Endorsement from Dr. Alice Villalobos
Buckley’s Story received a wonderful endorsement from Alice Villalobos, DVM, DPNAP.
Dr. Villalobos was the 2005-06 President of the American Association of Human Animal Bond Veterinarians (AAHABV). She is a well known pioneer in the field of cancer care for companion animals and a founding member of the Veterinary Cancer Society. A 1972 graduate of UC Davis, she completed Dr. Gordon Theilen’s first mock residency program in oncology and has served the profession by consulting, writing and lecturing in the rapidly growing field of veterinary oncology and end of life care . She was awarded the UC Davis Alumni Achievement Award in 1994, and the Leo Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award in 1999. She is editor-in-chief of the AAHABV Newsletter, Secretary of the Animal Health Foundation of the SCVMA and Founder of the Peter Zippi Memorial Fund for Animals, with over 10,000 rescued and placed pets.
Here is her endorsement:
It so happens that my heart resonates with Buckley’s Story and the wonders of the human-animal Bond that enriches the life of all animal lovers. I, too, have rescued a treasured “gimpy tortie.” Her name is Fern and she is wonderful. Turning the pages on Ingrid King’s heartwarming book about Buckley’s special ways and then her illness and her passing and after life care helps one feel more prepared to accept the cycle of life. The depth of Ingrid’s grief matched the height of her joy in the special human-animal bond that she celebrated with Buckley.
Thank you, Dr. Villalobos! You can find more information about Dr. Villalobos and Pawspice, a program dedicated to the highest standard of compassionate cancer treatment and end of life palliative care to advanced stage and terminal pets by providing a unique Quality of Life Care Program at www.pawspice.com.
2010 Reston Pet Fiesta
Buckley’s Story and I made an appearance at the Reston Pet Fiesta yesterday. This is an annual event at the Reston Town Center in Reston, VA. I’ve been attending the event as a visitor from the time they first started it several years ago, and for the past three years, Seneca Hill Animal Hospital Resort and Spa graciously allowed me to advertise my services at their booth since I see Reiki clients there.
This year, I decided to get my own booth. The Reston Town Center is my favorite place in this area – it’s the only place in the Northern Virginia suburbs that gives you a bit of an urban feel without having to go into the city. The combination of wonderful restaurants, fun stores, and a beautiful plaza with chairs and tables arranged around a gorgeous fountain make it the perfect place to walk around, meet friends, or just sit by the fountain and people watch. I held my book launch party at the Hyatt hotel at the Town Center for that reason – the place is that special to me – so getting a booth at this year’s Pet Fiesta was definitely something I wanted to do. In addition to getting my own booth, I also sponsored a booth for Casey’s House, the private rescue group where Buckley came from.
The day was perfect from start to finish. The weather couldn’t have been better. My booth location was excellent. Two great friends came and took shifts helping me man (or should that be woman?) my booth. Lots of other friends stopped by to say hi. It was especially fun to meet a few people I previously only knew from Facebook. I loved introducing Buckley’s Story to new people. There’s nothing more fun than to meet and chat with other cat people. I couldn’t believe it when it was 4pm and time to pack up already – the day flew by.
It was a successful day, for Buckley’s Story, and also for Casey’s House. They brought three cats, and had interest in two of them – fingers crossed that they will go to their forever homes soon. They got quite a few donations, and the raffle of the gift basket donated by Whimsy Cats generated some more funds for them.
Patches, Amber's daughter, on the left
And there was an interesting, unexpected visitor. Cindy, the founder of Casey’s House, was in for quite a suprise when she unloaded her van at her booth and realized that her own cat Patches had hitched a ride! Apparently, she snuck into one of the carriers the adoptable kitties were to go in, and Cindy didn’t notice her until she got to Reston! What really made this special is that Patches is Amber’s daughter - she’s the only one of Amber’s kittens I was able to keep track of. Unfortunately, Patches was not too terribly thrilled when she realized what she’d let herself in for, and spent the day in a big carrier, covered by a sheet.
Life After Loss: Getting a New Pet
Getting a new pet after losing a beloved animal companion can be very difficult for many pet parents. Some are able to get a new pet within days of losing the old pet, others may take months and sometimes even years, or never get another pet again. This is not a decision that anyone else can make for you – there are too many factors that play into it to allow for some easy guidelines, but perhaps, the following can provide a better understanding of the process.
First and foremost, every pet owner knows that it’s not possible to ever replace a lost pet, but that doesn’t change the fact that to many, it still feels like that’s exactly what they’re doing when they bring another animal into their lives. It helps to remember that each and every animal is unique, and that your relationship with the new pet will probably be completely different than the one you had with your lost loved one. I’d like to think that our animals would want us to open our hearts to another; that, in fact, they are celebrating when we’ve recovered from our grief over losing them enough to even begin to contemplate a new addition to the family.
