Thursday, May 12, 2016

#Feline #Companionship and Compassion--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith


I recently put a new stepping stone in my garden. A Christmas gift from a friend, I loved the message and couldn't wait to put it outside. But as I glanced at it in its new home, I realized how profound the message really was. While we treasure all of our family members and appreciate all the wonderful qualities--love, caring, sharing, loyalty--that they provide to make our homes truly special, our pets fill in the gaps or even augment the human qualities to complete a family.

Bonnie and Clyde
I have observed and previously mentioned the wonderful bond felines have with each other and how protective Halo can be of Paddy, one of her kittens. I have watched Bonnie and Clyde and their togetherness as they explore the yard outside. But felines also share that same relationship with humans.   

Halo and Zoie sleep by my side.
Recently I underwent gall bladder surgery.  I received excellent care in the hospital and when I returned home, my husband was an excellent nurse. But it was my furry family that stayed by my side, day and night. Halo and Zoie have an uncanny awareness of how I feel. They will often settle right on the area of my body that aches the most, as if trying to extricate the pain. While I had to be careful that none of the felines jumped on my stomach, it was a comfort having them by my side or at my feet. Their compassion and companionship were as healing as the meds I had been prescribed. 
Halo is on guard while Zoie snoozes at my feet. 
There is always a lesson to be learned from our pets. If we are open to their loyalty and compassion and are willing to overlook occasional annoying behaviors that are typical of any pet, we will have a level of constant companionship that can transcend that which humans are willing or capable of giving. So often it seems we are overly bogged down by caring for our pets, but the rewards far exceed feeding, walking, playing with or cleaning up after them.

So give your pet a hug today, because tomorrow you can count on him or her being at your side when you need it most. It is in those moments that a family is truly complete.     


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E-BOOK NOW AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER
Release Date:  June 1, 2016

Beth Crandall has known trauma. Kidnapped from her birth family when she was three, abandoned at a mall by her kidnapper a few months later, traumatic amnesia has prevented memories from plaguing her as she was adopted and ushered into a "normal" life. But a twist of fate reunited her with her birth family recently and now she's attempting to move forward in a way she couldn't before.

As a teenager, Beth's face was scarred in an attack at a group home where her best friend lived. Now Beth is seeing a plastic surgeon, Dr. Sam Benedict, so he can remove the scar. Sam volunteers his time to the foundation Kids Cause which sends doctors all over the world to help children. Sam, who came from an abusive home, feels children need to be listened to and fixed. He and Beth connect on a deep level from the first moment they meet.

Beth has believed a romantic relationship is impossible for her given her background. But during integration into her birth family and throughout a search for her teenage best friend, Sam remains by her side. He helps to heal more than the scar on her face. Neither of them realize that Beth's search for her friend with the help of psychic Gillian Bradley (continuing character from other SEARCH FOR LOVE books) will land them in a fight for their lives.


THE WEDDING PROMISE will also be available in print and audio book formats
after its June 1 launch.  Watch for details.


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Karen and Paddy
USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 95th novel will be released in 2016.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 

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