Angel Animals Story of the Week, 12-25-10, "Birthing Frostbite"

Angel Animals Story of the Week
December 25, 2010
Visit us at www.angelanimals.net


Dear Friends of Angel Animals,

Welcome to the Angel Animals Story of the Week. We're always happy to connect with fellow animal lovers.

Wishing all of you a blessed holiday season and a wonderful 2011.

We just finished watching a video of the incredible movie HACHI starring Richard Gere and Joan Allen. If you haven't had a chance to see it, we highly recommend it.

The movie is based on the true story of the Akita dog in Japan in the 1920s who faithfully waited by the train station for his best friend. Truly shows the amazing loyalty and love that can exist between humans and animals. Two paws up!

***

SEND YOUR STORIES NOW

We are looking for stories about animals helping children, parents, and families deal with chronically difficult situations and circumstances or temporary tough periods in a child's life. Time is of the essence since the book we are writing is due to the publisher's in January. Email your story by January 5, 2011 to angelanimals@aol.com. In the subject line put: Animal-Children book story submission.

Animals featured in this next book can be dogs, cats, horses, gerbils, rabbits, ferrets, birds, pet fish, or any family pet or animal in nature. They can be pets, therapy, assistance, or service animals. Because there are so many dog and horse stories, we currently need other types of animals helping children, but if you have a great story about a dog or horse, send it.

***

This week's story is about the Christmas Eve experience with a newborn and how it changed a teenage boy's life for the better.

We encourage you to e-mail this newsletter in its entirety to your animal-loving friends and encourage them to sign up for our weekly publication. They will be joining a terrific community of thousands of like-minded people from around the world. We do not sell to or share our newsletter subscriber list with anyone.

Animal blessings,
Allen & Linda Anderson

* * * * *

STORY OF THE WEEK

Excerpt from HORSES WITH A MISSION: Extraordinary True Stories of Equine Service by Allen and Linda Anderson (New World Library, 2009), pp. 25-31. Reprinted with permission. All Rights Reserved.

BIRTHING FROSTBITE, THE CHRISTMAS EVE FOAL By Steve Schwertfeger, Crystal Lake, Illinois

On Christmas Eve in 1977, Dr. Harold Norvell, DVM, employed me to take care of fifty horses at his Twin Cedars Farm in Huntley, Illinois, a large breeding and rehabilitation farm for thoroughbred racehorses. Dr. Norvell and his wife were going away for a much-needed holiday break.

Since several of the mares were pregnant, and there were so many horses, it amazed me that they trusted me, a fifteen-year-old teenager, to do this big job by myself. On the other hand, I felt upset. Because of all the chores I'd be responsible for that night, I'd have to miss some of my family's holiday party.

As I prepared each stall with a thick bedding of straw, a bucket of feed, water, and several flakes of hay, I looked out the back door and began to get a little nervous. Daylight was disappearing much too quickly.

Ten horses still had to be brought inside because of their late-stage pregnancies. The horses who remained outdoors had large lean-to sheds, bedded deeply with straw, where they could go for shelter. The weather forecaster had predicted colder temperatures along with frigid high winds.

The farm consisted of four large pastures with an open, running stream flowing across the lower portions. As colder weather and nighttime approached, the horses usually stayed close to their sheds.

By the time I had prepared all their stalls, it was dark. I turned on the outside floodlight, but the full moon made it easy to see outlines of horses as I approached the fields. Thankfully, the first eight animals were easy to lead inside. They always seemed to know with an uncanny accuracy when it was time to eat.

My increasingly impatient attitude became tinged with a full dose of self-pity. I approached the farthest pasture, and my thoughts turned to bemoaning the fact that I had to do this work alone on Christmas Eve.

I pictured my family at home. They were no doubt enjoying good food next to a roaring fireplace. My usual feelings of holiday goodwill were being crushed by images of everyone but me having a good time.

Horses in the Snow

As I climbed over the fence, I did not see any horse silhouettes against the snowy background. After pouring the feed into several troughs, I angrily banged an empty metal feed bucket with my hand and yelled at the top of my voice, "Come on. I don't have all night. Get over here. It's time to eat." Still, there was no movement anywhere.

I started walking away from the lean-to shed and then noticed a huddled group of horses standing near the bottom of the field. Muttering under my frozen breath, I walked toward them, wondering what could be so interesting that these ordinarily ravenous horses did not seem to care at all about food or what I wanted them to do.

