Looked who joined us for dinner!

It was 82 degrees yesterday – a perfect Earth Day!

I met a friend for dinner at a riverside restaurant, knowing the views along the water would be lovely.

Did I say lovely? I meant unbelievable!

There, in the planter box outside the window, was a Canada Goose. She was peering in through the glass, perfectly at ease with the guests in the restaurant and the people out on the deck.

We both thought the same thing - how cool!

Then the goose stood up and we realized she was sitting on a nest filled with eggs! We also saw the daddy, who floated nearby in the water.

We were there for several hours, during which time Mother Goose came and went from her nest a few times.

Papa Goose stood watch, honking at anything that might have been a threat to the kids.

The sun set, and Mama’s day was finally done.

She stuck her graceful head into her feathers and went off to dreamland.

So very special!

Chris Davis

Lighthearted Press

Publishing magical books for animal lovers

The Animal Abuse Awareness Campaign and NASCAR – it’s all about Lily

Lily was a 6 lb. Chihuahua who made her home with Barbara Hitchman in a 55 and over gated community in Menifee CA.

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.

According to The Californian:

"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. "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."

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.

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.

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.

My dear friend, Kathleen Otto…a passionate animal lover…lives in Sacramento and was following this tragic story. 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.

Jack Sellers Racing will be presenting “The Animal Abuse Awareness Campaign” at the NASCAR K & N Pro Series race at Havasu 95 Speedway, Lake Havasu City, AZ on Saturday, April 14, 2012.

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.”

What can you do to help? Here’s what Jack and Kathleen have to say:

“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.

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."

If you would like to be “Lily’s Voice” please write immediately to:

Judge Helios Hernandez
Riverside County Superior Court
4100 Main Street
Riverside, CA 92501

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.

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 lauratopping@rivcoda.org.

Letters can be mailed to:
District Attorney Paul E. Zellerbach
3960 Orange Street, 3rd Floor
Riverside, CA 92501

All letters and emails must be received before the hearing date of 4/16/12.

Thank you for helping to obtain justice for Lily!

Chris Davis

Lighthearted Press

A Furry Farewell for Mom

I originally posted this blog in 2007, a year after I had lost my mother to Alzheimer's disease. 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.

Dear friends,

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 Alzheimer’s disease.

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.

A Furry Farewell for Mom

“You need to come quickly,” the hospice nurse said. “I believe your mother is actively dying.”

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.

“Chris,” my sister, Aeylin, said, “you would have been proud of this cat – he was here the whole time.”

In the many years I’d been going to the nursing home I had never seen Lucas. 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.

I watched him curled up next to mom, who was completely unresponsive and had no interaction with him.

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.

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.

When I came back the next day to pack up mom’s things, 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.

As the author of For Every Cat An Angel and For Every Dog An Angel, 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.

Losing my mom has been very painful. 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!

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.

Miss you, mom.

Chris

Cat and Squirrel

It was one of those special moments.

I happened to glance out the door just when a squirrel was trying to make friends with the cat statue on my deck.

This beautiful sculpture was sent to me by my dear friend, Judy, after the loss of my black cat, Sammy.


I ran to grab my camera and caught these cute photos through the window.

It's hard to see, but the squirrel is actually licking the cat. Maybe that's how squirrels make friends!

I know exactly what the squirrel is thinking here.

"Darn, the jig is up. Hope this doesn't wind up on Facebook!"

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.

I think Sammy is enjoying this from up above!

Chris
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

Helping black cats find their forever homes

It’s a sad truth – black cats are often passed by when it comes to adoption.

Those beautiful ebony faces and sleek black bodies just aren’t as eye-catching as the more brightly colored felines in the shelter.

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.

Mary Anne noticed that black cats were being passed over by potential adopters. “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.

“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.”

As soon as people saw photos of the black cats in their colorful attire the lucky kitties started flying out the door! One lady, who adopted not one but TWO black kittens, told Mary Anne that she had never considered bringing black cats into her home.

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.

If other rescue organizations are interested in using Mary Anne’s techniques she offers this advice:

“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.”

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.

You can learn more about Mary Anne by visiting Feline Express and Kitten Rescue. She is also in the process of forming a non-profit organization called CATS – Caring About The Strays.

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

Gone to the dogs!

What a joy – spending time with two oh-so-sweet pups at a doggie outreach event!

The pups, Bell and Patch, came from the Multnomah County Animal Shelter - the same shelter where I adopted my dog, Jake, back in 1995. Or was it Jake who adopted me?

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.

Being around Bell reminded me of meeting Jake for the first time. 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.

And then there's Patch, a precious 3 lb. Chihuahua who has two traits I admire – 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.

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.

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.

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 Multnomah County Animal Services website.

Chris Davis
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

Paw prints in the snow

This morning’s snow was unexpected. After all, it IS the first day of March.

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.

This snow would be gone in a few hours.

Which left me free to appreciate one of the dearest gifts that often comes with snow - seeing paw prints on the deck.

