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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 28, 2015)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL January 28, 2015s 7A Just what we needed: Intoxicated cats Loving Pets Who Love Us or “Paradise is open to all God’s creatures” Dearest Pet Lovers, I n December, 2014, when Pope Francis con- soled a young child at the lossa of his dog, the Pope’s observation did not surprise pet lovers. The Pope quoted apostle Paul, “One day we will see our animals again in eternity of Christ. Para- dise is open to all God’s creatures.” Since a child, it’s been my innermost feeling that animals’ spirits are just as holy as a human’s. Both are divine creations of God/The Universal Force. Both think, feel and are devoted to their offspring. When you look into an animal’s eyes, you see the light of their soul shining back at you. Animals were not made “dumb” by a creator, as in mentally dull; only silent to our understanding. They are telepathic communicators teaching us to be still, to hear and to LOVE. It is man that is slow to understand (dumb), slow to comprehend the wisdom and strength of an animal’s inner sense. Most people see their pets as divine creations with thoughts and deep feel- ings. Many people have observed that animals are wise and patient creations of God/Spirit, far greater than some humans. Open your hearts, think and see them, as never before. Be open to understanding that the power of the human is not in our ability to dominate, overpower and control, but to Love, understand and show compassion. Here are some loving examples of how animals touched their pet parents’ hearts and changed their lives. “The sudden passing of my cherished Dachs- hund, Rita,” said Stephen, “devastated me and left me with questions about the nature of animals’ spirits existing after death. Mary Ellen, your heart-felt feelings on pets are beautiful, appreci- ated and helpful. Rita is sorely missed. She was such a love and “glued” to me. I wondered if she would somehow ‘visit’ me. Then, I had a dream or a vision - it felt too special to be ‘only’ a dream. I was sleeping and found myself in a conscious state, in an ethe- real white space much like a cocoon. Standing a few feet away was a woman, (Angel?) in a white dress, with white-silver shoulder-length hair and Courtesy Photo Stephen enjoys a last loving memory with his Dachshund, Rita, who gives him a kiss during last year’s falling snow. her skin was white with a slight blush. She smiled and I saw that she was holding Rita! Rita looked at me with love and happiness. In that brief moment, I knew Rita was well and all was good. It put my grieving heart to rest. The woman handed me Rita, who smothered me in familiar kisses. The vision lasted fi ve seconds before vanishing. I woke up, perplexed as to what had just transpired. But, either way, it was special and wonderful to have had that moment. I don’t generally share these type of things, but knew you and your readers would understand.” “Thank you for your beautiful-comforting mes- sage on the animals. Our beloved-old-golden re- triever, Bailey, died yesterday,” said Karen in San Francisco. “Bailey had a special spirit, a wise-old- white face and he opened our hearts in indescrib- able ways. He loved everyone and gave love until his dying day. I didn’t realize until after his death, that he taught me how to love. Although my heart is broken, I want to live my life like that dog!” “We know that not ALL humans are capable of true love, the kind that gives freely without tak- ing,” said Pat in Washington. “Life and love are gifts from God. Animals that love with candor are found in places where they are loved from the time they are babies. Our dog, Sir Galahad, felt that I was worthy of his love. Wherever I went, he fol- lowed. He slept beside me, and when I went into the bathroom, he joined me. When I showered, he sat in front of the shower, when I went outside, so did he. While working in the kitchen, he laid in his ‘special spot’ where he could be close and watch me. At all times, he positioned himself so he could see me. He did not have to do these things, he CHOSE to. When our little dog, Misha, was dying he spent most of his time sleeping. I was watching our other dog, Ari, playing with his favorite stuffed tiger — the toy he covets and guards with his life. Then Ari carried his tiger over to Misha, shoved the toy’s head under Misha’s head for a pillow; then he gently washed Misha’s face and eyes. One of our kitties, Rafferty, is determined that I am HIS Momma. He jumps up on the top of our shower, sits there and talks the whole time. I prize these sweet little ones’ love that they generously bestow. They don’t have to, they want to. I fi gure that heaven isn’t heaven if my pets aren’t waiting for me. But I know they will be!” TIPS On dark-night walks, use a lighted-safety leash or put your dog in a refl ective vest. Or purr-chase refl ective tape and attach it to your and your pets’ jackets so vehicles can clearly see you. The all natural stress relief Bach Flower Pet Rescue Remedy is a staple in our home for when our cats experience stressful situations such as: nervous, surgery, fi reworks, storms, introducing a new pet, rescues, injuries, moving, visiting the vet etc. The books “Animal Healing” and “Bach Flower Remedies for Animals” contain valuable information on pet emotions and how Bach Flow- ers work. Share your pet tips and tales. angelscribe@msn.com “LIKE” Pet Tips ‘n’ Tales https://www.facebook.com/PetTipsandTales Adopt Loving Pets www.PetFinder.com Humane Society for Neuter/Spay Assistance Program. (541) 942-2789 COMMUNITY BRIEFS June Apple in Creswell Moveable Feet Community and Family Dance features live music by Eugene quartet “June Ap- ple” on Friday, Feb. 6 from 7-9 p.m. at Creslane Elementary School cafeteria at 996 West A St. in Creswell. Folk and traditional dances will be taught and called by friendly, experienced dance leaders. The free event is meant for those school- age and up. More information is available at http:// moveablefeet.weebly.com or 541-895-2254. 