COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL April 13, 2016
Better
together.
+
Purr-ceiving Pets’ Wisdom
= SAVE
The more you protect, the more you save.
I can do a lot more than just protect your car. And when
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you save big.
Get the savings you deserve. Call me or stop by my ofice
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Erik Benson
541-942-2605
130 Gateway Boulevard
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
erikbenson@allstate.com
Subject to terms, conditions and availabiliy. Savings vary by state and produce line. Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Co.,
Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co., Allstate Insurance Co., Allstate Indemnity Co., Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance
Co. © 2016 Allstate Insurance Co.
Meet the
DJ/Program Host
JOHN KLOBAS
John is a retired professor who taught classes in Sociology
and Neuro-Linguistic Programming at Lane Community
College . He loves playing international and Old World music.
He played for years with h e Polka Pipers and as a talented
musician he is ot en invited to perform the music he loves
at special events. John also hosts a similar show on KLFO in
Florence, Oregon.
321 Main Street
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
Lobby Phone: 541.942.2468
Studio Line: 541.942.5548
Online requests: request@knnd.com
“
How you treat your animals is general-
ly how you see yourself,” said inspira-
tional speaker Dr. Richard Benson. “Animal
lovers understand that animals have many
God-like qualities: they’re non-judgmental;
don’t compare you to others; accept and
love you regardless.
My wife, Debbie, and I have had many cat
children and we’ve never heard them say,
‘Hey! The neighbor’s cat gets salmon and
we don’t,’ or ‘They live in a 5,800 square
foot home and look what we’re living in,’ or
‘I see their pet going for rides in their Lexus,
and look what you’re driving!’ They don’t
compare you to others. They love you the
way you are, regardless of what you have
— or don’t have.
Humans wear masks and armor so hurtful
things don’t penetrate their hearts, souls and
spirits. With an animal, we can leave our ar-
mor at the door, because they accept us in
spite of our perceived faults. Our cats con-
sistently display unconditional love, which
is an important lesson.
When Debbie and I married, we had no
money and six more years of college. We
held off on having children but decided to
adopt a kitty cat, Scamper, surmising that a
cat was more affordable than a dog.
Scamper grew into a wonderful cat. She
was a blessing that arrived into our lives
with love. If humans were going to clone an
animal for heart-opening purposes, Scam-
per would be the one to clone. For 16 years,
she slept beside our heads. It was comfort-
ing when we woke up to pet her and listen
to her purr.
While attending chiropractic college, we
learned that being in the presence of loving
pets dramatically increases one’s immunity
and decreases blood pressure.
A cat purrs between 20-140 Hertz, which
is the therapeutic vibration range for many
illnesses, and it also helps heal broken bones
and soft tissues injuries.
I’m sure Scamper added to my longev-
ity . . . she followed me everywhere. If I
was scrubbing the shower, she’d be stand-
ing next to me. Or, if I was burning a brush
pile, she’d ‘hang out’ with me.
Scamper was a philosopher, who taught
that the more naps you take, the more awak-
enings you will experience. And
she was right!
She was always in the now;
another wonderful lesson for
humans to learn from animals. When we
walked around our property, she was never
thinking about whether there would be food
in the food bowl, fresh drinking water, or a
clean cat box. She was completely focused
on enjoying the moment.
Cats also teach not to take life so serious-
ly, and they convey freedom from worry.
While building my practice, I would
come home worried over things. Scamper
always sensed when I was upset. She would
hop into my lap, and look at me as if to say,
‘Just take it easy. This stuff really doesn’t
matter.’
Another comforting thing that Scamper
taught me regarding ‘stress-mode’ is ‘If you
claw your way to the top, you still have to
climb down.’
Scamper was not much of a hunter, but
she did have some instincts. I remember the
one and only bird she ‘caught’.
I heard the unmistakable ‘thunk’ on the
window a bird makes when it hits it. I went
out to check on the bird, because often if
you hold it, or place it into a shoe box to
warm it up, it gets over its shock, perks up
and fl ies away.
