CHRISTMAS COLORING BOOKS FOR SALE

Available for the first time--the first DOGWOOD PROJECTS published item---a Christmas Coloring book called
"Here comes Santa Paws--Christmas in Fur Town"

This is a HAND DRAWN coloring book (by yours truly) with a full story and activities.

So this is actually a child's story book that you can read to your kids, allow them to color the pictures, and then enjoy over and over. They get to decide what colors go into their own personal story book, and you can have the joy of reading it with them.

The book is printed on white paper with a full color cover (pictured above) and bound with a comb binding so that little ones can open the book flat and never have to sway the previous page while they color--or bend the spine out of shape.

The coloring books are $8 dollars each--and will make great stocking suffers or gifts.

What am I doing with the money???

Well- like any business--I have to put the money spent for printing back in the bank. But my hope is to sponsor an animal for adoption or possibly for spay/neuter, or whatever needs done. I'm not going to get rich off this --but some little fur legged waif will benefit.

Come on people--you know me.  There's no way an animal or two or however many won't benefit from anything I try to do.

If you would like to order a book--or look at some sample pages--please email me at bastory1969@bellsouth.net or shoot me a private message on my Facebook page.

I will print your order, bind it, and let you know when I will be mailing it. Then you can send your payment.

Hope that everyone out there has a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AQUA CAT!!!!

Two years ago, I was cleaning in the middle room of the front building at Cats Are Us. I usually had a job of cleaning in the back building, but poop is poop, no matter what room you’re in. We were short handed, and I volunteered to take on an extra space.

Cats Are Us was always therapy for me. Dogwood had lost one of it's own just a few months before, our beloved Pearl, to Feline Leukemia.  Being at the shelter was comforting to me. My little girl used to put her little pink paw on my cheek , almost as a reassurance that whatever life was bringing us at that moment, that everything would be alright. I missed her terribly, and I longed for that comforting touch.

We had adopted little Bart after Pearl left us. He was a tiny thing when he first came to Dogwood--but we soon remedied that!!  But he was still the lone feline of our little fur covered oasis. I had always hated the fact that Feline Leukemia had kept Pearl a lonely kitty.  Better Half and I had discussed the possibility of getting  Bart a friend, but hadn't done anything about it.

As I worked, in that middle room, I kept hearing a little voice chattering away behind me. I was reminder of sweet Girlsy, the little talker who used to keep me company in the back room at Cats Are Us.  She too had crossed the Rainbow Bridge that year.

This room held many felines, and after hearing the talk for awhile, I was a man on a mission to find it. I finally looked to a large cage that sat in the back of the room. One dark, fluffy boy who sat on the bottom of the enclosure looked at me wide eyed, as if to say, “It wasn’t me pal.” 

But I heard the chatter monkey again, and bent down to look into the darker top of the cage.   On a high perch in the upper corner of the cage sat a beautiful white feline with faint orange tinted fur, orange tipped ears, gorgeous blue eyes…and a very active mouth.

I opened the door very carefully as not to scare the little one. But I shouldn't have worried. The white beauty sprung into my arms and began to purr like a boat motor. He curled into my arms, cupping his head under my chin as I rubbed his belly.  I was elated. He looked so much like my lost baby, with his white fur and blue eyes.

Then, out of nowhere, he looked at me with those beautiful blue eyes of his… and placed one tiny little pink footed paw on my cheek.

The tears welled up in my eyes, and I felt a tiny piece of my heart revive.  He just held that paw on my face, saying, “It’s OK”.

Needless to say, he became both my third shadow, and Bart's new best pal at Dogwood. We named him Sebastian, and he has both comforted and entertained us ever since.

Today marks two years since that little white and orange soul reminded me that, even though we lose someone special, we can still find the ability to love others.  

Happy Birthday my sweet little water loving boy!!!  May God bless you as you have blessed me!

 

 

 

HOWL-A WEEN IS HERE!!!

