Jackie in her new purple sweater

Jackie in her new purple sweater
Originally uploaded by janicephelpswilliams

Gracie (Maximillan Pionus)

Gracie (Maximillan Pionus)
Originally uploaded by janicephelpswilliams

Gracie is admiring our Christmas tree. I wonder what she is thinking?

Rosie Red Bottom

IMG_1746
Originally uploaded by Rosie Red Bottom African Grey Parrot

Rosie Red Bottom: A Comedian with Feathers, written by Donna Mann, is now available on barnesandnoble.com. We love you, Rosie!

Jackie in her new purple sweater

Jackie in her new purple sweater
Originally uploaded by janicephelpswilliams

Happy New Year greetings from Jackie Williams.

Cool Dog Photos - infinite!

Here is a link worth visiting. National Geographic has a cool infinite dog photos page, which is basically a photo made up of gadzillions of people's photos of their dog. I could spend hours just looking at these!

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/myshot/dogs/infinite-photograph

Woman's Dog Plays a Part in Her Recovery from Surgery

In honor of National Pet Week and Be Kind to Animals Week: I'd like to profile some of the amazing pet guardians and pets I've come to know since writing Open Your Heart with Pets: Mastering Life through Love of Animals.

Today, I'd like to tip my hat to Florence Clark and her dog, Daisy Mae. I met Flo when she signed up for my Fall 2008 Artist Trading Card workshop. Since then we've become friends and she's kept me up-to-date on her creative endeavors.

Flo's dog, Daisy Mae, was captured so delightfully in a small painting she did recently, that I asked her if I could post it on Appalachian Morning (my creativity blog), and she said yes and sent me a second painting she'd done as well.

In my book, Open Your Heart with Pets, I shared the stories of many people whose lives have been rejuvenated, enhanced, redeemed, restored--really I can't think of strong enough words to express just what a pet can mean in the life of an open-hearted human, but I think you must know... Flo does. Daisy Mae does. They share a bond that time and separation couldn't alter and now they are together again and enjoying each new day. Here's what Flo wrote about Daisy Mae and the benefit of spending time creating:

"During my separation from my life as I knew it — including living without my Daisy — it was making art that saved my sanity; first it was the little ATC cards, then a step into art journaling, and finally painting with acrylics on ATC-size canvas. It is in this medium that I have been able to express my love of my Daisy Mae and of art.

"I must add that Daisy and I have been reunited because of the kind lady who rescued her from the kennel and kept her until I was able to take her to live with me again.

"Daisy has been my inspiration as far as recovering from my surgery — she keeps me exercising and she always makes me laugh. We do share a unique bond; she is a blessing to me, and every day we say grace before our meals (she's even learning to bow her head!)and thank God that we awoke that day, that we are together and that we have so many, many blessings. I AM truly blessed — with recovering health, with good friends, loving family, my Daisy and a creative outlet; God is so very good."

Hats off to Flo and Daisy Mae — and Flo, keep up the wonderful creative work — you have a gift of peace and mindfulness that this world needs more of.

(Paintings on this page copyright Florence Clark, 2009. All rights reserved.)

Pet-related Hot Lines and Crisis Help Links

Recently, I was forwarded an email by a couple near Columbus, Ohio, whose African Grey Parrot had flown out an open door. Imagine the panic and sadness this couple felt as they ran after their beloved bird for a mile, without being able to catch it and bring it back home. Hopefully, by now, someone has located the Parrot and reunited it with its owners (and a pair of scissors to clip its wings).
Here are some resources for pet-owners when panic or sadness strikes. I will add to this list as time goes on and also ask that readers submit to me any resources they might be aware of, either phone numbers or website links. My email address is OYH.PETS@gmail.com.
Pet Lost and Found:

• HelpMeFindMyPet.com
• Lost and Found Pet.com
• The Missing Pet Network
• MissingPets.com
• Use craigslist.org to post a notice of a lost or found pet.
• Petfinder.com classifieds
• Missing Pet Partnership: Search and rescue for pets

Dogs/Cats:

• Using GPS to find lost cat
• Tabby Tracker
• Finding Your Lost Dog: Factors that influence the distance traveled. A great article posted by Best Friends.org and written by Kathy Albrecht
• How to Find a Lost Dog or Cat
• Finding a Lost Pet (Humane Society of America)
• FidoFinder
• Pets911

Lost Parrots in Particular:

• 911 Parrot Alert
• Bird Hotline
• Kibibi's InfoSuperflyway: This site uses a great mapping tool to help find lost parrots. For instance, I clicked on one of the locations on the map (a green marker, indicating a found bird) and saw this notice: "A stray banded Quaker Parrot has been found in the City of Ithaca and brought to the SPCA of Tompkins County. Please call (607) 257-1822.Ithaca, NY". Clicking on a red marker (lost bird) I read the following: "Lost African Grey. Chico was lost December 1st near 24th and Fairview. Contact limodude@rcn.com .Allentown, PA" What a great tool!
• PARROT HOTLINE
• Bird Theft
• Parrots Now
• Report a found/stolen bird using this form
• Information on how to catch a pet bird that is loose in the wild
• Parrot Forum, Lost and Found
• Classifieds listing lost parrots
• Lost-Found-Stolen Birds (scroll down to see list)

Lost Parrots: Area Specific within US:

• Parrot Society of Los Angeles: Lost and Found Forum
• San Francisco Area: report a lost or found bird
• Scroll down this Avian Welfare webpage and see state-specific rescue organizations, as they may have your bird in their care.

Lost Parrots Outside of US:

• Parrot Society of Australia, stolen bird hotline
• The Parrot Society UK: National Theft Registry
• Pet Search Helpline Locations within the UK for bird owners. UK HELPLINE 01480 390040

Articles/tips on Lost Parrots:

• A link to a very good article (PDF format) on lost and found parrots by Marilu Andersen.
• How to recover a lost Quaker parrot.

Encouragement:

• Lost Parrot tells vet his address
• In my book, Open Your Heart with Pets, I relate the story of a woman whose dog was missing for a long, long time. More than two months. Then returned to her. A very inspiring story, and you can read it by ordering the book on Amazon.com.

Horses:

• Finding Your Lost Horse
• Stolen Horse International
• Listings of lost/stolen/missing horses at whinny.org

Pet Loss Support

• 800-565-1526—Staffed by University of California Davis veterinary students
  630-325-1600—Staffed by Chicago VMA
  607-253-3932—Staffed by Cornell University veterinary students
  217-244-2273(CARE) or 877-394-2273(CARE)—Staffed by University of Illinois veterinary students
  888-ISU-PLSH (888-478-7574)—Staffed by Iowa State University veterinary students and volunteers
  517-432-2696—Staffed by Michigan State University veterinary students
  614-292-1823; e-mail, petloss@osu.edu—Staffed by The Ohio State University veterinary students
  508-839-7966—Staffed by Tufts University veterinary students
  540-231-8038—Staffed by Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
  509-335-5704—Staffed by Washington State University veterinary students

Pet Poison HELPLINE—800-213-6680 A fee of $35 is charged per case.