Dr. Bernie Siegel, author of LOVE, MEDICINE, AND MIRACLES has put out a call for stories for his new book about miracles. From our readers, he is especially hoping to find animal miracle stories.
He writes: "I believe miracles are the nature of life, and that life itself is an unexplainable miracle. When we exceed expectations, cure the incurable, experience the unexpected, we realize there are no coincidences -- only the gift of miracles.
"Have you been inspired by my books, appearances, or consultations and subsequently experienced what you might call a miracle in your life?
"I would love for you to send me miracle stories about what you have experienced or been witness to in any area of your life. I want this to go beyond my personal experience, to share your stories of miracles and how they enriched your spirit, gave you hope, increased your sense of gratitude, and connected you to the divine.
"You can remain anonymous or not. By sharing and recognizing miracles we may be able to increase the number we recognize and help ourselves and the inhabitants of our planet to heal."
Length: 100 to 1000 words
Submit by: June 15, 2010
Send to: info@andreahurst.com, send story pasted into the email letter
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
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.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Exciting New Contest Begins TODAY
Inspiring Stories of Animals Who Comfort and Heal Children -- Angel Animals Network 2010 True Story Contest
The Angel Animals Network 2010 True Story Contest is now accepting submissions of true stories of animals helping children, parents, and families deal with difficult situations and circumstances. Animals featured in contest stories can be dogs, cats, horses, gerbils, rabbits, ferrets, or any house pet or animal in nature. They can be family pets or therapy, assistance, or service animals.
The stories can be written by parents or guardians of children or by the children or teens themselves. Stories can also be written by adults who recall a special animal from childhood or teen years who helped them through a tough period.
This contest hopes to find real-life stories that demonstrate animals comforting and helping to heal children during everyday ups and downs or traumatic events such as divorce or other losses. The stories can depict how children and teens de-stress with animals while learning valuable life lessons.
The contest hopes to find heartwarming and positive stories that deal with children who endure long-term or catastrophic illnesses. The animals in the stories might also be ones who help children who have learning disorders, blindness, deafness, physical/motor, mental, and emotional problems. They might be children with autism that an animal is aiding through their journey.
Any contest entries, but especially those of the winners, will be considered for possible publication in a new book about animals who comfort and heal children by Allen and Linda Anderson to be published by New World Library in Fall 2011.
Contest deadline is September 15, 2010. But get your stories in early so we can read them to see if they are possibilities for the new book.
For more information go to www.angelanimals.net/contests.html
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
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.
The Angel Animals Network 2010 True Story Contest is now accepting submissions of true stories of animals helping children, parents, and families deal with difficult situations and circumstances. Animals featured in contest stories can be dogs, cats, horses, gerbils, rabbits, ferrets, or any house pet or animal in nature. They can be family pets or therapy, assistance, or service animals.
The stories can be written by parents or guardians of children or by the children or teens themselves. Stories can also be written by adults who recall a special animal from childhood or teen years who helped them through a tough period.
This contest hopes to find real-life stories that demonstrate animals comforting and helping to heal children during everyday ups and downs or traumatic events such as divorce or other losses. The stories can depict how children and teens de-stress with animals while learning valuable life lessons.
The contest hopes to find heartwarming and positive stories that deal with children who endure long-term or catastrophic illnesses. The animals in the stories might also be ones who help children who have learning disorders, blindness, deafness, physical/motor, mental, and emotional problems. They might be children with autism that an animal is aiding through their journey.
Any contest entries, but especially those of the winners, will be considered for possible publication in a new book about animals who comfort and heal children by Allen and Linda Anderson to be published by New World Library in Fall 2011.
Contest deadline is September 15, 2010. But get your stories in early so we can read them to see if they are possibilities for the new book.
For more information go to www.angelanimals.net/contests.html
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
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.
Animal Arrests
Does your dog, bird, cat, ferret, hamster, or reptile companion tell you when it is time to stop working so much and get some rest? Our pets do.
For example, Cuddles has become our timekeeper for breaks, sleep, and food. She keeps a steady eye on Linda and her working schedule as she edits, writes, and creates book about our love of animals.
Cuddles is okay with the regular work hours but as day turns to evening, she begins her distraction activities. Before bedtime, she supports us by finding lost or misplaced files, keeping her tail off the monitor when sitting on top of it, or quietly getting into a Buddha-like pose next to the computer.
When it gets late and we're overdoing, Cuddles begins her important task of ending the workday. She looks at us as if to say, "Stop already!" Then she plops down on and covers the one paper Linda needs to continue her immediate writing task. Cuddles won't move and with a rock-solid determination, she keeps her eyes steady on Linda until she says, "You're right."
Do animals in your home let you know when it's time to stop or take a break?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
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.
For example, Cuddles has become our timekeeper for breaks, sleep, and food. She keeps a steady eye on Linda and her working schedule as she edits, writes, and creates book about our love of animals.
Cuddles is okay with the regular work hours but as day turns to evening, she begins her distraction activities. Before bedtime, she supports us by finding lost or misplaced files, keeping her tail off the monitor when sitting on top of it, or quietly getting into a Buddha-like pose next to the computer.
When it gets late and we're overdoing, Cuddles begins her important task of ending the workday. She looks at us as if to say, "Stop already!" Then she plops down on and covers the one paper Linda needs to continue her immediate writing task. Cuddles won't move and with a rock-solid determination, she keeps her eyes steady on Linda until she says, "You're right."
Do animals in your home let you know when it's time to stop or take a break?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
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.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Animals as Spiritual Heros
The lighter touch of an animal's heroism is something people might not so easily appreciate. Dramatic stories of pets saving lives, detecting cancer, doing math, using tools are wonderful and make great newspaper headlines, but we like to point out that animals are also heroes of a different kind.
Who is more of a hero than an animal who has become your best friend, your companion, your reason to come home?
The animals, who live with humans day after day, help people to become more loving and compassionate. These animals are angelic instruments and messengers who stimulate spiritual growth.
When you share your home with animals, their spiritual natures can enlighten you in ways that you may not recognize. Although it's said jokingly, after living with animals, you may, in fact, become the terrific person your dog thinks you are.
Letting go, being non-judgmental, and serving as a pure vehicle of divine love and light are noble goals. But how often do people tangle themselves in daily office gossip, in feuding, or creating family messes? Unlike animals who are guided by instincts of the heart, people allow their minds to run the show.
There is a simple, often overlooked solution to the human tendency to slide into spiritual mud holes. An easy way to restore your spiritual viewpoint is to listen to your cat and act like your dog!
Repeatedly we have found in our own human-animal family, our beloved pets teach us the spiritual qualities we forget when daily life becomes too hectic and overscheduled.
How blessed we are to have animals in our home who remind us to slow down and remember that life isn't all about to-do lists.
Who are the spiritual heroes in your animal family?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Who is more of a hero than an animal who has become your best friend, your companion, your reason to come home?
The animals, who live with humans day after day, help people to become more loving and compassionate. These animals are angelic instruments and messengers who stimulate spiritual growth.
When you share your home with animals, their spiritual natures can enlighten you in ways that you may not recognize. Although it's said jokingly, after living with animals, you may, in fact, become the terrific person your dog thinks you are.
Letting go, being non-judgmental, and serving as a pure vehicle of divine love and light are noble goals. But how often do people tangle themselves in daily office gossip, in feuding, or creating family messes? Unlike animals who are guided by instincts of the heart, people allow their minds to run the show.
There is a simple, often overlooked solution to the human tendency to slide into spiritual mud holes. An easy way to restore your spiritual viewpoint is to listen to your cat and act like your dog!
Repeatedly we have found in our own human-animal family, our beloved pets teach us the spiritual qualities we forget when daily life becomes too hectic and overscheduled.
How blessed we are to have animals in our home who remind us to slow down and remember that life isn't all about to-do lists.
Who are the spiritual heroes in your animal family?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
BUTTERFLY SOUL
"Butterfly Soul" by Mary Hendricks was first published in the Angel Animals Story of the Week on 11/29/08. Reprinted with permission.
BUTTERFLY SOUL
By Mary Hendricks
As I sat for hours by our new dog Hula to keep her from taking out her stitches, I enjoyed an amazing gift of love.
Our Sweetie Dog had gone on to the heavenly worlds a month before. Hula, a one-year-old, beautiful chocolate Lab, seemed to be afraid of the doghouse and slept on the floor of the garage.
As I watched Hula, a large butterfly began circling around us. It looked familiar somehow. Then I realized its lower two wings were the same black and white markings as Sweetie had had on her feet. The upper two wings were orange. Sweetie had come back to visit as a butterfly!
I watched the butterfly in awe as it lit on nearly every inch of the doghouse that Sweetie had loved so much, infusing it with her love. Then the butterfly sat on the driveway by us.
From that time on, Hula has loved to be in the doghouse. She felt safe there from storms and loud noises. She could feel Sweetie's love.
BIO:
Mary Hendricks and Neil, her husband, live in the country, south of St. Louis, Missouri. Over a year ago, when she was outside, a beautiful black cat of around two years old came up and jumped on Mary's lap, putting her little paws around Mary's neck. Mary named the cat Lovey. She happily follows Mary around the house all day. Now Hula and Lovey are learning not to be afraid of each other. Mary leads classes and meetings for her church, Eckankar.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:
Have you had an after-death visitation that helped you understand that with pets, as with people, the love and spirit never dies?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week newsletter send a blank e-mail message to angelanimals-on@mail-list.com. Visit http://archive.mail-list.com/angelanimals to read past Angel Animals newsletters.
BUTTERFLY SOUL
By Mary Hendricks
As I sat for hours by our new dog Hula to keep her from taking out her stitches, I enjoyed an amazing gift of love.
Our Sweetie Dog had gone on to the heavenly worlds a month before. Hula, a one-year-old, beautiful chocolate Lab, seemed to be afraid of the doghouse and slept on the floor of the garage.
As I watched Hula, a large butterfly began circling around us. It looked familiar somehow. Then I realized its lower two wings were the same black and white markings as Sweetie had had on her feet. The upper two wings were orange. Sweetie had come back to visit as a butterfly!
I watched the butterfly in awe as it lit on nearly every inch of the doghouse that Sweetie had loved so much, infusing it with her love. Then the butterfly sat on the driveway by us.
From that time on, Hula has loved to be in the doghouse. She felt safe there from storms and loud noises. She could feel Sweetie's love.
BIO:
Mary Hendricks and Neil, her husband, live in the country, south of St. Louis, Missouri. Over a year ago, when she was outside, a beautiful black cat of around two years old came up and jumped on Mary's lap, putting her little paws around Mary's neck. Mary named the cat Lovey. She happily follows Mary around the house all day. Now Hula and Lovey are learning not to be afraid of each other. Mary leads classes and meetings for her church, Eckankar.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:
Have you had an after-death visitation that helped you understand that with pets, as with people, the love and spirit never dies?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week newsletter send a blank e-mail message to angelanimals-on@mail-list.com. Visit http://archive.mail-list.com/angelanimals to read past Angel Animals newsletters.
What do you think? Is it possible to become too attached to an animal?
Can a person become too attached to an animal?
Several years ago, we posed an interesting question to our online newsletter readers. Although most of us animal lovers view our pets as members of the family, we asked if it is possible to become too attached to an animal companion. If so, what are the warning signs?
