Pet Memorial Peternity Blog

Dogs Do Well by Helping Kids Learn to Read

For a dose of inspiration, I love to do posts about the amazing things that animals do. The list of amazing things that dogs can do keeps growing. Recent studies have found that therapy dogs can be instrumental in helping children to learn how to read. D

Dogs are great listeners who don’t react negatively if kids stumble over words or struggle to read a page. The presence of a calm therapy dog can help a child who is afraid of reading out loud. Children may be encouraged or inspired to read to a dog because the dog listens  with no judgment, and the kids feel like they're bonding with the dog instead of simply learning to do something they've been struggling with.

Pet Loss Expert Tips for Getting Through the Holidays

The holidays can be a very difficult time for reliving losses and reflecting back on our beloved pets who are no longer with us. The holidays stir up old happy memories which can be very hard to face. 

Here are some pet loss tips that I've shared with others in the past that have proven to be very helpful.

• Be sure to spend the holiday with loved ones with you whom you can be yourself. It's best not to be alone but it's also important to be able to cry or sit quietly if necessary.
• Choose the book that's helped you through your pet grieving process most and write a dedication in the inside cover to your pet. Donate the book to your library.
• Instead of pushing aside the painful emotions you may be feeling stuck in, try allowing yourself to acknowledge the way you feel. Minimize your difficult feelings and their power over you by expressing them. Write a letter from the heart to your pet, telling him all the things you miss about him and how grateful you are for all the memories and friendship that he so generously gave. You can even post your pet memorial on the internet if you'd like to.
• During your holiday meal, place a special candle on your table and light it in memory of your pet. She will be with you in spirit and will still be included in your holiday celebration.
• Volunteer at an animal rescue or shelter. It always lifts our spirits when we're grieving to take the focus off of ourselves and give to others who are in need.

May your holiday season be filled with love, joy and moments of silence where you can again find peace in your heart.

Lovingly,

Colleen

Ode to Man's Best Friend

With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog."

~Gene Hill

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week

We're right in the middle of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, November 1–7. Use this week to celebrate everyone who cares for shelter animals and who also work to make a difference in the number of pets who are adopted from shelters.

In 1996 the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) launched this week of appreciation to create a time for us to honor the 4,000 animal shelters across the United States who rescue and shelter an estimated 6 to 8 million homeless animals annually.

63 percent of American households include pets, but only 10% of dogs and 18% of cats are adopted from animal shelters.

There is no better time than now to get acquainted with one of your local shelters. Visit a shelter and talk to them about how you can support homeless animals in your community. You can volunteer your time, become a spay/neuter advocate, or open your heart to give a shelter pet a forever home.

For more ideas on how to celebrate and help, visit The Humane Society or AnimalSheltering.org.

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

A Dog and an Elephant - A Love Story

A true testament to the power of the love of animals. Watch this sweet story about an elephant sanctuary in TN that also is a home for stray dogs. This is just too sweet for words.

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

Help Raise $10,000 for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary!

Do you like movies? Perfect!

Find movies and help homeless animals - for free!

Jinni.com will not only help you find the perfect movie to watch, but by signing up, you will help Best Friends receive donations to help homeless animals across the country. Jinni will donate $10,000 to Best Friends when 100,000 members sign up for free.

Click here to sign up for free!

Jinni is an exciting website that offers a whole new way to choose what to watch next. With its cutting-edge semantic technology, Jinni’s Taste Engine will intuitively help you find all the movies and shows you have been longing to watch.

CNET votes Jinni the #1 best movie recommendation website, ranked higher than both Rotten Tomatoes and Netflix.

Each sign-up adds to the donation, so please forward this to your friends, spread the word on Facebook and Twitter – and help save animals!

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

Unlikely Animal Friends

Can't we all just get along? I love seeing these animals, who we would never expect to be relating to each other at all, to not only bond, but to comfort and care for each other. May we learn to become comfortable with and comforting to, those who are so unlike ourselves. We need more of that in our crazy, crazy world right now.

FAWN & BOBCAT
The Jesusita Fire in Santa Barbara, CA this year caused these two to take shelter together.

The fawn is about 3 days old and the bobcat about 3 weeks.

They immediately bonded and snuggled together under a desk in the Santa Barbara County Dispatch Office for several hours.

I'm not sure which one is cuter!

ORANGUTAN & BLUETICK COONHOUND
Suryia the orangutan and Roscoe the Bluetick Coonhound met in a South Carolina sanctuary for endangered animals two years ago. Roscoe was an underfed stray who Suryia quickly took under his wing.

"As soon as he saw Roscoe, Suryia ran over to him and they started playing," Antle said "It was unusual because dogs are usually scared of primates; but they took to each other straight away."

Read more . . .

 

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

Help Pets in Need with a Simple Change in Your Online Routine

Help Support the Petfinder.com Foundation for Free 

Did you know that a simple change in your online routine could help pets in need? Just search the Web on DoGreatGood and a portion of the revenue will be donated to charities like the Petfinder.com Foundation! The more you search, the more you help. It’s that simple!

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

There are All Kinds of Pets! Emus are Special Too

You would be surprised at the wide variety of animals for which we create pet memorials. One of the most interesting was Elmo the Emu.

Elmo would respond to his name and understood several voice commands. He loved to be held and petted. He particularly enjoyed summer baths in a large plastic pool, where he would splash and gurgle with joy while enjoying a rub down.

Read more about this most special bird . . .

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

Words of Wisdom from Our Pets

A friend shared this with me and I think that you'll find much value in it.

A PET'S REQUEST

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch.
11. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen