SCHEDULED BOOK EVENTS AND AUTHOR SIGNINGS FOR DOGS AND THE WOMEN WHO LOVE THEM

Date: Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Barnes & Noble Bookseller, 3940 Division Street, St. Cloud, MN 56301
Phone: 630-355-2665
Website: http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2967

Date: Thursday, November 4, 2010
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Garrison Keillor’s Common Good Books, 165 Western Ave. No., Ste. 14, St. Paul, MN 55102
Phone: 651-225-8989
Website: http://www.commongoodbooks.com/

Date: Saturday, November 6, 2010
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Border’s Books & Music, 1501 Plymouth Road, Minnetonka, MN 55305
Phone: 952-595-0977
Website: http://www.borders.com/online/store/StoreDetailView_31

Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: A Room of One's Own Bookstore, 307 W. Johnson Street, Madison WI 53703
Phone: 608-257-7888
Website: www.roomofonesown.com

Date: Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Boswell Book Company, 2559 N. Downer Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211
Phone: 414-332-1181
Website: http://boswell.indiebound.com/
 
Allen & Linda Anderson with Contributing Author Rosanne Nordstrom
Date: Thursday, November 11, 2010
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Anderson's Bookshop, 123 West Jefferson Avenue, Naperville, IL 60540-5310
Phone: 630-355-2665
Website: http://www.andersonsbookshop.com/

Date: Thursday, November 18th
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Valley Bookseller, 217 Main Street North, Stillwater, MN 55082
Phone: 651-430-3385
Website: http://www.valleybookseller.com/

Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network - Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net

ANGEL ANIMALS VIDEO PRESENTATIONS

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

Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network - Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net

CORKY, MY SHELTER DOG THERAPIST
By Latrece Zahos Barcik

It was August of 2003. I had lost my dog, Frank, very suddenly, very traumatically, in September 2002. For the past eleven months, the entire house had felt the loss.

I hadn't been able to make peace with the decision I'd had to make to let Frank go over the Rainbow Bridge. Our Aussie, Molson, had become moody and a little snappy with the cats, which was completely out of character for him. And my husband John was at a loss as to how to make me feel better about losing my dog.

I woke up on a sunny Saturday morning, and something was different. I woke up with one thought -- I wanted a dog. My own dog. Molson was always John's dog, and I wanted another Frank. We went to brunch with my parents to celebrate my dad's birthday, and I announced that we were going to the animal control shelter afterward.

I think it probably shocked everyone, but I had it in my head and it was almost like something, some unknown force, was pushing me there. John didn't want to go; he had other things he wanted to do that day, but I insisted. I was going with or without him.

We went with the idea of getting another Frank, a look-a-like, but I was really open to any dog. I remember the shelter being quite full. There was every kind of dog, every shape and size, old and young.

I had to look at them all. I passed by a pen with puppies...not interested. They were adorable, but I preferred to rescue an adult dog. In the next pen was a little black-and-white dog. He was short, from what I could tell. According to his card, he was a Corgi mix, a year or so old, and he'd been there seventeen days.

His "date out" was going to be on Monday. I knew what that meant. Poor guy. He had a collar but no tags. Obviously he'd been someone's dog. Why had no one come looking for him? I talked to him softly and then moved on. John was getting impatient, as I'd seen every dog there and was going for another pass.

I went back to the little Corgi mix and talked to him some more. He came forward and put his paws up on the gate, then retreated, but our eyes were locked, and I felt it. In that moment I knew he was going to be MY dog. There was personality in him; I just knew it.

Everyone was cooing over the puppies next door. An animal control volunteer came by, asking if anyone wanted to meet with a dog. I took the little Corgi out for a walk in the designated area. It wasn't anything special; he just seemed happy to be out.

I told John this was it. He told me I was nuts. He didn't see what I saw. I said I thought the dog would be a great companion for Molson, who was eight by that time and didn't need a spastic puppy bouncing around.

