Shayla & Friends October 26 Newsletter
Shayla & Friends
October 2026, Newsletter #9
Season of crisp air, crunchy leaves, pumpkin spice AND warm puppy cuddles!
Welcome to Shayla & Friends
We rescue dogs ... they rescue us right back ... and God rescues us all
Upcoming Events/Key Dates
Sunday 10/04 "Dogtoberfest" (& Adopt-a-Thon) at Watson Lake, Prescott 10-3 Free w/$5 parking Celebrate all things canine!
(I'll be there with Blackhat Humane Society & Shayla's books)
(Happy Anniversary Jax & Kristin!!)
ALSO Shayla, Tayen, & I will be at the Blessing of the Animals service at Sacred Heart in Prescott Sat. 10/03 3-4:30 - come out with your animal companions for a special service
October is a light month for events. We're trying one more time to get out on (postponed) vacation to Pinetop/Lakeside, AZ, with the dogs for a short week (finally boating with the dogs - YES I promise photos for those who asked) and couple days @ work conference
JUST FOR FUN: UPCOMING DATES PER PET SITTERS INT'L website &
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
10/01 National Black Dog Day (My black lab Blaze would have loved this one)
10/04 World Animal Day/St. Francis Blessing of the Animals (see below)
10/24 National Pitbull Awareness Day (In memory of all those terrific, sweet pitbulls I sat with as volunteer at San Diego Humane Society - yes first time I thought I was going to die but sweet pittie SnowflakeOmbud quickly showed me pits can be WONDERFUL!!)
10/29 National Cat Day (in memory of my sweet tabby kitty Misty)
11/01-07 National Animal Shelter & Rescue Appreciation Week (DogTree Pines Senior Dog Sanctuary & Blackhat Humane Society captured my heart long ago and I am so thankful they did - both GREAT rescues)
I grew up loving the big holidays with all their traditions — Christmas trees, Easter sunrises, and Thanksgiving feasts. But adulthood introduced me to a quieter celebration: St. Francis of Assisi Day, October 4, also known as World Animal Day.
My Methodist friend and fellow dog‑lover Pastor Andy once asked, “Want to help me organize a Blessing of the Animals service?” I knew of St Francis but not the blessing service. I pictured chaos — barking dogs, hissing cats, and maybe a rogue parrot quoting scripture. Andy just smiled: “We’ll do it in the reception hall.”
That conversation led me to discover Francis’s radical transformation from wealthy family to poverty with compassion. In the 13th century, he called animals brothers and sisters and even negotiated peace with a rogue wolf. Reading that, I looked at my own dog, Shayla, sprawled across the rug like she’d just stepped out of medieval Italy.
When our first Blessing of the Animals finally arrived, the room was packed — sixty people, wagging tails, a few cats plotting escape, and one serene rabbit. The noise was biblical. But as I sang The Prayer of St. Francis solo and Pastor Andy began his sermon, the basset hound stopped howling, the cats quieted, and a hush fell over the room.
For one miraculous moment, we were all family — humans, dogs, cats, etc.
This Saturday, we’ll gather at Sacred Heart Church in Prescott. There will be barking, laughter, and fur everywhere. And when I look into Shayla’s amber eyes, I’ll remember Brother Wolf and St. Francis — and thank God for the privilege of walking beside all these blessed companions. COME JOIN US!
Shayla's Books Now Available at:
*The Purple Cat (all books) - 3180 Willow Creek Rd, Prescott, AZ
(Closed Sun/Mon; T-F 10-4; Sat 10-3)
*Peregrine Book Co. (both adult books & Finding the Light) -
219 N. Cortez St., Prescott, AZ (Sun. 10-5; Mon-Sat. 10-6)
*Prescott, Prescott Valley, & San Diego Public Libraries
Local Supporters please check out these local resources
Of course, also available at Amazon and through my website online!
***** And Last but Definitely not Least - the Moment we've all been waiting for *****
What is Shayla? (Per Embark DNA Test)
Thanks so much to all those staunch supporters who offered their best guess on Shayla's FULL breed mix. The results are in ..... (And we do NOT agree LOL)
44.7% SAMOYED WHAT????
41.1% GERMAN SHEPHERD (Expected this)
14.1% "SUPERMUTT" (West Siberian Laika (Not Surprising), American Eskimo, Australian Shepherd - no specific % given)
Per the DNA test, closest she comes to wolfdog is the Laika! I don't believe it. Look at the breed photos from Embark below. You'll always be part Czech wolfdog to me Shayla (unofficially). Results state she has a "high wolfiness score" based on the number of ancient genetic variants your dog has in our unique Wolfiness marker panel.
Shayla’s wolfiness is high at 1.6%.
Czech Vlkak (Wolfdog) (per Embark) - See resemblance to Shayla? DEFINITELY
Samoyed (Per Embark) - See any resemblance to Shayla? NONE
Who's Who in the Story?
SHAYLA's FIRST FAMILY -
FATHER'S HOUSE
ROMAN KORNIYKO (Founder of Father's House) &
BRUCE ELLIOTT (American Rescuer)
ALINA KORNIYKO (1st "Mom")
MYKOLA (original rescuer)
Young Mykola Yuhimenko (Ashok in the books) first found stray puppy Shayla on the streets of Ukraine, and brought her to his home, Father's House (Otchiy Dim). Roman, founder of Father's House, and his daughter Alina welcomed her to their home (how could anyone resist that cute puppy). Bruce, in San Diego, on the orphanage Bd of Dir and Ezra Int'l, long-time friend/supporter, helped bring Shayla to San Diego. His daughter was a volunteer at the local rescue org in San Diego who first told us of Shayla's amazing story.
All incredible people who played a pivotal role in Shayla's rescue. We Love YOU!
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