dr. Doolittle Show with Val Heart…and what a wonderful time we had!

It was fun reminiscing about my journey as a writer, and remembering Martha, my special forever dog, who would inspire me to write For Every Dog An Angel.

We shared stories...and a few tears…but that’s what often happens when animal lovers get together!

So pour some tea, relax in a comfy chair and join Val and me as we talk about the joy of sharing our lives with our animal companions.

Be sure to subscribe to The Real Dr. Doolittle Show with Val Heart, which is now available on iTunes.

Chris Davis

www.lightheartedpress.com

A purrfect home for an FIV positive cat

The stranger cat began showing up last year at the home of my Florida friend, Judy Ditfurth. He was one of the sweetest cats she had ever met…and that’s saying something! Judy, a woman in her mid seventies, has shared her home with cats and dogs all of her life.

When the weather turned cold, Judy brought the visitor into her garage.

“He seemed grateful to be inside,” Judy said. “It was obvious that he had once had a home. Ads in the paper were unsuccessful in finding owners so I thought it best to have my vet check him out. Sadly, the blood work showed we had a cat who was FIV positive. We decided to try and see if a rescue group would take him. The answer was no from every place we called.”

Judy was already sharing her life with her cat Cin, and two English Bulldogs named Toonie and Izzy, who had been brought home last year from the Bulldog Rescue group Judy works with. Each of these critters has ongoing health issues.

And then there’s Bugsy, a cat who is…well, let’s just say she’s a “problem child.”

Bugsy came to Judy in 2008, after making a promise to a terminally ill friend that she would care for the cat. No one could have known how aggressive and unpredictable Bugsy would turn out to be. Both Judy and her veterinarian decided Bugsy could NOT be safely integrated into the rest of the family.

So Bugsy began living – quite contentedly - in a room by herself.

Judy had fallen in love with the stranger kitty, so euthanizing him was out of the question. However, finding a home for an FIV positive cat who would need to be isolated from other cats was going to be very difficult.

And that’s when an idea was suggested – what about expanding Bugsy’s private suite into a room for two?

Which is exactly what happened. It didn’t just happen, it happened effortlessly… as if it was always meant to be. The outside kitty was given the name Thomas, and Bugsy accepted him immediately.

“It's been a couple of months now and so far it has worked,” Judy told me. “They aren't buddies but are very tolerant of each other....and they are both safe and loved.”

What you don’t know is that Judy suffered an unbearable loss on Christmas Eve 2008 – the unexpected passing of her beloved Bulldog, Jeremy. There are no words to express how deeply her heart had been broken. Yet, in the short time since the loss of Jeremy, Judy has provided a haven to three new critters who all needed a forever home.

The world is overflowing with many special people, but I believe that some of them are truly angels…and Judy is one of them.

Chris

Farewell Rex - say hi to Jake!

Once upon a time there was a most magnificent dog named Jake.

But if you’ve visited my website, read my books, or have ever spoken with me for more than 5 minutes, you probably already know about Jake, my beloved forever dog…now an angel dog.

However, this story isn’t about Jake. It’s about Rex – the dog down the road who Jake adored.

You need to understand that Jake didn’t socialize with other dogs. He pretty much ignored all the dogs we met at the park or on our treks through the neighborhood…except for Rex. Rex was allowed to roam free, so he often joined us on our walks. And when Rex showed up, Jake happily let Rex take the lead.

Which is EXACTLY what happened when Jake followed Rex on some wild goose chase through the woods many years ago. It was the ONE and ONLY time Jake ever ran off.

You can probably guess what followed – mobilizing the neighbors, quickly putting up “Lost Dog” signs, driving tearfully through the neighborhood asking if anyone had seen my dear Jake. I even stood at the doors of the local church just as Sunday services were ending, begging the parishioners to please keep their eyes open for my lost dog.

The two canine troublemakers made their way back to Rex’s home several hours later. I drove down to pick Jake up...I never knew a dog could possibly hang his head that low. In retrospect, it was sort of funny – but not at the time!

The day after my dear Jake left this life I gave one of his beds, his food and some toys to Rex’s family. I felt Jake would have wanted that.

Rex left this world a few weeks ago. He was almost 17 years old. As much as I’ll miss seeing that old boy shuffling down the road, I am absolutely certain that he and Jake are together again, hanging out and very likely causing some heavenly trouble.

Have fun, guys!

Chris