Issue #19 The Magic Heron Newsletter – What animal teaches us about loyalty, assistance, and protection?

Welcome to the 19th issue of The Magic Heron Newsletter, a fortnightly newsletter with a focus on journaling, writing, and learning nature’s wisdom through midlife. Thanks for being here. I appreciate you.

Texas, October 24, 2021

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Hi there!

The fall weather continues to be nice, warm, and sunny here in the Texas Panhandle. I’ve been staying busy working on a new book and new printables for the Etsy shop. This huge project will take me a few more weeks to finish!

Last night there was a big gas leak down the alley and the fire department evacuated everyone in the neighborhood for several hours. We packed up the 3 dogs and grabbed what important stuff we could. It was after dark, so we couldn’t go to any of the parks, so we headed down to a convenience store to wait it out. 

All three dogs did very well, sitting in a strange parking lot with strangers walking around. I love having my Doberman, Oggie, with me, he is a great deterrent and makes people think twice before getting too close to the car. Haha The two Boston Terriers tired out and spent the time snoring in the backseat. 

Dogs have shown up for me this week and I’ve spent some time looking at different breeds and pictures on the Internet just for fun. Oggie and I have had serious snuggle time at night with the cooler temperatures. He loves to sleep under the blanket by my feet and hog half the bed. 

I hope you are having a good weather for the season and enjoying journaling and getting out in nature. I’m off to fix supper and enjoy a movie!

This week’s newsletter Spirit Animal

Dog Symbolism and Meanings:

Dogs have been a huge part of my life since I was born. I’ve had many different breeds over the years and love experiencing new breeds and their unique personalities. 

Dog breeds vary from tiny Chihuahuas to giant Great Danes and Mastiffs. Different breeds have their own set of characteristics to help us or just be companions, and we need to be mindful of those when choosing a breed before bringing it into our life and lifestyle. I’ve seen friends choose a breed that did not fit their lifestyle (for example, a herding or high-energy breed when the people are more sedentary), and it became a stressful situation for both them and the dog. 

When you choose a breed that can fit into your lifestyle more easily, the companionship is incomparable to anything else. I’ve enjoyed all my dogs, but I do have my favorites, and one heart-dog (a Doberman named Zane), who still comes to visit me in my dreams long since he’s passed. I’ve had a dog that protected me (a Weimaraner named Maynard), and others who were just always there for me when I needed a friend and travel buddy.

Do you have a dog? What breed? And do the breed characteristics complement your lifestyle?

Dog meaning and symbolism goes back to ancient times and have symbolic associations in every culture due to their loyalty, intelligence, and ability to help us in many different ways. 

Dog Symbolism:

• Fidelity
• Loyalty
• Assistance
• Intelligence
• Obedience
• Protection
• Community
• Cooperation
• Resourcefulness
• Communication
• Sensory Perception

List of dog breeds

Do you have a favorite dog movie? Check out this list of dog movies:

100 Dog Films

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Recently Published . . .

Recap of the Fall / Autumn / Halloween printables recently published:

1. Fall Nature Bucket List Printable, Nature Printables, Nature activities Homeschool printables, To-Do List Checklist

2. Fall Bucket List Printable, Fall Things, Autumn Bucket List, Fall To Do List, Fun Ideas for Families, Kids Activities, Fall Checklist

3. Raven and Vintage Wheelbarrow Pumpkin Harvest Stationery, Autumn Fall, Falling Leaves, Printable Stationery Writing Paper, Letter Writing

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4. Crow Raven and Pumpkins Autumn Fall Stationery, Falling Leaves, Printable Stationery Writing Paper, Letter Writing Paper, Digital Download

5. Fall Hiking Boots and Watercolor Autumn Leaves Printable Stationery Writing Paper, Letter Writing Paper, Digital Download

6. Halloween Leopard Pumpkin with Cat and Bat Border Stationery Writing Paper – Printable Stationary Paper Digital Instant Download Letter Size

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7. Halloween Graveyard Cemetery Scene Bats and Spooky Haunted House Stationery Writing Paper – Printable Paper Digital Download Letter Size

8. Halloween Haunted House with Ghosts Stationery Writing Paper – Printable Stationary Paper Digital Paper Instant Download Letter Size

9. Halloween / Samhain Planner & Coloring Journal, Printable Holiday Weekly Monthly Templates Organizer Insert Pages for October, Letter Size

Interesting links . . .

