Too Cute ~ by Grace Augustine

What does one do when sports have been cancelled in March, when you don't feel well, and when you lay down hoping to rest, but can't? Watch programs about puppies and kittens, of course!

One of my favorite programs, found on Animal Planet, is a wonderful documentary of different puppy and kitty breeds titled TOO CUTE. Of course, I'm more partial to the kitteh ones, but yesterday's episode touched my heart when I saw the Newfoundland puppies.

Deposit photos/Grace Augustine

These balls of fur are lumbering, happy-go-lucky sweet pups that are filled with energy. Great with children, they are happy to run and play until the owner runs out of steam. Standing at a little over 2 feet tall from paw to spine and weighing 100-150 lbs, they are known as the gentle giants in the dog world.

In the same episode was a black retriever mix who had a litter of  8 assorted babies--some resembled the mom, others were a question

Deposit photos/Grace Augustine

mark. Especially the mottled one who resembled an Australian shepherd with one icy blue eye and one brown one. Again, another loyal as can be fur baby companion. In the program, he was the last to be adopted because he was different than the others. But sometimes different is the best.





In my most recent book, THE  MAGIC OF SAPPHIRE CREEK, I introduce you to Lucie, a Bernese Mountain dog who is very pregnant and gives birth to a huge litter of littles.  Lucie's owner is a bit overwhelmed with all of the puppies and chooses some very unique names for the little ones.

Ragamuffin
Deposit photos/Grace Augustine

My heartstrings, though, were strummed with the kittens. There is nothing as sweet as little kittehs who just open their eyes and begin discovering the world around them. There are so many varieties to choose from if you are a cat snob...Siamese, Russian Blues, Maine Coon, Sphinx, Ragdoll, Scottish Fold, Ragamuffin, Berman, Himalayan, Abyssinian, Toyger, Bengal...you name it, there is one. 

Suffice it to say, our fur babies forever will own us and our hearts, whether we see them on television, interact with them at a shelter, or be privileged to have them choose us for their forever homes.

And of course, my story would not be complete without mentioning my very own Princess, Miss Bou...a rescue torbie (tortoise shell/tabby.)