When I drew closer to the horses, I noticed the shadow of a horse lying on the snow. Instantly I forgot how upset I felt. I dropped the empty bucket and ran the last few yards. My heart raced. My knees started to shake.

I arrived to find one of the pregnant mares lying on her left side, breathing very heavily. Her sweat had turned to steam rising from her body. Her feet paddled in the air but suddenly stopped. The mare groaned loudly. A violent shudder overtook her body.

I approached cautiously, unsure of what was happening. I noticed the mare's tail moving up and down. Kneeling down, I ran my hand over her neck.

Another low, painful grunt emanated from her mouth. She looked up at me with a sense of panic and exhaustion. Relief flashed in her eyes at the realization that someone had arrived to help her.

While looking closer at her, I realized that she was in the process of giving birth in the middle of the field, with only the five other horses and me in attendance. My heart beat rapidly. Selfish feelings of my Christmas Eve being wrecked quickly evaporated.

My mind raced as I tried to decide what to do next. Should I run back to the barn and call for help? I'd have to make a long trek to the farmhouse for a telephone. Or should I just do my best and help the mare right now out in the field?

As if reading my mind, the other horses moved in closer to surround the mother. I began to realize what I must do. I had bent over to look more closely at her heaving body, but now I gazed up to see every one of the horses looking at me. Silently, they seemed to ask me to help her.

A great feeling of peace and a previously unknown sense of confidence overtook me. As I looked back up across the field, I knew in my heart that I had to assist the mare right then.

Giving Birth

Relying on my limited knowledge about the equine birthing process, I assessed the situation. The mare's water had already broken. I could see that the baby had started to make its way into the world.

The mother began to strain again quite hard, so I removed my warm thermal gloves, knelt down, and noticed that the baby's two feet were now visible.

Gently I grabbed the tiny feet and assisted the mare's efforts to give birth by applying traction, which meant pulling on the baby as it was being born, timed with the mother's contractions. She seemed to acknowledge that the traction was helping and strained with a renewed sense of urgency.

After several minutes of wondering if I was doing the right thing, there was a great rush. Suddenly I lurched onto my back with a wet, newborn foal lying on top of me.

I quickly stood up and cleared the fluids out the baby's nostrils, then gently gave him a slap on the behind to start his breathing. He made a very loud snort and wagged his head, coughing out the rest of the fluids. I grabbed his front feet and moved him closer to his mother's head so that she could get acquainted with the little fellow.

Realizing what was in front of her, she slowly rose up. With a renewed interest in life, she vigorously licked him. He shook his head again and attempted to stand up.

The Silent Night

I sat back down again, shaken from both the cold and what I had just experienced. I was struck by the peacefulness of the scene before me. In the silence of a beautiful moonlit evening, all the horses stood and rejoiced, in an unspoken way, the birth of a new baby. I spent several minutes drinking in the scene.

Slowly I began to drift back to a different type of reality. How was I was going to get the mother and baby up the field and into the barn, where they could recover in the nice, warm stall?

Standing up with a renewed sense of determination, I circled my arms around the foal. I turned uphill, concerned about the distance to the barn, which was close to a quarter-mile away.

The mare stood up with great effort and nudged her baby toward the barn. The other horses followed in unison. We all headed for the distant floodlight.

Several times I lost my balance and fell, but the mare, despite her weakened state, very patiently waited for me to get up and direct her baby, who could barely walk.

At this time the wind picked up, and snow blew across the empty field. The five other horses moved into a tighter group, offering us protection as we slowly moved forward.

After about thirty minutes we made it to the barn gate. I opened it and directed the baby and mother into the building. All the other horses stayed behind, knowing that their job was completed. After a few more yards, mother, foal, and I stumbled into the stall.

Finishing the Job

I shut the door, wiped my frozen hands, and clicked on the heat lamps. Then I went over to the tack room and grabbed several large towels to help wipe down the newborn foal. This really wasn't necessary, because his mother had commenced licking him. The heat from the lamps rapidly dried his trembling little body.

I dressed his umbilical stump with iodine and gave him an enema to assist in the removal of the meconium. The earliest stools of an infant, meconium is composed of materials ingested while in the uterus. It must be completely passed by the end of the first few days of postpartum life.

