Saving Li'l SmokeyJournalhttp://www.lilsmokey.net/journal/2012-05-06T23:42:08ZSquarespaceTwinkies first animal rescue!http://www.lilsmokey.net/journal/2012/5/1/twinkies-first-animal-rescue.htmlAdam2012-05-01T17:05:22Z2012-05-01T17:05:22Z
We want our twins to love the outdoors as much as we do so we take them on a walk every day with their older brother and sister (Lily and Murphy). We were out at a local BLM area on Monday when we came upon a big surprise. Celeste was taking Lily down to the creek for a drink of water when she exclaimed "oh no, what's that?". In the brush by the creek was an animal crate. Looking closer we saw a few kitten heads poking out of the cage. When I got closer, I saw it was full of kittens. The door was open and there was a blanket and some "moist and meaty" dog food left for them. The grass under the carrier was still green so I knew it must have been left within a day or so. Then when I looked inside I saw three newborn kittens, probably just having opened their eyes, inside.
Only one of the newborns was moving and I was sure the others were dead. It was obvious that we needed to take action to help these kittens, especially the newborns or else they would die. I never saw a mother cat so it either ran away or was never dumped to begin with. As I began to wrangle the little kittens back into the cage the newborns began to stir (I could now see four of them). The older kittens were so cute and very trusting, I don't know why someone would dump them in the wild like this. Murphy and Lily did a great job being good; they stayed away and never barked or growled. The Twinkies also were real troopers, despite being way overdue for a nap and meal. We were able to get all the cats into the carrier and bring it out to the road to pick up with our car.
We took the cats to the Shasta County animal shelter in Redding and after arguing with a dumb clerk who complained that they were "closed for lunch" at 10 minutes before noon, Celste was able to use her powers of persuasion to attract the attention of an actual Peace Officer who came to our aid. She agreed to take the cats and even told us she would take the newborns home with her to bottle feed them (since she had others already at home getting the same TLC). As a government employee, it makes me cringe when someone has a bad attitude with the public (Got to remember who signs the checks!). So in the end everything seems to have worked out for the best. Some kittens got a chance at a better life and the Twinkies got exposed to the Deem way of life.
]]>The Gift that almost never arrived...http://www.lilsmokey.net/journal/2011/7/19/the-gift-that-almost-never-arrived.htmlAdam2011-07-19T19:45:26Z2011-07-19T19:45:26ZGot a little package in the mail today from Amazon.com that was originally sent to a place we haven't lived in over 8 years. Karen V. Stefanini from our Li'l Smokey family sent us some lovely blankets for the girls but they were sent to my old apartment instead of our home. Thankfully the lady who lives there now was honest with the delivery people and the Fedex folks went the extra mile to look uo our number, which is now only for faxes. So the other day I see a single sheet of paper in the fax tray wiith a scanned Fedex label and a hand written note reading "Please call Fedex at ..." Once I spoke with them over the phone they were more than happy to send it on saying that it was "for the guy who rescued the bear". I told them it was me, although I had no idea what the package could contain. Well it arrived today, much later than it was supposed to, and I am really glad we got it. Karen has sent the girls two beautiful blankets to keep them warm Blankets come in real handy around the Deem house because we keep it very cool in the summer and they stay bundled up all the time. Thanks again Karen, we love the new blankets!
]]>If everyone has an angel, mine's name is Kody.http://www.lilsmokey.net/journal/2011/4/20/if-everyone-has-an-angel-mines-name-is-kody.htmlAdam2011-04-21T06:05:57Z2011-04-21T06:05:57Z Kodiak "Kody" Thomas Deem (2/24/1997~4/21/2010)
"There is no faith which has never yet been broken, except that of a truly faithful dog." ~Konrad Lorenz
In almost exactly an hour and a half, it will be one year since our Kody-boy earned his wings. It could so easily be yesterday, as Adam and I both can still close our eyes and see him, smell him, hear him shaking off from a swim--his collar jingling, hear his deep "woof" as he responds to Murphy teasing him in the way that puppies do, and feel his big, gorgeous, regal head under our hand as we stroke our "G'boy."
I'll never forget that at about 12:35 a.m.--just past midnight on April 21, 2010--I awoke to Adam saying "Honey, I think Kody's gone." I looked at him in complete shock, and then ran into the bathroom dry-heaving, refusing to even glance down at the foot of our bed where my little boy lay motionless. Like a small child, I began repeating "no, no, no, no, no!" For the next few hours I alternated between brief periods of silent shock and disbelief, and more extended periods of gut-wrenching, choking sobs. I called my sister and then my mom, asking them both to help me wake up from my nightmare; I was stuck in a horrid dream with Adam, and simply could not awake. After about 3 hours of this crazy-making, I called a friend...a "3rd party" if you will...and asked her to come over, because then I would know if this was truly real or not. I desperately hoped I would just wake up. But I wasn't asleep.
