Dog & Cat Lover Gift Box Giveaway Winners!

The emails came from all over the country – stories of people suffering this holiday season due to the loss of an animal companion.

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.

You understand how the joy of delivering holiday baskets disappears when the dog who accompanied you on your rounds has left your side.

Each story touched my deeply. It was hard to choose – I wish I could have sent gift boxes to everyone.

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.

While nothing can take away the heartbreak of losing a four-legged friend, sometimes just knowing someone cares can help a hurting heart.

The gift boxes are on their way. I hope they will bring a little comfort to the recipients.

With love,
Chris
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

In Memory of Pippen - and all those rubber bands

There was a time I thought rubber bands were just for sealing bags, keeping wrapping paper on the roll, or for holding up socks.

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.

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.

Unlike her siblings, Pippen had only one favorite plaything…rubber bands.

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.

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.

I said goodbye to my beloved forever cat one year ago today. 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.

And she’s also very happy…turns out there are rubber bands in heaven!

Love ya, sweetie!
Chris
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

A Very Special Dog and Cat Lover Gift Box Giveaway

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. Christmas was just a few weeks away, but I was having a hard time finding any holiday in my heart.

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.

So…I’m excited to announce the first annual Lighthearted Press Holiday Heart Gift Box Giveaway.

Here’s your chance to nominate someone who might be uplifted by receiving one of our comfort gift boxes.

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.)

There will be a gift card saying the box is from you. You can also send it anonymously, from a friend, from someone who understands…or even from Santa!

Just submit a short paragraph (150 words maximum) telling why the person you’re nominating might enjoy receiving the box.

You can post your entries on our Facebook page, on my blog, or paste them into an email and send them to davis@lightheartedpress.com - no attachments, please.

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.

As a special thank you, we’ll send an autographed set of our 5 books to the two people whose nominations are chosen!

A few details:

In the interest of fairness, this opportunity is not open to family or personal friends.

Gift boxes and books will be shipped only within the 50 US states.

In order to help spread the love around, the nominating person and the chosen nominee shouldn’t be at the same address.

All entries must be posted or received by December 10, 2011, so we can send the packages out in time for holiday delivery.

Thanks so much. Hopefully we can bring a little healing to the heart of an animal lover who may need a little holiday magic this year!

Ho Ho Ho!

Chris Davis
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

Addicted to Hallmark

Addiction – it’s a terrible thing.

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 The Hallmark Channel – specifically, all those feel-good movies?

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.

In this magical place, kindly nannies always turn out to be angels…or Mrs. Santa Claus. 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.

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!

One of my favorite Hallmark movies is A Dog Named Christmas, 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.

The Christmas Card is another moving story…very poignant.

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.

Addiction - it CAN be a terrible thing - but not always!

So, what’s YOUR favorite Hallmark movie?

(Note – I have no connection to Hallmark and don’t know anyone affiliated with them. I just like their movies.)

Chris Davis
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

Aged to perfection!

I’ll never forget the day I adopted my dog, Jake, from the animal shelter. The paperwork said he was eight years-old. Jake was the love of my life! My only regret is that I didn't know him for those first 8 years.

It's often hard for older critters to find a new home, but as you can see from the below email and photos, sometimes a senior pup is a perfect fit!

Dear Christine:

I had written you in the past after the passing of Bailey, one of my two forever dogs. Baxter, my second beloved dog, then passed away four months later. Since that time, I have been very reluctant to open my heart again.

Recently, through a coworker, I learned that a family very reluctantly needed to give up for adoption an eight year-old-mix old, Nova, because their 18-month-old son was incompatible with the dog. This was a very difficult decision for them, and they very much wanted to find Nova an appropriate and loving home.

After a compatible-check weekend together recently, I have now officially adopted Nova. She is the sweetest, most beautiful girl. At age eight, she fits into my lifestyle perfectly: she LOVES the wooded trail on my property and when in the house is happy and calm.

I assured Nova’s mom that Nova will always be well-loved and well-taken-care-of.

Love,
Alan & Nova

I LOVE happy endings!

Chris Davis

Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

The Black Cat Bench

I love black cats.

It always amazes me when I hear how hard it is for black kitties to find good homes. There is something so magical about them!!

Last year I lost my precious black cat, Dickens. He had such a soaring spirit – it filled our home with love and laughter.

