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Gratitude

Gratitude & Hope (Two More Book Awards & Furever Home Prayers)

Gratitude & Hope (Two More Book Awards & Furever Home Prayers)
Aug 30, 2024 by Denise Lee Branco

Can you believe that Christmas is just 17 weeks away?! I'm looking forward to holiday events and sharing stories of my beloved pets with readers.

Since my last newsletter, Dog at the Tinsel Tree: Susie's Story has won two more book awards: Bronze Medal in the 2024 Living Now Book Awards (animals/pets category) and an Honorable Mention in the 2024 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards (animals/pets and holiday categories!)

I'm hoping for more awards by the time Christmas arrives, but I'm especially praying that two precious brothers will have loving furever homes soon. My local shelter, FieldHaven Feline Center, helped me rescue them, their mama and three siblings (a long story and future article or book).

Bronze in Memoir - 2024 NCPA Book Awards

Bronze in Memoir - 2024 NCPA Book Awards
Jun 29, 2024 by Denise Lee Branco


Dog at the Tinsel Tree: Susie's Story has won its ninth book award! I hope that with each award, you are inspired to make room in your own life to live your purpose. My fall and head injury were another reminder that, as the saying goes, "life is not a dress rehearsal." Do what you were called to do...now.

I meant to thank you for your friendship and unwavering support in last week's newsletter. I feel so loved and the feeling is mutual. Ever since I stepped into the world of writing and publishing, I have been blessed with more friends than I ever thought possible. Each of you has a special place in my heart.

Until next time, live life to the fullest and much thanks to everyone who reached out to me after reading about my concussion. You made my day!

Looking at Life Differently Post Concussion: Thanking God and the Angels

Looking at Life Differently Post Concussion: Thanking God and the Angels
Jun 23, 2024 by Denise Lee Branco


I've always been one to be fully present in what each day offers; someone who reminds herself often that tomorrow isn't promised. That reminder took on a whole new meaning in late April.

It's a long story but let's just say that a home's uncarpeted concrete foundation is super hard when you fall and hit it with the back of your head. I don't remember details until I was on a stretcher in an ambulance and the paramedic told my friends that he was taking me to a hospital other than mine. I corrected him, stating, "I go to Kaiser." Funny how the thought of a lack of insurance coverage is what got my brain firing again!

The paramedic politely told me, "No, we're going to the Sutter Trauma Center." All I could say with tears rolling down my face was, "Oh, okay." I feared the worst. It was the day after our family received upsetting news about my father's health—a very tough week.

Spreading Holiday Joy with Susie's Story

Spreading Holiday Joy with Susie's Story
Dec 02, 2023 by Denise Lee Branco

Isn't it wonderful how a room filled with holiday decorations does something to the soul? It instantly lifts our spirits by its beauty, brings back fond memories of past Christmases, and gives us renewed hope.

I participated in a holiday craft faire this past week. When I arrived and saw that I was assigned a table right in front of the gorgeous Christmas tree, I was ecstatic! It was the perfect location for a holiday-themed book.

Freedom's Spirit Lives On

Freedom's Spirit Lives On
Dec 23, 2022 by Denise Lee Branco


I can’t let a year pass without sharing this photo of Freedom in his Santa hat. It warms my heart every time. Not only does it make me smile (because he really didn’t want that floppy red cone with a white pompom on his head), it makes me wish I could hug the thick, winter-hair around his neck and thank him.

If it weren’t for you, Freedom, I wouldn’t have found the courage to write your story. If it weren’t for you, Freedom, I wouldn’t have been given this amazing writing gig that allows me to help animals all over the world. If it weren’t for you, Freedom, I wouldn’t have found my purpose.

Paying it Forward: A Rabbit's Impact on the World

Paying it Forward: A Rabbit's Impact on the World
Nov 23, 2022 by Denise Lee Branco

If only a sweet little bunny, named Chloe, could have understood the reason God showed her the way to my sliding door that warm, summer morning. It’s because of her impact on my life that her story is now memorialized in a book, so she can help other abandoned animals and those who’ve had to flee wars, wildfires, and hurricanes.

A Mother's Love for God's Creatures

A Mother's Love for God's Creatures
May 07, 2022 by Denise Lee Branco


How could the impossible happen? Pure luck with a bit of Divine guidance mixed in? Sounds good. That must be it.

Years pass and seasons change. It happens again. Twice? Five years later. How could that be? I’ll tell you how. It’s because God knows which of His animal guardians to call on when there’s an urgent need. That animal angel on Earth would be my mother. She has helped two lost cats find their way back home.

 

He Led Me to Purpose

He Led Me to Purpose
May 31, 2021 by Denise Lee Branco


It’s been more than two decades—28 years to be exact. I can’t believe how the sun has risen and set for 10,220 days and yet, I can look at this photo and instantly feel the same joy-filled and grateful emotions that I felt in San Luis Obispo, California on the Memorial Day weekend of 1993 when I led Freedom out of that boarding stable corral. It was a day of redemption and renewal. He had been gone for twelve years but he was finally homeward bound—back to the ranch where he was born.

I didn’t know then that the blessing of having Freedom back in my life had much more meaning. It would take years of life lessons and self-discovery to realize that Freedom would instead be the one leading me to my purpose.

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