What does your choice of animal family members say about you?

How often have you seen people with pets who resemble them? Some pretty funny photographs show this phenomenon in books and on the Internet. If you've lived with an animal for a while, you may have noticed that animals also reflect your qualities, characteristics, and personality traits. A depressed person has a sad-eyed dog. A chatty guy has a talkative parrot. The animal companion of a gentle woman is a kind and affectionate cat.

We are finding out how much of this is true with our animal family members.

When we take our dog for walks around a nearby lake, we often pass a mild-mannered man with a timid gait who always averts his eyes. A little dog runs alongside him, growling and showing her teeth to everyone. This dog could be a mirror for the man's excessive fears.

As people tell us about significant animals in their lives, we've observed how the animals often serve as spiritual report cards. More often than not, memorable spiritual experiences with animals chart a person's progress toward or away from having more love, peace, and fulfillment.

What does your choice of animal family members say about you?

Leaf in Love at the Dog Park

LEAF IN LOVE
By Allen Anderson

Our black cocker spaniel Leaf had only been with us a short time when we started taking him to the dog park near our home. This is a large, rolling, fenced-in field on a chilly hillside. It is covered with woodchips that the city provides. It's dotted with old picnic benches where people sit, chat, and watch their dogs. Near the benches are aluminum bowls that people fill with water as they arrive in the park. Balls, toys, tug-a-ropes, and long sticks are scattered throughout the area and lay where dogs have dropped them after a game of retrieval or tag.

On previous visits, I had noticed that Leaf showed an interest in everything around him. With daylight lasting longer, I had been picking him up from home after leaving work and taking him for social time and exercise. He loved playing, especially with the big dogs. He needed a lot of running to even slightly dampen his exuberant, youthful energy.

Leaf had always seemed content to play with whatever dogs were there at the same time as he. But this day's visit to the dog park would be different from others. We had been in the park for about fifteen minutes. Leaf was playing with several large dogs - Labs, golden retrievers, and Australian sheepdogs among them. All were three times his size.

From the corner of my eye I noticed a dignified woman wearing a long, pale-pink overcoat. She walked her bulldog who wore a shocking-pink collar. Due to her fancy outfit and apparently superior attitude, I would not have thought of this woman as one who might be at a lowly dog park run by the city.

Both human and dog arrived at the gate when Pink Lady looked down at her dog and asked, "Ethel, do you want to play here or go for a nice, peaceful walk?" Ethel immediately pulled away from the gate, making sure her human knew she preferred the walk. So they began their slow stroll down the sidewalk on a pathway that was adjacent to the dog park fence.

Leaf seemed to study the interaction at the gate. Because he watched it with such focus, I assumed that he had anticipated the thrill of a new playmate in the dog park. When Ethel pulled away with her human meekly following, he had to do something to change Ethel's mind.

Running like a bullet to the fence, he kept pace with the retreating Ethel and her human. He wiggled, wagged, squealed, and barked, trying in doggie language to convince Ethel to come into the park. He spotted a nearby tennis ball, picked it up in his mouth, ran back to the fence, and dropped it in front of his paws. This must have been his way of trying to tempt her.

I could see that Leaf was determined to persuade Ethel that playing with him would be preferable to taking a boring walk with her person. Also, he had deduced that Ethel was calling the shots with her human in tow. Leaf knew it would be the dog's decision.

Leaf finally got Ethel's attention. She seemed to enjoy all the hoopla over her by this upstart boy dog. She glanced over and slowed her pace, which caused the woman to also slow down. Leaf gave his last squealing appeal, wiggled his whole backside, and then quietly sat. How could she resist a playmate who looked so appealing and vulnerable?

There was a moment of quiet as both Ethel and her human looked at this teenage boy dog being so good, sitting well, looking cute, obviously having a crush on Ethel. To seal the deal, Leaf spread full out on the ground as he furiously wagged his tail.

His strategy worked.

Ethel made a U-turn and ran back to the dog park gate so quickly that she pulled the red leash away from the woman's hand. Ethel decided she was going on a play date. Leaf ran to greet Ethel with his joyful enthusiasm as both human and bulldog entered the dog park.

Once inside, the woman unhooked Ethel from her leash. In appreciation Leaf immediately covered Ethel with multiple doggy kisses. Then he aggressively sniffed her with unrestrained joy, no doubt discovering many of her secrets. His expectations were fulfilled, as Ethel, at first, played hard to get, a game Leaf dearly loves.

