February 11, 2007 Dear Ms. Swendson, A good friend of mine who lives in Elmendorf, Texas just sent me a copy of “Penny’s From Heaven.” What a lovely, wonderful book!
There is so much quiet wisdom in your book that I found myself underlining passages on almost every page. Just perfect! As a fellow golden retriever fan and fellow Pisces (I too, was born on February 20, as was my good friend and cousin, Gloria Vanderbilt, and from what I know about you from your book. All three of us seem to be the same person!), I thought you might
enjoy the book I wrote about our golden, Amy, “Golden Days: Memories of a Golden Retriever”, here enclosed. If this reaches you by your birthday, Happy Birthday to you and Penny! Sincerely,
Arthur T. Vanderbilt II
Patsy I forwarded your book information to my support group gang. I finished reading your book and I was blessed. Jim and I loved reading it. Thanks for writing such an awesome book about God's amazing creatures and how they help provide healing to humankind. Dogs are so precious. There isn't one
day that passes that I don't think of my Sappy boy. The pet loss support group is going on four years already. I can't believe how time passes us by. Thank God for the pets in our lives and thank God for dedicated people like you who share the love of animals with the world.
Pet Loss and Grief Support Group San Antonio, TX
Review of Penny’s From Heaven by Patsy Swendson Reviewed by Dawn Duncan Literature and Writing Professor Canada
I treasure this book on many levels, and I recommend it to anyone who might share even one of those levels with this reader. First, I am a dog lover, as many will be who reach for this delightful cataloging of tales about a lovely Golden Retriever named Penny who brings joy wherever life finds her. I have had dogs most of my life, though never a Golden.
Still, when I read about Penny’s antics and endearing traits, I find myself thinking this could be one of my dogs in my home-complete with chairs coated in wisps of hair and nose-smudged windows as a decorating statement that is more about love than domestic cleanliness.
Second, I live with a disability that affects my mobility and can reduce me to long-periods of pain and rehabilitation, all of which is made better by canine companionship. When I spend time in a hospital, there is little that can bring laughter; but a dog almost always does, or even healing tears, as the need may be. I feel with the many people Penny touches, and I find myself grateful to
her and to Patsy for making such healing possible.
Finally, I deeply appreciate the writing for what Patsy is able to accomplish in lovely vignettes, short tales full of wisdom, love, laughter and tears. As a literature and writing professor, I am all too aware of how difficult it is in our world to take time to craft words well. Patsy has taken the time, and she has given it to us in readable episodes that even the harried postmodern
person can appreciate.
On a plane, at night in bed, along the way in a difficult day, these tales of Penny and Patsy will lift any reader’s load. And that says quite a lot.
Penny’s From Heaven speaks words that heal the human heart as only really good dog tales can. In me, Penny and Patsy have found a loyal reader, one who will share this book with many friends along my way.
Glad I found your book. A great reading - like Psalms - for the pet partner - In almost the beginning God created dog. And all was good. Keep spreading the gospel of Penny,
Rich Schad
ColoradoTherapy Animals
www.coloradotherapyanimals.org
I ordered Penny's book from Amazon.com and it arrived today. I haven't been able to put it down... the book is wonderful.
You truly are a very special person, Carole
Patsy, What a beautiful web site. Thanks for taking the time to tell the world about our special friends. It's an honor to be considered your friend.
Mike Lingenfelter & Ogilvie
Author/ The Angel by My Side
Hey Patsy! I did have a
chance to check out the website and it was
incredible. The stories are enough to bring a tear to your eye
especially
the one with the girl crying while she is on the phone in the
hospital and
Penny comes and puts his little head in her lap. I want to thank
you for
all you are (and have) done with dogs. I myself am a dog fanatic
who has
two dogs rescued from Grateful Paws so...thank you. Dogs do give a
glimpse
at heaven because they practice unconditional love, always.
For anyone who loves to read touching stories about dogs and how they can connect with humans-this book is terrific. I am almost through reading Patsy Swendson's wonderful book, "Penny's From Heaven." She has a way of describing a moment in time that takes you there and makes you realize how important our furry friends can be in therapy. I have thoroughly enjoyed her book and look forward to
reading about Gracie Allen when she finishes her Peeb book. Patsy thank you for writing this touching book and also for giving me a better insight on the role of therapy dogs.
Juliet and the Beach Bums, Monique and Marcel California
Patsy and Penny, I really don't know where to start - Penny's website is fabulous and what a remarkable, loving girl you have. I cannot wait to read your book!! I've already shared your site with several people who will love it! Penny's From Heaven Foundation does sound exciting and for such a wonderful cause. I know how much I love my goldens and really cannot imagine the bond
that exists between a person with special needs and their pet and how they come to rely on them for so many things. You and Penny are an inspiration for many.
Jan Garvey Golden Retriever Club of Greater Los Angeles Area www.grcglarescue.org
Patsy, Keep on smiling and may each new day be brighter than the one before! You are blessed to be able to share your feelings with many and I hope the book becomes truly a best seller! If more people could relate to the way you feel and the way you have given so much of yourself to so many, it would be a lovely world...at peace!
You have enriched so many lives, not only in the people that you have aided in their time of need...but with your writings and just being you! I wish the world were full of Patsy's...it certainly would be a nicer place to live.
Take care and give all those precious 'caretakers' a big smooch from a Florida friend! They truly are 'your' caretakers as much as you are theirs! I absolutely loved the book!!