Well, the gang at Dogwood at all set for trick or treating tonight.

Lucy, the reigning queen and matriarch of our pack, has chosen to dress as a moody, middle aged hag---in other words, she will be going as herself this year.
All kidding aside, it's been a rough month for the old girl. She has had both a bladder infection and suffered from a parasite. PILLS PILLS PILLS and BILLS BILLS BILLS!!!!
I am tempted to dress her up as a canceled check to the vets office.

Charlie, my sweet, docile Eeyore of the group, is planning a really ingenious little get up. He's going as a horse.
He figures, since he eats like one, he may as well start playing the part.
Anybody have a used saddle I can rent for the night????

Hines the rat terror (I mean terrier) is going as security guard.
He'll be guarding the food bag from Charlie.

Daisy is going as an escaped mental patient. We don't call her crazy Daisy for nothing!
Problem is, I can't find a thunder shirt with arms that tie IN THE BACK!

Little Linus the lion hearted, who will celebrate his first Halloween with our little troop this year, is going as the Peanuts character that he was named for.
Since he drags his kennel blanket all over the place, I see that as irony!

Bart the cat, otherwise known as EL BARTO, will be swashbuckling his way through the house, probably via my new drapes.  I've GOT to stop letting him watch those Errol Flynn movies!!

Sebastian, my little water loving kitty, will be going out for candy in his flippers and snorkel gear.
What can I say? If the swim fin fits--wear it!
At least if it rains--he's ready.
I think he is the one Dogwood resident who might be up for more tricks than treats.
When I came into the bathroom this morning, he was already rolling toilet paper off the roll in preparation.
Bad Water Kitty!

Better Half and I will be taking this little mutt-ley crew door to door to let everyone know that we love and adore our kids,
and that we are ABSOLUTELY NUTS.
I guess we could go as Daisy's cell mates in the padded room. But how would I hold a leash from behind my back???

But that's what it's all about--having SAFE FUN and being together.
Remember that this is one holiday where pets do suffer at the hands of humans who can be not only cruel, but deadly.
 So keep your fur kids in check this All Hallows Eve.

I know my kids will be OK. The roughest fight we will have tonight is to decide who gets to ride shotgun.
Ever tried to calm five dogs and two cats in a PRIUS?????
Oh the Horror! The Horror!
From all of us at Dogwood--a very SAFE AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!

PET PHOTOS IN THE WORKPLACE PROVIDE LOVE AND COMFORT

Recently, a co-worker stopped by my small cubicle, snarled up his nose and asked, “Man, how many dog pictures do you need in here?”

I told him that I hadn’t given it much thought. He sighed and walked away.

He’s one of “those” people who can’t understand my close pack relationship with seven fur balls that wet the floor, take up all the space in the bed, shed on the furniture, and chew up my belongings.

But his comment had lit curiosity. How many pictures did I have?  I began a slow spin in my swiveling chair to count the images decorating my office space.

There are framed photos, photo copies, post cards, photos in magnetic sleeves, photos on little clips, and photos taped or pinned up. There are tiny frames and large frames, some with one opening, others with multiple ones, and so on.

These contain pictures of Better Half and each of my kids: Lucy, Charlie, Pearl, Hines, Daisy, Bart, ,Sebastian and Linus. I have pictures of my foster dogs, of rescue dogs whose adoption I was able to help with, of animal friends that I have made over the years, and of those who have left this world for a better place.

Atop the cabinet that encloses my work area, there are pictures of Charlie and Lucy as pups. There is one displaying the first time I ever held Daisy in my arms.   I have a tiny framed picture of Bart, sitting on my shoulder on his first day at Dogwood. There’s another of Better Half getting “lubbins”.  

On my left are pictures of Hines, the rat terror (I mean terrier).   One was taken on Hine’s first day. He looks tense, worried, and not so certain of his surroundings. The one beside it was taken after he had been established as my “special little guy”: relaxed, confident in his place and in his affections.  The images are like night and day.