After finishing my care of the foal and his mother, I called Dr. Norvell and explained what had transpired. He said that he would be home shortly to see how things were going.

I sat in a quiet corner of the stall. I don't know what was more effective in warming me, the heat lamps, or watching the mare and foal get acquainted with each other.

Later, I went outside to finish my chores, find my gloves, and feed the other horses. As I left the warmth of the barn, I noticed that the wind had died down.

The sound of recorded Christmas carols from a neighboring farmer's display wafted across the fields. I listened to the words, "Silent night, holy night; all is calm; all is bright," drift through the still, cold air.

I stopped what I was doing, put down the buckets, leaned against the fence, lowered my head, and reflected on the whole evening. The words to that song had never affected me the way they did at that moment.

This whole experience began to sink into my being, making me understand for the first time that the Christmas season is about assisting others rather than selfishly waiting to see what I could get. On this sacred evening, a seed had been planted in my soul, and it affected my future in a positive way that I never would have expected.

My New Kinship with the Horses

While feeding the other horses, a special sort of kinship replaced my rushed, rude, and somewhat uncaring attitude from earlier in the evening. I spoke to the horses as old friends while teasing them and providing extra hay.

I appreciated the fact that they had helped me to realize what Christmas is really about. In my life I had seen several horses born, but this one was special. I started to think about the birth of Jesus and realized how precious life is, whether human or animal.

The horses followed me down the pasture. Boy, was I glad to see my gloves along with the empty feed bucket still lying there. The horses and I walked back to the barn in what seemed like one big, happy family. They thundered around, kicking their heels up as if to express their joy that everything had worked out well. The peace and goodwill I felt carried me to the barn, where the doctor now waited.

Dr. Norvell listened to my story while examining the foal and mare, taking vital signs, and a giving the baby an injection. He turned to me, smiled, and shook my hand, congratulating me on a job well done.

The foal grew up to be an adult with white tips on his ears. His owners named him Frostbite after hearing my story about the blessed evening when he came into the world.

That night affected me in a very direct and heartfelt way and I still reflect on this truly special evening from my youth. Cradling a foal named Frostbite in my arms on the Christmas Eve he was born became one of my inspirations for growing up to become a horse rescuer.

In what has become a very important aspect of my life, I now assist horses in need as a humane investigator for the Hooved Animal Rescue and Protection Society. Horse rescue often brings with it the same sort of wonder from that long-ago night.

When I see the look of appreciation in the eyes of an animal who has been given another chance, I feel a sense of gratification that no amount of material things could ever replace.

Visit www.angelanimals.net/nlimage22.html to see a photo of Steve's Frostbite.

BIO:
Steve Schwertfeger lives in Crystal Lake, Illinois with his family and is a humane investigator for the Hooved Animal Rescue and Protection Society, www.harpsonline.org. He feels thankfulness and love for both of his parents for encouraging him during his youth to care for animals. He is grateful that his dad moved the family out in the country, and his mom always found time to help him with orphaned animals he seemed to constantly be caring for.

SOMETHING TO THING ABOUT:
Meditation: "A teenage boy's Christmas Eve service to a horse in need inspired him to reflect on the true meaning of this sacred day. When has an animal reminded you that wonder blossoms in the giving heart?"

Note: HORSES WITH A MISSION is available autographed at shop.angelanimals.net/main.sc

* * * * *

ANGEL ANIMALS QUOTES

"The Animals Never Yell at Me
The animals never yell at me.
The animals never make me do things I don't want to do.
They don't expect too much of me.
They don't get mean or mad.
They're always there to run with me.
And make me feel not sad.
--Michael, age 10"
--From ANIMAL BLESSINGS, Prayers and Poems Celebrating Our Pets by June Cotner

"When a person doesn't have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity. A person can almost be defined by his or her attitude toward gratitude."
--Elie Wiesel

* * * * *

BOOKS by Allen and Linda Anderson:

All of Allen and Linda's books are available at New World Library, online or regular bookstores, some Costco stores, and at many gift shops that sell animal books. The books are sold with author autographs at www.shop.angelanimals.net .

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.

Dogs and the Women Who Love Them
Horses with a Mission
Angel Animals
Angel Animals Book of Inspiration
Saying Goodbye to Your Angel Animals
Angel Dogs with a Mission
Angel Horses
Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster
Rainbows & Bridges: An Animal Companion Memorial Kit
Angel Cats
Angel Dogs
You Ought to Be in Pictures by Linda Anderson

Join the Angel Animals Network and become a Member!