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.

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.

It’s as if they want me to know they’re watching over me, and that all is as it should be.

And that brings me peace.

Chris Davis
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

Seeing Sammy Again

He was on the deck, in the middle of the night!!

I had come downstairs at 3:00 this morning, after having been up for hours with a touch of food poisoning.
The cats were ecstatic – EARLY BREAKFAST!! I put out their bowls, then strolled by the deck door to check for Sammy.

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.

He'd beaten the odds many times. Five months ago my beloved boy vanished, presumably lost to a coyote that had come through the woods that day.

But I NEVER stopped looking for him.

And at 3:00 this morning…there he was!!

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.

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.

Then I noticed that the can opener was sitting on the table, and not on the counter.

Then I saw that the living room furniture was sitting in the kitchen.

And then I knew the heartbreaking truth – this was a dream!

I didn’t know I had gone back to sleep. 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.

I sobbed buckets of tears...and then I finally stopped crying for him.

But I will never...ever...stop looking for him.

Chris Davis
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

Are cats REALLY less affectionate than dogs?

The other day I had an interesting phone chat with my Aunt Mary.

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.

She can, however, have a cat.

Aunt Mary doesn’t want to do that, though, because she’s heard how “aloof” cats can be. She wants a friendly pup who will follow her around and lay by her feet.

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.

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.

Jake fell head over heels for the kitties…and so did I. 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.

They asked for some dog-free time with me, so I could have the chance to REALLY understand the world of felines.

When they were done, I wouldn’t just know a few lines of “kitty” – I’d actually SPEAK CAT!

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.

What have I learned about cats?

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.

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?

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?

I know that the love I share with my cats is loose and fluid. Each of us gets to be who we are, there for each other in spirit but not necessarily attached at the hip.

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.

Loving cats has changed how I define love. It’s changed me.

For the better…I think.

Chris Davis

Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

Art 101

It was there in the closet, next to the keepsake box.

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.

There is an innocence to this artwork that brings me to tears.

Those happy, wide-eyed Raggedy Ann & Andy faces radiate unimaginable joy.

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!

Perhaps I drew what I had never known, but on some level was desperately seeking.

I have made peace with my past. However, looking at this picture touches a part of my soul that still seems to be lost, looking for my home…and for Mommy.

Chris Davis
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

Kissing Bruce Springsteen

Do you have a keepsake box?

You know, the place where you’ve stashed all your treasured memorabilia from years gone by?

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. She wasn’t my aunt. Her nephew was the late Clarence Clemons, saxophonist for the Bruce Springsteen band.

The memories came flooding back.

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.

“Would you like to go back and meet the band?”

WOULD I??
Everything after that is a blur…except the part about kissing The Boss! THAT I remember.

Long before I wrote books for animal lovers I made my living as a singer.

I had a different name, a different look and a different life. A large part of my world was wrapped around music.

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. Why not keep going?

To be continued…

Chris Davis
Former Singer
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

The Year of the Dragon

I love dragons.

The magic. The mystery. The fantasy. I love it all!

I even found a place for a friendly dragon in my new book, Forever Paws, up there in the stars with the dogs and cats.

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!

I immediately knew this was a female dragon.

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.

Why I had such a strong reaction to her wasn’t clear to me at first. I kept thinking about those dark, penetrating eyes.

And then I got it.

This dragon looked a lot like my Mother’s mother – my Grandmother - a kind and gentle woman.

A coincidence?

I think not.

Note: For many years I’ve had only one book on my coffee table – Dragonology. The only person who ever noticed it was a three year old child.

Hmm...

Chris Davis
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

Rescue gear for pets - is your fire station equipped?

Last week I stopped by my local fire station.

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.


According to Public Information Officer Steve McAdoo, 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.

Imagine if one of those lucky critters was yours!

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.

If you call 911 to report a fire be sure to tell them there are animals in the house! 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.

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.

This is especially true with cats. Steve said that, sadly, unless a cat gets out of the house on its own it often won’t survive a fire.

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.

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.

I thought someone would pull up in a car…maybe a 4WD. Saturday afternoon I knew something was going on outside when my cats suddenly flew off the couch and scattered to their favorite hiding places.

I looked out the window and there was the fire truck and crew! They assured me they COULD make the 90 degree turn onto my funky little road in case of a fire.

These people are wonderful!

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. I can’t guarantee the fire truck will show up!

Chris Davis
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

Do you celebrate Forever Day?

A few weeks ago I received this special email from Shannon Breznai:

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.

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.

She is being laid to rest at a pet cemetery. Her grave marker will read, "Tiger Lily, My Forever Cat."

The idea of Forever Day touched my heart, so I contacted Shannon to learn more about it.

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. She saw that I had pictures of Tiger Lily on my desk and we would often talk about her.

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!"

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).

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.”

Thank you, Shannon, for sharing your beautiful story. 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.

Chris Davis
Lighthearted Press
Publishing magical books for animal lovers

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