In other words, she is an original. By using her voice to help others, Blake has become a top influencer. You will find her writings in essays, articles, blog posts, and social media messages that are all over the web. In addition to top internet outlets, and her byline includes appearing in major print magazines.

As a result of her hard work – and determination to help others – Melissa Blake is a fiery activist educating the world. In addition, Blake is now the author of a memoir: Beautiful People: My Thirteen Truths About Disability. The book’s release date is March 5, 2024. However, it is available for pre-order now.

Here is one of her brilliant tweets that went viral.

During the last round of trollgate, people said that I should be banned from posting photos of myself because I’m too ugly. So I’d just like to commemorate the occasion with these 3 selfies… ???? 

— Melissa Blake @melissablake

Years ago, Blake wrote to me after seeing my New York Times essay about teen rape. Her kind words gave me comfort and she shared parts of her life with me. Although our experiences weren’t the same, we bonded over surviving trauma and a shared mission to help others.

I have experienced Blake’s kindness firsthand. We met when Blake reached out to me after reading my essay Defriending My Rapist which was published in The New York Times.

Centennial Cats

Blake said yes to an interview for my recent assignment for Centennial Animals, a sub-division of Centennial Media. Inside Your Cat’s Mind is a popular magazine series. I did a deep dive into why cats are not officially-approved service animals. Despite the myth that cats aren’t trainable, of course, they are. Just ask a cat trainer!

Cat Trainer Melissa Millet

Dr. Melissa Millet, one of Hollywood’s go-to animal trainers, rescued five cats. She then trained them to star on the silver screen. As a result, her five cats are cast members in the remake of Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary.” These kitties knew nothing about acting until Millet trained them.

Her secret? Patience and kindness. The five furry critters went from non-actors to reaching the top of the crop as cat stars in a major motion picture. As a true-blue animal lover, Millet fights for the rights of animals. Her requirements include supervisors hired to be on set in order to ensure humane treatment. Trainer Millet will never have it any other way.

Back to Blake

Cat lovers like Blake don’t need a certificate to prove heroism in their felines. However, not every residence permits dogs on their premises. And, there are licensed service animals, for example, miniature-horses, that are turned away. Yet, landlords are often agreeable to four-legged feline family members. So, yeah, trained cats have not yet earned their rightful title: “Official Service Animals. Hopefully, that will change in the near future.

See Also: Interviews With Women Writers: Surviving & Writing

Wild About Harry

Blake’s first cat Harry came into her life at a crucial time. It was after her father’s suicide. Sisters Melissa and Joy, and their mother, grappling with grief. “Harry gave us so much love when we needed it most,” said Blake. “We gave Harry a home, thinking that we were saving him. But instead, Harry saved us.”

Blake was born with a rare genetic bone and muscular disorder called Freeman-Sheldon syndrome. After Harry lived a long, full life, the family met two more life-saving cats named Whitney and Stella. “They are precious creatures,” says Blake. “They always remind me to slow down. When I am anxious or depressed, just petting them for even a minute calms me. They have a soothing, loving presence. It is so peaceful.”

And, Blake says, “One of the things I’ve found most interesting, is that none of our cats have been afraid of my wheelchair. Whitney loves sitting in my seat and it reminds me how accepting cats are. Cats never fail to make me smile. They lift my mood.”

Ok folks, I’ll leave you with this #WednesdayBrag

The post Melissa Blake Says ‘My Cats Are Heroes’ appeared first on Award-Winning Writer and Graphic Designer.

Holiday foods can be treacherous for dogs and cats. This is a list of 10 dangerous holiday foods that can harm dogs and cats if ingested. Your pets have no idea how to pick and choose which table scraps to gobble up. Read on to learn about common yet dangerous holiday foods that are the most important to keep out of reach from your pets.

My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Buddy, was at the tippy-top of every year’s “I give thanks for” list. It’s easy to write out the reasons he rocked my world: Buddy stared at me lovingly with big brown eyes like Bambi’s. He followed me around because he needed to know where I was and whatever I was doing every second of every day.