912 Project The next meeting of the Cottage Grove 912 Proj- ect will be Monday, Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Stacy’s Covered Bridge Restaurant, 401 E. Main St. Richard Burke and Jeff Kropf will analyze the Nov. 4 elections and what the results mean and provide training on lobbying the legislature in front of committees and boards. The meeting is open to the public and there is no cost to attend. Garden Club to meet The Cottage Grove Garden Club plans to meet in the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 3 with a 6 p.m. business meeting followed by refreshments and a presentation that will begin at 7 p.m. “Not Your Usual Garden Variety Show” is the theme for the evening, which will also include in- formal round-table discussions. Gardeners will share some of their tried-and- Another dental visit? Turns out, you have better things to do with your time. We know your time is valuable. That's why we've invested in CEREC technology that allows for a faster experience when you need crowns, fillings or veneers. With CEREC, there's usually no need for a temporary and return visit. Everything is done in one visit, in about an hour - leaving more time for whatever is important to you. Implants · Teeth Whitening · New State-of-the-Art Building Dr. Brent Bitner, DDS 350 Washington, Cottage Grove (behind Better Bodies) true techniques (and a few fl ops) that aim to in- spire camaraderie and provide solutions to garden- ing challenges. As always, this presentation is FREE and open to the public. The Garden Club meets on the fi rst Tuesday of each month at The First Presbyterian Church on the corners of Adams and 3rd. 942-7934 CEREC® is a registered trademark of Sirona Dental Systems. CT opens 2015 with ‘Twelfth Night’ Cottage Theatre opens its 2015 season at the end of January with a production of “12th Night” set in 1950s Cuba. William Shakespeare’s classic love triangle becomes a comic “triángulo de amore” in this version set at the “Club 12th Night” in Ha- vana, complete with an on-stage band. The play runs for three-weekends starting Jan. 30. The production is directed and designed by Tony Rust. Costume design is by Marjorie Steen and lighting design is by Amanda Ferguson. The on- stage band consists of Jim Reinking on drums and Chris King on piano. The cast includes Davis N. Smith as Don Orsino, Tracy Nygard as Viola, and Martha Benson as Olivia, along with Dale Flynn, Mark Anderson, Earl Ruttencutter, Tony Rust, So- phie Blades, Melissa Miller, Randall Brous, Ward Fairbairn, Bil Morrill, Amanda Ferguson, Rachael Dahlen, Keith Kessler and Zoe Muellner. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Satur- day evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. BY NED HICKSON News Media Corporation A s if we didn’t have enough to worry about with North Korea, ISIS and the very real threat of another Justin Bieber al- bum, now we can add “drunken cats” to our terrorist watch list. That’s right. Because it’s not like cats didn’t already have enough at- titude, right? Thanks to Japanese manufacturer B&H Lifes, cats can now get drunk and REALLY disagreeable while drinking a new wine de- veloped specifi cally for the feline palette. According to B&H Lifes, the wine is made from a combination of Cabernet grapes and catnip, two fl avors cats fi nd irresistible — and the second of which manufacturers ex- plain “helps cats release their inhibitions.” Apparently cat inhibition is a big problem in Japan. I may be overstating this, but I have yet to meet a cat in the U.S. that has a problem releasing its inhibitions. Or anything else for that matter if the mood strikes. In fact, if anyone needs to be drinking catnip-laced wine to release their inhibitions it’s Ameri- can cat owners, many of whom spend more time picking out dinner for their cat than they do their family. Why? Because even though they may whine, complain and refuse to eat dinner, most chil- dren won’t climb onto the back of the couch while you’re watching TV and bite your head. I say “most children” because, hey — I don’t want to seem unfair to cats. The truth is, even the names of cat food demon- strates the level of servitude we have come to accept. Fancy Feast: How DARE you offer a plain feast! Tender Vittles: Sure, cats have razor-sharp teeth made specifi cally for chewing and grinding. But why should they have to make the effort? Royal Feline: Just a reminder that you are but a cat’s handmaiden or squire. Let’s take a moment to compare this with the names of dog foods. Science Diet: We‘re basically experiment- ing on you, buddy. Old Yeller: Your dinner is named after a dog that was shot after contracting rabies. Eat up, boy! Pedigree: We just don’t want you to forget you’re actually a mutt from the pound. It’s easy to see the hierarchy cats have already established while sober. Do we re- ally want to add the unpredictability of cats with a drinking problem to the equation? We all know alcohol affects people differently. It stands to reason the same applies to cats. That’s why I’m not willing to roll the dice with my own cat, who I’m pretty sure would be an angry drunk. The last thing I want is for my children to see “Mittens” on a drunk- en tear, meowing about how we love the dog more, that birds constantly mock his failure as a hunter, and how being neutered has kept him from having a meaningful relationship. While it’s true manufacturers say there’s no actual alcohol in its cat libation, called Nyan Nyan Nouveau, which is Japanese for «Meow Meow Wine,» it does contain catnip — which has the same intoxicating effect as “a feline slamming Jack and Cokes with Charlie Sheen,” warned Animal Planet cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy. “Nothing good can come from making wine available to cats. Or Charlie Sheen.” My thoughts exactly. So thanks, Japan, but I’ll stick to being a manservant to our cat while it’s sober and indifferent. I’m used to it. Ned is a syndicated columnist with News Media Corporation. His book, Humor at the Speed of Life, is available online at Port Hole Publications, Amazon Books and Barnes & Noble. Write to him at nedhickson@icloud.com