And just a few weeks ago I had to say goodbye to Sammy, the outside black kitty I’ve been feeding for 8 years. One day he didn’t show up, right around the time a very large coyote started prowling through the neighborhood.

The loss of these two precious kitties has left a huge hole in my world – both inside and outside my home. I thought it would be fun to celebrate my dear furry friends with this bench, which I painted in their memory. I've told my black cat, Star, and her sister, Molly, that they are most welcome to sit on the bench - Dickens and Sammy would want that.

Looking at this bench makes me smile...Dickens and Sammy would want that, too.

With love,

Chris

Farewell to my dear Sammy

I guess I always knew this day might come. That there would be a morning when I would turn on the light in Sammy’s house to give him his breakfast, but he wouldn’t be there.

And he wouldn’t be coming again.

Sammy is the feral cat I’ve been feeding on my deck for eight years.

I've never been able to get near Sammy. I’ve never held him in my arms. I’ve watched him make it through bitterly cold winters, wounds from cat fights, and terrible flea allergies.

Last fall I bought him this log house, which Sammy took to right away. Then I added a heat lamp, and suddenly things were looking up for Sammy.

This past spring Sammy unexpectedly changed his territory. Instead of going through the safer residential area, he changed direction and began heading into the woods. I followed him several times, and saw that he cut through the trees to go to a different residential area. I was still worried, but tried to remain hopeful. What I didn’t know was that neighbors were starting to see the coyotes again.

Sammy continued to come every day for food, but I could tell he was more wary. He showed up for breakfast on September 21st, just as he had been doing for years.

That was the last time I saw Sammy.

I've lost many beloved critters in my life, but I was always there at the end. To think about the likely cause of Sammy’s disappearance is excruciating for me.

I've walked to the door and looked for Sammy hundreds of times in the last week. I’ve thrown my arms around the empty house and cried tears that felt like they would never end.

I guess there is always the chance that Sammy is perfectly fine. Perhaps he sensed the danger and changed territories to one that no longer includes my home. Perhaps one day I’ll look out the door and he’ll be curled up in the house. Oh, how I pray this happens.

This little piece of fur is all I have left of Sammy. I found it last May in his house. It was precious to me then. It is even more precious to me now.

Farewell my dear, sweet boy. The light will always be on in your house...

With love,
Chris

Star's Heart

It was unexpected.

As I wrapped up the final details on my new book, and began thinking about my website redesign, I hadn’t counted on my cat, Star, feeling a bit under the weather.

After the veterinarian heard a heart murmur, it was determined that Star needed to have an echocardiogram. So she and I took a trip to see the cardiologist the other day.

Dr, Atkinson turned out to be a very compassionate person, with a gift for soothing an anxious kitty - and her parent! I was able to stay with Star during the procedure, which was a great relief to me.

I have only seen one other heart in my lifetime - my own, seen during a stress test. I had been awed by the vision of it, moved to tears by its beauty.

And that’s how I felt when I saw Star’s heart on the monitor. I thought of all the magical moments she and I had shared over the past 13 years.

I smiled as I remembered calling her “Everest” when she was just a kitten, because there was no gate or boundary she couldn’t jump over. Which explains how all the things on the top of the refrigerator still seem to wind up on the kitchen floor!

Thankfully, the news was good. That beautiful heart I saw beating enthusiastically on the screen is doing just fine, and will hopefully keep Star by my side for a long time.

Which is wonderful, because the thought of something being seriously wrong with my little girl would have been very hard on MY heart.

Purrs,
Chris
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers!

Black Cat Appreciation Day

Oh, how I love black cats! Seeing the sun shining on the glossy fur of a black feline is a beautiful thing.

Today, I celebrate all the black kitties who have shared my life. There’s my beautiful Dickens, who left me last year to continue his journey in the stars.

And my exquisite Star, who never met a sun spot she didn’t like.

And then there’s Sammy, shown in the picture here, who showed up 8 years ago and continues to come for food every day.

I can’t get near Sammy, which made treating the terrible flea allergy he developed this year almost impossible. He was covered in awful sores, losing blood, and spending many hours on the deck scratching.

Until…a woman in cat rescue told me about CapStar, a pill that kills all the fleas on a critter in about 30 minutes and continues to work for up to 36 hours.

Sammy has been on this for over a month now. The fleas, the sores, the bald patches are all gone.