One reader thought that a warning sign of becoming obsessively attached or having a deeper emotional problem was when people cut themselves off from any human companionship.
She wrote, "People who have more of an interest in animals should at least try to help out at their local animal shelter, join a breed-rescue group, or try to socialize animals to visit nursing homes/hospitals so that others benefit from their love of animals."
Some readers thought that there are other examples of becoming overly attached to animals or confusing love with neediness. They gave examples of someone who takes on more animals than he or she can handle.
For example, maybe a person can't give enough individual attention to dozens of cats who all need vet visits, food, litter, and a clean environment. Or someone loves horses but doesn't have the pastureland, food, or time to groom and exercise them.
Readers also thought that excessive grieving could be an indication of a person's greater feelings of isolation. One reader wrote that she took a year off work when her animal companion died. During that time, though, she channeled her grief into rescuing over forty dogs and finding new homes for them.
A reader named Robin wrote the following letter to express her opinion that being too attached to animals is a difficult thing to judge.
"People have many different reasons for turning to their animal companions for love and validation. There may have been a time when I myself might have fallen into this category.
"As I struggled through years of infertility and pregnancy loss, my pet rabbits became the children that I couldn't give birth to. I took the loss of my pets very hard, and it affected me deeply in ways I felt not many people understood.
"It is easy to displace our feelings onto our pets, and they are more than willing to receive our attention and devotion. I'm one who can completely understand a deeper connection with an animal companion. I think we all have a need to feel needed and necessary.
"Sometimes we hit rough areas in our lives that aren't being filled by the humans in our world and often turn to animal companions to fill our emotional needs. I have found that instead of becoming isolated, my animal companions kept me connected to the world.
"I am not able to make a spiritual distinction between a human companion and an animal companion. In my heart the love, given and received, feels the same.
"So I suppose my answer to the question would be that I don't feel it's possible to become 'too' attached to an animal companion.
A reader named Patti Ann wrote, "How many people do you know who will still greet you with great enthusiasm, if you woke up in the morning with your hair sticking out all over the place, bags under your eyes (or wrinkle cream still white on your face like a ghost), looking like a beast from under the sea, bad breath, grumpy as all the dickens?
"Or what if you were dirt-poor homeless? Animals would still honor and love you as if you were a king or queen and stay with you till the dying end."
To answer to question about excessive attachment to animals it helps to ask further questions.
Does your relationship with an animal keep you away from friends, family, work, play, hobbies, or responsibilities such as taking care of kids, jobs, foods, or health? Is your life in balance?
Do you have a spiritual understanding of the animal as an individual who must develop his or her own personality and may have needs that are different from yours?
Rather than offering solace and comfort, has your relationship with an animal companion become a way of permanently avoiding the problems in your life?
How well adjusted and content are the animals in your care? Are you able to give them the time and attention they need?
One thing we've concluded is that if you are not hurting yourself or any other animal or person, then it's really no one's business that a cat or dog or rabbit or iguana means the world to you.
On the other hand, if you hear from EVERYBODY that you've gone overboard, you might want to at least consider finding other outlets for your love and devotion, including taking excellent care of yourself and the human relationships in your life.
What do you think? Is it possible to become too attached to an animal?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Several years ago, we posed an interesting question to our online newsletter readers. Although most of us animal lovers view our pets as members of the family, we asked if it is possible to become too attached to an animal companion. If so, what are the warning signs?
One reader thought that a warning sign of becoming obsessively attached or having a deeper emotional problem was when people cut themselves off from any human companionship.
She wrote, "People who have more of an interest in animals should at least try to help out at their local animal shelter, join a breed-rescue group, or try to socialize animals to visit nursing homes/hospitals so that others benefit from their love of animals."
Some readers thought that there are other examples of becoming overly attached to animals or confusing love with neediness. They gave examples of someone who takes on more animals than he or she can handle.
For example, maybe a person can't give enough individual attention to dozens of cats who all need vet visits, food, litter, and a clean environment. Or someone loves horses but doesn't have the pastureland, food, or time to groom and exercise them.
Readers also thought that excessive grieving could be an indication of a person's greater feelings of isolation. One reader wrote that she took a year off work when her animal companion died. During that time, though, she channeled her grief into rescuing over forty dogs and finding new homes for them.
A reader named Robin wrote the following letter to express her opinion that being too attached to animals is a difficult thing to judge.
"People have many different reasons for turning to their animal companions for love and validation. There may have been a time when I myself might have fallen into this category.
"As I struggled through years of infertility and pregnancy loss, my pet rabbits became the children that I couldn't give birth to. I took the loss of my pets very hard, and it affected me deeply in ways I felt not many people understood.
"It is easy to displace our feelings onto our pets, and they are more than willing to receive our attention and devotion. I'm one who can completely understand a deeper connection with an animal companion. I think we all have a need to feel needed and necessary.
"Sometimes we hit rough areas in our lives that aren't being filled by the humans in our world and often turn to animal companions to fill our emotional needs. I have found that instead of becoming isolated, my animal companions kept me connected to the world.
"I am not able to make a spiritual distinction between a human companion and an animal companion. In my heart the love, given and received, feels the same.
"So I suppose my answer to the question would be that I don't feel it's possible to become 'too' attached to an animal companion.
A reader named Patti Ann wrote, "How many people do you know who will still greet you with great enthusiasm, if you woke up in the morning with your hair sticking out all over the place, bags under your eyes (or wrinkle cream still white on your face like a ghost), looking like a beast from under the sea, bad breath, grumpy as all the dickens?
"Or what if you were dirt-poor homeless? Animals would still honor and love you as if you were a king or queen and stay with you till the dying end."
To answer to question about excessive attachment to animals it helps to ask further questions.
Does your relationship with an animal keep you away from friends, family, work, play, hobbies, or responsibilities such as taking care of kids, jobs, foods, or health? Is your life in balance?
Do you have a spiritual understanding of the animal as an individual who must develop his or her own personality and may have needs that are different from yours?
Rather than offering solace and comfort, has your relationship with an animal companion become a way of permanently avoiding the problems in your life?
How well adjusted and content are the animals in your care? Are you able to give them the time and attention they need?
One thing we've concluded is that if you are not hurting yourself or any other animal or person, then it's really no one's business that a cat or dog or rabbit or iguana means the world to you.
On the other hand, if you hear from EVERYBODY that you've gone overboard, you might want to at least consider finding other outlets for your love and devotion, including taking excellent care of yourself and the human relationships in your life.
What do you think? Is it possible to become too attached to an animal?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Heavenly Animal Matchmakers
Many people have written to tell us of animals who seemed to guide the next animal into their lives. This happened to us when our dog Prana presented our next puppy Taylor to Allen in a dream. Prana carried the little one out of a vast ocean and dropped her at Allen's feet.
When we met Taylor the next day, Allen immediately recognized this soul that Prana had found to be the perfect one to join our family.
The experiences of animals in dreams introducing the next soul to a family leads to the concept that the spirit goes to an inner world between lives and awaits its next assignment. What does a soul that was in an animal body do while it is away?
Monica Ramsten from Helsingborg, Sweden, sent us a description of a series of inner experiences in which she witnessed the journeys of animals in the afterlife. We included her story in our book, ANGEL ANIMALS BOOK OF INSPIRATION (New World Library, 2009). Monica had been wondering what souls do in the afterlife. She especially wanted to know what had happened to her cat Knarren after he died.
Monica wrote, "I saw a school where each animal attended classes at his or her own level of consciousness. There were twelve levels of classes. ... I learned that the animals move gradually through these levels as they pick up other animal bodies and return again and again to earth.
"Within each class they attend, the animals go deeper into the subjects they are studying. They spend many lifetimes in the animal kingdom before they are given the chance to move to the ninth level."
What do the animals learn in the heavenly classes and bring back to earth when they rejoin a person or family for another lifetime? What have they come here to teach humans? Who among us will be wise enough to listen to the Angel Animals?
Have you had the impression that an animal who passed away guided or handpicked another pet for you?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
When we met Taylor the next day, Allen immediately recognized this soul that Prana had found to be the perfect one to join our family.
The experiences of animals in dreams introducing the next soul to a family leads to the concept that the spirit goes to an inner world between lives and awaits its next assignment. What does a soul that was in an animal body do while it is away?
Monica Ramsten from Helsingborg, Sweden, sent us a description of a series of inner experiences in which she witnessed the journeys of animals in the afterlife. We included her story in our book, ANGEL ANIMALS BOOK OF INSPIRATION (New World Library, 2009). Monica had been wondering what souls do in the afterlife. She especially wanted to know what had happened to her cat Knarren after he died.
Monica wrote, "I saw a school where each animal attended classes at his or her own level of consciousness. There were twelve levels of classes. ... I learned that the animals move gradually through these levels as they pick up other animal bodies and return again and again to earth.
"Within each class they attend, the animals go deeper into the subjects they are studying. They spend many lifetimes in the animal kingdom before they are given the chance to move to the ninth level."
What do the animals learn in the heavenly classes and bring back to earth when they rejoin a person or family for another lifetime? What have they come here to teach humans? Who among us will be wise enough to listen to the Angel Animals?
Have you had the impression that an animal who passed away guided or handpicked another pet for you?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Blind Animal Lovers Need You
We received a letter this week from Tom Rash, the Executive Director of Audio Vision Radio Reading Service for the Blind, Inc. This is a nonprofit charity that operates a radio reading service for the blind. They have a little over 900 blind listeners.
The organization provides radio receivers to their blind subscribers. They do not broadcast on the open radio band but use a special frequency that broadcasts specifically to their listeners only.
Tom said in his letter that one of the organization's volunteer readers, Betty Vargas, had just finished recording our book GOD'S MESSENGERS. (That book was re-issued as ANGEL ANIMALS BOOK OF INSPIRATION and published by New World Library in 2009). Betty wanted Tom to tell us that in her 82 years of reading, this book was one of the best she has ever read. She bought five copies for family and friends.
The reason Tom told us all of this and that we are telling readers of the Angel Animals Story of the Week is that Audio Vision, every week, reads this newsletter to its 900 blind listeners.
While you have the enjoyment of reading the newsletter online, your blind animal loving cohorts are dependent upon Audio Vision to hear the inspiring stories and participate in the Angel Animals Network community. Think of how much this weekly newsletter means to you and imagine what it must mean to blind people, many of whom have dogs that literally save their lives every day and other pets that bring them joy and comfort.
Now, Audio Vision faces the possibility of closing in the next several weeks. Many of its repeat contributors over the years have declined to donate this year because of the economy.
The charity and we would very much appreciate a contribution from you, if at all possible. We hope that you might be able to help.
Audio Vision is the only radio reading service supplying the blind population it serves with daily newspaper readings and more. Most of its listeners are seniors who once enjoyed reading daily newspapers. Other people with print handicaps -- quadriplegic, dyslexic, and learning disabled also qualify for the Audio Vision service.
The organization believes it is the right of all people to have access to their local newspapers for local and community news and events, to be informed on a weekly basis what foods and other items are on sale in their area, and to have access to entertainment and national and world news events from newspapers and weekly and monthly magazines.