There are pictures of birthdays, back yard shenanigans, and cheesy grins.  There pictures of my kids napping, chewing the cushions off the couch, peeing on the rug, and doing other “cute” things that have made them infamous.

On the shelf above my head sits a framed image of my sweet Pearl, lying in her favorite basket by the back window. , This photo has its own special place, and of all my pictures of her, this one is my favorite.

I miss my little girl.

I recently added some pics of our newest addition: LINUS.  He came to us broken--but you all know that Dogwood has a healing effect. Linus has turned out to be a Daddy's boy--and I wouldn't have it any other way.

As I examined my photos, I forgot all about counting them.  These moments, captured forever and displayed in funny little squares for all to see, are very precious to me. 

Those happy, innocent, furry faces have a power to warm my heart and make me smile in times of stress, or when I’m just having a crappy day.

How many pictures do I have?   Let’s just say there are a lot.

How many grins, chuckles, happy thoughts, and warm feelings do they provide? 

The number is infinite, priceless, and very cherished.

YOU CAN HELP A MIRACLE!!!!

 I think by now almost all of the rescue lovers who follow Facebook know about a sweet senior dog named PAM who was left behind by her "owners" and brought to Animal Control in Clarksville by neighbors.
 The officers at Animal Control tried to make her comfortable, allowing her to lie on a soft dog bed as opposed to lying on the concrete floor of a kennel. 

But things were not looking great for the old girl.  We all know that senior animals usually get the short end of the stick (no pun intended). Most people want puppies or cute and cudleys--not the old weather worn warriors who have seen many, many moons and are approaching twilight time.  Older animals are forgotten--or like Pam--are left behind to fend for themselves--or to fade away. 

But thanks to rescuers at Willy's Happy Endings--Pam's future took a turn for the better.  Rafi Johnson and her team of huge hearted folks pulled Pam from her uncertain hours and placed her in their foster program.

The story gets even better from there. The Robert Reed family in Georgia saw Pam's picture on facebook, and to semi quote Robert, "It melted his heart".

SO at this time, PAM is undergoing prep work towards her transport and delivery to her new family.

MIRACLES still happen! Pam is well on the road to living out the rest of her days in comfort and in love.

BUT--Willy's Happy Endings could use a few dollars along the way to help get the old girl ready to enter her happily forever after.

This is the Face Book post from Rafi and Willy's Happy Endings:

Willy's Happy Endings

18 minutes ago

OK WHE friends! Pam's entropion surgery and dental has been scheduled for monday morning. The estimated cost for just those procedures is $325.00. She will also need pre-anesthetic blood work to be sure that she does not have any heath issues that would make the anesthesia dangerous.

If you can help, there are many ways to donate!

1. Send a paypal to info@willyshappyendings.org

2. call our ve...

t directly at 931-232-9900 to make a donation to our account with your credit card over the phone!

3. Send check or money order to
Willy's Happy Endings
PO Box 175
Woodlawn, TN 37191

4. On our gofundme page www.gofundme.com/willyshappyendings

If you cannot donate please take a second to share! :)

WHE LOVES YOU!

 

 

SO HERE IT IS FOLKS---MY patented, beloved FIVE DOLLAR CHALLENGE!!!!

If you can spare FIVE BUCKS to donate towards PAM's vetting and transport--I am asking that you send to one of the venues offered above.  Go one day with out that fancy coffee---drop your pack of cigarettes for a day---pack yourself a lunch tomorrow instead of scarfing down a Wendy's burger.

FIVE DOLLARS!  We can all afford that (I hope).

 

If you can't afford that--then I ask that you spend FIVE MINUTES in prayer--asking that this need be met, and that this wonderful, loving senior dog will be delivered safely and happily into the arms of the hearts who her image moved so much.

 

That much I know everyone can afford!