Ethel's attempts at a bark were more of a bulldog grunt, but the two started running side by side. Their fur touched. Leaf's ears flopped in the wind. All was right in dog park world.

Ethel's human asked, "Is that your dog?"

"Yes, his name is Leaf. He's our little teenager."

"Ethel normally prefers walking. She is not that into other dogs."

Ethel and Leaf continued running together, circling back toward where we were standing. Many dog park people stand near the large oak tree near the entrance. This allows for plenty of room to throw Frisbees and tennis balls.

I watched Ethyl and Leaf run and play, Leaf picked up a stick in his mouth and took it back to Ethel. "Leaf loves it here," I said.

"He certainly captured Ethel's heart," Pink Lady responded. She looked confused as she placed her white-gloved hands in the pockets of her pink overcoat. Then she mumbled, still in disbelief, "But Ethel doesn't like other dogs."

Ethel and Leaf played nose-to-nose. Ethel's larger bulldog nose caused Leaf to lean off center. Ethel didn't seem to mind.

Suddenly, Ethel snapped at Leaf's nose. Leaf backed his snout away a couple of inches. Our cat's training at home was making him into a master in the art of dodging scratches and bites. Leaf looked at Ethel with even more adoration. He seemed to be pleased at the thought that she wanted to play rough.

He grabbed a nearby stick, trying to tempt her to get it from him. He laid it down at his feet, inches away from Ethel. Then he began working, teasing, wanting her to try for it so he could show her how strong and fast he is. She made a slight move toward the stick. In an instant Leaf grabbed it up.

Ethel turned her head toward her human as if to say, "Enough of him. Let's go."

Foiled, Leaf dropped the stick and backed away so Ethel would have a better chance to possess it. Already Ethyl was trotting toward the gate with her human meekly following.

Pink Lady hooked the leash to the dog's pink collar and began to open the gate. Sitting down and watching the events unfold, Leaf appeared to be thwarted. He did not want Ethel to leave so soon. He had worked too hard to get her into the park.

Leaf ran toward the gate. As he drew closer, he slowed to a quick trot. Ethel glanced over at him, still enjoying his attention. Pink Lady fiddled with the latch on the gate.

Thinking quickly, Leaf gently grabbed the pink leash with his mouth and pulled it out of the human's hand. He then walked, leash in mouth, with Ethel following him, back toward the center in the park.

At first, the woman appeared surprised, then amused. She watched Leaf taking her bulldog away. "Oh, no, no, we have to go," she called. "Ethel, come back. Ethel!"

Pink Lady walked to the two dogs and picked up Ethel's leash. Leaf, having made his final argument, let go without any resistance.

Leaf sat and watched both dog and human again start walking back to the gate. Pink Lady turned around and said, "Leaf, the next time we see you in the park, and Ethel wants to play, we'll be back."

If a bulldog can smile, Ethel appeared to be grinning at the promise of more fun to come. Leaf took it all in stride. He always surprises me with his ingenuity and determination.

BIO:
Leaf Anderson has a starring role in the new book by Allen and Linda Anderson, ANGEL DOGS WITH A MISSION: Divine Messengers in Service to All Life.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:

When have you observed animals in love? Did it remind you of human romance?

Dr. Marty Becker, D.V.M., America's Favorite Vet

We want to bring to your attention three new books by an author who has been a dear friend to us and Angel Animals ever since our first book, ANGEL ANIMALS: Divine Messengers of Miracles, for which he wrote the foreword.

Dr. Marty Becker, D.V.M., America's Favorite Vet, resident veterinarian for Good Morning America, bestselling author, and pet care columnist, has teamed up with Gina Spadafori, Carol Kline, and other authors for The ULTIMATE Series. These books are filled with advice and inspiring stories from the country's best experts and photographers. The stories and articles address behavior, sports and leisure activity, and preventative health care issues for dogs, cats, and horses.

This series is published by Health Communications, Inc. (HCI)
It includes:

THE ULTIMATE DOG LOVER; The Best Experts' Advice for a Happy, Healthy Dog with Stories and Photos of Incredible Canines

THE ULTIMATE CAT LOVER, The Best Experts' Advice for a Happy, Healthy Cat with Stories and Photos of Fabulous Felines

THE ULTIMATE HORSE LOVER, The Best Experts' Advice for Happy, Healthy Horses with Stories and Photos of Awe-Inspiring Equines.

