Laurel Hunt Books

A recent story from the Asheville Citizen-Times, by Carole Currie –

We all like to think that things happen for a reason. Sometimes we can put the stories together and sometimes we can’t. This is one of those stories.

When Jeanne Keesler Nanney lived in North Asheville, her friends saw her out daily, walking and jogging with her 80-pound yellow Lab, Nick. She was so devoted to that dog that when he got cancer and had to have his leg amputated and could no longer go upstairs in the house to sleep, she slept downstairs so, Jeanne says, “He would know how much he meant to me.”

Nick died in 2006, and Jeanne did not get another dog – because she rejected the idea of a “replacement dog” and because her life took a whole new turn. Read the rest of this entry »

Max arrives at the shelter

Here is a heartwarming story!

Matted Max: 
Stranded Victim of Neglect Gets Second Chance

Asheville, NC –  Against all odds, an adorable little Shih Tzu has a new chance at life thanks to  the staff and volunteers of Asheville Humane Society.  Max, a year-old male Shih Tzu, was brought to Asheville Humane Society by a compassionate motorist who found him in a crate on the side of the road with a cardboard sign that read “My Name Is Max.” Inside the crate was a mass of matted fur. Fearful the dog was dying, his rescuer immediately drove Max to the Asheville Humane Society shelter located at 72 Lee’s Creek Road where staffers were saddened and appalled by his horrible condition. Read the rest of this entry »

I work with our local therapy dog organization, Paws with a Purpose, who visit hospital and nursing home patients as well as many community agencies and schools. Recently, Paws fulfilled an unusual request, to visit inmates at the Craggy Correctional Center. The dogs were a huge hit with the inmates and staff, bringing a bit of normalcy as well as comfort and unconditional love. The following heartwarming note, signed by 150 inmates, was received after the visit. Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve been following the heroic work of the Search Dog Foundation (SDF) teams as they work around the clock to locate Haiti earthquake survivors. Dog lovers Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward Newman have issued a challenge grant of up to $100,000 to support this work!

Help meet the $100,000 challenge—Join the 30-day countdown! Read the rest of this entry »

After the tragedy of the Haiti earthquake we are all looking for ways to help the disaster response. Please consider making a donation to the nonprofit Search Dog Foundation in Ojai, California, who deployed teams immediately at the request of the US government. You can follow their work in Haiti on the Foundation web site. Did you know that these highly trained disaster response dogs were rescued from abuse and abandonment situations? Read the rest of this entry »

Since I love spaniels and love books written in the dog’s voice, I was delighted to discover this new book, Save a Spaniel; a tale of loss and survival featuring a dog, by Cathy Mitchell, a Pulitzer Prize winner and journalism professor. Although fiction, the story is loosely based on the adventures of one of the author’s dogs, a rescued Boykin spaniel. “Star,” the canine narrator of the book, is a purebred Boykin spaniel with a white mark on her chest, an undesirable marking for the breed standard. Star is purchased by a couple as a pet and hunting companion for the husband. Her troubles begin when she proves to be gun-shy. Read the rest of this entry »

I always think of her on New Year’s Eve even though it’s been 16 years since she died from hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive cancer of the blood vessels. I remember well the day we adopted her, too, and my first impression that she looked like a lioness lying regally in the shelter cage, her paws crossed, with an attitude of “There must be some mistake. I don’t know what I am doing in this place.” As we signed the adoption papers the clerk warned, “She’s been brought back twice. This is her last chance.” In spite of many behavior challenges, we gave her a forever home for the next seven years. When she was diagnosed with cancer, I learned how much I had come to love her for her courage, loyalty, and count-me-in attitude. As a final gift, she inspired me to begin a collection of tributes to beloved dogs, later published as Angel Pawprints: Reflections on loving and losing a canine companion. Although their years with us are never long enough, and it is unbearably sad when they leave us, I have come to think of each of my dogs as a precious gift that has enriched my life and opened my heart in unexpected ways. I am blessed and thankful to have walked beside them.

Marmaduke

Alex and I are digging out from last weekend’s big snow. We are looking forward to a white Christmas and time with family and friends. We wish you a safe, warm, and peaceful holiday season with all of your loved ones.

"The Door is Open" by Nancy Darrell

I am fortunate to live in an area with many talented artists and crafters such as this artist, Nancy Darrell, a member of the prestigious Southern Highland Craft Guild, which  operates  the Folk Art Center near Asheville, NC where Guild members sell work year-round. Browsing for gifts at the Folk Art Center this past weekend, I discovered these lovely cards by woodcut artist Nancy Darrell of Marshall, NC. Nancy is also a talented potter and often incorporates birds into her work. She has an extensive line of woodcut prints of cabins, wild birds, and mountain scenes. Although I’m more of a dog person than a cat person, I loved this image. It speaks to me of the warmth and love that animals bring to our lives, if we open the door and let them in. This image is also available as a woodcut print for framing, or in packages of blank notecards.  Please note, my scanner distorted the card colors a bit; the left border is more of a mustard or pumpkin shade. Enjoy!