After Patty arrived and I slowly began to realize that my boy was really gone, I finally decided that I HAD to say goodbye to him. In one last-ditch effort to fight the truth, I asked Patty to go in and make sure that Kody wasn't just in a really deep sleep. He wasn't. I was terrified to see my full-of-life guy lifeless and now-lacking the most beautiful spirit I've ever seen in my life, so Adam and Patty went into the bedroom with me. But what I saw wasn't horrifying or without grace and mercy from God. Instead, my Kody-boy lay there in perfect peace, his old, arthritic-body no longer in pain. He was curled up in what Adam and I call "lamb position," on his side like he'd just fallen into the most peaceful sleep. God had granted me one of the most fervent prayer requests of my life: He took Kody in his sleep, sparing Adam and I the decision of when it would finally be "time." And He spared me from a goodbye that I couldn't fathom, even though I'd spent literally years before dreading the passing of my baby. God used Adam, my provider and protector, to guide Kody out of this life and into Heaven, for which I am eternally grateful to both the Lord and to Adam; my boy did not pass on alone, but in his daddy's arms. Adam had heard Kody's last few breaths and just knew, and jumped to the foot of our bed in time to tell Kody that he loved him, "goodbye," and kiss him on his big beautiful head one last time.
Call me mooshy or goofy, but in so many love songs, I replace "you" with "Goo," one of about 100 silly nicknames we had for Kody. The song that means the most to me, and epitomizes how I feel about the effect Kody had in my life, is "I.O.U." by Lee Greenwood. It's playing right now on my iTunes as I type (YouTube it if you aren't sure what song I'm talking about; it's worth a listen). I think I said this in a previous posting, but I truly believe that Kody was a hand of God stretched into my life, to physically and tangibly show me just a glimpse of the love and glory of God Himself.
We were supposed to be camping near Carmel-by-the-Sea this week, and tomorrow were going to let the rest of Kody's ashes go into the ocean at the idyllic off-leash city beach where Kody spent the last few days of his life. Again, what grace, mercy and incredible love and compassion God showed to our little family by letting us spend the very last of Kody's days in one of our favorite places on earth! And on the way home that day he'd gotten his very own plain double cheeseburger...what a life! :)
Kody was the perfect family dog, and we SO wanted him to meet our human-children one day. Now, I like to picture Kody laying at God's feet, helping to watch over our baby girls. At 29 weeks today, our girls are certainly being protected, as they continue to "hang in there" and cook like they need to! Praise God!
We miss you so badly Goose, love you forever, but know without a doubt that we will see you one day. Thank you for teaching me true, unconditional love. I do indeed owe you, Kody Thomas Deem.
"Dogs' lives are too short. Their only fault, really." ~Agnes Sligh Turnbull
"For the soul of every living thing is in the hand of God." ~Job 12:10
]]>Christmas wishes past, present and future!http://www.lilsmokey.net/journal/2010/12/23/christmas-wishes-past-present-and-future.htmlAdam2010-12-23T18:20:04Z2010-12-23T18:20:04ZWell it has been an amazing year with so many changes in our lives. 2010 will go down in our memories as having the greatest disappointments and the most exciting revelations. As many of you know, we lost our first born Kodiak in April. It is hard to think of a moment when he is not on our minds. For myself (Adam) I still have times when I think he is there next to me in the car or sleeping at the foot of the bed. We can hear his sigh or arthritic shake as he gets up to move in the middle of the night. We truly miss our little boy and will forever until we see him once again in heaven.
As for the present, we have had a very busy year with many exciting changes and challenges. We continue to enjoy all of our friends in the Li'l Smokey family and had such a great time at the reunion. We have such a great extended family and we love hearing from you all, even if we are a little on the slow side with returning messages. Please know that we are so appreciative of all the wonderful cards and notes that you send, it makes us feel loved.
And for the future, we have great things to look forward to as well. Celeste and I are expecting TWINS this June! We were a little shocked to find out that we would be having two children when we had been waiting so long just to have one. We have just finished the first trimester and things are looking great so far. We will let you know how things progress.
We hope that you and your families are having a wonderful time this holiday season. To our Christian brothers and sisters we wish you a Merry Christmas. For the rest of you all, have a joyous holiday season and a wonderful New Year.
-Adam and Celeste
]]>Fundraiser for Honey Bandit!http://www.lilsmokey.net/journal/2010/10/3/fundraiser-for-honey-bandit.htmlAdam2010-10-03T12:30:26Z2010-10-03T12:30:26ZOK Folks, want to help Honey Bandit but don't know how? The local community of Shingletown (a small, mountain town where Palomino lives) is pulling together to raise funds to help Honey Bandit in his plight. In case you didn't know, caring for sick horses is EXPENSIVE and this little horse needs plenty of TLC. Click HERE for a copy of the flyer. And you can always donate to this important cause directly and securely via PayPal:
AND JUST IN CASE YOU FORGOT, HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF ANIMALS AMAZING CAPACITY TO SHOW LOVE AND COMPASSION:
Palomino's dogs quickly accepted Honey Bandit as a member of their pack and provide him comfort in his suffering.