We filled out the paperwork, paid for my little "blob" (John's description of him), and I rode with the dog, in the backseat, on the way home. By the time we got there, he had a name - Corky the Corgi. If his ears stood up, he really would look like a Cardi, but I think his ears are perfect as they are.

At first Corky was timid. Then he saw the half-acre of grass in the backyard and took off like a shot. Molson dashed after him to see his new brother. Corky ran and ran and ran some more. Molson was happier than I'd seen him in almost a year, and they seemed to bond almost instantly. My heart was suddenly lighter than it had been in almost a year. Corky just made me smile.

I spent all day trying to figure him out. As I suspected, he had been someone's dog. He was housebroken, knew how to sit, learned his name, and was very sweet and obedient. He became a cat magnet right away. My cats loved to groom and love on him. He was an immediate hit, and I felt our family was complete again.

That was seven years ago, and Corki is as much of a joy now as he was the day he helped my heart begin to heal. He truly was the only thing that made it somewhat better. As anyone who has lost a pet knows, there are no replacements, but sometimes you find another to help fill the hole that's left when we have to say goodbye.

I call Corky the therapy dog because I had been wondering if grieving for a dog for almost a year was normal and if I needed to see a doctor about it. No doctors needed, it turns out. Corky was the prescription to turning things around.

I vowed never to let grieving go that long again, and when we lost Molson in December 2008, I began pushing for another dog almost immediately. I saw everyone grieving including Corky but especially John. I knew the answer was to save another dog.

John resisted, but two months later we rescued Chloe, a golden retriever mix from the same shelter where we got Corky and Molson before him. Having experienced the same kind of grief that I did after Frank, John agreed that I was right to push for another. Not a replacement, as there are none. In saving a life, we have that deed returned. I believe that when we rescue a shelter dog, we truly save US.

I believe there was something that drew me to Corky that day. I believe we were meant to be his family. The Universe knew something that I didn't, and I'm glad I listened.

Visit www.angelanimals.net/nlimage41.html to see a delightful image of Corky.

BIO:
Latrece Zahos Barcik is a part-time pet sitter from Lawrenceville, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. In addition to Corky and her husband they have five cats and a dog named Chloe. They are all rescues.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Has a rescued animal rescued you?

Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network - Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net

CONTEST ENDS, SEPTEMBER 15 -- ENTER NOW!

Send us your stories of animals healing and comforting children for possible inclusion in our new book. Go to www.angelanimals.net/contests.html for contest details.

Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network - Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net

DOGS AND THE WOMEN WHO LOVE THEM NEWS

You can pre-order our new book on Amazon.com, bn.com, and Borders.com. Endorsed by Betty White, Wendie Malick, Vanessa Williams, American Humane Association, Sonya Fitzpatrick, Linda Tellington-Jones, June Cotner, and Patrick McDonnell (creator of MUTTS).

Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network - Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net

ANIMAL NAMES

When we do our workshops or book events, we always ask the participants to introduce themselves and tell us the names of their animal companions. This exercise gets a lot of laughs as people share the creative names they have given their furry friends. One of our favorites was a woman who named her two somewhat frantic cats, Schizo and Phrenia.

Literature often provides the inspiration for animals' names. Janice says that she and her husband named their five puppies after characters in THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, a book Janice loved to read as a child. They called the pups Christian, Purity, Chastity, Tenacity, and Charity. Another woman recreated her childhood by naming her new kittens Papa Bear, Mamma Bear, and Baby Bear. They joined Bear, the adult cat, who already ruled their household.

Beverly says that Shana Punem, in Yiddish, means "beautiful face." The name had special significance to her, because this is what her father used to call his niece when the girl was little. Beverly says, "He would cup her face in his hand and say, 'Shana Punem.' It was such a sweet gesture." When Beverly adopted a dog nine years ago, she named her Shana Punem.

What name have you given your animal companion? Did you choose this name or did the animal choose it for you?

Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network - Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net

TUFFY, MY LITTLE HERO CAT
By Kay Marie

I got Tuffy when she was about two months old but only weighed twelve ounces.  Her mother had been hit by a car, and my friend found her outside his bedroom window, yelling her head off.  She couldn't hold her head up so she was bottle-fed and learned how to use the litter box.  She is small and compact but really has a temper, especially if there is stray cat walking across her yard or down the walkway.

On July 13th, 2010, some teens broke into my apartment while I was asleep. Tuffy was voicing her displeasure. I thought it was just another stray cat, even when I heard noises in the living room. I just thought the cats were bumping against the window.

Then Tuffy's cries took a new tone. When I went to get out of bed, an intruder confronted me in my bedroom.  I yelled, and he ran off. Tuffy was still snarling and crying from under the stove.  Now I will listen to her more closely when she goes on a little rampage.

Tuffy has two older brothers, Apache and Blackfoot, whom she adores. Tuffy is my little hero.

Visit www.angelanimals.net/nlimage40.html to see photos of HERO Tuffy, Apache, and Blackfoot.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Has a cat let you know of danger?

Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network - Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net

In our book, "Angel Cats: Divine Messengers of Comfort", Julie Anne Mock from Santa Barbara, California tells about Melanie, her little black cat. Melanie was a healer who decided to skip nursing school and go right into practice on her own.

Julie had been attempting to feed and medicate Laska, a very sick cat she had brought home from the animal shelter where she volunteers. Laska was near death. Hour by hour, Julie struggled to save the cat's life.

Thinking Melanie might interfere with the sick cat's care, Julie locked herself alone with Laska in the bathroom. But Melanie had other ideas. She assigned herself the job of nursing Laska back to health. After Melanie pounded on the door and demanded to get in the bathroom, Julie relented.

Melanie jumped up to the sink where Julie was caring for Laska. From that moment on, day after day, for several weeks, Melanie spent long sessions licking and grooming the sick cat with great tenderness and enthusiasm. Feeling the rough tongue on her forehead, Laska's eyes closed with pleasure. She extended her neck for more of Melanie's tender loving care.

Melanie took her job seriously and continued the treatment sessions until Laska was able to keep herself clean. Soon, the two cats became the best of friends with Laska restored to full health.

Healing seems to be a natural part of a cat's repertoire of skills. Without any on-the-job training, a cat will heal in the most amazing ways. There are even studies now that show that a cat's purr is a powerful healing agent. The sound frequency level of a cat's purr, like ultrasound, actually increases bone density and strengthens and heals fractures. As a cat purrs, the vibration of this sound relieves pain and heals tendons and muscles. A person can even lie next to a cat and feel relief from the pain of migraine headaches.

Have you had any experiences with your feline friends helping you to heal?

Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network - Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net

The animals in our home seem to catch on to quite a bit of our verbal communication. We know that they read our body language, behavior, and emotions. They pick up mental and visual images. But we've been noticing the human language they recognize.

Seems like we've heard that dogs have up to about a 300 word vocabulary. Of course, parrots' vocabulary can be incredible. So we've been experimenting with our cocker spaniel Leaf to find out which words have been imprinted on his young brain.

It's more difficult to figure out with cats. Do they really not know words such as "Don't scratch that," and choose, cat-like, to ignore the plea/command? It's easier to tell what words our bird knows. He says, "Hello," and "I love you, sweet baby."

Below are a few of Leaf's vocabulary achievements.

Popcorn: mentioned at any volume from any part of the house, brings him running

Carrots: see above for popcorn

Banana: see above for popcorn and carrots

Greenie: see above for popcorn, carrots, and banana

Pampered Pooch: his favorite doggy day care center

Dog park: brings him and his orange ball to the back door, fired up and ready to go

Up, up, up: entices him to jump onto the bed for a squeeze, kisses, and a tummy rub.

