Celebrate A Memory
Happy Holidays!
During the holiday season, I like to remind my friends, family, clients, supporters and followers how very much all of you mean to me. Thank you…to all of you for being among my gratitude list.
Each of you, in your own way, adds so much value to my life.
I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to help improve the quality of life of pets and strengthen their relationships with their people. I grateful for those who, in some very tough times this year, were there for me and my family. I am grateful that I have been able to pass that kindness on to others. I am grateful for all of the incredible people my different careers have allowed me to get to know, to inspire me, and to educate me. I am grateful for all of the opportunities I have had to promote some amazing causes. I am grateful that we are well and able to be together, if even in different ways.
May you and your loved ones be healthy as we get through this pandemic, and have many reasons to be grateful.
In Memory Of My Mom
It has been such a long while since I have posted on my Good Things Going Around. Life has gotten in the way.
One of those reasons was my dear, sweet mom’s ailing health. It began with a bad fall that among other things cracked the back of her head open causing swelling and bleeding on her brain. About nine months later she was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia.
Mom always enjoyed reading my Good Things newsletters so I wanted to do a special post in her memory and honor. Continue reading
Enriching The Lives of Homeless Pets And Families
I’ve been so grateful to my friends who have been there for me during this past year with lots of personal issues including my mom’s ailing health. The kindness of others has given me so much strength and I’ve been looking for a larger scale way of giving back.
I’d been yearning to get back to fulfilling that side of my heart again. This past fall I visited the Interfaith Hospitality Network of 
Greater Cincinnati and learned about its Pet Support Program.
I’d been looking for a larger scale opportunity to give back for those who have shown me so much kindness. IHN’s Pet Support Program touched me on many levels – when homelessness and financial hardship hit a family, it hits everyone in that family…including the non-human animals.
Then, in early December it occurred to me when I looked at all of Dawson’s unused toys. Among other things, boredom can be a cause of behavior problems that could make finding and keeping low income housing and shelter difficult for those families. Dawson’s unused toys could be enrichment for pets whose owners wouldn’t be able to provide them – or for those pets who are being cared for by IHN while their owners are working through what they need to work through.
The idea for Gifts for Best Friends was born.
From March 14 to April 18, we will be collecting gently used HARD dog and cat toys, and new hard and soft toys. There will be drop off locations. Additionally, I am looking for individuals and organizations who would like to organize an internal collection 
among their co-workers, congregations, group members.
Special thanks to the very talented Erik Pietila for creating the beautiful artwork for the campaign!!
Please visit this link to learn more on my pet training website. Also, I will be posting updates on my So Much PETential Facebook page. Please mark yourself as *attending* or *interested* to get updates.
And, if you would like to be involved with a collection, please be in touch!
Drop Off Locations
Care Center Vets
6995 E Kemper Road
513-530-0911
General area – Montgomery/Symmes Township
Earthwise at Harper’s Point
11328 Montgomery Road
(513) 469-7387
general area – Montgomery/Symmes Township
Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cincinnati
990 Nassau Street
513-471-1100
general area – near downtown
Mason Community Center
6050 S Mason Montgomery Rd
(513) 229-8555
general area – Mason
Pet Wants – Findlay Market
1813 Pleasant St
513-721-8696
general area – Over the Rhine
Pet Wants – Cincy Kitchen
1409 Vine St
513-621-3647
Pleasant Ridge Pet Hospital
6229 Montgomery Rd
(513) 351-1730
general location – Pleasant Ridge
Western Hills Animal Hospital
5500 Glenway Ave
513-922-2266
general area – Western Hills
Music Unites Students At Princeton
If you found a place where everyone welcomed and included you for who you are, would you want to go there?
These are the first words my dear friend Sue Schindler had written for a group of Princeton High School students on the day that I visited – this past Tuesday. It was part of a very special Melodic Connections program called Common Time where people of all kinds of diversity and abilities are brought together to play music, but more importantly, through the process, laughing, sharing, appreciating one another.
Sue (and her husband Bob) worked with Melodic Connections to bring Common Time to Princeton this week as a celebration of what would have been their daughter Katy’s 26th birthday. Katy was a Princeton Viking too. It was a place where she was welcomed and included. Her communication device could have made learning a challenge, but she had the will and persistence (and support from her family, friends and school) to succeed.
She also happened to have been a Melodic Connections’ musician. No matter the song, Katy loved making music. And she loved life.
Sue wrote a personal message that was given to each of the students on Tuesday:
“When remembering Katy, people talk about her infectious smile and laughter, her radiant blue eyes, her persistence, and how she lived life to the fullest. Others talk about her grinning ear-to- ear when hitting a single in baseball, laughing hysterically while trotting on her horse, Poncho, or when stopping in the middle of a rambunctious soccer game to take in the moment. Katy made life exciting and fun.
Today, through Common Time, take joy in the moments, cherish what strengths you bring and connect with others who are new to you. Today is a day to celebrate the best in you! As you leave today . . .
What will you do to challenge yourself and make your life more exciting and fun?”
