Melanie Dixon Books

I'm Sharing My Free Graphic Novel in Social Media!

2025-12-04T14:58:00.000-08:00

I’ll be sharing all 16 pages of my latest project with my Friends and Followers on Facebook, one page per day. If you would like a printed copy of my small graphic novel, they are $12 CAD or $12 USD each, depending on country which covers postage costs. Thank you for viewing!

To order please email me here: mdixonauctions@yahoo.ca

Who Is the Power of Isabel – My Cat in the Palms?

2025-05-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

No matter what time in history, the Earth keeps on rotating and time moves forward. There has never been a time when the past could be changed, or time travel could occur. After Isabel the cat passes away, her owner Ann has an epic decision to make. However, before she can commit the deed, Isabel returns to her in an unexpected way.

After Isabel saves her human, she throws them into an initially heart-warming time loop of nine lives, but for how long? Every time Ann or Isabel touches a palm tree, they travel to the next destination. They are companions throughout the millennia, from cave dwellers, to ancient Egyptian times, to Victorian times, and to the groovy 1970s.

But Ann and Isabel are unaware of their nine lives in each of these time frames. These journeys start to impact time itself, until Ann meets Isabel’s mother on the bridge one day. And then she comes to the realization that she is not who she thought, and that the disintegrating Earth is all her fault.

How one small cat can control time is unknown, and purrhaps it shall never be known. As the Earth is severely impacted by the twist in space and time, it’s now time to call the cat to the rescue.

My latest print book contains the following: TV movie script, cat poetry, cat art and photographs, a short article about me and my cats, and a suggested playlist. The digital e-book contains only text content. You can purchase the KDP digital e-book or full colour cover print book here: https://mybook.to/powercat

How Can I Become Rich Writing Articles for Upwork, Fiverr, Newspapers & Magazines?

2025-04-30T17:37:00.000-07:00

Since I’ve been a writer for almost my entire life, and been professionally published since 2007, with indie-published books since 2017, I often hear this question. Well, since there is so much competition from AI, also known as A.I. or “Artificial Intelligence”, here are three tips.

1. Jump up and down on the ground and whine a lot. The AI on your computer will listen and send you a load of paid work. (Be sure to give it your credit card information too!)

2. Go out and buy 50 cans of high-priced cat food for your cat! If you have a dog, don’t leave him out! Since your credit card is being tracked by the bank, they’ll see your huge credit card charge, and immediately send you tons of work to complete by Friday. Don’t ever expect to eat or sleep again, as you’re going to be busy!

3. Buy 100 books on writing to learn how to do it correctly. And then, spend more money on college courses. See, that’s so much simpler than simply applying for a job at McDonald’s to make some extra cash. And cheaper too!

There you have it! Soon you’ll be making a million dollars in your first year as an online content writer, AKA, the stupid article writer!

Disclaimer: Please note this a satiric parody article and the author makes no claim for accuracy. It is simply a joke! LOL!

I've Posted FREE CONTENT on my Google Drive to Share!

2025-03-10T18:08:00.000-07:00

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Thank you, free deal now closed. I've had 50,603 downloads and received $13,320 in Kofi!

Do you need more cat content? If so, please read FURther!

You can expect to find a PDF of my e-Book, “Just One More Purr”, a cat care guide; as well as the full e-book version of “A Collection of Cats”, short stories to enjoy; on my free shared link.

There are also some badly drawn cat graphics that I've created that you can download and do whatever you want with them. (Only the 2 books are subject to copyright.)

Free content will be up through the Spring.

If you’re enjoying the content, I’d appreciate it if you bought me a Ko-Fi. They accept a wide range of payment methods, and I do get the tips right away. You may also buy the Just One More Purr print book on Amazon, which has been updated in 2024, or the print version of A Collection of Cats, all by me, Melanie Dixon.

Visit Melanie Dixon's Buy Me a Ko-Fi Link Here!

Thank you so much for your support! I hope you enjoy your free cat goodies!

2024-08-09T09:52:00.000-07:00

LAUNCH TIME! The Fiction Sampler Project is live!

7 authors, 12 big samples from our books. Freeeeeeeeee……! (Or a small fee for the “A” site.)

So, it's finally here: Over one dozen big book samples (10k words each) from 7 authors including Michelle Patricia Browne, Melanie Dixon, Deirdre Gould, Rune S. Nielsen, Tabitha Ormiston-Smith, Joseph Picard, and Sandra Wickham.

There are a few zombies involved, some high fantasy, some urban fantasy, some high tech, some low tech, some magic, some raw realism, and best of all, some mystery! Arranged for easy clickable perusal. Spread it around! We're all hyped to share our worlds with you!

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It's on Amazon and Barnes&Noble, Nook, and more, (though Amazon will currently charge you money).

Go to https://books2read.com/u/3RWwov to see all the current sources.

Now go and enjoy!

THE PUMPKIN STORY – A Meowmorial

2024-04-02T09:36:00.000-07:00

WHEN WE FIRST MET: March 17, 2018

Today was the day that we met Roxy, now named Pumpkin. Tiemen drove us to Abbotsford, which took about one hour. We found her current human's house. She had told us she was in the basement of their parents’ house. We knocked and they let us in. We met her and her husband, and their young daughter. We also met Roxy (now Pumpkin), and Sydney (the other cat, a lot like Cristobel and Isabel combined).

My friend had to leave for a meeting, but the other two remained behind. Sydney was okay with me, but Roxy let me pet her. My friend handed me the lint and fur roller, and the cat went crazy over that. I tempted her with a lint roller many times in the future. It was a great way to get her attention and have her come to me. My friend left for her meeting while her husband and child stayed there. We sat on the couch and the cat was beside me. She let me pet her and purred. I leaned my head in and asked, “Do you do kissies?” And Roxy leaned forward and placed her nose on mine! “Yes, you do!” I exclaimed.

Tiemen asked me if I wanted to bring her home. I said to him, “I think they want both cats to go together.” My friend's husband said we could think about it. We used the bathroom and then left.

NEW HOME WITH ME – April 2, 2018

After a few weeks of back and forth, and my friend finding a home for Sydney, I agreed to adopt Roxy. Kitty Delivery Day was on the afternoon of April 2, 2018. My friend arrived with her family. She opened up the carrier, and the cat came out. Roxy was really excited to explore my place and ran around investigating everything. My friend looked around my place to be certain it was adequate for her, and seemed pleased.

The cat then realized what was happening. She hid behind the right side of the couch. My friend told her daughter to say goodbye to her cat. Her husband and her daughter both said goodbye. My friend had one last peek behind the couch. They left.

I had the thought that my new cat liked it here, so she hid from them so she could stay. But she had a bit of trouble settling in, so that couldn’t be it.

The cat came out a couple of hours later, to food and treats. She had her kitty basket with a towel in it, which she slept in. Her first night, I decided to place her in the bathroom. I let her out the next day. She also had Isabel’s old burgundy kitty couch, washed and cleaned, to sleep in too. I placed a blanket on the couch for her also. She used her basket for a few months, but then abandoned it. She enjoyed playing with a Hello Kitty cat toy and others from her first day there.

It wasn’t until May that we settled on a name for Roxy. I wrote three names down on a sheet of paper and told Tiemen to circle which one he liked. I think that Roxybel or Laurelbel may have been other options. I know “Pumpkin” was one of them. He circled that name and I saw it and he laughed. But I agreed. She was a Pumpkin!

Two months in, I was worried, and maybe regretted adopting her, much like Cristobel. There was only one Isabel, who had settled into my place so quickly. “You’re not Isabel!” became a common saying during her years with me. One time, she even hissed back at me when I said it. Later, I felt bad, but around 2022, I just said it, because it was the truth. But Pumpkin did settle into my home, and then into our townhouse after we moved, and I know she loved and trusted me, and vice versa.

My aunt Marg told me to wait for Pumpkin to come to me for attention. After a few months, she did, and she enjoyed being brushed and petted.

It wasn’t until summer 2019 that she jumped on the bed. By the end of the year, she’d sleep on the foot of the bed. I set up an orange cat blanket for her to sleep on, as if she didn't have anywhere else to sleep!

DEMEANOR

Overall, Pumpkin was an extremely intelligent cat and would often understand what I was saying, or what I was asking of her. But if she didn’t want to do something, you couldn’t make her do it. She wouldn’t hesitate to hiss at me. She even bit me and drew blood a few times, and swatted my face and scratched me once.

In August 2023, I took her to the new vet clinic in Poco. There, the vet tech told me she was the “sweetest” cat they had that day. I’m like, “What? Is that my cat?” But she did get less feisty and spunky as she got older. By the time she passed away in January 2024, she was quite the sweetie, and would trust me to look after her like a meowmie would. She purred more often and loudly in her later years than the quiet purr she had when I first adopted her.

She was curious of her surroundings, particularly when we moved. She only liked her two humans, Tiemen and I. The rest she could leave. She asked Tiemen for food all the time, even though she knew I fed her too. She demanded her food or a treat if she was hungry, and would not take no for an answer.

She was scared of the vacuum cleaner, and even with the second one I bought, but the smaller ones didn’t bother her much.

Generally, she was a good girl and didn’t get into things she shouldn’t, or wreck things, with the exception of chewing on plastic bags, or the corner of the wall, or tearing up the Lil Bub calendar at the beginning. She understood a yes, nod, lap, or up command, and even no. She knew that “upstairs” meant we were going upstairs.

MOVING

In July 2022 we bought a townhouse. That meant me and Pumpkin would be moving from my condo to the townhouse, and Tiemen would move from his Mum’s house to there. I was worried about Pumpkin and the future move in November, especially after the way she had settled into the condo at the beginning. So, I was worried about our new place.

In November 2022, I put Pumpkin in the van with a towel covering the carrier. We drove to the townhouse. There, I put her in the bathroom with water, food dishes, and a litter box. I let her out of the carrier, and put a sign up on the door that there was a cat within, and to not open the door.

Once the movers were gone, I opened the door. I blocked the hall with two long boxes stacked on each other. She now had access to the bathroom and my bedroom. She ran all over the place, excitedly exploring everything. All the furniture and bed linens were the same, just in different spots. That night, she slept with me on the bed.

The next day, I decided to let her explore the rest of the house. I was worried about the two sets of stairs, as we didn’t have stairs at the condo. She loved the stairs, walking up and down them, sometimes running much faster than I could go! She sniffed all the furniture, which was the same as at the condo. Same stuff, just a new location. She didn’t venture downstairs to the front door for quite a while yet. Besides, she wasn’t allowed down there.

She quickly found her second litter box under the desk alcove in the dining room, and used that. She had her food dishes in the kitchen on a tray, and also some upstairs on a small tray. I set up her water glass on my bedside table.

At first, she didn’t like it when I picked her up to peer out the window. A few months later, she got curious and would go right up to the windows, or patio door to look out. I had to be careful when I opened doors, because she never did that before. At the condo she hated being near the windows and doors.

Pumpkin settled in so quickly, and I was happy. I guess it was because I moved with her, and that was good enough for her. We lived here together for 14.5 months, until she passed away on January 31, 2024.

PUMPKIN HUMOUR

Normally, I could touch Pumpkin’s tail at any time. But sometimes we’d play this game where she’d walk past me in the living room, and I’d gently grab the end of her tail. She’d hiss at me, then carry on. She continued to do this into 2023, but stopped hissing at me around Fall 2023.

I’d often joke that I’d have a Pumpkin, or, “I don’t have a cat. I have a Pumpkin!” Or I’d say, “It’s a Pumpkin!” when I’d see her. “Why is there a cat on my bed? I don’t have a cat!”

Sometimes she’d be staring at me and I’d stick my tongue out at her. She’d watch, likely amused, or thinking, “Whatever.”

If I ever talked about pumpkin pie or pumpkin food, I’d say, “But don’t tell Pumpkin!”

Pumpkin was generally quite smart and intelligent, but at other times she wasn’t, and I’d joke that she only had “one brain cell”, but that was mostly an orange cat joke from the This Orange Cat group on Facebook.

I’d joke to Tiemen that she had him trained, as he gave her food when she meowed, or yowled early in the morning.

Sometimes I’d ask Pumpkin, “Are you cutes?” or, “Do you want pets?”

If I was cuddling her and her toesies were cold I say, “Did you know it’s illegal for pawsies to be cold?”

If it was morning and she was sitting on my bed I’d ask her, “Are you going to get dressed?

