tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293147412024-03-05T08:50:31.743-08:00Chris Davis BlogCelebrating the magical connection between people and their animal companionsChristine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.comBlogger262125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-88526827254345969292012-11-04T15:14:00.001-08:002012-11-04T15:14:51.752-08:00A Heartfelt Farewell to Zak
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>My friend, Kim Wagner, got in touch recently and told me about the</strong></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;"> heartbreaking loss of her beloved dog, Zak</span></strong>. When you look at the pictures of this beautiful boy you can see how easy it was to love him!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslqMetyU32uakBmboblpDgi-YiltpX8p9bmrxCeIWmfzg6J8w0qLbZowi4Ul0MFfjWNxtrU82ZPwGhJUCVeGM7GFb1BIOygegdLfxVGvPC4nrbp3N4JjlGLypE8erbP3dxtEw/s1600/Zak+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslqMetyU32uakBmboblpDgi-YiltpX8p9bmrxCeIWmfzg6J8w0qLbZowi4Ul0MFfjWNxtrU82ZPwGhJUCVeGM7GFb1BIOygegdLfxVGvPC4nrbp3N4JjlGLypE8erbP3dxtEw/s320/Zak+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are Kim's words about her precious Zak:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Heaven, St. Louis,
Pittsburgh, and Heaven Again</strong></span></span></u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Zak was definitely our
gift from Heaven. He was found wandering the streets of St. Louis. From St.
Louis he ended up in Pittsburgh in our home. The first time we saw Zak we knew
he was special and we were right. Throughout the years everybody who saw him
always thought he was the most beautiful puppy they had ever seen. Although
when we adopted him he was already six years old</span>.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I ( Zak's Mommy ) am a
childhood diabetic and have suffered various bouts with the disease throughout
the years. When Zak came into our house he immediately knew when something was
wrong and I wasn't feeling well. He would come by my side and not leave until
he knew everything was alright. Zak was my four-legged Angel here on earth with
a heart as big as this world.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>He was special until the
very end. Everyone who met or saw Zak wanted him as their own. We were the
lucky ones, though. God sent him to us. Zak gave us so much joy and love over
the years and he'll always have a special place in our heart and home. Towards
the end our other three dogs could never stop kissing him morning, day, and
night. He has left us now and made his trip back to Heaven where he will be our
Guardian Angel forever until we all meet again. We love you Zak.</em></span></span></div>
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</em></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em> Kim and Bob
Wagner</em></span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #741b47;">Kim, I'm so very sorry about the loss of Zak - I know how special he was to you.</span></strong> May he watch over you from the starry skies until you can be together again.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With love,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chris</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.lightheartedpress.com/">Lighthearted Press</a></span></span><br />
Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-60116748542556479522012-08-29T10:37:00.001-07:002012-08-29T10:37:15.367-07:00The Loss of an Angel
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZlvP7eJWdoKJHH7iuLfVoiEZ78GFE9887CfvFnrtsqfuzic8jWTAfYFZr_gyElXhMafAb_O2J34NskMEPV_ghyphenhyphen1bVi3KpHWAhRPCcnwQ0KedkTsppNQW7sxH0uIGVf5VoJC7/s1600/Pixie's+Angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZlvP7eJWdoKJHH7iuLfVoiEZ78GFE9887CfvFnrtsqfuzic8jWTAfYFZr_gyElXhMafAb_O2J34NskMEPV_ghyphenhyphen1bVi3KpHWAhRPCcnwQ0KedkTsppNQW7sxH0uIGVf5VoJC7/s200/Pixie's+Angel.jpg" width="153" /></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">If
there’s one thing any animal lover understands it’s the feelings of heartbreak
and loss when someone loses a cherished four-legged friend.</span></strong> </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My
friend, Ellen Meade, lost her dog, Pixie’s Angel, last week. Here are her
thoughts about her beloved Pixie.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Pixie's
Angel was truly an angel. She was white with ears shaped like an angel’s wings.
She had one son, JoJo who I helped bring into the world, with her permission of
course. She was the sweetest girl I ever knew and she is now with her sister,
Kiwi, with whom she liked to "hunt" bugs and lizards.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">She
was the sweetness in our home - always ready to curl up in your lap and gift
you with kisses. She was always happy and loved to play in the sunshine.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">She
had just turned 10 years old on June 8th and died August 25 on the eve of
National Dog Day. One of her last gifts to me happened in the early morning
when she rolled over on her belly and allowed me to rub her softly. She was
weak and I knew her time was limited, but she did that for me. Her last gift to
me was to die in my arms, giving me the gift of not watching the needle help
her cross the Rainbow Bridge. She left this world on her own terms and is now
hunting lizards in Heaven.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I
can envision her white body, soaring over the clouds in her new home waiting
for the day we will meet again.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><em><span style="color: black;">Goodbye
my sweet Pixie - my special little girl - I will love you always.</span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Love,</span></span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><em><span style="color: black;">Mommy</span></em></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Watch
over your mommy, Pixie, until you can be together again.</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
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With love,<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">C<span style="color: #990000;">h</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">r</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">i</span>s
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.lightheartedpress.com/"><strong><span style="color: #45818e;">LightheartedPress</span></strong></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Publishing
magical books for animal lovers</span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-57854217556585559882012-07-29T11:56:00.000-07:002012-07-29T12:01:45.976-07:00Need some kitty love?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NGBqRMLTF-LkAoYX_cSjTXdzzctEvKNxjQssAKTPIK1-Ph9n6uEtBLOl2nzqmyfOV27yBQrv7AjCdRhgCMhpJl1bd0nD-HdwflMp6FVWKSP9ym3q74Zs7rrTS6FRXoPzBDsg/s1600/MA+Kitties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NGBqRMLTF-LkAoYX_cSjTXdzzctEvKNxjQssAKTPIK1-Ph9n6uEtBLOl2nzqmyfOV27yBQrv7AjCdRhgCMhpJl1bd0nD-HdwflMp6FVWKSP9ym3q74Zs7rrTS6FRXoPzBDsg/s320/MA+Kitties.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Toad, Willow and Sullivan are looking for a good home.</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">These three kitties are currently with Mary Anne Miller, central Oregon cat lover and all around earth angel.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Mary Anne says the 10 week old littermates are beautiful…and full of spirit. If your heart and home can handle three kitties they can all be yours, or they can go to separate homes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e;">I remember when my cats - Dickens, Pippen, Molly & Star - were only ten weeks old.</span></strong> <span style="color: black;">It was such a delight looking at the world through their kitten eyes and discovering just how magical everything was.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">If you would like to know more about these precious cats you can email Mary Anne at <a href="mailto:mothermary55@comcast.net"><strong>mothermary55@comcast.net</strong></a> or reach her through <span style="color: black;">her website</span> <a href="http://www.feralcatbehavior.com/"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">www.feralcatbehavior.com</span></strong></a>. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Purrs,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;">Chris</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><a href="http://www.lightheartedpress.com/">Lighthearted Press</a></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Publishing magical books for animal lovers</span></div>Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-85686046525140196112012-07-18T13:29:00.000-07:002012-07-18T13:31:13.044-07:00Paw Prints of Love<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">You’ve got to love a woman who tattoos paw prints around her wrist! </span></strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9EeX0aEOLlNCgfMGPzLLuA2oN20o2vww01qigxVFoOy0wF9hGPYNuJqxm-LA3V5bevM4k_RF7t5mfon7ffe_tXAyVxqcq5xFR0URuu3fkap5DyovlNITqtCRHJAzNfxl2YDP/s1600/paw+tattoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9EeX0aEOLlNCgfMGPzLLuA2oN20o2vww01qigxVFoOy0wF9hGPYNuJqxm-LA3V5bevM4k_RF7t5mfon7ffe_tXAyVxqcq5xFR0URuu3fkap5DyovlNITqtCRHJAzNfxl2YDP/s320/paw+tattoo.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">This beautiful wrist belongs to Crystal, the counter employee at the post office who took care of my package this morning. Crystal explained the paw prints are for each of her special critters, and she will be adding a new paw print soon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><span style="color: #741b47;">There is also a new two-legged addition to the family on the way – Crystal is pregnant with her son.</span></strong> The baby will be named Lucas, after one of Michael Vick's dogs. This special dog now resides at <strong><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://news.bestfriends.org/index.cfm?page=news&mode=entry&entry=117B4719-E33F-A098-2269047076B7E983">Best Friends Animal Sanctuary</a></span></strong>, after having been removed from the hell-on-earth existence he and the other dogs endured because of Vick.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYx1nrYOe0pW2kCHFcMX0-3D5jgDbAe-gYgtDI_QX5Z6CL82CzLQxZ0HL0fxRk__eR0t17KvOgTcwRB8HoO5OBMjTvUUn5m7Cit78exe1iKgTJPS_325yK2xvVTuUZAWaV0o8/s1600/Lucas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYx1nrYOe0pW2kCHFcMX0-3D5jgDbAe-gYgtDI_QX5Z6CL82CzLQxZ0HL0fxRk__eR0t17KvOgTcwRB8HoO5OBMjTvUUn5m7Cit78exe1iKgTJPS_325yK2xvVTuUZAWaV0o8/s320/Lucas.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">Crystal has met Lucas at Best Friends</span></strong> – she had the picture on her cell phone to prove it! She makes the journey to Utah twice a year to interact with the animals and staff. Whenever I meet people who've visited the sanctuary they all have one thing in common - the same shining eyes and hopeful voices as they share stories about the animals they met and how their lives have been transformed by these wonderful creatures. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">As I left the post office I could feel Crystal’s love for animals flowing from her heart into my own.</span></strong> It was one of those little unexpected moments that happen in life…the kind that leave you quietly breathless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">X<span style="color: #3d85c6;">O</span>X</span><span style="color: #a64d79;">O</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Chris Davis</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><a href="http://www.lightheartedpress.com/"><span style="color: purple;">Lighthearted Press</span></a></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><em>Publishing magical books for animal lovers</em></span></div>Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-13624301536110222702012-06-13T14:14:00.000-07:002012-06-13T14:14:54.930-07:00Squirrel lessons<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e;">He’s been coming to my yard for several weeks now.</span></strong> I don’t really know for sure that HE is a HE – it just feels that way to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">He crawls under the fence and drags his broken body up the hill. I can tell his eyesight is impaired, but he always finds the sunflower seeds scattered in the yard. He grabs a pawful of the precious morsels, stands up and immediately falls over. Unable to stay in an upright position, he rolls over on his back and enjoys his feast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">When the seeds are gone, he rights himself and crawls around until he finds more goodies. Then the eating routine begins again. </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">This goes on for hours. