Wednesday, December 8, 2010

12 DAYS OF GIVING: DAY EIGHT $200 DONATION TO FREEDOM SERVICE DOGS

Hello,

Welcome to my 12 Days of Giving Promotion. This tradition began a few years back and is one I really look forward to each year. For 12 days in December, the 1st-12th, I pick a winner from the day’s readings and award a daily gift. It’s my way of saying thank you. To qualify, simply join my email list and have a reading of five paid minutes or longer with me, and at the end of each day I draw the daily winner.

December 8th is an emotional day for me. It marks the anniversary of John Lennon’s tragic death, and two years ago on this date my sweet and beloved cat of 14 years, Boris, left this plane. This week the songs we listened to while he was sick, songs about losing someone dear, have come on my MP3 player. In 2008, I had made a special playlist simply called “Boris” which featured songs like “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye,” “Go Rest High On That Mountain” and “How Can I Help You To Say Goodbye?”. The one that always moved me the most was Dolly Parton and Altan’s version “In the Sweet By And By.” Boris was a huge, gregarious cat who came out to meet everyone who visited. So long as they passed his security check, his warmth and charm had most guests rubbing his fluffy white Buddha belly within minutes of their arrival. On many occasions during his nine-month long illness, I would sit on my favorite patio chair and cry. His consistent weight loss and thinning body made the path ahead clear. Without fail, he would jump into my lap to comfort me. He was just that kind of pet. So this week, with the anniversary of his passing coming, I could hardly listen to “our songs” as they randomly came onto the shuffle mode. Then on Monday, when putting up the holiday decorations, I pulled out the family stockings which still include his. All of the feelings of missing him, mixed with the gratitude for all of the time we had to say goodbye, came flooding back.

After much deliberation. I decided to make today’s gift a tribute to our beloved pets. So I will donate $200 to Freedom Service Dogs in today’s winner’s name. I know Boris approves. So many of our veterans are coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan with injuries and disabilities, and Freedom Service Dogs provides them with dogs specially trained to assist them. Our soldiers do a tremendous job, one that all too often gives them life-long physical and emotional challenges and problems. Freedom Service Dogs, and these very special animals, do an amazing job of supporting the troops. I am grateful to be able to help. This post is also dedicated to all of those who will hang up a stocking for an departed and missed loved one this season. My heart goes out to you.



To qualify for today’s drawing, sign up for my email list and have a reading of five paid minutes or longer with me on Wednesday, December 8th. Everyone who does will be entered into the daily drawing. I will be giving phone and chat readings live from 9 A.M. - 3 P.M. PST.

Lastly, congratulations to Barbara, another Day Three app winner. She doesn't own any Apple products, so in lieu of an app, I sent her five free minutes toward her next reading. Thank you all for your support and participation.

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