I think I should have been born a dog to my mom… below are two photo’s of her sweet little girl, DollyJo.  She also has a darling little boy named Charley, who I affectionately call, “Chuck.”  All kidding aside in regards to being born a dog… I do have the greatest mom in the world who has been so good to me and continues to be my very best friend.  Love ya, mom!  As well as the two little furry critters who I love as my “brother” and “sister.”

Dog Writer's of America Association announced Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog has been nominated for the Merial Human-Animal Bond Award. Criteria: Best highlights the special bond between people an their treasured pets, promoting the strengthening of this bond and hightlighting the special relationship between a dog and its owner as well as between dogs and veterinarians. The other two nominee's sound wonderful also and I would like to share with you their books:

Maggie: The Dog who Changed My Life , by Dawn Kairns

8 State Hurricane Kate , by Jenny Pavlovic

I am honored to be nominated along with Dawn and Jenny!!

Rain Fordyce

Coaching is not new to me.  But Rain is.  I am so thrilled to have recently connected with her through a mutual author friend, Natalie.  I learned that Rain is a coach, helping others live an inspired and authentic life.  Right up my alley!  She offered me a free coaching session and I was excited to take her up on it.  Though this is a bit off what I normally share on my blog in terms of animals, but it really does relate.  Many of you know my first dog led me to wanting to discover my purpose, which led me to coaching and…

Coaching led me to where I am today.  I realized quite a few years ago that asking for help is not a sign of failure, but a sign of a strong and courageous person.  We all need help now and then to live our best life.  Thank goodness there are amazing coaches who can inspire us.  Talking with Rain renewed my energy back to an all time high!

I also believe the universe sends us something or someone when we need it most.  Rain’s free coaching session could not have come at a better time for me.  The same day I had scheduled to talk with Rain, I had just resolved a contractual issue for some publicity work I had hired out to promote my book. To say the least, things had not gone as I thought they should.  It had been a stressful few weeks and my energy was zapped. 

I felt relieved I had finally come to a conclusion, but things were still eating away at me as I would discover in my 15-minute coaching with Rain.  I honestly didn’t think I was going to discuss it with her, but then she said, “What would you like to talk about?”  Something in me knew this was my chance to fully let go.  Rain knows how to zero right in on what is really going on.  It was amazing!  After I explained to her my dilemma and struggles she said, “You didn’t believe in your voice.”  I knew without a doubt she was right.  I could literally feel my body become light and it was as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.  She was right.  If I had stood up to what I believed was true, I would have resolved my dilemma weeks ago and it never would have gotten to the point of draining me of all I believed in.  Instead I wallowed in thinking I did not have a right to feel the way I did and that I didn’t have a leg to stand on… when all along I did.

One of the greatest lessons we can learn is to learn from our lessons.  Sounds funny to hear it like that doesn’t it?  Rain reminded me of that though.  She said even though I “lost” some of my money to what I feel was not delivered, I learned the lesson of remembering I have a choice and a voice.  She asked that I promised to be grateful for that lesson.  I was and I am.  I truly do understand that.  If I hold onto it as a negative it will drain me.  I want to move forward.  All of this was done in a mere 15-minutes and it renewed my energy and catapulted me forward once again to continue to follow my heart and my dreams.

Rain has many different coaching plans available and I invite you to check them out and take her up on the free “Inspire Me” session .  She also has a very inspiring newsletter she sends out and I just love it.  You can find it at Authentic Times .  And if you are a family that home schools their children, her new children’s book is awesome!  I will be writing a review for it in the upcoming weeks, so stay tuned for that.

Coaching with Rain renewed my faith in me and who I am and where I want to go and how I want to leave this world just a bit better because I was here.  Thank you, Rain!