DANGEROUS HOLIDAY FOODS

Size Matters

The smaller the pet and the larger the portion of the food they ingest, the more likely you will have to rush your dog to the emergency room, so don’t take any chances. Be sure that all of your guests, especially children, understand that they are not to give anything to the dog or cat. Many people have no idea what certain foods can do to animals, so here is my list of the top 10 worst offenders at a holiday celebration:

TURKEY OR CHICKEN BONES

These are extremely dangerous for your pets because the bones can easily splinter and get stuck in your furry loved one’s gastrointestinal tract. The sharp edges from splintered bones can cause dangerous perforations. An all-too-common choking hazard can occur if a bone becomes lodged in the throat of your dog or cat. Please be careful over the holidays to not leave anything in the kitchen garbage. Pets know how to be sneaky and can easily get into it. Take the garbage outside, tie it and secure it in a covered garbage can far away from Fifi or Fido.

CHOCOLATE

Obviously, chocolate can contain a lot of fat, that is why we get fat when we eat too much of it. Fat isn’t any good for your pets, either. Chocolate also contains methylxanthines, which are stimulants including the obromine and caffeine. Depending on the size of your dog or cat, the amount of chocolate eaten and the type of chocolate (milk, dark or baking), horrid things can happen. Your pet may experience vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, irregular heart beat, seizures and even death. Their little pancreas can become inflamed causing pancreatitis, which can be fatal. Four ounces of milk chocolate — or merely half an ounce of baking chocolate — can seriously harm a 10-pound pet.

See also: BustaRhymes, my perfect Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Budster velcroed himself to me while we were watching TV or napping. Whenever I awaken, his little brown-and-white head popped up like a periscope. OK, we could be here all day. Let’s reel me in. I’ll stop there and get back to the topic at hand — which foods are dangerous for your pets to ingest during Thanksgiving, Hanukah, Christmas, Quanza, New Year’s — and all holiday season festivities.

See also: More Dog Pics Guaranteed to Cheer You Up

DANGEROUS HOLIDAY FOODS ALSO INCLUDE

No matter how much you love your animals, you may not be aware of some of the most dangerous holiday foods for them. While alcohol and chicken bones may be obvious to you, were you aware of xylitol, nuts, dairy, grapes, raisins? And did you know that other dangerous holiday foods for pets are garlic, onions. certain spices and some nuts?

XYLITOL

This sugar substitute is often found in candy, gum or other packaged foods and even in toothpaste. If your dog or cat ingests as little as an eighth of a teaspoon of xylitol, it can cause pancreas to secrete insulin, which can lead to dangerously low blood sugar. Ingesting half a teaspoon could lead to liver damage or even liver failure. Symptoms include vomiting, loss of muscle control, lethargy and seizures. Liver failure can occur quickly. Rush your pet to the animal hospital.

GRAPES OR RAISINS

Did you know that your dog or cat could become extremely sick just by eating a handful of grapes or raisins? Nobody knows exactly why because the poisonous substance has never been identified, but even in small amounts, grapes or raisins can cause acute renal failure, and your beloved fur-baby could die. Don’t take a chance. Symptoms of a toxic reaction include diarrhea, excessive thirst, urinating excessively or not at all and lethargy. There is no antidote. Get your pet to a hospital immediately.

See Also: Amazing Dog Photos

ALCOHOL

What you may perceive as only a smidgeon of alcohol can poison your pets. It’s very common for drinks to be left unattended at a holiday gathering, and your pet could easily be attracted by the smell of liquid in a glass, especially if it’s a sweet cocktail. Don’t leave open bottles on counters, either, and remember that many other foods — like rum cake or wine sauce — can contain enough liquor to put your dog or cat in danger. Alcohol poisoning can cause liver and brain damage. Just two teaspoons of whiskey can cause a coma in a five-pound pet; three teaspoons could kill. Obviously, the higher the alcohol proof the more damage it can cause.

DAIRY PRODUCTS

Most cats are lactose intolerant. Dogs can be, too. Lactose is made up of two sugar molecules. For a dog or cat to digest foods that contain lactose, their bodies must contain lactase, an enzyme that can split up the two sugars and make them digestible. Without lactase, your pets’ system cannot digest dairy foods containing lactose. Signs of upset include vomiting, gas and diarrhea.

MACADAMIA NUTS & WALNUTS

Macadamia nuts can cause toxicosis. Symptoms usually occur within 12 hours of ingestion and last for approximately 12 to 48hours. Your poor little doggie can experience vomiting, tremors, increased heart rate, fever, hypothermia and even become unable to stand. Although uncommon, it can lead to death.