* * * * *

Please visit any of the blogs and forums below to comment on past and current articles and stories. We look forward to reading your comments, stories, and answers to questions posed in the newsletter. This is a great way to get to know other people's thoughts, experiences, and concerns about the angel animals who share their lives.

Visit the Angel Animals Network Forums at: www.angelanimals.net/forum.html

Check out our Twitter site at www.twitter.com/angelanimals

Allen & Linda Anderson Angel Animals Blog: http://blog.angelanimals.net

Visit www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Angel-Animals/84755854844 and join the Facebook Angel Animals Fan Page.

Visit www.facebook.com/pages/Allen-and-Linda-Anderson/181986331814534 and join the Facebook Allen and Linda Anderson page.


* * * * *

ANGEL ANIMALS VIDEO PRESENTATIONS

We have produced a series of short videos about the work of Angel Animals. In the videos we share a bit about ourselves. We also present our message of the spiritual connection between animals and humans. Visit www.youtube.com/user/angelanimalsnetwork to view a variety of videos.

* * * * *

OTHER INFORMATION

The Angel Animals Network is devoted to collecting and disseminating original, true stories about the spiritual connection between people and animals. You can learn more about Angel Animals at www.angelanimals.net. Visit our Angel Animals Online Shopping at www.shop.angelanimals.net.

If you send this newsletter to others (and we hope that you will), please don't change it in anyway and include the information above about the Angel Animals Network. Thank you.

This newsletter is sent to you by the Angel Animals Network. Copyright 2010, Allen and Linda Anderson, Angel Animals Network. All rights reserved. Nothing in this newsletter may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual authors and/or copyright owners. Angel Animals(r) is a registered trademark.

* * * * *

To subscribe, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com

To unsubscribe, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-off@mail-list.com

To change your email address, send a message to AngelAnimals-change@mail-list.com with your old address in the Subject: line

Allen and Linda Anderson, Post Office Box 26354, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55426

Angel Animals Story of the Week, 12-18-10, "Inconsistency and the Cat"

Angel Animals Story of the Week
December 18, 2010
Visit us at www.angelanimals.net

Dear Friends of Angel Animals,

Welcome to the Angel Animals Story of the Week. We're always happy to connect with fellow animal lovers.

Early New Year's Resolutions

In this tough economy 2010 was hard on just about everybody. But animal shelters and animal welfare organizations experienced undue hardships.

So many houses went into foreclosure and people lost their jobs that animal shelters were deluged with frightened, confused pets who became homeless overnight. The shelters grew overcrowded, especially with cats and older animals. Not as many people felt they could afford to adopt a shelter pet.

Just a reminder that in this season of giving, please be sure to remember how much your local animal shelters (and the national organizations) need your donations of time, materials, and money. Shelters with websites often list the types of donations they need. Things like blankets, food, toys, and crates go a long way toward helping them to survive.

The animals will thank you. They always do.

***

SEND YOUR STORIES NOW

We are looking for stories about animals helping children, parents, and families deal with chronically difficult situations and circumstances or temporary tough periods in a child's life. Time is of the essence since the book we are writing is due to the publisher's in January. Email your story by January 5, 2011 to angelanimals@aol.com. In the subject line put: Animal-Children book story submission.

Animals featured in this next book can be dogs, cats, horses, gerbils, rabbits, ferrets, birds, pet fish, or any family pet or animal in nature. They can be pets, therapy, assistance, or service animals. Because there are so many dog and horse stories, we currently need other types of animals helping children, but if you have a great story about a dog or horse, send it.

This week's story is about a human's faux pas with a four-paw cat.

We encourage you to e-mail this newsletter in its entirety to your animal-loving friends and encourage them to sign up for our weekly publication. They will be joining a terrific community of thousands of like-minded people from around the world. We do not sell to or share our newsletter subscriber list with anyone.

Animal blessings,
Allen & Linda Anderson

* * * * *

STORY OF THE WEEK

INCONSISTENCY AND THE CAT
By Linda Anderson

I've been thinking a lot lately about inconsistency. When A doesn't lead to B, it's disconcerting. If a person who always does things a certain way changes patterns, it catches our attention.