Just look at that happy cat. My, how his fur shines!!

Chris
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

Great Rescues Calendar gets a 4 paws-up rating!

When my Great Rescues Calendar arrived I tore open the package like a kid on Christmas morning!

I knew it would be breathtaking – after all, the calendar creator is artist extraordinaire Bernadette Kasmarski! But I don’t know if I was prepared for how engaging this beautiful work of art turned out to be. I sat down and read it from cover to cover - I just couldn't put it down!

The calendar features sixteen exquisite portraits of rescued felines that have been lovingly painted by Bernadette over the last 20 years.

The heartwarming story behind every rescued critter accompanies the portrait. Each calendar page is noted with dates that are important to animal lovers, and also includes a famous quotation that reminds us why cats are oh-so-special!

Bernadette also provides a valuable resources section for her readers. There are several pages that address basic feline health, wellness and spay/neuter info, as well as compassionate support ideas for anyone who has lost a beloved animal companion.

This lovely calendar is a perfect gift for any animal lover. To learn more please visit the Great Rescues Calendar Website.

Purrs,

Chris

www.lightheartedpress.com

Does this dress make me look fat?

“Doing anything special this weekend?” I asked a hairdresser at the beauty salon this morning.

She told me she was part of a woman’s Civil War re-enactment group, and they were meeting for the first time this year.

Eager to learn more I pressed for details, thinking I’d hear about the battles and hardship of the era.

But it turned out that after a long year of over-eating and minimal exercising, the women in the group had one common concern – could they still fit into those voluminous dresses with the tiny waists?

I had to laugh – with all that was going on back in the 19th century I'll bet none of those ladies would have wondered if their dresses made them look fat. If a woman WAS worried about her mid-section, there was always that trusty corset!

When I left the salon I told the hairdresser to take care and be safe on the battlefield. She told me not to worry – the only weapons the ladies were allowed to wield were brooms and spatulas.

Oh, my…
Chris
Lighthearted Press

Walt Disney, Snow White and Me

Returning home from a wondrous journey can be a little bittersweet.

Being back on familiar ground feels comforting, but the magical places you visited keep beckoning to you, calling out in dreams, asking you to come back.

That’s how I’m feeling, now that I’ve completed the artwork for my new book, Forever Paws.

Never have I been so joyously lost in another world as I was when I painted these illustrations. They are unlike anything I’ve ever done before.

I painted every day, often for 10 - 12 hours a day. People thought I had fallen off the face of the earth. In fact, I had…and had landed in another place and time where I felt welcomed and supported, creative and deeply loved.

To say that last year’s loss of my two beloved cats, Dickens and Pippen, inspired this book would not be quite accurate. I believe the kitties left deliberately so I WOULD write this book.

Dickens was the first to depart, leaving me with no warning in July 2010. The thought of a new book played on the edges of my mind, but I was swimming in grief, unable to think clearly about my writing.

Then, just to be sure I'd received the message, I suspect Dickens asked his sister, Pippen, to join him in those starry skies, and off she went in December. So this book was born entirely because of Dickens and Pippen flapping their angel wings so loudly I couldn’t ignore them…not that I wanted to.

I saw an article by Patricia Zohn in the March 2010 issue of Vanity Fair. It’s about the people who worked around the clock in 1937 to bring Disney’s first animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, to the screen by Christmas.

Rae Medby, one of the “inkers” (and the author’s aunt) wrote, “I’ll be so thankful when Snow White is finished and I can live like a human being once again.”

These words came after she had worked 85 hours in one week on the project!

I can understand how she felt. With my artwork complete I now have time to get the oil changed in my car and schedule a long overdue dentist visit.

But OH how that magical land I visited this year continues to call to me...

Note: Forever Paws should be available in November 2011.

Chris

Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

Just a little tuft of fur

There it was...in the critter house on my deck.

Just a little tuft of fur.

It came from Sammy, the outside cat I’ve been feeding for almost 8 years. He has weathered severe winter storms, coyotes, serious wounds and many other health issues. He eats the food I put out, but will not allow me to come close to him. I’ve never been able to touch Sammy. I’ve never been able to hold or comfort him, something I would love to be able to do.

Last September I bought Sammy a proper house, which he took to right away. In November I put a heat lamp inside it, something he loved during the cold winter months. I was concerned about him spending the night in my yard, due to raccoons and other predators in the area. But he regularly sleeps in his house and feels comfortable doing so.