ONIONS, GARLIC, SAGE, NUTMEG

Onions and garlic contain sulfides, which can damage red blood cells. Too much of one of these taste enhancers can cause toxic anemia. Days can go by before you notice a problem. This warning includes all forms of onion: powdered, raw, cooked, dehydrated, leeks, scallions and chives. Nutmeg can cause seizures. Sage and other herbs have oils that can cause stomach pain and/or affect a pet’s central nervous system. Cats are especially sensitive to sage.

CAFFEINATED COFFEE, TEA & SODA

Caffeine can harm your dog or cat. It can cause heart palpitations, rapid breathing and muscle tremors. In large quantities, it can cause death. Caffeine is also in some cold medicines and pain relievers, but I’m sure you already know that any medicine for humans, even over-the-counter stuff, can kill animals. That’s why there are warning signs all over the packaging and many medicines come with safety caps. So, as Judge Judy loves to say, “Don’t be stupid.”

THE MAKINGS OF THE MEAL

The kitchen is one big danger zone. While you are preparing your holiday meals, keep the following big offenders in mind. Uncooked eggs can cause salmonella poisoning or E. coli infection. Yeast dough is an extreme hazard. The uncooked dough can rise, and while it is expanding in your pet’s stomach, it can cause dangerous distress. If you abandon the kitchen to join your guests, do not leave any of these things accessible to your pet: fat trimmings, gravy, rich sauces, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, turkey cloth, wax paper, batter, spoons, toothpicks — all of these can be swallowed and can cause consequences that are too terrifying to even think about. Just don’t do it.

One last note: No matter how careful you are things can go wrong. It’s important to keep phone numbers on auto dial for your vet, the local 24-hour animal hospital, and ASPCA’s Animal and Poison Control Center: 888.426.4435. Now that you are armed with info, have a safe and happy holiday season!

The post 10 Holiday Foods to Keep Away from Dogs and Cats appeared first on Award-Winning Writer and Graphic Designer.

Anyone who meets me knows I’m obsessed with dogs. Especially my dog. You may not know that I grew up with a stray that my family took in. The only problem was my mother’s severe allergy to cats. Mom’s eyes swell up, and she breaks out in a sneezing fit. The solution was to make a cozy home for our kitty in the garage. She was happy with the trifecta: a loving family, privacy, and freedom.

Cat Named Telka

My oldest sister named the cat Telka after an Egyptian princess. I envisioned a royal family with dark hair and olive skin — in retrospect, they looked suspiciously like my family. The princess had long black hair, large brown eyes, and full lips like Cleopatra but with my sister’s face.

However, I recently googled ‘Telka Egyptian Princess,’ and it appears there was no Egyptian princess with that name. In fact, I can’t find any princess from any country named Telka. Oh well, that only makes the memories more magical.

Telka waited for me every day. She sat at the curb across the street from my elementary school. I have no idea how long she sat there, but she had an internal clock for meals, so she must’ve sensed when it was time to come get me. I’d cross the street and greet her with a scratch behind her ears. Her reaction was to elicit loud, long purrs. Then, as we began to walk, she would rub her body against my legs, which made her purr louder. She walked around my legs, weaving as if drawing the infinity symbol.
I knew she was saying, “I love you to infinity.

My childhood home was a block-and-a-half from school. Upon arriving at the front doorstep she’d purr again, then run off to chase birds. The only thing I wasn’t crazy about was her proclivity for bringing me “presents.” Her gifts were poor little dead birds left in front of the door. Not only was it sad, it was disgusting to clean them up.

“Such adorable serial killers cats are,” said my Facebook pal Dan Collins. “When we got our cat Muffin, the family was overcome by his overwhelming cuteness. He was a little lint ball of a gray kitten. Who knew he would mature into Catzilla? At his best, Muffin was a lovable curmudgeon. At worst, he was a vet’s nemesis and the inspiration for Stephen King’s “IT.” Muffin never brought us a bird, but he was quite a good mouser.”