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">And OH, the delight when he finds a peanut!</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">When his belly is full, he crawls down the hill and heads out of my yard, his tail disappearing under the fence.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Sometimes he doesn't show up for a week, and I wonder if my little friend has gone to squirrel heaven. Then I notice him on his back, in the middle of all the other squirrels, and my heart is overjoyed to see him, again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">He lives a simple life, and despite his challenges seems to find joy and delight in everything he does. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">So many lessons from this special little creature…</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.lightheartedpress.com/"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Lighthearted Press</span></b></a></span></strong><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Publishing magical books for animal lovers</span></div>Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-78722783207552615702012-05-29T14:27:00.000-07:002012-05-29T14:29:53.183-07:00A thoughtful way to comfort a grieving animal lover after a loss<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>When Kim Wagner told me about her magical way of bringing comfort to loved ones who've lost a critter I knew this was something special.</strong></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob & Kim Wagner, along with Abbey, Alfie, Ziggy and Zak</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Can I share this with other animal lovers?" I asked her. Kim said absolutely!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kim has partnered with <a href="http://www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org/">Animal Friends</a> in Pittsburgh, PA. When someone she knows loses a cherished pet, Kim makes a donation to the organization in memory of the lost critter, who is now an angel animal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7;">And what do angels do best?</span></strong> Why, they watch over us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's where the magic comes in. If Kim had made a donation in memory of my dear cat, Pippen, I would have received a card from Animal Friends telling me about the donation and letting me know that Pip was now the Guardian Angel for Betsy, a kitty at the shelter who was awaiting adoption. The card would tell me that Pippen would do a fantastic job of watching over Betsy until she found her forever home.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that would have brought me so much comfort.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><strong>If you love this idea as much as I do you might want to pass it on to other animal lovers and rescue organizations!</strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana;"><strong>C<span style="color: #6aa84f;">h</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">r</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">i</span>s <span style="color: #6aa84f;">D</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">a</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">v</span>i<span style="color: #b45f06;">s</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana;"><strong><a href="http://www.lightheartedpress.com/">Lighthearted Press</a></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Publishing magical books for animal lovers</span>Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-70000718049512530172012-05-17T09:53:00.000-07:002012-05-17T10:10:06.786-07:00Cat blocks door to avoid dental surgery!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My sweet kitty, Star, was scheduled to have several teeth extracted yesterday. I had everything planned so we could easily get out the door for our early morning appointment</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What’s the saying…<strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">PEOPLE MAKE PLANS AND GOD LAUGHS.</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since Star couldn’t have any food, I put her in the bathroom so I could feed her sister. When Molly was done, I went to let Star out but the door would only open about an inch. My little sweetheart had pulled out the bottom vanity drawer, which butts up to the door.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">And there was Star, sitting in the drawer…staring at me.</span></strong> There is not a mean-spirited bone in her body, but for just a second I do believe I saw a smile on her face!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I panicked. I envisioned someone needing to take an axe and hack through the door. I ran into the garage looking for ANYTHING that might help. That’s when I saw the pry bar!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Tl9VPUJp45jm9ww14QtJT2auhKjhJSgSDaAN4aNmsdXWMj4Q1Dl2neP3_ruPTFgQBb1zQ-ca_HWsRzClKBOcKbp9xd9DgHZMKA26VzLpH4Gg5sHnb9PLiLeRaD6-U60N5kbr/s1600/Front+Desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Tl9VPUJp45jm9ww14QtJT2auhKjhJSgSDaAN4aNmsdXWMj4Q1Dl2neP3_ruPTFgQBb1zQ-ca_HWsRzClKBOcKbp9xd9DgHZMKA26VzLpH4Gg5sHnb9PLiLeRaD6-U60N5kbr/s200/Front+Desk.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was just able to get it through the opening, and slowly…VERY slowly…I was able to close the drawer and retrieve my clever kitty. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was really fortunate, because Star (who channels Houdini) routinely opens drawers to the point that they fall off their rollers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Had that happened, I wouldn’t have been so lucky.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tAZUIrnCJl8qNNJbiWoOFMPeAUMEJ4v2wuVELSnw18itU0SX9pwqZvtEutHLJyBuPfytcV0SRxRVt2Wq1jhEHjuiwsfaQ1mp-lbhjrtkTHQLg1EVn_kuCJe6-GT0qn7kM87d/s1600/Main+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tAZUIrnCJl8qNNJbiWoOFMPeAUMEJ4v2wuVELSnw18itU0SX9pwqZvtEutHLJyBuPfytcV0SRxRVt2Wq1jhEHjuiwsfaQ1mp-lbhjrtkTHQLg1EVn_kuCJe6-GT0qn7kM87d/s200/Main+room.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the time I got to <a href="http://www.mttaborvetcare.com/">Mt. Tabor Veterinary Care</a> I was pretty frazzled. When I walked in the door Theresa (right) and Sarah (left) seemed to know how to calm me down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I waited in the beautiful main room while Star had the procedure. Who wouldn’t be at ease in this lovely space? I was given updates several times, which helped with my nervousness.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wSS9gTnUfF0yelhm-ektMhW8uracbaxFDoYnwNYVMDITjO-zS4skGcQjAmjeCOVFp1yAwLwLNKauwWo91whOp3m-caMA2-LkaS5A93bPKBkGoAwN064IT_uoWhFzBlrtWiSp/s1600/Star+and+Krissy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wSS9gTnUfF0yelhm-ektMhW8uracbaxFDoYnwNYVMDITjO-zS4skGcQjAmjeCOVFp1yAwLwLNKauwWo91whOp3m-caMA2-LkaS5A93bPKBkGoAwN064IT_uoWhFzBlrtWiSp/s200/Star+and+Krissy.jpg" width="149" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #38761d;">F</span><span style="color: #38761d;">inally, I was brought back to the wonderful Dr. Krissy Bussman</span></strong>, who was holding my little girl in her arms. I couldn’t believe she was awake…Star, that is, not Dr. Bussman.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I brought Star home later in the day, and she immediately went into the cat enclosure to stalk the chipmunks who were running on the other side of the screen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, all in all, a successful day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the future, I’ll be much more careful about where I confine Star. I’ve also informed her that the tool belt she put on her Christmas list AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Chris Davis </strong></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lightheartedpress.com/">Lighthearted Press</a> </span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Publishing magical books for animal lovers</span></div>
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</div>Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-16135704222235647622012-04-23T08:37:00.002-07:002012-04-23T08:49:41.296-07:00Looked who joined us for dinner!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYqI3KIqOuZFhl2GY2XVcn5tMd7FxcsFqWyNrSid0bmtmVKYUfKlniQi0xTkaelYk9krYo9NZlUVJcDbU0-KLQZzr-zWmiU50skwRxNzzY5Cd3MCecfJj-PC3M0ZzACbsQOlP/s1600/Goose+looking+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYqI3KIqOuZFhl2GY2XVcn5tMd7FxcsFqWyNrSid0bmtmVKYUfKlniQi0xTkaelYk9krYo9NZlUVJcDbU0-KLQZzr-zWmiU50skwRxNzzY5Cd3MCecfJj-PC3M0ZzACbsQOlP/s200/Goose+looking+in.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>It was 82 degrees yesterday – a perfect Earth Day!</strong> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I met a friend for dinner at a riverside restaurant, knowing the views along the water would be lovely.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Did I say lovely? I meant unbelievable!</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There, in the planter box outside the window, was a Canada Goose. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was peering in through the glass, perfectly at ease with the guests in the restaurant and the people out on the deck. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3oM-OPf_95sZMclhYKjPmStFH8_Ts6op78tkg-FWCKqVa75XvL8SKsVKw2CvqSoSB3sXrrHUcVT41zU5C51JBOqtLxWeUR7fuS1CB8RhwUKfxKghQMqguNZtcmPvPFoFhG06/s1600/Goose+eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3oM-OPf_95sZMclhYKjPmStFH8_Ts6op78tkg-FWCKqVa75XvL8SKsVKw2CvqSoSB3sXrrHUcVT41zU5C51JBOqtLxWeUR7fuS1CB8RhwUKfxKghQMqguNZtcmPvPFoFhG06/s200/Goose+eggs.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We both thought the same thing - how cool!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #741b47;">Then the goose stood up and we realized she was sitting on a nest filled with eggs!</span></strong> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also saw the daddy, who floated nearby in the water.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were there for several hours, during which time Mother Goose came and went from her nest a few times. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioihz5jQoIdt3GzgN2qp8bug1DQfbME6bQC9Vs8qwoiz1jaSmnXKseBPNkqvhDbsvVYBHI0GoJdt_SCM67EzqIf8fWEl3R66rbvLKyU0RZIHabXvQwx1lKHs35KsiFtpM3EOCh/s1600/Goose+Sleeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioihz5jQoIdt3GzgN2qp8bug1DQfbME6bQC9Vs8qwoiz1jaSmnXKseBPNkqvhDbsvVYBHI0GoJdt_SCM67EzqIf8fWEl3R66rbvLKyU0RZIHabXvQwx1lKHs35KsiFtpM3EOCh/s200/Goose+Sleeping.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Papa Goose stood watch, honking at anything that might have been a threat to the kids.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">The sun set, and Mama’s day was finally done.</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She stuck her graceful head into her feathers and went off to dreamland.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So very special!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>C<span style="color: #b45f06;">h</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">r</span><span style="color: red;">i</span><span style="color: #38761d;">s</span> D<span style="color: #0b5394;">a</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">v</span>i<span style="color: #0b5394;">s</span> </strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lightheartedpress.com/">Lighthearted Press</a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Publishing magical books for animal lovers</em></span></div>
</div>Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-88373425505384108402012-03-30T09:55:00.025-07:002012-03-30T10:59:56.959-07:00The Animal Abuse Awareness Campaign and NASCAR – it’s all about Lily<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievRY-q8gAreBmV8K3wSyfybc1SRXk6izKrlcb0xDGg-8WarG8hAbVPL8NkuKlwb86b53xmMv3cE5lGgCwil9WuCnmoHcOtb73EB78rIGo2Ww-R6ZvEdN8eFuhTfT4CjBhc59L/s1600/Lily.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 170px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725741749321131394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievRY-q8gAreBmV8K3wSyfybc1SRXk6izKrlcb0xDGg-8WarG8hAbVPL8NkuKlwb86b53xmMv3cE5lGgCwil9WuCnmoHcOtb73EB78rIGo2Ww-R6ZvEdN8eFuhTfT4CjBhc59L/s200/Lily.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#339999;"><strong>Lily was a 6 lb. Chihuahua who made her home with Barbara Hitchman in a 55 and over gated community in Menifee CA.
