February is the Month of Love - Charity Event @oldfriendssds #seniordog #nonprofit #adoptdontshop

This past year, I've had to accept the fact that my dog is getting older. We look after my daughter's puppy while she's at work, which makes Zeus's age even more apparent. Though he loves his doggy friend, he struggles some days to keep up with the puppy's energy. *sigh* It seems like only yesterday he was the one tearing around the house like a mad thing. I remember we'd hike for miles, run 5K's together—Zeus would be happy to pace me whatever the plan was. But now, our walks are short (though no less enjoyed!), and running is out of the question. In spite of this, I can't imagine my life without my dog. 

I wanted to do something special to celebrate senior dogs. During the month of February, I will donate all royalties from the sale of my books to Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary. You can read about their non-profit organization HERE. If you're looking to adopt, please consider a senior dog—they have so much love to give and are usually the last to get adopted. They deserve better. Check out your local shelter or rescue organization. I guarantee you, there will be a senior dog waiting for a forever home. 

*If you're a cat person, I donate book royalty sales during July (my birthday month) to Safe Haven for Cats. They work very hard to find homes for homeless kitties.

Thoughtful Thursday - The Overtoun Bridge Mystery

Photo courtesy of Allan Ogg Creative Commons License 

Overtoun Bridge, an arched bridge near the village of Dumbarton in the Scottish Lowlands, has gained quite a bit of media attention. Over the past 60 years, the crumbling stonework has seen more than 600 dogs taking a 50 foot plunge, with many of them meeting an untimely end at the bottom. All of the deaths have occurred at virtually the same spot, between the final two parapets on the right-hand side.

Rumors have long circulated that the bridge and the nearby Overtoun House are haunted, with the spectres said to be responsible for influencing the living. In 1994, a local man threw his baby son off the bridge, claiming the child was the anti-Christ. Shortly after, he tried to end his own life with an unsuccessful suicide attempt from the same bridge. In Celtic mythology, Overtoun was known as 'the thin place' - an area in which the veil between heaven and earth could easily be passed.

Animal experts have conducted experiments as to why dogs would be jumping to their deaths. Their conclusion? The musky smell from mink living under the bridge was the culprit. For those who are not satisfied with that explanation, you are not alone. Dogs who survived the jump didn't run off to catch those minks--they ran back to jump off the bridge again. 

The bridge now has a warning: "Pet owners should only walk their pets at Overtoun with extreme caution. Dogs should be leashed, leash-trained and under the control of an adult."

The mystery continues.

#Paranormal Wednesday-Dog Drool

Photo of Vader courtesy of Fellowship of the Rich

...Or Why Dog Drool is Paranormal in Nature.

1) Drool vs. Spiritual Attachment - It will attach itself to you and nothing short of an exorcism can get it off. Be forewarned.

2) Drool vs. Ectoplasm. Ectoplasm begins clear and then darkens and becomes visible. In extreme cases, it will develop a strong odor. Enough said.

3) Drool vs. UFOs - Occurring especially after bath time. Watch when Fido gives himself a good shake. The Truth is Out There.

4) Drool vs. Spirit Manifestation - There have been cases where drool has been reported to manifest on its own with no probable cause.

5) Drool vs. ESP - My dog is especially sensitive to the times I'm wearing my Calvin Klein dress that can only be dry-cleaned. I can only attribute this to the fact that the drool itself, must be psychic.

6) Drool vs. Reincarnation - Reborn even after I've killed it with a washcloth. Drool is eternal.

7) Drool vs. Out of Body Experiences - The sensation you get when you've failed to dodge the sticky thread of saliva as it smacks you in the face.

8) Drool vs. Demonic Possession - You know that gleam in your dog's eye when drool trails down the sides of his mouth? And he takes a step towards you...and another...and another?

9) Drool vs. Orbs - If you watch very carefully, these can be seen surrounding the threads of saliva as it's flung in senseless abandon.

10) Drool vs. Paranormal in General - Drool is way scarier. Run in fear.