Holiday Safety Thought #1 for our Pets

The beautiful season of Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year is here and our pets join in many of the festivities. As we approach the merriment, we must keep foremost in our minds the protection and safety of our loving, four-legged family members.

Perhaps first, we should consider whether or not the gift of a new pet is a wise choice. New pets do NOT necessarily make good holiday gifts and adding a new pet requires a huge commitment and responsibility beyond the holiday season. However, if you are truly thinking of getting a new dog or cat and have given it a great deal of careful thought and consideration, think about adopting a homeless pet who would benefit from your love and safekeeping. There are many rescue organizations, animal shelters, and humane societies with breeds of every type and of all age groups. Our physically challenged and older furry friends who have been abandoned under a myriad of circumstances are yearning for our love and embrace and can truly benefit from your open arms.

Please think long and hard before adopting a new pet during this holiday season. Let good reason rule the excitement of the heart.

Reader's Choice Awards Nomination by TCK Publishing

I continue to give myself a pinch every time I look at my published book or hold it in my hands. Having never thought of myself as a writer let alone a published author, my book, Hogan's Hope, is a "dream come true." My "dream" now is that his message of hope for anyone to live a full and successful life can be spread to everyone and I work to share his purpose and legacy.

Hogan's Hope: A Deaf Hero's Inspirational Quest for Love and Acceptance has been nominated in the General Non-Fiction Category and needs everyone's vote! So please click on the logo above, go over to the 5th page (General Non-Fiction), and scroll down to Hogan's Hope.

When we rescued Hogan in 1993 at the age of 18 months, almost all deaf dogs were being destroyed, mistreated, or abandoned. Hogan's is a tale of a deaf dog who prevailed as he learned over sixty -five signs in American Sign Language. His ability and tenacity provided the hope of life for many deaf dogs worldwide and his courage to overcome challenges and prejudice continue today to give inspiration to anyone, human or pet, that accomplishment, success and genuine love are truly possible. He overcame all the myths.

We adopted Hogan as a deaf, malnourished puppy whose early abuse made him wary of new situations and locked him in a world of silence. Being teachers in the public school system, we quickly decided that teaching Hogan sign language would be the cornerstone of communicating with him. Gradually he learned to trust us and became confident in relating to new people, other animals, and unknown circumstances. Little did we know that Hogan's story would lead to numerous requests for interviews, news stories, and public appearances. Some of these programs included Oprah Winfrey, Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures, Dateline with Dennis Murphy, Positively Connecticut with Diane Smith, Amazing Tails, and Good Morning America. Two separate radio interviews to Japan began the international buzz that deaf dogs are intelligent, do learn, can lead completely normal lives, are loving, and make wonderful family members.

Through his lifetime of determination, Hogan's journey offers the promise that we all are capable of achieving an amazingly "ordinary" life and a life away from isolation. His tale of valor reveals that dreams do come true and offers insight into the world of true faith unconditional love and endless hope. 

"Once you choose hope, anything is possible."     -Christopher Reeve

Please help us with your vote. Thank you in advance for your support and encouragement.