The Healing Power of a Dog's Love

Moses is a big,  beautiful, 100 pound, cream colored golden retriever.

He has a way of looking at you that melts your heart. He lived with our family for two weeks, until it was determined that he and Kelly couldn't resolve their differences and wouldn't be a good fit for each other. Then he was adopted by his foster mom, Kathy, and found a happy forever home there.

When we had Moses, we often took him to visit my in-laws. He became good friends with my father-in-law, Ed. They just hit it off right away.

Ed had been suffering from COPD for more than a dozen years. This spring, he caught a cold that he was unable to shake off, and with his compromised breathing, he ended up in the hospital, and then home on hospice care. We did everything we could to make him as comfortable as possible. We brought a big hospital bed into the living room, where he could be a part of what was going on. As he grew more ill, he didn't want many visitors. But my husband got the idea that maybe it would be nice if Moses paid him a visit.

We called Kathy and she readily agreed. She gave us the option of a few dates they were free. "We'd better make it tomorrow," I suggested, knowing how Ed had become quite ill.

The next day Moses arrived. Ed had been sleeping most of the last few days, and hadn't even had the energy to eat or communicate. Kathy gave us the leash, and we led Moses over to the bedside. "You have a visitor!" my husband said.  "Remember Moses?"

Ed opened his eyes and struggled to move. We helped him sit up, and he stretched out his hand and touched the top of Moses's head. Just like he had all those times before when Moses came to visit. Moses sat as still as could be as Ed stroked his head and neck. For a few moments, I think, the pain and fear disappeared as Moses looked straight into Ed's eyes.

The visit lasted only a few minutes, and Ed fell right back asleep, exhausted.
The next day Ed passed away.

I like to think that the visit gave Ed a wonderful sendoff, a beautiful reminder of the love that was all around him, and that was waiting for him in heaven. For a dog's healing love is powerful.


Want more positive pet tips, good news, and special offers? Fetch my free newsletter, Pawsitively Pets. Kelly and Ike can't wait to see you there!

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Brooks Books- A Dog Named Leaf

Brooks here. I'm always sniffing up the best books about my canine brothers and sisters. And I found a really special one for you today. It's about the special healing capacity of dogs. Well, I know all about that. I was lucky enough to help my human dad heal from a medical situation. Us dogs are great at that, aren't we? I think you should get this book and read all about cocker spaniel Leaf. I'll let my mom tell you the rest.

**Keep Reading! We're giving away 3 copies of the book at the end!!




A Dog Named Leaf
The Hero from Heaven Who Saved My Life
by Allen and Linda Anderson
Release date: November 6, 2012

There are books about dogs helping people. And books about people helping dogs. The best books, however, are about a mutual relationship-- the dog and the person both saving and being saved. Former police officer Allen Anderson and cocker spaniel Leaf's lives come together at just the right time.

"Our paths had crossed at exactly the right place, the right time, and under the right circumstance for us to help each other heal."

Allen thoughtfully relates his anxieties about his upcoming brain surgery, fearing the possibility of sudden death or severe disability. Thoughts of doctors opening up his skull and operating on the very delicate control center of his mind and body consumed him with nightmares. Gradually, thoughts of Leaf--who had revealed himself to be wise and empathetic-- took over Allen's disturbing thoughts. At the same time, Allen gently helped Leaf transform from a fearful dog who growled at strangers and bit the groomer to a friendly, confident and happy companion.

A Dog Named Leaf is a beautiful story told with honesty and depth. You'll be changed by Allen and Leaf's journey. This book will fill you with hope.

Linda and Allen Anderson are speakers, authors, and founders of Angel Animal Network.

Win a copy of A Dog Named Leaf! We're giving away 3 copies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


*Full Disclosure: I was sent a copy of A Dog Named Leaf for my review. All the opinions expressed here are 100% my own. 

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The Book about the Healing Love of Animals

We've having so much fun giving away prizes in k9kamp, I wanted to do another giveaway right here!

I have two books out this year. You could win one a copy of my first book, Dieting with my Dog if you enter the k9kamp contest....so I figured I'd give away a copy of my second book, Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw; How one woman finds faith and hope through the healing love of animals here!

