The Listing Hop & Cardinal Sin Excerpt

I haven't joined a one-time blog hop in ages but when I saw this one on Bish Denham's site it was so simple I had to sign up.

Bish is hosting the hop to celebrate eight years of blogging (Congratulations, Bish!) and all we have to do is write a list. Seriously, that's it!

I decided to list my favorite animal rescue organizations, most of which I've encountered since I started this blogging and writing journey. Click on each rescue if you'd like more info on them.

1. Circle Tail, Pleasant Plain, Ohio
2. Best Friends Animal Society, Kanab, Utah
3. Tabby's Place Cat Sanctuary, Ringoes, New Jersey
4. Sunrise Farm Animal Sanctuary, Marysville, Ohio
5. Triple R Equine Ranch, Greensburg, Indiana
6. EARPS Exotic Animal Rescue & Pet Sanctuary, Brownsburg, Indiana
7. Hope for Paws, Los Angeles, California
8. Red Wolf Wildlife Sanctuary & Rehabilitation Center, Rising Sun, Indiana

So that's my list! One of the things I've loved most about learning more about animal rescues since I started blogging is that I've discovered so many different types of organizations. I had always thought of rescue in terms of dogs and cats but this list includes rescues that work with farm animals, "pocket pets" like hamsters, and even wildlife. There are so many amazing organizations out there doing great work that the list easily could have gone into the hundreds.

Thanks to Bish for coming up with such a fun and easy hop. For a list of all the participants, visit Bish's site here.

This week is the official release of the Untethered Realms anthology Mayhem In The Air, which includes my story Cardinal Sin. I thought I would share a brief excerpt from the story to kick off release week.

I screamed when they threw me into the mass grave with the dead patients. 

I was sure they’d hear me. But they carried on just the same. Before I knew it, they started throwing shovels of dirt on top of me. On top of all of us. 

“I’m alive!” I yelled. Or at least I thought I was yelling. How was it possible they couldn’t hear me? It wasn’t bad enough the idiot doctors had decided I was dead. Now these lumbering fools couldn’t even hear me?  

Just as I was about to give up, the shovels stopped and I heard a worker ask another “Did you hear something?” 

My still-beating heart filled with hope. 

“Hear what?” was the response. 

“Don’t know. Almost sounded like some poor sod crying.” 

Could it be? Did he hear me?

I yelled out again. “Yes! Help me!” 

“I don’t hear nothing.”  

“I guess I don’t either. Must have been a dog barking.”

“No!” I cried. 

The shoveling began again. 

If you want to read more of my story and the nine other stories in the anthology pick up Mayhem In The Air at:

Amazon ~ Google Play ~ Smashwords

C is for Circle Tail

I've written about Circle Tail before on this blog, but I love the organization so much that I couldn't resist using it for my A-Z of Cincinnati "C" word.

Circle Tail is actually about 30 miles northeast of Cincinnati, in a town called Pleasant Plain, and the organization trains service dogs for the disabled. In addition, they operate a rescue program with adoptable dogs, which is how I got my dog Clancy, who was clearly not service dog material.

I have such respect for the people behind Circle Tail, and I've learned so much about service dogs since becoming involved with them that I'm simply amazed at what these dogs can do. I've had the good fortune to become friends with a woman named Jane who has a hearing dog through Circle Tail, and it's really been astounding to me to see just how much this extraordinary dog has changed her life.

Photo courtesy of Jane Biehl

I actually owe both Circle Tail and my friend immensely, as because of them I was able to get my first paid writing credit last year. I wrote about Jane and her spectacular dog Sita for an e-journal called Thrive in Life, and I can't even describe how excited I was when I got that first payment. If you'd like to read the article and learn more about the amazing Sita, it's available here. 

Photo courtesy of Jeff Routt

Since I started writing about Animal News for the Examiner website, I've been able to write about a few more Circle Tail alums. Last week, I wrote about a dog named Jackson, who wasn't right for the service dog program but now works as a therapy dog at a funeral home run by his adopted dad. I'd never heard of a dog working in a funeral home before, but I think it's a fantastic idea. If you'd like to read about Jackson's work and see him in action, that article is available here.

There's no question that Circle Tail has changed my life since I first came upon the organization back in 2008 while browsing the web. First and foremost, I have Clancy because of Circle Tail, and I wouldn't trade him for the world. But I also owe Circle Tail for introducing me to these amazing dogs that have been such a pleasure for me to write about in my articles.

So I'm glad to have the opportunity to sing Circle Tail's praises once again. I can't imagine a more deserving organization. 

