In Honor of Maggie, Chloe, Maddie, Marky & All My Rescue Dogs: I Rescued A Human Today

Most of us who have rescued or loved an animal realize at some point in our lives with them just how much they rescued us every bit as much, if not more, than we rescued them. For all my furry loves: MAGGIE, Chloe, Maddie, all my foster dogs, Marky, my cats Shanna and Cinnamon, thank you for rescuing me and being there when I most needed you, and for your never-ending unconditional love.

I received this lovely piece of wisdom from a reader and friend via email today and want to share it with you:

I Rescued A Human Today

by Janine Allen, CPDT

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.

I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Getle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I
would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

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2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist

Gone But Not Forgotten: Book Excerpt from MAGGIE the dog who changed my life

Gone But Not Forgotten ...

Some of you may not know that "Maggie the Dog" in my blog name was my precious black labrador, my canine soul mate who inspired me to write my book in her honor, MAGGIE the dog who changed my life. It was Maggie who taught me who dogs are, about animal telepathy, and how to trust my own intuition/inner guidance system. My journey with Maggie led me into the appalling discovery of what is contained in commercial pet food and how that may be contributing to disease in our pets; it also raised many questions about how often to vaccinate our pets. It was Maggie who inspired me to share this with the world by writing about these often ignored, hushed subjects; and to also reach out to those of you who are deeply grieving the loss of your own beloved pets, to let you know that you are not alone; and to offer hope in your darkest hour that you will heal in time ...

EXCERPT

Once in every dog lover’s life, if you’re lucky, that special once-in-a-lifetime dog comes along. You know this relationship is golden, a gift from the spirit world. You have found a soul mate. Animal and human spirits are inextricably intertwined, and you know there will never be another dog that comes close to the presence of this one and the bond that you share. For me, Maggie is that dog.

You know it when it happens. You think a thought and your dog responds. She knows what you’re asking of her, even though you never trained her to do it. You recognize that your communication is beyond words, beyond training. How do you explain it? You peer into her eyes and know you are looking into the depths of a loving, advanced soul. You may wonder, as I did, who are you in there?

When Maggie and I are out hiking, running errands, or just hanging out being “girlfriends,” I meet several people who have loved and lost such powerful relationships with their canine companions. They recognize that magic between Maggie and me, for once you experience it with your dog, you can’t miss it when it appears before you. I see the longing in their eyes, the painful missing, and the ache of irreplaceable loss.

“You just made my day,” one man wistfully tells Maggie when she greets him at the coffee shop.

Sometimes I see this man keep his distance, and he just nods at me—as though it’s too unbearable for him to touch the pain of his loss at this moment. I imagine his own precious memories with his dog dancing before his eyes.

“Enjoy every moment you have with her,” the gentleman at the coffee shop tells me.

I do enjoy her every moment. I know the day will come when I will walk in his shoes with that mournful longing, when I’ll be forced to learn to live with her absence. But to know it intellectually and to live it, I would later find, have nothing in common. That day, as far as I am concerned, is so far in the distant future it doesn’t even exist in my awareness.

As a child I was taught that animals were inferior to humans. We were superior to all life on Earth. This teaching was inherent in both culture and religion. Maggie helps me challenge that belief. She shows me over her lifetime that she is an intelligent, emotional being with a huge presence. I learn to respect her as a being who I share this planet with--a different--not a lesser being.

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns

Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

www.dawnkairns.com
www.maggiethedogwhochangedmylife.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog Book Review

by Dawn Kairns

Creatively spoken in Frankie’s voice in a way that will charm children, Barbara Techel’s determined and tender spirit shines through in her love and commitment to Frankie. The deep connection they share leaps from the pages of this heart warming book.

This is an inspirational true story for anyone who has had to overcome adversity. Brightly illustrated, Frankie will appeal to children and dog lovers of all ages. Children will be exposed to some of the realities of life, including handicapped people and animals, and even to death when Barbara’s special heart dog Cassie dies, in a simple, non-threatening manner that teaches compassion.

Any person struggling with his/her own mobility impairment, or with a disabled pet will be inspired by Frankie and Barbara’s uplifting message. The bonded pair transforms sadness and hopelessness from Frankie’s tragedy into a zest as and passion for their new life mission together.

This story of dedication and perseverance can bring hope and joy to broken hearts. Not only is Frankie The Walk ‘N Roll Dog a great gift book, Barbara and Frankie have given a gift to all handicapped pets, their people, and veterinarians by teaching them how paralyzed dogs can lead normal, happy lives with the help of wheels so they can walk ‘n roll like Frankie!

You can learn more about Frankie's story and Barbara Techel at http://www.joyfulpaws.com/

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life
www.dawnkairns.com
www.maggiethedogwhochangedmylife.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

Review of "8 State Hurricane Kate" by Jenny Pavlovic

by Dawn Kairns

When Hurricane Katrina hit, the world was horrified by the loss of human life, the destruction, and the masses of people left stranded. And then the incomprehensible reality of all the animals left behind to die sank in. Jenny Pavlovic could not continue her everyday life without going to New Orleans to help care for the dogs left behind to drown or starve. Nor could she leave Kate, an older cattle dog that won her heart, to the fate of the system at Lamar Dixon, the large makeshift animal shelter in New Orleans. Against many odds, Jenny took Kate home to foster and care for her.

8 State Hurricane Kate touches us in so many ways. Yes, it is Jenny’s tribute to Kate, the deep spiritual connection they shared, and how she changed Jenny’s life forever. It is also a demonstration of the strength of human and canine spirit alike, and what one courageous, determined, passionate woman can do to help the dog she loved so deeply; and to then carry on Kate’s legacy by rescuing other dogs from “death row.”

