Saturday, August 8, 2020

Are you a pet person? by Christine Bush


Are you a pet person?  In my family, we’ve always had pets.  This has included dogs (and puppies) , cats (and kittens), birds, fish, hamsters, chickens, hermit crabs,  and many years ago, my husband had a goat.


In the past many years, our pets have come to us through the “rescue route”, either through organizations dedicated to homing distressed and deserted animals, or  through a troubled friend or relative who could no longer care for their furry (or feathered) friend.

Pets get blended right into the family.  It seems we also have become our extended family’s “pet care and resort” when they vacation or have needed to travel.

So it’s no wonder that in many of my books, my characters pets are front and center in the story.  I feel that characters with beloved pets are very appealing and have a heart for romance!

With so much love for animals, it’s become so clear to me that this pandemic, and general interruption of life “as we are used to it” has had a great effect on the folks who care for and protect animals in our society.



Shelters have had to operate without the volunteers who offer their time and abilities to keep animals healthy and happy while waiting for adoption.

In some ways, amazingly good things have happen.  I’ve heard many happy stories of families who have decided to adopt a pet during this time when they would be home for bonding and training. Lots of animals have found a forever home. That’s a good thing.

But some have lost their home too.  People in severe economic stress have had to turn over animals, losing their living space, losing their means to buy food and supplies.

Zoos have continued to feed and care for their inhabitants, operating without their ticket revenues and volunteers.

Vet care has struggled to continue to offer services to sick pets, losing employees, and “social distancing” their pets and owners for health and safety.

There’s lots of ways to help animals (and their owners) in this crisis.


Maybe you have been thinking of adopting a pet?  Maybe you know someone who lost their job and would appreciate a big bag of pet food or cat litter?  Maybe you can make a donation to a local shelter?  Maybe you can renew your zoo membership, even though you might not get there this year?

My book “Hannah’s Heart” is a sweet romance novella set in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. Hannah is a physical therapist who also volunteers at a struggling local animal shelter.  Besides the all- important event of falling in love (happily ever after is always a given!), the animal shelter gets some big time help.  It’s a win-win!

And I want to make it a Win-win-win.  Go click and buy this book (available in book and print) this month.  All of my royalties on this book this month (August 2020) will be donated to a local animal shelter to help them get through this tough time. I’ve chosen the “The Last Chance Ranch”, where homeless horses, dogs and cats reside in peace, health, and safety until a new home is found.

https://www.amazon.com/Hannahs-Heart-Christine-Bush-ebook/dp/B07RFDY79R/

 

Are you a pet person?  I’d love to hear!

Christine Bush is a USA Today Bestselling author of romance, romantic mystery, and suspense.  She can be found living in the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania with her husband and 2 lazy cats, and spending time with her 14 grandchildren.   When she’s not writing, she’s teaching Psychology at a local college, and working with clients in her private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist. She loves to hear from readers and writers!


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Bush-Author/213919128638762
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Bush/e/B001KHSLRG/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1392688497&sr=1-2-ent

 

 

 


4 comments:

  1. Through the years we've had all kinds of pets, dogs, cats, hamsters, fish, birds. We are currently petless.

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  2. I am a pet person. Specifically a dog person. Growing up we had dogs, fish, rabbits, and chickens though I never considered the chickens pets. We had a ton of them that I was responsible for taking care of. They weren't cuddly like a dog or rabbit. :) I lived on a farm and we sold the eggs. Today they would have been considered free-range chickens.

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  3. I'm definitely a pet person, Christine. :)

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