The only sure thing about luck is that it will change.~Wilson Mizner “Wallet stolen — contained passport and credit cards.” At the little police station hidden in a corner of the Stazione Termini, the main train station in Rome, I filled out the necessary forms while trying to hold back tears of anger, frustration, and humiliation. Oh, yes, we’d been warned. First by Rita, our Italian languag...

People who love cats have some of the biggest hearts around.~Susan Easterly During my college days, I began cultivating myself to fit the image I held of an aspiring author. I fancied myself a connoisseur of language and shuddered at others’ misuse of it. Most of all, I scoffed at people who spewed drivel at babies or, even more loathsome, at pets. Although neither babies nor pets were part o...

Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.~John Wayne “We’re going where!” It was more of an exclamation than a question. “We’re going to do what?” Now that was a real question, because I wasn’t sure I had heard right. And so my daughter repeated it. “We’re taking you to Colorado to celebrate your eightieth birthday. And we’re all going on a hot-air-balloon ride.” I almost star...

For every mountain there is a miracle.~Robert H. Schuller “Thirty-seven… thirty-eight… thirty-nine… Yay, Mica! Woohoo!” Mica’s excited barks rang out in the frozen stillness. Atop Blackhead Mountain in January, I stamped my feet and clapped my hands to stay warm and also to celebrate Mica’s amazing accomplishment. Making it to the summit of Blackhead is no mean feat, as the trail ranges from ...

Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.~Anatole France Experience fostering retired racing dogs led my husband and me to believe we could handle anything. Yet nothing prepared us for what padded into our lives the day we adopted Ray. Steve and I had inquired about a sleek, handsome boy who sported a black-and-white tuxedo coat. Retired due to injury, he had tran...