MORE READING MATERIALS ABOUT CATS

Thank you for reading! If you enjoy reading about cats, please see A Collection of Cats, my fictional short stories book about magical, mystifying, and sometimes silly cats here: getbook.at/catstories

If you need help with caring after a sick or senior cat, please see my Just One More Purr non-fiction cat care book here: getbook.at/purrprint

If you prefer an ebook, I have that too!

getbook.at/ameowzon

ONLINE PET MEMORIAL: Click Here for Until We Meet Again

MY BOOK COLLECTION

2023-08-02T11:59:00.004-07:00

THE NEWS IN THE PALMS

2023-07-13T14:52:00.002-07:00

Where to Find My Books

2023-03-20T14:43:00.017-07:00

Please use this handy chart to find your next good book on legit sales sites! You can click on the links to the right. I'm working hard at getting my books into more markets, with more options, but it'll take time. You can also see my latest project at the very bottom of the list! More info to come soon!

Name of Book	e-book	Print Book	Fict.	YA/ 18+	Fantasy	Action-Advent.	Myst.-Thriller	Click On Link
The Aquaria Chronicles	Y	Y	Y	YA, All Ages	Y	Y		getbook.at/aquaprint
Just One More Purr - Terminal Illness Support for Cats & the Humans Who Love Them	Y	Y		ALL				getbook.at/purrprint getbook.at/ameowzon
A Collection of Cats Short Stories		Y	Y	ALL	Y			Getbook.at/catstories
Karen, Mayor of Zombtown	Y	Y	Y	18+	Y	Y	Y	getbook.at/karen
Zombie Survival Club	Y	Y	Y	ALL	Y	Y		Getbook.at/ZSC
Writing Powered Up		Y		ALL				Getbook.at/hero
WE ARE WATCHING YOU	Y	Y	Y	ALL		Y	Y	mybook.to/thrillingmystery

How to Cope with a Golden Retriever and Asthma

2023-03-14T14:57:00.006-07:00

by Mel Dawn

Dogs are mammals, and unfortunately, they can get the same health conditions that their human admirers can. But the good news is that asthma in dogs, including golden retrievers, is not only treatable, it’s fairly simple to give medication as prescribed by a licensed veterinarian.

You’ll still need some guidance on how to cope with a golden retriever who has asthma though. It may seem overwhelming at first, and you may feel quite bad as your loved one has a bad health condition. Here we offer you some tips on how to cope with a golden retriever and asthma, along with the treatment plan that your veterinarian will provide to you.

Can a Golden Retriever Get Asthma?

Yes, a golden retriever, or any type of dog can get asthma, just like us humans, and other types of mammals too. Not everyone gets this condition, but it’s important to be aware of any symptoms so you can quickly get your pup or adult dog to the vet for proper diagnosis. If you believe it’s life-threatening, immediately take your dog to your local 24-hour emergency pet hospital! And don’t worry, this condition is fully treatable, and your golden retriever with asthma can still live a long and happy life!

What Exactly is Asthma?

There are a few different causes for asthma, but unless your dog has been diagnosed as a pup, most likely it’s due to an allergic reaction to something in the environment. It will be airborne particles that they breath in. Their immune systems will react negatively to the allergens in the air, which can lead to mucus or fluid in their airways. This can fill up, causing the airways to constrict. This results in your dog having difficulties in breathing. Most times, it will resolve on its own, but if it doesn’t, the most severe form of asthma can lead to hypoxia. This is when your dog can no long breath in oxygen. Over time, if asthma isn’t treated, a dog’s airways and lungs can be permanently damaged. The most severe form can lead to death.

What Are the Symptoms of Golden Retriever and Asthma?

It’s normal for your dog to pant, but they may exhibit other signs that can lead to asthma. These may include being out of breath, even if they’re not running, or with any difficulties in breathing. Your dog may have pale or blue gums. They may be tired and not interested in eating. They may cough and wheeze like humans do. The severity can vary from a minor inconvenience, to be seriously life-threatening. It’s best to book a vet visit, as asthma can worsen if left untreated, particularly if you don’t understand what is triggering symptoms in your golden retriever.

Why Types of Things Can Trigger My Dog’s Asthma?

Generally, it’s airborne particles that can trigger an asthma attack, though foods can do it too. Cigarette smoke is a common one, as well as campfire smoke. Exhaust fumes from vehicles or machinery is common too. If you don’t do housework on a regular basis, the household dust can affect your dog. Mold spores can be an issue in the home if there isn’t adequate ventilation. Aerosol sprays can affect your dog, including hairspray, scented air fresheners, and pesticide. Burning candles with fragrance, or air freshener plug-ins can be problematic, as well as burning incense. Wheat-based and clay-based cat litter can be a problem if your dog likes to sniff their boxes. Our perfume, hand lotion, and deodorant can trigger asthma in dogs. Cooking smells from the oven can trigger asthma, as well as deep frying or frying foods. Keep in mind that certain foods are toxic to pets, including chocolate, garlic, onions, and peppers, and even their cooking smells can cause an allergic reaction in our furry ones. Dogs can also be susceptible to flower, tree, and plant pollen. Keep in mind that flowers from the lily family are highly toxic to pets, and that includes Easter lilies and aloe vera plants.

What Types of Medications Will Be Prescribed?

There are three different types of medications that may be prescribed for your golden retriever dog. The first type you will be familiar with, as they are antihistamines. These block the allergic response in your dog’s body. The second type are bronchodilators. These are inhalers, much like the type we use for our asthma. The medication will help to open the bronchi in the lungs to make it easier for your dog to breath. The third type of medication will be anti-inflammatories. These help to reduce the swelling in the lungs. The lungs will strengthen over time and help the immune system to fight off any triggers.

What Can I Do to Protect My Golden Retriever?

The best thing you can do is a survey of your house and your dog’s environment. This includes removing all toxins that may be triggering their asthma. You can opt to use fragrance-free and unscented personal care products and cleansers. Adjust your cooking menus or turn on the fans and open the windows, while placing the dog in a room away from harmful smells. If you have a cat, opt for a plant-based cat litter, such as grass or tofu. Avoid using pesticides and aerosol sprays around the home. In fact, go through your home and toss anything problematic into a box and give it away. Also include any perfumes, candles, and air fresheners too. And just because there may be one item triggering your dog’s asthma, other items could trigger it in the future.

Your wonderful golden retriever dog is a part of your family, and soon their asthma treatments (whether daily or as required), will quickly become part of your daily routine. You’ll be relieved that your dog has a proper diagnosis, and a good treatment plan. Now you can focus on making your dog as happy as possible, which will also make you feel happier and relieved that you can do something to make them feel better!

If you’ve enjoyed being taken away by your working day for just a few minutes then please donate a Ko-Fi to me! It would be greatly appreciated, and I can keep on creating entertaining content for you!

Send from here: https://ko-fi.com/melanied

What Are the Golden Retriever Genetic Problems?

2023-03-14T14:57:00.005-07:00

by Mel Dawn

Before you adopt a puppy or an adult dog you want to know about any possible health problems. This isn’t to screen out any high-risk breeds, but more to be prepared so you can care for your pooch the best you can. Many purebred dog breeds have specific health issues. If you love the golden retriever breed, and have the opportunity to adopt a pup, or maybe you’ve seen a golden retriever at your local animal rescue center, you need to do your research first. You want to know what are the golden retriever genetic problems to expect?

Here is some value information so you can decide if you can afford vet care if there are any future issues, and also to be mentally aware, should you have to bring your newly adopted dog to the vet clinic in the future.

Are Golden Retriever Dogs Healthy?

The golden retriever dog breed is generally healthy, and they can live up to 10 to 12 years. Unfortunately, some dogs are poorly bred, so this can lead to specific genetic issues. You need to be aware that your dog could have allergies and asthma, an eye or ear condition, hip or elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, heart disease, and cancer. Dogs that suffer from these medical conditions can have a bad temperament (just like people who don’t feel well either). While it’s important to adopt a golden retriever dog from a good breeder, at times that isn’t possible if you’re adopting one from an animal shelter or a friend, where you don’t know their history. And many health conditions occur in senior or elderly dogs, so it can be difficult trying to find a dog breed that will be healthy their entire life.

Minor Skin Health Issues

Golden retrievers have thick coats. If they love swimming, you should be aware that they may develop bacteria under the skin. This leads to what are called hot spots. Your dog may incessantly scratch their skin. The skin will become inflamed and infected. This may lead to sores, scabs, and hair falling out. These hot spots can appear anywhere. The good news is that with regular bathing, and a topical and oral medication, this condition can easily be cured when it flares up.

Another skin condition that golden retrievers are prone to is called atopic dermatitis, or atopy for short. This is more related to allergies. This condition is caused by allergens that float through the air. They may be from plant pollen, tree pollen, or flower pollen outdoors, or from indoor dust mites, or mold. If your dog is going to suffer from this condition then it usually occurs from around two to four years old. Like hot spots, your dog may also scratch the problematic regions. It’s treatable with ointments. If the skin isn’t treated, constant scratching can lead to bacterial or yeast infections that are more difficult to treat. The most common locations for these skin conditions are around the eyes, the groin, the paws, and the mouth.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a health condition that is due to an endocrine disorder of the thyroid gland. The gland loses its ability to produce enough hormones. There may be weight gain and decreased energy levels in your dog. Skin and ear infections will increase. Their coat may thin and they may have skin conditions. This health condition occurs around the middle ages, and is not as serious as hyperthyroidism, fortunately!

Hip & Elbow Dysplasia

These are inherited orthopedic conditions where the bone does not sit securely in the joint. This causes them to rub against the socket, causing arthritis and pain. In hip dysplasia, the dog can having trouble getting up, and having trouble walking and running. They may be reluctant to walk up or down stairs. There may be one leg that is awkwardly held out. Elbow dysplasia is similar, but affects the elbow joints. Surgery may be required with both conditions. This condition can be prevented by spaying or neutering your golden retriever dogs.

Eye & Ear Conditions

Golden retriever dogs can be susceptible to ear and eye conditions. Their ears hang done loosely and ear wax can accumulate. This can lead to infection and inflammation in their ear canals. And since they enjoy swimming, that can also lead to ear infections too. Signs include red ears, brown or yellow debris in the ear canal, scratching or rubbing ears against furniture, bad odor, head tilt, and imbalance. Pigmentary uveitis is an inherited eye condition that can affect golden retrievers too. This involves small fluid-filled cysts in the uvea or pigmented region of the eyes. These cysts are benign, and can start growing around five years of age. You can glance at their eyes to see if they have this condition. While it is benign, it can lead to vision loss, and more serious eye conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma. Medication is used to treat it.

Terminal Health Conditions

Lymphoma, lymphosarcoma, and hemangiosarcoma are also cancerous conditions that can affect lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and heart. If caught early, chemotherapy is the best treatment. Various types of heart diseases can also affect your dog. Subaortic valvular stenosis and nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy are heart conditions that can cause issues too. It’s important to give your dog a healthy diet and to exercise them on a regular basis.

The golden retriever dog is one of the most popular breeds today. When you look at them and interact with them, you can easily understand why. These dogs are smart and loyal to their family. They are simple to train and highly affectionate. They do well with children and other pets. But like with other dog breeds, they can bring with them specific genetic health conditions. The good news is that you are now aware of these health issues, and you can keep an eye out for them in the future. Your golden retriever will appreciate how much you love and care for them!

Send from here: https://ko-fi.com/melanied

What Dog Breed Is Better: Golden Retriever Vs. Husky?

2023-03-14T14:57:00.004-07:00

by Mel Dawn

Whether you already have a dog, or you’re researching to find the best puppy to adopt, you may be considering what dog breed is better – the golden retriever or the Siberian Husky? This can be a difficult choice to make. You can always adopt both! But seriously, if you have a budget and only room for one new furry companion in your home, here is some information on how to choose the best dog breed.

Your Breed Choice Based On Appearance

These two dogs breeds have a distinct appearance from each other. The golden retriever has a distinctive golden appearance, while the Siberian husky is black and white. The golden retrievers are slightly larger dogs. They have long floppy ears while the husky has upward pointed ears like a cat. Some husky breeds do have slightly floppy ears. Golden retrievers are named for their colour, while the Siberian Husky is bred in multiple colours. Huskies can have blue eyes or multi-colored eyes. Golden retrieves have brown eyes. Those both have long snouts and pink tongues.

The Siberian Husky has several different variations of colours. These can be from agouti (multi-colored strands) to black, black and white, all-white, grey and white, red and white, brown and white, black with tan and white, and variations thereof.

The Siberian husky grows to about 20 inches to 24 inches tall, while the Golden Retriever grows from 21.5 inches to 24 inches in height. The Siberian Husky dog’s average weight ranges from 35 to 60 pounds, while the Golden Retriever dog ranges from 55 to 75 pounds.

Longevity Considerations in Dogs

The Siberian Husky dog can live up to 12 years old and sometimes 14 years old. The Golden Retriever dog has a slight disadvantage, as their average age is 10 years old to 12 years old.

