“Four-Legged Wisdom.” Book Review and Giveaway.

Posted by Barbara Techel

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I know it’s a good book when I finish reading it, set it down, and realize it won’t close because so many of the pages have been dog-eared.

There are many stories in Four-Legged Wisdom by Dobie Houson that touched me. My favorite about a dog named Hanna Banana Honey Bunny. The story titled “Hannah-Service.”

A German Shepherd rescued by a woman named Vivian. Hannah wasn’t on her radar to bring home that day. That sentence alone brought a smile to my face because of the magic animals work in our lives if we allow it to unfold as it is supposed to.

Hannah would turn out to be a wonderful therapy dog. With the gentle compassion and in-tune awareness to Hannah’s needs, Vivian would guide this special dog to many opportunities that served not only humans, but allowed Hannah to be the best therapy dog she could be.

When one situation proved to be too much for Hannah or wasn’t fulfilling her any longer, Vivian would find another new purpose in therapy work that would bring out the very best in this sweet spirit of a dog that she loved so much.

As an animal communicator, Dobie having worked with the animals in these stories, not only offers peace and comfort in helping us understand the animals in our lives, but also valuable insight into what they are trying to help us with on our own personal levels of healing.

Hannah’s message to Vivian through Dobie’s communication with her, one of those profound insights, “There is no hope where there is no light. Infuse yourself and your life with light.”

If you love animals and believe in their teachings, this is a book you will be glad you picked up and read. It offers more confirmation to our mere human minds that can’t always comprehend that we are all truly connected and can learn from another if we open our hearts.

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Author, Dobie Houson, has kindly offered to give away a copy of her book to one of my readers!

To be eligible please leave a comment to this question:  “Who is your spirit animal and what one lesson did they teach you that was most profound?”

Please leave comment below by midnight CST, Sunday, Oct. 12th. Winner will be chosen using random.org on Monday, October 13.

Update on Joie’s Film Debut in the movie, The Surface

Posted by Barbara Techel

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I love this photo of Joie. It was such a joy to welcome her into our home in October 2012. Even though we only had her for a short 10 months, to see her content and happy filled my heart with utter love and joy.

As many of you know, one week before I had to unexpectedly put Joie to sleep due to numerous complications in her tiny little body, she took part in a film that was being filmed in our area in August 2013 called, The Surface.

The movie makes its debut tomorrow night as the last film presented the past two weeks during the Milwaukee Film Festival. From what I understand, Sean Astin, who plays one of the main roles in the film, will be there for its opening debut, along withe the producer and director, as well as I’m sure many of the other people who played a part in bringing this true and inspiring film to reality.

Anyone can attend the film festival, but it does not feel right for me to attend in this way. I’m going to wait for it to come out in the theater as it feels bittersweet for me. I feel like I want it to be a more quiet, intimate, and private view (in a sense).

While I can’t wait to see Joie on the big screen, I am preparing my heart to see her, too. I want it to be a celebration of her life when I see her roll across the big screen. I want to soak it all in with all the joy and love that she brought to my life. And I don’t want to blink as it will be only about 15-20 seconds of her being on the screen, so I want to make sure I don’t miss a moment. I already am wishing they could play her part in slow motion… or over and over again!

So the update that I’ve recently learned through the film’s website is that the movie is being released in suburban Milwaukee areas in WI in selected Marcus theater’s Friday, October 24th. I’ll update more as I know specifically which theaters in Milwaukee if you are in the area, as well as when it may open in other markets in other states. But you can also stay updated by visiting their screenings page.

Like all of you, even though Joie played a small part in the film, I don’t have the “inside scoop” and learn like everyone else the updates through their Facebook page and website. I assume since it is a small independent film that like books, word of mouth, will drive the film to other theaters.  So please help spread the word!