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;">Lily got loose from her home on January 26, 2012. Their neighbor, Larry Edward Jaurequi, came out of his home with a golf club and approached the dog, said authorities. </span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">
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<br /><span style="color:#666600;"><span style="color:#000000;">According to</span><strong> </strong><a href="http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/menifee/menifee-accused-dog-killer-pleads-not-guilty/article_1ab88e51-9794-5df2-b6c6-e2562a8657b9.html"><strong>The Californian</strong></a><strong>:</strong></span>
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><em><span style="color:#000000;">"Without reason or cause, the male swung the club against the Chihuahua as if driving a golf ball off its tee," Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Sergio Rodriguez stated in a January news release.</span> "The force of the swing sent the animal flying through the air. The suspect was preparing for a second swing when he was stopped by people that just witnessed the attack."</em></span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="color:#666600;">Hitchman rushed Lily to a veterinary clinic, where the dog died. The dog's injuries included a lacerated liver, brain damage and a fractured leg.</span></strong></span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;">Mr. Jaurequi was charged with three felony counts and pleaded not guilty to all counts at his arraignment on March 19th. Another court appearance /hearing is set for April 16, 2012 at the Riverside Hall of Justice, Riverside, CA.</span></span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;">A memorial vigil for Lily will be held on Sunday, April 15, 2012, at 3:00p.m. at the Menifee Dog Park located at the corner of Menifee Rd. & Aldergate Drive, Menifee, CA.</span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">
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<br /><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#336666;">My dear friend, Kathleen Otto…a passionate animal lover…lives in Sacramento and was following this tragic story.</span></strong> She and her husband, Jack Sellers – of Jack Sellers Racing - wanted to bring awareness not only to the horrific death of little Lily, but to the plight of the thousands of animals each year who are injured or killed by their abusers.</span>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdNWFBQJMsd2vRCEkvl3ZWe2fx__NxwpUSUYI1_wswrTGLKfeDprhUv7iwlSJA4vY0uieHBApitZRJGumCIIpSJgGCUU2QEc10JoDDNrIrerp0WnZK1HPuo7fkmQpqdayNieZ/s1600/Lily+Hood+Logo_2+%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 148px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725741932647228946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdNWFBQJMsd2vRCEkvl3ZWe2fx__NxwpUSUYI1_wswrTGLKfeDprhUv7iwlSJA4vY0uieHBApitZRJGumCIIpSJgGCUU2QEc10JoDDNrIrerp0WnZK1HPuo7fkmQpqdayNieZ/s200/Lily+Hood+Logo_2+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#000000;">Jack Sellers Racing will be presenting <strong><span style="color:#666600;">“The Animal Abuse Awareness Campaign”</span></strong> at the NASCAR K & N Pro Series race at Havasu 95 Speedway, Lake Havasu City, AZ on Saturday, April 14, 2012.
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<br />The hood of the #15 car, driven by Jack Sellers, will feature Lily’s photo and include the words “Stop Animal Cruelty, Protect The Innocent, Be Their Voice.”
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#339999;">What can you do to help? Here’s what Jack and Kathleen have to say:
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<br /><span style="color:#000000;"><em>“We, at Jack Sellers Racing, are urging everyone to speak up against animal cruelty. YOU can make a difference. Show up at arraignments and hearings for animal abusers in your community (you may not be allowed in the courtroom, but you can show up at the court). Let the judge and the district attorney know that you support the maximum sentence in these cases. </em></span>
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<br /><span style="color:#000000;"><em>If you want to show your support and are unable to attend the arraignment and hearings, write a letter to the presiding judge and the district attorney handling the case. Let them know you support a felony conviction with a tough sentence and let them know why. You CAN help be the voice for these innocent victims of animal abuse."
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#666600;">If you would like to be “Lily’s Voice” please write immediately to: </span></strong></span><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#666600;">
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLglft513rw1haQsOAn3QlTy0F-ELTFXJK4cKxORUQrzWWn2qlPc1QsCzLT0thyphenhyphenrvDlvXBnsQHoOvZETmJKq3jD5y3o2x0UWf3XAPQSuu2IXNnChfpupYmaROb4CaHBZD64HA/s1600/Lily+2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 154px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725741999579072194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLglft513rw1haQsOAn3QlTy0F-ELTFXJK4cKxORUQrzWWn2qlPc1QsCzLT0thyphenhyphenrvDlvXBnsQHoOvZETmJKq3jD5y3o2x0UWf3XAPQSuu2IXNnChfpupYmaROb4CaHBZD64HA/s200/Lily+2.jpg" /></a></span></strong><span style="color:#000000;">Judge Helios Hernandez
<br />Riverside County Superior Court
<br />4100 Main Street
<br />Riverside, CA 92501
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<br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">Please reference Lily’s Case Number: RIF 1201384. Let Judge Hernandez know that you are against a plea bargain in this case and that you support a felony conviction and harsh sentence for this heinous crime against Lily.
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;">You can also contact Paul E. Zellerbach, the Riverside County District Attorney, about this case. Correspondence sent to the DA should reference Case Number DA 291728. Emails can be sent in care of his executive assistant, Laura Topping, to </span></span></span><a href="mailto:lauratopping@rivcoda.org"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#336666;"><strong>lauratopping@rivcoda.org</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;">. </span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">
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<br />Letters can be mailed to:
<br />District Attorney Paul E. Zellerbach
<br />3960 Orange Street, 3rd Floor
<br />Riverside, CA 92501 </span>
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">All letters and emails must be received before the hearing date of 4/16/12.
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<br />Thank you for helping to obtain justice for Lily!</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#6600cc;"><strong>C<span style="color:#33cc00;">h</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">r</span><span style="color:#3333ff;">i</span>s <span style="color:#009900;">D</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">a</span><span style="color:#339999;">v</span>i<span style="color:#993300;">s</span></strong></span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#6600cc;"><strong><a href="http://www.lightheartedpress.com/">Lighthearted Press</a></strong></span>
<br />Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-55871011223723081622012-03-28T14:37:00.006-07:002012-03-28T14:43:50.887-07:00A Furry Farewell for Mom<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHabpjBRXZ1w6LvTCTUoKdPxspBdPOjntdu_eEYgJ0scaIJfDZk6PyL6nNhSmn_h3P_UKZ_vo60kwrD1T2E4Fc8U-o4UT1VHTZWaMgdoao9JQ_P-Yqy-AMuXJWctItapGvQMDV/s1600/Lucas.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 180px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 189px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454039355538697234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHabpjBRXZ1w6LvTCTUoKdPxspBdPOjntdu_eEYgJ0scaIJfDZk6PyL6nNhSmn_h3P_UKZ_vo60kwrD1T2E4Fc8U-o4UT1VHTZWaMgdoao9JQ_P-Yqy-AMuXJWctItapGvQMDV/s200/Lucas.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#336666;"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">I originally posted this blog in 2007, a year after I had lost my mother to Alzheimer's disease. </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">As the years go by, I find myself missing mom more and more. So, this is for you, mom - and for Lucas, the cat who guided you home. </span></strong>
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<br /></span><em><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">Dear friends,</span>
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<br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">For nearly a year I have been holding the following story close to my heart. On March 29, 2006, I lost my beloved mom to</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Alzheimer’s disease. </span></span>
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<br /></em><em><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Mom was never much of an animal lover, although she did watch over the many dogs who shared our home when I was growing up. She didn’t care for cats at all, which makes this story even more precious to me.
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<br /></em><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">A Furry Farewell for Mom</span></strong>
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<br />“<em><strong><span style="color:#666600;">You need to come quickly</span></strong></em>,” <span style="color:#000000;">the hospice nurse said</span>. “<span style="color:#666600;"><em><strong>I believe your mother is actively dying</strong></em>.</span>”
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<br /><span style="color:#000000;">I knew this call would eventually come, but I still dreaded hearing the voice on the other end of the phone. So the Alzheimer’s disease that had ravaged my mother’s mind and body was finally coming to an end. A lifetime of memories filled my heart as I drove to the nursing home. I ran to my mother’s room, but my sister’s tears told me that mom was gone. Sprawled out next to mom was a large, striped cat named Lucas.</span>
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">“<em><span style="color:#000000;">Chris</span></em>,” <span style="color:#000000;">my sister, Aeylin, said,</span> “<em><span style="color:#000000;">you would have been proud of this cat – he was here the whole time</span></em>.” </span>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGzLHPlSvCJFNfJ3kpYxOqD8dLfKieDW3pSm7H-nnaWjNsWO3E6qvsa1knQ5WYOV7OwHx0dvRND_U-uMMf6x5oZ7H2Yy0UY1lAvj3Xkb_7I2hrjfqe9fEvxD9ObNfrybpe1wO/s1600/Mom.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 151px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725061083046341938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGzLHPlSvCJFNfJ3kpYxOqD8dLfKieDW3pSm7H-nnaWjNsWO3E6qvsa1knQ5WYOV7OwHx0dvRND_U-uMMf6x5oZ7H2Yy0UY1lAvj3Xkb_7I2hrjfqe9fEvxD9ObNfrybpe1wO/s200/Mom.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#333399;">In the many years I’d been going to the nursing home I had never seen Lucas</span></strong>. The day before I’d gone to visit mom, and stretched out next to her was a large, unfamiliar cat. One of the caregivers told me the cat’s name was Lucas, and went on to say that Lucas comes to be with certain residents when he knows they are near the end of their life. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;">I watched him curled up next to mom, who was completely unresponsive and had no interaction with him. </span></span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;">Anyone who understands them knows you can’t keep a cat someplace it doesn’t want to be. Lucas was there because he chose to be there.</span>
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<br /></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">When I got the phone call the following morning and came to say goodbye to mom, I wasn’t surprised to see Lucas there. My sister said she’d been holding mom's hand, and had noticed a change in mom’s breathing. Then the cat had gotten up and nudged my mother's hand, which alerted her that something was wrong. The nurse confirmed that mom was gone, something Lucas apparently knew the moment it had happened.
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#336666;">When I came back the next day to pack up mom’s things</span></strong>, Lucas was asleep on mom’s empty bed. The staff told me he had alternated between walking around crying and sleeping on the bed that had held my mother.
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">As the author of </span><a href="http://www.lightheartedpress.com/books/catbook.htm"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">For Every Cat An Angel</span></strong> </span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">and <strong><span style="color:#6666cc;"><a href="http://www.lightheartedpress.com/books/dogbook.htm">For Every Dog An Angel</a></span></strong>, two books for grieving animal lovers, I know in my heart that all critters have a guardian angel that watches over them. Now I had been privileged to watch one of these precious creatures BECOME an angel to my own dear mother, who had always been afraid of dying. I knew Lucas had come to guide her home.
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#663366;">Losing my mom has been very painful.</span></strong> I am flooded with memories of all the cupcakes she baked – with no advance notice – for some school activity or event. I am remembering all the doll clothes she sewed, all the dance recitals she attended and, yes, all the furniture she antiqued! </span></span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">But it is a comfort knowing that when mom was finally done with her body, and was ready to go on to the next great adventure, it was with her two loving daughters...and one very special cat...by her side. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">Miss you, mom.