Energy Levels in Huskys and Retrievers

You may want to base your choice on the dog’s energy levels. For instance, if you have a teenager that needs to work off their energy, a good dog walk three times a day will help. But if you’re a senior, then you may want an average level of energy in your new dog adoption. The Siberian Husky has extremely high energy levels, while the golden retriever has average energy levels.

Need a Good Watchdog?

If you’re seeking a companion and a watchdog, then the Golden Retriever dog will keep an eye on things while your family sleeps at night, but don’t expect too much. Likewise, the Siberian Husky dog has low watch dog instincts. You may want to opt for a smaller dog breed if you are getting one for security of your home. Or, just buy an alarm system instead.

Ability to Train These Dog Breeds

All dogs need some form of training so that they can live happily and peacefully with their families. The Golden Retriever dog is easily trained and eager to please. You may be able to do the training yourself, rather than going to the expense of hiring a trainer, or taking them to doggy school. The Siberian Husky dog is harder to train, as they are independent. There may be more challenges in getting these dogs to obey and do your commands.

Dog Breed and Tendency to Bark a Lot

If you’re surrounded by neighbors, and you need to leave your dog alone while the family is at work or school, then you need a quiet dog. The Golden Retriever is low on the tendency to bark scale. In contrast, the Siberian Husky loves to bark, a lot, and often.

The Qualifying Factors in Your Decision

Perhaps the main distinction between these two wonderful dog breeds are their appearance. They can’t be mistaken for each other, as they have distinctive characteristics. Their size is similar, but slightly different in width. Their ears are different. You can certainly base your decision on appearance, if you love one type of dog. The Siberian Husky may come out ahead in this game, because they are fluffy and cute!

But there are also other considerations. Temperament and tendency to bark, reasonable energy levels and ability to train are big factors, particularly if you live in a small housing development, or have young children or other pets. You want an easily trainable dog who doesn’t bark a lot, and will be gentle if the children get a bit crazy. For this reason, the Golden Retriever comes out ahead.

As for longevity, there are no guarantees. Dogs can get health conditions just like we do. They can suffer from accidents and injuries, and aging issues. The two-year difference can offer no guarantees, so it’s hard to choose a breed based on this consideration.

If you’re basing your decision on their watchdog abilities, then again, a smaller dog breed may be right for you. But both types of dogs will alert you to someone at the door, or in the yard. And that might be all you’re seeking in a canine alarm system.

The Final Verdict

If it were up to us, we’d adopt a Golden Retriever dog! Not only are they attractive to look at, they’re smart, loyal, and friendly. They will be easy to train, and eager to please. They have a good longevity, and will make the perfect friends with your entire family!

Now that you understand the similarities and the differences between the Siberian husky and the golden retriever dog, you can make your decision. Even learning all this information may not really help your choice. You’re going to have to go with your instinct and your heart. Go ahead and meet those puppies, or visit your local animal rescue center. Chances are that one of the dogs will stand out to you, based more on personality and temperament. Or even better, one of the many dogs will choose you! Now you have your choice made and you can live a long and happy life with your warm new companion!

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Why Adopt a Maine Coon Cat?

2023-02-16T10:38:00.007-08:00

Ten Reasons Why You Need to Adopt a Maine Coon Cat Now

If you’re seeking to adopt a cat then you may be trying to decide on why get a Maine Coon cat. Maine Coon cats are one of the most popular cat breeds in the world today. Whether you have a friend who has a Maine Coon cat, or you’ve simply viewed photos or videos online, this amazing cat breed can bring happiness to your life.

Adopting a cat is as serious as adopting a human child, so you need to carefully consider your reasons why you want to shop, not adopt. If you already have a few cat rescues, then good on you! Now you can find the cat of your dreams who will get along with all your other furry or hairy companions. While there are dozens of pure bred cat breeds out there, there are also shelters full of cats too. We can assist you in finding your reason why you want to adopt the wonderful Maine Coon cat breed.

If you’re puzzled and uncertain how to start your cat adoption journey, here are ten reasons why you should get a Maine Coon cat.

Why Adopt a Maine Coon Cat or Kitten?

Just what is so special about Maine Coon cats? They appear to get a ton of recognition in cat magazines, on cat social media websites, and at competitive cat shows. This cat can grow up to twenty-five pounds, though there are records of them being up to fifty pounds in weight. These cats can be up to 14 inches in height, and 40 inches in length. If you have young children, your main concern will be if this cat is safe around children. Perhaps the concern is because the Maine Coon cat is so large. It’s uncertain how they were initially bred, perhaps with Siberian forest cats, or Norwegian forest cats, then brought to the USA by settlers. The cat’s thick coat make them survive the harsh winters more easily. And since the cat is descended from a mix of house cat and wild cat, you may be wondering why you should get a Maine Coon cat.

Here are ten reasons to help you learn about what is so special about Maine Coon cats.

1. The Maine Coon’s Beautiful Coat Pattern

The Maine Coon cat has some beautiful coat markings. Their fur is of medium length, and can also be long-haired too. Their coat is super soft and silky, with some variations. This does make them a bit more difficult to care for, but that’s some of the fun of having a cat. Their long-haired coats are also much easier to care for than a Persian cat, so might be a better choice if you don’t want to do hours of grooming every day. Their fur length can be longer on their stomach, and they may have a mane of fur around their necks. Their fur does get thicker in the winter, then sheds before the summer. Brown tabby is their most common coat pattern colour.

2. Their Wonderful Personality

Despite their appearance, Maine Coon cats generally have a calm and gentle demeanor. They are also highly intelligent, which may be a part of how they recognize that they will thrive with a family if they are cooperative. And due to their intelligence, they are easy to train. This is not the type of cat that hisses or swats at you, though there may be an exception. If you have young children or other pets, the Maine Coon cat will be relaxed around others. They’re also quite loyal to their families.

3. A Fur Coat That Protects Them

Maine Coon cats evolved to survive harsh conditions on the sea, and also on land. If you live in a wet or colder than expected part of the UK, Europe, or the world, then this may be the right cat for you. They have long fluffy tails, and more fur on their tummies. This helps to keep them protected from snow or icy surfaces. They can take their long fluffy tails and wrap them around their face and shoulders to keep themselves warm. They also have extra-large paws, with some of them being polydactyl, with extra feet. Their ears have long tufts of fur at the top, with extra tufts of fur growing from between their toes.

4. The Maine Coon’s Amazing Size

This type of cat is too big to be a lap cat, so if that’s what you want, you may have to choose a different breed. This is one of the largest cat breeds in the world today, with the exception of the Savannah cat. Male cats can weigh up to 18 pounds, while female cats cat weight up to 16 pounds. There are some exceptions, as this breed has been recorded to up to fifty pounds (though likely overweight). Including the tail, their bodies can be 38 inches in length. They have solid muscular bodies and can defend themselves quite well against predators (though you’ll want to keep your family member inside).

5. Their Method of Communication

If you want a quiet cat, you’d best look elsewhere. The Maine Coon cat is quite vocal, and they enjoy having chats with their humans. These extremely vocal and highly sociable cats have no problem in telling you what they want. They have a wide range of sounds that you’ll soon learn to understand. These sounds can vary from howling or yowling to trilling, chirping, meowing, and other loud vocalizations. They also enjoy when their humans participate, so you’ll be able to have a good conversation back and forth.

6. The Maine Coon Cat’s Love of Water

Cats generally hate water, so it can be surprising when your cat climbs into the shower or bathtub with you. And that’s what can happen when you adopt a Maine Coon cat. They love the water, whether it’s joining you in the bath, or going for a walk outside in the rain, or hopping into a lake. They have this wonderful fascination with water. This adorable trait is believed to come from their ancestors, who had to get used to long ship journeys from Europe to America, then back again. Back then these cats would spend a lifetime on these ships, controlling the rodent population so that the human food chain was kept safe.

7. They Don’t Need a Special Diet

One of your concerns when adopting a cat may be if this cat breed requires a different type of diet than your average house cat. The truth is no, they don’t. They can eat the same crunchies and wet food and treats that other cats can eat. The difference is that the Maine Coon cat does need more food, as they are not only bigger, but also can expend more energy. They’ll also need to be fed more often throughout the day. They are as simple to feed as your usual house cat though.

8. Maine Coon Cats Are Extremely Affectionate

One of their most notable personality traits can be how affectionate these cats are. They are very gentle, and have a calm demeanor, but they are also not afraid to express their affection to their family too. You can expect to be greeted when you arrive home from work, and have your cat rub around your legs, and hop on top of you in the chair to give you a big hug. And it doesn’t matter if the cat is male or female, they’re both big cuddlers. The more you encourage the cuddles, the more that they’ll be willing to cuddle up to you, particularly in bed at night.

9. They Love to Play

Sometimes you adopt a cat and they aren’t too playful. But that isn’t true for the Maine Coon cat. These cats love to play as they’re highly energetic. They’ll have fun with your other pets in the household, or by themselves. But you should also join in on the fun and toss their toys around. They’ll have fun, and maybe even bat that toy back at you, or carry it back to you in their mouth. You should dedicate time each day to spend with your cat. You’ll both have fun together, and playing together will help you to both bond more quickly.

10. They Love Going Outdoors

Maine Coon cats love going outdoors, but you should only allow them monitored outdoor visits. The good news is that these cats are easy to leash train, and will enjoy a daily walk outdoors. Rain or snow will not stop them, they’ll still want to go out! If you build a catio for them, this will provide them with some fresh air while you take a break. And since these cats are so calm, they’ll do well in your local parks, even if there are other people or animals around.

Hopefully the wonderful ten reasons listed above will assist you with deciding why you should get a Maine Coon cat. You’ve now learned what is so special about Maine Coon cats, their size, traits, and personality, and how they can be the perfect pet for you or your family. Your male or female kitten or adult cat will quickly settle in, and you’ll be so happy to have a furry new family member!

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2022-09-27T14:39:00.003-07:00

SECRET PROJECT

What's she up to?

Keywords: izbel tabbie cat, cat in pink scarf, cat with graay pearls, mauve background with stars, Katt with mauve lilly, Christmas, Stars, Bokeh, Background, Abstract, Xmas

Christmas Thoughts, Everyday

2021-10-09T11:19:00.002-07:00

Even though last year had its challenges with everyone maintaining social distancing and not being allowed in groups, Fay still enjoyed the time she had with her two daughters. But they did seem sad as they helped put away the ornaments into their boxes, and put the tree back into storage.

“That’s it,” said Fay to her two kids. “We’re done for another year.”

Her two daughters looked sadly around the bare living room.

Fay saw that, and tried to think up ways to cheer them up. “Hey, soon it will be Valentine’s Day! We can decorate for that.” But there was a less than enthusiastic response from them.

“It’s not the same.” They left the room.

About six months later, July came.

“Can we do Christmas in July?” asked her eldest daughter.

Fay looked up from the screen and saw her two daughters standing there. They were holding some gifts they had gotten for Christmas last year. “Can’t see why not!” she replied, knowing that often stores had “Christmas in July” promotions happening, and that for a few weeks it was acceptable to have some Christmas decorations up. The southern hemisphere of the world also had their Christmas in July, so it made sense for the rest of the world to celebrate too.

Fay and her two daughters had fun that month. But it was more than shopping for a few small gifts, and putting up the tree, and decorating the living room again. It was all about being together, and putting in that effort to be together.

“Life can get busy,” Fay had explained to her daughters. “It’s not that I don’t want to be here but I have a responsibility to earn income so I can put a roof over our heads, and put food on the table, and whatever else you gals need.”

Her two daughters smiled at her. “We get it, Mom,” said her eldest. “I’m glad we set aside some time this month to be together. I’ll see my friends again in September.”

“Yes,” said the younger daughter. “It’s too bad we can’t celebrate Christmas every day.”

The family continued on with their meal, before cleaning up for the night.

It was now near the end of the month. Fay sadly removed the packing boxes from storage.

“My daughter is right, why can’t we just celebrate Christmas all year long?” she thought to herself. She looked down at all the boxes, before a lightbulb popped into her mind.

“Hey, daughters!” she called out. “Come and help me with these boxes! I have an idea!”

An hour later, and all three were standing by the recycling bins outside. The boxes had all been flattened and folded, and were in the plastic bins.

Her two daughters looked confusedly at Fay.

"We can celebrate Christmas every day. There’s nothing stopping us.”

Her two daughters looked at each other and smiled. The family had a big group hug together. And that was how peace, love, and happiness flowed throughout the world.

The Spooky Haunted History of Ohio State University

2021-09-29T17:03:00.002-07:00

by Mel Dawn (Order your content here)

Ohio State University has been around since 1870, located in Columbus, Ohio. What’s surprising is that it’s been ranked the 13th most haunted place in the world. And “13” is certainly a privileged ranking to have for spooky happenings!