Currently, Audio Vision is on the air 24-hours-a-day. From 8:00 A.M. to Noon, it provides a local broadcast of readings of three California newspapers. At noon it presents a one-hour reading of a book. Throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening it provides one-hour segments of numerous magazines and other monthly and weekly printed publications.
On Thursday afternoons the grocery ads are read. The organization also rebroadcasts the morning newspapers two more times throughout the 24-hour period.
Audio Vision produces an interview program, which has subjects pertinent to the blind population. It runs public service announcements from other organizations for the blind such as the Braille Institute, the Social Security Administration, Agencies For The Blind, and The Foundation Fighting blindness. This is all done via volunteers within the community.
Audio Vision is one of 140 radio reading services for the blind and print-handicapped in the United States and is a member of the National Association of Radio Reading Services.
Because AUDIO VISION is completely free of charge to its listeners, the need for contributions and volunteers is critical. To obtain a receiver, volunteer your time, make a tax deductible contribution, or receive information, simply call AUDIO VISION at (909) 797-4336, or write or send a check to AUDIO VISION, 35242 Yucaipa Blvd., Ste. C, Yucaipa, CA 92399.
Read more at www.freewebz.com/audiovisionavtom/about.html
Thank you!
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
The organization provides radio receivers to their blind subscribers. They do not broadcast on the open radio band but use a special frequency that broadcasts specifically to their listeners only.
Tom said in his letter that one of the organization's volunteer readers, Betty Vargas, had just finished recording our book GOD'S MESSENGERS. (That book was re-issued as ANGEL ANIMALS BOOK OF INSPIRATION and published by New World Library in 2009). Betty wanted Tom to tell us that in her 82 years of reading, this book was one of the best she has ever read. She bought five copies for family and friends.
The reason Tom told us all of this and that we are telling readers of the Angel Animals Story of the Week is that Audio Vision, every week, reads this newsletter to its 900 blind listeners.
While you have the enjoyment of reading the newsletter online, your blind animal loving cohorts are dependent upon Audio Vision to hear the inspiring stories and participate in the Angel Animals Network community. Think of how much this weekly newsletter means to you and imagine what it must mean to blind people, many of whom have dogs that literally save their lives every day and other pets that bring them joy and comfort.
Now, Audio Vision faces the possibility of closing in the next several weeks. Many of its repeat contributors over the years have declined to donate this year because of the economy.
The charity and we would very much appreciate a contribution from you, if at all possible. We hope that you might be able to help.
Audio Vision is the only radio reading service supplying the blind population it serves with daily newspaper readings and more. Most of its listeners are seniors who once enjoyed reading daily newspapers. Other people with print handicaps -- quadriplegic, dyslexic, and learning disabled also qualify for the Audio Vision service.
The organization believes it is the right of all people to have access to their local newspapers for local and community news and events, to be informed on a weekly basis what foods and other items are on sale in their area, and to have access to entertainment and national and world news events from newspapers and weekly and monthly magazines.
Currently, Audio Vision is on the air 24-hours-a-day. From 8:00 A.M. to Noon, it provides a local broadcast of readings of three California newspapers. At noon it presents a one-hour reading of a book. Throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening it provides one-hour segments of numerous magazines and other monthly and weekly printed publications.
On Thursday afternoons the grocery ads are read. The organization also rebroadcasts the morning newspapers two more times throughout the 24-hour period.
Audio Vision produces an interview program, which has subjects pertinent to the blind population. It runs public service announcements from other organizations for the blind such as the Braille Institute, the Social Security Administration, Agencies For The Blind, and The Foundation Fighting blindness. This is all done via volunteers within the community.
Audio Vision is one of 140 radio reading services for the blind and print-handicapped in the United States and is a member of the National Association of Radio Reading Services.
Because AUDIO VISION is completely free of charge to its listeners, the need for contributions and volunteers is critical. To obtain a receiver, volunteer your time, make a tax deductible contribution, or receive information, simply call AUDIO VISION at (909) 797-4336, or write or send a check to AUDIO VISION, 35242 Yucaipa Blvd., Ste. C, Yucaipa, CA 92399.
Read more at www.freewebz.com/audiovisionavtom/about.html
Thank you!
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Monday, March 1, 2010
Angel Animals Audio Stories Available Online
Angel Animals Audio Stories Available Online
You can now listen to many Angel Animals stories with reader Daneile Romer and engineer Darian Sixx.
Visit http://www.airsla.org/dailyairs.asp to view a listing of audios. The following are direct links to stories you can read in the Angel Animals Story of the Week newsletter.
--Visit http://www.airsla.org/broadcasts/DailyAIRS100220.mp3 to listen to the Angel Animals Story of the Week "Angel, Our Hero Horse" by Judy Moratis.
You can also read the full newsletter by visiting:
http://archive.mail-list.com/angelanimals/message/20100131.140347.3170e3bc.en.html
--Visit http://www.airsla.org/broadcasts/DailyAIRS100213.mp3 to listen to the Angel Animals Story of the Week "The dog who helps me hear." by Jennifer Warsing.
You can also read the full newsletter by visiting:
http://archive.mail-list.com/angelanimals/message/20100117.003005.a24975f7.en.html
--Visit http://www.airsla.org/broadcasts/DailyAIRS091211_1.mp3 to listen to the Angel Animals Story of the Week "Thumper Learns to Trust" by Barbara Barreto.
You can also read the full newsletter by visiting:
http://archive.mail-list.com/angelanimals/message/20091129.011640.4ffc573d.en.html
--Visit http://www.airsla.org/broadcasts/DailyAIRS091128.mp3 to listen to the Angel Animals Story of the Week "Corky, One of the Boys" by Kathe Campbell.
You can also read the full newsletter by visiting:
http://archive.mail-list.com/angelanimals/message/20091115.031301.bfccd7a0.en.html
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
To subscribe to the printed version of the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com.
You can now listen to many Angel Animals stories with reader Daneile Romer and engineer Darian Sixx.
Visit http://www.airsla.org/dailyairs.asp to view a listing of audios. The following are direct links to stories you can read in the Angel Animals Story of the Week newsletter.
--Visit http://www.airsla.org/broadcasts/DailyAIRS100220.mp3 to listen to the Angel Animals Story of the Week "Angel, Our Hero Horse" by Judy Moratis.
You can also read the full newsletter by visiting:
http://archive.mail-list.com/angelanimals/message/20100131.140347.3170e3bc.en.html
--Visit http://www.airsla.org/broadcasts/DailyAIRS100213.mp3 to listen to the Angel Animals Story of the Week "The dog who helps me hear." by Jennifer Warsing.
You can also read the full newsletter by visiting:
http://archive.mail-list.com/angelanimals/message/20100117.003005.a24975f7.en.html
--Visit http://www.airsla.org/broadcasts/DailyAIRS091211_1.mp3 to listen to the Angel Animals Story of the Week "Thumper Learns to Trust" by Barbara Barreto.
You can also read the full newsletter by visiting:
http://archive.mail-list.com/angelanimals/message/20091129.011640.4ffc573d.en.html
--Visit http://www.airsla.org/broadcasts/DailyAIRS091128.mp3 to listen to the Angel Animals Story of the Week "Corky, One of the Boys" by Kathe Campbell.
You can also read the full newsletter by visiting:
http://archive.mail-list.com/angelanimals/message/20091115.031301.bfccd7a0.en.html
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
To subscribe to the printed version of the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com.
Who are the spiritual heroes in your animal family?
Animals as Spiritual Heroes
The lighter touch of an animal's heroism is something people might not so easily appreciate. Dramatic stories of pets saving lives, detecting cancer, doing math, using tools are wonderful and make great newspaper headlines, but we like to point out that animals are also heroes of a different kind.
Who is more of a hero than an animal who has become your best friend, your companion, your reason to come home?
The animals, who live with humans day after day, help people to become more loving and compassionate. These animals are angelic instruments and messengers who stimulate spiritual growth.
When you share your home with animals, their spiritual natures can enlighten you in ways that you may not recognize. Although it's said jokingly, after living with animals, you may, in fact, become the terrific person your dog thinks you are.
Letting go, being non-judgmental, and serving as a pure vehicle of divine love and light are noble goals. But how often do people tangle themselves in daily office gossip, in feuding, or creating family messes? Unlike animals who are guided by instincts of the heart, people allow their minds to run the show.
There is a simple, often overlooked solution to the human tendency to slide into spiritual mud holes. An easy way to restore your spiritual viewpoint is to listen to your cat and act like your dog!
Repeatedly we have found in our own human-animal family, our beloved pets teach us the spiritual qualities we forget when daily life becomes too hectic and overscheduled.
How blessed we are to have animals in our home who remind us to slow down and remember that life isn't all about to-do lists.
Who are the spiritual heroes in your animal family?
* * *
Thank you so much for helping us get the NEW Angel Animals Network Club off to a start. The list of people who became members is below and also on our website.
Every time someone became a member this week, we literally rang a bell. We wanted to honor and express appreciation to those of you who took the time and interest to lend your support to the Angel Animals Network.
Visit www.angelanimals.net/membership.html to read about the wonders of becoming an Angel Animals Network Club Member. Share the Vision!
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
The lighter touch of an animal's heroism is something people might not so easily appreciate. Dramatic stories of pets saving lives, detecting cancer, doing math, using tools are wonderful and make great newspaper headlines, but we like to point out that animals are also heroes of a different kind.
Who is more of a hero than an animal who has become your best friend, your companion, your reason to come home?
The animals, who live with humans day after day, help people to become more loving and compassionate. These animals are angelic instruments and messengers who stimulate spiritual growth.
When you share your home with animals, their spiritual natures can enlighten you in ways that you may not recognize. Although it's said jokingly, after living with animals, you may, in fact, become the terrific person your dog thinks you are.
Letting go, being non-judgmental, and serving as a pure vehicle of divine love and light are noble goals. But how often do people tangle themselves in daily office gossip, in feuding, or creating family messes? Unlike animals who are guided by instincts of the heart, people allow their minds to run the show.
There is a simple, often overlooked solution to the human tendency to slide into spiritual mud holes. An easy way to restore your spiritual viewpoint is to listen to your cat and act like your dog!
Repeatedly we have found in our own human-animal family, our beloved pets teach us the spiritual qualities we forget when daily life becomes too hectic and overscheduled.
How blessed we are to have animals in our home who remind us to slow down and remember that life isn't all about to-do lists.
Who are the spiritual heroes in your animal family?
* * *
Thank you so much for helping us get the NEW Angel Animals Network Club off to a start. The list of people who became members is below and also on our website.
Every time someone became a member this week, we literally rang a bell. We wanted to honor and express appreciation to those of you who took the time and interest to lend your support to the Angel Animals Network.
Visit www.angelanimals.net/membership.html to read about the wonders of becoming an Angel Animals Network Club Member. Share the Vision!
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Looking for Everyday Dr. Dolittles
Looking for Everyday Dr. Dolittles
We are looking for stories from people who are not professional animal communicators to publish in a new e-book. This experience can be a communication between you and a pet or an animal in nature. It can happen while the animal is here or in the afterlife.
We'd especially like to find stories that answer the following questions by telling about a true, personal experience:
* When have you felt like you heard or received a clear message from an animal?
* When have you felt like you were able to get an animal to understand or receive a message from you?
* How and why do you think this experience happened?