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">C<span style="color:#6600cc;">h</span><span style="color:#339999;">r</span><span style="color:#663366;">i</span>s
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<br />Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-25489250809542091152012-03-25T09:42:00.015-07:002012-03-25T10:15:33.932-07:00Cat and Squirrel<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#666600;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZA-E63iRaDLTou5gcUjJ-TfSfWLyzML2Mu4oS_iP-Y_S0XzU_rPBYK4U2ETyrITneT5NPEhQLxpIJWb3tKzSs5j7vnEiLre240S_chI6-X2qx9IibosW3kOhW_1tgNNQJAGc/s1600/Squirrel+and+cat+one.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 132px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 158px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723876320615341314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZA-E63iRaDLTou5gcUjJ-TfSfWLyzML2Mu4oS_iP-Y_S0XzU_rPBYK4U2ETyrITneT5NPEhQLxpIJWb3tKzSs5j7vnEiLre240S_chI6-X2qx9IibosW3kOhW_1tgNNQJAGc/s200/Squirrel+and+cat+one.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#996633;"><span style="color:#666600;">It was one of those special moments.</span> </span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">I happened to glance out the door just when a squirrel was trying to make friends with the cat statue on my deck. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">This beautiful sculpture was sent to me by my dear friend, Judy, after the loss of my black cat, Sammy.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CU2vnB7jwpxWGZFsGPHzcTIJpce6wHDP0K3zviuNSQ1TaO0LiZn1pjKpDMcqxI7XizchkLxa5L2KvQSePPIvAIMejLNI7ZJTtSIUf8G-RPH2pzJ-0UtBldu6Jhi1HqUxeqFs/s1600/squirrel+and+cat+two.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 145px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 112px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723876720526955426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CU2vnB7jwpxWGZFsGPHzcTIJpce6wHDP0K3zviuNSQ1TaO0LiZn1pjKpDMcqxI7XizchkLxa5L2KvQSePPIvAIMejLNI7ZJTtSIUf8G-RPH2pzJ-0UtBldu6Jhi1HqUxeqFs/s200/squirrel+and+cat+two.jpg" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#336666;"><strong>I ran to grab my camera and caught these cute photos through the window. </strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#336666;"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">It's hard to see, but the squirrel is actually licking the cat. Maybe that's how squirrels make friends!</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT4ssomRLRllIR2ZNDqnpzFSjZDItrB5LwA8psMlD-0FvUGZta_NplxwJ8mSTWb3uBArHLgOD-_aPLeBUvBkPIHvbgzoP4QKF03BuQgCdPiNYYwe39rWHo_Oyhj9yjfj6zb2s/s1600/squirrel+and+cat+last.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 158px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723876873753383154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT4ssomRLRllIR2ZNDqnpzFSjZDItrB5LwA8psMlD-0FvUGZta_NplxwJ8mSTWb3uBArHLgOD-_aPLeBUvBkPIHvbgzoP4QKF03BuQgCdPiNYYwe39rWHo_Oyhj9yjfj6zb2s/s200/squirrel+and+cat+last.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">I know exactly what the squirrel is thinking here.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#339999;"><strong>"Darn, the jig is up. Hope this doesn't wind up on Facebook!"</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It's interesting that the statue has been out there for many months, but this is the first time I've seen a critter pay any attention to it.<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I think Sammy is enjoying this from up above!</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="color:#000000;"></span><strong>C<span style="color:#3333ff;">h</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">r</span><span style="color:#33cc00;">i</span>s</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"><a href="http://www.lightheartedpress.com/">Lighthearted Press</a></span></strong><br /><em>Publishing magical books for animal lovers </em></span>Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-19627651518932443772012-03-06T15:44:00.011-08:002012-03-06T16:03:14.965-08:00Helping black cats find their forever homes<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiaOSg7nx1sZEA6S4QbDRzTuHLC1qgtM504NZyK1YXflRTaAwgseO8dM4-8k5l4UjMOazTCsrh7QiukbUX_sS8utStx6dcmMCyIowBJF5qnkYyLHNwt8oVr7Xw9Lwhu0ZB1ph/s1600/MA+kitty.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 189px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 110px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716937723699118338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiaOSg7nx1sZEA6S4QbDRzTuHLC1qgtM504NZyK1YXflRTaAwgseO8dM4-8k5l4UjMOazTCsrh7QiukbUX_sS8utStx6dcmMCyIowBJF5qnkYyLHNwt8oVr7Xw9Lwhu0ZB1ph/s200/MA+kitty.jpg" /></a>It’s a sad truth – black cats are often passed by when it comes to adoption.
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<br />Those beautiful ebony faces and sleek black bodies just aren’t as eye-catching as the more brightly colored felines in the shelter.
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<br />Mary Anne Miller, long-time kitty lover and advocate for cats in need, understands this fact all too well. She’s devoted much of her life to taking care of high-risk strays and at-risk bottle babies, nursing them back to health and helping them find loving homes.
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#336666;">Mary Anne noticed that black cats were being passed over by potential adopters</span></strong>. “Don’t you have any other colors?” people kept asking her. So she decided to play “dress-up” and started putting the cats in small-size doggy clothes.
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<br />“I tried to go with vibrant colors and prints to offset the royal blackness being photographed. People were amazed that feral cats and kittens would tolerate dress-up.”
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#663366;">As soon as people saw photos of the black cats in their colorful attire the lucky kitties started flying out the door!</span></strong> One lady, who adopted not one but TWO black kittens, told Mary Anne that she had never considered bringing black cats into her home.
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<br />Mary Anne says the clothing is only used for photo ops. Once the photo is taken, those clothes never go back on the cat. She also tells adopters that dressing up kitty (other than for Halloween or Christmas) should not be attempted.
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#666600;">If other rescue organizations are interested in using Mary Anne’s techniques she offers this advice:</span></strong></span></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#666600;"></span></strong></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#666600;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhME_4cMSg-11ioNX2WsifcInNUh7Dtp3R6HfaOLoMJwIIvXgUj__4YNOWi-RKsYq5wCWt7GNTIO4Cpncx7BxNWgZwhV1bD8F6MRAXB9Brst7HgDUQJJXVeNRdTJjSNOEd04PFW/s1600/Star+in+birdhouse+1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 168px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 231px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716936714034228226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhME_4cMSg-11ioNX2WsifcInNUh7Dtp3R6HfaOLoMJwIIvXgUj__4YNOWi-RKsYq5wCWt7GNTIO4Cpncx7BxNWgZwhV1bD8F6MRAXB9Brst7HgDUQJJXVeNRdTJjSNOEd04PFW/s200/Star+in+birdhouse+1.jpg" /></a></span></strong>“It isn’t a matter of just putting the clothes on and taking the photo - you have to work with the cat and use food as a bribe to get them to accept the clothing. I used mealtimes as my measure. Once they were able to eat their entire meal without backpedaling away from me in their new threads, I knew that they would stay still for a photograph.”
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<br />I ADORE black cats, like my sweetie-pie, Star, lounging in her cat enclosure. I can’t imagine not having this magical kitty in my life. I’m grateful for cat lovers like Mary Anne Miller, who devote their lives to bringing forever cats and their forever families together.
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<br />You can learn more about Mary Anne by visiting <a href="http://www.felinexpress.com/"><strong>Feline Express</strong></a> and <strong><a href="http://www.kitten-rescue.com/"><span style="color:#336666;">Kitten Rescue.</span></a></strong> She is also in the process of forming a non-profit organization called CATS – <strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">C</span></strong>aring <strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">A</span></strong>bout <strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">T</span></strong>he <strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">S</span></strong>trays.</span></span>
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<br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#6600cc;"><strong>P<span style="color:#339999;">u</span><span style="color:#990000;">r</span><span style="color:#33cc00;">r</span><span style="color:#cc6600;">s</span>,
<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">Chris Davis
<br /></span><a href="http://www.lightheartedpress.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>Lighthearted Press</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>
<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">Publishing magical books for animal lovers</span>
<br />Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-22641765622244653972012-03-04T11:39:00.018-08:002012-03-04T12:06:41.452-08:00Gone to the dogs!<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#663366;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSw-8jPkmspS-JsZkaxtO5MR5tPD3A4U1qY5vStRZmuUQePkMhprRtE5oplkUOYNFJrCLEImnI4frpRvUhsEwGXTpN5BzQ9qSZrkYhBsVf0JhSFo48VNtaH4_fKEGTlW1IOnZJ/s1600/Chris+and+Bell.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 160px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716132577472014722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSw-8jPkmspS-JsZkaxtO5MR5tPD3A4U1qY5vStRZmuUQePkMhprRtE5oplkUOYNFJrCLEImnI4frpRvUhsEwGXTpN5BzQ9qSZrkYhBsVf0JhSFo48VNtaH4_fKEGTlW1IOnZJ/s200/Chris+and+Bell.jpg" /></a>What a joy – spending time with two oh-so-sweet pups at a doggie outreach event!</strong> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">The pups, Bell and Patch, came from the Multnomah County Animal Shelter - the same shelter where I adopted my dog, Jake, back in 1995. </span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">Or was it Jake who adopted me?</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">He and I spent many fabulous years together before I lost him in 2006. Although my life has been happily devoted to my kitties since then, I still miss having a pooch by my side.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#336666;"></span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#336666;">Being around Bell reminded me of meeting Jake for the first time</span></strong>. She couldn’t wait to run up to each visitor and kiss them, sit in their laps, roll over and wag her entire butt on the floor! Everyone fell in love with her…which was easy to do.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJBywW466vDy14IJJJF2twoebXicdqP79aChJpL0x28Sio5yv45n5QR4-YgCmJq2sJLnyp2hKmVSvdz7b4LfBXT6O1li4oQjnvVzluVkQohlJCjh_LAtPnksQMyyhRSCBXhBj/s1600/Patch.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 167px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 217px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716132672244586162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJBywW466vDy14IJJJF2twoebXicdqP79aChJpL0x28Sio5yv45n5QR4-YgCmJq2sJLnyp2hKmVSvdz7b4LfBXT6O1li4oQjnvVzluVkQohlJCjh_LAtPnksQMyyhRSCBXhBj/s200/Patch.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="color:#666600;">And then there's Patch, a precious 3 lb. Chihuahua who has two traits I admire</span></strong> –<span style="font-family:verdana;"> the ability to love easily, and the ability to pop off to sleep when it’s time for a quick power nap! Fetching in her little pink sweater, I suspect this sweetie-pie will be adopted very soon. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">This fun evening reminded me of all the magical dogs who shared their drooly love and joyful spirits with me throughout my life, leaving their paw prints forever in my heart. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">Somewhere down the road I know another pup will find me. Until then, I hope I’ll get to have more “doggie fixes” with critters as sweet as Bell and Patch.<br /><br />If you’re interested in learning more about these pups, or the other animals up for adoption at the shelter, be sure to visit the <a href="http://www.multcopets.org/"><strong>Multnomah County Animal Services website</strong></a><strong>. </strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><strong><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">C<span style="color:#339999;">h</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">r</span><span style="color:#33cc00;">i</span><span style="color:#ff6600;">s</span> <span style="color:#339999;">D</span><span style="color:#ff6600;">a</span><span style="color:#3333ff;">v</span>i<span style="color:#00cccc;">s</span><br /></span></strong></span><a href="http://lightheartedpress.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#336666;"><strong>Lighthearted Press</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#336666;"><strong><br /></strong></span><span style="color:#000000;">Publishing magical books for animal lovers</span></span>Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-76764615166914584572012-03-01T09:21:00.018-08:002012-03-01T09:48:34.208-08:00Paw prints in the snow<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-nhaPGQJpdD1my7roTtBzz7MXAIqLq42NicLV_cS0oHcryuQENh3fPiB8UHVEOu0J2UYg2DcfyE8sWLDV4UyHPKNJW6jdti5crDLOorwG2DrxPlfs4fE9foBqn9_gm_lhevF/s1600/Big+and+little+paw+prints.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 220px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714985133641205010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-nhaPGQJpdD1my7roTtBzz7MXAIqLq42NicLV_cS0oHcryuQENh3fPiB8UHVEOu0J2UYg2DcfyE8sWLDV4UyHPKNJW6jdti5crDLOorwG2DrxPlfs4fE9foBqn9_gm_lhevF/s200/Big+and+little+paw+prints.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#336666;">This morning’s snow was unexpected</span></strong>. After all, it IS the first day of March.<br /><br />The snowfall was light, so I didn’t have to worry about the outside critters being caught in a blizzard, or concern myself with being stranded on the hillside.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">This snow would be gone in a few hours.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#666600;">Which left me free to appreciate one of the dearest gifts that often comes with snow - seeing paw prints on the deck. </span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMelzLu-vRH2J_oUWBdS-mrKioaDt4SAa6zva2s1eia3Az3sZG_e8TeGnhXC74Ek7aFdIgOiRWf_f3LfCvTSOoVVckpfSFD7a94eoTom3z6tAwg3PbiqDXF0kQTsHIpGtGTRXo/s1600/Pawprints+on+the+deck.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 230px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714985607584909122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMelzLu-vRH2J_oUWBdS-mrKioaDt4SAa6zva2s1eia3Az3sZG_e8TeGnhXC74Ek7aFdIgOiRWf_f3LfCvTSOoVVckpfSFD7a94eoTom3z6tAwg3PbiqDXF0kQTsHIpGtGTRXo/s200/Pawprints+on+the+deck.jpg" /></a>I’m always a bit awed by a paw print - as if I’m in the presence of something sacred. Like many animal lovers, my kinship with the natural world is lifelong and deep. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">Knowing creatures have been out in the night is comforting to me...a reassurance that the timeless connection I feel with them can never be broken.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#336666;">It’s as if they want me to know they’re watching over me, and that all is as it should be.<br /><br /></span></strong>And that brings me peace.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">C<span style="color:#009900;">h</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">r</span><span style="color:#00cccc;">i</span><span style="color:#ff6600;">s</span> <span style="color:#009900;">D</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">a</span><span style="color:#339999;">v</span>i</span><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">s</span><br /></span></strong></span><a href="http://lightheartedpress.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#6600cc;"><strong>Lighthearted Press</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><br />Publishing magical books for animal lovers</span>Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-20626983695285672242012-02-20T13:33:00.000-08:002012-02-20T13:56:02.486-08:00Seeing Sammy Again<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSfyVY1Jf8_UijQ2_DO-XEDb3nGTyvZch9ZhabNfOWB2rhYDncNrXGOo28HtsNxGWHtw0KevT3bpt_KZ61shkPkZ0V6h-H1QkTGgof3FXm0JYNPIX9HlPB-SnZqRt4uSuGRDC/s1600/Happy+Sammy+cropped+for+FB.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 191px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 137px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711337840864922098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSfyVY1Jf8_UijQ2_DO-XEDb3nGTyvZch9ZhabNfOWB2rhYDncNrXGOo28HtsNxGWHtw0KevT3bpt_KZ61shkPkZ0V6h-H1QkTGgof3FXm0JYNPIX9HlPB-SnZqRt4uSuGRDC/s200/Happy+Sammy+cropped+for+FB.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">He was on the deck, in the middle of the night!!