While many locations in the US have haunted happenings, it’s surprising that Ohio State University has more than one story. Over the past 151 years, Ohio State University has accumulated many intriguing stories about hauntings, ghosts, and the paranormal. These stories continue to be passed around even today.

Back in 2018, the Department of English's Student Communications Team started doing research on these stories, so that we know in fact that some of them may be true. (1.) They have accumulated over 15+ stories, and this is just a small handful. Just what are some of these spooky stories about?

Some stories are related to the paranormal and are focused more on anger than a ghost. At the Hopkins Hall, often angry messages will be found in the elevator, remnants of the past when a student got trapped there overnight.

There may even still be caretakers here, who let the students inside buildings, but then they suddenly disappear. These descriptions often lead to people who have been dead for years, but who still walk the campus, helping out.

Sometimes mischief is encouraged among the students. In 1958, students stole a body from a shed, and placed him upon a bench with a newspaper over his head. We are certain Eugene appreciated the fresh air, but unfortunately, the students were arrested.

Many of the stories focus on the professors at the university, such as Dr. Orton who still haunts the tower by making noises and chilling the air, or Dr. Clark who committed suicide after a bad investment deal went wrong. Some ghosts even have family members joining them, such as Dr. Clark’s wife, whose ghost has been spotted on Mirror Lake many times.

Some stories even involve famous serial killers, such as Jeffrey Dahmer, who dropped out. Is it possible that some of his victims haunt the campus?

No matter what you believe, when we examine the stories there have been many interesting events happen in the past, which can lead to some interesting stories in the present involving ghosts, hauntings, and paranormal activity.

Source

1. https://english.osu.edu/news/campus-legends-horrors-and-lore

Hobbies on a Dime – Making Dollhouse Miniatures

2021-02-18T18:43:00.000-08:00

Hobbies on a Dime – Making Dollhouse Miniatures

by Mel Dawn

Have you been stuck at home with limited resources and been trying to find something for you or the family to do? Crafting is a great way to stay busy, but it can be expensive too. Dollhouses and miniatures are rapidly becoming popular again. But don’t worry if you don’t already have a dollhouse, as you can make what is called a “room box”, which is just one room from any standard cardboard box.

Here’s how to get started with some common objects and repurposed items from around your home.

Determine Scale

In the dollhouse miniature world, scale is extremely important. The most popular scale is 1:12: that’s one inch for every 12 inches or foot. For example, if your microwave oven is one foot wide, you can make a toy microwave from a tiny bit of cardboard that’s one inch wide.

If you own a ton of action figures, the common scale is 1:18. Barbie is 1:6. If you start making items, don’t worry if an item seems a bit out of scale, as that’s all part of the fun.

Supplies Needed

Most people will already have basic supplies at home. Set aside a pencil and ruler, tape, and glue. Have a look through your office or craft supplies. Old cards or scrapbook paper will make great room box walls. The great thing about miniature-making is that you need only a tiny amount of supplies.

Re-purposed Items

Dig out your recycling bin and have a look through it. Save any small bottle caps, cardboard, and plastic containers. Have a look through your junk drawer. If you have a ton of screws, o-rings, paper clips, etc. you may also get ideas on what to make. If a small appliance has broken, you’ll have wonderful fun taking it apart. (Tip: make sure it’s unplugged first and avoid the power source!)

Miniature Ideas

You can start small, by making some miniature books from recycled magazines with cardboard covers. Plastic bottle caps can be for a kitchen waste bin. Used straws can be repurposed for candle holders or lamps.

After you’ve created your first miniature item you’ll start thinking up many more ideas on what else to make. Soon you’ll be setting aside old or used items that others will call trash, but you’ll call treasure. You’ll know you’ve graduated to dollhouse miniature expert when you see everyday items repurposed as something entirely different.

Have fun with your new eco-friendly dollhouse miniature hobby!

In image:

Bathroom sink made from deodorant cap, paper straw, bottle cap, lip balm insert, scrap wire, sequin, real soap (Purchased: 2 gold taps).

Pillow and slippers: scrap fabric and ribbon.

Stuck for a Short Story or Book Idea? Here's an Idea! Story Prompt Ahead...

2021-01-20T16:18:00.009-08:00

Even the most talented of writers often gets stuck for ideas. Here's a story prompt for you.

"A chemical explosion destroyed a city, turning most residents into zombies. Total chaos. Story location is in a post-apocalyptic city named OKU City. Zombies walk the blood-filled streets during the night, while thugs roam the city during the sunlight. Nobody is safe. The only person who can save them is Kari, a woman with angelic powers."

I give you free reign! If you write something, please let me know!

2020  Holiday Etiquette – Navigating These Complicated Social Situations During Covid-19

2020-11-13T11:16:00.003-08:00

Happy Holidays!

by Mel Dawn

2020 has been a challenging year for all of us. Not one person alive has not been affected by the world’s COVID-19 pandemic. On top of that, we’ve undergone one of the most divisive elections in our history. Both me and my fellow author, Donna, have felt that if we’re to survive a holiday season that’s normally happy and fun, we really need to come together and forget our differences, yet still remain healthy and safe.

In an era dominated by text-messaging and other digital communications, the desire for a powerful and memorable connection with others – and the desire to create special moments that express our love for the most important people in our lives – is more powerful than ever. But there is still something missing when we connect with others through online apps or software.

So, just how do we do connect in person? Well, it turns out our ancestors had the answers. If you ever remember as a child to greet your hostess graciously, helping to set a ten-place table setting, and giving thanks before you dive into that delicious meal, then we really need to get back to these basics.

And there just may be a time when you have no idea what to do. What happens if you receive a gift you hate, or no gift at all? What if your best friend suddenly tells you she supports a different political party than you do, right in front of a large group? What if you’d love to invite your vegan friend but you’re serving turkey? What if the women are doing all the work in the kitchen?

I’d be happy to help you navigate through these challenging times so you have a fantastic December with friends, family, and colleagues, whether you do it in person, or online!

At first you might be thinking how you have weeks to prepare. But do you really? Christmas and holiday decorations seemed to be in the stores earlier this year. Most people had nothing else to do, so they eagerly bought up decorations in August.

If you’re hosting a huge dinner, then you want to start baking cookies now, especially the type that freeze well. Cakes and other baking can wait until the day before the event.

But the last thing you want to have happen is holiday burnout. You don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen on the big day, cooking ten different dishes. And you never know what might happen during these times.

Remember that big toilet paper and flour shortage? You simply can’t leave things to the last minute.

While these few weeks may sound like a great deal of time, if you factor in every item on your holiday “to do” list, it may be too cumbersome. If you’re already working a full-time job or caring for family members, in reality you may only have five weekends left, or even just ten full days. And that’s no time at all.

This is such a short window of time. Holidays should be fun and a time to see people you haven’t seen for a while. And yet, it’s no surprise that the holidays can be the single most stressful time for a woman. There is too much to do and too little time. (Tip: Men and children love to help out, you just need to ask!)

Our etiquette tips will encompass everything from being the perfect guest or hostess, to gifts, drinks, and food. And if you’re the guest, you’ll also learn how to act kindly and graciously, even to people you’re uncertain about.

If you’re uncertain how to be a hostess, then we’ll help you out with that too, with everything from the perfect invitation to entertaining tips. And what do you serve at the party? We’ll provide help here, particularly with fussy or limited eaters, or that friend who’s a recovering alcoholic. We also have advice on the perfect holiday decorations.

There will also be those challenging circumstances when someone brings up religion or politics at your party. (Help!) Or, what to do when you see someone isn’t doing their fair share of the work?

Our blog article encompasses all holiday celebrations, no matter your culture. Don’t be afraid to invite a guest who you know doesn’t celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa. You may discover that they’re grateful that you’ve included them and would love to join in the festivities. After all, the holidays are about caring, kindness, and warmth!

What Is Etiquette and Why Is It Important?

At its most fundamental core, etiquette is simply the concept of thinking of others and wanting to make them feel comfortable in your presence.

What most people call rules, we call guidelines, which exist to help one navigate both business and social settings with great poise and unflappable grace.

Etiquette certainly has a long history, especially with the upper and royal classes. Without this conventional set of rules to help govern our personal behavior in polite society, our lives would be in chaos. An accepted form of positive social behavior is what sets us apart from animals. You can imagine without it, not only would life not be worth living, but we wouldn’t have had all these medical or technological advances. We’d still be living in cold huts and spending most of our days hunting for food while avoiding other people.

Etiquette is a part of our society, or social class, or even social group. Did you know that the word, “etiquette” is actually derived from the French word “étiquette"? It means “ticket” and can be dated all the way back to 1750.

Etiquette in history is quite interesting to study. Even as far back as 2375-2350 BC, there was a book written by Ancient Egyptian vizier Ptahhotep, called The Maxims of Ptahhotep. He wrote about the civil virtues which include truthfulness, self-control, and even kindness toward others. Without a doubt, social morals have been in place since the early peoples, otherwise how would we have evolved to where we are now?

Of course with our human intelligence comes conflict too. Just remember that civility to others is important. Keep your thoughts inside your head, except when discussing with your most personal confidante. Don’t mix it up with “respect”. We respect people who have sacrificed their lives for us so we now have a free country. We can’t respect that person who is against our beliefs but we can offer them our civility when hanging out with them.

Around the early 18th century, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury wrote about how politeness gives us a chance for others to have a better opinion of us, which is true.

Etiquette can be likened to social manners. Social manners often fall into three different categories. Hygiene is extremely important. You don’t want to push people away because you smell bad, or your clothing is messy. Courtesy manners involve you self-controlling yourself around others to be polite and attentive. And cultural norm manners are also notable. For instance, you might accidentally offend someone and not mean too, because there are different manners for different cultures.

Why is etiquette so important? It’s not simply remaining on good terms with your family but with everyone you know. We’ve all heard those stories about people yelling at each other in the parking lot, only for that interview applicant to discover that the hiring manager was the person who they’d yelled at. And guess what? They lost the job before the interview even started!

Interestingly, sometimes applicants do sometimes find jobs with their sensationalistic exits from their careers. But that’s the exception, not the rule.

Etiquette is even more important in business for this reason. The main purpose of business is to earn money. Anything that stands in the way is going to be cleared out, and that means that if an employee is rude to a potential customer, then they are definitely going to be responsible if someone gets offended.

In business, person-to-person negotiation is often difficult enough as it is, let alone trying to land that big deal. And any business conflicts have to be resolved through the expensive legal system.

Etiquette is also important amongst our friends and family. Do you want your family members angry with you? Of course not! Though conflict happens, you usually just argue for a bit then move on.

What’s that old saying? If something isn’t going to matter a year from now, set it free. If it will matter a year from now, make an appointment to discuss it further, but not during a family celebration!

Not only is it not fun yelling at someone, it’s not fun being yelled at either. It raises our blood pressure and is bad for our overall health. But if you’re happy and smiling, then your blood pressure remains at normal levels. Maintaining good mental health will extend your life. Everyone wants to live happy healthy lives, not be in constant conflict with a family member you have some dispute with.

Have you ever been out in public and a stranger has said how they love your shirt or your hair? Perhaps they just say “hello”? How does it make you feel? It makes you feel happy, right? Perhaps up to that point you were cranky that you have to do all the grocery shopping, but then you’re in the store and you hold the door open for a senior gentleman and he says thank you. And now you feel so much better and ready for the rest of your day!

To some extent they teach etiquette in school, but a lot of the training is done by parents. Perhaps not everyone gets the same training. Children definitely learn by their parent’s example. But don’t worry! People are constantly unlearning bad behavior and learning new behavior. It’s all part of being human.

Do you think that we practice etiquette for our own gains or because we care for others? Chances are it’s both. After all, we want a better life for us and our families and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Are there any more reasons why etiquette can be so important in our lives? Perhaps you can think up one or two reasons why you want better etiquette in your life. Or, perhaps you want better etiquette for others in your life too.

(Tip! Buy more print copies of our book for them!)

The Art of Entertaining

The vital component to executing a successful event is planning. It begins with a list of what needs to be accomplished, and when, or by a set deadline. The more tasks that can be completed ahead of time, the less stressed out you will feel on event day. Waiting to do everything at the last minute is a recipe for high blood pressure.

You have two options. You can choose to plan with a notebook, or you can create a file in Excel and manage it that way. We really recommend the Excel version as it can easily be updated and managed.

You should know right now that your first big soiree probably won’t be your best effort. But the sooner you begin, and the more events you host, the more you’ll progress to being a pro. The sooner you embrace the concept that entertaining is a skill that must be learned over time, the more comfortable you will become with the prospect of throwing parties. And like with all skills, mastery comes with time and practice.

There are certainly more challenges during these times. One is COVID-19 and the other is that people have voiced opinions that they should have only kept to themselves. There are ways of getting past this though. You’ll need to provide reassurance that you do care about your guests. You’re not hosting a party for 150, you’re hosting a party for 15.