So here we are in spring…and Sammy is shedding. I found a little piece of his fur in the house the other day. I picked it up tenderly, feeling I had just stumbled upon a priceless treasure. Finally, after all these years, I was able to touch my sweet boy.

Getting to this point has been a long journey. The yard…the food…the house on the deck…the heat lamp…sleeping in the house…arriving at shedding season.

All leading to this precious little gift of fur.

Such a treasure!

Chris

Lighthearted Press

Publishing magical books for animal lovers

Memories of Mom

This was my Mom, back in her heyday.

She loved to get dressed up and go out dancing. She had this dangling charm bracelet that you heard long before you could see her coming down the stairs.

She could spray paint the heck out of anything – although back then it was called “antiquing.” I remember all the ballet slippers she painted for me, which resulted in my feet having gold and silver flecks for many days after the recital.

She was a hoot – my very own I Love Lucy. Her friend, Hilda, was my Mom’s “Ethel.” I have vivid memories of being in the car while these two sang the words to “Afternoon Delight” along with the radio. I kept wondering if they had ANY IDEA what the song was about!

I lost Mom 5 years ago to Alzheimer’s. It was heartbreaking to say goodbye to her, but knowing she was free and back to her old self brought me joy.

I suspect she’s keeping the angels on their toes. I just hope she's learned that throwing cans of Tomato Soup when you’re ticked off is NOT proper heavenly etiquette!

I think most women have a maternal instinct that needs to be expressed one way or another.

Whether your children are two-legged, four-legged, feathered, furred or grow in flowering pots on the deck, Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms!

And to my own Mom...keep watching over me, OK?

Chrissy
Lighthearted Press

Publishing magical books for animal lovers

Earth Day - Books, Ashes and Seeds

Today is Earth Day – a day of celebration and awareness for this beautiful planet on which we live.

I looked out the window this morning, and couldn’t help feeling my heart skip a beat as I remembered that the earth now holds the ashes of my beloved cats, Dickens and Pippen.

When I had their remains cremated, I included copies of the books I've written for animals lovers. The magic and energy of these two precious kitties will forever be entwined with my writing, so it felt right to send my books along with them.

I sprinkled some of their ashes into the outdoor cat enclosure, a favorite place for the two sibling cats. However, I didn't understand at the time that the ashes of the books were more than remains – they were seeds.

So here I am, many months later, finishing the illustrations for my new book - Forever Paws - due out this year.

This new title is truly a labor of love, inspired by Dickens and Pippen. In fact, these two heavenly imps watch over this project with great affection. I have heard Pippen’s unique meow many times, which sends me running through the house looking for her.

Today is a day to celebrate Mother Earth, and the many precious gifts she tenderly holds for us in her heart.

May she help all of our seeds to grow.

Chris Davis
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

Murals for Mutts

When my good friend, Kathy Hanson, first told me about the Murals for Mutts program I could tell she was very excited.

Now that I’ve seen the website, and read more about the company’s mission, I completely understand Kathy’s enthusiasm.

Murals for Mutts is brilliant!

Anna Hamilton, Creative Director of the non-profit organization, is a Florida artist who raises money for animal shelters by painting portraits of people’s beloved critters on walls in their community. Individuals pay roughly $75 - $150 to have their pets included on the wall.

Businesses donate their walls to the project, which gives them a great way to promote their organization AND support this fabulous group at the same time.

This is one of the best projects I’ve ever heard of…talk about WIN-WIN!

To learn more about Murals for Mutts be sure to visit their website.

Chris

Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

When caring for your critter comes to an end

When Michelle Afflitto called and told me about the loss of her sweet dog, Cassie, I was deeply touched by the story she shared of their journey together.

Cassie had been faced with many illnesses – way more than any critter should have to endure in one lifetime. Yet the spirit of this wonderful dog refused to give in to the physical challenges. She just kept going…until a few days ago.

Michelle said she wouldn’t have changed a thing.

“I will be forever grateful. It didn’t matter if it was hard or if I was sleep deprived…she gave me so much, she taught me so much, I am the person I am because of Cassie.”

Cassie required a lot of care. Her loss has left Michelle wondering what to do with all the “free” time she has now.

I know that feeling. When you’ve shared your life with a critter who was seriously ill, the loss of that furball means the end of being in the caretaker role. That can be very difficult for the person – it was for me.