Tummy, tummy, tummy: elicits a rollover that's faster than money moving from a 401K to an IRA account

Squeaky toy: causes him to root through his collection for favorite toy of the moment

To be fair he still remembers, sort of, his dog school training commands:

Sit (more like, squat for a second),

Stay (more like, pause),

Shake (more like, wave your paw around),

Down (more like, I'll think about it and decide if I want to)

What human words do your pets respond to?

Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network - Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net

THE PET PROJECT
http://www.thepetprojectmn.org/

Last week, we heard a presentation by Kimberly Carrier, founder of a nonprofit organization called The Pet Project. As all of the people present for Kim's talk, we were deeply moved by her cause and impressed with what she has accomplished.

The mission of The Pet Project is to help people keep their pets by providing pet food and basic supplies to those who are struggling. The Pet Project also provides connections to basic veterinary care and information on finding pet-friendly housing.

In today's economy people are being forced to choose between trying to keep their homes and pay their bills and caring for themselves and their pets. Kim told about animal shelters having people crying in their lobbies as they make the painful decision to surrender their beloved animal companions because they can no longer care for them properly.

A hairdresser by trade, Kim decided she had to do something about the situation of people losing their pets due to having fallen on hard times. She discovered that most food shelves don't provide pet food because it isn't part of their stated mission. Yet they accept donated pet food and distribute it to people who need it.

The Pet Project helps to keep pets with families by providing pet food to food shelves and working with veterinarians to provide basic, non-emergency services. It also has housing resources listed on its website for those facing foreclosure.

Kim says that she needs monetary donations to buy the thousands of pounds of pet food she donates each month. We were touched by her examples of children raising money for the organization by asking friends not to give them birthday or bat mitzvah presents but to bring a donation for The Pet Project instead.

If you haven't heard of this organization, we thought you'd like to have it brought to your attention. Visit the website and see if there's something you feel called to do to help.

We all listened to Kim's stories and her mission with gratitude for people like her who see a need and gather all the resources they can find to fill it. In addition to her full time job, she volunteers as much as 35 hours a week helping people take care of and keep their pets. She has plans to expand the program nationwide.

What charities that help people and animals have touched your heart?

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.

Animals in the Wild

Those of us who love animals don't limit our attention to pets. Our caring extends to animals in nature. As the United States grapples with the disaster on the Gulf of Mexico, images of damaged and dying wildlife devastate us. We encourage you to donate to and volunteer with the organizations that are trying to save animal lives.

Also, please consider helping groups such as Animal Rescue New Orleans www.animalrescueneworleans.org and Humane Society of Louisiana www.humanela.org. Because so many people have lost their livelihood due to the oil spill, these groups are experiencing a deluge of abandoned pets who are being left at the shelters.

About a year ago, we posted the following question on Facebook: How are you sharing your space with animals in the wild? Below are some of the answers we received.

Katherine: I live in Western Maine along the Androscoggin River in Canton. We have deer, moose, eagles, some fox, beaver, woodchucks, ground hogs, and the list goes on. I have worked really hard to create somewhat of a sanctuary for the wildlife to visit. We have a lot of land and we grow various plants, fruit trees, etc. We also have a manmade pond, a brook, and of course, the river. All of our plants, vegetables, etc. are grown organically, and we use no pesticides. We do our best to protect the land, wildlife, and all animals.

William: We have a bald eagle, deer, raccoons, skunks, fish, snakes, robins, and birds of all kinds. We have many feeders for them, and they stay year round. They all are so much fun to watch. We have a fishpond with 100 fish. They love it here and have been with us over twenty years.

Donna: We have "domesticated" hummingbirds, meaning we feed them, and they take over our deck. We also enjoy many waterfowl and see beautiful Baltimore orioles everyday in our yard and several wrens' nests. The wrens peep and squawk at us when we get too close. We love nature and respect it all as God's gift to us in this physical world. There are so many lessons to learn by observing nature.

