"...we should fight the war in Iraq with puppies."

With unabashed selfishness my selection of the featured author and theme of this issue was spurred by witnessing the positively joyful impact our new Labrador-retriever puppy, Paco (5 months old today), has had on the lives of everyone he meets.  Strangers we meet on our dog walks and friends and family who have come to know Paco just gush over the oodles of love, licks and life he so freely and unconditionally showers on us all.  It has been an interesting study to observe the reaction of a stranger encountering another stranger versus a stranger encountering a stranger and her dog.  My husband and I enjoy taking walks and in our small town it is common to wave and nod at fellow walkers.  But the friendly wave occurs in passing as they stride in the opposite direction.  Enter Paco.  What used to be a brisk, uninterrupted hour walk now takes twice the amount of time to allow for frequent stops to accommodate strangers' requests to meet and pet Paco.  They ask about his name, what kind of puppy he is, how old he is, then they bid HIM goodbye.  Over and over we have observed how Paco brings light and smiles into people's hearts and faces.  Interestingly enough, no one ever asks us OUR names.  

Shortly after Paco entered our lives, I learned about Gary Kowalski's books about animals and spirituality.  Following that, Shirley MacLaine's book which tells about how her dog Terry teaches her about unconditional love arrived in the mail .  Before these books arrived, I had already planned on publishing an issue on pets and spirituality in some future issue: thus the power of putting energy into the universe and the desire manifesting itself.  Or, was that just coincidence?  Not according to Deepak Chopra who says nothing is just coincidence.  Regardless of whether you believe in Gary's philosophy about the souls of animals or Shirley's claim that she and Terry once lived in Egypt together in a previous life, it is difficult to dispute the fact that animals do have a positive impact on people and they do exhibit unconditional, non-judgmental, lap-snuggling, face-licking love.  Pets make us laugh and provide comfort and peace for our souls.  

My husband said we should fight the war in Iraq with puppies.  I love this visual.  The soldiers would look into the sky and see millions of puppies floating down like angels wearing their puppy parachutes, tongues hanging out, and tails wagging (or behinds wagging; Paco was born without a tail).  They would all get distracted, drop their weapons and become overcome with feelings of love and peace.  Everyone would forget the war and just be happy-go-lucky like our pets keep trying to teach us.  

Look into the face and eyes of a loving pet or animal, and if your heart is open you will feel something stir in your soul.  If you don't feel something, try harder because you're really missing out on a wonderfully warm and radiant sensation.  How do I know?  Because I'm a convert.  Six months ago you would have heard me say that pets belong outdoors, they're just animals, they're fun to go running with or to play with the kids.  Paco came into my life to teach me about the souls of animals, and now I'm a believer.  

About some of the other authors in this issue

I am excited to introduce a book by our friend Dave Shreffler, Equatorial Crossings.  It is an absolutely beautiful, engaging book.  Seasoned and armchair travelers alike should take this book for a spin or give it as a gift.  Another friend, Chris Duff, shares an excerpt from Southern Exposure  about his solo kayaking sojourn around the South Island of New Zealand.  I was touched by Rudi Richardson who wrote to us from Berlin, Germany.  He bravely tells his personal story of recovery from drug addiction.  Judith Pennington allegorically and literally shares her view of war and piece in her three articles.  And, of course, Eleanora Scarpetta brings us into the holiday season with recipes and an article about Winter and Holiday Foods.

Next year we will launch the first issue of our fifth year.  I am thankful for the contributions of authors and publishers who keep this webzine alive.  I am thankful to the volunteer editors who facilitate the creation of a gramatically-correct online publication.  Lastly, I am thankful to all the readers who continue to generate numerous traffic on our site providing wonderful exposure for the authors and artists we choose to feature in each issue.  

We wish you a wonderful holiday season.  Keep warm, love large, be well, and, of course, stay spiritually fit! 

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Namaste.

Amelia Andaleon
Chief Editor, SpirituallyFit.com

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