* What techniques or methods did you use to create an open channel of communication between you and the animal?
* Is the method(s) you used something other nonprofessional communicators could be successful with?
Tell your story in no more than 2,000 words with the following process:
* Describe the animal and your relationship with him or her
* Explain the circumstances that led up to the animal communication experience you had
* Close with what you believe you learned or had a deeper understanding of because of this experience
* Send us the story by February 27, 2010.
* Email your stories to angelanimals@aol.com. In the subject line write, (Your Name), animal communication story.
If we can consider your story for the new e-book, we'll be back in touch with you and explain how the writing, editing, and publishing process will work.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Thanks for participating.
Allen and Linda Anderson
E-mail: angelanimals@aol.com
Angel Animals Network
Website: www.angelanimals.net
We are looking for stories from people who are not professional animal communicators to publish in a new e-book. This experience can be a communication between you and a pet or an animal in nature. It can happen while the animal is here or in the afterlife.
We'd especially like to find stories that answer the following questions by telling about a true, personal experience:
* When have you felt like you heard or received a clear message from an animal?
* When have you felt like you were able to get an animal to understand or receive a message from you?
* How and why do you think this experience happened?
* What techniques or methods did you use to create an open channel of communication between you and the animal?
* Is the method(s) you used something other nonprofessional communicators could be successful with?
Tell your story in no more than 2,000 words with the following process:
* Describe the animal and your relationship with him or her
* Explain the circumstances that led up to the animal communication experience you had
* Close with what you believe you learned or had a deeper understanding of because of this experience
* Send us the story by February 27, 2010.
* Email your stories to angelanimals@aol.com. In the subject line write, (Your Name), animal communication story.
If we can consider your story for the new e-book, we'll be back in touch with you and explain how the writing, editing, and publishing process will work.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Thanks for participating.
Allen and Linda Anderson
E-mail: angelanimals@aol.com
Angel Animals Network
Website: www.angelanimals.net
Sunday, February 7, 2010
When have you taken a roller coaster ride of emotions with a sick pet?
Leaf's Close CallAs with many people reading this newsletter, when your beloved pet becomes ill, everything that took up time and space and seemed to be so very important is pushed to the background. All your focus goes to how to help your pet heal.
Last week was like that with Leaf. He was sick dog. He barely ate and when he did, he couldn't keep the food down. Among other symptoms he showed signs of lethargy, depression, and physical pain. He would look at us with his wide-open, innocent, childlike black eyes as if to ask, "What is happening?"
After phone calls to the veterinarian, we thought he might have eaten something that didn't agree with him. He likes to sample the rich cat food and this time, we thought he might have managed to do that without our knowledge. Something had caused his bodily functions to close down, and he was bleeding. We took him to the vet for tests.
Normally, Leaf is not a dog who likes visiting the vet. In the past, with his annual checkups, he let it be known he can't tolerate being touched all over his body. Vet visits are always stressful with Leaf not cooperating, especially after the exam begins. Trying to get a blood sample has proven to be an impossibility. Normally Linda tries to keep eye contact with him, and Allen stands nearby so Leaf will be reassured.
This visit to the vet was different from EVERY other time. Clearly, Leaf knew he was in trouble. He had so much pain around his middle section. Without hesitation he walked into the lobby, sat quietly, and waited for his appointment without any attempts to head for the front door.
A vet tech escorted us to the examining room. With no prompting but with painful effort, Leaf jumped up on the examining table. He appeared to be exhausted after the exertion. He spread out on the table with all four legs going in different directions and waited for the vet.
The vet examined Leaf and took blood and other samples for tests. Leaf handled this level of invasion like a trooper. This time, he didn't object to being probed even as we worried about his pain level, since we knew how much he was hurting.
Soon, the vet returned to the examining room with the test results. She told us that Leaf has pancreatitis. We're still trying to understand what this means and have read the literature the vet provided about it. It's clear that this is a serious, life-threatening condition. He could have died from this attack.
With a restricted diet, he'll stay with us for what we hope will be a very long life. For now, we're not leaving him alone for any extended periods of time and making sure he gets plenty of rest and liquids.
Those of you, who have been through this type of experience, know the feeling of dreading that you'll get the worst news. Sometimes, you (and we) have heard the test results for our beloved pets and felt as if the world was collapsing. This time, for us, thank God, Leaf is still with us.
When have you taken a roller coaster ride of emotions with a sick pet?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
angelanimals@aol.com
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
Sunday, January 31, 2010
How have animals been generous with one another in remarkable ways?
ANGEL, OUR HERO HORSE
By Judy Moratis
In 2003, my husband and I started looking into raising miniature horses on our hobby farm. I remembered when I was in my 20s, I saw a tiny miniature horse at the Minnesota State Fair. I began reading about them. The more I read, the more interested I became. I looked on the internet, hoping to purchase a miniature horse but without any success.
It wasn't until the summer of 2004, while I was at work, that I found an ad for miniature horses. When I called, the man on the other end said, "Come take a look."
When the weekend arrived, my husband and I took a drive to look at the horses. To my husband's surprise the address belonged to his old friend, Wayne. Before I knew it the three of us were trudging through Wayne's swampy field to get to his herd of miniature horses.
There were so many of all sizes and colors. As we visited with Wayne and talked about the horses I told him that I didn't know how to pick from so many. Just after saying this, I felt a nudge on my back. I turned around to see a brown pinto mare. I told Wayne and my husband, "Well, guess she's saying 'pick me'." This horse broke the ice, and I was able to pick a few more minis. Yah know, you can't have just one.
We finished visiting and made arrangements for delivery. On the way home I told my husband, "The horse who nudged me on the back, her name is Angel." I don't know why, but the name just came to me.
When the horse registration papers came in the mail, I couldn't help noticing that Angel's birth date was the same as my youngest sister, Jackie. My sister had passed away unexpectedly. My mother passed away a year and half later. Life wasn't the same without them. In my grief of losing them, I had only memories. My sister loved all animals. After my she passed away, my mother began collecting angels.
I think back to that afternoon of being out in that pasture with all those horses, and Angel nudging me on the back. I believe the Lord was telling me my mother and sister's spirits were with me. And this horse has proven to me that she truly is an angel.
Angel saved a newborn foal in Spring 2009. One of my mares was a first-time mom who was having her foal early. She didn't have enough mother's milk, and her foal was getting weak. With only minutes to spare she needed more mother's milk. I was afraid we'd lose this filly.
I remembered that our veterinarian said, "A mare may let another foal nurse, but it rarely happens." I thought I'd see if Angel would let this newborn filly nurse on her. With Angel's own colt on one side and the filly on the other, it made for an awesome sight. The filly soon was standing strong and able to reunite with her mother.
Angel has given us beautiful foals. She has become our herd angel master over our other eleven horses. When we are outside Angel stands modestly in our pasture. She gives a soft, subtle whinny, telling us she is near, and everything is alright.
BIO:
Judy Moratis lives with her husband and their two Labrador retrievers on their hobby farm near Ottertail Lake, Minnesota. She has two grown children and five beautiful grandchildren. Judy enjoys writing in her quiet time. She and her husband have raised numerous pheasants as well as other birds and elk. They have twelve miniature horses who give her much joy, and Angel is Judy's special horse. Judy looks forward to having new foals born each spring. She loves to share their animals with family, friends, and others and enjoys the great outdoors.
SOMETHING TO THING ABOUT:
How have animals been generous with one another in remarkable ways?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
angelanimals@aol.com
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
By Judy Moratis
In 2003, my husband and I started looking into raising miniature horses on our hobby farm. I remembered when I was in my 20s, I saw a tiny miniature horse at the Minnesota State Fair. I began reading about them. The more I read, the more interested I became. I looked on the internet, hoping to purchase a miniature horse but without any success.
It wasn't until the summer of 2004, while I was at work, that I found an ad for miniature horses. When I called, the man on the other end said, "Come take a look."
When the weekend arrived, my husband and I took a drive to look at the horses. To my husband's surprise the address belonged to his old friend, Wayne. Before I knew it the three of us were trudging through Wayne's swampy field to get to his herd of miniature horses.
There were so many of all sizes and colors. As we visited with Wayne and talked about the horses I told him that I didn't know how to pick from so many. Just after saying this, I felt a nudge on my back. I turned around to see a brown pinto mare. I told Wayne and my husband, "Well, guess she's saying 'pick me'." This horse broke the ice, and I was able to pick a few more minis. Yah know, you can't have just one.
We finished visiting and made arrangements for delivery. On the way home I told my husband, "The horse who nudged me on the back, her name is Angel." I don't know why, but the name just came to me.
When the horse registration papers came in the mail, I couldn't help noticing that Angel's birth date was the same as my youngest sister, Jackie. My sister had passed away unexpectedly. My mother passed away a year and half later. Life wasn't the same without them. In my grief of losing them, I had only memories. My sister loved all animals. After my she passed away, my mother began collecting angels.
I think back to that afternoon of being out in that pasture with all those horses, and Angel nudging me on the back. I believe the Lord was telling me my mother and sister's spirits were with me. And this horse has proven to me that she truly is an angel.
Angel saved a newborn foal in Spring 2009. One of my mares was a first-time mom who was having her foal early. She didn't have enough mother's milk, and her foal was getting weak. With only minutes to spare she needed more mother's milk. I was afraid we'd lose this filly.
I remembered that our veterinarian said, "A mare may let another foal nurse, but it rarely happens." I thought I'd see if Angel would let this newborn filly nurse on her. With Angel's own colt on one side and the filly on the other, it made for an awesome sight. The filly soon was standing strong and able to reunite with her mother.
Angel has given us beautiful foals. She has become our herd angel master over our other eleven horses. When we are outside Angel stands modestly in our pasture. She gives a soft, subtle whinny, telling us she is near, and everything is alright.
BIO:
Judy Moratis lives with her husband and their two Labrador retrievers on their hobby farm near Ottertail Lake, Minnesota. She has two grown children and five beautiful grandchildren. Judy enjoys writing in her quiet time. She and her husband have raised numerous pheasants as well as other birds and elk. They have twelve miniature horses who give her much joy, and Angel is Judy's special horse. Judy looks forward to having new foals born each spring. She loves to share their animals with family, friends, and others and enjoys the great outdoors.
SOMETHING TO THING ABOUT:
How have animals been generous with one another in remarkable ways?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
angelanimals@aol.com
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter
How about helping to spread the joy and insights of this newsletter. If you are on Twitter, Facebook, or other social networking sites, post the following announcement:
Great story about a miniature horse who saved a filly's life. Angel Animals Story of the Week at www.tinyurl.com/yl6g3jf
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
angelanimals@aol.com
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
Great story about a miniature horse who saved a filly's life. Angel Animals Story of the Week at www.tinyurl.com/yl6g3jf
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
angelanimals@aol.com
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
What do your pets do to let you or others know that they miss you?
This week, Linda traveled for a week to visit our children and her mother, sister, and nieces and nephews. Allen stayed home due to day-job responsibilities and to hold down the Anderson fort.Our two cats, Speedy and Cuddles, while being somewhat used to Allen traveling for his job, were not prepared to have Linda gone for so long. Leaf, our cocker spaniel, was also acting oddly and anxiously.
