Of Rescues and Throwaways of All Types and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

This Week WRC (Local Channel NBC 4) is having a Clear The Shelters drive, working with shelters in many of the District, northern Virginia, and metropolitan Maryland shelters to move animals out of their facilities and into homes, whether it be permanent or foster.  This animal adoption event is nation wide, happening August 15 (yes, I know, that was yesterday, the starting date).  Its a tremendous idea so needed when we have an overpopulation of unwanted animals in high kill shelters nationwide or punted aside to starve on our streets.

I linked the Clear the Shelter drive above.  Update:  16,000 animals  reported from all participating stations adopted as of 11:30pm EDT last night! Woot!

So now a segue.  Throwaways and Rescues, Human and Animal In Books and Movies.

Books and movies have always had the power to move us into motion or emotion.  They mark our hearts, imprint themselves upon our minds and souls, so much so that images, sentences, and even names can emerge from our memories  with enough emotional impact to make us weep, laugh or just quietly smile. Paraphrasing here,  W. C. Fields said not to share the stage with animal or child because they would steal the scenes, so true.  Stage or book, I found that that when those stories center around animals and children that its effect upon us can be magnified 100 fold.  Add to that a romance between gay men who thought having families, (i.e, kids and pets) would never be in their future? And the combination becomes irresistible.

Whether it is Bambi, the Mad Hatter, Ol’ Yeller, Thomasina,  or that horse of Amy Lane’s, their power to overwhelm us with love, laughter, or anguish never diminishes.  My own hearthounds and other pets, along with those that found their homes and families yesterday through the Clear The Shelters drive, kept me thinking about  those many wonderful furred and feathered characters in the stories that have kept all of us entertained and magically connected.

So share with us all, what books, or movies for that matter, do you love to read and reread that have children or pets in them?  Rescues or adoptions?  What books do you rec?

Ones that jump right to mind are:

• The Christmas Throwaway by RJ Scott
  Keeping Promise Rock series by Amy Lane
  Hound Dog & Bean by B.G. Thomas
  The Wrong Man by Lane Hayes
  The World in His Eyes by A.J. Thomas
  Roads Series by Garrett Leigh
  Don’t Name the Puppy by R.D. Hero 
  Until I Found You by B.G. Thomas
• The Castaway Hotel by Bill W  (an online web story rec from Paul B)
• Shy by John Inman
• Red Dirt Heart series by NR  Walker (a wombat to die for)

More recs from Stella:

• The Blinding Light by Renae Kaye
• A Little Too Broken by Brad Vance
• On Solid Ground by Melissa Collins
  

Which books/movies are on your list?  Do you wait for Lassie to tell you Timmy’s in the well?  Or was that pup that was brought home a shifter?  We want to know that too? One such story is one I’m reviewing this week by John Inman, a Belladonna Arms novel,  Coming Back.  Another?  Eden Winter’s Redemption.

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, August 16:

• Of Rescues and Throwaways of All Types and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, August 17:

• Chris McHart ‘Alex’s Surprise/Saving Alex’ Keep Me In Mind tour and giveaway
• A BJ Review: Speechless by Kim Fielding
• A BJ Review:  The Gig (Speechless #2) by Kim Fieldling
• Barb, A Zany Old Lady Review – Nowhere Ranch by Heidi Cullinan ~ Audiobook
• A Stella Review:  Vintage Pride by Elizabeth Coldwell

Tuesday, August 18:

• Coffee Sip and Book Spotlight: Amelia Bishop ‘Uncharted Hearts’ (excerpt and giveaway)
• Ari McKay ‘Herc’s Mercs: Once A Hero’ book blast and contest
• NR Walker’s Vampires are Back with Cronin’s Key III (excerpt and giveaway)
• A Mika Review: Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts by Charlie Cochet
• A MelanieM Review: Potato Surprise by Angel Martinez
• A Stella Review: ACE by Jack Byrne

Wednesday, August 19:

• Charley Descoteaux: Buchanan House Release Day Book Blast (excerpt and giveaway)
• A Paul B Review: Pint Sized Protector by Charlie Richards
• A Stella Audiobook Review: Heart of the Race by Mary Calmes, Greg Tremblay (Narrator) (Audiobook)
• A MelanieM Review: Coming Back by John Inman
• A Sammy Review:  The World In His Eyes by A. J. Thomas
  

Thursday, August 20:

• Cover Reveal: Blue by DP Denman (excerpt and giveaway)
• Riptide’s When To Hold Them by G. B. Gordon Tour and Contest
• A Barb the Zany Old Lady Retro Review:  When To Hold Them by G. B. Gordon
• A MelanieM Review: You Are The Reason by Renae Kaye
• A Paul B Review: Alpha Coder by Kathryn Sparrow

Friday, August 21:

• A BJ Review: The Downs by Km Fielding
• A Paul B Review: The Homecoming by J Scott Chatsworth
• A Mika Review: Outcast Cowboys by Sarah Masters
• A MelanieM Review: The Terms of Release by BA Tortuga

YA Saturday, August 22:

•  An Aurora YA Surprise: “Wet Hot American Summer” Review