During my time away from the blog, I was not just sitting around. I was busy being a veterinarian, a wife, and my favorite, a mommy. In addition, Destinee and I were hard at work on our A Mutt A Month calendar. This is our fourth publication and by far this is our best one! Why is it our best? Two reasons. Primarily because of our beneficiary and this year we have professional pictures. This year our calendar will benefit an animal shelter a good distance from us. We have chosen the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary in Connecticut. Our photographer, Jay Houston from Click Photography, has captured the sweetness of every animal and child pictured and volunteered her time. I have to say, the pictures are AWESOME!!!
Catherine was a victim of the horrendous Sandy Hook shooting in December. Unfortunately, I did not know Catherine, but if I had had the pleasure, I know we would have been fast friends. Having a passion for animals, I can imagine she would have been one of those kids who always had to visit the kennels and pet the cats. She probably would have always been wanting to take home that stray puppy or kitten we have sitting at our front office and I bet she was a well-mannered, soft-spoken, imaginative little girl who just lived to love animals. I am certain she was the kind of girl I would want my little Wallace Anne to be friends with.
In the wake of Catherine's death, a foundation, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation, was formed. From this foundation, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary will be built. The sanctuary will be a safe haven for lost or abandoned animals and injured wildlife. I am touched by the efforts of this family and their community to keep the spirit of their little girl alive and hope that one day I will be able to visit the sanctuary.
The calendar has been finished and is currently at the printer. We are making final revisions and hope it will be out in early November. This year we have increased the price from $10 to $12 in an effort to raise more money. Calendars make great Christmas gifts for those difficult to buy for friends or they roll up nicely and fit in a stocking. Please consider purchasing a calendar, read the stories, and support a cause that is worth so much more than your $12.