Inconsistencies delight and entertain; they make us laugh with the pleasure of surprise. But they also upset and frighten. The startle response can be hilarious or maddening and every emotion in-between.

This week I was inconsistent with our eighteen-year-old cat Speedy. He's a big guy with a long body and a temperamental attitude. Unlike his lithe and nimble, younger, black and white sister Cuddles, Speedy's gait is slow. Once he settles in on a place to lounge, he's a lump of coal, loathe to move or be moved.

When I eat lunch in the living room, sitting on the couch, with my plate on the coffee table, Cuddles likes to jump up next to me and try to paw at my food. I've taken to keeping a small spray bottle of water by my side. Usually if I even point it at Cuddles, she scurries away.

Sometimes, though, the smell of food she especially likes makes her more persistent. That's when I have to actually spritz her with a little water to get her to leave the food and me alone.

One afternoon, it wasn't Cuddles who had her eyes on my lunch. Speedy decided that he wanted to perch next to me on the couch in hopes that tasty morsels would fall his way.

Out of habit, I reached for the trusty squirt bottle and aimed it at the cat who wanted my food. When Speed "doggedly" kept moving forward with the intent of springing onto the couch, I squirted a tiny spray of water at him.

What happened next filled me with remorse. Speedy backed off. His eyes clouded over. A pained and shocked expression spread across his face. I immediately regretted my hasty action.

"I'm not Cuddles!" he seemed to say. "I'm me. And we have always treated each other with respect. Now I'm questioning if you deserve my trust."

Speedy shook his head from side to side as if to say, "You have disappointed me," and lumbered out of the room.

Inconsistency.

Instead of honoring the relationship I've had with Speedy all these many years, I had acted out of character and treated him with a tactic that doesn't phase Cuddles in the least.

After lunch I found Speedy on the stairs leading to my second-floor office. He had gone there to hide, to brood over how inconsistent humans, even his favorite human, can be. He could have gone anywhere but obviously wanted me to see him. He succeeded in making me feel even guiltier.

I sat on the step below him and apologized. I asked him to forgive me for getting him mixed up with someone else who was only half his size. He again looked at me with sadness in his eyes and an expression that said, "You have betrayed me. I must consider this."

Off he retreated to another part of the house where keeps his man cave. I didn't see him for the rest of the afternoon. I went back to work, feeling even worse about having treated my old friend badly.

After the day's work, I came downstairs to watch the evening news. Speedy walked along the back of the couch where I sat. Tentatively he tiptoed over to have his head and cheeks rubbed and his body stroked ever so gently. "So you have decided to forgive me?" I asked.

He stuck his head under my hand to remind me not to stop petting him. "Don't ever let it happen again," he answered.

Visit www.angelanimals.net/nlimage50.html to see photos of Speedy and Cuddles.

BIO:
Linda Anderson lives in Minneapolis with her husband and co-author Allen where she is owned by a cocker spaniel, two cats, and a cockatiel. They live in semi-controlled chaos and spend way too much time together. When it snowed twenty inches last weekend, they all looked out the window and wondered if Santa would take them to Florida for Christmas.


SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:

When has an animal let you know that your inconsistency was not appreciated?

* * * * *

ANGEL ANIMALS QUOTES

"Women have been riding horses into myth and fable and imagination as long as women have sought to be free. When I greet my horse, when I stroke her warm coat, when I lift myself onto her back, I join not her alone but all the women and all the horses who have run wild together since the dawn of memory, and I am made whole." --Mary D. Midkiff, SHE FLIES WITHOUT WINGS

"Four paws pad lightly on the ground next to two feet as a dog and human companion go for a walk. No relationship between people and animals is as complex as that represented by the simple act of a human being out for a stroll with a dog" --Allen and Linda Anderson, ANGEL DOGS: Divine Messengers of Love, p.3

"An enlightened person -- by perceiving God in all -- looks at a learned person, an outcast, even a cow, an elephant, or a dog with an equal eye." --Bhagavad Gita

"Every animal knows far more than you do." --Yellow Wolf

* * * * *

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SCHEDULED RADIO INTERVIEWS

Listen to Allen and Linda Anderson's interview as guest on It's a Dog's Life From Maui with Aloha with host C. J. Johnson. Visit www.blogtalkradio.com/frommauiwithaloha/2010/12/17/its-a-dogs-life

Linda Anderson, author of "Dogs and the Women who Love Them," will on Marie Hulett's "Pet Place" radio show on Sunday, December 19th at 7:30 a.m. Central Time. The show is on KGIL Retro 1260 AM. For more information visit www.petplace.org.