To support the release of these books, HCI is offering an article by acclaimed animal photographer Troy Snow on "How to Photograph Your Pet." You'll find the article at www.authorviews.com/authors/becker/excerpt.htm

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LIMITED-TIME SPECIAL

Buy any TWO books from the Angel Animals Online Shopping and get ONE Angel Dogs with a Mission book at no cost. This offer will end on December 15th. After purchasing any two books at the reduced sale price you will automatically have a third, autographed Angel Dogs with a Mission placed with your order at no additional cost. Note: Do not add the third (no cost) book to your order form or you will be charged for it. The free book is automatically added to your package. Visit the Angel Animals bookstore at www.shop.angelanimals.net/main.sc

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Visit our wonderful publisher's website at www.newworldlibrary.com to see the wide array of animal books and outstanding authors published by this company. New World Library always supports animals, the environment, spiritual awareness -- and us - in innovative ways.

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We have posted a NEW video for your viewing pleasure. It shows two of the stories from our book, ANGEL DOGS, that were presented on Animal Planet's DOGS 101 and the MONTEL SHOW.

www.angelanimals.net/ytjohnson.html
www.angelanimals.net/ytdugan.html

Don't you just love when a dog shows how smart he is?

One of our cocker spaniel Leaf's favorite games is to catch a kernel of popcorn midair when Linda throws it to him from the couch.

Picture this scene. Linda is sitting on the couch, relaxing, with her favorite snack, a bowl of popcorn on her lap. During the popping process in the kitchen, Leaf has kept vigil to scoop up any kernels that the electric popcorn popper might have flung into the air and onto the floor. But now, he waits for this fun combination of a treat and a game.

In the past it would always be a struggle for him to wait patiently for the popcorn toss. He'd put his nose on the coffee table, trying to inch toward the bowl. He'd jump up on the couch and attempt to bury his face in the bowl. If Linda left the room to answer the phone with the popcorn bowl tempting him on the coffee table, Leaf couldn't resist. He'd plunge his face into the bowl.

Last night, though, Linda forgot something upstairs and ran up to get it. Halfway to her destination she remembered the bowl of yummy popcorn on the table with Leaf waiting for his share. She thought, "I'm going to find him in the living room with his snout in the bowl."

When Leaf had done this misdeed in the past, Linda had told him in no uncertain terms that this was not acceptable behavior. She would put him in his crate for a few minutes to let him think about it. This would mean no more popcorn other than the kernels he had filched.

But this time was different. When Linda returned to the living room, Leaf lay sprawled out on the carpet with his legs straight out in the front and back of him. He looked at her expectantly. The bowl remained untouched.

Linda praised and congratulated him. She made a point of telling Allen what a good dog he had been. Then she sat down on the couch, bowl on her lap, and began their regular game.

Later, we talked about this incredible act of discipline on Leaf's part. He had actually weighed the consequences and decided that patience was wiser than instant gratification. By waiting and not touching the bowl, he would be able to stay in the living room and have both the treat and the game of catch.

He excels at snatching the kernels mid-air without letting them hit the floor. If he had plunged his face into the bowl while Linda was out of the room, he would have gotten some kernels but been deprived of the game and any more popcorn.

This seemed to be a high level of reasoning and strategy. We enjoyed observing him making choices based on past experience and choosing to do the right thing.

When have you seen an animal weigh the consequences of his or her actions?

Angel Animals Story of the Week -- Invitation

Are you tired of bad news?

Have you ever wished for something that would consistently bring a smile to your face and make you forget your problems or anxieties?

How about accepting our gift to you of an absolutely FREE, QUICK-TO-READ newsletter? One that is chock full of love, joy, and comfort. A day brightener that will become a special present you’ll look forward to opening every Saturday.

We are Allen and Linda Anderson, authors and founders of the Angel Animals Network. We are working to help people discover and benefit from the miraculous powers of animals. We're inviting you to subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter and join a worldwide community of animal lovers.

The powerful stories in this unique publication warm the heart and offer a timely vision of spiritual wonders for a world sorely in need of them. Each week, thousands of people from over 40 countries look forward to reading the fascinating stories contributed by our readers about the human/animal spiritual bond. They join together in celebration of the gifts animals, as spiritual partners, bring to all our lives.

Click here to be on our mailing list or send a blank e-mail to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com to automatically receive your free Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter. Visit http://archive.mail-list.com/angelanimals to read past editions of the Angel Animals newsletter.

And please pass this invitation along to your animal-loving friends. They’ll thank you for it.

