Letters from Ascension Hermitage and Sanctuary

I was very surprised to see two pileated woodpeckers this morning! This was the only photo I could take before they flew away. We often see little downy woodpeckers here, but we are just at the very edge of the   Pileated Woodpecker range . They flew in from the woods behind Sanctuary House. I took this picture through double glass on the laundry room doors . . . Piper was with me so I didn't dare open the door for better focus, but the birds were intent on looking for bugs in the trees and on the ground and didn't stay long anyway.

Willow and Imagine hope your breakfast was as delicious as theirs - and that your day is as sunny and bright! And we all hope that you might help us . . . if you find coupons for any of these products, and don't need to use them for your cats and dogs, please send them to us: Friskies canned cat food Fancy Feast canned cat food Purina Cat Chow Naturals Purina Dog Chow Little Bites Milk-Bone dog biscuits Milk-Bone Brushing Chews Purina One canned dog food Thanks very much!!

Stonewall Inn Rising, NYC - never forget! " . . .There was something in the air, freedom a long time overdue, and we're going to fight for it. It took different forms, but the bottom line was, we weren't going to go away. And we didn't." - Michael Fader [quotation in Stonewall by David Carter, p. 160] Celebrating for those who no longer have to hide, and remembering those who lived before Stonewall.

Sammy just couldn't resist - dogs (and cats) LOVE to help paint, even if that just means smoothing the paint that a person has added to the wall! At least today's paint is white so it does sort of blend in with that tri-color beagle coat. Sammy's ID tag has a paint splatter on one side. When I ordered it the woman at Lupine Pet  said, "Really? Why?" I told her that Sammy often helps me paint! A   Wet Paint! tag  is perfect for him! . . . and yes, we recommend  Lupine Pet  for collars, leashes, and tags!

Cindy sent this photo of the Silkies - they had lived at Sanctuary House since they were tiny chicks, and now have moved to live with her flock. The taller brown chick is a rooster, and it seemed very quiet this morning with no one indoors calling to the sun! Our big rooster, SilverRoo,  calls the sun every morning - from the outside, of course.

Let's admit it - the 2020 fashion statement is the face mask! And at least in Maryland, it's the law - so you might as well wear a comfortable and cute mask. I discovered these masks, made by Claire Connelly of   KALAIDASPACE , and can recommend them 100%. Claire has many colorful and great designs. I expect my next mask will have chickens or horses or flowers or possibly an American Eskimo dog! Stay safe - stay in, or if you can't stay in wear a mask and don't get too close to anyone else - and of course, wash you hands!

You can help Ascension Hermitage and Sanctuary with free donations whenever you shop online with iGive.com. Right now, iGive is giving out bonus donations! New members who join today can get an extra $10 donation for Ascension Hermitage and Sanctuary if they make their first purchase by 6/30. The stores make this possible because they want you to like them and shop at them over and over again. There are 2358 socially-responsible stores helping to make donations happen. I hope you'll give it a try. To learn more or sign up now, use this link: https://www.iGive.com/yoLajfy

Remember being told as a kid not to stand in front of the air conditioner - because you might catch a sore throat or pneumonia or even double pneumonia? Well, Possum never got that message! "The air feels good to me," he says, "plus I have to be on the lookout for wild turkeys or deer or whatever is roaming around in our woods!" We hope you are having a good day, whatever you may be watching for . . . and don't stand in front of the air conditioner!

With much sadness, and little surprise, we watched as Sally Ann left us for the Rainbow Bridge last night. She and her three sisters came to Sanctuary House years ago, as small kittens. Two kittens were short-haired: gray, green-eyed Sally Ann and tuxedo Mary Jane; the other two were long-haired: tuxedo Anna Justine and brown tabby Pansy Louise. The kittens were beautiful, but sickly, and very tiny - even as adults, each weighed only about six pounds. Mary Jane, who was actually the most active, died as an adolescent. Anna Justine was one of the cats stolen from Sanctuary House - Pansy Louise and Sally Ann just never were the same after their sister disappeared. Sally Ann who had never been really healthy, lost weight; she stayed close to her cat friends, especially Liev and Evans, and to Pansy Louise. Unlike her sister who always wants to be picked up and held, Sally Ann became more aloof and withdrawn. She loved canned cat food, and always ate well, but no matter what foods and med...

The past week has been difficult, to say the least . . . as are most non-profit organizations, Ascension Hermitage and Sanctuary is trying to make ends meet. No one is going hungry, and that's a good thing! We have updated our Amazon  Wish List  for anyone who might want to help with our most immediate needs - and yes, the doggies assure me, Milk Bone biscuits are a "need." Annie Oakley and Janie say take a nap and don't let the news get you too upset!