Tag: Calgary

The Daily Motivator for Jan. 9th – Stop waiting

Stop waiting

Don’t wait to be inspired. Get busy, and find your inspiration in making  something good and useful happen.

Don’t wait for the moment to be right. Go ahead and make the moment right by  what you do with it.

If you wish for fortune to shine upon you, give it a good reason to do so.  The reliable way to be lucky is to make your own luck with your own efforts.

The way to get what you want is not to beg for it or hope for it or demand  it. The way to get what you want is to do what you must to make it happen.

You know that, so go ahead and put your knowledge to good use. Feel the  irreplaceable satisfaction that comes from being master of your own fate.

Stop waiting for life to be the way you want. Start doing all you can to make  it great.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Enhanced by Zemanta

Special Kitty of the Day for Monday, May 21

Name: Jet
 Age: Seventeen years old
Gender: Male
 Kind: Domestic Short Hair
Home: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Jet has been a special cat his whole life. It started the day I met him. I was looking into adopting another cat (Jasper) from a local cat rescue organization and was at the foster parent’s home to have a look at him. I was sitting on a sofa and all of a sudden I got tapped on my shoulder. I turned my head and saw a young black cat sitting there, looking at me. He was so friendly and outgoing that I knew right away he would make a good therapy cat, something that I had started to do a few years earlier with another cat. I asked if he was up for adoption; he was, so I went home with two cats that day. I had no idea what to name this kitten, but when I saw him flying through the house it became quite clear- he was black and he was fast. So his name became Jet.

Since Jet was only six months old we had to wait another six months before I could have him tested as a pet therapy cat with PALS (Pet Access League Society), our local pet therapy group. He passed the test with flying colors, and soon started coming with me to the Children’s Hospital. He became an instant hit as cats are not usually seen doing pet therapy work. But Jet took it all in stride, and actually loved going to see the kids. He would go and sit on their laps, nuzzle them and sit very still while they stroked his soft fur. One touching story involves Jet and a young boy who had just come out of a coma. The boy had not spoken at all, but when he saw Jet at a PALS visit, he spoke his first word, “kitty”. His parents were in tears, as was I when they told me that this was the first word their son had spoken since he had come out of his coma. This is just one of many touching moments that pet therapy pets are involved in.

After ten years Jet received his special PALS scarf for his ten years of service. He was one of the first pets to receive it, and when he retired was the longest serving pet volunteer with PALS. Forward to thirteen years of pet therapy work, and I receive an email from a person involved with the MEOW Foundation, the rescue group from which I adopted Jet, that she wanted to nominate Jet for an award for all his years of pet therapy service. So Jet was nominated for, and won, the 2009 Volunteer Calgary Animal Volunteer of the Year award for his thirteen years as a pet therapy cat. He was the only animal present at a huge banquet dinner where all the other (human) award recipients received their awards. Of course he wore his red bow tie to this fancy banquet!

Sadly, Jet fell ill soon after the awards and was retired as a pet therapy cat. Jet just turned seventeen, and his health is continually declining. His spirit is still willing and he is still just as friendly as he has always been, but his body is getting frail. When he does pass to the Rainbow Bridge, Jet will be remembered by many people for his pet therapy contributions.

There will never be another cat like Jet, he is one in a million.

Precious Pups of the Day for March 27th

Otis, the Dog of the Day
Name: Otis
 Age: Nine years old
Gender: Male Breed: Black Labrador Retriever
Home: Loganton, Pennsylvania, USA
Otis is special because at the age of two, he jumped off my deck, landed badly and injured his spine. He was unable to walk or control his bladder for quite awhile. I didn’t know if he’d ever walk again, but he proved everyone wrong.Today, Otis still experiences some difficulties due to his injury, but the smile never has left his face. He loves to swim and run with his brother Filson. Otis and Filson both have been a godsend to me. I don’t know what I would do without them. They show me unconditional love, and I show them unconditional love in return.

Otis has an infectious personality. When he runs and is playing he truly does smile… He loves playing frisbee and is very affectionate. The picture of him in the water is from a couple years ago, when he hadn’t gotten quite as white on his muzzle. He loves being around people and dogs … of all kinds. Also, he is a bed hog. I have a king size bed and with him and Filson on it there is barely enough room for me. Gotta love him!

Clouds

Clouds

 
On a bright windy day, clouds often pass overhead in fantastic shapes. We usually take them for granted or are unaware of their presence, but occasionally we’ll be struck by the appearance of a cloud and may well wonder why we ever stopped looking at them.
 
Watching the clouds for answers to questions is a delightful and possibly illuminating practice. It’s also quite relaxing and enjoyable. Cloud watching is directly related to other gazing techniques. It may require symbolic thought to fully penetrate the inner meaning of the presented response.
 
On a day when clouds race across the sky, or when thunderheads build up to impressive size, sit or stand with your back to the sun and look up toward the sky. (Ideally, it shouldn’t be completely overcast.) Think of your question and gaze into the clouds.
 
Study their shapes, blinking normally. Soon they may form a symbol, or you may become aware of a symbol that was already present. Examine this image and determine what connection it has with your question. This art doesn’t always require interpretation-if the diviner earnestly seeks messages from the clouds, they may plainly reveal the future in recognizable shapes.
 
Divination For Beginners
Reading The Past, Present & Future
Scott Cunningham
ISBN 0-7387-0384-2