Photo courtesy of Circle Tail

Examiner Article

I started writing for the Examiner website as an Animal News Examiner, and wrote my first article yesterday. I had a great time doing it, as it was fun to try something new and have another opportunity to write about animals and support organizations that I admire. And, while I love doing the volunteer writing for Best Friends, it's fun to get a little money for writing as well. :D

I wrote about a dog named Edie who was found as a stray here in Ohio, and now works for the Fairmont Hotel in Pittsburgh. I found her story so touching, and I loved writing about her. I had never heard of Canine Ambassadors for hotels before, but I think it's such a cute idea, and I'd definitely love to visit one of these hotels at some point.

I'm excited to have another "writing first" to add to my list for this year, and I'm looking forward to continuing with this opportunity. If you'd like to read about Edie the hotel cutie, click on the link below to see her story. Thanks for reading!

Kaitlin Bledsoe Photography

Local dog makes good in Pittsburgh

A Celebration of Assistance Dogs, and A Short Blog Break

As I have mentioned before, I blog (and also Tweet) for Circle Tail, the organization that I adopted Clancy from three years ago this month. While I adopted Clancy through Circle Tail's rescue program, their primary focus is on providing assistance dogs to individuals with hearing or mobility-related disabilities. Since this week is International Assistance Dog Week, I couldn't resist giving a little shout-out to this amazing organization and their equally amazing dogs. (Photos are the property of Circle Tail)

I love all of the photos of the dogs on the Circle Tail site, but this one has been my favorite since I first discovered the organization. This is a dog named Coda, and she is apparently very good at helping her partner Marlene with household chores.

Source

This photo never fails to bring a smile to my face. I've told Clancy he really needs to take note, and start earning his keep around our house.

Another photo that is sure to bring a smile is this one, of a dog named Chester who is now retired from service work. He is shown here pushing the elevator button, something his partner was able to do for herself, but Chester was so proud of his ability, he insisted on doing it anyway.

Source

I've always been touched by the bond between humans and animals, but learning about these extraordinary dogs has given me a new appreciation for just how much animals can add to our lives. 

If you're interested in the Circle Tail Assistance Dog program, click here to meet more of the dogs, including the adorable student dogs in training, and to learn all there is to know about the program.  

Also, I will be taking a short blog break next week. My father is having surgery on Monday and, while it is supposedly a simple procedure, there is a risk of complication due to his age. I am hoping for the best, but also preparing for the worst, and assuming I will need to help my parents quite a bit after the surgery. Between this and the upcoming start of the new school year where I work, I know next week is going to be crazy. I am not going to be online much, so I am taking a break from blogging. I am looking forward to being back for the upcoming blogfests, and catching up with all of your blogs then!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend ahead! :)

Much More Than A Hearing Dog: The Story Of Jane And Sita Biehl

I'm really excited to be able to share my article that was published today at Thrive In Life. This article is a big thrill for me as it is my first paid credit! It also means a lot to me as I met Jane and her dog Sita through Circle Tail, and I admire that organization so much. And, I am totally in love with the spectacular Sita, she's such an amazing dog. :)

This is the start of the article. (Photo courtesy of Jane Biehl)

Jane Biehl resisted getting a hearing dog for years. Biehl, a counselor and professor in Canton, Ohio who has been deaf since childhood, felt that she had managed fine without a hearing dog for decades, and she could easily continue to do so. 

Her attitude changed after a friend was robbed and beaten in his own home. Biehl felt vulnerable, and set out to change that by getting a hearing dog. As with so many things in life, the timing was fortuitous. If Biehl had decided to get a dog sooner, she wouldn’t have been partnered with Sita. And if there is one thing that has become clear in the nearly four years they have been together, it’s that Sita and Jane were meant to be.

Click here to read the rest:

Much More Than A Hearing Dog: The Story Of Jane And Sita Biehl

Writing For A Second Blog

I've joined the team of bloggers for Circle Tail, Inc., and started writing for the Circle Tail blog this week. I'm very happy and excited to have this opportunity.

This is an organization that is very dear to my heart, as I adopted Clancy from Circle Tail back in 2008. Their primary focus is on training and providing assistance dogs for people with disabilities, and it's amazing to see the impact they have on the lives of both people and dogs through this program. In addition to their work with assistance dogs, they adopt out rescue dogs, which is how I came to have Clancy.

It was kind of funny, because when I discovered Clancy I wasn't even planning on adopting a dog. In fact, I had just decided against getting one. I was looking for a local rescue organization where I could volunteer, and came upon Circle Tail just by doing a search on google. I took a look at their adoptable dogs on Petfinder, and saw Clancy's picture. Right away, I changed my mind about adopting a dog, and Clancy and I have been together ever since.

Circle Tail is more than an hour away from where I live, so volunteering at the place itself was not really an option. But ever since I learned about this wonderful organization I've wanted to help them out, so I am thrilled to be able to contribute to the blog. Not only because I want to help Circle Tail, but also because it is a great opportunity for me to get more experience writing and blogging.

If you have a minute, check out the Circle Tail blog here. I think all dog lovers will love both Circle Tail and the amazing Circle Tail dogs.