And here is another great video:
]]>Honey Bandit Needs Your Help!http://www.lilsmokey.net/journal/2010/9/19/honey-bandit-needs-your-help.htmlAdam2010-09-19T23:21:28Z2010-09-19T23:21:28Z
Wild Mustang Foal Fights for his life!
Rescued from BLM round-up, September 2, 2010
Honey Bandit is fighting with a mustang spirit and a mustang heart for survival.
Palomino Armstrong is caring for Honey Bandit 24/7 around the clock at her home in Shingletown. An earlier foal in March 2009, Chilly Pepper-Miracle Mustang, was saved and nurtured by Palomino. She now is alive and thriving in good health!
Honey Bandit deserves the same chance. You can help him and Palomino.
Donations are needed!
Learn more about Honey Bandit as his story continues:
]]>Second Anniversary Rescue Party!http://www.lilsmokey.net/journal/2010/7/18/second-anniversary-rescue-party.htmlAdam2010-07-18T16:07:12Z2010-07-18T16:07:12ZAs most people in our Li'l Smokey family know, July 17th 2010 marks the second anniversary of Li'l Smokeys rescue. Sue, Linda and Denise from Redding planned and pulled off a wonderful two day event filled with lots of food and fun and hugs. The weather was definitely not cooperating (108 on Friday and 106 on Saturday) but everyone was in good spirits. I hear we are back to Lake Tahoe for next year. What a blast!
**Does anyone from the party have pictures they want to share? We were having so much fun we forgot to take any pictures**
]]>Li'l Smokey and Blackbear Diner: A match made in heaven?http://www.lilsmokey.net/journal/2010/5/20/lil-smokey-and-blackbear-diner-a-match-made-in-heaven.htmlAdam2010-05-21T01:49:41Z2010-05-21T01:49:41ZEvery since we published "Saving Li'l Smokey" people have been asking us when this book would be available at Blackbear Diner. For those of you from the east, Blackbear diners are a great local chain with over 40 stores in the western states. As the name implies, they are a bear-themed restaraunt and we believe that our book will be a great addition to their gift shop. They have agreed to have our books in two of their stores (Redding and Mount Shasta) to see how well it sells. If you have a location nearby, and you want to show your support, please ask them to carry the book as well!
Also, we want to add a special thanks to our other distributors:
Burrito Bandito (Redding and Anderson Locations) [Our Top Seller]
All About Books (Redding)
Bibles Books and More (Redding)
Turtle Bay Bookstore (Redding)
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Visitors Center
]]>Kodiak "Kody" Thomas Deem (2/24/1997 - 4/21/2010)http://www.lilsmokey.net/journal/2010/4/23/kodiak-kody-thomas-deem-2241997-4212010.htmlAdam2010-04-24T04:24:34Z2010-04-24T04:24:34Z
Just after midnight this last Wednesday, God took Kody home. He died peacefully in his sleep. Kody was a native Alaskan and lifelong outdoor enthusiast. A trained medical and therapy service dog, Kody spent his life giving love, healing and companionship to everyone w...ho connected with him. He spent his last days at his favorite off-leash beach in Carmel, California, taking in the sea air--completely happy and content. On the trip home, he enjoyed a double cheeseburger. That night, he begged for and ate an entire rawhide before curling up on his bed. An hour later, his precious heart gave out, and he was gone. He is survived by two canine siblings, Lillian (5), Murphy (1), and his parents, Adam and Celeste. He is their firstborn, and will never, ever be replaced. He is deeply missed and forever loved. "Into paradise may the angels lead you."
It was Kody's example that I thank for giving me the compassion to save Li'l Smokey. Here I am giving him the credit in October of 2008:
]]>Travesty of Justice!http://www.lilsmokey.net/journal/2010/4/3/travesty-of-justice.htmlAdam2010-04-03T17:59:32Z2010-04-03T17:59:32ZMany of you have been following the trial of former Los Angeles assistant fire chief Glynn Johnson on charges of animal cruelty. He was convicted of beating a puppy so badly that it had to be euthanized. The charge, a felony in California, brings a potential sentence of 4 years in prison. Well, yestrday the judge handed down his sentence: 90 days of "weekend jail" and three years of probation! It makes me sad and angry that such acts are taken so lightly. I believe that how we treat animals shows who we are on the inside: gentle, or harsh, loving or cruel, merciful or malignant. This guy is a certified jerk in my personal opinion and I believe that his own life will be punishment for his deeds. There is still more people can do. Visit the familys website at www.justice4karley.com and learn about their efforts to change animal cruelty laws.