Animal blessings,
Allen & Linda Anderson
www.angelanimals.net
www.shop.angelanimals.net
http://blog.angelanimals.net

Have You Thought about Spiritually Connecting with an Animal?

Animals play such a key role in the lives of those who value them as family members. They offer companionship and affection. They keep us interested and engaged in life. They nudge us to play and exercise. But did you know they can also be a catalyst for your spiritual growth?

We're excited to announce that the spiritual community of Beliefnet, composed of millions of visitors each week, asked us to write about ways that people and animals assist each other spiritually. The website has posted a beautiful and uplifting photo-journal on its site. We wrote the text and the Beliefnet editor selected outstanding photos to accompany it.

We encourage you to visit the site and try out the various techniques presented there. It is called "10 Spiritual Ways to Connect with Your Pet." Go to http://tinyurl.com/5v57jx

NOTE: If you visit this site and don't see the photo journal, come back the next day. They are alternating our journal with another one.

What do you think about the journal and these techniques? How have you spiritually connected with animals?

Stupendous Cool Cats

From time to time there is a special story we want to share with our blog readers. This is one of those special stories!

STUPENDOUS COOL CATS
By Kathe Campbell

While I fold laundry he leans in hard, flicking his ringed tail, encircling and caressing my ankles. He curls up close, watching me nap until I wake with tears blanketing my eyes.

"Poor kitty, my poor sweet old guy," I sigh.

One of my kitty's nine lives had begun months before after which some heartless person tossed him out into our forest. I've seen dozens of the frightened things, mostly kitten litters, standing bewildered at the edge of the dusty road; defenseless dump-offs. They rush into the woods, innocent victims of someone who most likely has no use for cats.

My neighbors and I spotted this big, yellow feline who now offers his companionship to me. We watched him throughout his harrowing journey, his fear and doubt ruling. No amount of enticing could corral him.

The kitty may well have been a sweet guy, good with kids, probably used his kitty box faithfully, and purred sweet love songs on every lap. But now the wilderness echoed unfamiliar sounds, thrusting him at tree trunks, sending him clambering high until there was only the sound of the babbling creek.

Sprawling over a large limb or hunkered in the crotch of a fir, he waited for dawn's pink glow and safe flight. But safe flights were rare. Coyotes, badgers, foxes, weasels, even owls and raptors had him on their short list.

Winter came blustery and white, and the cat looked to be eternally, deep-down frozen and shivery, but he held his ground, refusing tossed kibbles until the coast was clear. Gimping along on cracked and sore paws, he made his way through thick underbrush where the ground laid barer. Sometimes gigantic fir boughs loosed their great snow loads in the wind, plunging heavily atop his hiding places, nearly burying him alive.

His coat was losing its luster and thick mantle; his only belongings were tangled masses of rangy clothing protruding down his back. Tree saps fused his carcass together into stiff, hairy spurs, seemingly pulling and stretching him with every move. Listening to his own purr must have been his only comfort, but the freeze cruelly shattered anything more than a small, raspy yawp as he fled our mercy.

After months of wandering and rustling up his own pitiful grub, dwellings suddenly appeared in our mountain valley. The cat had made it through winter on his own -- scrawny, but intact, with new zest in his gait. His wilderness plight said much about never losing heart.

Dump-offs usually pose an edgy, woeful presence at places they encounter, and this kitty was no exception. Still guarded, the sorry old guy moved from one barn to another. Despite unwanted intrusions into the local feline establishment, his grit became the subject of rural gossip.

A kitty should be fit for productive hunting, so folks began tossing scraps from behind small cracks in their doorways. Competing with dogs and raccoons, he gobbled up anything, for his mousing days had become few.

Like clockwork, I retreated from my log dwelling to feed my donkey herd every morning. The cat watched, clearly in need of a kind word but leery of the dog who romped at my side. I bent low for him to eat from my hand, but he was terrified to venture close.

Quieting his fears, I left an old, woolen army blanket and daily bowl of chow and milk atop the tallest bale in my hay-room. He seemed almost content in the place if his matted coat hadn't finally overwhelmed his tongue, even in the warmth of spring.

If Mother Nature were an actress, autumn would be her finest performance. Orangey leaves and cooler nights warned cat he wouldn't survive another winter as he dared peek over the hay bales with his hackles up -- just in case.

Murmuring soft kitty sounds while at my daily chores, I reached up to touch his head just once before he panicked and fled. Then one afternoon, with all the courage he could muster, he thrust out his claws and climbed down into my lap to let me stroke his chin. Pent-up emotions finally gave way, releasing his burden and my tears.