No matter how much Allen played, walked, and talked to Leaf, it was very hard for this adopted dog to emotionally know that his "mommy" would return. Leaf missed his key anchor, his rock in life. Who would he share his daily burdens with? What lap would he rest his head on? Who would toss popcorn kernels for him to catch in mid-air?
Normally, Leaf and the cats do not get along so well, even though there has been an uneasy truce in which they now manage to tolerate each other. Not too much hissing, chasing, or sniffing. But with Linda gone, the three of them started acting differently.
Leaf, Cuddles, and Speedy began giving each other comfort. They even expressed affection with occasional nose-to-nose kisses. Their newfound closeness became more apparent the night before Linda was scheduled to return. Allen went to bed and after hearing a thump, he looked over at Linda's side of the bed. All three animals lay side by said, fur touching, and falling asleep together.
Allen thought this was impossible with Leaf's trust issues, but the dog lay on his back in a totally vulnerable position. Cuddles sprawled out next to him, lying on her stomach. Speedy lay next to Cuddles. They made it clear that they needed Linda to return and would seek out each other for comfort until life went back to normal.
What do your pets do to let you or others know that they miss you?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
angelanimals@aol.com
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
Helping Animal Welfare Organizations
We continue to look for ways of doing more to help animal rescue and animal welfare organizations. While we already donate a portion of all our proceeds to nonprofit charities, send baskets of books for silent auctions, and speak at fundraising events, we want to expand our outreach and support.
We're looking for corporate sponsors that want to reach the animal lovers who follow our work and read our books. Our goal is to find like-minded people in the corporate world who would get involved with us in helping nonprofit animal charities. If you have contacts in major corporations who might want to support Angel Animals in its charitable outreach goals, be sure to email us with your suggestions and ideas.
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
angelanimals@aol.com
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
We're looking for corporate sponsors that want to reach the animal lovers who follow our work and read our books. Our goal is to find like-minded people in the corporate world who would get involved with us in helping nonprofit animal charities. If you have contacts in major corporations who might want to support Angel Animals in its charitable outreach goals, be sure to email us with your suggestions and ideas.
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
angelanimals@aol.com
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Has one animal led you to another animal in distress?
First published by Angel Animals Story of the Week, January 23, 2010. Reprinted with permission. To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
THE DOG WHO SAVES PUPPIES
By Michele Bonilla
Many years ago when we first moved to Florida, I could not believe all the stray dogs who were wondering around. We lived in the woods on a sparsely traveled dirt road.
One day, I was driving down a nearby street and saw a lot of puppies in the road. I had to see if I could help. As I got closer, the puppies all ran into the woods, including the mom.
I went home to get some food and water for them. As the days went on, I continued to leave food for them. Then one day I could not find them, and they were not eating the food. After looking around, I found six or seven of them under an old broken down mobile home.
Once again, I put out food and water. Still, when they saw me, they ran into the woods. Again, they disappeared. As the days dragged on, I tried to find them but with no luck. It broke my heart. How would they eat? Were they okay?
About a month later, I was out in my yard when this sweet looking dog approached me, wagging his tail. I thought, "You sure don't like a stray. You're so beautiful, clean, and happy." He was a black and white spaniel and did not at all look like the other strays I had seen.
"Where on earth did you come from?" I asked him. He just wagged his tail and looked at me as if he had known me all his life. So out came the dog food and water. He ate and sat down. "Okay," I said with a smile, "you can stay."
At that time, I was taking daily walks to the end of the road. Everyday this dog would walk with me. I recently had open-heart surgery. Having him walk with me felt wonderful. He seemed so happy and smiling, staying by my side. It was such a comfort.
One night, when I went out to feed him, he wouldn't eat. He kept running into the woods and then coming back to his food. "What on earth are you doing?" I thought.
I was very curious and crossed to where he ran into the woods. I could see three little faces looking at me. I recognized them as three of the puppies I had been feeding. They would not come out of the woods to eat.
This sweet dog kept going back in the woods to coax the puppies out so that they could eat. I moved back and again, my new friend returned to the woods. Suddenly the puppies came out of their hiding place. My new friend stood there and let them eat his food. What a great dog he was.
We did this routine every night for about a week or more. Every day I could get a little closer to the puppies. They soon came out on their own to eat.
Then one night, I went to feed them and saw no sign of my smiling friend. I looked all over for him. I called and called. I went down every street and searched for him for days and then weeks. My walks were not the same without him.
Through the years I have thought of him often. He came into my life during a very scary and lonely time. I was staying home after surgery. No one was around to offer companionship, and I didn't have much to do. This dog brought me the puppies I had worried about.
I am certain he was not a stray. I can only think of one thing -- he was an angel. An angel sent to those puppies and to me when we needed him most. I will never forget that beautiful angel dog. To this day I smile, driving down the road we walked together.
As for the three puppies, I named them Boomer, Princess, and Shylow. They stayed with me for a long time. They would never let anyone too close, only me, and only when they wanted me to be near.
Boomer and Princess left, but Shylow stayed with me for almost three years, on her terms. Over the years we built fences to keep our other dogs at home, but Shylow would always jump the fence and roam. One sad day a car hit her.
We tried very hard to get her to the veterinarian, but she ran into the woods. The next morning we found her in the doghouse we had built for her. She had jumped one final fence over to the Rainbow Bridge, where I am sure my angel dog awaited to guide her home.
BIO:
Michele Bonilla is a 61-year-old young lady. She is married and has two great daughters and seven grandchildren that she loves very much. Michele has six rescue dogs and five rescue cats. One of her dogs was born blind as was one of her cats. She does kitten rescues for kittens who have no moms and takes care of feral cats. She asks that everyone would have their animals neutered or spayed so there would be no more feral cats and stray dogs who have to suffer.
SOMETHING TO THING ABOUT:
Has one animal led you to another animal in distress?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
THE DOG WHO SAVES PUPPIES
By Michele Bonilla
Many years ago when we first moved to Florida, I could not believe all the stray dogs who were wondering around. We lived in the woods on a sparsely traveled dirt road.
One day, I was driving down a nearby street and saw a lot of puppies in the road. I had to see if I could help. As I got closer, the puppies all ran into the woods, including the mom.
I went home to get some food and water for them. As the days went on, I continued to leave food for them. Then one day I could not find them, and they were not eating the food. After looking around, I found six or seven of them under an old broken down mobile home.
Once again, I put out food and water. Still, when they saw me, they ran into the woods. Again, they disappeared. As the days dragged on, I tried to find them but with no luck. It broke my heart. How would they eat? Were they okay?
About a month later, I was out in my yard when this sweet looking dog approached me, wagging his tail. I thought, "You sure don't like a stray. You're so beautiful, clean, and happy." He was a black and white spaniel and did not at all look like the other strays I had seen.
"Where on earth did you come from?" I asked him. He just wagged his tail and looked at me as if he had known me all his life. So out came the dog food and water. He ate and sat down. "Okay," I said with a smile, "you can stay."
At that time, I was taking daily walks to the end of the road. Everyday this dog would walk with me. I recently had open-heart surgery. Having him walk with me felt wonderful. He seemed so happy and smiling, staying by my side. It was such a comfort.
One night, when I went out to feed him, he wouldn't eat. He kept running into the woods and then coming back to his food. "What on earth are you doing?" I thought.
I was very curious and crossed to where he ran into the woods. I could see three little faces looking at me. I recognized them as three of the puppies I had been feeding. They would not come out of the woods to eat.
This sweet dog kept going back in the woods to coax the puppies out so that they could eat. I moved back and again, my new friend returned to the woods. Suddenly the puppies came out of their hiding place. My new friend stood there and let them eat his food. What a great dog he was.
We did this routine every night for about a week or more. Every day I could get a little closer to the puppies. They soon came out on their own to eat.
Then one night, I went to feed them and saw no sign of my smiling friend. I looked all over for him. I called and called. I went down every street and searched for him for days and then weeks. My walks were not the same without him.
Through the years I have thought of him often. He came into my life during a very scary and lonely time. I was staying home after surgery. No one was around to offer companionship, and I didn't have much to do. This dog brought me the puppies I had worried about.
I am certain he was not a stray. I can only think of one thing -- he was an angel. An angel sent to those puppies and to me when we needed him most. I will never forget that beautiful angel dog. To this day I smile, driving down the road we walked together.
As for the three puppies, I named them Boomer, Princess, and Shylow. They stayed with me for a long time. They would never let anyone too close, only me, and only when they wanted me to be near.
Boomer and Princess left, but Shylow stayed with me for almost three years, on her terms. Over the years we built fences to keep our other dogs at home, but Shylow would always jump the fence and roam. One sad day a car hit her.
We tried very hard to get her to the veterinarian, but she ran into the woods. The next morning we found her in the doghouse we had built for her. She had jumped one final fence over to the Rainbow Bridge, where I am sure my angel dog awaited to guide her home.
BIO:
Michele Bonilla is a 61-year-old young lady. She is married and has two great daughters and seven grandchildren that she loves very much. Michele has six rescue dogs and five rescue cats. One of her dogs was born blind as was one of her cats. She does kitten rescues for kittens who have no moms and takes care of feral cats. She asks that everyone would have their animals neutered or spayed so there would be no more feral cats and stray dogs who have to suffer.
SOMETHING TO THING ABOUT:
Has one animal led you to another animal in distress?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
What does your choice of pets reveal about you?
With the start of 2010 we wanted to once again ask the basic question "What does your love of animals reveal about you?"
The following are a few highlights of a study done at the University of Oregon.
Question: Why would the University of Oregon College of Business Administration be profiling 667 pet owners?
Answer: People with pets are major players in the world of business. The pet supply industry is vitally interested in what will make you buy that designer dog dish or French day bed.
Oregon's College of Business Administration graduate students, under the leadership of Lynn Kahle, head of the marketing department, tried to figure out what your choice of a pet says about you. With that essential information, marketers can appeal to your sensibilities and convince you that Precious really does need a plastic bowl with a lid that doubles as a Frisbee.
Here's what they found with their questionnaire:
--Dog people tend to be more honest and forthright than most other people. They are loyal and religious;
--If you consider yourself to be a cat person, you probably are a bit of a loner yet have fairly high job satisfaction. You tend not to toe the line when it comes to the rules and rituals of an organized religion;
--People who are primarily attracted to fish as pets are more optimistic than most and not as materialistic or concerned about social status.
Kahle concludes, "A more thorough understanding of the motivations, values, and lifestyles of pet owners can help marketers design more effective advertising approaches, both for pet products and in advertisements for non-pet products." ("We Lavish Love, Money on Our Pets Study Reveals Psyches of Animal Owners" by Ranny Green, Seattle Times, 1993)
So the gathering of this kind of data is how pet commercials are targeted directly at what excites and interests you -- not your animal companion.
Well, we have a slightly different take on the subject. We think that not only do animals often reflect a person's psyche, they also mirror their souls, or the amount of love in their hearts. It's our opinion that a person who says, "I don't like animals," is experiencing a disconnect between the heart and the mind. Ask any animal lover and they will tell you: Animals are our hearts.
Have a little fun with two surveys we wrote that will help you gauge which type of pet most mirrors your personality.
Visit www.angelanimals.net/quiz.html for "Pet Personality Quiz".
Visit www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/Pets/index.aspx for "What's Your Pet's Personality?"