Scamper was napping right where the
bird landed! Her excited facial expression
said, “Thank you, God!” She didn’t know
what to do with the bird, but she was thank-
ful for it.
Scamper ‘hunted’ my desk pens. At night,
she’d ‘catch’ a pen and carry it to our bed-
room while we were sleeping. She’d an-
nounce her ‘catch’ with a high-pitched
meow, like after a cat has caught a mouse,
and wake us up. She wasn’t a ‘real’ hunt-
er, but she was teaching us to just be who
we are, which is an excellent quality to be
proud of and express.
Scamper also excelled at forgiveness. If
we accidentally stepped on her tail, 30 sec-
onds later she was up purring in our laps.
She forgave just like that; another great ex-
ample!
All the cats we’ve had have allowed me to
express the child in me. When I act childish
in the presence of our cats, none of them say,
‘Hey! Act like an adult, not like an eight-
year-old.’ Cats accept me as I am, making it
is easy to relate soul to soul with them.
Cats are absolute masters of joy and fun,
clearly an expression of their authentic self.
541-915-9759
541-915-6015
Courtesy Photo
Dr. Richard Benson and his rescue
kitty, NaLani. “Much of my adult
life I’ve spent playing with our kitty
cats,” says Richard. “Much of the
rest, I’ve just wasted.”
Another good lesson for us: the more joy,
the more fun, the more connected to Source
we are.”
TIPS
“Watch kittens and behave more like
them,” advises Dr. Benson. “Be joyful and
playful. Look for touchstones of joy and
love and nuggets of excitement, anticipa-
tion and appreciation - everywhere! Don’t
let a day go by without letting those closest
to you know that you love them and care
about them. Be the purrs-on your cat sees
you as.”
“I have been enjoying Pet Tips ‘n’ Tales
for 10 years. When Angel Scribe ran the ar-
ticle on her ‘cat castle catio,’” said Richard,
“I was inspired, so I built one for our three
cats’ health, safety and enjoyment.”
Has your pet inspired or supported you
through a trying time? Tell us!
angelscribe@msn.com
“Follow” Pet Tips ‘n’ Tales on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/PetTipsand-
Tales
Adopt Loving Pets
www.PetFinder.com
Humane Society for Neuter/Spay Assis-
tance Program. (541) 942-2789
541-228-7090
541-915-1350
Enjoy the made-from-
scratch quality and fl avor of
our creative menu.
YOU ARE INVITED TO
FRIENDSHIP SUNDAY
Menu Offerings
Surf & Turf, New York Steak, Top Sirloin,
Beef Stroganoff, Hazelnut Encrusted Pork
Loin, Chicken Marsala Chicken Picatta, Crab-
Stuffed Rainbow Trout, Grilled Salmon,
Mushroom Ragout, Shrimp Penne Pasta,
Cajun Chicken Penne Pasta, Tri-Colored
Cheese Tortellini Pasta, Vegetable Pasta
Serving Dinner
5-9pm nightly
Reservations Welcome
Prime Rib is back
every Friday!
Buy one entree, get
another 50% off!
Coupon required. Expires May 31, 2016
Must purchase minimum two entrees for discount.
Offer valid for both Early Bird and Dinner menus, 5-9pm, not
valid in the Fireside Lounge. Cannot be combine with any other
offers.
725 Row River Rd.
Cottage Grove, OR
541-942-2491
www.villagegreenresortandgardens.com
Season at the Green Restaurant
at the Village Green Resort
725 Row River Rd. Cottage Grove, OR
541-942-2491
7A
If you’ve ever wondered if the church has anything to offer you…
If you’ve ever been part of a church and want to return…
…then be our guests for worship on
Sunday, April 24th at 10:30 a.m.
Coffee hour to follow.
Come and see what you have
been missing at
Trinity Lutheran Church
Corner of 6th and Quincy
541-942-2373
www.tlccg.com
A warm welcome to all.