Allen and Linda Anderson will be featured guests on Jean Meyer's PET TALK PROGRAM on AM 1310 KOKX broadcasting from Keokuk, Iowa. The interview will take place on Thursday, December 23rd at 9:00am Central Time. They will be discussing their new book Dogs and the Women Who Love Them. Write angelanimals@aol.com for more information.


BOOKS by Allen and Linda Anderson:

All of Allen and Linda's books are available at New World Library, online or regular bookstores, some Costco stores, and at many gift shops that sell animal books. The books are sold with author autographs at www.shop.angelanimals.net .

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.

Dogs and the Women Who Love Them
Horses with a Mission
Angel Animals
Angel Animals Book of Inspiration
Saying Goodbye to Your Angel Animals
Angel Dogs with a Mission
Angel Horses
Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster
Rainbows & Bridges: An Animal Companion Memorial Kit
Angel Cats
Angel Dogs
You Ought to Be in Pictures by Linda Anderson

Join the Angel Animals Network and become a Member!

* * * * *

Please visit any of the blogs and forums below to comment on past and current articles and stories. We look forward to reading your comments, stories, and answers to questions posed in the newsletter. This is a great way to get to know other people's thoughts, experiences, and concerns about the angel animals who share their lives.

Visit the Angel Animals Network Forums at: www.angelanimals.net/forum.html

Check out our Twitter site at www.twitter.com/angelanimals

Allen & Linda Anderson Angel Animals Blog: http://blog.angelanimals.net

Visit www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Angel-Animals/84755854844 and join the Facebook Angel Animals Fan Page.

Visit www.facebook.com/pages/Allen-and-Linda-Anderson/181986331814534 and join the Facebook Allen and Linda Anderson page.


* * * * *

ANGEL ANIMALS VIDEO PRESENTATIONS

We have produced a series of short videos about the work of Angel Animals. In the videos we share a bit about ourselves. We also present our message of the spiritual connection between animals and humans. Visit www.youtube.com/user/angelanimalsnetwork to view a variety of videos.

* * * * *

OTHER INFORMATION

The Angel Animals Network is devoted to collecting and disseminating original, true stories about the spiritual connection between people and animals. You can learn more about Angel Animals at www.angelanimals.net. Visit our Angel Animals Online Shopping at www.shop.angelanimals.net.

If you send this newsletter to others (and we hope that you will), please don't change it in anyway and include the information above about the Angel Animals Network. Thank you.

This newsletter is sent to you by the Angel Animals Network. Copyright 2010, Allen and Linda Anderson, Angel Animals Network. All rights reserved. Nothing in this newsletter may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual authors and/or copyright owners. Angel Animals(r) is a registered trademark.

* * * * *

To subscribe, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com

To unsubscribe, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-off@mail-list.com

To change your email address, send a message to AngelAnimals-change@mail-list.com with your old address in the Subject: line

Allen and Linda Anderson, Post Office Box 26354, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55426

Angel Animals Story of the Week, 12-11-2010, "Journey's Goodbye"

Angel Animals Story of the Week
December 11, 2010
Visit us at www.angelanimals.net

Dear Friends of Angel Animals,

Welcome to the Angel Animals Story of the Week. We're always happy to connect with fellow animal lovers.

Laughing at Leaf in the Snow

Laughing at our cocker spaniel Leaf while he tries to run in snow that is higher than his little legs has been fun this weekend. As we write this, we're already up to 12 inches of soggy, white snow with more on the way!

Many studies of human-animal companionship show that people who have pets live longer, have lower blood pressure, are less lonely, and remain emotionally connected to the world around them. Petting an animal turns out to be one of nature's best stress-relievers.

One of our favorite ways to de-stress with pets is to laugh about the funny things they do. One of the main benefits we've received by sharing our home with animals is that they bring a smile to our faces every day.

In a world that seems to try and top itself each day with creative ways to add stress to life, animals with their honest playfulness and expressiveness, provide comic relief. When our dog and two cats roll over on their backs for tummy rubs or the bird spreads his wings as we compliment his beauty, our pets remind us to stop, notice, and smile.

