Chloe Princess - The Ballerina who stole my heart is now dancing on a star.

Time with pets is impossible to measure in hours and minutes.

When a pet dies, years become yesterdays.

Chloe Garrett - October 2004 - October 9, 2018

Just a quiet afternoon on her porch.

Sunny side up - a favorite pose - indoors and out.

As it turns out, she had - according to the medical info - long term heart issues. And in retrospect she managed that health issue quite effectively. In the last year of her life she would negotiate her outside time and wander out to the far corner of the yard.

When it was time to come in, Andy would go out with a flashlight and he, or we, would walk her back to the house, shining the way with the light and encouraging her to move. She did. Two steps at a time. Then she would sit down and wait for a pet and the voice reward with happy, singing tones "Good girl"... "Chloeee, Chloe."

When one of us moved in closer in an attempt to pick her up, she protested loudly and squirmed out of reach. "NO - do NOT pick me up. I am moving." As long as she kept the forward momentum - we followed her lead and walked the path, slowly, back to the house. It was her very own, front-and-center ''good night' ritual.

We kept that routine as her distance from the house gradually diminished to just outside the door on the patio. Tonight, that routine has been retired. Love you, beautiful Chloe.  

Uncommon rescues, the Paraplegic Possum and others....

“Research suggests that the earliest flying reptiles swallowed small pieces of volcanic rock and could breathe out flammable gases like hydrogen produced in their own bodies. It is hypothesized that their ingenious “fire breath” was used as a defense against predatory reptiles. - Bats Sing, Mice Giggle: The Surprising Science of Animals' Inner Lives by Karen Shanor and Jagmeet Kanwal - Good Reads

- The authors show how animal 'friends' stay in touch, and how they warn and help each other in times of danger; how some animals problem-solve as or in some instances even more effectively than humans - and how they regulate, create, and entertain themselves and others. - Amazon


The following short film features two Humans who, often times, go to great lengths to improve the quality of life of their charges. Sometimes that results in a life span far beyond the typical prognosis. When we see what those great lengths are - it really isn't a surprise.

Respect, Medical Care, Security, Consistent routine, Novelty, Diet and Affection.

Marry the will to survive with an out-of-the-ordinary boost of creativity, imagination and care-taking - and animals (who might otherwise be written off as hopeless) in this tale - thrive beyond survival to enjoy an extraordinary life. Even so, death is the grounding constant. Treasured moments, quirky personalities and endearing charm.



"Pickle" is directed by Amy Nicholson and distributed by Oscilloscope Laboratories.
It is part of The Atlantic Selects, an online showcase of short documentaries from independent creators, curated by The Atlantic.

The Atlantic on YouTube: Subscribe

Link Surf -

• Adopted! A Two-fer. Blind Dachshund would be lost without BFF Pit Bull guide dog. MSN
• Is a High-Five Cat more adoptable? Can't hurt. Greater Good
• These pets are way richer than most everyone else on the planet - via inheritances. Everplans
• Find your lost pet with PawBoost. Also on Facebook
• That's all for now. Beanbag. MissCellania

Saving Riley - rescue and recovery

“Courage doesn’t happen when you have all the answers. It happens when you are ready to face the questions you have been avoiding your whole life.” - Shannon L. Alder


Unconditional is the opportunity to discover what comes next. The choice to invest or divest is personal. The reward? Self-revealing.


This is the story of Zak and Riley. Additional links show the story on Ellen and in a news feature promoting the book signing.

First, the introduction.



Zak Anderegg interviewed about rescuing Riley and the book he wrote telling the rest of the story on YouTube. Watching Riley through his recovery, Zak realized his efforts to help Riley heal reflected his own story. This new relationship had also changed him.

A brief set up from the book:
For much of Zak’s childhood, he was at the bottom of a veritable canyon himself—a canyon whose imprisoning depth and darkness was created by bullies who just wouldn’t quit and parents who weren’t capable of love. From the age of five, Zak was everyone’s favorite target.


Zak and Riley on Ellen
Zak's book: Rescuing Riley, Saving Myself: Amazon
Zak and Riley on Facebook.com/canyonpuppy


Another rescue story involves a depressed and distraught Donkey. Ronnie was severely traumatized, fading and retreating from life. A younger Donkey companion died after becoming entangled in barbed wire. Ronnie was injured in his desperate attempts trying to free his friend.

The story is part of the Dodo Party Animal series featured on Facebook. It's easy to fall in love with Ronnie. Find out more about Ronnie's new home and other stories at The Enchanted Farm Sanctuary/Facebook. Robin Birdsong's intro vid on YouTube.

Follow the Dodo on twitter.

Something sweet ... Simon's Cat (A Valentine)

“As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.” - John Green, The Fault in Our Stars --

My funny Valentine ... Simon's Cat is at it again ... YouTube link ...



Subscribe on YouTube Simon's Cat.

Congrats on Anniversary number 10! Already. I remember the early stick figures. ;)

Simon's Cat continues to charm. 'Created in 2007 by award-winning illustrator, animator, and director Simon Tofield, “Simon’s Cat” boasts 11 million followers across social media platforms and reached 1.8 billion people through Facebook in 2017.' - Variety 

Max and Magic - The beauty of Kinship, the heart leads

We are not the at the top of the chain when it comes to spiritual intelligence. Animals have a much better grasp on that element and no need to muck the issue with flimsy language and rote concepts. No need to stick a message in cement.

Spirit flows - Animals are in that flow. They can teach any who are willing to forget what they think they know and step into learning.  

Max, Magic and Chloe. My friends.

- Wendy here - And this is why the story blogged by Tamar Peters resonates so well with me.

My Max arrived after the guides told me the "other" was coming. I had no clue. Other? I certainly wasn't looking for a dog.

He knew the agreement and held to it. Max  came to help remind me I needed to recover my own Animal Communication abilities.

Although I didn't know it at the time, he was the assigned teacher and my partner. We were joined for a time (7 years) with a very good animal buddy who often came to visit - a Golden Retriever named Magic.

They were the best of companions. Escapades include two unfortunate encounters with a skunk. Twice for Max. Magic learned his lesson the first time and ran like a lighting bolt back into the house while Max took full stream odor assault and was left to return head down, tail between his legs, to again stake out a claim in the corner of the garage - awaiting his second go round of tomato-de-skunk-soup spa treatment. It doesn't work nearly as good as not getting sprayed in the first place.

The pals (along with my 3 cats) also kept me company while I wrote. The two are pictured here with kitten pal Chloe (who still thinks she is a Dog) tucked beside Magic's feet. 

Max gave me lots of stories. He sought out those who were in need of comfort (Adult or Child) without any prompt or knowing on my part. The response usually gave away how much that person needed a lift.

He was a patient teacher and is still with me when I need help or protection. Magic was Gracie's Prince Charming. She melted in his presence. Really. (He was also a good Ghost detector.)

Max and Magic have graduated from this course and gone off to play elsewhere - minus tomato-de-skunk-soup spa days. Gracie sees Max occasionally. We are part of the same heart family - in physical form and non-form. Love doesn't die. In the light, we all live on.

I am still learning.