Angel Animals® Network
When this contest was first announced early summer 2009 I knew I had to enter. When I read the description of the contest, stories should demonstrate the benefits for a woman who fulfills a life purpose by partnering with a dog to perform extraordinary physical, emotional, or spiritual service, it spoke to my heart and soul and brought tears to my eyes. I was so, so excited… and then I procrastinated! Sometimes when I am so excited about something it makes me freeze in my tracks. But I knew I would write my story, it was just a matter of when. And I did…. and submitted it two weeks before the Sept. 30th deadline. So who says I’m a procrastinator?
But I was thrilled to receive word today that I won second place out of over a hundred entries. Six second places were awarded and I was honored to be among Sage Lewis, who I have done a radio interview with on her show, The Pet Playground, and will be doing another one on with her on Feb. 28th.
Winning is great, but for me, this is so much more. This is about really paying attention to what I wanted for my life, and finding my purpose because of what my disabled dog has taught me. When I look at her, my heart swells with such pride and I see God in her. I really do. Because I know He sent her to me to teach others about animals with disabilities… and it is just such an incredible honor to me.
I hope to share my winning story with all of you soon. There is a possibility it may be in a new book being published by New World Library from Linda and Allen Anderson of Animal Miracle Network and if that happens, I’ll be sure to let you know. Either way, as soon as I can release the story, I will share it with you. In the meantime… drum roll please… and please help me congratulate the winners!!!
Winners of the 2009 Dogs and the Women Who Love Them
True Story Contest
Grand Prize Winner
“K-9 Major, Unchained Fury”
By Marilyn Walton
Second Place Winners
“The Blessing of a Wheelchair-Bound Dachshund”
By Barbara Techel
“Working Girl”
By Teresa Ambord
“Euri, the Miracle Worker”
By Bobbi Leder
“Buddha Boom!”
By Sage Lewis
“Judy and McDuff: Soul Mates”
By Judy McFadden
“Miquel’s Legacy”
By Rosanne Nordstrom
Honorable Mentions
“Ziggy Heals My Heart”
By Marti Wegner
“For $2.00 She was Mine”
By Debra J. White
“Fritz, the White Angel”
By Paula Timpson
“Love Barometer”
By Lori Scott
“Ordinary to Extraordinary”
By Lori Durante Rardin
“Better with Barney”
By Linda Panczer
“The Dog Who ‘Carried My Healing'”
By Jane Norling
“I’ll Have Honey with My Sake’, Thank You Very Much!”
By Diane L. Massie
“A ‘For Real’ Black Beauty”
By Carolyn S. Lemay-Strass
“Paws 4 a Miracle”
By Virginia Kukuk
“The Things I Did for Love”
By Susan Hartzler
“Cissy Girl”
By Mary Haack
“Life According to Olive”
By Stephanie Feldstein
“Healing Together: Kimberly and Lucy”
By Kimberly J. Brown
“The World’s Best Talking Dog”
By Jill Alphine
“Jack Opened My Heart to Love”
By Lyndra Antonson Hearn
“Dagnabit’sStory”
By Kim Dudek
“Lessons from Teddy”
By Diana M. Amadeo
