My Friends of Faith, I have received new requests for these pets needing prayers–their people too. Please join in and share.
11/06/2015 Rebecca asks, “Please pray for my horse. I’ve only had her for a month and we were not aware of her severe kidney condition when we bought her. In only a short time she has captured our hearts and now we must let her go. I pray that she will go peacefully and we will not be forced to end her suffering. I know it is selfish but I just don’t know if I can do it. My heart is breaking.”
11/12/2015 Joanne asks, “Please pray for my very sick little Chihuahua, Mimi. She is only 4 and in her so few years has seen so much pain. She was born in captivity to a rescue mom and was the runt of the litter left behind and not adopted until we were graced to meet her by chance. We adopted her immediately and fought through her early health issues only now to have her struggling to survive an auto immune platelet disease that she is fighting so hard to beat. She is so friendly and dedicated to our little family that staying away in the hospital for her is as bad as the illness. She is lost and despondent and so are we. I am hoping that prayers from all loving souls will help. Please hold her in your hearts and prayers.”
Author and self-publishing guru, Dan Poynter, as we knew him.
I was saddened to learn of the passing of my friend and Cat Writers’ Association member, Dan Poynter, on November 1 to lymphoma. Dan was a mentor and teacher to many members of CWA and other writers. He joined our merry band of writers and cat lovers in 2001, already a self-publishing guru.
I received Dan’s mentorship on a completely different path from other CWA members. So rather than list all his writing credits, which most writers already know about, I thought I would share a different side of Daniel F. Poynter.
I started skydiving in 1976 and made my final jump in 1980 with a just over 100 freefalls under my harness. By today’s standards, I’m one of the oldtimers. Not one of the greats, but an oldtimer, nevertheless. When I first signed up for ground school, my instructor required me to join the United States Parachute Association. A benefit of USPA membership was a subscription to Parachutist magazine, which I read ravenously when it arrived in my mailbox.
Dan in the early days of skydiving.
Jump ahead almost three decades. I met Dan Poynter face-to-face at the 2004 CWA conference in Houston. He was, of course, a pioneer in self-publishing. I was shocked and delighted to learn that he was THE skydiving Dan Poynter, whose column, “Parachuting Poynters” I read religiously every month.
Here’s a few facts about the Dan Poynter I knew.
Dan Poynter jumped onto the real North Pole in 1996.
He was a pioneer in, not only the sport of skydiving, but also the parachuting industry and parachuting safety. From his first static line jump in 1962, he rose to become one of the world’s leading experts in parachute design and engineering. A master rigger and canopy designer, he invented the Stylemaster parachute, the Fastbak parachute and patented the Pop Top parachute. (The first parachute gear I ever owned had a Pop Top reserve.) He wrote a dozen books on airborne sports that included skydiving, civil aviation and hang gliding. “The Parachute Manual—A Technical Treatise on the Parachute,” which he first published in 1972, was the bible of the parachuting industry and riggers around the world. (Riggers and especially master riggers have to go through an intensive training, testing and licensing process. Riggers pack the emergency reserve parachutes and do repairs. Master riggers can also build and repair parachutes and harnesses.) He managed a parachute company in Oakland, California.
This is a Pop Top reserve parachute similar to the one I owned. Only a few days ago I learned it was designed by Dan Poynter.
Over his career he made 1200 jumps and accrued 12 hours of freefall time. He was also a pioneer of the sport of hang gliding and was a licensed pilot.
He earned all possible skydiving licenses and ratings all with early-issue numbers: USPA D License (instructor rating) #454. Dan was Star Crest Recipient #271. (I earned mine in 1978. My SCR was #8294.) To get an SCR you have to be part of an 8-person freefall formation called a star. His Star Crest Soloist number was 63. To get an SCS you must have docked eighth or later on an 8-way or larger star freefall formation. In 1994, Dan even jumped onto the North Pole.
Here’s a 10-man star. Imagine flying your body into position 8th or later.
Dan served as president of both the Parachute Industry Association and the International Hang Gliding Commission and chairman of the board of the United States Parachute Association. He served on the boards of the National Skydiving Museum, American Museum of Sport Parachuting and Air Safety, the Commission Internationale du Vol Libre (hang gliding) of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (president). Poynter also established the eMuseum for the National Skydiving Museum in 2014.
He’s the recipient of the: USPA Lifetime Achievement Award, 2005 Parachute Industry Association Don Beck Memorial Achievement Award for parachute or skydiving achievements that have stood the test of time. In 2012, he was inducted into the Skydiving Museum and Hall of Fame.
