Baby, It's Cold Outside!

The end of 2017 is upon us. In less than 48 hours we will be ringing in 2018. Where does the time go? It seems like it was just the Millennium with everyone so concerned about all the horrific things that were going to happen. We survivied!

This year much of the United States will enter 2018 under a blanket of frigid weather. I look outside as I write this and see a beautiful sunny day. Cold but the weatherman promises much colder weather by midnight on December 31, 2017.

As human beings, we can take whatever actions we need to stay warm and safe. For those people who are homeless or lacking a warm home, there are places and people to help. However, there is a segment of creatures who are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Our animals.

I have a few requests to make:

1. If you have a non-human member of your family, PLEASE be sure they are warm. Keep them inside or do whatever you can to be sure they are warm. Hey, my chickens are in my garage. Weather in the single digits is dangerous for all beings.

2. If you see an animal in distress, find out who can help or do something yourself. How would you feel if you were outside in this cold?

3. Finally as it is the end of the year, consider a gift to a rescue group before midnight December 31, 2017.  Almost all rescue groups are classified as a  501(C)(3) which entitles you to a charitable deduction on your taxes.

I have a few rescue groups that get monthly donations throughout the year. Some of these groups get funding through grants and have a huge following. One rescue that I support is not that fortunate to get grant money and has a much smaller following.

The Shannon Foundation in St. Clair, Missouri could greatly benefit from your donation. How about signing up for a monthly donation. Do you realize if 20 people signed up for a $10 donation a month that would be an additional $200 a month in increased funding for the beautiful animals at this rescue. 

Please check out this organization and KEEP YOUR PETS WARM AND SAFE!

http://www.theshannonfoundation.org/

Here are a few photos of some warm and cozy residents of The Shannon Foundation. 

Tilly & Betty Beagl

Grimm

Nathaniel

Happy New Year!

May this coming year of 2018 be one of Peace and Blessings to one and all.

Mareda

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the Night Before Christmas and all through the house, 

not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas would soon be there.

These are some very familiar words heard by many at Christmas. As an avid lover of animals, I often wonder if there is an excitement within each of them at this time of year as well. I know of many furr babies who are involved in gathering gifts for children. Abigail (American Hero Dog 2017) and her sister, Tala, are two rather famous furr babies in Florida who have used their fame for good. Hundreds of children will receive gifts after a hurricane devastated their homes earlier this year. Two furr babies who truly know what this season is all about. 

Then there are those furr babies who give us love and joy just by being who they are.  I think of my Rasha snuggled under the covers on a cold, snowy day in St. Louis.

Her gift to me is love and laughter and that is enough. A precious soul who was rescued from "who knows what."  

There are many others who have had lives that were anything but good.  Many of them live at The Shannon Foundation in St. Clair, Missouri. This is their "forever" home and probably the best one they have ever had.

These beautiful beings of light are together after years of horrific abuse or neglect or just being too damn old. Those who they trusted to take care of them failed; however, there is a place that has not failed them and caregivers who love them and care for them 24/7, when the weather is nice or nasty. 

As this is the season of giving, I am asking all who read this to check in with their heart. Please consider giving to The Shannon Foundation (http://www.theshannonfoundation.org/) Give so these animals can continue to wake up to food, excellent medical care and maybe a treat or two.  They are well cared for now and have always been but anyone who has a non-human family member knows how costly medical care can be. 

Help those who cannot help themselves at this time of year. Remember...

Love is the Reason for the Season. 

Happy Holidays to One and All!

May your New Year be filled with Peace and Blessings!

Mareda

What Makes Your Heart Smile?

What makes your heart happy? What makes it smile? I hope a lot of things make your heart burst with joy. I have many reasons for a happy heart but there is one thing in particular that makes my heart smile: animals who have overcome odds that no one would want; rescue dogs in particular.

One such rescue that makes my heart smile in particular is Rasha aka Rosha of Farmington. Rescued a couple of summers ago, she became a part of my family in December 2015. Ah, yes, this pittie has brought so much joy into my home. She is one of the most gentle dogs I have ever had and also one of the laziest. I just love her to the ends of the earth.

That being said there are many, many more dogs and other non-humans who are not so lucky. These beings have no voice other than ours. Many are abandoned and left to wander the streets alone. They never know a loving home or a full stomach. Some end up in kill-shelters where they cross over the Rainbow Bridge way too soon and all alone. There are some angels here on this earth plane in human form who help these beautiful souls. 

I support a few of the organizations run by these angels but there is one in particular that I want to mention here.  The Shannon Foundation in St. Clair, Missouri is a non-profit tax-exempt charitable foundation,. This organization is not big like Stray Rescue of St. Louis; grants do not help support this organization.  It depends entirely upon donations from people like you and me.

We have survived Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Next comes Cyber Monday. Then comes probably the most important day of this season, Giving Tuesday.

Please! Check out this organization's website 

http://www.theshannonfoundation.org/ 

and consider a gift on this Tuesday. 

If 100 people give $10 this Tuesday, that means $1,000 to help Tillie, Lucy, Jolene, Mose, Jerry and all the other furry and feathered creatures who make this place their home.

Just a few of the beautiful souls living out their lives at 

The Shannon Foundation Farm.

I've met some of these "rescues" and no matter what their "before" was, their "today" is pretty awesome.

