I thought I was doing a good job of processing my grief after losing my friend and service dog. Henry, who passed away on Easter Sunday. I was wrong. By adopting Teddy, the Chihuahua/Sharpei/Cocker/Cattle Dog/Shep mix less than 3 weeks after Henry died, I only postponed the necessary grieving. Teddy came bounding into our…Read more My Failed Attempt at Dodging Grief
animals and healing
A Spiritual Review of Giving Paws
“Giving Paws: Having a Service Dog for a Hidden Disability” Martha L. Thompson tells her story Posted September 15, 2017 · Martha L. Thompson’s book, Giving Paws: Having a Service Dog for a Hidden Disability, is a book about one woman’s discovery of her own soul as it comes, again and again, to a choice between…Read more A Spiritual Review of Giving Paws
The Blossoming of My Tiny Emotional Support Animals
When Bobbie White hatched on June 25, and Berry followed on June 26, I was delighted. Watching each of them briefly stumble around, then get on their little feet and start pecking demonstrated an undeniable will to live. Within an hour of hatching, Bobbie started chirping at the top of her(?) lungs, and I prayed…Read more The Blossoming of My Tiny Emotional Support Animals
Advice from Henry
Enough of this being sick crap, let's live!" Henry said after he got his staples/stitches out on Saturday. Then he suggested I stop worrying about him so much and focus on the finishing touches and promotion of my upcoming book, Giving Paws, which is all about him! My publisher, and I completed the Advanced Review Copy (ARC) of my…Read more Advice from Henry
Updates on Henry…
First the good news: Henry and I are excited to share that my publisher has put two cover designs on their website for people to vote on. We would be ever so grateful for your opinion. If you have a moment, please visit: http://www.koehlerbooks.com/cover-polls/giving-paws/ Click on the one you like. Many thanks! And the not-so-good news: For those of you who know…Read more Updates on Henry…
Dixie Dog
Dixie Dog Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton, Old times there are not forgotten. Look away, look away, look away Dixie Dog! I wish I was with Dixie, Hooray! Hooray! With Dixie Dog I'll take my stand, to live and die with Dixie. Away, away, away back home with Dixie!…Read more Dixie Dog
Farewell to an Erratic Rodent
Every morning for the past three weeks I've woken up to find Steve's handiwork. Steve is a Norway rat(Rattus norvegicus), who got our attention a few weeks ago when he chewed through the rubber weather strip that lined the bottom of our front door. My husband and I thought he’d gotten in my accident and had chewed his way back out. We…Read more Farewell to an Erratic Rodent
Cheese Please
We've named our little house guest Steve. Being a Norwegian Tree rat, we should have named him Sven or Lars, but Steve just seemed right. He's not made anymore live appearances, but he visits after dark. There must be a sign posted on the mantle in a language only rats can read, that says: "Restroom," because he does…Read more Cheese Please
An Unwelcome Visitor
My eyes are always scanning the floors of our little home, mostly because we have three dogs who make all kinds of messes. A couple of days ago, in the early morning light, I noticed a spot near the front door that looked like a puddle of something. When I looked closer, I found it was…Read more An Unwelcome Visitor
Cockeyed Optimist?
I'm considering hatching some Mexican Speckled Quail eggs in July, if they're available. There's a place in Wisconsin, (my home state!), that sells them. Maybe I'll have better luck with a different species. Maybe I'm just a cockeyed optimist! Aren't they beautiful?
Dogged Hope 