I ached with Jenny’s heartbreak in the loss of her own pets and as she encountered one health and behavior obstacle after another with Kate. I am in awe of her commitment to Kate and to dog rescue. It will warm your heart to realize the behind the scenes work of “guardian angels” across the country (that Jenny is part of) whose mission is to safely transport dogs about to be euthanized into foster homes and safe shelters nationwide.

Jenny and Kate’s story will motivate readers to volunteer our own efforts to help our local homeless pets. 8 State Hurricane Kate shows that we, too, can make a difference for one animal at a time, as Jenny did for Kate, even if we can’t save them all. I love Jenny’s resource section in the back of her book; it lists rescue agencies and provides information for pet guardians to prepare for their pet’s care in the event of an emergency or disaster situation.

I am moved by Jenny Pavlovic’s incredibly huge heart, which does not stop giving when she loses Kate. She continues Kate’s legacy by her ongoing animal rescue work, which she generously funds with 50% of her book profits through the 8 State Kate Fund.

You will feel a wide range of emotions as you read this inspirational love story, from sadness and loss to faith and hope. This book makes the world aware of the tragic consequences for the animals left behind in our country’s greatest natural disaster. In writing this book, part of Jenny’s mission is to show the world what really happened, and the heart wrenching impact on the animals left behind, most of whom lost their people forever. Having gone to Mississippi myself to work with the animals following Hurricane Katrina, I thank Jenny for writing this book so the world will now know, and I pray make certain that the animals are never left behind again.

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life
www.dawnkairns.com
www.maggiethedogwhochangedmylife.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

She Couldn't Imagine Life Without Her Dog

We've all heard or read stories about spouses or brothers and sisters who die just days apart because their bond is so close. I remember the incredible, late Buckminster Fuller dying as soon as he was told his wife had passed.

I speak often of the close human-canine bond, both in my blog and in my book. Here is part of an article that demonstrates the deep bond between Natt Nevins and her beloved 15 year old dachshund, Nikkie.

Written by Amy Sacks
NY DAILY NEWS, Saturday, May 9th

Dog lover Natt Nevins dies a day before beloved dachsund passes away

After her 15-year-old dachshund was diagnosed with cancer last month, Natt Nevins told friends she couldn't imagine life without her beloved dog, Nikkie.

"He was her baby. You couldn't think of Natt without Nikkie," said Nevins' longtime friend Betty Brown, whose dachshund, Chester, spent time with the colorful duo on long drives to upstate Woodstock.

Brown was among the dozens of friends - including an army of dachshunds, Shih Tzu's, Chihuahuas and other small dogs - that gathered at Nevins' West Village apartment Thursday night to memorialize the well-loved duo.

Nevins, 74, a community activist, dog lover and fixture in the Greenwich Village dog community, died this week, just a few days after suffering a massive stroke. Her darling Nikkie - described by many as a Casanova with "Betty Davis eyes" - survived Nevins by only one day.

The longtime Manhattan resident rescued the long-haired dachshund when he was just a 1-year-old pup, surrendered by a family with kids that burned him and tied cans to his legs...

To read full article by Amy Sacks in the Daily News visit:

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2009/05/09/2009-05-09_dog_run_goes_quiet.html

Thank you, Natt Nevins, for rescuing and giving a forever home to this formerly abused dog, and for giving him your love and safety for 15 years. He obviously didn't want to live without you, either. And thank you for your years of commitment to the dog community. They needed your activism, and may we follow in your footsteps to speak out and care for dogs/animals.

Posted by:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

Website: www.dawnkairns.com
Blog: www.maggiethedogwhochangedmylife.blogspot.com

Why I Wrote "Maggie: The Dog Who Changed My Life"

Maggie was a very special being I was blessed to share my life with. The depth of our love for each other, of our human-canine bond, was deeper and beyond anything I imagined a bond with a dog could be.

Maggie's way of being so present in the moment brought me more into the present moment. She reached out to people and brought them into our circle. Maggie's genuine, loving way brought people into their hearts, and so my communication with others became more genuine and from the heart. Through her I learned the power of now, of living in the present, and that the most important things in life are love, connection, and following our hearts.

My journey with Maggie helped me make important personal and professional decisions about who I wanted to be and how I wanted to live; to honor my wants and question my shoulds. She taught me the importance of being over doing and to follow my intuition.

Maggie showed me that she read my thoughts somehow and understood me more than I thought possible in a dog. Call it telepathy. Call it a sixth sense. I wrote MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life in the hopes that you the reader will tune more into your own dogs and see them through the eyes of beings who understand you, their human, and read your thoughts and energy more than we realize; and in the hopes that you will look at animals as different beings, not lesser beings. Tuning into your dogs at this level deepens the experience of being a dog whisperer with your own dog.

I also wrote Maggie: the dog who changed my life to encourage you, the readers, to listen to yourselves, to your intuition, and to question veterinarians when your gut feelings disagree with a vet's diagnosis. I also encourage you to evaluate the information available about pet food and vaccination frequency and ask yourselves as I did in Chapter Nine in Maggie: the dog who changed my life, "What's Really Best for Our Pets?"

Finally, my hope is to help you know that the deep grief you feel when you lose your precious pet is normal; to help you feel supported and understood, and most important, to not feel isolated in your grief.

Now you know a few things about why I wrote Maggie: the dog who changed my life. To learn more about my book, visit www.dawnkairns.com. Do you have a special dog story you want to share, past or present? Your own special once-in-a-lifetime dog? Let us hear from you. Go to sharedogstories.ning.com and tell us about your special pet or share your comments on this post.