Spooky Found A Home!!!!!!!!!!!!!

/

I just received this e-mail from the volunteer coordinator at Happy Hills Animal Foundation:

Hi, Dena!
I just learned that Spooky WAS adopted and it would have never happened if you had not asked Happy Hills to join you [at your book launch].  I don't know all the particulars, but it definitely had something to do with him being present at your book signing!!!  Congratulations!

 

I am SO HAPPY I can't even describe it.  I LOVE that cat.  So soft and calm and when he leaned in and head-butted me and then licked my nose...well.  God certainly  has his (or her!) angels here on earth and Spooky is one of them. I wish him the very best of best lives.

If by any weird twist of fate Spooky's new owner comes across this site, I would love to hear from you and post an update on how Spooky's taken to home life. It's amazing how one small cat can so quickly touch so many lives.  I've had friends and e-mails, asking me about Spooky.  So happy to report back with good news.

Donations to Help Pets Made Homeless by Katrina

/

This is a list compiled by my friends at the Cat Writers Association and I think specifically by writer and radio personality Steve Dale.  If you wish to donate, here are some verified and legitimate options:

 

American Kennel Club Canine Support and Relief Fund
( http://www.akc.org/news/hurricane_katrina.cfm ) or mail a donation to AKC Companion Animal Recovery Canine Support and Relief Fund, c/o American Kennel Club, 5580 Centerview Drive Raleigh, North Carolina 27606. You may also call 800-252-7894.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (2005 Disaster Relief Fund) ( http://www.aspca.org/disaster ) , or call 212-876-7700, ext. 4516.

American Veterinary Medical Association Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams ( http://www.avmf.org/ ) , or call (847) 925-8070. AVMF supports state and Veterinary Medical Assistance Team (VMAT) training and equipment for deployment in times of disaster. Make donation to AVMF AVMA Medical Assistance Team, 1931 N. Meacham Rd., Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173

Cat Fanciers' Association (Disaster Relief Fund and the newly formed CFA
Gulf Shore Fund) ( http://www.cfainc.org/ ) , 732-528-7391. The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc., P.O. Box 1005, Manasquan, NJ 08736-0805.

Code 3 Associates (Code 3 Associates, Inc. is dedicated to both professional disaster response for animal rescue operations and to training individuals working in animal related law enforcement throughout the country. Also works with EARS Emergency Animal Rescue Service - from the United Nations) ( http://www.code3associates.org/ ) , 303-772-7724; Code 3 Associates, P.O. Box 1128 Erie, CO 80516.

Humane Society of the United States ( http://www.hsus.org/ ) , or call 800-HUMANE-1. Or send check to, HSUS Disaster Relief Fund, 2100 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037.

Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association ( http://www.lvma.org/ ) , or call 800- 524-2996.
Make donations to the Dr. Walter J. Ernst Jr. Memorial Foundation, 8550 United Plaza Boulevard, Suite 1001, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, Make note on your check that the contribution is for Hurricane Katrina Relief.

Noah’s Wish (an animal welfare organization dedicated exclusively to rescuing following disasters). ( http://www.noahswish.org/ ) , or call 530-622-9313, or send a donation to Noahs Wish, P.O. Box 997 Placerville, CA 95667

North Shore Animal League ( http://www.nsalamerica.org/ ) , or call 877-4SAVEPET.

Perhaps the organization most in need will be the Louisiana SPCA. It’s likely their building has been destroyed, though this is unconfirmed. Their website has not been updated; their New Orleans address and phone no longer exist. It’s unclear how to help them today. But at some juncture, there will be directives available through their website: ( http://www.la-spca.org/ ) . Other affected city shelters will require help as well. A Mobile, AL shelter site is at ( http://www.mobilespca.org/ )

Motivating Quote

/

Found this yesterday and blew it up to 36 font on a piece of paper I plan on tacking to my forehead:

"If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse." - Jim Rohn.

 

No idea who Jim Rohn is, but brilliant man, I must say.

Took a bit of a sideroad last night. A former client of mine I wrote a speech for called and asked what I was doing for the next hour and a half.

"Extremely busy," I said, as I stuffed another Dorito in my mouth.  "Why?"

"My parents 60th wedding anniversary is tonight and I'm supposed to give part of a speech on my father's history and I have all these facts and nothing written and I need it by 6:30 tonight."

"I'm so sorry,"  I said.  "I'd love to help you but I just can't."  And I believed it.  I only wish I were swamped.  "Dead and buried" I think comes closer to describing my situation.  Considering I'm someone who prides herself on her organizational skills and ability to get the job done, the fact that I'm so struggling with this project is scaring the daylights out of me.

Anyway, the client was very nice and said sorry to bother me and we hung up.  I was sad not to be able to help someone in a crunch but felt proud of myself for saying no--something I often have trouble with.

Thirty minutes later the phone rang.

"Did I mention I'll pay you?  Because of course I'll pay you!  How much will it take to have you do this?"

So much for resolve.  It wasn't the money.  It was more I couldn't stand to turn someone down who was pleading for help.  And I really like this client and knew this was a big event.  "Okay," I said.  "E-mail me what you've got."

I took 40 minutes away from the book and worked on the speech.  It was marvelous to actually sit down and accomplish something.  I sent it to her and was worried...a 60th anniversary is a big deal and I hadn't had long to work.  I hoped she could find something to use in what I'd sent.

So I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I got her e-mail telling me I was incredible.  Seriously, it was something I needed to hear in terms of my writing when self-doubt is attacking at every corner.  So where am I going with this?  Simply that things come to us in life for a reason.  I could have said no for a second time, but the benefit I got out of stopping to work on this project far outweighed the time it took away from the book.

Trust life to give you what you need.