Here is a great idea for a gift for dog lovers, or for your dogs – a box of dog biscuit mix from King Arthur Flour. The mix includes whole grains, brewer’s yeast, beef extract, flax, garlic, dried whole eggs, and parsley. Biscuits are easy to make and complete instructions are included. The dough can be kneaded by hand, electric mixer, or bread machine. I have been very pleased with King Arthur products including these dog biscuits. The company also sells a  variety of mixes for muffins, bread, coffee cake, and cookies as well as hard to find specialty baking ingredients and tools. The web site  has wonderful recipes and a blog.   The biscuit mix is also available gift-boxed with a bone-shaped cookie cutter.  Happy baking!

If you are looking for a lovely holiday gift for the animal lovers on your list, I recommend Animal Blessings: Prayers and Poems Celebrating Our Pets by June Cotner (HarperCollins, 2000). I discovered Ms. Cotner’s lovely series of books with her more recently published Dog Blessings. Animal Blessings includes  writings about all types of animals, from dogs, cats, and horses to wildlife including birds, deer, dolphins, and other wild creatures. Read the rest of this entry »

As the deluge of Christmas catalogs begins arriving in the mailbox, one I always look forward to is the Orvis Dog Book with its comfy dog beds, great toys, and fashionable yet practical dog accessories. No foo-foo stuff, but just the thing for a sporting breed like Alex the Welsh Springer. The wonderful folks at the Morris Animal Foundation have teamed up with Orvis in a photo contest to pick the Fall 2010 cover dog photo. Your dog could be the top model! MAF has teamed with Orvis and Eukanuba to help find a cure for canine cancer through Orvis’s annual photo contest. Submit photos of your favorite canine at http://www.orvis.com/coverdog by Jan. 24, 2010. The winning photograph will grace the cover of the fall 2010 Orvis Dog Book, and the winning photographer will win a $500 Orvis gift card. Vote for your favorite dog for just $1 per vote, with all voting proceeds going toward MAF’s Canine Cancer Campaign. Orvis and Eukanuba, together, will match your contribution up to $30,000. So, every vote you cast becomes $2 toward research to prevent, treat and cure canine cancer.

At Alex’s annual checkup this week, the veterinarian recommended vaccinating him for dog influenza, a respiratory virus that spreads quickly among dogs in places such as daycare, boarding kennels, dog parks, or dog shows. The virus was first discovered among greyhounds at Florida dog tracks, and has since spread to 30 states. Symptoms include sudden lethargy, high fever and nasal discharge, and can lead to pneumonia. Although most dogs respond quickly to antibiotics, the virus can be fatal. The vaccine involves two shots, two to three weeks apart, with yearly booster. For more information, see the Centers for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/flu/canine/ or  www.doginfluenza.com.

Today is the second anniversary of my Welsh Springer, Byron’s death. Like today, it was a beautiful, clear fall day when he slipped quietly into his last sleep. He had struggled with mobility as spinal arthritis took its toll. For months, I had to help him to his feet. He walked with the aid of a sling under his belly. When he came to the cabin on weekends, I carried him down the stairs and settled him gently on his bed, next to the window where he could look out into the woods. He was a wonderful companion who brought me much joy. It’s hard to believe two years have passed. But no matter how many years go by, he lives on in my heart. I miss his gentle presence, but I am grateful for our time together.

Byron in the sunlight

Wondering what to do with your Halloween pumpkin after all the fun is over? According to the clever folks at my favorite dog magazine, The Bark, pumpkin puree has a soothing effect on upset dog tummies. Who knew?  Here are directions for saving that pumpkin, just in case.

1. Preheat the oven to 350° degrees F.

2. Cut your jack-o-lantern into large wedges. Place the wedges skin side up on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Bake for approximately 90 minutes, or until the pumpkin wedges are fork tender.

3. When the pumpkin is cool enough to handle, scoop the flesh out of the skin into a bowl, then mash it or whirl it in a food processor. If the purée is a bit watery, cook in a saucepan over medium heat until some of the moisture has evaporated.

4. Let cool, then portion into freezer bags or containers and freeze. The purée can be defrosted quickly in the microwave or by placing the frozen bag or container into a bowl of hot (but not boiling) water. Use by itself to help with canine constipation or diarrhea (check with your vet for the amount appropriate for your dog), or use it in your favorite recipe for dog treats!