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">I had come downstairs at 3:00 this morning, after having been up for hours with a touch of food poisoning. </span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;">The cats were ecstatic – EARLY BREAKFAST!!</span> I put out their bowls, then strolled by the deck door to check for Sammy. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">As some people know, Sammy was the outside cat I fed on the deck for 8 years. I was never able to get near him, but I provided a house, food and flea meds, which helped make his life easier.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#336666;">He'd beaten the odds many times.</span></strong> Five months ago my beloved boy vanished, presumably lost to a coyote that had come through the woods that day.
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<br />But I NEVER stopped looking for him. </span>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCOjIUL5tt30uu9wsgUY2KiH7GAPnOtcysF1QDRZQygt3291O5nJGo36n-3D_zPm7RyJfLkYLrHr-iYFT96UDN-kWwMon3JLpm_rcJ98343-Sle8lrUCyjrkeC6JvEcLJjGzh/s1600/Sammy+in+snow+for+newsletter.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 198px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711338018631363970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCOjIUL5tt30uu9wsgUY2KiH7GAPnOtcysF1QDRZQygt3291O5nJGo36n-3D_zPm7RyJfLkYLrHr-iYFT96UDN-kWwMon3JLpm_rcJ98343-Sle8lrUCyjrkeC6JvEcLJjGzh/s200/Sammy+in+snow+for+newsletter.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="color:#666600;">And at 3:00 this morning…there he was!!
<br /></span></strong>
<br />My heart stopped – SAMMY! He was actually sleeping in the house!! I knocked on the door and he lifted up his head, so I knew he was ok! Tears streamed down my face as I ran into the kitchen to get his special food. As soon as I had fed him I’d call my friend, Judy, who knew that if he ever showed up again she’d get a call from me no matter what time it was.
<br />
<br />The can opener turned and I took off the lid. Odd…the label was correct, but I could tell the food didn’t look quite right.
<br />
<br /><strong><span style="color:#336666;">Then I noticed that the can opener was sitting on the table, and not on the counter. </span></strong>
<br />
<br />Then I saw that the living room furniture was sitting in the kitchen.
<br />
<br />And then I knew the heartbreaking truth – this was a dream!
<br />
<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">I didn’t know I had gone back to sleep.</span></strong> I shot up in bed, and the realization that this was just a dream – that Sammy was NOT waiting for me on the deck – tore me to pieces. To have that joy ripped away was gut-wrenching. It had felt so real…so unbelievably real. </span>
<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">I sobbed buckets of tears...and then I finally stopped crying for him.</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">But I will never...ever...stop looking for him.</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#6600cc;"><strong>C<span style="color:#33cc00;">h</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">r</span><span style="color:#00cccc;">i</span>s <span style="color:#cc0000;"><span style="color:#009900;">D</span>a<span style="color:#6600cc;">v</span><span style="color:#009900;">i</span>s</span>
<br /></strong></span><a href="http://lightheartedpress.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>Lighthearted Press</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>
<br /></strong><span style="color:#000000;">Publishing magical books for animal lovers</span></span>
<br />Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-51464292046792769002012-02-17T13:09:00.000-08:002012-02-18T05:25:30.339-08:00Are cats REALLY less affectionate than dogs?<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 191px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 126px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710217947094992210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BsRRR7Nq8Un4NkOuLbqAD8UhCyB8krWkwhw8wp8xQWoij1AI5_eiwOQA3y5y6RM-beDHRLku_375UIPDl-14dyPHH_i1IOHDDNM0epT-U3s0PLgZo1kmiHN5W9k7mNAlaP57/s200/Star+on+chair.jpg" /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#666600;">The other day I had an interesting phone chat with my Aunt Mary</span></strong>. </span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">My Auntie lost her husband a few years ago, and while she’d love to bring home a dog for company she isn’t allowed to have one where she lives. </span>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">
<br />She can, however, have a cat.
<br />
<br /><strong><span style="color:#336666;">Aunt Mary doesn’t want to do that, though, because she’s heard how “aloof” cats can be</span></strong>. She wants a friendly pup who will follow her around and lay by her feet.
<br />
<br />I always smile when I hear someone say that, because for most of my life I thought along those same lines. I’d always shared my life with dogs, often three or four at a time. People got used to seeing me walk my herd through the neighborhood.
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHBJUHIsRye0Cmwgq9XS4xBgcH6mtbZloLUOXcZE23A7Nl76-ePdn_A2la-TbbRrjSZgMgPk1d8tOr2yIYt3kPB8__aNo8MNmcpFqchqNpRCN3GgIBf_UFf0p40D3ynWFvFte/s1600/4+cats+playing.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 140px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710217750496162930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHBJUHIsRye0Cmwgq9XS4xBgcH6mtbZloLUOXcZE23A7Nl76-ePdn_A2la-TbbRrjSZgMgPk1d8tOr2yIYt3kPB8__aNo8MNmcpFqchqNpRCN3GgIBf_UFf0p40D3ynWFvFte/s200/4+cats+playing.jpg" /></a>It was my dog, Jake, who changed my thinking 14 years ago when he found a tiny tabby kitten in the yard. The kitty had a brother and several sisters, and Jake’s beautiful heart knew he needed to bring these kitties inside so he could take care of them.
<br />
<br /><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="color:#663366;">Jake fell head over heels for the kitties…and so did I</span>.</span></strong> When Jake left us in 2006 I thought for sure another dog would find its way to us soon. But the kitties asked for something that would impact those plans for another doggie. </span>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">They asked for some dog-free time with me, so I could have the chance to REALLY understand the world of felines.
<br />
<br />When they were done, I wouldn’t just know a few lines of “kitty” – I’d actually SPEAK CAT!
<br />
<br />So here we are, six years later…Star and Molly still by my side, their siblings Dickens and Pippen flying through the stars with my angel doggies.
<br />
<br /><strong><span style="color:#336666;">What have I learned about cats?
<br /></span></strong>
<br />I know that cats express their affection differently than dogs do. Star and Molly know that I deeply love and respect them, and I feel their love for me down to the core of my being. I appreciate their unique personalities, and value all that they bring to my life. We are a family. We can count on that love, and don’t have to constantly be in each other’s presence to know that the bond connecting us is real.
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3eqlkLrjkQfu2qplNtY3CJDQ_AEC5FsyEKXQ29VZZOh9aNhX2HHJjoYo77ZwBkEGGkPfP284KsoiXF5JtiIlMSHlmFhOLRA-7dW9RIRkbB40fxlHBepcXfceNtm4arSyzTdV/s1600/Molly+on+the+bed.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 187px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 168px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710218374186364866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3eqlkLrjkQfu2qplNtY3CJDQ_AEC5FsyEKXQ29VZZOh9aNhX2HHJjoYo77ZwBkEGGkPfP284KsoiXF5JtiIlMSHlmFhOLRA-7dW9RIRkbB40fxlHBepcXfceNtm4arSyzTdV/s200/Molly+on+the+bed.jpg" /></a>I know that some cats will come when called and others will completely ignore you, all of them tuned into radio station WIFM – what’s in it for me?
<br />
<br />On the other hand, there was that one cold winter’s night I was sprawled on the bathroom floor with a bad case of food poisoning. Molly curled up next to me for several hours…and she never moved. Perhaps on that particular night WIFM stood for what’s in it for MOM?
<br />
<br /><strong><span style="color:#666600;">I know that the love I share with my cats is loose and fluid.</span></strong> Each of us gets to be who we are, there for each other in spirit but not necessarily attached at the hip.
<br />
<br />Perhaps that is the truest and purest definition of love. Perhaps I wouldn’t have been capable of participating in a love like that when I was younger. Maybe I wouldn’t have been able to do it at all without a cat showing me the way.
<br />
<br /><strong><span style="color:#336666;">Loving cats has changed how I define love</span></strong>. It’s changed me.
<br />
<br />For the better…I think.
