Hi everyone,

It is with a broken heart that I have to share the news that one of our family dogs, Penny, passed away yesterday. She lived 14 years happily among cats, dogs, humans and even a couple of turtles who loved her. I got to see her in February when I visited home and I’m thankful that I was able to say goodbye to her before she passed.

I miss her so much. Here’s a photo from February:

I can’t believe she’s gone. It’s going to be really strange to go back home and not see her wagging tail. She always brightened up the house with her sweet attitude and endless desire for treats!

To turn this into a positive, though, I pledge to donate $25 per book I finish today during the readathon to the animal shelter in the town where my mom lives, The Animal Service Center of the Mesilla Valley (ASCMV). More information on the readathon here. You may recall that for the last readathon, in October, I raised and donated money to the victims of Hurricane Maria. I was trying to decide where to donate for today’s readathon, and when I found out Penny had to be put down I decided to help out a local shelter. Penny didn’t come from ASCMV – my mom actually found her one night in the JC Penny parking lot – but I’d like to give back to the community. I can hopefully knock out 4 or 5 books, and fingers crossed that the money can be put towards some good.

During the readathon, I will be reading Strays by Jennifer Caloyeras; An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon, Elizabeth and Zenobia by Jessica Miller, Alone by Cyn Balog, and Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier. This is subject to change though, as I have many books at home that I’ve never read yet!

Also, that giveaway I’ve been talking about? Okay, here it is!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

If it doesn’t show up on my page, here’s a direct link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d05e82222/?

Jennifer Caloyeras, who authored the book I’m blogging, Strays, was kind enough to offer one copy to a reader of my site. I am really grateful that she offered to do that and I am excited for whoever wins to read this amazing book!

I’ll probably be annoying today and update my blog with readathon news, but I’ll try to keep it contained to one post so I don’t clog up email inboxes.