William: We feed animals year-round because we are here all year. And if we go on vacation, we have people come in and feed them for us. If we see one hurt, we have a place that will fix wildlife so they can get back to their world. They do a great job and charge nothing.

Joy: My backyard is 26 acres, and we have deer, turkey, raccoons, groundhogs, owls, whippoorwills, turtles, hummingbirds, snakes, lizards, coyote, many songbirds, frogs, dragonflies, field mice, butterflies, and probably some other things I'm not aware of.

Kathy: We live in the desert and constantly are lucky enough to see jackrabbits, desert ravens, lizards and occasionally coyotes. I wish their living space was not shrinking so quickly, though.

Becky: We have 3-1/2 acres and have planted over 300 trees in ten years ago. We've let the greenery grow wild around the big pond, and the koi pond looks lush. So far this year we have more wildlife than before. Behind us is a small wildlife area with eagles, herons, geese, ducks, woodpeckers, owls, coyotes, garden snakes, songbirds, and frogs.

Paula: We are surrounded on three sides by DNR property and therefore have the good fortune to see a variety of wildlife -- chipmunks, squirrels, numerous wild songbirds, hawks, herons, egrets, deer, coyotes, rabbits, skunks, frogs, salamanders, insect life, toads, too numerous to mention. When I sometimes get irritated with the bats, it is mainly that I don't like them in the house but appreciate their contribution outside. The absolute worst time is hunting season. All I can do is hope the animals figure out that we're the good guys.

What wildlife do you enjoy where you live? How do you share your space with them?

Allen and Linda Anderson
ANGEL ANIMALS NETWORK
www.angelanimals.net

A Walk with Leaf

Allen took Leaf for a walk around a nearby park yesterday when something odd happened.  The park had a mixture of baseball fields, soccer fields, paved walking trails, and a medium-size pond. After a week of clouds and rain it was nice to be out in the sunshine. Leaf loved getting out.

There were a half of dozen young men playing soccer at one of the fields, which was quite a distance from where Allen and Leaf were walking. After some running, chasing a ball, sitting, and resting on the bench, watching the squirrels, and ducks in the pond, Allen and Leaf began their walk toward home.

Leaf had to do his elimination business so Allen stood by while the deed was being done.  Out of nowhere a soccer ball came from the sky and hit Leaf, knocking him down. Leaf got up, appearing a little dazed.  He looked at Allen as if to say, "stuff happens" and continued what he was doing.

The soccer players were in shock at how their ball had knocked over an innocent little cocker spaniel who had been minding his own business. They ran over and made sincere apologies. They petted Leaf, asking him if he was okay. Leaf wiggled and soaked up all the attention. After they left, Leaf and Allen continued with the walk.

It was interesting for Allen to see firsthand how sometimes, out of nowhere, we are knocked off our feet. Leaf was an example of getting back up to go on with your day.

Has an animal showed you the value of persistence?

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 Act of Surrender

The subject of how to know when an animal is ready to leave came up. As we talked with a distraught person who had to face  that most painful decision, we told her something that we want to  share with you.

We've noticed over these many years (since 1996) of hearing people's stories that there is an essential element to making the tough choices. It can be summed up in one word - surrender.

Surrender with its twin sister, trust, are undoubtedly the hardest things you'll ever do. This means accepting that you will know when it's time to let go of your beloved pet and that you'll do the right thing.

We mentioned to our friend that we'd seen the act of surrender have various outcomes.

For some people, when they truly released the situation to divine guidance, they had a peaceful knowingness that the animal needed to be released from a debilitated physical body. This usually was accompanied by some type of outer confirmation from the pet, the veterinarian, or from life.

Making the true and selfless act of surrender allows the animal to choose whether to stay or go. At times, the pet who seems about to die, instead, rallies and recovers. Perhaps because the animal has been holding on to life out of love for a human, this effort has taken energy away from his or her own recovery. Now the pet can focus on getting well.

