Laurel Hunt Books

Here is a heartwarming story involving a black kitten – for Halloween! A veterinary technician at Animal Hospital of North Asheville (Alex’s vet) was on her way to work on a busy interstate when she saw a cat get hit by a car. She stopped, but the cat was dead. Then she noticed two kittens, one black and one calico, nearby. She tried to approach them but they ran into the bushes. She began setting out food and water for them twice a day, as she drove to and from work. Although the kittens began looking for her, they were feral and would not let her get close enough to pick them up. (more…)

This week, on Saturday October 23, is the annual “Make a Difference” day in communities nationwide. It’s a day to volunteer your time, talent, or treasure in some way, knowing that even the smallest gifts add up and make a difference. Here are some ways to make a difference for the shelters and rescue groups in your community, any day of the week! (more…)

I found this lovely little book, The Shelter Dog, written and illustrated by Christine Davis (Lighthearted Press, 2008) in the online store of the Grey Muzzle Organization, a nonprofit that helps homeless senior dogs through grants to shelters, rescues, and sanctuaries for programs such as medical assistance for senior dogs, adoption and foster programs for senior dogs, and community programs to help low-income owners keep their senior dogs. The plight of homeless senior dogs is a cause close to my heart, and I was thrilled to discover the Grey Muzzle folks and be able to support them through purchasing a book! The Shelter Dog tells the story of Hero, a dog who had a happy and loving earthly existence as companion to a young disabled girl. One day, as he flies among the stars, he asks the Shelter Angel, who watches over shelter dogs, if he can return to earth as a shelter dog. “It must be wonderful to be a shelter dog and have someone find you and bring you home,” Hero thinks. But as an old dog with a limp, he finds himself passed over in the shelter. I won’t give away the ending, but can assure you this is a book you will love for its positive, uplifting message. The story and illustrations will captivate readers of all ages. A perfect gift book!

This week I am at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fl at a conference on using social media in hospitals and health care. Aside from this blog, I am woefully behind in the social media world. People in the audience are actually tweeting about the conference live! It is certainly transforming communication, but yesterday morning I overheard a simple, face-to-face communication that touched my heart. (more…)

Molly

The folks at Petfinder.com have designated this week (September 19-26) as “Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet” week. Surely they could have come up with a better event name, but I am all for the cause of advocating for those pets who languish in shelters, or are euthanized, because they are old, or have special needs, or aren’t the right breed, or happen to be black. Anyone who is involved in sheltering or rescue will tell you that black dogs (and black cats) are the hardest to place. There’s even a name for it: black dog syndrome. It’s interesting to me that year after year, Black Labs are the most popular breed, according to the AKC, yet if a black dog ends up in a shelter, it is at high risk of not finding a home. Theories about this abound. (more…)

As I collect both dog poetry and dog photos, I was delighted to recently discover The World According to Dog; Poems and Teen Voices by Joyce Sidman, with photographs by Doug Mindell (Houghton, 2003). The genesis of this lovely book was poems inspired by the author’s dog, which she wrote when going through a difficult time. The author’s poems are interspersed with brief essays and photos of their dogs submitted by  teenage authors in response to the author’s invitation on teen listserves and web sites. Ms. Sidman’s poems are illustrated with stunning photos by Doug Mindell, a professional photographer. The contrast of these dramatic yet soft-focus black and white photos with Ms. Sidman’s haiku-like verse makes the book a stunning work of art. Although it is hard to pick a favorite among many wonderful poems in the book, I think the one that resonates most with me is called “The Splash of Your Heart.” I want to/gather you back/midair/that handful of puppy/you once were/keep you curled/in my palm/never hear the splash/of your heart/hitting the world. Another favorite, “Dog in Bed,” concludes: This is how it is with love./Once invited,/it steps in gently,/circles twice,/and takes up as much space/as you will give it. The poems are simple, direct, and heartfelt, and the author’s keen observations of her dog definitely describe “the world according to dog.” A wonderful gift for dog friends or just to savor for yourself!

I’m especially grateful for organizations that help homeless senior pets. All rescue work is difficult and heart-wrenching, but those who go the extra mile for senior, disabled, or otherwise difficult to place animals deserve extra support and acknowledgment. Thus I was pleased to learn about the charity of the month at The Honest Kitchen, a company that makes nutritious, “human-grade” dehydrated dog food. The Honest Kitchen has a “Pawlanthropy” program in which they select a charity  to benefit from a percentage of online sales that month. September’s charity is the Compassion program of Just A Dog, a pit bull rescue in San Diego, CA. The Compassion program takes elderly or ill pit bulls who would otherwise be euthanized in shelters, and ensures that their final days are spent in a loving and caring home environment. I’m sure it is difficult work, but what a wonderful way to make a difference in an animal’s life, even if only briefly.

Kids and dogs. The essence of long, lazy summer days and childhood memories. This week, more vintage photos from my collection to celebrate the enduring bonds that we form with pets, which often begin with a special dog with whom we shared adventures, and who provided play, comfort, and love. Which one reminds you of your childhood dog? What kinds of things did you do with that dog?

This week, some images from my vintage photo collection of dogs in the yard and garden.Enjoy!

Here are a few more photos from my collection, of dogs enjoying summer. This week, dogs out boating! Enjoy and let me know your favorites!

In the process of editing my book, Angel Pawprints, I stumbled upon a new hobby as I was searching for a way to illustrate the poems and stories in the book. At the suggestion of an antiquarian book dealer, I discovered old postcards and snapshots of dogs at flea markets, estate sales, and paper collectible shows. Long after the book was finished, I continued to collect these evocative images of the human-animal bond, and I never tire of looking at them.

The ancient Romans associated the hot weather with the star Sirius, the “Dog Star”, because it is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog). Sirius is also the brightest star in the heavens besides the sun. During these dog days of summer, I would like to share a few favorite vintage photos with you. Here are dogs enjoying the beach. Which one is your favorite?

If you want to view something truly uplifting, check out the Nevada Humane Society’s Adoption Dance video. At this shelter, they have a tradition of ringing a bell whenever an adoption occurs. In this fun video, the staff do a dance parody of the wedding video where everyone dances down the aisle. Must admit I had tears in my eyes at the end! Loved it and the message it conveys about lifetime commitments and forever homes. I hope Cooper has a wonderful new life!

I love stories written in the dog’s voice, so when I came across this gem, I had to share it! Have a kleenex handy…

I Rescued A Human Today

by Janine Allen

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.

I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the overworked shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life. (more…)

Sophie

Okay folks, here is another springer damsel in distress. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the plight of older dogs who end up in shelters through no fault of their own – often due to changing family circumstances. Their lifelong guardian dies, or becomes ill, or moves into a nursing home, or can no longer afford to care for them. They are likely to be passed over for adoption in favor of the younger dogs. A lucky few, like 8 year old Sophie, are saved by rescue groups. As part of Be the Change For Animals, a group of pet bloggers are posting on causes important to them, and I am choosing to spread the word about the plight of older dogs like Sophie.  (more…)

I’ve written before about a very moving Blessing of the Animals service that Alex and I participated in. Now, Calvary Church in Danvers, Massachusetts has started Perfect Paws Pet Ministry, a half-hour service for people and their dogs on the third Sunday of each month. The service includes Communion,blessings, and dog biscuits for the dogs at the end of the service. The service also includes prayers for animals who are ill, and for those who are deceased. (more…)