Here's what readers are saying about Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw:


* This story is bittersweet, often funny, amazing and true. Before the end of the book your faith in happy-ever-after will be restored.-- Patricia Punt

* My heart melted reading about Luanne's many special connections to all the different animals...If you are looking for a book to lift your heart, I highly recommend Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw.-- Barbara Techel

* The main storyline follows Luanne's Vermont homesteading adventure, but Peggy artfully weaves strands from Luanne's childhood, too. The result is lovely. -- Shawnelle Eliasen

* When life dishes out the toughest of times, Luanne discovers God's love and loyalty wrapped in rescued friends--either furry or feathered. It's one adventure after another ...--- Julie Garmon

* Luanne is an unforgettably good person who triumphs over adversity, never losing sight of the goal she has set for herself: to build,run,and own her own farm, where any needy, homeless animal can find shelter and love. --Kathy Saunders

To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Contest open to anyone in the U.S. and Canada, except where prohibited. Winner will be announced on this blog on Friday. (If you aren't the lucky winner, you can still get the book on Amazon or wherever you like to buy books!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Meet the woman who inspired Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw

My new book, Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw is about a woman who struggles. Falls down. Gets up. Works hard. Struggles some more. But through it all she has joy and love.

Why?

Mainly because of the animals in her life. Throughout all the nitty gritty tough times-- the loss of her first two mothers at a tender age, the years in the orphanage, the divorce, the alcoholism of her second husband, the financial hardships---she's always found a way to connect with an animal that has brought her healing.
The healing love of animals.
 dogs
cats
birds
sheep
even pigs!


**Here's something special just for you, not found in my book: an insider's peek at the heroine of the book, my mother Luanne! I thought you might like to meet Luanne, and learn a little more about her. So, without further ado, here's Mom!

Q:  You were raised and lived most of your life in Vermont. What do you like most about the state? 
Luanne: The beautiful mountains and countryside, and the laid-back attitude of people.

Q:  Which animal from your childhood made the greatest impression on you? 

Luanne: Toy, my grandmother's parrot. He was so smart and funny although he bit me and was a tease. He hated when I practiced for the school band on my baritone horn. He would yell, "Awe shut up!" and keep yelling until I covered him up with a blanket. I guess he didn't think I played very well.

Also, Nicker, my white Maltese. He was such a faithful little guy, always looking for me to come home from school. The love he poured out to me was so special.

Q:  How many birds did you have when you lived with your grandmother? 
 
Luanne: At one time my grandmother had 500 parakeets, a parrot, and a pair of love birds! After Toy died (he was more than 60 years old!) she got a mynah bird. He could imitate so well, he sounded just like my grandmother. Sometimes I wasn't sure which one said Hello to me!

Q: You lived in some pretty rustic places before you built your log home. What was it like living in a school bus?

Luanne: Fun! I guess because we were building our log house and I knew it was just temporary. At first it was a big adventure. But as it got colder, I admit, it wasn't as much fun!

Q: The book tells the story of building your log home and starting a small "gentleman's farm" (or "hobby farm"). What animals did you have on the farm?

Luanne: Cats and dogs of course! Chickens, ducks, goats, a few cows, sheep, pigs, rabbits. Once we had a donkey. We tried to provide for as many of our own needs as we could.  Milk, eggs, chicken, etc. We felt proud to raise most of our own food. We never did raise bees, Henry was allergic to them. We tried to be good stewards of all we had. We sold wool and sold eggs at the general store. And we had a huge garden with all kinds of vegetables. My husband taught me how to cook things I'd never tried before, like dandelion greens, milk weed greens,and fiddlehead ferns.

Q: What was your favorite farm chore? Least favorite?

Luanne: My favorite chore was feeding the animals, especially bottle feeding the lambs. I also thought it was fun to go out and get fresh eggs for breakfast. My least favorite was cleaning out the chicken coop.


Q: Tell us about a new pet in your life.
 
Luanne: Misty is a beautiful all silver gray kitty. She is not a cuddler, but she likes to be where I am, as long as I don't hug her too much and "mess up her hair".
Before I go, I want to add one thing. May I say I am so blessed to have a daughter see enough beauty and meaning in my life to write my story, I stand in awe.

Thank YOU for the great answers. I hope everyone will go meet you in Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw, How one woman found faith and hope through the healing love of animals.

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