On another note, in consideration for animals who struggle to stay alive and be rescued in Haiti, remember the animal organizations that are going there to help.
To keep informed about the animal side of the situation, subscribe to the newsletter provided by www.kinshipcircle.org.
United Animal Nations and other animal welfare and rescue organizations are sending their rescue teams to Haiti. They have formed an umbrella organization called Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH). To learn more about this and donate, go to www.uan.org/index.cfm?navid=670
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
The following are a few highlights of a study done at the University of Oregon.
Question: Why would the University of Oregon College of Business Administration be profiling 667 pet owners?
Answer: People with pets are major players in the world of business. The pet supply industry is vitally interested in what will make you buy that designer dog dish or French day bed.
Oregon's College of Business Administration graduate students, under the leadership of Lynn Kahle, head of the marketing department, tried to figure out what your choice of a pet says about you. With that essential information, marketers can appeal to your sensibilities and convince you that Precious really does need a plastic bowl with a lid that doubles as a Frisbee.
Here's what they found with their questionnaire:
--Dog people tend to be more honest and forthright than most other people. They are loyal and religious;
--If you consider yourself to be a cat person, you probably are a bit of a loner yet have fairly high job satisfaction. You tend not to toe the line when it comes to the rules and rituals of an organized religion;
--People who are primarily attracted to fish as pets are more optimistic than most and not as materialistic or concerned about social status.
Kahle concludes, "A more thorough understanding of the motivations, values, and lifestyles of pet owners can help marketers design more effective advertising approaches, both for pet products and in advertisements for non-pet products." ("We Lavish Love, Money on Our Pets Study Reveals Psyches of Animal Owners" by Ranny Green, Seattle Times, 1993)
So the gathering of this kind of data is how pet commercials are targeted directly at what excites and interests you -- not your animal companion.
Well, we have a slightly different take on the subject. We think that not only do animals often reflect a person's psyche, they also mirror their souls, or the amount of love in their hearts. It's our opinion that a person who says, "I don't like animals," is experiencing a disconnect between the heart and the mind. Ask any animal lover and they will tell you: Animals are our hearts.
Have a little fun with two surveys we wrote that will help you gauge which type of pet most mirrors your personality.
Visit www.angelanimals.net/quiz.html for "Pet Personality Quiz".
Visit www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/Pets/index.aspx for "What's Your Pet's Personality?"
On another note, in consideration for animals who struggle to stay alive and be rescued in Haiti, remember the animal organizations that are going there to help.
To keep informed about the animal side of the situation, subscribe to the newsletter provided by www.kinshipcircle.org.
United Animal Nations and other animal welfare and rescue organizations are sending their rescue teams to Haiti. They have formed an umbrella organization called Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH). To learn more about this and donate, go to www.uan.org/index.cfm?navid=670
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Have you been able to help a pet find a new, safe, and loving home?
Finding a New Home
When a person must separate from a pet who has been a member of the family, it can be heartbreaking. It eases the pain if the person helps the animal relocate to a new home.
We often get calls from people who must give up their pets. They are heartbroken, and the only solace they have is that someone responsible will love and care for their animal friend. Sending a beloved pet to an animal shelter, where his or her fate will be unknown, is unbearable.
This week, we received a call from a young woman who is being deployed to Kuwait in early February. She had made arrangements with someone to care for her Great Dane while she would be out of the country. The deal had fallen through. Now, she has only a few weeks to find a new home for the dog.
By now, she has enough leads to help her with this dilemma. But we wanted to share one with you in case you know someone else in her situation. Guardian Angels for Soldiers Pets, www.guardianangelsforsoldierspet.org is set up specifically to foster pets of soldiers who are leaving to serve their country.
As people age and have to move to assisted living or places that don't allow pets and with housing foreclosures that force people out of their homes, the displacement of pets has intensified.
We encourage you to look around in your communities, churches, and neighborhoods for those who could use a paw up in finding new homes for their animal companions. It may only take a few phone calls or a bit of internet research. You could save some lives and ease the burden of those whose hearts are aching.
On another note, in consideration for animals who struggle to stay alive and be rescued in Haiti, remember the animal organizations that are going there to help.
To keep informed about the animal side of the situation, subscribe to the newsletter provided by www.kinshipcircle.org.
United Animal Nations and other animal welfare and rescue organizations are sending their rescue teams to Haiti. They have formed an umbrella organization called Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH). To learn more about this and donate, go to www.uan.org/index.cfm?navid=670
Have you been able to help a pet find a new, safe, and loving home?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
When a person must separate from a pet who has been a member of the family, it can be heartbreaking. It eases the pain if the person helps the animal relocate to a new home.
We often get calls from people who must give up their pets. They are heartbroken, and the only solace they have is that someone responsible will love and care for their animal friend. Sending a beloved pet to an animal shelter, where his or her fate will be unknown, is unbearable.
This week, we received a call from a young woman who is being deployed to Kuwait in early February. She had made arrangements with someone to care for her Great Dane while she would be out of the country. The deal had fallen through. Now, she has only a few weeks to find a new home for the dog.
By now, she has enough leads to help her with this dilemma. But we wanted to share one with you in case you know someone else in her situation. Guardian Angels for Soldiers Pets, www.guardianangelsforsoldierspet.org is set up specifically to foster pets of soldiers who are leaving to serve their country.
As people age and have to move to assisted living or places that don't allow pets and with housing foreclosures that force people out of their homes, the displacement of pets has intensified.
We encourage you to look around in your communities, churches, and neighborhoods for those who could use a paw up in finding new homes for their animal companions. It may only take a few phone calls or a bit of internet research. You could save some lives and ease the burden of those whose hearts are aching.
On another note, in consideration for animals who struggle to stay alive and be rescued in Haiti, remember the animal organizations that are going there to help.
To keep informed about the animal side of the situation, subscribe to the newsletter provided by www.kinshipcircle.org.
United Animal Nations and other animal welfare and rescue organizations are sending their rescue teams to Haiti. They have formed an umbrella organization called Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH). To learn more about this and donate, go to www.uan.org/index.cfm?navid=670
Have you been able to help a pet find a new, safe, and loving home?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
THE DOG WHO HELPS ME HEAR by Jennifer Warsing
"The Dog Who Helps Me Hear" was first published in the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter on January 16 2010. Reprinted with permission. To subscribe send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com.
STORY OF THE WEEK
THE DOG WHO HELPS ME HEAR
By Jennifer Warsing
Take a moment to sit down, close your eyes, and listen to your environment. What do you hear? The world is full of buzzing, beeps, rings, and whistles. Those sounds are not included in my world. Why is that, you wonder?
I am deaf and since the age of five, the "sounds" of my world consist of mere silence. In my home, the oven timer's joyous beep continues on ignored until I am aware of the smell of burning food.
The telephone's ring isn't heard. Calls from family and friends go by without a friendly greeting of hello. The doorbell's warm reminder that company awaits fails to be recognized; therefore, company comes and goes without greeting.
My nights are filled with sleeplessness and dread that the smoke detector's lifesaving blare will signal and go by unheard. I lay awake each night consumed with fear.
One could think of it as turning down the volume for my life to zero. That is, until I found the link to my environment and my world -- a chocolate Labrador retriever named Hattie. She is a hearing dog from Dogs for the Deaf, Inc.
Hattie was adopted from a shelter by Dogs for the Deaf and went through eight months of hearing dog training in order to become my ears. Hattie is trained to alert me to the oven timer, doorbell/door knock, microwave, alarm clock, telephone, smoke detector, and someone calling my name.
Hattie arrived on September 14, 2007 and has completely transformed my life. I often say, that is the day my life truly began; I have been re-born! She has created a life of many firsts for me in the two years we have been a team.
My nights are now filled with blissful sleep, because I know Hattie will alert me to the smoke detector and any impending sounds of danger. My home is no longer engulfed by the smells of burnt food, because I failed to hear the oven timer's beep.
Company is now greeted at the door with my friendly smile and a chocolate Lab full of love. The telephone is answered with an enthusiastic hello. I no longer walk alone with a nervous gait. My steps are filled with independence, and my head is held high, thanks to my faithful companion, my ears, my Hattie.
Hattie has enabled me to transform my hearing disability into one of infinite possibilities. My home life is no longer one of fear and dread. Every crevice of my home bustles with sound, peace, love, and joy. I am fully aware of the sounds in my world. Silence no longer pervades my soul.
When I am outside, my faithful companion, my hearing dog taps me and alerts me to look up. I see a flock of geese flying overhead or a squirrel scurrying across the fence. I have "heard" birds territorially fighting over a newly built nest. A fire truck or ambulance dutifully drives by, and Hattie makes me aware of the sounds in my environment.
If ever God intended for an angel to be sent my way, he did so in tenfold. When he sent Hattie to me, he truly answered my prayers. Hattie may not have a halo or wings but she is my divine intervention. My life, my world is now full of sound, and my ears have chocolate fur, a tail, and a heart of gold!
Visit www.angelanimals.net/nlimage26.html to view an image of Jennifer and Hattie.
BIO:
Jennifer Warsing has been deaf since the age of five due to Meniere's Disease. Hattie is a hearing dog who was trained by Dogs for the Deaf, located in Central Point, Oregon. Since Hattie's arrival, Jennifer's life and home are forever filled with sound and she hasn't looked back since. Jennifer says, "Hattie is my life, my ears and my best friend! She is truly and angel in disguise."
SOMETHING TO THING ABOUT:
What do the animals in your life help you see and hear that you would miss without them?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
STORY OF THE WEEK
THE DOG WHO HELPS ME HEAR
By Jennifer Warsing
Take a moment to sit down, close your eyes, and listen to your environment. What do you hear? The world is full of buzzing, beeps, rings, and whistles. Those sounds are not included in my world. Why is that, you wonder?
I am deaf and since the age of five, the "sounds" of my world consist of mere silence. In my home, the oven timer's joyous beep continues on ignored until I am aware of the smell of burning food.
The telephone's ring isn't heard. Calls from family and friends go by without a friendly greeting of hello. The doorbell's warm reminder that company awaits fails to be recognized; therefore, company comes and goes without greeting.
My nights are filled with sleeplessness and dread that the smoke detector's lifesaving blare will signal and go by unheard. I lay awake each night consumed with fear.
One could think of it as turning down the volume for my life to zero. That is, until I found the link to my environment and my world -- a chocolate Labrador retriever named Hattie. She is a hearing dog from Dogs for the Deaf, Inc.
Hattie was adopted from a shelter by Dogs for the Deaf and went through eight months of hearing dog training in order to become my ears. Hattie is trained to alert me to the oven timer, doorbell/door knock, microwave, alarm clock, telephone, smoke detector, and someone calling my name.
Hattie arrived on September 14, 2007 and has completely transformed my life. I often say, that is the day my life truly began; I have been re-born! She has created a life of many firsts for me in the two years we have been a team.
My nights are now filled with blissful sleep, because I know Hattie will alert me to the smoke detector and any impending sounds of danger. My home is no longer engulfed by the smells of burnt food, because I failed to hear the oven timer's beep.
Company is now greeted at the door with my friendly smile and a chocolate Lab full of love. The telephone is answered with an enthusiastic hello. I no longer walk alone with a nervous gait. My steps are filled with independence, and my head is held high, thanks to my faithful companion, my ears, my Hattie.