Dan Poynter being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Since that first jump in 1962, Dan wrote more books, reports, magazine articles and columns on the topic of skydiving and parachuting than any other author. He took his passion and turned it into an occupation. Dan taught and mentored CWA members and aspiring writers, the same way he taught and mentored skydivers.
Besides skydiving, Dan also loved cats. He authored The Older Cat, a book about the aging feline most likely based on Cricket, his beloved pet of 20 years.
Thanks Dan. I’m sure there are many skydivers whose lives were saved by your generosity and sharing of expertise and knowledge.
Margaret, Dusty and Alta Grace at her new apartment in Denver.
Dear Friends,
Earlier this year, my 95 year old mom fell and suffered three compression fractures of her lower spine. My sister, brother and I have been caring for her. (Mostly my sister Margaret.) Mom, the product of of rugged Texas pioneers, shocked and thrilled us all, and recovered from her injuries. (How does that even happen at 95?) After Mom’s amazing recovery, my siblings and I made the difficult decision to uproot Mom from San Antonio. (Our family moved to the Alamo City in 1955.) Mom and her kitty Lucky trekked north to their new home in Denver to be close to Margaret.
It’s hard to stay on track when life intervenes, especially on such a grand scale. As a result my book, articles, my website and FB have all suffered.C’est la vie! I certainly can’t complain. My siblings did most of the work. As a dear friend reminded me, “You can write your book next year. This year, your mother needs you.”
Dusty, Alta Grace and Margaret the day before the big move.
Now, that my mom has settled into her new place, life is slowly returning to normal. I am having to play catch up on so many fronts. For someone as OCD, it’s a struggle. I’m revising my book deadline to a more reasonable date (to be announced.)
Thank you all for your well wishes, concern and prayers. I’m blessed to have you for my friends.
Purrs,
Dusty
Margaret, Alta Grace and Dusty on the steps of the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.
Heartworms in cats are much more common vets once believed. Since they come from mosquitoes, take this day to talk to your vet heartworm preventive for your cats.
Here’s a quick quiz: What is the most deadly creature in the world?
You might think it’s a cobra, hippo, lion, elephant or great white shark, but all of these animals put together don’t begin to make a dent in the mosquitoes body count. Accounting to the World Health Organization mosquitoes are responsible for one million human deaths every year. Most of these fatalities are due to malaria. They also carry heartworms, West Nile and a plethora of other diseases.
Check your yard for standing water and keep your cat and your dog on monthly heartworm preventative.
You can learn more about feline Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease at Know Heartworms.
International Homeless Animals Day® Is Annual Reminder Of The Challenges Facing Animal Charities
(Tyler, Texas) AdoptAShelter.com, a free and easy to use online cash-rewards mall benefiting animal charities, is celebrating it’s one-year anniversary this week. Since launching four years ago, more than 1500 animal shelters, rescue and adoption groups in all 50 states have registered with the site. Almost 1000 donation checks have been paid since the website’s launch.
“We exceeded expectations therefore more animals were helped,” says Chris Ruben, founder and CEO. “In these tough and uncertain economic times, animal lovers and charities alike are realizing the potential of AdoptAShelter.com as a fund-raising tool to help care for the growing number of abandoned and homeless animals. We want to help animal welfare organizations across the U.S. raise money so that staff so volunteers can focus on the animals.
How it Works
Animal lovers can support the animal welfare organization of their choice at no additional cost.Click through AdoptAShelter.com and connect to over 500 of your favorite online stores, including Amazon®, Expedia®, Kohl’s®, Macy’s®, Office Depot®, WalMart® and over 40 pet-related merchants. Then shopper would complete online transactions as they would normally. Everything you buy earns a cash donation for needy animals! AdoptAshelter.com shoppers always pay the exact same prices as going to the merchant directly. Simply Click. Shop. Donate!
AdoptAShelter.com is an online community where animal lovers can shop at over 500 well-known merchants and service-providers while turning everyday purchases into contributions that directly benefit their chosen animal shelters, humane organizations or rescue and adoption groups. Shelter registration is free and donations are made at no additional cost to the shopper.
Corduroy, the World’s Oldest Cat (Photo: Courtesy of Guinness World Records)
Yesterday (Thursday, August 14), Guinness World Records named a 26-year-young golden oldie named Corduroy the world’s oldest cat.
According to owner, Ashley Reed Okura, Corduroy was born on Aug. 1, 1989. When Okura was only seven years old herself, she picked the longhaired brown tabby boy from a litter of kittens. The now-elderly kitty grew up roaming and hunting the family’s 160-acre ranch in Oregon. Okura attributes Corduroy’s longevity to getting plenty of exercise.