In the case our friend's beloved pet decided to live. This has been a journey with a happy ending. But it did take her act of surrender. She had to say to her animal friend, "It's your choice. Don't stay only for me."

What have your experiences been with surrendering and accepting whatever outcome is truly best for the animal?

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.

Animals and the Mystical Side of Life

When we walked around the magnificent Lake Harriett in Minneapolis with its Victorian-era bandshell, our dog, Taylor, used to often reveal the mystical side of life. Strangers grinned as they passed by after looking at this dog with her head held high and her tail wagging.

In this setting that transported us back to another day and time, Taylor acted as regal as if she were remembering some past life when she surveyed her kingdom from a high and mighty perch. She inspired our fellow walkers and us to savor each moment and live life with joy. Taylor, assured and confident in the now, communicated that cares and concerns are as transient as the breeze rippling across the sunlit, glistening waters of this serene lake.

One day, since we were a bit worn out that day, Taylor allowed us to stop and rest on a park bench overlooking the lake. There, we basked in the sun and beheld a sight so sweet in its simple truth that we continue to marvel at it.

Industrious spiders had woven tendrils of webbing across an expanse of lake water about the size of a small movie screen. The web spanned from the branches of one tree to another. In its center danced a diamond-shaped branch, which was about six inches long.

The wind swirled this branch like a ballerina. It appeared to be suspended in mid-air with no support. The branch floated in the breezy air with a breathtaking beauty, grace, and resilience.

As we gazed at the spectacle, which had entranced Taylor, we began to talk about how this image reminded us of a truth most people tend to forget. Especially when life deals almighty blows.

The branch, held high above the water by the nearly invisible threads of a cathedral-like spider web, was a heaven-sent image. It said that divine love keeps each of us supported even during times when it feels as if we've been left to dangle and blow in the wind.

This, too, is the message that the animal kingdom delivers. Animals remind people that an invisible presence sustains them with unconditional love, even through the most precarious circumstances.

When has Nature presented you with a reminder of a divine presence?

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.

We want to tell you about a special nonprofit organization with an important mission. Jennifer Stiles founded the Pet Pantry of Michigan in February 2009. When Jennifer fell on tough times, she needed to get help with food and other supplies from a food pantry. She noticed that the store typically did not carry pet food.

Jennifer decided to do something about this situation because she knew that treasured family pets were often left hungry, homeless, and abandoned when families had to make decisions about whether to feed human or animal family members. She started the Pet Pantry to help families get food and supplies they needed to keep pets in their homes.

Jodi Jarvis-Therrian and Debra Hendershot as well as other devoted volunteers helped Jennifer start the Pet Pantry. Now the organization is serving an estimated 2,200 pets and 1,000 families in the community by successfully keeping pets in their homes and out of animal shelters.

The Pet Pantry has numerous drop-off donation sites at local businesses that support the organization with fundraising and donations. The group also assists local animal rescues in need of supplies. Their clients include the elderly, disabled, and homeless.

Pet Pantry works with Girl Scouts of America, local schools, and youth-based organizations. They have been featured on the front page of newspapers in their state and other areas and have been on local news, radio, and talk shows to talk about their mission.

Their future goals are to serve a larger area beyond Michigan and to find homes for and train abandoned animals in therapy and service work with the help of children, teens, and young adults who can benefit from self-esteem-building projects by caring for the animals.

Pet Pantry needs money donations and items such as cat litter, dry kitten food and formula; litter boxes and scoops; flea treatments; rabbit, fish, and gerbil food; bedding, small animal cages and crates; leashes and collars; and horse grain and supplies.

For more information and/or to donate go to www.petpantrymi.org

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.

Smart Dogs

This morning, I (Allen) took our black cocker spaniel Leaf to the large Minneapolis dog park located next to a river to get some fresh air and relax. There are many trails, wooded areas, a waterfall, and hills to climb at this park.