"It's okay fella, it's okay. I've got you now. I won't rush you. Take your time dear old thing," I said, as my crippled fingers nuzzled the cat's neck.

He was home.

I called him General Sterling Price after the big yellow cat in the movie, "True Grit." The Keeshond he had feared quickly welcomed him. My dog followed the General around for days watching him roll in delicious green grass, obviously fascinated by his gamy and bizarre self. I wondered how old the General was. He was surely in his teens, looking grizzled after losing an eye, various teeth, and another of his nine lives.

He curls up in front of the fireplace lest an occasional stroll into the barn where the mice have his number. After rugged exploits on our Montana mountain, he's old, thin, and tired. Often I carry him to his bowl of milk and special supper that puts a dent in my monthly check. I dare not complain, for I, too, have been in the fight.

His dauntless spirit teaches me courage daily -- not to whine over my own big stuff, but to have the patience to endure it. So we joyfully pursue our antiquity together, while the General longingly eyes the cedar chest at the foot of our bed. After awhile he works his way up where, at long last, a wee purr thrums its sweet love song in my ear.

There, I remind him: "We're not so bedraggled, my sweet General. You have one eye and only a few teeth. I have one arm and only a few teeth as well. We're survivors, and that makes us a pair of stupendous cool cats."

BIO:
Kathe Campbell lives on a Montana mountain with her mammoth donkeys, Keeshond, and a few kitties. She is a prolific writer on Alzheimer's, and her stories are found on many ezines. Kathe is a contributing author to the Chicken Soup For The Soul series, numerous anthologies, RX for Writers, Daily Devotionals, and medical journals. Email her at kathe@wildblue.net

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:
Who are the animals who parallel your life's journey?

We are having a lot of fun with our dog, Leaf's, race to the White House. Below is one of the many comments we've received about using humor as a comic relief from politics as usual. http://is.gd/3wKn

"I have decided Leaf has my vote. With his powerful history, he's a dog you can believe in. Yet while Leaf does have a remarkable story that could probably only happen in America, I have to confess I was on the fence. That is, until he introduced his running mate.

I am passionate about Cuddles Anderson's candidacy. It is long past time for a female in the White House.

Leaf and Cuddles have such moving stories. True American narratives, the likes of which the other campaigns can only dream. Now, that's the change we need. Leaf Anderson. Yes. He. Can. --Margo

Why do you think your pet would make a good President?

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We welcome you to answer this question and the "Something to Think About" question at our blogs and forums, so everyone can see your comments. Visit angelanimals.net/forum.html to share your thoughts.

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BIG FAVOR!!!
We are compiling letters and comments about Leaf for a writing project. Since we adopted Leaf from the animal shelter on October 7, 2006, we have consistently written about him in the Angel Animals Story of the Week and our blogs.

You have been part of his journey from the beginning. He entered as an abandoned, frightened dog attempting to live in a home with two cats, a bird, and two humans who grieved over the death of their beloved yellow Lab, Taylor, only months earlier. We'd love to hear from all of you who have followed Leaf through such things as dog park, doggie daycare, panic attacks, fear of strangers, animal communicators, learning to live with cats, running for President, and growing into trust and love.

We'd also appreciate hearing from those of you who are just now tuning in. If you want to catch up, you can go to www.angelanimals.net and click on archived newsletters.

What are your impressions of Leaf? What are your thoughts about him and his journey? Please send letters within the next two weeks, if possible to angelanimals@angelanimals.net.

We would greatly appreciate hearing from you in regard to Leaf and how he might have helped you remember your own journeys with animals.

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UNIQUE HORSE RESCUE

Earlier this week we spoke with Cynthia Royal. She and her husband Tony Royal have appeared in horse shows and expos around the country. They demonstrate their intuitive ways of training horses for millions of people with the help of Blanco, the horse who played Shadowfax in the Lord of the Rings movie. www.IMAGINE-DiscoverTheMagic.com

Now Cynthia and Tony have rescued an historically significant herd of Polish Arabian horses whose ancestors were brought via a letter of intercession by President Ronald Reagan to the United States. The result has been that a herd of thirty white Polish Arabians fell into squalor and horrendous conditions.

Read about the Polish Arabian's journey and what Cynthia and Tony Royal are trying to do for them at www.pegasusrising.org. Consider making a tax-deductible donation for the horses' transport, veterinary care, and upkeep. They Royals' monthly cost for hay and feed alone is $4000!