<br />
<br /><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">C<span style="color:#009900;">h</span><span style="color:#339999;">r</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">i</span><span style="color:#ff6600;">s</span> D<span style="color:#009900;">a</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">v</span>i<span style="color:#ff6600;">s</span>
<br /></span></strong></span>
<br /></span><a href="http://lightheartedpress.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Lighthearted Press</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /><span style="color:#000000;">Publishing magical books for animal lovers</span></span>
<br />Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-17984991747104480722012-02-07T12:12:00.000-08:002012-02-07T12:22:41.160-08:00Art 101<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CbX2N3wpkSvtxEuaUL-47gabDI1ZqUCJsKdopVNZRhnG4caFcy2gslwM804KHnRvroDzZYZUgcG8PwkkGT147LkznxKV6zeFvcBtI6Q1Ahj19mw_rhyqHBU4moCHuyP6eazC/s1600/Raggedy+Ann+%2526+Andy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 156px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706490959998637298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CbX2N3wpkSvtxEuaUL-47gabDI1ZqUCJsKdopVNZRhnG4caFcy2gslwM804KHnRvroDzZYZUgcG8PwkkGT147LkznxKV6zeFvcBtI6Q1Ahj19mw_rhyqHBU4moCHuyP6eazC/s200/Raggedy+Ann+%2526+Andy.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>It was there in the closet, next to the keepsake box</strong>. </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;">I drew this with oil pastels when I was about 10 years old. You can still see the tape marks along the top where I must have stuck it somewhere.<br /></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#336666;">There is an innocence to this artwork that brings me to tears.</span></strong> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;">Those happy, wide-eyed Raggedy Ann & Andy faces radiate unimaginable joy.<br /><br />Yet, when I drew this I was in an impossible situation at home, horribly abused by one parent who was enabled by the other. In looking back, I’m not sure how I survived. I guess being a stubborn New Yorker had its blessings, even as a child!<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Perhaps I drew what I had never known, but on some level was desperately seeking.<br /><br /></span><strong><span style="color:#666600;">I have made peace with my past.</span> </strong><span style="color:#000000;">However, looking at this picture touches a part of my soul that still seems to be lost, looking for my home…and for Mommy</span>.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">C<span style="color:#33cc00;">h</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">r</span>i<span style="color:#ff6600;">s</span> D<span style="color:#33cc00;">a</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">v</span>i</span><span style="color:#ff6600;">s</span></strong><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"><br /></span></strong></span><a href="http://lightheartedpress.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>Lighthearted Press</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Publishing magical books for animal lovers</span></span>Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-82065426220331527722012-02-01T14:13:00.000-08:002012-02-01T14:41:09.637-08:00Kissing Bruce Springsteen<strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Do you have a keepsake box?</span></strong> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35uspTGJsNt8mUFR9ZCSORDnoukH_e5rXw8xJkBiJ2uLsQX80qtKGlWfWn-8LjJfFk08k1VBchgxJqQbXOxn8DZm-_qRIwYgphXCp7de30rxpwAhcFKOc04mMF38OeEmckXc8/s1600/Bruce.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 126px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 176px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704296152273978818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35uspTGJsNt8mUFR9ZCSORDnoukH_e5rXw8xJkBiJ2uLsQX80qtKGlWfWn-8LjJfFk08k1VBchgxJqQbXOxn8DZm-_qRIwYgphXCp7de30rxpwAhcFKOc04mMF38OeEmckXc8/s200/Bruce.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">You know, the place where you’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">ve</span> stashed all your treasured memorabilia from years gone by? </span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I was looking through my box of stuff the other day when I came upon an old Christmas card. It was dated 1976, signed by Aunt Trudie. </span></span><span style="color:#000000;">She <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">wasn</span>’t my aunt. Her nephew was the late Clarence Clemons, saxophonist fo</span></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">r the Bruce Springsteen band.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#336666;">The mem</span></strong></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#336666;">ories came flooding back.</span></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">Suddenly I was standing along the wall during a Springsteen concert in NYC – DO NOT ask me how I got in there! It was my third time in as many nights. The sweet woman standing behind me introduced herself at Clarence’s aunt.<br /><br />“Would you like to go back and meet the band?”<br /><strong><span style="color:#666600;"><br />WOULD I??</span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpSEYEuADck87ewjHsUbLydXeEHcnEIf1LOAo5Amj71l98sQtngPvKXh8Cls9rVpeDcKl4T3UYXDCotPtlreHCe-ltrRHJUlhJ0cf027A680Mi34h1uvXwzPFL8282yvbHX5X/s1600/Card.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 105px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 138px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704295927783753202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpSEYEuADck87ewjHsUbLydXeEHcnEIf1LOAo5Amj71l98sQtngPvKXh8Cls9rVpeDcKl4T3UYXDCotPtlreHCe-ltrRHJUlhJ0cf027A680Mi34h1uvXwzPFL8282yvbHX5X/s200/Card.jpg" /></a>Everything after that is a blur…except the part about kissing The Boss! THAT I remember.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#336666;">Long before I wrote books for animal lovers I made my living as a singer.</span></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">I had a different name, a different look and a different life. A large part of my world was wrapped around music.<br /><br />Seeing this card from Aunt Trudie brought back so many good memories. I was having a wonderful time on this unplanned journey into my past. </span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">Why not keep going?</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><br />To be continued…<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#6633ff;">C<span style="color:#339999;">h</span><span style="color:#cc6600;">r</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">i</span>s <span style="color:#009900;">D</span><span style="color:#cc6600;">a</span><span style="color:#339999;">v</span>i<span style="color:#3333ff;">s</span><br /></span></strong><span style="color:#990000;"><strong>Former Singer<br /></strong></span></span><a href="http://lightheartedpress.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#6600cc;"><strong>Lighthearted Press</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><br />Publishing magical books for animal lovers</span>Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-31535696148696056732012-01-25T12:04:00.000-08:002012-01-25T12:30:04.294-08:00The Year of the Dragon<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#990000;"><strong><span style="color:#336666;">I love dragons. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoTVl74OJXIq-a_qSbccrt9gOg-7l7UJqeF_8rgh3QB4E3Qoxj5GkdKuh9f-tzFqPQe8ickmQUjGcmvpYvJHnpZDjUhvpK1AC_XpuVuEmLz3BVZkas_M_nTU8oCiRwwZDt4kk/s1600/Dragon+and+cat.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 185px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 114px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701664741268935634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoTVl74OJXIq-a_qSbccrt9gOg-7l7UJqeF_8rgh3QB4E3Qoxj5GkdKuh9f-tzFqPQe8ickmQUjGcmvpYvJHnpZDjUhvpK1AC_XpuVuEmLz3BVZkas_M_nTU8oCiRwwZDt4kk/s200/Dragon+and+cat.jpg" /></a></span></strong></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">The magic. The mystery. The fantasy. </span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#666600;"><span style="color:#000000;">I love it all!<br /></span><br /></span>I even found a place for a friendly dragon in my new book, <a href="http://www.lightheartedpress.com/books/forever-paws-dog-gift-book.htm"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Forever Paws</span></strong></a>, up there in the stars with the dogs and cats. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBq_IDrHBTAyVBN-GoW8C_iWarN3Nnydf509CemlvS2QWfniNKBaITjikqqVORzf3f32tpkTzmS9XNUUzBObLVQbLW4wXl1TY9KN-mf9cz-59zzb04JgE4Oa9Abw8YXGBhM0l/s1600/Dragon.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 208px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 142px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701665070738331458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBq_IDrHBTAyVBN-GoW8C_iWarN3Nnydf509CemlvS2QWfniNKBaITjikqqVORzf3f32tpkTzmS9XNUUzBObLVQbLW4wXl1TY9KN-mf9cz-59zzb04JgE4Oa9Abw8YXGBhM0l/s200/Dragon.jpg" /></a>So, imagine my delight the other day when I opened a package from my dear friend, Judy Ditfurth, and staring back at me was a fabulous stuffed dragon in all its teal blue glory! </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><br /><strong><span style="color:#336666;">I immediately knew this was a female dragon</span></strong>. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">The moment we locked eyes it was clear she had accepted me as one of her own. I was now under her protection. I started calling her Grandma. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsVDaxspyZL2-Fz6SsiS_kGaSv2Uz4U-s9mnLXyeNb4yNpRC4MyWigHgODy4Srj_TxiH1O-0rt9okqiGGStnbW96GXRunY3poqsnxtThN81S-b8gXC-3NQVYPTbTNctxUPIyK/s1600/Nana.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 128px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 179px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701665164571507794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsVDaxspyZL2-Fz6SsiS_kGaSv2Uz4U-s9mnLXyeNb4yNpRC4MyWigHgODy4Srj_TxiH1O-0rt9okqiGGStnbW96GXRunY3poqsnxtThN81S-b8gXC-3NQVYPTbTNctxUPIyK/s200/Nana.jpg" /></a>Why I had such a strong reaction to her wasn’t clear to me at first. I kept thinking about those dark, penetrating eyes.<br /><br />And then I got it.<br /><br /><span style="color:#663366;"><strong>This dragon looked a lot like my Mother’s mother – my Grandmother - a kind and gentle woman.<br /></strong><br /></span>A coincidence?<br /><br />I think not.<br /><br />Note: For many years I’ve had only one book on my coffee table – <strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Dragonology</span></strong>. The only person who ever noticed it was a three year old child. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">Hmm...</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>C<span style="color:#009900;">h</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">r</span><span style="color:#ff6600;">i</span>s <span style="color:#009900;">D</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">a</span><span style="color:#339999;">v</span>i<span style="color:#ff6600;">s</span><br /></strong></span></span><a href="http://lightheartedpress.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>Lighthearted Press</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;">Publishing magical books for animal lovers </span></span>Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-76745062859338068912012-01-16T08:07:00.000-08:002012-01-16T09:45:22.678-08:00Rescue gear for pets - is your fire station equipped?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapnlDRpnFgzfC8MTsRCnX9OSE0ryAPYRe_9dkx3MGkWYwNS_4b3X1h6wcl0k4Wo36T5tXMnqbg9_FL5gxMW2v3QXKJho-D-rAy1d7OMLThM5GYqclD9ptXBo28XHK60-u9oQz/s1600/Mask+1.jpg"><span style="color:#666600;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 224px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 169px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698265599497929938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapnlDRpnFgzfC8MTsRCnX9OSE0ryAPYRe_9dkx3MGkWYwNS_4b3X1h6wcl0k4Wo36T5tXMnqbg9_FL5gxMW2v3QXKJho-D-rAy1d7OMLThM5GYqclD9ptXBo28XHK60-u9oQz/s200/Mask+1.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#666600;"><strong>Last week I stopped by my local fire station.
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<br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">I wanted to see if their trucks carry small oxygen masks specifically designed for dogs and cats. I was THRILLED to learn that all the stations in my district are equipped with masks in varying sizes for small animals.
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#009900;"><strong><span style="color:#333399;">According to Public Information Officer Steve McAdoo</span></strong>,</span> <span style="color:#000000;">the oxygen masks (also known as “snout masks”) went unused for 3 or 4 years, and then suddenly they were needed at several fires, resulting in the rescue of 5 pets.</span></span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#663366;"><strong>Imagine if one of those lucky critters was yours!</strong></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">
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<br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;">I often wondered if the little signs many people (including me) have on their doors warning emergency crews about inside critters are helpful. While the signs can provide important information, Steve said there are other ways pet parents can help keep their critters safe in the event of a fire.</span> </span>
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#336666;">If you call 911 to report a fire be sure to tell them there are animals in the house!</span></strong> That info will be passed along to the fire crew as they’re on the way, and those oxygen masks will be ready to go.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqPvOJkYqJsEilRYhcA2i4mIJNo_iMtYnknG2NAJg80YmIfKflPhrJUpItFk6tPYcyfQxBWQPSHdF7RoN9HhEyozdrcSMFP3nSG9FWrS2YV7dffE4yPtSKEn9y5MkHh6Xd6hy/s1600/Fire+TRuck+2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 205px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 115px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698265777175284146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqPvOJkYqJsEilRYhcA2i4mIJNo_iMtYnknG2NAJg80YmIfKflPhrJUpItFk6tPYcyfQxBWQPSHdF7RoN9HhEyozdrcSMFP3nSG9FWrS2YV7dffE4yPtSKEn9y5MkHh6Xd6hy/s200/Fire+TRuck+2.jpg" /></a>According to Steve, one of the most important things you can do is keep your critters isolated in one room, with a closed door, as opposed to giving them the run of the house. A pet confined to one room can be found more easily, and that closed door could mean the difference between life and death.