Leaf excitedly ran, explored, played, and had a great time, as usual. Leaf always takes the lead in exploring but keeps an eye on me to make sure I am within eyesight. For awhile, I walked down a larger trail way ahead of him. At this point, Leaf was about a hundred feet ahead.

I decided to experiment. If I hid out of Leaf's view, would he quickly run back to find me?

I moved behind a large tree. Then I peeked around the trunk to check on what Leaf was doing. I expected to see him trotting ahead and only just realizing that I was no longer in sight.

Instead, Leaf's face peeked back at me from where HE had dropped out of view behind another tree trunk. He had seen my maneuver and decided that two could play that game of hide-and-seek.

Visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiVo_Jdt8lA to see Leaf playing at the dog park.

Are your smart pets one or more steps ahead of you?

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.

Animals, as Independent Thinkers

Ours is a human and animal family of independent thinkers. For example, the cockatiel, Sunshine, decides when he is ready to go to the mantel each morning. His flight from the cage to the mantel, where he struts back and forth and looks out the windows on either side, is always on his terms and timetable.

Sunshine regards our act of opening the door to his cage as simply an invitation, not a command performance. When he is ready, he ventures out. Or not; depending on his mood.

We say, "Sunshine, you've been cooped up all night. It is time to fly around." He ignores human reasoning, though. If we try to assist by offering to give him a finger-ride to the mantel, Sunshine opens his beak threateningly and squawks. He's quick to let us know that he's in charge of the decision about if and when to fly.

To us humans, Sunshine's refusal of instant freedom is illogical. So we've settled for labeling our curmudgeonly bird's behavior as "independent thinking."

Our cats, Speedy and Cuddles, and our dog, Leaf all operate on their clocks, showing affection when they want to and shrinking from human touch when they're not feeling receptive to it.

Each animal carefully watches the outside world through the living room window to see all that passes by. Our animal family members love the routine of each day and the quiet normal lives they live. Woe be it to us humans when we have to disrupt their daily lives with a change in plans.

As an aside, Sunshine likes to fly over to Linda, sit on her shoulders, and groom her hair. He coos as he seems very content to be with Linda before the day becomes one of humans scurrying busily with their work. Linda says Sunshine is the best hair stylist she's ever had.

How do your pets show their independence?

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.

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 stories about animals helping children, parents, and families deal with chronically difficult situations and circumstances or temporary tough periods in a child’s life.

By reading Allen and Linda Anderson’s previous anthology books published by New World Library, contestants can get a better of idea of the types of stories that have the best chance of success in this contest. The Andersons’ books are available at shop.angelanimals.net, www.newworldlibrary.com, in bookstores nationwide, online bookstores, libraries, gift shops, and catalogs.

Animals featured in this contest’s stories can be dogs, cats, horses, gerbils, rabbits, ferrets, birds, or any family pet or animal in nature. They can be therapy, assistance, or service animals.

Anyone can submit a contest story but the Andersons are especially interested in stories by:
* parents, grandparents, or legal guardians of children or teens
* children or teens with consent of parents or legal guardians
* adults recalling their child or teenage experiences
* health care professionals, social workers, teachers, animal-assisted therapy volunteers or staff of organizations with stories about a child or teen