So, how to get started with the fine art of entertaining? We’re glad you’re here!

Five Main Holiday Event Considerations

1. What is the special occasion for your event?

Are you holding the event because you haven’t seen your social bubble for a while, or is a big holiday coming up where you normally host the big family dinner? There are many options for winter celebrations, or to simply host a December party. Keep in mind that the holiday season can be busy for some, and quiet for others. Instead of hosting a New Year’s Eve party, many will wait a couple of weeks to spread out the fun a bit. But there is also the problem of social burnout too.

2. Will there be a specific theme or color palette that you want to showcase?

You may have themes in mind when organizing a wedding or Halloween party, but you can also do the same for winter events. Are you stuck? Here are some great ideas!

• A winter solstice celebration. You can bring the sun, moon, planets, and stars to life in your house. Without the sun, there would be no Earth or winter.

• Winter wonderland celebration. Many parts of the USA will be covered in snow during this time of year. What better time of year to celebrate than decorating with snowflakes, crystals, and snowmen?

• Pets theme. Let’s face it, many people are accepting your invitation because they want to meet your pup or kitten. You can create a pets theme, which is also suitable for all-family events.

• Color-palette theme. If you’d rather not have a specific theme, you can still get creative with your holiday decorations by color-coordinating them. You may not even wish to stick with the traditional December green and red. There are many other opportunities to add festive decor to your home.

• Green and sparkly white.

• Gold and silver.

• Blue and white.

• Black and white.

• Purple and light pink.

Finding festive decorations can be a challenge when you don’t want to spend a lot of time out in public. Chances are you already have plenty of holiday decorations. Have a look first to see what might be in the storage boxes that fits your theme or color scheme.

Don’t forget to look around your home too. Chances are you have some containers or vases that would match your desired theme. You may have to borrow them from one end of your home to place in the other, but after your event is over you can return things back to their places.

3. Who will be invited? This can be a tricky undertaking. You don’t want to invite everyone, especially considering COVID-19 restrictions, yet you don’t want to leave anyone out and have someone mad at you. First, decide if you want children at the party or not. You may also have to address whether people bring their dogs or not.

Then decide on who you’re inviting. It’s not a good idea to only invite one half of a couple; (unless it’s a girls’ night out), as they’ll be more likely to decline an invitation. Inviting two people together also gives a chance for one to be a designated driver, particularly if you’re serving a lot of alcohol at your event. Definitely do a “plus one” if your friend or family member is single, just in case they really aren’t, but haven’t told you yet or you’re not familiar with their relationship status.

Also consider if everyone gets along. People can probably be civil to each other over minor disagreements, but if anyone is in litigation with each other, perhaps inviting them a different time would be better.

Many people stress over inviting their boss and coworkers. It’s not necessary to invite the entire office. If you have lunch out regularly with your tribe, then go ahead and invite those who are closest to you.

4. What method of communication will you use to invite guests?

Have you ever sent out invites to last minute party plans through text or Facebook messenger? Chances are you got few responses. It can be frustrating, as people do look at their texts first. However, people don’t seem to take texts or messages that seriously. Texting and messaging is too easily brushed off. If you ask what happened, your friend or loved one will apologize and say that they didn’t see it, which will make you annoyed.

A telephone invitation is good, and even better, if your potential guest can’t make it, you’ll have still had a wonderful conversation with them.

Email is most commonly used in business, but once people get home they don’t like to check it. You can send an invite that way, but it’s possible it could be missed, just like that text message.

We believe that mail is perhaps the most formal method to send an invite. It also gives the attendee a card that they can place on their desk or mantle to help remind them that there’s an important event ahead. And if it’s for the winter holiday season, that invite doubles as a holiday card too! Just remember to write a little note in there.

It’s really up to you as to which method you believe will work best. Some social circles prefer one form of communication. You may verbally ask your friends and family in person if they’d like to attend your soiree, then you can send them a reminder invite in the mail or through text, message, or email.

But again, a formal invite shows that your celebration is going to be grand and wonderful, and perhaps they should take notice and RSVP immediately.

What Do I Include in the Invitation?

Now that you’ve figured out the occasion for your special event and who you’re sending invitations to, it’s time to create your special party invitations. The invitation is not only a means in which to announce an event but also to share with guests what to expect during the festivities.

You have the option to create your own party invitations from scrapbook crafting supplies, print them out on your computer, or order them from a local or online printing supplier. We personally love the idea of handcrafted invites, but also know that time can be precious during this time of year. Or, you can create a combination of printed invites that you order from a professional printing company, and glue on snowflakes or crystals to make them extra special.

It’s important to choose your theme and color palette first, if you’re using them. If you are using a theme or specific color palette, make sure that it is carried through on every element of the party, and that begins with the invitation. The congruence is a simple way of creating elegance. Your guests may not be able to figure it out, but it’ll make your party extra special when all elements are intrinsically tied together.

Having a party theme makes the occasion extra-exciting to your invited guests. It won’t simply be an informal gathering, but one that has been created with great thought and care, and that must not be missed!

Invitations may seem like simple pieces of paper, but a lot of care and consideration must be done. Here are six important considerations to make before you finalize your invitations at the printer’s.

1. Food Allergies. Food allergies is perhaps your single most important consideration. The last thing you want to do is serve your allergic guest peanut sauce or seafood, then have to wait for the ambulance to arrive because they had a bad allergic reaction. If your food is catered, you’ll have to pass these instructions onto the chefs so they can prepare and label the dishes accordingly. You may even wish to print out fancy tags and place them beside each dish. Be sure to ask about food allergies in the invite.

2. Food Restrictions. Not exactly the same as allergies, but some guests may have specific food restrictions due to religion, or be vegetarian or vegan. Keep in mind that vegetarian and vegan mean different things to different people, making your menu choices even more confusing. Seek clarification if they’re a strict vegetarian or vegan. Beliefs and dietary restrictions can vary from person to person. The vegan may be fine with tofurkey, while the strict vegetarian may not want to eat fake meat products, opting instead to eat veggies. You may also want to be aware if someone has a salt or fat restriction, and offer some healthy options.

There’s nothing wrong with inviting someone to bring their own dish if they have serious food restrictions or allergies. In fact, some people might do that anyway, if they are really concerned. Please don’t be offended if someone “ate before the party”. They’re simply making sure they’re happy and fulfilled at your party.

3. RSVP Return Date. Since mailing out invitations is our number one preferred form of party or event invite, you’ll need to factor in plenty of time for the post office to deliver, and for the recipients to respond. Perhaps you can accept mail-in RRVPs or telephone RSVPs. Be sure that it’s listed clearly in the invite so that on your special day you don’t suddenly have ten extra people arrive who you didn’t know were going to be there. It’s up to you whether you include a return stamp on the return envelopes, but during these times it’s definitely a caring gesture that everyone will appreciate.

4. Full contact information. If any of your guests have questions or concerns, they should find your full contact information on the invitation so that they can contact you easily.

5. Address and directions. If you’re inviting people who’ve never been to your place before, they will appreciate your full address and the best driving directions to reach your place. If there’s anything else they need to know, (intercom number or what to do at gated communities), then provide that info too.

6. Party’s start and end times. Include both the party’s start and end times. If there are any special events during the party, include that time to ensure that people who normally show up late won’t miss out.

7. Dress code. If people should dress formally, or semi-formally, include that in the invite. If there’s a party theme, let people know if they must wear a costume.

8. Party restrictions. These can be as simple as saying “adults-only” or “please leave pets at home”. What’s often so entertaining about people is that there is always that one person who goes outside your boundaries and makes you puzzled when they show up at your door.

For instance, have you ever spent hours baking cookies and cakes, only to have someone show up at your door with store-bought baked goods? All we can do is laugh and put them on the fancy platters. Trust us, we know the guests will dive right in regardless of what’s on the table!

But that’s one fun aspect of being hostess to a party event – you never know what’ll happen. But hopefully the party fun for everyone!

By now you’re beginning to understand that it’s not just a small invite in the envelope, but a complete party package. Now that we’ve covered the basics, we must move onto the essentials.

COVID-19 Etiquette Tips

Check your city’s health department to find out how many guests are allowed at your venue or home. Abide by your area’s number of guests-allowed policy and the rules that apply. You may have to enforce this rule as chances are you’ll have a few guests ask “Can I bring a friend?” (Tip: The answer is no!)

Don’t invite more people than what is permitted by law. You don’t want the police to arrive and disband the party. It’s embarrassing and costly because you will have to pay a fine, and guests will be less likely to accept your future invites. On top of that, you don’t want someone to get sick, or worse, and have that on your mind for the rest of your life.

Politely, but clearly state your COVID-19 party rules in a separate section of your invitation. (Perhaps as a separate slip of paper.)

Here is an example to help you begin:

With the exception of eating, will guests have to wear a mask? This is going to be dependent on how big your party space is. If you live in a warm state, the party may even be held outdoors, so this is less of a concern.

Are guests expected to get tested for COVID-19 prior to the party and send you the results before they are allowed to attend?

Will you do a temperature check at the door? Please note you can buy disposable plastic covers for thermometers, which will help speed up the process.

Will guests have to remove their shoes upon arrival? If you request that your guests remove their shoes, provide them with new and unused socks or slippers to wear, or ask them to bring a clean pair of their own slippers or flip flops.

If you are asking guests to get tested for COVID-19, then you and everyone in your household must do the same. State that clearly on the invitation so everyone understands the rules are the same all around.

Don’t be offended if someone declines an invitation because of COVID-19 concerns.

Cocktail Party Etiquette

Some people have never been to a cocktail party, so they may not know what to expect, or it may have been years since they’ve been to one. It’s important to be yourself, yet smile and look happy. Here are a few more tips to help the guests and hostess to have an enjoyable evening, and even better, be first to receive the next big party invite!

Tips for Guests

Just how can you be the best guest? First of all, respond quickly to that party invitation. Showing up on time is perhaps the best gift you can give the hostess. After all, if you don’t show up on time, she’ll fret that you weren’t able to make it. And if you show up late, all the appetizers may be gone.

It’s customary to bring a small gift for the hostess. It can be a good bottle of wine or a small bouquet of flowers.

Before you arrive, have something to eat. You most likely will not be aware of how many cocktails you’ll be drinking or how much food will be there. Having food in your stomach will help absorb the alcohol. The last thing you want is to make a quick exit to the powder room! If you’re concerned about what types of appetizers there will be, opt for a protein-based item before you leave home.

Avoid talking about politics or religion with your fellow guests. Find a way to steer the topic elsewhere, or politely excuse yourself.

Be polite and friendly with everyone you meet, even if you have had a grievance with them in the past.

Simply ask people “what they do”, rather than asking them what they do for a living. This is a more open-ended question and perhaps they’ll share with you about a charitable organization they help out, or a special hobby or sport they play.

Be sure to compliment people. Say something like, “I like your look!” or “I love your dress or hair”. But be careful to not stare or make anyone uncomfortable.

Don’t complain or make negative remarks toward the venue, the hostess, the guests, or anything else. A cocktail party offers the opportunity to have a fun time. Separate work from play.

Hostess Cocktail Party Etiquette

If you’re the hostess of the party, here are some tips to help you host the best cocktail party ever.

• People have varying amounts of social experience. If you see someone standing alone, bring them over to a group of people and introduce them to the others.

• If you have a buffet table or wine table set up, write short descriptions on small cards and set them beside each delicacy or bottle. A brief description about the wine’s profile will help people to decide what to drink.

• If you’ve created your own signature cocktail, be sure to write down and let your guests know why you selected these elements. If there’s an interesting backstory that accompanies it, include that too. For example: Did you first taste the Singapore Sling while visiting the Raffles Hotel on your vacation to Singapore?

• Be aware that not everyone drinks alcohol, and it may be for different reasons. Be sure to offer the following:

Soda (regular and diet)
Sparkling water
Bottled water
Juice

There are also zero-alcohol wines and beers, not to be mixed up with dealcoholized beer and wine options.

Dinner Party Etiquette

Just like with a cocktail party, a dinner party involves special etiquette too. Here are a few tips to have a successful but enjoyable party.

• Prepare as much as you can in advance. You want time to socialize with your guests, not be dashing around trying to set up the rest of the cocktails or chairs.

• If you’re hosting a small dinner, remain seated and wait until everyone has been served before you begin eating. If you’re hosting a larger dinner that has multiple tables or one long table, then you’ll only need to wait until everyone within your immediate vicinity has been seated and is ready to eat.

• Don’t season your food until you have tasted it first.

• If you need to leave the table for any reason, simply excuse yourself. You don’t need to offer a reason, such as visiting the powder room.

• A gentleman should always pull out the chair for a lady who is seated next to him, on either side. A thank you is appreciated.

