"On September 1, eight dogs' ashes were dropped from an airplane flown by Tim's best friend, Rod, with nephew Timmy on-board. The ashes were dropped above Jughandle Mountain east of our Idaho ranch. Tim's ashes floated out after all the dogs were invisible specs of dust above the mountain Tim loved.

"We had a running disagreement; we loved McCall, we loved Malibu. Couldn't our ashes be split half and half? No. So atop Jug Mountain is where Misty, McKenzie and I will join Tim and the other dogs." - Denise Novoselski
******
I said goodbye to my old boss and great friend, Tim Novoselski, last night. In a memorial service for several hundreds of their friends in Malibu, his soul-mate and wife, Denise, paid tribute to his life and death. One of the bonds that always kept us close was our mutual love of our animals, particularly our dogs. One year we took turns photographing each other with our dogs to use as Christmas cards. And, our animals have always been central, no, essential to our lives. So I can see no other memorial that would be more fitting than mingling Tim's ashes with those of his beloved dogs who proceeded him over the Rainbow Bridge.

What struck me the most, however, was how much Tim and Deni loved each other. It wasn't in their words. It was always in their actions. The way they looked at each other! It was breath-taking. In Deni's own words: "From the minute I looked over at him behind his editor's desk at SC and saw his black glasses, scotch-taped together, slipping down his nose, I knew he was the love of my life." 

Deni admitted that separately they were fine people, but together, they were magic. And so it was. I have not known many people who have had the same devotion to each other as these two had and still do. Because, you see, their love is eternal. And I am so blessed to have witnessed it.

People ask me why I do it. Perhaps because so many people can relate to the dogs I write through. I get these touching notes and reviews from people like:

"I truly enjoyed Luke's Tale. My husband even read it! We had a black lab named Luke, and he was the greatest, like your Luke. I hope your message is felt by many." OR

"I have always been a dog person and loved Luke from the start." OR

"Using Luke's life to illustrate unconditional love was brilliant. But Carol goes on to illustrate forgiveness, redemption, hope, compassion, and victory over death. This book is truly amazing and uplifting, which is rare these days." OR

"This is a wonderful story. You will laugh and you will cry. I could see some of my dogs doing some of the things Luke did. Very enjoyable. Must read." OR

Spoiler Alert!
"I just finished Luke's Tale and it was fantastic. I loved reading it from a dog's point of view. I cried at the end because Luke reminds me of my dog but the joy Luke shows when he goes over the rainbow helped alleviate the sadness. My lovely Lab/retriever mix is growing old with me and helps me much like Luke helps Sara." OR

"You need not be an animal lover to love this book, if you are it will tug at your heartstrings even more. Beautifully written with a lesson that every one can learn from. It seems that our lives and those around us are so full of ME, ME, ME, that we don't stop to think how we push our ideals of life onto others.Unconditional love is a necessity if we are to live a genuine life and this"tale"helps us see how we can bring this kind of love into our lives. A must read and definitely worth five stars!!" OR

" I loved this book and couldn't put this book down. Yes I cried a whole bunch but also laughed a whole bunch. I think everyone should read this book and maybe the world would be a better place with unconditional love. I know that I have that love with my two dogs." OR

"You will laugh and cry with Luke throughout this book. Luke's Tale is a great story for anyone, especially those of us who love dogs. It was wonderful to read about life and love from a dog's point of view. Luke loved his owners, and you will love Luke as you continue to read this story. I have a blind dog and now, when I watch him, I wonder what he is thinking and if he might have some of the same thoughts and emotions Luke had in this book. Anyone who has loved and lost a pet will be touched by the end of this wonderful story."OR

"I was very hesitant to read a book that was written from the point of view of a dog. But, I love dogs and gave it a shot. This was one of the best stories I have read in a while. I think I learned a lot about love and relationships through this book. I don't think I ever thought I could think about a dog in such a way! Read this one and you don't be sorry, just make sure you have some tissues handy!"

Okay, I could go on with what many will consider my "blatant" crowing about my book. But my point is simple. Animals have so much to teach us. I have loved them all my life, and I have learned so much about myself in the process of loving them. Take a moment and think about how your dog greets you when you come home. The joy at your arrival is overwhelming. Think about how they just want to be near you, be a comfort and have you scratch behind their ears. Recall how they never hesitate to lick your hand or sit near you, even after you have ignored them for hours, or even days. That's love. It's always there for you.

That's why I write through the eyes of a dog. There is no other creature that will love you without conditions. Now, if we could just love each other in the same way, this world would be a better place full of compassion, understanding, kindness and just plain love.

There are no words. I just feel sad for our nation and its people on this day. I wish we could go back in time and change it. Change all those lost lives. Change the sorrow it caused.

Each of us has a special way to honor those who were lost and what was taken away from our nation. This is mine.

May we all learn to love each other some day.