Rosanne Miami Beach, FL
"I purchased one of your books, Penny's From Heaven at Cokerfest this Saturday. You autographed it for my friend, whom I plan to give it to as a gift. I confess I read the whole book first and fell in love with every story and every quote! I want a copy of my own now. Your mission and Penny's mission has touched my heart. Thank you for relating your personal experiences so
honestly and skillfully."
Lynn Hurt San Antonio, TX
"I’ve read nearly half your book and find it funny that we both enjoyed our “life in the media” but now find that helping others is the “real” gem in life. Authors are we!"
Tim Dirk Author: Hi Mom, Send Sheep! San Antonio Spurs Former Spurs "Coyote"
BOOK REVIEW
By Edell Schaefer
Golden Retriever News
November-December 2006
"The Healing power of the human-animal bond has been recognized and documented for decades. Couple that with the 'golden' temperament of our breed and you can see why Golden Retrievers frequently shine in a wide variety of pet-assisted therapies nationwide. The canine sweetheart of this heartwarming collection of real-life stories is "Penny" - the author's certified therapy dog.
The Penny-Patsy connection was forged as a result of Patsy's long-standing and tireless work writing about humane issues, serving as a founding member of the Delta Society of San Antonio, and her fund-raising efforts for the Guide Dogs of Texas. The Guide Dogs executive director offered Patsy a two year old Golden Retriever that had washed out of the program. When Patsy
discovered that they shared the same birthday and Penny deterred would-be burglars. From the day Penny arrived, Patsy knew that her life would never be the same. Penny's from Heaven is a testimony to this special Golden's work as a therapy dog, both inside and outside of the author's home.
This book is a collection of very personal, very touching stories of Penny's work as a therapy dog. They are both uplifting and uncomfortable because of the empathy and emotion that they evoke in the reader. It will amaze you how much these short and simple stories may give you a more relaxed and grateful perspective on the ups and downs of life.
While I personally would have enjoyed the addition of photos, the text is liberally illustrated with 35 drawings by illustrator/designer Aundrea Hernandez specially commissioned for this book. Another welcome addition are thought-provoking quotations liberally sprinkled throughout the book, including one of my favorites by T. Seusse Geisel ("Dr. Seuss"). "Don't cry because it is
over. Smile because it happened." There is no doubt that Penny's visits caused many a patient to smile."
Thank you so much for participating in this year's "Tribute to Tails." I would love to have you speak at next year's event. Perhaps share some of your writings too. I've been reading your book and it's so beautifully written. Penny is a special doggie, just like her mommy...YOU!
Julie Wylie
Pet Loss/Grief Support Group of San Antonio
"Thank you so much for the FABULOUS event! Our store was very pleased with you guys. We continued to sell your book this week, and have had customers asking for it and praising it." WONDERFUL!
F. Ursula Pretzer
Community Relations Manager
Barnes and Noble Booksellers
Corpus Christi, TX
For twenty years Patsy Swendson's charm and beauty were captured by television cameras. As a TV personality, she hosted her own show on which she gave recipes, cooking tips and travel notes, but this energetic woman wanted to do more. She put her romantic imagination to work and created Cook's Cottage. Her personal grace is evidenced in the softness of her decorating, but the tranquility of her creation
gives no hint to the energy that Swendson possesses. Swendson is the author of 49 cookbooks, including the current Popovers, Peaches and Four-Poster Beds, a title which gives Swendson's thoughts away.
Her charm has also found its way out into the world via the instinct she prizes most - her impulse to help others. Though Swendson offers us romance and good food, though her credits as a TV personality are legion, her proudest accomplishment has been her work with animals that visit the sick. A charter member of the Delta Society of San Antonio, she served as president for three years during which time
the Society accomplished a unique task - they won approval to have certified, tested animals visit the sick in over 68 health care facilities. With her beloved pets, Penny and Grace, Patsy was one of those visitors.
She recounts the therapeutic and moving experiences in Penny's From Heaven. While she talks of her dogs, the stories are about the patients. "It's solely about the patient. It isn't about me and it isn't about Penny. Egos must be set aside. It is quite simply about that particular patient, at that particular moment, and his or her struggle to heal and improve their quality of life."
Setting one's ego aside is the beginning of a spiritual journey and the strength of this book is that by avoiding herself and focusing on the patients, Swendson takes us on her own journey, one of spiritual growth and learning.
We asked Swendson what was next on her agenda. She smiled with a hint in the smile that the best was yet to come.
DIANNA SERBE
INMAMASKITCHEN.COM
NEW YORK BOOK REVIEWER
"Penny has peace and understanding
that most humans do not possess. Her intuitive and compassionate spirit aids
patients in overcoming their disabilities to live independent, productive
lives."
Aleen Davis Arabit
CEO
HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Institute of
San Antonio
I'm getting towards the end of the book and I must say that Gracie and Penny and the other pooches found a wonderful, sensitive and caring person in Patsy...if there were more people like you in this world, it would be a better place to live. Your intuitive sensitivity to others and your unselfish love for all creatures shines in every written word. May you and all your loved ones
be blessed with long and healthy lives...we are all proud to know all of you...and feel closer with each page we read! God Bless all of you that share your hearts and love with those less fortunate. We are all proud to know you too! Roseanne
Miami Beach, FL
Penny has been
honored and selected to appear in the First Edition 2007 American Dogs
of Distinction, as one of "America's Top Dogs."
Penny exemplifies the true meaning of American Dogs of Distinction,
because of her lifetime achievements in promoting the depth of the
human animal bond and making a difference with her tireless work with
patients, family members, and staff at HealthSouth Rehabilitation
Institute of San Antonio.
Penny has also received The American Kennel Club Award for Canine
Excellence, 2006.
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