Dear Sandy, Max, Trini and Tak,

Your visit last week to Boulevard was a huge success.  I have heard from many teachers, parents and administrators that it was even more wonderful than they had anticipated. You have such a relaxed and engaging manner with the students.  One master teacher emailed me to say that in 14 years at Boulevard this was the best literacy experience ever with a visiting author.  The dogs are a huge draw but your message and skill to convey it to a wide range of ages and abilities is what makes it so special.

Happy summer,  Anne

Our Newest Arrival: Trini

On Friday, November 25, 2005, we adopted a new family member, Trini. Trini was rescued by the Mid South English Springer Spaniel Rescue Organization from a shelter in North Carolina. She had been abandoned without tags and brought to the shelter by a dog warden. As soon as the shelter got her, they called English Springer Rescue of America (ESRA), and Trini was taken from the shelter and put into a foster home. Then Rescue called us. Trini was ill, and her ESRA foster families took great care of her. She and her foster families corresponded with me, and right after Thanksgiving, she joined our family in Ohio. She is a wonderful, affectionate girl who was born with only three legs. In spite of being an amputee, Trini has incredible spirit and speed. She can outrun Tak and Max in the short run! We love her and admire her spirit. She made her first school visit on December 1, 2005, and was a big hit. We look forward to giving her a great springer life and will update you all with pictures and her adventures with the boys, Max and Tak.

We felt that adopting a three-legged Springer was a tribute to our Annie, and we know that Annie would approve of this lively and loving girl. Trini is now the main character in Forever Home, the story of her search for a place to belong. (See our home page for more.)

North Star Writers

Literary Collection of Student Writings with the Author in Orrville

On August 3, our Annie passed away peacefully surrounded by those who loved her; she was fifteen years old. For the first nine years of her life Annie was our family member and pet. She helped raise Rebecca and Julia, now 28 and 25 respectively, and she ruled the household. She ran like the wind and swam in the ponds and rivers of Connecticut where she was born. When Annie was six, her family moved back to Ohio. She loved it here too, especially Chagrin Falls. When Annie was seven, Max joined the household, and life changed. Annie worked hard to reform Max and erase his bad habits!

In 1998, Annie developed cancer in her left front leg and had to have her leg amputated. While she was recovering in body and spirit, her mom wrote, Annie Loses Her Leg but Finds Her Way. That book was beautifully illustrated by the late Bob Takatch and published in November of 1999. Max and Annie's life changed dramatically after that, and at nine, Annie became a working dog and book character, along with her brother, Max. In the last six years Annie visited over 250 schools, countless libraries and bookstores, hospitals, elder facilities, dog shows, trade shows, book shows, library and academic meetings, and on and on. Five more books followed the first. Annie became an inspiration to children and adults--to cancer sufferers and their family and friends, to kids with reading and writing problems, to all of us who are not perfect . Annie's story and her life was one of struggle and optimism. She was plucky, strong, dignified, and loving.

Although she retired in 2004, Annie did some special events in 2005. Her last appearance was in July, 2005, at Walter Reed Army Hospital where her book had been chosen to give comfort to Army families, particularly the children, of our returning veterans with amputations due to the war in Iraq. She visited some of these families and gave kisses and comfort, even though she was growing weaker herself. She was much loved that day, and we all left Washington smiling through our tears.

Annie's heart became weaker as the summer progressed, and she had to leave us on August 3, 2005. We miss her, but we know she is at peace. We feel that her spirit lives on in our memories, in the people she touched, the children she kissed, in the pictures Bob drew and the words I wrote. Thank you to all who loved her. Sandy Philipson and the Philipson family, Elliot, Rebecca, Julia, Max and Tak

A Message from Tim Protiva, Children's Librarian

Statement from COL Thaddeus Posey, Walter Reed Chaplain

The general support of our wounded soldiers is indeed uplifting. And many caring individuals and groups have visited WRAMC to cheer on our troops in the process of transition to better health.

It is especially encouraging to receive those visitors who have dedicated their time and effort to inspire not only the soldiers, but their family members as well. As in many crisis experiences, the focus is usually on the adults, and the children are overlooked. Thus it is particularly heartwarming to welcome any person who has made a concerted effort to offer comfort and understanding to the children of injured soldiers. Those who provide a youngster with an avenue to understanding and grounding for face crisis are a true blessing in the realm of healing. We say thank you kindly to them. For their gift is eternally life giving.

Max and Tak and Mrs. Philipson want to help the school children of the Gulf Coast

The children of the Gulf Coast have been traumatized. Our children here in Ohio sometimes feel that there is nothing they can do. Adults can write a check which is great, but not very personal. With our help, our children can reach out to children who are hurting emotionally and unable to go to school because of Katrina. Sandra Philipson, children's author, is collecting both letters and supplies and clothing to be shipped to Mississippi. (This is the project described on Talk of the Nation (NPR) broadcast on September 6.) Here is how you can help:

Have your children (class, church group etc.) write letters to the children of the Gulf. Let these children know we are thinking of them. Children, write about yourself, your school, your family, your pets but use first names only. The children receiving your letters probably cannot reply, but they will love knowing that other kids are thinking about them.

Attach the letters with a safety pin to new clothing, shirts, shorts, socks, shoes, etc. (Everything must be new since the aid workers do not have the resources to sort or launder used clothes.)

or

Enclose your letters with school supplies.

Deliver the items to Sandra Philipson, 21 E. Summit St., Chagrin Falls or to Kurt at Hubcap Heaven and Wheels in Cleveland (e-mail Kurt@hubcaps-wheelcovers.com for directions or go to his website, katrinarelief-cleveland.org). Kurt is arranging for trucks to go to Jackson, MS.

If you do not work with children who can write the letters, just deliver the clothing and supplies to Sandra Philipson. She has plenty of spare letters and volunteers to pin them into the clothing.

Time is of the essence here. We need to coordinate this effort in the next ten days. We may be able to go on longer once we get started, but the sooner we get the donations, the sooner we can get them to the children down south. Thank you so much for your interest.

— Sandra Philipson