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#666600;">This is especially true with cats.</span></strong> <span style="color:#000000;">Steve said that, sadly, unless a cat gets out of the house on its own it often won’t survive a fire. </span>
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<br /><span style="color:#000000;">In case you’re curious, these pictures were taken in front of my home. You see, in addition to asking about critter safety I had voiced concerns about truck accessibility to my own home in the event of a fire.</span></span> <span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4Nw7l8PZyXC3iGIK3o6QjZDLz2d2AIBB2mn_fCtvflaUIR7Ee8adTV6ZQ1VzJ1rGRuDq1s_W_Sw_M4O2rWWpm9d0CQNV4CjPIHYBbtM5BdyGXCNUSwUPU_12RhTYOi5d8Qes/s1600/Group.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 182px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 135px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698270902860331842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4Nw7l8PZyXC3iGIK3o6QjZDLz2d2AIBB2mn_fCtvflaUIR7Ee8adTV6ZQ1VzJ1rGRuDq1s_W_Sw_M4O2rWWpm9d0CQNV4CjPIHYBbtM5BdyGXCNUSwUPU_12RhTYOi5d8Qes/s200/Group.jpg" /></a></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;">Carol Evans put me in contact with Steve McAdoo, who passed along my concerns to Mike Carlsen and asked for a drive-by to check out my home.
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<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">I thought someone would pull up in a car…maybe a 4WD. <span style="color:#000000;">Saturday afternoon I knew something was going on outside when my cats suddenly flew off the couch and scattered to their favorite hiding places. </span>
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<br /></span><span style="color:#336666;"><strong></strong></span><span style="color:#336666;"><strong>I looked out the window and there was the fire truck and crew!</strong></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"> <span style="color:#000000;">They assured me </span><span style="color:#000000;">they COULD make the 90 degree turn onto my funky little road in case of a fire.</span></span>
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<br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">These people are wonderful!
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">If you have any concerns about fire safety I urge you to contact your local fire station as I did. I know you’ll get all of your questions answered. </span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">I can’t guarantee the fire truck will show up!
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<br /></span><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">C<span style="color:#990000;">h</span><span style="color:#009900;">r</span><span style="color:#666600;">i</span><span style="color:#3333ff;">s</span> D<span style="color:#990000;">a</span><span style="color:#009900;">v</span><span style="color:#666600;">i</span></span><span style="color:#3333ff;">s</span>
<br /></strong></span></span><a href="http://lightheartedpress.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#666600;"><strong>Lighthearted Press</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="color:#666600;">
<br /></span></strong><span style="color:#000000;">Pu</span><span style="color:#000000;">blishing magical books for animal lovers</span></span> </span></span></span>
<br />Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-33035739581126335212012-01-03T15:01:00.000-08:002012-01-03T15:35:05.501-08:00Do you celebrate Forever Day?<span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#6600cc;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK282J6pgoMj2OUDygpepDXybERHw8N4vfCNfYfrPPKKevR4xjZJ4ZSEBthYA-DqLgUKxYf7yIc437-mt2qIZKVBWgDLMTfNk5Wr5rkFn2erWd6-jXKUZpYhsZkPNA48z136LB/s1600/Tiger+Lily.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 159px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 174px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693547244871490050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK282J6pgoMj2OUDygpepDXybERHw8N4vfCNfYfrPPKKevR4xjZJ4ZSEBthYA-DqLgUKxYf7yIc437-mt2qIZKVBWgDLMTfNk5Wr5rkFn2erWd6-jXKUZpYhsZkPNA48z136LB/s200/Tiger+Lily.jpg" /></a></strong></span><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#6600cc;">A few weeks ago I received this special email from Shannon Breznai:<br /></span></strong><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em>It felt important to email you and tell you of my loss as well as the role your book played in my life. My forever cat passed away unexpectedly Thursday morning. I had her for almost 11 years. My heart is broken...absolutely broken.</em></span></span></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em></em></span></span></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em>Each year, on the day I adopted her, we celebrated her "Forever Day." One of the ways we celebrated is by reading her your book. March 31st will be extremely difficult for me next year, as I read your book to myself only.</em></span></span></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em><br />She is being laid to rest at a pet cemetery. Her grave marker will read, "Tiger Lily, My Forever Cat." </em></span></span></span><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></em><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#336666;"><strong>The idea of Forever Day touched my heart, so I contacted Shannon to learn more about it. </strong></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#336666;"><strong><br /></strong></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzV8jtPu54lAH-lY8IUSAuqMQbEW4jRTkLPElKq1g5tEnIvmLM8xlB24h0eukEGVeGlvawqEivpwx4fvm8JjO4f9xB1JK2yS8b7kDmFOzZpGSgItz3mI_uTeXe1QF1zxfpjP5p/s1600/frame.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 167px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693547413877133698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzV8jtPu54lAH-lY8IUSAuqMQbEW4jRTkLPElKq1g5tEnIvmLM8xlB24h0eukEGVeGlvawqEivpwx4fvm8JjO4f9xB1JK2yS8b7kDmFOzZpGSgItz3mI_uTeXe1QF1zxfpjP5p/s200/frame.jpg" /></a><em>When I adopted Tiger Lily the shelter did not know her birthday so I decided we'd celebrate her adoption day instead. I was working with children at the time and one little girl was adopted from China. </em></span></span></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em>She saw that I had pictures of Tiger Lily on my desk and we would often talk about her. </em></span></span></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em>This little girl explained to me that she and her mom celebrate the date she was adopted...they called it her "forever day." I told her I was doing the same thing with Tiger Lily. So on Tiger Lily's special day, this little girl brought me a card. It had a picture of a cat on in it and inside she wrote, "Tiger Lily, Happy Forever Day!" </em><em><br /></em></span></span></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfGxiv_H2oic1ROj9Aovmmthneh8riV7ygfXZg9NZhl6qjMNVtUFZz3i0CjypvQ22PFslO0IQb3v1o4apLWQ1wojHmBPaqaTFmK4Ka-V2nCorG0sTL9UXzJI2F_U84XSV6s2g/s1600/Cat+Book+Cover.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 137px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 181px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693547495845496914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfGxiv_H2oic1ROj9Aovmmthneh8riV7ygfXZg9NZhl6qjMNVtUFZz3i0CjypvQ22PFslO0IQb3v1o4apLWQ1wojHmBPaqaTFmK4Ka-V2nCorG0sTL9UXzJI2F_U84XSV6s2g/s200/Cat+Book+Cover.jpg" /></a>Within weeks I discovered your book! I loved it even though I cried each time I read it. I especially adored your term "forever cat" and felt the book was written for Tiger Lily and me. It was then on that she had the special title "forever cat" and I read her your book each March 31st on her Forever Day (as she ate tuna, her favorite food). </em><br /><br /><em>Her love got me through so many trying times. Her passing has broken my heart. I have 3 other cats. I love them of course, but Tiger Lily was the one...she was my "Forever Cat.”<br /><br /></em><strong><span style="color:#666600;">Thank you, Shannon, for sharing your beautiful story.</span></strong> I’ve always celebrated the day each of my critters came into my life, but from now on I’ll consider it their Forever Day…and I’ll think of you and Tiger Lily.<br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><br /></span><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">C<span style="color:#33cc00;">h</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">r</span><span style="color:#3366ff;">i</span>s <span style="color:#33cc00;">D</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">a</span><span style="color:#00cccc;">v</span>i</span><span style="color:#3366ff;">s<br /></span></strong></span></span></span><a href="http://lightheartedpress.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#336666;"><strong>Lighthearted Press</strong></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></strong>Publishing magical books for animal lovers </span></span></span>Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-39659974887769738932011-12-13T07:49:00.000-08:002011-12-13T07:56:41.369-08:00Dog & Cat Lover Gift Box Giveaway Winners!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAbLtMxXUMlObTCBFIEBH8zAyTR3aDtHfD9WmZ2-eAJUwecXJfDIB9QI6Myb2P6oXEosOUZFzD0XYy1EYrvhC1MiLrJXEMPzdGNUIY5RYftIG82CVT1NJg_CeCFA5zd2CX69p/s1600/Pip_under_the_tree.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685641231650260274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAbLtMxXUMlObTCBFIEBH8zAyTR3aDtHfD9WmZ2-eAJUwecXJfDIB9QI6Myb2P6oXEosOUZFzD0XYy1EYrvhC1MiLrJXEMPzdGNUIY5RYftIG82CVT1NJg_CeCFA5zd2CX69p/s200/Pip_under_the_tree.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">The emails came from all over the country – stories of people suffering this holiday season due to the loss of an animal companion.<br /></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#000000;">If you’ve ever loved, and lost, a treasured critter you know how tough it is to get excited about decorating a tree when the kitty who used to sleep beneath it is gone. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;">You understand how the joy of delivering holiday baskets disappears when the dog who accompanied you on your rounds has left your side.<br /><br /></span><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Each story touched my deeply.</span></strong> <span style="color:#000000;">It was hard to choose – I wish I could have sent gift boxes to everyone.<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">In the end, I chose Ashley Craig’s nomination for the Dog Lover Box, and Marilyn Milano’s nomination for the Cat Lover Box. Due to the personal nature of their submissions, the names of the nominees will be kept confidential.<br /><br />While nothing can take away the heartbreak of losing a four-legged friend, sometimes just knowing someone cares can help a hurting heart.<br /><br />The gift boxes are on their way. I hope they will bring a little comfort to the recipients.<br /><br />With love,<br /></span></span><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc0000;">C<span style="color:#33cc00;">h</span>r<span style="color:#33cc00;">i</span>s<br /></span></strong><a href="http://www2.blogger.com/www.lightheartedpress.com"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Lighthearted Press</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Publishing magical books for animal lovers</span></span>Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-87329002670988986812011-12-06T08:43:00.000-08:002011-12-06T09:08:21.113-08:00In Memory of Pippen - and all those rubber bands<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">
<br /><strong><span style="color:#336666;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6tXEUR0meL8geliWE2rG9wObMl44ruT1Io7zdravxfah43fvPV9xmoHHFQLvVgyB5dWJUorQGsyEolZzQn1geh9g_SjdTl1It_xcVtr4hyphenhyphenamFd9s8vsV0H66pGxEooG526B4/s1600/Pip+RB+2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 173px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 141px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683060275185454098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6tXEUR0meL8geliWE2rG9wObMl44ruT1Io7zdravxfah43fvPV9xmoHHFQLvVgyB5dWJUorQGsyEolZzQn1geh9g_SjdTl1It_xcVtr4hyphenhyphenamFd9s8vsV0H66pGxEooG526B4/s200/Pip+RB+2.jpg" /></a>There was a time I thought rubber bands were just for sealing bags, keeping wrapping paper on the roll, or for holding up socks.
