By now it is well known that I refer to the animals I come in contact with as “Lennie’s Kids,” especially those whose lives I’ve had a hand in improving.

On Thursday, Molly, the 7-month-old Boxer whose leg we fixed, will be going to the Upstate Specialists for her final exam. If all goes well, it will be off to her forever home with her new brother, Joker and her anxious mom, Julie.

Sasha, the 4-year-old Rotty-Shepard mix, still must be walked with a sling but is healing well and will someday make a lucky person the perfect companion.

Both Ernest and Hadley are in forever homes and their new owners are seeing to their follow-up visits and are monitoring their healing.

Charlie Brown, my little 1 and a ½-year-old white pocket pit, is doing well up at Dogwood Farms. I’m hoping to free up more time for him soon.  In the meantime, please call me if you have any interest; you’ll be more than pleased with this little gem. By the way, if you see Josh and Astrid, congratulate them, for a sibling for little Kia is on the way.

We are currently fostering Gabriella and her five 2 ½-week-old kittens in our special foster room. Gabby is a grey tiger with four white paws and a white bib, too cute. She is a good momma and a love machine much like my Luna, who now resides at Purrrfect Bark in Columbus. It’s utter joy when the kittens start coming around and playing with Elaine and me.

I pray Gabriella continues doing such a good job and hopefully all will find homes just like Luna’s boys.

Through all of this, I’ve been receiving Father’s Day cards from New York, Illinois, Colorado and Florida. Each card was signed not only by my two-legged children, but from my four legged grand-pets too. Along with the much-appreciated words of love were checks addressed to Lennie’s Kids. The cards are sitting on my mantle full of water stains; somehow something began dripping on them. I’m so proud of my children, for they know the true way to give is not out of duty or obligation, but out of love.

So it seems that my two-legged kids and my four-legged kids shared Father’s Day with me.

Though I love them differently, I love them all. Lord knows, I do love them so.

Thanks for listening.