 

SO COME ON ANIMAL ARMY---get out those wallets and check books and credit cards and let's make this thing happen!

 

MIRACLES HAPPEN--sometimes we have to nudge them along.  JOIN THE NUDGE!!!

 

THREE YEARS AGO--DOGWOOD GOT ITS FIRST FOSTER CHILD

Sweet Sadie--abandoned at Animla Control--scared-lost-heartbroke.

Sadie after being at Dogwood for ten minutes. I'll carry the warmth of that smile to my grave.

 

This is the story I wrote in 2009 celebrating the adoption of our FIRST FOSTER CHILD at Dogwood. SADIE was a five year old border collie that had been surrendered by her family to Animal Control. She was FULLY TRAINED, house broken, and one of the most docile sweet dogs I have ever known. She opened the door for quite a few more who followed.  I CELEBRATE LIFE with this story, and remember a sweet, sweet spirit that I was able to save.

 

On October first, Better Half and I received our first Humane Society foster dog, Sadie. Since then, she has been living at Dogwood with the rest of my heathens: Lucy, Charlie, Hines, and Pearl the cat.

            Sadie was rescued because the Lord spoke to my heart. That's the only way I know to explain it. She had a purpose that had yet to be fulfilled, and it wasn't time for her to leave this Earth until she had done so.

 Trust me. I didn't understand why I was doing it either. But I had faith and believed that everything would work out.

            I had no problem introducing her into my pack. The only wrinkle was the fact that she was way too curious about the cat and got knocked around quite a few times when Pearl had finally had enough. There was no aggression involved but it was evident that cats would be a "no-no" for her forever home. 

            While Sadie has been with us, I've had to remind myself that she was living with us temporarily, and that the day would arrive that she would leave us. But as the weeks have sifted by, my reminders began to slip. Better Half and I decided that if Sadie was still with us at Christmas, we would keep her.

            But something wasn't right. Yes, I had fallen in love with her, and she had become attached to me. But the happiness I had felt with the adoptions of my other kids just wasn't there. I felt I was doing something wrong.

            I prayed about the conflict I felt, and was answered. Somewhere out there, the person who needed Sadie more than I did was still waiting.  If I adopted Sadie, her purpose would go unfulfilled. I was being selfish and sticking my fingers into God's plan for her.

 So I asked God to help me not interfere and to not be selfish, as I would soon be overcome by my attachment to her.

            The morning after that prayer, I received an email from the Humane Society about a fantastic adoption application for Sadie. The applicant family had lost their fifteen year old pet in July, and felt they were ready to have a new dog. There was a void that needed to be filled in their household. I knew in my heart that, as always, the Lord had delivered, and that this was the place for Sadie   

            It all snowballed very quickly. Before I knew it, it was time to say goodbye.

It's not an easy thing to give something you love away.  But God would not desert me, and would make sure that Sadie's life would always be happy.

              Sadie is now blessing a wonderful household with her gentle love and peaceful demeanor.  It's been a bumpy ride for her: Loved once, abandoned, saved from death, and finally delivered to be cherished as she deserves. Her journey is a reminder     that God's ways are so wondrous and merciful, and that he cares for all things he created.

            Life at Dogwood is back to normal, or as normal as it gets there. The saga of the first foster dog is over. Will I foster again?? That will depend on what the Lord lays on my heart next.  He'll tell me when, and lead me through whatever comes.

But I will always remember Sadie, the first foster of Dogwood... and smile.

            You made it, little girl. I love you.

             

 

Two Years later, the Pain is Still There

Today , August 14th, marks the two year anniverary of the death of our Sweet Pearl.  They say that time heals all wounds. But the gash her death put through us is still very tender and raw. But her life changed us forever, and her legacy lives on in Bart and Sebastian-two lives saved in her memory.

Though she can never be replaced, her influence is still present in our pack. We miss her everyday, and we will love her forever.