Or like me who does not have children, knowing what is "in" and what is safe and educational as a gift for young kids can be mind boggling.  Check out Lisa Reviews for her countdown to the holiday gift guide.  She will review a gift each day… and check out who she reviewed when you get to her site!  Hmmm, wonder who it could be? 

If grins and giggles could turn into money, I would be the richest girl on earth!  I am may not be rich defined by society as wealth of materialistic items and money… but my heart is rich with love and gratitude for the people I am meeting through Frankie.

Today we visited my niece Holly's 5th grade class at the request of Holly.  She did a book report on "Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog" and asked if she could interview me about my writing process.  Now if that doesn't do the heart good!  Grins and lots of giggles came from the kids as Frankie came into the classroom… grins and giggles as she made her little whining, look at me cries… grins and giggles as I explained how she has to go potty with my help.

We then made a stop at our local hospital… as long as we were on a roll with grins and giggles we wanted more.  Frankie and I came across a sweet giggle from a little 4-year old girl.  She had had a rough 24-hours and was happy to see Frankie.  We left a copy of Frankie's book with the angelic little girls mom, who had tears in her eyes and was grateful we had stopped.  How simple it is to give back I thought to myself as I left the room… a simple gesture can bring sunshine to someone's life who is having bleak moments.  Frankie and I also visited with an older man in the cardiac wing of the hospital.  Frankie made herself right at home next to this jolly, warm man, resting her head next to him as he put his arm around her… and the stories poured from him about dogs, dogs, dogs.  He wanted Frankie to stay forever.

I share these stories to encourage others to consider doing therapy dog work… if not therapy dog work… just finding a way to give back in the world… even if for only an hour a month.  I believe if we can do more of this our world will make a remarkable shift and peace will come naturally.  At the end of my life I can't take money with me, but I will take my heart of memories so rich with love from so many wonderful people I am meeting.  Frankie may only be 10-inches tall but she has opened 10 foot doors for me to connect with others… I'll always be so amazed at what dogs do to help humans connect.

I realize we are a few days into November already and I am a few days late posting Frankie’s newsletter!  But with the weather we are having, it really feels like early October.  It is 70 degrees and sunny here in Wisconsin today.  Can you say the word glorious?  HA!  The photo above is Frankie waiting for the trick or treaters last week.  Unfortortunately our weather did not cooperate that day and the winds and rain came… keeping lots of spooks and goblins from our door.

Frankie’s October Newsletter is now available on-line.  It was an exciting month for Frankie!!

Remember to go out and vote tomorrow!  I wish Frankie was on the ballot, but I would miss her if she lived in the Whitehouse.