Hattie has enabled me to transform my hearing disability into one of infinite possibilities. My home life is no longer one of fear and dread. Every crevice of my home bustles with sound, peace, love, and joy. I am fully aware of the sounds in my world. Silence no longer pervades my soul.
When I am outside, my faithful companion, my hearing dog taps me and alerts me to look up. I see a flock of geese flying overhead or a squirrel scurrying across the fence. I have "heard" birds territorially fighting over a newly built nest. A fire truck or ambulance dutifully drives by, and Hattie makes me aware of the sounds in my environment.
If ever God intended for an angel to be sent my way, he did so in tenfold. When he sent Hattie to me, he truly answered my prayers. Hattie may not have a halo or wings but she is my divine intervention. My life, my world is now full of sound, and my ears have chocolate fur, a tail, and a heart of gold!
Visit www.angelanimals.net/nlimage26.html to view an image of Jennifer and Hattie.
BIO:
Jennifer Warsing has been deaf since the age of five due to Meniere's Disease. Hattie is a hearing dog who was trained by Dogs for the Deaf, located in Central Point, Oregon. Since Hattie's arrival, Jennifer's life and home are forever filled with sound and she hasn't looked back since. Jennifer says, "Hattie is my life, my ears and my best friend! She is truly and angel in disguise."
SOMETHING TO THING ABOUT:
What do the animals in your life help you see and hear that you would miss without them?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
Who has believed in your potential when no one else could see it?
First published by Angel Animals Story of the Week, January 9, 2010. Reprinted with permission. To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
A HORSE NAMED FREEDOM
By Kathe Campbell
A horse's shocking year, as told to me by loving animal sanctuary folks in Montana -- his ominous days before mending at my mountain ranch.
The young Mustang's life was unruffled, his fodder and spring graze lush, while he contemplated his prime and lived near kin. The fields and pastures were seasonally green, and the rancher forked up two squares a day, lending belly comfort and warmth to the horse's life even through winter's chill. Then some folks arrived on the scene to take the youngster away. He left his ma and sidekicks while being prodded into a tiny horse trailer.
Life was now simpler for the gelding, no long green valleys, nobody to run the rivers with. The hard case that bought the horse was unkind, jerking the youngin' around while breaking him to saddle, and forcing that cussed bit.
Horse, as the new person called the Mustang, had never known about newfangled shouts, curses, and whippings that he was getting from the man's leather quirt. The youngster's fare dissipated into mostly weeds and dandelions, stale ditch water, and nary one sweet handful of oats. Worse, he stood afire under summer's fierce rays while ogling grazing cattle across the fence.
The lady crawled upon Horse's back for a spell, seemingly content with her new pony as they walked along the dirt road on fair afternoons. But for an occasional cake of grass hay tossed over his rails by a kind neighbor, Horse was left to languish in the bare and dusty pen. By summer's end, his once sleek sorrel coat became pocked and dull, and his raw-boned hips and neck were bit through by a range of pesky chiggers.
Come evening, the man and lady screeched and hollered so loud as to make Horse's ears twitch. Sometimes the lady came flying off the back porch, only to lay bellerin' in the dirt. Often, the man became so angry, he swore and threw his fist through the window of their unholy little weather-beaten shack.
Autumn came, and the man left the place in his old rusty pickup. The weeds in Horse's pen were done for, and yet seldom did a soul come with a cake of fodder. Now and then the offish lady fetched a few handfuls of bunch grass from the yard, always carrying that rank bottle of lightening. If she'd only offer to take Horse for a ride, he could easily harvest a meal from the dusty grass alongside the road, but it wasn't to be.
The first snows saw the woman leaving early in the mornings, never seen till after dark throughout blizzards and hard freeze. She emerged nightly from her little car plumb full as a tick, mumbling nonsense as she weaved her way to the house. Horse whinnied, cribbed on the rails, and kicked the boards, but the lady never turned the lights on or gave him a thought. Crowbait now, and a layer of snow covering his back, icicles hung long and heavy from the Mustang's mane.
Looking as though the half dead animal was ready for the bone orchard, a lady from the local animal sanctuary appeared. She opened Horse's pen and ran gentle hands over his sorry body, murmuring soft sounds of love and reassurance.
Soon a horse trailer arrived, and Horse threaded his thin and weary legs up the ramp. But his knees collapsed, leaving him a crippled heap of filthy flesh and bone. Kind folks helped him walk into a warm stall where he bedded for days with hay, oats, and fresh water. At only three years old, his way of going seemed lost, and unless salvaged, he'd be put out of his misery.
Weeks passed, and another horse trailer pulled alongside Horse's stall. Other folks blanketed his emaciated carcass before escorting him inside. After a long journey the doors opened to the scent of green sprouts in a field and the loping hooves of donkeys rushing to greet the pitiful wretch. He was turned loose to the glory of it all -- a barn, alfalfa hay, and clean running water when he thirsted. Horse was free.
Shivering and gasping at the sight, I saw Horse's scrawny neck schmoozing my donkeys across the fence one early morn. "So you're our rescue baby, you sorrowful thing," I tearfully whispered, caressing his head against my chest. "We'll bring you about."
Horse was made welcome in a clean, straw-filled stall when he needed comfort and seclusion. I brushed his coat daily, clipped and filed his split hooves, shared carrots, and assured him he had a home if he was a mind to stay.
He was high maintenance in the beginning and stayed for a goodly time at our ranch, high in the Montana mountains. When we saddled up and rode the hills and forests on our big champion donkeys, Horse trailed along until he amassed the sleek coat, bulk, and muscle he was born with.
The day came when we shook hands and hugged a dear old friend as he and his small Indian grandson emerged from their truck. Horse had never seen a shave tail before and seemed taken with the boy's tawny skin, shiny black hair, and winning smile.
The lad crawled up on Horse bareback, pulled gently on the reins, and spoke kind words as they rode the acres. This was surely the best birthday present the youngster ever had, as the Mustang walked easily into their trailer to go home. They called him "Freedom."
BIO:
Kathe lives on a Montana mountain with her mammoth donkeys, a 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 and Cup of Comfort series, numerous anthologies, RX for Writers, and medical journals. Email her at
SOMETHING TO THING ABOUT:
Who has believed in your potential when no one else could see it?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
A HORSE NAMED FREEDOM
By Kathe Campbell
A horse's shocking year, as told to me by loving animal sanctuary folks in Montana -- his ominous days before mending at my mountain ranch.
The young Mustang's life was unruffled, his fodder and spring graze lush, while he contemplated his prime and lived near kin. The fields and pastures were seasonally green, and the rancher forked up two squares a day, lending belly comfort and warmth to the horse's life even through winter's chill. Then some folks arrived on the scene to take the youngster away. He left his ma and sidekicks while being prodded into a tiny horse trailer.
Life was now simpler for the gelding, no long green valleys, nobody to run the rivers with. The hard case that bought the horse was unkind, jerking the youngin' around while breaking him to saddle, and forcing that cussed bit.
Horse, as the new person called the Mustang, had never known about newfangled shouts, curses, and whippings that he was getting from the man's leather quirt. The youngster's fare dissipated into mostly weeds and dandelions, stale ditch water, and nary one sweet handful of oats. Worse, he stood afire under summer's fierce rays while ogling grazing cattle across the fence.
The lady crawled upon Horse's back for a spell, seemingly content with her new pony as they walked along the dirt road on fair afternoons. But for an occasional cake of grass hay tossed over his rails by a kind neighbor, Horse was left to languish in the bare and dusty pen. By summer's end, his once sleek sorrel coat became pocked and dull, and his raw-boned hips and neck were bit through by a range of pesky chiggers.
Come evening, the man and lady screeched and hollered so loud as to make Horse's ears twitch. Sometimes the lady came flying off the back porch, only to lay bellerin' in the dirt. Often, the man became so angry, he swore and threw his fist through the window of their unholy little weather-beaten shack.
Autumn came, and the man left the place in his old rusty pickup. The weeds in Horse's pen were done for, and yet seldom did a soul come with a cake of fodder. Now and then the offish lady fetched a few handfuls of bunch grass from the yard, always carrying that rank bottle of lightening. If she'd only offer to take Horse for a ride, he could easily harvest a meal from the dusty grass alongside the road, but it wasn't to be.
The first snows saw the woman leaving early in the mornings, never seen till after dark throughout blizzards and hard freeze. She emerged nightly from her little car plumb full as a tick, mumbling nonsense as she weaved her way to the house. Horse whinnied, cribbed on the rails, and kicked the boards, but the lady never turned the lights on or gave him a thought. Crowbait now, and a layer of snow covering his back, icicles hung long and heavy from the Mustang's mane.
Looking as though the half dead animal was ready for the bone orchard, a lady from the local animal sanctuary appeared. She opened Horse's pen and ran gentle hands over his sorry body, murmuring soft sounds of love and reassurance.
Soon a horse trailer arrived, and Horse threaded his thin and weary legs up the ramp. But his knees collapsed, leaving him a crippled heap of filthy flesh and bone. Kind folks helped him walk into a warm stall where he bedded for days with hay, oats, and fresh water. At only three years old, his way of going seemed lost, and unless salvaged, he'd be put out of his misery.
Weeks passed, and another horse trailer pulled alongside Horse's stall. Other folks blanketed his emaciated carcass before escorting him inside. After a long journey the doors opened to the scent of green sprouts in a field and the loping hooves of donkeys rushing to greet the pitiful wretch. He was turned loose to the glory of it all -- a barn, alfalfa hay, and clean running water when he thirsted. Horse was free.
Shivering and gasping at the sight, I saw Horse's scrawny neck schmoozing my donkeys across the fence one early morn. "So you're our rescue baby, you sorrowful thing," I tearfully whispered, caressing his head against my chest. "We'll bring you about."
Horse was made welcome in a clean, straw-filled stall when he needed comfort and seclusion. I brushed his coat daily, clipped and filed his split hooves, shared carrots, and assured him he had a home if he was a mind to stay.
He was high maintenance in the beginning and stayed for a goodly time at our ranch, high in the Montana mountains. When we saddled up and rode the hills and forests on our big champion donkeys, Horse trailed along until he amassed the sleek coat, bulk, and muscle he was born with.
The day came when we shook hands and hugged a dear old friend as he and his small Indian grandson emerged from their truck. Horse had never seen a shave tail before and seemed taken with the boy's tawny skin, shiny black hair, and winning smile.
The lad crawled up on Horse bareback, pulled gently on the reins, and spoke kind words as they rode the acres. This was surely the best birthday present the youngster ever had, as the Mustang walked easily into their trailer to go home. They called him "Freedom."
BIO:
Kathe lives on a Montana mountain with her mammoth donkeys, a 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 and Cup of Comfort series, numerous anthologies, RX for Writers, and medical journals. Email her at
SOMETHING TO THING ABOUT:
Who has believed in your potential when no one else could see it?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
Saturday, January 9, 2010
New -- Inspirational Writing and Publishing Today Class
You are invited to have a memorable experience in bringing your writing to a new level and meeting others who want to share insights from their lives. Linda is teaching the following class in Minneapolis. Register soon as these classes tend to fill up fast!