“The secret has been allowing him to be a cat, hunting and getting plenty of love,” Okura said in a statement released by Guinness World Records.
A gourmet at heart, Corduroy enjoys sharp cheddar and mice, according to the statement.
Corduroy claimed the Oldest Cat title after the passing of the previous record holder, Tiffany Two. Tiffany two, a tortoiseshell from San Diego, passed away May 22, 2015 at the age of 27 years, two months and 20 days. The oldest cat ever verified was Creme Puff, who died in 2005 at the age of 38 years, 3 days.
Today is Rat Catcher’s Day. Thank your kitty for all of the special “gifts” he brings you. While you’re at it, don’t forget to order the rat-shaped cake!
Many years ago I was spending Christmas day at my Aunt Beverly’s home. Beverly was a first-time cat owner and, as often happens to compassionate people, Puddy had recently wandered up to her home and moved in. The Russian Blue wannabe worked the crowd as Bev passed loaded plates to the dining room through a convenient service window. Faux fir boughs and a votive candle adorned the window ledge.
Assuming a supervisory position, Puddy lept up on the ledge and paused over the candle. Everyone in the room noticed the kitty straddling the flame. A chorus of, “Oh no!” and “Move Puddy” filled the air. With all the screaming and panic, Puddy didn’t move a whisker. Before anyone could grab him, his pewter fur began smoldering. More human hysteria, more freezing. Well-intentioned rescuers reached him; and chased the terrified cat around the house.
Fortunately, only his fur and his pride were singed. It could have been much worse: Puddy could have died a horrible death and the house could have caught fire.
That night I went home and threw out all of my candles. That Christmas day I learned: if pets can get into trouble, they will, a fact backed up by National Fire Protection Association statistics. The organization estimates that 1,000 house fires are started annually by pets.
Since today is National Pet Fire Safety Day, I thought I’d share some suggestions for keeping your
pets safe in the event of a fire.
Be prepared and include your pets in your family fire evacuation plan.
When you hold family fire drills (and if you don’t, you should) or practice escape routes, do it with your pets. Keep leashes and carriers in a handy place. (Don’t try to carry your dog or cat in your arms. A panicky pet could injure you or wiggle out of your gasp and become lost.)
Place a Pet Alert sticker on a front window or door and keep the information current. Update it whenever you get a new pet or say goodbye to a companion.
Use flameless candles. (Remember Puddy.)
Don’t leave your pets unattended around an open flames. Extinguish candles, stoves and fireplaces before leaving home.
Pet proof your home. Can the puppy or kitten chew computer wires? If you have cats, consider fire hazards in 3-D.
Keep young pets confined when you are away from home.
Get a stove knob shield or remove the knobs when you aren’t around. (You can get the stove guards in the baby section of any store including Lowes.) This is where most pet-associated fires begin.
I want you to keep your pets safe this weekend. Back in the early 1980s I learned the hard way that more pets go missing over the Independence Day holiday than any other time of year. I had an adorable tabby named D.B. who was an indoor/outdoor cat. He disappeared the night of July 4th. I searched the neighborhood for months and no D.B. I was a new cat owner and simply didn’t know better. More than 30 years later, I still feel guilty.
For the most part, dogs and cats panic at the sight and sound of fireworks. Then there’s Independence Day “mischief.” People who believe it’s okay to commit acts of cruelty just because it’s a holiday. Seven years ago I cared for the most wonderful foster cat, Edwina (who later was renamed became Zeki by her new owner). Edwina was attacked by some maniac with a knife who tried to skin her alive. So please take a few steps to keep your pets safe this Independence Day.
Make sure your pets have ID tags, especially cats who go outside.
For added insurance, get your pet microchipped in case the collar is lost. Make sure the chip is registered with a national pet registry database.
Keep a photo of your cat or dog on your cell phone as proof of ownership. It will also be helpful if you ever have to make a lost pet poster.
Keep all pet inside July 4 night. Put your kitties in a quiet room with their litter box and food and water bowls.
Use a Comfort Zone® with Feliway® diffuser or a SENTRY® GOOD Behavior® Cat Calming Collar and/or plugin. Comfort Zone and SENTRY also make products for dogs.
If your pet is especially sensitive to the sounds of fireworks, talk to your vet about medication to keep him calm.
If you have have a party or guests, put a Do Not Open Door sign on the pets’ sanctuary.
When traveling over the July 4th weekend, board pets in a kennel or hire a petsitter to stay with them. Imagine how scary it would be to be home alone with fireworks going off nearby.
Even after 30 years I still cry about D.B. on July 4. Don’t make my mistake. Plan ahead and keep your pets safe.