Today I ask that you give on "Giving Tuesday" to this organization and if you cannot do that, please share this blog entry. Share it far and wide. You never know who may see it and decide that giving to The Shannon Foundation is a sure way to make their heart smile. 

Rasha hopes you will make her heart smile when she hears about all the funds that have come in to help those at The Shannon Foundation.  Woof!

May your heart smile always and forever.

Peace and blessings,

Mareda

A Guardian Angel Named Tilly

Most of us have been told that we all have a guardian angel watching over us from the time we make our appearance on Planet Earth. I know for a fact that my guardian angel usually works overtime keeping me out of harm's way. Some of us are fortunate to "know" our guardian angel and have the privilege of hugging and loving on them. 

The lady who is the force behind all that goes on at the Shannon Foundation is one of those privileged people.  Her guardian angel has four legs and fur. 

Her name is Tilly and she came to reside at The Shannon Foundation as an out-of-state rescue. Some areas prohibit pit bulls from being adopted out. Tilly was in one of those areas. So Tilly arrived at The Shannon Foundation with a few issues of her own and scars both physical and emotional; however, with training and lots of love, Tilly's issues are part of her past. The Universe knew that Tilly's mission on earth was not complete. Her mission was just beginning. 

Tilly is a special girl who knows her duty is protecting her "mom." She is on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Any raccoon who has the audacity to even try to steal a chicken for Sunday dinner is fair game. An attack on "mom" or even a threat to attack means that raccoon better skedaddle or plan to meet its maker. 

During snake season, "mom" has a constant companion more protective than any secret service agent. "Mom" moves and Tilly moves. She is on the hunt and has killed more copperheads that I can imagine. Yes, she has been bitten and has scars to prove this, but she has survived. And "mom" has survived. 

I was very blessed to meet Tilly and her "mom" early this fall. Tilly is a joy. She is a sweet loving dog who has saved the life of the human who cares for her many times. To think that this dog was going to be killed because of her breed is despicable. 

Places like The Shannon Foundation are desperately needed to help those who are misunderstood, who are old and ill, who no one wants anymore. Some of the residents at these shelters are misunderstood angels who have a purpose to fulfill. That purpose could be acting as a guardian angel or it just could be to give and accept the love they so long for.

The Shannon Foundation is a non-profit organization who relies on your contributions to care for the well-being of the resident animals.  

PLEASE consider donating. Your donation is tax-deductible. 

http://www.theshannonfoundation.org

Peace and blessings,

Mareda

The Shannon Foundation

When most people think of a sanctuary, I'm sure their thoughts go to churches, especially those from the distant past that are beautiful beyond description. Light streams in through ornate stained glass windows. Statues and crosses line the walls and altar. These places are truly sacred; however, there are other places that I consider just as sacred. I visited one such place recently. This blog is dedicated to telling the story of The Shannon Foundation.

It is a sanctuary located in a beautiful valley tucked away in the hills of rural Missouri. Light streams in, not through stained glass, but through trees that surround the small farm house and barn that house one human and many furry and feathered beings. There are no statues or altars here. Just many happy and contented animals living out their lives in the sacredness of a loving home.

The Shannon Foundation covers almost 100 acres of spacious pastures, acres of woodland, a pond and a running stream. This farm is home to dogs, horses, pigs, birds, cats, Sika deer, mules, donkeys and a snake or two. Most of these animals have come from neglectful and abusive situations. Their needs are varied. Many animals are blind and/or deaf. Others have special needs. The main goal is to help each animal become emotionally stable and to grow into the beautiful, happy animal he/she was meant to be. As I visited and was greeted with a pack of happy dogs, tails wagging, eagerly wanting to smother me with sloppy wet kisses, I can vouch that these animals are happy.

One of the main purposes of this blog is to bring awareness to this farm as well as increase funding for this 501(c)(3) organization.


Over the last few years, the record breaking floods from the Meramec River devastated the farm. At one point, the water was visible outside the windows of the farm house. Out buildings and animal shelters were destroyed.  Fencing was washing away.  Other minor floods did nothing to help the repairs.


Many of the animals living here are in their "golden years." As we all know, these so-called golden year are anything but golden. They are not immune to the cancers and other ailments we all know too well as maturing humans.

In the next weeks and months, I plan on telling some of the stories of these beloved creatures. Their pasts are not pretty but their present is.

As a charitable organization, donations are tax deductible. I truly believe most people reading this blog could easily afford to give $5 or $10 on a monthly recurring basis. Care for these animals, especially those in hospice, can be extremely costly. Please check out their website for more information:

www.theshannonfoundation.org

or 

Facebook page "The Shannon Foundation"

Another, and maybe more pressing need, is some labor intensive work to heal Mother Nature's wrath. The Shannon Foundation relies on volunteers to continue the mission of caring for hard-to-place feathered and furry animals.  The main concern is the animals with whom this organization has been entrusted. These beautiful creatures are  the #1 priority and just visiting once shows me the quality of care and compassion each one is receiving.

Volunteers are welcome to assist in cleaning up flood damage or helping to replace fencing.  Doggie kisses are guaranteed with the promise of help from some of the "workers" living here on the farm.

If you are intersted in volunteering, please contact Rhonda Stephens at 636-629-4800.

PLEASE! PASS THIS ON TO ANYONE WHO LOVES 

AND CARES FOR ABUSED AND ELDERLY ANIMALS. 

Peace and blessings!