animals

Introducing “For the Love of Animals: A Collection of Short Stories, Series One

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

This is the first in a new series that I have written for all animal lovers!

INTRODUCTION

My life transitioned when my chocolate Labrador, Cassie, was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer in late 2004.
Watching Cassie live each day with the same joy she always had, even with cancer, made me yearn for more joy in my own life. Because of Cassie, I took a three-month hiatus from my small business, to work with a life coach, and think about what I truly wanted for myself. What would bring me more happiness? I wondered.
From that sabbatical, I discovered how deeply I truly love animals. I decided to become a writer so I could share my love of animals with others, the many lessons I believe they teach us, and all the joy they bring to our lives.
I like to think of my journey since then, as “Joyful Paws.” You see, I paused (paws) long enough in my life to really give thought to what makes me most joyful. In turn, that has helped me to live with more purpose. And I happened to learn all of this because of a dog.

Short Stories in Series One

The Silly Names We Call Our Pets
Puppy Antics
The Dance Of A Dog’s Dream

Available on Kindle through Amazon or as a PDF at Joyful Paws website that you can download to your computer.

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Spay Day 2011 Online Pet Photo Contest

Posted by Barbara Techel

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog is entered into the 2001 Spay Day Online Photo Contest and we’d love your support.  Each vote is $1.00 and will be donated to help spay and neuter pets.  Should Frankie win, our charity of choice will share in the money you donated and we chose Wisconsin Humane Society.  Below is the photo I entered and here is the direct link to vote.  Thank you so much for your consideration and for helping the animals.  Please feel free to share with family and friends.

 

Joyful Paws Give-Away

Posted by Barbara Techel

Are you the winner?  Listen to find out!  Winner, please email me your mailing address so I can send you the dog journal (barb@joyfulpaws.com)

 

 

  

 

My dogs really do keep me grounded.  Even when I lose my way, they patiently wait, sending me little clues that maybe, just maybe, I am a bit out of balance once again.

Frankie did that for me when we were wrestling with three bladder infections in a row this fall.  I didn't handle my stress level well through all of this, but I sure did learn alot about myself once I slowed down to think everything through.  In my slowing down, think tank time, I was given a gift, and that gift  reminded me of the many joys I love in life, but had set aside the past three years, as Frankie and I pursued our mission of bringing a positive face to animals with disabilities.

I had every worse case scenario flying through my mind with Frankie's back- to- back infections, thinking about "what if's," and thinking my life, as I had come to love it, was now going to change once again.  But one day driving down the highway I felt this peace wash over me… it was all going to be ok.  So life needs to change once again- ok- let's see what it will bring me.

As I gave into acceptance, I realized how I wanted room for other things in my life, but was so driven doing what I do with Frankie I could not figure out a way to slow down to do these other things– like writing more– keeping up with my blogs– time with friends and my Mom– time to putter around my home– new projects– reading.

Frankie's infections made me stop and think (though as usually happens to me, it takes a good three times of hitting me over the head till I see clearly!), and I realized I wanted more sudden joys back again.  

And how amazing I come full circle to what this blog is all about:  Joyful Paws.  It is because of my dogs, that 5-years ago I did "paws" long enough in my life to define what is important to me, discover what brings me bliss, and found the courage to live more authentically. 

So as Jean Houston's quote says, "they rest us deeply" and I feel more at peace again with the direction of my life.

GIVE-AWAY

How have your pets helped you rest more deeply and find sudden joys?  Share with me in a comment section below. Next week Tuesday I will randomly pick from your comments a winner of the dog book journal.  Be sure to check back to this blog post next week to see if you won!  Good luck!

Here is the quote for those of you who wish to write it down:

I think we turn so much to our pets because they remind us of our deeper nature, of what is truly important. And also in a strange way of what we can be. They rest us deeply and give us sudden joys that we have forgotten.  ~Jean Houston