How do you know when the time is right? This varies from person to person. Just like grief is an individual journey, so is opening your heart to another animal. Don’t judge others, or yourself, if you’re not ready, or if you’re ready before others may feel that it’s appropriate. This issue can be complicated in families where one family member may be ready for another pet, but the other is still deeply immersed in grieving the lost companion. This will require honest and caring discussions. Don’t surprise the family member who is not ready with a new puppy or kitten – rather than bringing happiness, this may complicate their grief, and it’s not fair to a new animal to come into this type of situation. Be mindful of other animals in the household who may also be grieving the loss, and think about whether a new pet would help them or whether it would add to their stress.
Think carefully about what kind of an animal you want to get. You may love a certain breed or coloring, but be aware that just because you adopt another animal that may look like your lost one, the new one will not be a carbon copy of your lost pet. He will be his own, unique personality and the two of you will form your own, unique relationship.
Ultimately, I believe that you “just know” when the time is right. Or, alternatively, a new animal will find you. Opening your heart to another and beginning the joyful journey of getting to know and love a new animal companion in no way diminishes the love you had for your lost pet. Lost love and memories can beautifully coexist with new love and happiness.
The photo above is of Allegra, our new family member. We lost Buckley Thanksgiving weekend of 2008. I had just begun to think about bringing another cat into Amber’s and my life when I met Allegra. After two visits with her, I just knew. And for the last ten days, we’ve been getting to know this lovely little kitten and integrating her into what is now becoming a family of three again.
Help Get Buckley’s Story Into Stores Nationwide
I’m excited to announce that Buckley’s Story is featured in Barnes and Noble’s Rising Star Special Collection. Another milestone along this amazing journey! Not only is it an honor to be part of this collection, but it could also potentially open the doors to nationwide distribution at Barnes and Noble stores for Buckley’s Story.
As an independently published author, I knew from the very beginning that I would have to do most of the promotion and marketing for my book myself. And I was okay with that, I enjoy doing it, and I’m reaping the rewards of my hard work as I’m watching Buckley’s Story become more and more successful. But there is one hurdle that can be very difficult to cross for indie authors, and that’s getting into national bookstores. Currently, Buckley’s Story is available in several Barnes and Noble stores in Northern Virginia, and it can be special-ordered at any bookstore across the country, whether it’s Barnes and Noble, Border’s, Books-a-Million, or independent bookstores.
As the indie movement in the music industry showed us, grass roots support can make or break a band. Indie publishing is not that different in this respect – word of mouth from readers helps create buzz for a book, and the more that buzz builds, the more successful it will be. And that’s where you, dear readers, come in! I’ve been told by my publisher that Barnes and Noble buyers watch this Rising Star Collection page closely. Traffic and demand coming through this page is an instrumental piece when a buyer is considering stocking a title in a store.
So, for the month of April, I would love it if you would help me get Buckley’s Story into stores by clicking on the Rising Star Collection link. Click on the link, and click through to my book from there. Click every day, and click often.
Thank you for supporting Buckley’s Story and my dream!
In Home Euthanasia
Making a decision about whether it’s time to let a beloved pet go is one of the hardest things anyone loving a pet will have to go through. What can compound the difficulty of the decision is that most pets don’t like going to the vet’s. I’ve heard from many of my readers that, until they read Buckley’s Story, they had no idea that having a pet euthanized at home was even an option.
I write in Buckley’s Story: “There was never a doubt in my mind that when the time came, Buckley would die at home. I had never been comfortable with euthanasia done in veterinary clinics. Even though I had assisted with many of them in my years of working at animal hospitals, and they were usually peaceful experiences, I did not like the idea that an animal’s last moments would take place in such a sterile and unfamiliar setting. No matter how peaceful veterinarians and staff try to make this final transition, most pets are stressed by veterinary hospital visits, and pet owners can be left with their final memory being one of a stressful experience instead of the peaceful one it can be when done in the pet’s home.”
There are few veterinarians who offer home euthanasia. Those that do generally don’t advertise the fact. I feel that asking a veterinarian whether they offer this service is extremely important while the pet is healthy, rather than waiting until there is a need for the service and then to find out that it is not available.
Home euthanasias can make the final good-bye a peaceful, and sometimes even beautiful, experience. There will not be a stressful or upsetting car ride. You won’t have to see healthy pets or other pet owners as you walk into the clinic with your pet for the last time. By gathering family members around the pet, you can create a calming atmosphere and surround the pet with what she’s familiar with, providing comfort and support. You can even have the euthanasia conducted outside in the pet’s favorite spot in the yard. In home euthanasia also allows you to create a ceremony that suits your personal and religious beliefs. You will be able to spend as much time with the pet’s body after the ceremony as you need to without being disturbed by veterinary staff. You will be able to grieve in privacy and on your own terms.
I recently came across an online In Home Pet Euthanasia Directory and wanted to share this valuable resource with you. The site is still under development, and not every state is showing listings yet.