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<br /><span style="color:#000000;">But that was before Pippen. She came into my life in May 1998, a three week old kitten sitting in my yard. She was found by my dog, Jake, whose prior history with cats would have tempted him to consider her a before dinner appetizer. </span>
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<br /><span style="color:#000000;">Instead, Jake found a lifelong friend. He brought her in, along with her brother and two sisters, and raised them as his own. The first time I saw Jake strutting through the house with Pip in his mouth I was a bit nervous, but I soon learned I had nothing to worry about.</span>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVBOKekcRJ-OeVZ_V-3veocp6pAzYs8O1tGVpED0VktdDmwLhKHrKsevdoZdnCBPe4zjChU-OxxRpTbozhylaMuJ5RkuSobwViHEOMnNMzQs2tEgeL6e9yyPdZVaeE9uGTr0z/s1600/Pip+RB+1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 202px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 168px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683060342211074290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVBOKekcRJ-OeVZ_V-3veocp6pAzYs8O1tGVpED0VktdDmwLhKHrKsevdoZdnCBPe4zjChU-OxxRpTbozhylaMuJ5RkuSobwViHEOMnNMzQs2tEgeL6e9yyPdZVaeE9uGTr0z/s200/Pip+RB+1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="color:#666600;">Unlike her siblings, Pippen had only one favorite plaything…rubber bands.</span></strong>
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<br /><span style="color:#000000;">She discovered them on my desk early in her life, and from that moment on they captivated her. She would grab one from the bowl and go running through the house with it, bouncing off walls and chattering with delight.
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<br /><span style="color:#000000;">She even figured out how to launch them. She’d hold one end down with her paw, grab the other end in her mouth, and then let go and race over to pick up the rubber band/rocket. This would go on for hours. </span>
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#333399;">I said goodbye to my beloved forever cat one year ago today.</span></strong> <span style="color:#000000;">Despite how much I miss her, I find comfort knowing that she, Jake, and her brother, Dickens, are reunited, and they are flying together through the starry skies.</span>
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<br /><span style="color:#000000;">And she’s also very happy…turns out there are rubber bands in heaven!</span>
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<br />Love ya, sweetie!
<br /></span><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>C<span style="color:#33cc00;">h</span>r<span style="color:#33cc00;">i</span>s
<br /></strong></span><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong></strong></span></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.lightheartedpress.com"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#336666;"><strong>Lighthearted Press</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></strong>Publishing magical books for animal lovers</span>
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<br />Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-34996929454251417962011-12-04T12:49:00.000-08:002011-12-04T13:27:32.275-08:00A Very Special Dog and Cat Lover Gift Box Giveaway<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#336666;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EsZnGWFVXhyphenhyphen98KVZ9zH2ZVqthXhGNLERJjJUlQw57TN5FUOTrZIgoWRE2pMOcPWkJ-vowofNbgZ76DhPm9XzWDDA1n729cG1Xx6LDGsim6ATZePaH9ZXH4gdo7En7NHU1eSb/s1600/Pippen+sun.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 161px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682381791613330546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EsZnGWFVXhyphenhyphen98KVZ9zH2ZVqthXhGNLERJjJUlQw57TN5FUOTrZIgoWRE2pMOcPWkJ-vowofNbgZ76DhPm9XzWDDA1n729cG1Xx6LDGsim6ATZePaH9ZXH4gdo7En7NHU1eSb/s200/Pippen+sun.JPG" /></a>It was a year ago this week that I said goodbye to my dearest forever cat, Pippen, only a few months after I lost her brother, Dickens.</span></strong> </span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">Christmas was just a few weeks away, but I was having a hard time finding any <span style="color:#666600;"><span style="color:#000000;">holiday</span><strong> </strong></span>in my heart.<br /><br />Those first holidays after the loss of a loved one can be very difficult. I wondered if I could do something that might bring a little comfort to an animal lover who is missing a much-loved furry friend, just like I was last year.<br /><br />So…I’m excited to announce the first annual <strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Lighthearted Press Holiday Heart Gift Box Giveaway.</span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></strong></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"><br /></span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdP6oiKyN5H_jGGW1ENnI6ucTbc-1xJYqiLSmm3arD9RVdGFVZoX2mLEMPtISEaOvT4VPVQoXBSl77CdvGCQkv884b8C1KBjbte3VjsaZE0tjwnJpG9vHxThlDj6U5j-rOiQ5/s1600/Dog+Box+Award.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682381928479523586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdP6oiKyN5H_jGGW1ENnI6ucTbc-1xJYqiLSmm3arD9RVdGFVZoX2mLEMPtISEaOvT4VPVQoXBSl77CdvGCQkv884b8C1KBjbte3VjsaZE0tjwnJpG9vHxThlDj6U5j-rOiQ5/s200/Dog+Box+Award.jpg" /></a>Here’s your chance to nominate someone who might be uplifted by receiving one of our <a href="http://www.lightheartedpress.com/books.htm#link">comfort gift boxes</a>. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">We’ll choose two winners – one will receive our Dog Lover Comfort Box and the other will receive our Cat lover Comfort Box. In addition to the books and goodies in the box, we’ll also include an angel figurine holding a dog or cat in her arms (see photos.)<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#333399;">There will be a gift card saying the box is from you.</span></strong> You can also send it anonymously, from a friend, from someone who understands…or even from Santa! </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmLTNjhi1pid2Ct8467OHUTHVzIKOGw-pk_6ObrNBHuh0c_EQ6YN9hQLGrZpx43kFJvVTBbb7E6rlA8OYcw0RXGI3NkzwGs5qy5eByrbTJ_Uu7FkEEGLjWFmR3Vo7xoFk2dnw/s1600/Cat+Box+Award.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 168px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 165px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682382096089464418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmLTNjhi1pid2Ct8467OHUTHVzIKOGw-pk_6ObrNBHuh0c_EQ6YN9hQLGrZpx43kFJvVTBbb7E6rlA8OYcw0RXGI3NkzwGs5qy5eByrbTJ_Uu7FkEEGLjWFmR3Vo7xoFk2dnw/s200/Cat+Box+Award.jpg" /></a>Just submit a short paragraph (150 words maximum) telling why the person you’re nominating might enjoy receiving the box. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">You can post your entries on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/christine.davis"><span style="color:#993399;">Facebook</span></a> page, on my blog, or paste them into an email and send them to <a href="mailto:davis@lightheartedpress.com">davis@lightheartedpress.com</a> - no attachments, please.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">Also, please don’t include any contact info or anything that might identify the person – if your entry is chosen we’ll be in touch about the mailing address for the winner.<br /><br />As a special thank you, we’ll send an autographed set of our 5 books to the two people whose nominations are chosen!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">A few details:<br /></span></strong><br />In the interest of fairness, this opportunity is not open to family or personal friends.<br /><br />Gift boxes and books will be shipped only within the 50 US states.<br /><br />In order to help spread the love around, the nominating person and the chosen nominee shouldn’t be at the same address.<br /><br />All entries must be posted or received by December 10, 2011, so we can send the packages out in time for holiday delivery.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#336666;">Thanks so much.</span></strong> Hopefully we can bring a little healing to the heart of an animal lover who may need a little holiday magic this year!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">H<span style="color:#009900;">o </span>H<span style="color:#009900;">o</span> H<span style="color:#009900;">o</span>!<br /></span></strong><br />Chris Davis<br /></span><a href="http://www.lightheartedpress.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#6600cc;"><strong>Lighthearted Press</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"><br /></span></strong>Publishing magical books for animal lovers<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span>Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29314741.post-79678725469354293292011-11-26T13:01:00.000-08:002011-11-26T13:33:45.116-08:00Addicted to Hallmark<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSVdrCw0l63opUfAeEOgYFgQS9u1nsvRquzuvSdWcI0OiN8467N4kh78GtrqcHQefHEjOEney38Kjbqt4_i6xIV4VetATSbqntg0Phc4zSQSXQw0br1bqvqy-5aC6a8sTj47h/s1600/dnc.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 208px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679414172922048210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSVdrCw0l63opUfAeEOgYFgQS9u1nsvRquzuvSdWcI0OiN8467N4kh78GtrqcHQefHEjOEney38Kjbqt4_i6xIV4VetATSbqntg0Phc4zSQSXQw0br1bqvqy-5aC6a8sTj47h/s200/dnc.jpg" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#6600cc;"><strong>Addiction – it’s a terrible thing.</strong></span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">You try to get through the day…just ONE day…without succumbing to the pull of the object you’re addicted to. But what if that addiction is to <a href="http://hallmarkchannel.com/"><strong><span style="color:#339999;">The Hallmark Channel</span></strong> </a>– specifically, all those feel-good movies?
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<br />I can usually keep my addiction under control for the first 10 months of the year, but when the holiday season rolls around I fall apart. I long for the end of the day, when I can put my feet up in front of the fire, gather my critters around me, and escape into the land of Hallmark. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#993399;">In this magical place, kindly nannies always turn out to be angels…or Mrs. Santa Claus.</span></strong> The lost dog finds his way home, and a fluffy bundle of feline fur waits under the Christmas tree for the boy who always wanted a kitten.
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<br /></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDvkuMs1yfYGZBFCyY6WUPGO6rJq_egG1ZFULB_TogEzvOrqFvwLq3ez9dbr6CPFBQoHAvsvGXxvpYfuFFgeYrTJpvN231np9ojqWIJmCa-LsE7CEiUuSNSaS84zBEGzHFnn3/s1600/Card.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 184px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679414830578753538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDvkuMs1yfYGZBFCyY6WUPGO6rJq_egG1ZFULB_TogEzvOrqFvwLq3ez9dbr6CPFBQoHAvsvGXxvpYfuFFgeYrTJpvN231np9ojqWIJmCa-LsE7CEiUuSNSaS84zBEGzHFnn3/s200/Card.jpg" /></a>In Hallmarkland, lonely people find their perfect match – often the person living next door. It is never…EVER…the new love interest who wants to send the lonely person’s children to boarding school!
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<br />One of my favorite Hallmark movies is <strong><span style="color:#336666;">A Dog Named Christmas</span></strong>, which is currently showing on TV. You will never look at a ball rolling on the ground the same way. A word of advice, though - do NOT watch this movie without a large box of tissues handy.
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#339999;">The Christmas Card</span></strong> is another moving story…very poignant.
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<br />Sure, most of these movies are predictable, and a bit on the syrupy side, but who cares? I know by the time the credits roll I’ll be both satisfied AND sobbing.</span>
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<br />Addiction - it CAN be a terrible thing - but not always!
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<br /><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><span style="color:#336666;">So, what’s YOUR favorite Hallmark movie?</span></strong> </span>
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<br />(Note – I have no connection to Hallmark and don’t know anyone affiliated with them. I just like their movies.)
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">C<span style="color:#3366ff;">h</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">r</span><span style="color:#009900;">i</span>s <span style="color:#3366ff;">D</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">a</span><span style="color:#009900;">v</span>i</span><span style="color:#993399;">s</span></strong>
<br /></span><a href="http://lightheartedpress.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#6600cc;">Lighthearted Press</span></a> <span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">
<br />Publishing magical books for animal lovers </span></span></span>
<br />Christine Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541509042425614211noreply@blogger.com8