• Don’t forget the elderly. I’ve been invited to many dinner parties where the elderly family members were left sitting by themselves with no one to talk with. Make it a point to spend time with Aunt Mary, who may be 84-years-old. It’s fun and interesting to chat with our elders. Think up family history questions to ask that only they can answer.

You’ve made the effort to invite guests to your event. Even if it’s just family you see all the time, make this a fun and unique event by nicely displaying food on the plates, and creating an artful dessert arrangement. Always remember that the holidays are a time to celebrate. Make this day as special as possible.

• The music playlist should comprise a variety of songs, but ones that subtly work together to create the perfect party ambiance.

Dining Etiquette

It can be challenging to find time for each other during these busy times. But dining is one special event that brings people together. It’s not simply a meeting, but a gathering with loved ones that promises delicious food and refreshments. Dining can be an intimate affair between a couple or friends, or even an event with a group of your business colleagues. It can also involve a civic or a charitable cause, or even be a family affair with close and distant relatives.

Dining can be done at your home, at a workplace, or at a rented room at the finest restaurant in town or local banquet hall. Whatever dining platform you are a part of, dining calls for certain protocols that make the event a charming and memorable one. Here are some tips to help you begin.

Buffet Etiquette

There are two different types of meals; one is the sit-down dinner where you’re served; and the other is the buffet where you serve yourself. We know that by the time you’re seated at the table, you’re hungry! But please be patient and follow this etiquette.

• Wait until the hostess says its your table’s turn to visit the buffet. Generally, people who need assistance will get to go first. Vegans and vegetarians get to go next, to prevent the other guests from taking all the veggies or salads first.

• Beverages are stationed on a separate table than the food, along with pertinent beer or wine glasses. There should be a spot for water and glasses too.

• Desserts should also be placed on a separate table. Guests should avoid this table until the end of the main course. If there is a large cake, do not touch it, as it may be part of the celebration.

• Have individual serving utensils for each dish so guests don’t have to mix them around.

• Do not eat the food or sip the drinks while in line.

• Please wait patiently for your turn. Do not reach over people. If you’ve collected your food, go and sit down.

Thank you for reading my Covid-19 holiday article! Hopefully this will be the only year that we must have restrictions on our holiday fun.

The Ghostly Habitation

2020-10-17T21:17:00.005-07:00

A Haunted House Halloween Story

by Mel Dawn

I Feel Like Somebody’s Watching Me

By Mel Dawn

Prologue

I enjoyed looking after my vast property in north Alberta. Any other state, and we’d never have been able to purchase a manor with some good acreage. Most of my neighbours complained about the upkeep of so much land, but I didn’t mind. My family enjoyed it here.

I was mowing the bottom part of our property, the part that led out to the narrow river. I was working my way up to the side of the house.

I shook my head as I ran the mower around the side. The house next to ours was in ruins. The city owned it and came by twice a year to do some upkeep, but it still wasn’t a pretty site. I really don’t know why they didn’t just unload it for some cash and put it toward the community center instead.

Oh right, something about it being “unsalable”, whatever that meant.

I was eager to finish as I was getting thirsty for some sweet tea. My mower skipped over something in the grass. I flicked the off switch. Better check it out. Maybe Janice dropped one of his toys here. If I didn’t pick it up, I’d hear no end of his whining.

I shifted the mower over to see what we had stumbled across.

Lying there in the grass was what appeared to be an animal bone. Or, was it? What’s that thing called in the arm, an ulna?

I was trying to decide whether to touch it, or let my wife deal with it when he came home, when I heard screaming coming at me.

Part 1 – It’s Alive!

“What’s the fuss?” I asked my daughter.

“It’s alive!” he ran down the path to where I was, near the front of the house.

I was briefly puzzled, wondering if he was referencing the human bone in the grass?

“What’s alive?” I asked him, dragging the mower back over the bone, as I realized these two situations couldn’t possibly be related.

“There’s a woman in the window!”

I peered frantically at the house. “In our house?”

“No, Mum, in the house next door!”

I laughed and shrugged. ”Of course there is, my dear. Probably just a Councillor checking it out, like they usually do.”

Janice, my ten year old, rushed up to me and hugged me. I patted his back.

“It’s nothing, dear.”

He pulled away and looked up at me. He shook his head.

“It’s not anyone from the city, Mum. This woman has long gray hair down to her hips. Her face was so old. If she had an age, I’d say 100 years old.”

I peered up at the old manor. There were only two upper windows facing our house. They both had brown curtains that were frayed and old. Most likely they’d been bright white about 100 years ago.

“Well, whoever she is, she’s gone now.”

“I swear I saw someone,” Janice said. “She was staring down at me from that upstairs window there.” He pointed to the one closest to us. “Look now!”

Part 2 – Moving Day

I just laughed. “Look, dear. The window is cracked. It’s just the wind, moving the curtains.”

Janice ran screaming from me and toward the backyard. I guessed he had his fun and was going to play in his playhouse, which was getting much too small for him now he was ten.

I pushed the mower back into the garden shed, then detached the bag and emptied the grass into recycling. It appeared that my chores were done for the day.

I was chopping up radishes in the kitchen for lunch when I suddenly remembered that arm bone out in the yard.

Worried that Janice would find it and concoct more stories about ghosts, I dumped the radishes into the salad, then headed back outside. I walked back and forth in the spot where I thought I had seen that bone.

But it wasn’t there. I looked back at the playhouse, but if Janice had come out and found it, he would have brought it to me, as that was his thing. He was naturally scared about everything.

“Some animal must have grabbed it,” I muttered to myself.

I headed back to the house. No human remains, no longer my problem.

As I walked around the side I looked up at the big house next door. It wasn’t even a fixer upper, more like a tearer downer.

The house had no running water, no electricity, and no gas, which meant no heating and no working stove. I’d heard that the fireplaces had even caved in, so they couldn’t even be used.

Pest control was sent in twice a year to keep them out, and the garden maintained at a bare minimum for city aesthetics, but other than that, no one could live there as it had a “DANGER – DO NOT ENTER” notice on the door from the city’s bylaw department.

They wanted people to know that if they entered the house, they did so at their own risk. No insurance would cover them if they fell through the floor boards and broke their leg, or worse, no insurance for their survivors.

I sorted through my brain. What had happened there? The city kept it hush-hush. One family had lived there for over 100 years. The house was quite the relic.

Then one day, the entire family vanished. Three generations together all gone. No survivors. The house and its contents had gone to the city. The city had donated the furnishings and personal effects to a church rummage sale, then donated that money to charity.

I decided I’d better get our lunch together. I was getting hungry, and soon Janice would be back, demanding lunch.

I washed my hands, then grabbed the salad tongs and fluffed up the salad.

“What is that?” I cried in horror.

I sifted through the big bowl of salad and pulled out that same human ulna I’d seen in the yard.

I looked angrily at the back window. “Janice! this isn’t funny!”

Part 3 – Play Time

“I swear I didn’t do it,” said Janice, crying.

“Okay, sweetie. I believe you.” I sighed. I sent him to the bathroom to wash his hands and face, while I prepared a new salad to eat.

I carefully placed the ulna outside on the back deck. I’d deal with it later.

I was honestly getting concerned about my child. My wife just said to let him be a kid for a few more years. But I felt as if something were wrong with him.

My point being, my daughter Janice was always naturally scared, by everything. He believed in ghosts. There, I admitted it. I’d just hoped that he was having fun playing.

But now it was getting to a point where it was harmful.

I placed all the food and dishes on the table.

What if Janice actually believed he saw ghosts? As in, he was cray cray? I shook my head. I’d have to take him to a psychiatrist.

I sat at the table with my hands on my cheeks. I didn’t know what to do.

The alternative was that Janice was joking around and having fun with his parents. But I knew he wasn’t. I knew him too well.

As for that real human bone, he must have found that somewhere. Maybe he had found it in the house?

“I’m ready to eat!” he called, sitting down. “I’ll sit here with Henry.”

I started eating. “Who is Henry?”

He giggled. “Henry is friendly. He died about 40 years ago.”

“Okay, sweetie, you need to stop pretending. It’s fine you have friendly ghost friends, but the other scary ones are freaking you out. Like that woman you saw in the window.”

Janice slowed down his eating a bit. “But I really see ghosts.”

I put my fork down. “You can’t keep on doing this. You already told me the kids at school are making fun of you.”

Janice had a sad expression on his face. “I just told them I’m joking around. I can lie to people, but I still see them.”

“Okay, let’s make a deal. You can ghost away as much as you can in October, after all, it’s Halloween month. Then in November, promise that you’ll work with me to figure this out.”

Janice looked at me and smiled.

I smiled back. I think he felt a bit better. We were going to work through this together.

“Oh, by the way, what’s up with the arm bone?”

“What bone?” he asked, completely puzzled.

That’s when I knew he had nothing to do with that arm bone. I quickly finished my lunch so I could do a search of the house, check all windows and doors, and see if anyone was prowling around.

Part 4 – Playmates Forever

Janice sat in his playhouse, hiding. He was starting to get worried. His Mum had never believed him when he said he saw ghosts. What was he going to do?

He thought about it for a bit, then made his decision. He’d have to keep this part of his life from her. That meant, no more playing with his ghostly friends, or hiding from his ghostly enemies.

His playmates would understand. It was the malevolent ghosts he saw that wouldn’t listen to him. They’d continue to torment him.

He should never have followed that little girl ghost when he was 5. He’d followed her into the house next door.

No, he wasn’t allowed to be there. But he had gone in, anyway.

And since then, the more space he gave to ghosts in his mind, the more prone he was to seeing them, even when they should not exist.

He wished he lived in a brand new neighbourhood where they’d be no ghosts, as there were no more old manors.

He grabbed a blanket and tossed it over his head.

“There, can’t see you,” he said. So now, the ghosts couldn’t bother him at all.

But he couldn’t live in a world of darkness, even though it was pleasant hiding under the blanket for half an hour, simply thinking of puppies, kittens, and other things that weren’t ghosts.

It had taken him some effort to train his thoughts away from ghosts and toward other things. He already knew he had to mask his ghostly abilities from the students and teachers at school. And now he was going to have to do it with his family.

He didn’t know what else to do. He’d watched enough TV to know he could be sent to the loonie bin, or worse, be forced to take drugs that would turn him into a drug addict.

And he felt so alone. He had no help at all. What was he going to do? He’d felt a bit better when his Mum said she’d help, but she just didn’t get it.

It was one thing to stop playing with imaginary friends, but another to stop playing with ethereal beings who enjoyed following him around.

Janice grabbed his tablet and pulled it under the blanket with him. Perhaps he’d play a game or something.

“Come and play with me forever,” said a raspy old female voice.

He dropped his tablet on the table.

“Who’s there?”

Usually the ghosts didn’t talk!

He flicked his blanket off. There was that old woman with the long gray hair sitting beside him.

Part 5 – The Unbeliever

I went outside to hide that arm bone, but it wasn’t there. Whatever was happening? I knew it wasn’t Janice, because he had gone directly outside and into his playhouse.

“Where are…” I started to ask, but then I didn’t want to get into it. I didn’t believe in ghosts. That was silly.

I was positive there was an explanation for all this. The neighbour’s cat was probably just dragging the bone around.

I’d done a thorough search of house and grounds and hadn’t seen anything out of place. Just to be certain, I’d closed and locked all the windows and doors, except for the back door that I could keep an eye on.

I finished tidying up the kitchen. I turned back to the table, and there was the bone, lying on the table.

“What the hell?” I looked around, but there was no way any living person could have placed that bone on the table.

I had only looked away for seconds. When I turned back to the table, the bone was gone.

“I wonder if Janice inherited it from me?” But I was positive that I’d never seen any ghosts myself.

Except for Grandpa, on the night after he died. Oh, and my pet cat, Fluffy. And….

But I didn’t dwell on it, or let it take over my life.

“Where are you?” I screamed at the house. “What do you want?”

Okay, too late. It’s taken over my life now. I walking outside, slamming the door shut.

I stomped over to the house next door and looked up at the window.

And there it was.

Part 6 - Where Are You?

Janice looked at the ghost seated before him.

He finally decided to stand up for himself.

“Look, lady ghost. You guys are ruining my life. My Mum doesn’t understand. We can’t keep meeting like this.”

“I know, little boy. Soon, this shall come to an end. Meet me at the house. Your problems are solved.” Then the ghost abruptly vanished.

Janice hopped out of his playhouse and ran to the side yard to see if she’d gone back to her house.

There was his mother, standing there, looking up at the window.

“Look!” she called out, pointing.

“What’s that on the windowsill?” Janice asked.

“It’s an ulna, an arm bone that humans have.”

“Cool,” he said, looking around for a glimpse of the woman.

“Where are you?” the two of them screamed out in frustration.