Here are some interesting links I came across on my ventures through Internet Land this week that I thought you might enjoy:

1. Why Writing Out a Dictionary Will Instantly Improve Your Work

2. Shearing, carding, spinning, weaving and creating with Margaret Boos

3. Get to know your spiders

4. Make elderberry syrup for flu season

5. The Best Cardinal Bird Feeders and Birdseed

6. How to Make Scented Wax Melts + DIY Pumpkin Spice Air Freshener Blend

Different Ways to Journal . . .

1. Creative Ways to Journal: 10 Creative Journal Ideas for Adults

2. How To Use Writing Prompts

3. How to Use Writing Prompts to Become a Better Writer

4. 99+ Journal Prompts To Inspire You

Journaling . . .

1. How To Create A Journaling Habit That Lasts….

2. Make a Life Timeline: Writing Therapy Exercise

3. A Journal is the Best Marriage Counselor

4. How to Turn Your Journal into a Blog

5. Need a new notebook for journaling? Check out our Magic Heron Creations author page on Amazon

Random Nature Fact . . .

Cows kill more people than sharks. True! Cows kill an average of 22 people per year compared to sharks that kill an average of 5 people per year. I grew up working around cattle and you have to be aware every second. 

As John Wayne said in the movie The Cowboys: “You know, trail driving is not Sunday school picnic. You got to figure you’re dealing with the dumbest oneriest critter on God’s green earth. The cow is nothing but trouble tied up in a leather bag; and the horse ain’t much better.”

Nature Journal Video . . .

How to draw a Forest (video)

Nature Journal Prompt . . .

Dog facts:

Lifespan: 7-13 years, depending on breed

Behavior: 

Scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris

Weight: 4-6 lbs for Chihuahua to 343 lbs for record heaviest dog English Mastiff named Zorba

Habitat: Dogs live in many habitats: prairies, deserts, grasslands, forests, rain forests, coastal regions, arctic zones. They have developed physical characteristics to suit their environments. 

What it eats: Dogs are carnivores and main diet is prey: small animals like mice, voles, rabbits, birds, insects, or larger prey if they hunt in packs. Domesticated dogs are still carnivores but have been put on processed foods since the 1930’s. 

You can read the history of dog food here: 

The Surprising History of Commercial Pet Food

What eats it: Coyotes, birds of prey, wolves, jackals 

Did you know? 

There are at least 450 dog breeds world-wide?

Check out the documentary “Dogs” on Netflix for some amazing stories of these breeds.

What I’m watching . . .

My daughter and I are watching our favorite Halloween movies:

1. Hocus Pocus (1993) Trailer

2. Practical Magic – Original Theatrical Trailer

3. And this was a neat little nature film:

Tadpoles: The Big Little Migration

What I’m reading . . .

1. Love this series! #2 in the trilogy:

One Year After by William R. Forstchen

Quote I’m pondering . . .

“There’s no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day.”

–Alexander Woollcott

Questions I’m considering journaling on . . .

Autumn / Fall prompts:

Record the changes in temperature, length of days, and the weather. 

Check for new and first frosts on the grass each morning.

What does the season smell like? Wood burning from neighbors’ fireplaces? A crispness in the air?

How are the plants, animals, and people preparing for winter around me?

Journal Prompt . . . 

List some mood lifters for when the weather starts to get colder.

Happy Journaling!

. . . Shanna

P.S. Is there something you like or would rather see in the newsletter? Hit reply and let me know!

I’ll be back on November 7th.

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Links

Shanna Lea Author website
Books on Amazon
Magic Heron Creations Notebooks on Amazon
Magic Heron Creations Etsy Shop

. . . Shanna Lea Author

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