The following questions can serve as aids for selecting which experiences to write about for the contest:
* Has an animal helped you or a child/teen deal with difficult situations and circumstances?
* Has an animal helped with traumatic events such as divorce or other losses?
* Have there been times when a special animal from childhood or teen years helped you or a child/teen through a tough period?
* Has an animal helped you or a child/teen endure long-term or catastrophic illnesses?
* Have animals helped you or a child/teen with everyday ups and downs?
* Has an animal helped a child/teen who has learning disorders?
* Has an animal helped a child/teen who is blind or deaf or has physical/motor, mental, or emotional problems?
* Has there been an animal aiding a child/teen with autism?
* Has an animal helped you or a child/teen de-stress while learning valuable life lessons?
* Has an animal brought you or a child/teen a message of love, acceptance, gratitude, or inner direction?
* Has a relationship with an animal been a catalyst for physical, emotional, or spiritual healing for you or a child/teen?
* Have you or a child/teen felt a connection showing that animals are sentient, caring souls?
* Have animals helped you or a child/teen through suffering or offered protection from danger?
* Has the example of an animal caused you or a child/teen to become a better son, daughter, parent, or family member?
* Are there examples animals have shown you or a child/teen of how to handle life's challenges, deal with change, heal, trust, or creatively solve problems?
* Has an animal been a mirror for you or a child/teen to reflect your life, health, or attitudes?

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.

However, the contest and the new book are separate projects. Entering or winning the contest doesn’t mean a story will be published in the book. Allen and Linda Anderson will contact entrants if they are considering a contest story for possible publication in the book. Previous books in the Angel Animals series have included many stories that were contest entries.

Contest stories should be no more than 2,000 words and be original and true, written by the person entering the contest or about someone else with that person’s written permission.

There is no entry fee and there are cash prizes.

Deadline for entry is September 15, 2010.

Visit http://www.angelanimals.net/contests.html for details.

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WAR DOG MEMORIAL

What, you may be wondering, is a newsletter like Angel Animals Story of the Week doing by writing about a memorial to honor war dogs? The answer is that war dogs and angels have a lot in common. If you think of the words describing angels -- messengers, protectors, loyal friends -- you would also be describing dogs who are trained to aid military personnel in the most dangerous areas and situations in the world.

Many years ago Linda got a call from retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant John C. Burnam of Bethseda, Maryland. He was a dog handler during the Vietnam War. He had written a book about the dogs who had served with him, especially an amazing German shepherd named Clipper. John wanted Linda to edit his book. She agreed to help him.

John's story gripped Linda from start to finish. She said that it felt as if she were slugging through the jungles of Vietnam with Clipper and John, as the dog led an infantry platoon through land that was laced with explosives. Relying on Clipper's sense of smell, his survival instinct, and intense loyalty, John made it through dangers that took Linda's breath away as she worked on his book.

Now John has founded the John Burnam Monument Foundation (www.jbmf.us). He has joined forces with the United States War Dog Association to convince Congress and the nation that military working dogs and dog handlers deserve to be honored for their service to the country.

Dogs have saved lives and often lost their own in the line of duty through World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. Today, they are essential in the war on terror as they detect roadside bombs and weapons in Iraq and Afghanistan for US and NATO troops.

In 2006, Representative Walter Jones of North Carolina introduced a bill calling for a national dog monument, and it was approved in 2008. On October 28, 2009, President Obama signed a law authorizing JBMF, Inc. to build and maintain the National Monument for Military Working Dog Teams.

Next week (week of April 19, 2010), John will meet with Congressional leaders and Pentagon officials in Washington D.C. to present a miniature clay model of the monument's design, created by artist and sculptor Paula Slater. The monument model presents four breeds of military dogs -- Doberman, German shepherd, Labrador retriever, and Malinois -- that have saved thousands of lives.

John continues to travel across the country, telling the military working dog story and raising funds through donations to build this national monument. John's personal story can be found in the first printing of the original book Linda edited, DOG TAGS OF COURAGE (2006), and in a more recent book, A SOLDIER'S BEST FRIEND (2008). That book became the inspiration for a feature film, MOE, which is expected to be in production in early 2011.

We invite you to go to the John Burnam Monument Foundation's website (www.jbmf.us) and support this exciting project whose time has come. An excerpt from DOG TAGS OF COURAGE/A SOLDIER'S BEST FRIEND is the featured story this week.

Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
www.angelanimals.net

Great story in Angel Animals Story of the Week (4-17-10) about a brave dog who served in the military at www.tinyurl.com/yl6g3jf