I asked my 2D and 3D friends what makes their cats purr. Here are the funny responses:

Lara B. Sharp, freelance writer said, “My cat Oscar purrs as loud as an idling truck when he sees the only non cat food he will eat. It’s nacho cheese Doritos. Poor little Oscar. He can’t meow properly. He walks around the house saying , “Wow, wow, wow.” But he makes up for his inabilities with an over abundance of enthusiasm. I say, “Oscar!” and he says, “Wow!” like he’s stunned that I have the ability to talk so he makes me feel like a genius.”

Andrea Beitler, who works for the nonprofit USO (United Services Organizations) said, “My cat loves licking plastic bags at night while I’m trying to sleep. He also loves snuggling. His name is Stimpy and we have a Chihuahua named Ren. Stimpy thinks he is the Lord of the Laundry. He loves lying on laundry piles. He also enjoys chasing his tail and bopping Ren on his head. He’s content lying in gift wrap at the bottom of a box. I never see him anymore. I just hear crinkle, crinkle. I tried to get a photo of Stimpy and Ren together but as you can see Stimpy gave me a look that said, “I will not sit with that lowly plebeian — even if it is for a picture.”

Melinda Dalke, the artist of Laughing Paws Art Studio adopts rescue cats. She said, “Miso and Saki love playing fetch. Sedona enjoys watching birds, Mocha loves my lap and Rebel loves everything —especially food.”

Freelance writer Shelley Renee said, “My cat’s name is Sebastian. He is a funny cat. Whoever thought up the term ‘catnap’ to mean a quick little snooze obviously never had a cat. Sebastian naps for about 20 hours a day. The other activity that he’s fond of is eating. Other funny behaviors are that he loves to sit on the windowsill and watch the birds outside, and he loves to play with my elastic hairbands. He will roll around with them and chew them all up. Sebastian also likes to taunt visiting dogs. He has been known to beat them up and then steal their beds and toys.”

See also: Dog Pics Guaranteed to Cheer You Up

Real estate appraiser Neil Adams said, “Technically, Karma and Ollie are my roommates cats but it’s been two and a half years now so I know them well. Karma is a big fatty who loves her cat food and spends all day in her cat tree. The only time she seems interested in anything else is when I offer her catnip. She’ll still stay in the cat tree but when I give her the catnip she’ll bounce around a bit and then get down with her nip. Ollie is skinny and has to eat a special diet but he likes chicken or tuna when he can get it. He’s not as enthusiastic as big Karma but Ollie is much more cuddly and purry. He has zero interest in the catnip. If they had jobs Karma would be on unemployment and Ollie would be a thief.”

Freelance writer Linda Melone said, “My cat’s name is Sephora. She’s named after my favorite store. Sephora loves getting brushed and loves it so much she rolls around purring and drooling. It’s a riot. Cracks me up.”

Pet fashion designer Ada Nieves said, “Martini Beethoven loves boxes. Whenever he sees a box he jumps into it right away. Then he glares, communicating “Don’t you dare take this box away. It’s mine.”

Happy cat mom Jane Mitchell said, “Violet loves drinking straws and adores her cat climbing furniture thingy. Violet rules the house from her perch.”

The post September is Happy Cat Month appeared first on Award-Winning Writer and Graphic Designer.

Nancy Rogers, the vice president of K9Kastle, a New York nonprofit animal rescue organization, gathered a brave group that took a dare for charity. They jumped 65 feet to raise money for abandoned dogs and cats.

Dorri Olds: Tell me about your nonprofit K9Kastle.

Nancy Rogers: At K9Kastle, there are five of us that have been rescuing animals for years. I was born to do this. When I was 5 years old, I was already bringing animals home, telling my parents, “But I found it!” It’s always been in me. Joanne Douglas is the founder and president who got us a 501(c)(3), which made us a legitimate nonprofit group. I am considered the vice president, but I do all the work. [Laughs]

What made you think of doing the jump for charity?

I saw an advertisement for a new reality TV show called “Dare Me For Charity.” They were doing a 32-city campaign trying to get nonprofit groups that rescue animals to take on challenges to raise money for their groups. It sounded cool, so I e-mailed them. When I heard back, they didn’t tell me what the challenge was. They just said they’d be coming to New York and setting up various challenges. When I found out our challenge was a 65-foot jump, I was scared, but still game for it. I’ll do anything for an animal.

Read more…

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