As I said in my website article Grieving – How Do You Cope With the Loss of a Pet:

“I not only felt brokenhearted, I felt utterly useless.”

Last year I lost my beloved cats Dickens and Pippen. It would have been very hard to have kept going without the furry love and purrs of their sisters, Molly and Star.

If for no other reason, we need to take care of ourselves so we can continue to live in joy with the other animal companions who share our hearts and homes.

I asked Michelle to take good care of herself so that she and her Beagle, James, can continue on THEIR journey together.

I know Cassie would want that.

Chris

Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

Do all your children have fur?

Mine do!

In fact, hardly a day goes by that I'm not saying that to someone. When you create and offer pet loss books for animal lovers, most of the phone calls you receive are from wonderful people whose hearts have been broken by the loss of a beloved animal companion.

Many of the women who call tell me they never had two-legged children. Their animals are their kids, so a loss among the critters is especially painful.

I completely understand their feelings, being in the same position myself. I never really thought about having children. I guess I always knew I was destined to be surrounded by four-legged kids!

Even though I never felt that yearning to bear a child, I understand how powerful it can be. That’s how I feel about animals! So my heart is overjoyed when loving people bring home a new baby and begin that glorious journey of being a parent.

This doesn’t mean that I don’t have strong maternal feelings – I do!!

Thankfully, the universe stepped in at various points during my lifetime and gave me the chance to experience being a Mom.

First came Jessie, the pregnant doggie I found running on the railroad tracks in 1982. She gave birth to several puppies in my bathroom, one of whom I named Martha – the inspiration for my book For Every Dog An Angel. Martha and Jessie joined Penny and Gypsy, and my family of four dogs brought joy to my life for many years.

Then there was the litter of three week old kittens that my dog, Jake, found under the deck in 1998. As many of you know, Dickens, Pippen, Molly & Star were joyfully brought in and added to our happy home. For Every Cat An Angel was written shortly thereafter.

I even had a nest of robin eggs that hatched one Mother’s Day – another lovely surprise. Is For Every Bird An Angel somewhere in my future?

So to all you folks whose children have paws or hooves, or may crawl or fly, I celebrate you and your families. Just remember, if times get tough, you probably won’t be able to move in with the kids!

Chris
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers!

Cats and Shoes

What is it about my shoes that my cat, Molly, finds irresistible?

Whenever I kick them off, Molly seems to sense this is happening, no matter where she is in the house. She immediately comes running to the footwear, curls up on them and goes to sleep.

Sometimes she sticks her entire face in there before nodding off!

Her kitty siblings have never done this. To them a shoe is a shoe is a shoe.

But for Molly, it beckons to her with such force she seems unable to do anything except succumb to their siren call.

For the record, the shoes are innocent bystanders in this strange dance. They have done absolutely nothing to encourage Molly's behavior - at least as far as I can tell.

Many years ago, I shared my life with a dog who had a similar interest in my footwear.

During the night, Phoebe would often round up my shoes and pile them in the living room. There they would all be, waiting to greet me every morning when I came downstairs

But for Molly, moving them is not necessary.

The ecstasy of plopping on top of them and taking in their...umm…fragrance is all she needs. Is this true love…or just something about my feet?

Hmmm…

Chris Davis
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

Paw prints in the snow

I stood in the warmth of my home early this morning, and watched as Sammy ate his breakfast out on my deck.

Although the great February Portland snowstorm didn’t happen, I could tell Sammy was still happy for a break from the cold in his heated home.

After eating, he stood as close as he could to the lamp, soaking up as much heat as possible before heading up the hill, under the fence, and off to wherever he goes when he leaves my yard.

There is something magical about a paw print left by a dear friend.

I popped outside to take this photo of Sammy's paw prints, a precious gift from this sweet little boy whose been coming to my yard for almost 8 years.

Not being able to hold him is something I have to live with, but on these cold, wet days I feel that loss even more.

Over the years I’ve spoken to many women whose children, like mine, have all been furry. Perhaps the deep desire to hold Sammy is part of my maternal need to comfort, and nurture, this little creature. He seems so alone to me.

Inside my home it’s warm and dry. There are many soft places to curl up and nap. The food bowls are never empty. And someone wants very much to hold him close and tell him he'll never be cold again.

Perhaps one day…

Chris Davis
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers