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Jubilee church
Sunday, May 1: Paul and
Freckles spoke at this morning's
services at Jubilee Church in
downtown Asheville. This was
the first day of "Be Kind to
Animals Week"! We sold 80 books
in just a matter of minutes, with all proceeds going to the fund
to help make the church's building environmentally safe and
friendly. Paul
told the congregations how Freckles works at
domestic abuse shelters, homeless shelters, teaches little
kids how to read(!), consoles delinquent teenage girls, visits
youngsters in the hospital, and how she'll begin working next
month with inmates at the state prison for women. All of these
qualities embody the teachings of unconditional love, tolerance,
acceptance, and extending a helping hand (paw!) to others.
University of tennessee
Wednesday, May 4: Paul and
Freckles made yet another trip
to UT's Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Knoxville. This time,
the x-rays showed that Freckles was FINALLY free of
pneumonia. It's been a long struggle and we will be forever
grateful to Jennifer E. Stokes, DVM, and the wonderful, talented,
and loving group of staff and students at UT. It is a fact that
together, they saved Freckles' life! Wow ...
yappy hour!
Thursday, May 5:
Freckles
was one of the "celebrity guests"
at the Asheville Humane Society's
"Yappy Hour" fundraiser
at the Grape Escape in Asheville NC.
She shared the red carpet
with
Penny (the new face of Yesterday's Tree), Tye (who is
frequently
featured in the newsletter Laurey's Catering), Max
(who is a fixture
at Willow's Dream), and LeeChee (who was
featured on National
Geographic's "Dogs With Job"). Freckles
was particularly attracted to Maggie the Wonder Dog (of Jay Leno
and Pet All Stars fame). A little Jack Russell Terrier, Freckles
said,
"It's a mini-me!"
homestead elementary/Crossville
Friday, May 6: Paul and
Freckles spoke to a gymnasium full of
students, teachers, and parents at the annual "Family Read Night"
at Homestead
Elementary School in Crossville, TN. What a
great school filled with great people!
We were greeted by this terrific banner
outside the school!
The moving forces behind the event were
Gretchen Thurman and Cheryl
Richardson, shown here with Trish, Freckles, and Paul.
We stayed at the Comfort Suites Inn in
Crossnore, TN. They waived
their "no pet" rule for our certified pet therapy dog Freckles.
They even
had a fire hydrant in the middle of the yard ... "just for Freckles."
BDalton/ Knoxville
Saturday, May 7: The next
day, Paul, Trish and Freckles drove to
Knoxville TN where they were put in the window of the store in West
Towne Mall. (How much is that author in the window?). We met
some of
the neatest people of all ages. Some are shown in the pictures
below.
Many thanks to store managers Dru and Mike for helping put this
together!
"Freckles was a treat to have in our
store," said Dru. "She was welcomed
by kids and staff alike. Lots of people stopped to see what was
going on
and stayed to pet Freckles and shop. She is truly a special dog,
soothing
kids and adults alike!"
rainbow mountain childrens
school
Wednesday, May 11: Freckles,
Trish, and Paul visited the most
extraordinary school today where they met all the kids in the first,
second, and third grades. Rainbow Mountain is an
animal-loving
school!
Black mountain correctional
center
Thursday, May 12: The next
day, Paul and
Freckles spoke to the
prison population, administrative staff, and guards at the
Black
Mountain Correctional Center for Women in Black Mountain
NC.
The facility is running a program (very similar to the one from which
Freckles came from at the Maricopa County Jail) in which the inmates
take care of dogs that would otherwise be euthanized. They work
with
the animals and make them adoptable. These women are saving lives!
pet news network (PNN)
Friday, May 13: Paul braved
all this Friday the Thirteenth(!)
and went
with Freckles and Trish to Emma Elementary School in Asheville NC.
There, a delightful class of students volunteered to be the audience for
the taping by videographer Harry Lite of nine of Paul's
"Kids Korner"
segments for PNN, which airs in the area on channel 10!
WD Williams elementary
Friday, May 20: Trish, Paul,
and Freckles met with all 600 K-5
students at this great school in Swannanoa NC. It was the school's
Young
Authors Day (Paul was allowed to be there anyway! What a
wonderful time we had. And thanks the neat T-shirt, guys!
Mission hospital
Saturday, May 21: Freckles
went on her second visit to Mission
Hospital in Asheville NC. She met (and was eagerly petted and
hugged and kissed) by some extraordinary youngsters. It's just
possible that they were able to forget for a half hour or so that
they'd rather be somewhere else!
North Buncombe elementary
Thursday, May 26: Paul and
Freckles spoke to all 650 K-4 students
at North
Buncombe Elementary in Weaverville NC. It was their
"Young Author's
Day" and Paul is always glad to go places where
they describe
him as as young! (Okay, just kidding.) It was also
the last day for Marilyn Campbell who was retiring as the school's
librarian after 27 years! What an honor it was to be there on such
a special day. She's a wonderful person and the kids and teachers
have been so very fortunate to have her in the school.
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