Animal Prints On My Soul
A Divas That Care Collection
by Candace Gish
Genre: Non-Fiction Animal Anthology
Animals can be our heroes, our confidantes, our coaches, and our best examples of unconditional love. In Animal Prints on My Soul, we explore the human-animal bond through the experiences and stories of women. Featuring horses, dogs, cats, birds, and more, animal lovers will connect with these ordinary – yet extraordinary – stories of how animals impact our lives. Heartwarming, touching, and joyful, this book is a splendid gift for those who love animals. The stories of Healing, Connection, and Love & Loss also encourage us to pause and appreciate the wonderful gifts our animal friends bring us so we’ve provided deeper-dive prompts for those who would like to transform these blessings into inspiration for their own lives.
Contributors to Animal Prints on My Soul:
Healing
Whispers from an Angel – Daphne McDonagh
My Healing Journey with Animals – Diane Rose-Solomon
The Unicorn Search – Beth Lauren Parrish
Healing Beauty – Ginny Jablonski
The Wisdom of Horses
Angie Payne
The opportunity to care for that horse brought me out of some pretty dark places. I know I decided to stay on this planet because of him. I can recall moments of crying into his mane while he stood perfectly still, holding space, and I felt safe to allow the tears to flow. We would often go riding together for hours. It was the solitude and knowing I was safe, heard, and seen on those days together that saved me from my past. I will always be grateful for that beautiful being and his ability to keep me safe even when we found ourselves in tricky situations. While I was able to express my emotions to him, I wasn’t aware that what I had experienced was trauma I would struggle with for a long time. I did my best to keep my head above water and avoid depression, but, unfortunately, not talking about the sexual assault affected every relationship I had. As I look back, I realize I didn’t feel worthy, or of value, which made me sabotage the good in my life.
I’ve learned it’s only when we are ready to drop our walls that healing can really begin. It’s a place of vulnerability that we must be prepared to face, and it’s complicated. The walls drove my bus for a couple of years, and at times, I felt totally out of control because I didn’t have horses to regulate my emotions.
Opening up means there is a potential to be hurt, but learning to love and risking heartache, instead of never being open enough to experience love and connection, would be a significant loss. Along the way, I have been grateful to have wonderful mentors in my life, but most importantly, I thank the horses that have had my back along this journey called life.
Connection
A Friend by My Side – Marla Patrick
My First Best Friend – Deb Matlock
For the Children – Lorie Murphey
A Horse, a Boy, and Undying Love – Naomi McDonald
Lessons from a Red-Tailed Hawk – Linda Roberts
A Divine Communication – Esta Bernstein
What It Means to Be a Red Barn Horse – Alexis Braswell
Farm Girl Memories – Abigail Stimpert
When God Says, “Wait.” – Hannah Stimpert
Letting Go and Holding On – Donna Palamar
Gabriel’s Story – Sharon Dilley
26 Marathons and My Trainer – Jo Dibblee
Leadership in Flight – Haseena Patel
Love and Loss
Lead with Love – Kate Neligan
Spirit Animals – Stef Skupin
Country Life – Joyce Benning
Expectations: People vs. Dogs – Katherine Jensen
Becoming the Community Cat Lady – Kathy Lynn Mackison
Grief, Death, and Dying – Tracy Pierce
Horse, Heart, and Home – Ley-Anne Mountain
When Fate Brings You Fur Kids – Jean Brannon
When Fate Brings You Fur Kids
Jean Brannon
Ah, that little word, “yes.” I knew if I said it, I was adding a whole new sideshow to the three-ring circus taking center stage in my life. I mean, I’d recently moved. Started a business venture. Begun working on a fixer-upper that was nearly beyond fixing. And I’d been writing, deliriously absorbed in a sequel that kept pulling me into another world for hours at a time, all while getting the two shelter dogs I already called “fur family” comfortable in still-unfamiliar territory.
“It could be fun,” Charlie suggested. He said it so cheerfully. So convincingly.
“And it could be what finally makes me go crazy,” I sighed.
“You know, they’re a bonded pair,” he continued, sensing me weakening. “Maybe three months old. Brother and sister. They go to sleep hugging each other.”
“Oh, dear.” My resolve crumbled further as he sent me the first picture. And as he began telling me what he knew about the quiet boy and his scruffy sister with one blue eye who seemed to have been on a mission for weeks to reach me.
Oh dear, indeed.
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***Check out the Divas That Care Podcast with special author interviews HERE!**
https://soundcloud.com/divasthatcarenetwork/sets/animal-prints-on-my-soul
Candace Gish helps women open their eyes to the possibilities around them. As founder of the Divas That Care podcast community and network, Candace enjoys connecting with goal-oriented women committed to making a difference. She advocates for collaborative mentorship and strong, supportive groups of women converging to create change.
Her first Absolute Love Publishing book is Animal Prints on My Soul, and the Divas That Care community has been featured in all volumes of ALOVEDLIFE. Candace’s four daughters and husband inspire her every day. Visit divasthatcare.com.
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