Happy Halloween! For a good time, come see us tonight at  <Bookworks  > in Albuquerque, 6-8 pm.  Bring your dog! I am a donating half of any profit I personally make to Hurricane Sandy animal rescue. 4022 Rio Grande Boulevard, Northwest , near Dietz Place NW.  (505) 344-8139

No one is immune from the force of nature. Here are some very important tips – from  The American Humane Association — critical to follow when a storm is coming. You never know when this might happen to you!

Before the storm:

• Tie down or anchor outside objects that might fly about and injure someone.
• Bring…pets inside; bring outdoor animals inside with a carrier ready large enough to turn around and lie down comfortably.
• Review your evacuation plan and double-check emergency supplies, bowls, water, food.
• Have a carrier at the ready.
• If your family must evacuate, take your pets with you.

During the storm….if you cannot evacuate

• Choose a safe room for riding out the storm—an interior room without windows – and take your entire family there, including your pets.
• Stay with pets. If crated, they depend on you for food and water.
• Keep your emergency kit in that room with you (food, water, litter, meds).
• Know your pet’s hiding places. That’s where they may run; keep them with you.
• Secure exits and cat doors so pets can’t escape into the storm.
• Do not tranquilize your pets. They’ll need their survival instincts should the storm require that.

After the storm

• Make sure the storm has fully passed before going outside and assess damages before allowing…  animals out.
• Keep dogs on a leash and cats in a carrier… Displaced objects and fallen trees can disorient pets and sharp debris could harm them.
• Give pets time to become re-oriented. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and cause a pet to become confused or lost.
• Keep… animals away from downed power lines and water that may be contaminated.
• Uncertainty and change in the environment affect animals, too, presenting new stresses and dangers. Your pet’s behavior may change after a crisis, becoming more aggressive or self-protective. Be sensitive to these changes and keep more room between them, other animals, children or strangers. Animals need comforting, too. Comfort your pet with kind words and lots of pats or hugs. If possible, provide a safe and quiet environment, even if it is not their home.

We’re thinking of all of our human and animal friends in the path of the hurricane……hoping for your safety. We are all connected,  and those of us in other parts of the country are holding  you close to our hearts.  May you be kept out of harm’s way.

The generous people at Freekibble  are giving away 5 copies of The Original Dog Tarot today (Friday).  Visit them for a chance to win — and help feed hungry shelter dogs at the same time. Good luck!

It’s here! Our publication date. A day we’ll always remember.  The deck is now on sale in stores and online.  Thanks and a thousand woofs to everyone who made it possible.  Have fun with it. (And if you have any trouble finding us, please let us know.) We’re also here to answer your questions about readings, hear your thoughts about  all things canine, and celebrate the wonder of dogs, Mother Nature’s greatest success story. Nostradogus wants to hear from you. Let the readings begin!

Thanks to Nikki, the black lab from San Diego, for sending this to us.

INNER PEACE

If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without alcohol,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

You are probably the family dog.

Thanks, Nikki! If you know who created this photo, please let us know!

Thank you Dan Piraro, for this great cartoon. So true!

Our friends at Nashville Paw are planning a festive Barktoberfest celebration.

If you’re in their Tennessee neighborhood, check it out!

We’re especially excited, and flattered,  because they’re going to use The Original Dog Tarot at their fortune-telling booth.

Thanks, Nashville Paw.

Paws in the air for your tremendous spay/neuter and rescue efforts, for all you do.

And our gratitude to organizations everywhere trying to build a better life for the animals we love so much. A few of our favorites are on our links page.

Who are your favorites?

Thanks to Janet and Diane for sending pictures with their comments.  Tillie is thrilled.

Here’s Janet’s Lily as a glamorous Halloween witch.

“I predict Lily will fulfill her dream to be a squirrel this Halloween season,” says Nostradogus, “though she might have to invoke her considerable  magical powers to balance two tails.”

And here’s Diane’s beautiful Django. With her bejeweled tag and gorgeous coat, who needs a costume for adornment?

“I’m with Django,” says Bosco. “Simple is beautiful.”

“You’d better write to those nice people,” Bosco said this morning, “and tell them what the online community is going to be about. You didn’t mention that in your post.”

He’s right, as usual.

We’ll want to hear about issues that are on your mind, and we’ll be asking your opinion on all things dog. NOSTRADOGUS, the Magician of The Original Dog Tarot, will have a lot to say, too, in his Nostradogus Tells It Like It Is posts. We’re also hoping for some words of woof and wisdom from your cherished canines.

“Every dog has opinions,” Nostradogus once said, “it’s just that humans aren’t good interpreters.”

So when you have a minute – when you can take a little break from your dog walks, brushing, feeding, petting, picking out new shiny collars ( you know you’re thinking about that)  come and join us. We’ll be here, vacuuming gigantic chunks of dog hair from the couch, and swearing never to buy a black sweater again.

Back soon.