And that’s when the bone fell off the windowsill and to the ground below.

The bone hit the soil. And then, hundreds of other bones popped up to the surface.

“Oh, that’s where they all went,” said Janice, marvelling at the sight.

His Mum called the police immediately.

Epilogue

Janice moved out as soon as he turned 18 years old. He went to stay at the local university, pursuing a career in anthropology.

As for me, my wife remained oblivious and it was better this way. I never saw anything unusual around the house. After the bones were removed from the yard and buried in the local cemetery, the house next door was bulldozed, and a new duplex went up. Two nice families now live there.

Janice had assured me he no longer saw or heard ghosts, but I knew that wasn’t true. I knew that was the reason why he went into the field he did.

To this day, no one knows how ten people, from three different generations, ended up dead and buried at the side of their house.

The End.

A Freaky Halloween

2020-09-16T14:05:00.002-07:00

A Harrowing Halloween Night by Mel Dawn

“Trick or treating is for kids,” said my best friend, Tony.

“That’s me,” I replied. “Besides, we get free candy. And it’s fun.”

“Well, I’ll go with you, but I’m not dressing up. And I’m not going to the doors.”

My teen friend was a jerk sometimes but I just ran with it.

This year I was going as a witch. Kind of a boring Halloween costume, but on the other hand, I enjoyed doing traditional Halloween rather than being a princess or super hero.

“Let’s go!” he said, heading to the door.

I just shook my head. For someone not inspired by Halloween, he was eager to head out.

We headed out, near the end of the kids’ trick or treating time. This was the time that the young adults headed out for fun, before they went to their parties.

I felt kind of silly standing at strangers’ doors, asking for candy. It was just like being a kid!

I’d done the last house on the block and walked back to where Tony was standing, eating some of the candy I had collected.

And that’s when I heard screaming from the middle of the road.

We turned and watched as a group of people dressed up as werewolves chased after some random humans. But then they were tripped and fell to the ground. The zombies soon swooped in and started chowing down.

“We need to get out of here,” said my friend.

We ran down the street, past a vampire drinking the blood of a princess, except she seemed to be enjoying it.

“It’s as if people are being changed into their costume characters,” I called out to him.

“You’re right,” he said. “I’m glad I don’t go for that costume nonsense. I knew that nothing good would ever come of it.”

We hid behind some bushes and watched the chaos on the street.

A dragon breathed real fire. It ran down the street, setting every car on fire. At least not people.

We saw a little girl run around meowing like a cat. It sure sounded real.

Super heroes were running around, trying to help.

It wasn’t long before the streets cleared of normal humans. The smart ones had headed indoors. The ones who had been wearing costumes were now unwillingly acting out their roles.

There was a snake rolling down the street. A man was trying to fight it off.

A small fairy was floating through the air, causing mischief. It giggled as some pumpkins barrelled through the bushes where the teenagers were hiding.

“I think we need to go home,” I said.

Tony laughed. “Aww, but this is the most fun I’ve ever had.”

But we never made it back home. It was a mess outside. As if nothing could get worse than that quarantine we’d had, or that crazy election, or all those forest fires. And then no power or utilities for months.

I felt bad for the kids. All they wanted was to finally get out and have some fun this month.

“At least it’s our common creatures. It’s a fair fight,” I said to Tony, as we had moved ten feet and huddled behind a laurel bush.

“I hear sirens, so help is coming.”

And then we saw it. It was coming down the street. What could possibly be the worst thing from horror movies?

This creature was ten feet tall and from any of several science fiction movies. It was black all over and had ten arms and legs. It hissed at a bird in a tree, opening its mouth wide. And inside its mouth was another mouth, that opened wide and displayed some extremely sharp teeth.

Venom dripped out of its mouth. It trickled down to the ground.

The ground sizzled, and a big hole opened up.

“What did you say again?” Tony said to me.

“What can we do?” I whispered to him.

“We need to just get out of here, go home. Let the cops handle it,” he whispered back.

We crawled past the bushes and over to the next house.

I cautiously peered out. The alien was walking in the opposite direction to us. But then, a big gap in its backside opened up. Suddenly, about ten more little aliens dropped down to the ground. They scattered every which way,

I heard screaming as they gobbled up their victims.

And then there was rustling coming from under the bushes.

One of the creatures ran out.

I held my magic wand in my hand. Somehow I felt that hitting it would not do much.

But I tried away. “From creature to cat,” I proclaimed in a smug voice. Might as well try a magic spell while I was here.

And the alien baby turned immediately into a cat.

“Wow!” said Tony. “Can you restore things back to normal?”

I stood up and walked confidently out into the middle of the street.

“Every creature, be restored back to human!” I commanded. “Every dead human, come back to life.”

And then a bright neon green flash flew through the air.

What was chaos got restored back to normal.

Tony came out, amazed. “Super!”

I laughed. “Let’s go home. The police will be here soon, but I have no intention of talking to them.”

“Yah, don’t want to be questioned. I’m getting kind of tired. And my stomach is upset from eating all that candy.”

The streets were a mess as we carefully walked down the sidewalk. The former vampire was tending to his girlfriend, stopping the blood from oozing, while they waited for the ambulance.

The former fairy lay in the street, her leg broken.

The former dragon was using a fire extinguisher, trying to put out the flames of their own car.

I nodded. Things were going back to normal.

Well, except for the zombies. There were still zombies. The people who had been killed or eaten by the creatures. I guess my magic could only go so far.

The End.

Our Adventure – Ingonish Beach, Cape Breton Highlands, Nova Scotia

2020-08-11T15:36:00.003-07:00

A Fictional Short Story by Mel Dawn

Last March we had to put ourselves into lockdown which can be stressful when you’re dealing with an irate spouse. Now it’s months later and we knew we had to give up our summer trip to the USA. But where to go? It had to be somewhere within driving distance from Ontario. Neither me nor my husband have ever been to Nova Scotia. But where? We wanted to avoid hoards of tourists. We finally settled on Ingonish, Cape Breton at the northern end of Nova Scotia.

Often when you travel you must make sacrifices in comfort and in activities, particularly when you’re on a tight budget. Our car is small though, so we could only fit a few pieces of luggage and a cooler in the back.

Ingonish is a harbour on the northeast part of Cape Breton Island. Before we even reached our hotel we got distracted by a ton of activities. We would definitely not be bored here.

But after driving several hours, both me and my husband were grumpy. That’s what happens when you get older. You just can’t tolerate things as well as you did when you were younger. You get tired more easily, and muscles start to ache.

Nova Scotia is definitely unique. Coming from Ontario, we do have plenty of lakes, but aren’t close to the sea where you can smell the salt air. Nova Scotia also feels more like a community where people can slow down. People actually chat to strangers on the street, though wearing their masks of course.

Really, I wouldn’t have been able to think of a better vacation spot, unless we’d been able to get away to Portland, Maine this year, but we couldn’t.

We were both exhausted, so decided to check into our accommodation first. I had expected some rundown motel where we’d have to bring our own towels and soap, but was pleasantly surprised.

And if you tire of hanging out in your room, there’s a spa where you can get the best services, and also a golf course where you can get fresh air and exercise at the same time.

Since we were here for a week, we didn’t try to rush around and do all the things in one day. After all, the point of a vacation is to relax and enjoy yourself. Surprisingly, my husband even agreed!

We spent the rest of the day wandering around. There were some wonderful views of the sea from here.

Usually you stay at a motel and get stressed out, but the sheets and pillows were comfy, and our room was quiet so we got plenty of sleep.

By the end of the week we actually decided to stay a few more days. After all, it wasn’t like there was anything pressing back at home. It was great to actually spend some time with my husband, without all those stressors of life in the way. By the time we returned home we felt like newlyweds once again!

Review of Scripted.com – Caveat Emptor Says Scripted Client

2020-04-20T13:32:00.000-07:00

I used to be a freelance writer for Scripted.com for nearly two years. Back then, I posted a review on my blog about Scripted; somewhat favorable, with a few pitfalls. I’ve written over 200 articles for their clients, mostly in the travel and software categories. Several years ago I was at the EMP Christmas party in Seattle, and imagine my surprise, when I ran into one of my Scripted clients! Peter is a software company marketer who has ordered over 100 articles in the past year on Scripted.

Unfortunately, his experience with Scripted was worse than mine. He only agreed to provide his first name, Peter, and the fact that he works for an accounting software provider. He said until the account was settled, he didn’t want to go public. We discussed our experiences with Scripted.

It began at the Museum party. We were complimenting each other on our geeky Doctor Who costumes, when he asked me what I did for a living. I told him that I wrote for about 20 different content mills, as well as having an assortment of private clients. When I told him that I wrote software articles, his ears perked up. He asked if I’d be interested in writing privately, as he’d signed up for a content mill last year, and it had been a big disaster.

I asked if it had been Scripted.com and he said it had been. We both compared experiences and discovered we each had a negative experience – me from the point of the freelance writer – him from the point of the client seeking content for a company blog.

He asked for my story first. I told him I’d originally started out in the travel category, until a Scripted editor had repeatedly emailed me asking to apply for the software category, as there were a lack of writers on that end. I was hesitant to do it, as I do not possess an English degree, but only two college certificates in writing, and one in IT. After a while, it was clear they wished to work with me, so I signed up. I received the majority of my work through the software category at Scripted.com. The clients loved my pitches, and my articles. My work would come back from the editor with a minimum of edits, which told me I was on the right track. Imagine my surprise when my queue suddenly dried up, yet other writers told me there was plenty there. I had a rating of 96/100. One of the editors told me that 96 meant that my writing wasn’t good enough to continue receiving the specialty topics.

“How ridiculous,” Peter told me. “You’re a great writer! I never saw any errors on your work.”

What’s worse was that they never paid me for the 17 articles that were complete, but awaiting review. According to their terms, if an article was rejected, they’d still pay you 50%. I continued to work on other articles, and I repeatedly tried emailing support to get payment for the $1200 they owed me. I contacted the BBB and the IRS.

This was after two years of supposedly being such a great writer, and after one year, when they asked me to apply for the software category. Not once did I ever have an email or note from with feedback. Why was my Specialty writing so good for six months, then at another moment not good enough? Not once did I ever receive any feedback on my writing, nor any word that they’d changed the ratings system. Also note that I do not possess an English degree. We’re talking about working for seven or eight hours on an article that paid $40 to $80 at most. It was slavery wages at best. I sincerely doubted anyone with an English degree would even write for that low.

“How ridiculous! Here I am paying for my great articles, while you're being bullied. What a scam!” said the software client.

I agreed. What kind of fly-by-night operation is Scripted.com anyway?

“What kinds of articles did you write, that ultimately ended up being rejected, and you were’t paid for?” he asked me.

I told him how I had written software articles. Ten best accounting software packages. How to find the best software for your small business. A favorable review of the latest cloud accounting software.

“Those were my articles! And I never rejected them! I paid for them!” After a moment of excitement, we realized what a small world it was! After I finished my end of the story, he gave me his.

“Originally we needed about 100 articles for our accounting software blog. The owner of the business gave me the budget. We’d heard about Scripted before. Some comments were favorable, some were not. For some reason he seemed hesitant in placing a note on the blog searching for writers. I signed the contract with Scripted and we were on our way. The first 20-ish articles went well. They were delivered in a timely manner. Any revisions were done within a week. I favourited a writer called “Mel”, who I now realize was you. But for some reason, you suddenly disappeared. They told me you were not available. The other writers were terrible. I gathered you had simply moved on. I started rejecting the articles the new writers wrote. Eventually, I asked for a refund for the unused portion of our account, but Scripted refused. As of now, we’re in limbo, and likely will have to write off $5000 worth of funds for articles never delivered. That’s a lot of cash when you’re a small business.”

I told him it didn’t make much sense to me either, particularly since all my clients had loved my work.

“So, I never received my remaining articles, due to an assortment of issues. No one was grabbing them from the queue. I accepted some of the pitches, and then never heard anything back again. The articles I did receive were poorly written. I was frustrated that I couldn’t work with only Mel, who was a great writer. Instead, I was being directed towards terrible writers. Scripted took all of our money at the beginning, and never delivered what they promised.”

Essentially, Scripted took the client’s money, and did not deliver the last set of articles that he had been promised. Not only that, but they took off with the money, and never paid the writer, who was me.

“It was a terrible experience. Normally we worked through email, but soon they stopped answering my emails. I had to resort to calling the company. Several expensive phone calls later, we decided to write it off,” concluded Peter.

We drowned our sorrows in drink after that.

The January after that, Peter contacted me via email. He asked if I could provide him with a list of articles that I written for him. I sent it off. We both sorted through the list and figured out which ones he had never seen before, and which ones he had seen, but that I had never been paid for.