Inspirational Writing and Publishing Today
Instructor: Linda Anderson
Class: A668, 6 Week Class, Winter/Spring 2010
Location: Open Book (The Loft Literary Center,
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date(s): Tuesdays, March 9 - April 13
Time(s): 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Enrollment: Open
In this spiritually hungry world, people long to be comforted and inspired. Self-help, New Thought, religious books, daily meditations, memoirs, and personal true story anthologies top the bestseller lists. In this class, you'll learn the forms, elements, and markets for inspirational writing and read samples from masterful writers. You'll get tips for moving from self-expression to service by writing about your life's experiences in ways that help others. We'll also talk about a system for framing chapters in a book-length work, or for organizing an article. This class offers nurturing feedback and suggestions for rewriting, polishing, and getting published. It includes individual review of your assignments or book in progress. For intermediate and advanced writers. 30% presentation/lecture 25% writing exercises 25% discussion and sharing of writing 20% review of master writers Instructor Information:
Linda Anderson
www.loft.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=2496
Inspirational Writing and Publishing Today
Instructor: Linda Anderson
Class: A668, 6 Week Class, Winter/Spring 2010
Location: Open Book (The Loft Literary Center,
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date(s): Tuesdays, March 9 - April 13
Time(s): 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Enrollment: Open
In this spiritually hungry world, people long to be comforted and inspired. Self-help, New Thought, religious books, daily meditations, memoirs, and personal true story anthologies top the bestseller lists. In this class, you'll learn the forms, elements, and markets for inspirational writing and read samples from masterful writers. You'll get tips for moving from self-expression to service by writing about your life's experiences in ways that help others. We'll also talk about a system for framing chapters in a book-length work, or for organizing an article. This class offers nurturing feedback and suggestions for rewriting, polishing, and getting published. It includes individual review of your assignments or book in progress. For intermediate and advanced writers. 30% presentation/lecture 25% writing exercises 25% discussion and sharing of writing 20% review of master writers Instructor Information:
Linda Anderson
www.loft.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=2496
Announcement -- New Online Pet Products Store
For a long time now, we have been looking for an easy way to raise money for animal organization. They need so much help, especially in these difficult economic times. Now, we are trying out a new project and we need your help to see if it will work.
We would like to announce our new pet products and supply store that features an array of pet products. It is called ANGEL ANIMALS PETOPIA STORE. We invite you to visit it at http://petopia.ihostmall.com/angelanimals/.
As with all that we do, we will donate a portion of our proceeds from products sold through this store to animal shelters and organizations.
Although we did not personally select items for the PETOPIA store, many of them would make wonderful pet products and great gifts for animals lovers!
Please visit the store this week. If you are buying these types of pet products anyway, know that by buying them at the ANGEL ANIMALS PETOPIA STORE, you will also be helping animals and nonprofit animal organizations. Enjoy your visit.
Each quarter, we will select an animal organization to receive donations from every item sold at the store and will announce the featured organization at www.angelanimals.net.
The first organization we are selecting for donations is called Basic Animal Rescue Training (BART). This is an organization that we know personally because the founder spoke at a bookstore event we did about our animal rescue book, and we got to know and admire her work.
BART trains EMTs and fire department personnel on how to save the lives of animals in fires and emergencies. The organization donates oxygen masks that are specially designed to help animal breathe and trains the first responders on how to use the masks. They do a great job and are working all over the country now. The more they train, the safer YOUR pets will be.
Read more about BART at (www.basicanimalrescuetraining.org).
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
We would like to announce our new pet products and supply store that features an array of pet products. It is called ANGEL ANIMALS PETOPIA STORE. We invite you to visit it at http://petopia.ihostmall.com/angelanimals/.
As with all that we do, we will donate a portion of our proceeds from products sold through this store to animal shelters and organizations.
Although we did not personally select items for the PETOPIA store, many of them would make wonderful pet products and great gifts for animals lovers!
Please visit the store this week. If you are buying these types of pet products anyway, know that by buying them at the ANGEL ANIMALS PETOPIA STORE, you will also be helping animals and nonprofit animal organizations. Enjoy your visit.
Each quarter, we will select an animal organization to receive donations from every item sold at the store and will announce the featured organization at www.angelanimals.net.
The first organization we are selecting for donations is called Basic Animal Rescue Training (BART). This is an organization that we know personally because the founder spoke at a bookstore event we did about our animal rescue book, and we got to know and admire her work.
BART trains EMTs and fire department personnel on how to save the lives of animals in fires and emergencies. The organization donates oxygen masks that are specially designed to help animal breathe and trains the first responders on how to use the masks. They do a great job and are working all over the country now. The more they train, the safer YOUR pets will be.
Read more about BART at (www.basicanimalrescuetraining.org).
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
The Crazy Dogs of Winter
We wrote in a Twitter/Facebook post last week that our cocker spaniel Leaf is going bonkers with all this cold weather. He likes snow but below-zero temperatures make it too frigid for us to walk him for a long time. So he's not getting enough exercise.
We take him for a couple hours to doggie daycare, but that can be expensive if we do it too often. So we asked people what they do. Here are some of their responses. They may help those of you who are coping with the winter crazies.
Mary T.: I have just trained my dear darling beagle on the treadmill. She happily sits and waits for me to put her collar on and then trots for 20-30 minutes. Has made ALL the difference this winter!!!
Richard O: Live in Vermont with 3+ feet of snow on the ground right now. In 2004, I put in a big doggy door leading to a covered porch, leading down 3 steps into a BIG fenced yard. Even when I'm off at work, the dogs can come and go as they please. I keep a wide path shoveled in their yard. They both love to bound around in the snow.
Bob D: We're taking Mabel (rat terrier; no fat, little fur) to Petco and PetSmart for walks around the store and a little socialization. The staffs are very friendly and accommodating. Doesn't replace chasing squirrels outside, but better than nothing.
Judy M: If I get desperate, I'll do some "living room rally" and set up a few cones. Or figure 8's using one dog as a post, and a cone as the other.
Jennifer W: My Hearing Dog, Hattie has numerous interactive toys, which I give her to play with. Sometimes I give these to her or a special chew bone, perhaps a stuffed kong. Other times we do training work indoors to keep her busy. We work on obedience and other commands. I also work on teaching her new things, so the usual commands don't become boring. It's a win-win situation for both of us and helps pass the time on these cold winter dreary days.
How do you help your pets keep exercised and stop boredom in beyond-cold temperatures?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
We take him for a couple hours to doggie daycare, but that can be expensive if we do it too often. So we asked people what they do. Here are some of their responses. They may help those of you who are coping with the winter crazies.
Mary T.: I have just trained my dear darling beagle on the treadmill. She happily sits and waits for me to put her collar on and then trots for 20-30 minutes. Has made ALL the difference this winter!!!
Richard O: Live in Vermont with 3+ feet of snow on the ground right now. In 2004, I put in a big doggy door leading to a covered porch, leading down 3 steps into a BIG fenced yard. Even when I'm off at work, the dogs can come and go as they please. I keep a wide path shoveled in their yard. They both love to bound around in the snow.
Bob D: We're taking Mabel (rat terrier; no fat, little fur) to Petco and PetSmart for walks around the store and a little socialization. The staffs are very friendly and accommodating. Doesn't replace chasing squirrels outside, but better than nothing.
Judy M: If I get desperate, I'll do some "living room rally" and set up a few cones. Or figure 8's using one dog as a post, and a cone as the other.
Jennifer W: My Hearing Dog, Hattie has numerous interactive toys, which I give her to play with. Sometimes I give these to her or a special chew bone, perhaps a stuffed kong. Other times we do training work indoors to keep her busy. We work on obedience and other commands. I also work on teaching her new things, so the usual commands don't become boring. It's a win-win situation for both of us and helps pass the time on these cold winter dreary days.
How do you help your pets keep exercised and stop boredom in beyond-cold temperatures?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
Note: To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
Sunday, January 3, 2010
When have you upset the natural order established by the pets in your home?
Creating Cat-astrophe
On New Years Day morning, we were relaxing in our living room when Allen noticed that Speedy was not at the top of the cat tree. Our carpeted cat tree is situated so that both Cuddles and Speedy can look out the window at the front yard to see all the birds, squirrels, and people.
Allen did not realize that the cats have a routine in regard to their cat tree. So he went to find Speedy, carried him to the living room, and placed him on the top seat. Speedy settled in, looking a little confused.
Cuddles and Linda watched as Allen did what he thought was a nice thing for Speedy. After Speedy was in place, Cuddles immediately jumped up and tried to get onto the top perch. Speedy wouldn't let her.
Cuddles sat, alert and in problem-solving mode, on the second perch. Allen began to understand that he must have interfered with the natural order of things: Cuddles has the top perch in the morning, and Speedy occupies it later in the day. Linda said, "They have their routines and agreements between themselves."
After about five minutes, Cuddles was still thinking about this situation as she sat on the second highest perch. Meanwhile, Speedy tried to jump down from the top by using the second perch as a stepladder to the floor. Cuddles would not budge, making it impossible for Speedy to get off the cat tree.
Allen decided to fix the cat chaos that he had inadvertently created. He placed Speedy carefully on the floor and then returned Cuddles to her usual morning place on the top perch. The natural order had once again been changed, not by request, but by an outside busy body.
As if to make their point that Allen's human interference had not been welcomed, Speedy quickly left the room. Cuddles jumped down from the cat tree and followed him out, leaving both perches unoccupied.
There is a spiritual principle known as the Law of Noninterference. Essentially it means that sometimes, things need to happen the way they are set into motion and with silent agreements in place between the people or animals who are directly involved.
When have you upset the natural order established by the pets in your home?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
On New Years Day morning, we were relaxing in our living room when Allen noticed that Speedy was not at the top of the cat tree. Our carpeted cat tree is situated so that both Cuddles and Speedy can look out the window at the front yard to see all the birds, squirrels, and people.
Allen did not realize that the cats have a routine in regard to their cat tree. So he went to find Speedy, carried him to the living room, and placed him on the top seat. Speedy settled in, looking a little confused.
Cuddles and Linda watched as Allen did what he thought was a nice thing for Speedy. After Speedy was in place, Cuddles immediately jumped up and tried to get onto the top perch. Speedy wouldn't let her.
Cuddles sat, alert and in problem-solving mode, on the second perch. Allen began to understand that he must have interfered with the natural order of things: Cuddles has the top perch in the morning, and Speedy occupies it later in the day. Linda said, "They have their routines and agreements between themselves."
After about five minutes, Cuddles was still thinking about this situation as she sat on the second highest perch. Meanwhile, Speedy tried to jump down from the top by using the second perch as a stepladder to the floor. Cuddles would not budge, making it impossible for Speedy to get off the cat tree.
Allen decided to fix the cat chaos that he had inadvertently created. He placed Speedy carefully on the floor and then returned Cuddles to her usual morning place on the top perch. The natural order had once again been changed, not by request, but by an outside busy body.
As if to make their point that Allen's human interference had not been welcomed, Speedy quickly left the room. Cuddles jumped down from the cat tree and followed him out, leaving both perches unoccupied.
There is a spiritual principle known as the Law of Noninterference. Essentially it means that sometimes, things need to happen the way they are set into motion and with silent agreements in place between the people or animals who are directly involved.
When have you upset the natural order established by the pets in your home?
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net
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