Visit www.angelanimals.net/dogparkwisdom.html to see videos of how Leaf's adventures at the dog park allows us to relax with often a grin as he figures out how to achive his goals.

What do your pets do to make you laugh?

Remember to visit our online store at shop.angelanimals.net for your autographed gift books by Allen and Linda Anderson.

This week's story is about an act of grace that brought comfort to two dog lovers.

We encourage you to e-mail this newsletter in its entirety to your animal-loving friends and encourage them to sign up for our weekly publication. They will be joining a terrific community of thousands of like-minded people from around the world. We do not sell to or share our newsletter subscriber list with anyone.

Animal blessings,
Allen & Linda Anderson

* * * * *

STORY OF THE WEEK

JOURNEY'S GOODBYE
By Maxine Clark

Our daughter and son-in-law had a black, fun-loving half Lab retriever and half mixed German short hair, Great Dane, and something else. Journey was big and free with his kisses. He went with them everywhere in their motor home. They loved him very much.

At the end of his life, Journey had illnesses that could not be cured and he was in misery. They had to put him to sleep.

They saved Journey's ashes until they went to the beach and then flung the ashes in the waves that Journey had loved so much.

On the way back to their motor home, in the wet sand, they saw large dog prints leading into the ocean.

Draw your own conclusions.

BIO:
Maxine Clark and her husband live in an apartment in Selma, California where no pets are allowed. Maxine is retired from being an instructional aide at Selma schools and is a freelance writer. She volunteers at her church one morning a week. She enjoys sewing, photography, and playing the piano and organ (not especially in that order).

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:

How have animals shown that you can still feel their presence?


* * * * *

ANGEL ANIMALS QUOTES

"God sleeps in a stone, dreams in a flower, moves in an animal, and wakes in man"
--Unknown

"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language."
--Martin Buber

A kindly gesture bestowed by us on an animal arouses prodigies of understanding and gratitude"
--Sidonie Gabrielle

"The purity of a person's heart can be quickly measured by how they regard animals"
--Anonymous

"The realities of nature surpass our most ambitious dreams."
--Francois Rodin


* * * * *

ANNOUNCEMENTS


BOOKS by Allen and Linda Anderson:

All of Allen and Linda's books are available at New World Library, online or regular bookstores, some Costco stores, and at many gift shops that sell animal books. The books are sold with author autographs at www.shop.angelanimals.net .

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.

Dogs and the Women Who Love Them
Horses with a Mission
Angel Animals
Angel Animals Book of Inspiration
Saying Goodbye to Your Angel Animals
Angel Dogs with a Mission
Angel Horses
Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster
Rainbows & Bridges: An Animal Companion Memorial Kit
Angel Cats
Angel Dogs
You Ought to Be in Pictures by Linda Anderson

Join the Angel Animals Network and become a Member!

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Please visit any of the blogs and forums below to comment on past and current articles and stories. We look forward to reading your comments, stories, and answers to questions posed in the newsletter. This is a great way to get to know other people's thoughts, experiences, and concerns about the angel animals who share their lives.

Visit the Angel Animals Network Forums at: www.angelanimals.net/forum.html

Check out our Twitter site at www.twitter.com/angelanimals

Allen & Linda Anderson Angel Animals Blog: http://blog.angelanimals.net

Facebook Angel Animals Fan Club page at www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Angel-Animals/84755854844 Linda-Allen Anderson profile page: www.facebook.com/angelanimals

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ANGEL ANIMALS VIDEO PRESENTATIONS

We have produced a series of short videos about the work of Angel Animals. In the videos we share a bit about ourselves. We also present our message of the spiritual connection between animals and humans. Visit www.youtube.com/user/angelanimalsnetwork to view a variety of videos.

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OTHER INFORMATION

The Angel Animals Network is devoted to collecting and disseminating original, true stories about the spiritual connection between people and animals. You can learn more about Angel Animals at www.angelanimals.net. Visit our Angel Animals Online Shopping at www.shop.angelanimals.net.

If you send this newsletter to others (and we hope that you will), please don't change it in anyway and include the information above about the Angel Animals Network. Thank you.

This newsletter is sent to you by the Angel Animals Network. Copyright 2010, Allen and Linda Anderson, Angel Animals Network. All rights reserved. Nothing in this newsletter may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual authors and/or copyright owners. Angel Animals(r) is a registered trademark.


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