I told him I was willing to give them to him, but he wouldn’t agree. He sent me payment, for which I was grateful.

“I’m so sorry this happened to you,” he told me. “I can’t believe they treat their writers like slaves. I’d never have dealt with a content mill if I’d known they treat their writers with insensitivity, abruptness, and as slaves.”

I told him it wasn’t his fault, and that the majority of companies I worked with were great. Both of us are still waiting for promises from Scripted.com that have never been delivered. Caveat Emptor. Buyer Beware. Cave Vendit. Seller Beware.

Disclaimer: This happened to me over a decade ago now. But the rules are still the same: Be extremely careful before signing up for an online content mill, and be wary when giving any sort of personal or financial information!

3 Ways Your Cat Can Kill You

2020-04-14T13:10:00.000-07:00

by Mel Dawn

By now everyone has watched Tiger King and has discovered that humans can be even more deadly than tigers. Everyone loves cats with their charming expressions, soft fur and playful antics, but did you know that your sweet domestic cat can kill you too?

Cats have descended from a long line of ferocious wild cats. Here are just a few ways they can kill you.

1. You can die from cat scratch fever, also known as Bartonella henselae bacteria. Cat's claws contain a wide variety of bacteria. When you get scratched by a cat, the cut swells up. This is your body trying to fight off the infection. Normally, the cells do what they are supposed to and your cat scratch is healed up in a day or two. But sometimes more dangerous bacteria have been harboured by our cat's claws and the next thing you know, you are suffering from blood poisoning. Generally a trip to the doctor for antibiotics will clear this one up. Other than that, your immune system will fight off most types of bacteria that live on your cat's claws.

2. About 3/4 of the world's population is already infected with toxoplasmosis. This bacteria lives harmlessly within cats and is found in their feces. Us human slaves clean cat's litter boxes. It can also be acquired from cat butts. If we humans do not wash our hands we can pass it into our bodies. Toxo can take up residence in our brains. Most of the time it maintains a happy balance in our bodies and nothing happens. Other times it can turn us into crazy cat loving old lady freaks. At its worst, our brains turn to mush and we go completely crazy and die. (Just kidding, LOL!) Toxoplasmosis is really only dangerous to people with compromised immune systems, and even then it's common enough that most people have built up immuity against it.

3. The third way our cats can kill us is if they die first. Leaving us tortured humans behind, pining for our furry beloved. We get so lonely, that we can't handle it any more. Can life continue? Can we continue on without our beloved? I'm sure every cat owner has thought of this after Fluffy or Whitey has died. It can certainly be difficult to live on without our beloved furry beasts. The best solution for that is to adopt a cat from a rescue cat organization!

Disclaimer: This article is mainly written for humour and not to be taken seriously. But if you are concerned about the health of you or your cat, seek the advice of a doctor or veterinarian.

A Guide to How a Dog's Comfort Affects Sleep & Behaviour & How to Fix Dog Insomnia & Irritability

2019-11-28T14:08:00.002-08:00

By Mel Dawn, Author of Just One More Purr

Click Here to Buy Book

The Impact of a Good Night’s Sleep Among Dogs

Every creature on the planet requires a good night’s sleep to recharge and feel happy and alert for the day ahead. While we seem to focus a lot on our own sleep needs, often we forget that our dogs need a good night’s sleep also. Has your dog ever woken irritable and on edge? Have they barked a lot during the day, chewed on things they shouldn’t have, and generally been a nuisance? In a way they’re like young children who didn’t have a good night’s rest. Dog sleep is just as important for them too.

Not only does a dog suffer when they don’t sleep well, but their human owner does too. This can frustrate and annoy the pet owner and make them wonder why their dog is behaving badly throughout the day. And unfortunately, many pet owners abandon their pets instead of trying to find a solution like they would if their own human children weren’t sleeping well at night.

You may think you’re doing your best to help your dog sleep at night. But are you really? Have you placed big dog beds in a quiet spot in your home? If you have more than one dog, each should have their own bed. Yes, they may decide to sleep with the cat, but it’ll be because they want to.

A dog really needs a quality memory foam dog bed, or if you have a smaller breed, a memory foam dog sofa for the living room. These types of beds support their bodies, as well as keeping their spinal columns in alignment. A dog’s spinal column is just like a human’s. If it ever goes out of alignment, it’s a costly visit to a chiropractor to get it fixed, as well as pain medications. It’s best to prevent this condition from happening in the first place.

Buying a high-quality memory foam dog bed today means that money can be saved in the future. A dog who sleeps well is a healthier dog. It’s just like when humans don’t sleep well, eventually it leads to health conditions and expensive medications. They might even lose their jobs at work, or have their relationships affected by people who don’t understand.

So, why not ensure your dog gets a good night’s sleep by buying them a good doggy bed!

What Are Typical Dog Sleeping Habits?

In order to find the best dog beds for your family you’ll need to have a good understanding of your dog’s sleeping habits. For example, a large dog that rolls around a lot will need a larger dog bed, while a smaller dog would be happy with a dog’s couch. Let’s learn a bit more about choosing the best dog beds for large dogs and smaller breeds too.

You’ll need to observe your dog over the next several nights. What kinds of sleeping positions do they have? They may sleep on their right side or their left side. Some dogs like to sleep all curled up in a ball, much like a cat does when they sleep. Some dogs like to sleep all sprawled out on their tummies, while others sleep on their back with paws in the air. If your dog sleeps with you in the bed, do they sleep on the end? Or perhaps they like to snuggle right up to you in spoon position?

When you observe these patterns, see if there is a reason for them. For instance, a dog with an old dog bed too small for them may sleep curled up. A larger dog may favor one side because he doesn’t like the tough hard exterior shell of a dog bed. A bed may be too hard so a dog may sleep on their tummy.

You’ll also need to observe their behavior regarding their dog beds and their dog sleep. Does your dog sniff their bed and then go and sleep somewhere else? It may be stinky!

Did you know they have waterproof dog beds? You can place a clean dog blanket on top, then remove and wash once a week. As dogs age they may experience small accidents. In order to keep your home smelling fresh, you can easily wash their blankets and not have to worry that urine smells will permeate your waterproof dog bed.

If your dog paws their bed or circles it several times, it may be time for a new dog bed. It may not be soft enough for them.

If your dog has a really good sleep in their bed, they may have the right one. But if they seem to continually wake, this is a sign that not only is the dog bed in a busy part of your home, but that perhaps they need something a bit more comfy.

Why We Need to Focus On Dog Sleep Importance

We’re always worried about our own sleep but we forget that our beloved pets also need to sleep well too. While cats naturally sleep 16 hours a day anywhere, dogs have certain needs that must be met. Dogs can suffer from poor sleep, just like humans can. And it’s not simple to tell a sleep-deprived dog to stop chewing your slippers, stop barking all day long, or to not pee on the floor. They are simply acting out because they’re not feeling 100%. So, how do we ensure that a dog has a good night’s sleep?

It can seem simple to let a dog sleep on your bed at night. But they’ll only get as good a sleep as you do. If you tossed and turned all night, chances are your dog will too. The best solution is a large pet bed.

If your dog sleeps well at night then you will too! And you’ll both be able to live happily together. Your dog will adapt to your schedule, so they’ll be ready for a walk once you get up in the morning, and ready to go to bed at night when you do too.

A pet bed should be placed in a quiet spot away from the busy traffic of your home. Dogs don’t need to have their own rooms – after all they love to be with their humans – but one of the best dog beds can be placed against the wall where no one will trip over it in the night should they get up to use the bathroom.

If your pooch is one of the smaller breeds, a dog pillow will be just right. Otherwise, a luxury pet bed will help them to sleep at night. You may be surprised to hear that some of the best are memory foam pet beds, after all, memory foam is great for the human spinal cord too!

With a soft comfortable pet bed that supports your dog’s body your dog will be able to have a good night’s rest. And nothing is better than having a happy and healthy dog so you can make the most of your days together.

How a Dog Sofa More Than Complements Your Living Room Decor

The first thing you may think when purchasing a dog couch is whether it complements your living room decor, but your first consideration should really be your dog. If you have an elderly dog, you may need a special old dog sofa for them. After all, when your dog is happy then you will be too!

Have you ever bought something for your cat, only for them to turn their noses up at it? So, back to the store it went. The same goes for dogs. When you buy them a good dog’s sofa, you want it to be soft and comfortable, but also to be supportive of their body frame.

The best dog sofa will give your pooch a comfortable sleep, during night or day. They’ll wake up refreshed and ready for a new day with you. They shouldn’t be waking up with aches and pains, so why would you make them sleep on an old blanket or that cat bed the cat no longer wants?

Just imagine the look on your dog’s face when you open up that box. It’s a large dog sofa for them! They’ll be so excited to try it. Don’t be surprised if at first they seem to be sleeping a bit longer in it. They’re just trying to catch up on their rest.

So, besides the best dog sofa, what should you look for in a dog couch? For one, ensure it’s the right size for them. Not only do you want to choose based on width and length, but also depth. A lighter dog doesn’t need as much depth as a heavier dog. A bigger dog breed needs greater thickness so it doesn’t feel like they are sleeping on the hard floor.

Most of the dog sofas on our site come in colours to complement any type of decor. A dog sofa will fit well with your living room suite, like it’s a part of your room. And your dog will love how they can hang out with the family while they take a well-deserved rest from being a dog all day long.

How to Choose the Best Orthopedic Dog Bed for Adult Dogs

If you’re ready to toss out your dog’s old blanket or doggy bed, now is the time to find the best dog bed to help your dog get a good’s night rest. As dogs age they can have trouble getting to sleep, just as humans also suffer from insomnia. Whether you have an adult dog, older dog, or special needs dog, they need a comfortable dog mattress that supports and comforts their body. Your dog may be a small, medium, or large dog breed but they can benefit from an orthopedic dog bed.

You may never have heard of orthopedic dog beds before. But they are much better than simply allowing your dog to sleep on the floor. After all, they suffer from sore joints and muscles just like we do. And they are members of our family. So, good orthopedic pet beds are a necessary luxury for them. Besides, you’ll save on vet bills in the longterm, just like when you feed them a healthy diet!

The orthopedic pet mattress is gaining in popularity. Most pet owners want their dogs to be happy and comfortable when sleeping, with as few disturbances as possible. While some owners allow their pets to sleep on their bed at night, a dog may wake you up, or you may wake them up. Then, no one gets a good night’s rest.

But if your dog has a good orthopedic pet mattress, you can tuck it into a corner of the room where they can have a good sleep.

If you’re wondering how to choose the best orthopedic pet bed mattress, or orthopedic pet sofa, it’s important to choose one that fits your dog’s breed size: small, medium, or large. Too small and your dog may ditch it for the floor. Too big and your dog may not feel secure.

Measure your dog at rest to have an idea of which orthopedic dog bed to order. Then check the dog bed measurements.

Some pet owners also like to coordinate a pet’s bed with their room decor, but this should be second to finding the right size for your pup.

When your dog has their comfortable orthopedic dog bed they may never leave it again! You may be a bit jealous of their memory foam pet bed and want to get one too!

Melanie Dixon Books

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I've Posted FREE CONTENT on my Google Drive to Share!

THE PUMPKIN STORY – A Meowmorial

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THE NEWS IN THE PALMS

Where to Find My Books

How to Cope with a Golden Retriever and Asthma

What Are the Golden Retriever Genetic Problems?

What Dog Breed Is Better: Golden Retriever Vs. Husky?

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Christmas Thoughts, Everyday

The Spooky Haunted History of Ohio State University

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Stuck for a Short Story or Book Idea? Here's an Idea! Story Prompt Ahead...

2020 Holiday Etiquette – Navigating These Complicated Social Situations During Covid-19

Happy Holidays!

by Mel Dawn

What Is Etiquette and Why Is It Important?

The Art of Entertaining

Five Main Holiday Event Considerations

What Do I Include in the Invitation?

COVID-19 Etiquette Tips

Cocktail Party Etiquette

Tips for Guests

Hostess Cocktail Party Etiquette

Dinner Party Etiquette

Dining Etiquette

Buffet Etiquette

The Ghostly Habitation

A Freaky Halloween

Our Adventure – Ingonish Beach, Cape Breton Highlands, Nova Scotia

Review of Scripted.com – Caveat Emptor Says Scripted Client

3 Ways Your Cat Can Kill You

by Mel Dawn

A Guide to How a Dog's Comfort Affects Sleep & Behaviour & How to Fix Dog Insomnia & Irritability

By Mel Dawn, Author of Just One More Purr

Click Here to Buy Book

The Impact of a Good Night’s Sleep Among Dogs

What Are Typical Dog Sleeping Habits?

How to Choose the Best Orthopedic Dog Bed for Adult Dogs

2020  Holiday Etiquette – Navigating These Complicated Social Situations During Covid-19