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Volume 5, Number 5
Publisher: Guerrero Ink
Online: http://www.guerreroink.com
Copyright © 2007 Diana L. Guerrero. All rights reserved.
Content may not be reproduced without permission.
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April News & Tips
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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. Tales from the Trips (Latest News)
2. Question(s) for the Month
3. Critter Chronicles
4. Schedule of Upcoming Events & Appearances
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1. Tales from the Trips (Latest News)
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Wow is time ever flying by quickly. Can you believe that we are already in May? The ”Blessing of the Animals book” tour has kept me busy and has been fun. Unlike my last book tour with “What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality,” I am only doing local book events with the exception of a few events such as the LA Festival of Books and Book Expo America in New York.

The really fun part of this is that animals are coming to all the events. If you are not reading the book blog, stop by and take a gander to get all the news and see the snaps. http://www.blessingoftheanimals.com/blog_book_buzz.html

The highlights for April included being the guest of Olvera Street’s annual blessing of the animals. Cardinal Mahony got a bit out of control with the holy water--you can listen to that story along with a live pet blessing in the extensive interview with Val Heart (online at the book blog). We covered everything from pet blessing to contemporary ceremonies, animal training, pet parenting and lots more. Most everyone enjoyed the stories and it was a listener that requested the live blessing.

On that note, I’ve received a few calls to do pet blessings and other appearances and so will probably head down that path. Many people don’t know that I am an animal officiate--the cat is out of the bag now!

Anyway, I’d like to do a living room tour—so if you are a book club member or the staff or volunteer at an animal facility mention this option. For the moment I will be sticking to California.

Also, if you are in the New York area and have a favorite pet boutique or store, let me know about it. We are currently contacting businesses in the area for pet blessings!

Finally, my pal (and former member of the Alliance of Writers) has just had her first book published. I hope you will take a look and buy at “Sail into Your Dreams: 8 Steps to Living a More Purposeful Life.”

Karen is throwing her book party up here in Big Bear in June--so if you are in the area plan on attending.

http://tinyurl.com/2w25d6

Have a great month and thanks for your continued support.
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2. Question(s) for the Month
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We had a great question during the teleseminar about animal blessings. Do you need any specific credentials to conduct a pet blessing?

The answer depends on the tradition you come from. Most pet blessing events are officiated by a rabbinical leader or ordained member of the clergy. Today pet officiate training is offered to clergy—it is a new phenomena.

However, my personal belief is that anyone can ask for a blessing and many people pray or utter blessings for a variety of things on a daily basis. Most think of blessing food, asking for restoration of health, or praying for a safe trip, but affirmations and other such practices are common throughout different communities and are in alignment with the same intention of asking for a blessing.

“Blessing of the Animals: A Guide to Prayers & Ceremonies Celebrating Pets & Other Creatures” was written so people could conduct their own blessings and ceremonies AND so that clergy and other groups could have a handbook to assist them in conducting events celebrating our animal brethren.

One teleseminar participant reported that when the event ended, she went right over and conducted a pet blessing with her pets. So, don’t be shy about it. If your pet is a blessing—celebrate it!

Have a question? Drop me a line for the next issue.

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3. Critter Chronicles
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I’ve enjoyed all the critters that have been showing up at the “Blessing of the Animals” book tour. The visitors have mostly been from the canine clan but the variety has included both large and small.

Olvera Street and the Haute Dog Parade were both a hoot. I took tons of pictures but have been editing them and it is taking longer than it should to get those together to post online. This is a good lesson for me to not promise to get the pics up so quickly!

The Eastside Book Café event was a blast as about 20 members of Mountain Social Links showed up to support the book signing and to sample the great coffee drinks. I heard they are planning another event for this weekend’s Cinco de Mayo signing at McCabe’s Bookstore in Crestline and am looking forward to it.

I am also looking forward to meeting the new kitty supervisor—BeBe. If you knew Sam he finally passed on about a year ago. Word has it that BeBe has brought her own flair to the shop.

During my travels my pal Carol Gurney arranged a picnic at the Windy Hill Ranch in Thousand Oaks, California. Wow, what a great facility. Not only do they take stellar care of their animals but they also take care of their 35 full time staff members who live there.

In addition to providing educational programming for city kids, they also have a state of the art facility for horse training—Olympic style. Every animal is well cared for and well adjusted.

I wrote about this briefly on the blog. The facility has also hired people from the Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC). They are a very happy group that comes onto the ranch and works at helping around the place.

They are getting ready to conduct a fundraiser at the Ventura County Fair and gifted me with a great bird nest ball. They took whiffle balls, decorated them, and then filled them with Alpaca hair from the ranch.

I have to hang mine up—and when I do I will post the photo--anyway they will be selling them for $3.50 donation or more. Go take a look at the pictures of the ranch and farm at the blog. I am sure you can email them to order some: http://www.blessingoftheanimals.com/blog_book_buzz.html

On the last trip I also got to be the guest at one of Carol Gurney’s workshops. People from all over turn up to be trained by her. She is one of the premiere animal communicators and we had a great time in the class. You can learn more about her at http://www.animalcommunicator.net

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4. Schedule of Upcoming Events & Appearances
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May is underway with some new classes. Changes occur frequently so please check the website calendar to double check if you are planning on traveling to any event. Group dog training, puppy preschool, kitty kindergarten, and pet parenting classes will begin in May. Please call (800) 818-7387 to make your reservations.

May 5, 2007
Book Event 11am-2pm
McCabe & Company Books
909.338.1306
Crestline, CA

May 9, 2007
Understanding Animal Behavior & Training
Prerequisite to Puppy Training Class (6pm)
Bear Valley Pet & Animal Supply
Big Bear Lake, CA

May 10, 2007
Understanding Animal Behavior & Training
Prerequisite to Group Training Class (6pm)
Bear Valley Pet & Animal Supply
Big Bear Lake, CA

May 12, 2007
Book Event 1pm-3pm
Enchanted Crystal
909.867.1190
Running Springs, CA

May 13, 2007
Puppy Club (TBA)
Bear Valley Pet & Animal Supply
Big Bear Lake, CA

May 13, 2007
Canine Club (TBA)
Bear Valley Pet & Animal Supply
Big Bear Lake, CA

May 16, 2007
Puppy Training Class (6pm)
Bear Valley Pet & Animal Supply
Big Bear Lake, CA

May 17, 2007
Group Dog Training Class (6pm)
Bear Valley Pet & Animal Supply
Big Bear Lake, CA

May 19, 2007
Gallery Signing 1pm-3pm
Serenity Place Gallery
909.866.2700
Big Bear Lake, CA

May 20, 2007
Puppy Club (TBA)
Bear Valley Pet & Animal Supply
Big Bear Lake, CA

May 20, 2007
Canine Club (TBA)
Bear Valley Pet & Animal Supply
Big Bear Lake, CA

May 23, 2007
Puppy Training Class (6pm)
Bear Valley Pet & Animal Supply
Big Bear Lake, CA

May 24, 2007
Group Dog Training Class (6pm)
Bear Valley Pet & Animal Supply
Big Bear Lake, CA

May 26, 2007
Author Signs, Blessing of the Animals
Book & Bean (Noon-4pm)
Big Bear Lake, CA
909-878-4083

May 27, 2007
Author Signs, Blessing of the Animals
Edelweiss Books (1pm-4pm)
Big Bear Lake, CA

May 30-31, 2007
No Classes due to travel!

May 31-June 3, 2007
Book Expo America
Booth 4138-39
New York, NY

Thanks for your continued support and suggestions
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Have a great month and stay tuned!
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Copyright © 2007 by Diana L. Guerrero
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