www.yourintuitionmagazine.com

I N S P I R AT I O N , E N T E R TA I N M E N T & E M P O W E R M E N T F O R C E N T R A L I O WA W O M E N

IINNSSIIDDEE::

A “Wild” Volunteer

Pet Survival Tales

Our Writers’ Pets

ntuition

Pet Lover’sIssue

MAY/JUNE 2012

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I went to see Dr. Neff and immediately knew he was the doctor for me as he was veryeasy to talk to and took the time to explain what was going to happen and why. Thebreak was so severe they nearly had to take my pinky finger off on my left hand. He did such a good job repairing my left hand that I have full use and full strength back.

Unfortunately since then, I have broken both of my legs, my tibia in 2006 and tibia andfibula in 2010. Each time I have used Dr. Neff, and I am glad I did as my legs have healedup very well and I am back to racing full strength.

I shattered 2 bones in my left hand in 1995 in a sprint car accident at KnoxvilleRaceway. A very close friend of ours is a nurse. I asked her who’s the best orthopedic surgeon in Des Moines and she told me Dr. Scott Neff.

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Specialty: General OrthopaedicCare/SurgeryYears in Practice: 30 YearsUndergraduate: Beloit College, Beloit,Wisconsin, 1963-1965Graduate: Drake University, Des Moines,Iowa, BA in Biology, 1965-1968

Medical: Des Moines University, DO,1969-1973Residency: Wilford Hall USAF MedicalCenterUniversity of Texas at San Antonio,Orthopaedic Surgery, 1976-1980Fellowships: American Academy ofOrthopaedic Surgeons, 1986American Academy of DisabilityEvaluating Physicians 1994Board Certifications: American Board ofOrthopaedic Surgeons, 1981Professional Affiliations: Iowa OrthopaedicSociety; American Medical Association;American Sports Medical Association;

Arthroscopy Association of NorthAmerica; Society of Military OrthopaedicSurgeonsAwards: President, Central IowaOrthopaedic Society, 1982-1983;Chief, Department of OrthopaedicSurgery, Iowa Lutheran Hospital, 1985-1987; 1995-1996; Chairman,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,Iowa Lutheran Hospital, 1987-1990;Vice-Chairman, Department of Surgery,Iowa Lutheran Hospital, 1988-1989;Medical Director, Department ofPhysical Therapy, Iowa LutheranHospital 1986-1989

3MAY/JUNE 2012 !ntuition

New to town, but more than 15 years in the business!

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1 Insurance products are NOT a deposit; not FDIC-insured. Not insured by any federal government agency; not guaranteed by the bank, and may go down in value. 2 Two Rivers Investment Services works with a broker/dealer, INVEST. INVEST offers securities or what you may know as investment products. Securities, advisory services and certain

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Oh, I am going to love writing about my sweetheart of a dog,

Dexter. I never grew up with aninside dog so when my son turned 10and wanted a dog, I was game. I knew Iwanted a dog that would be easy to takecare of and could travel with us. Littledid I know I would actually be able totake him everywhere with me (he’s ateacup Yorkie). He’s now 8 years old andonly 4 lbs. (and still easily fits in my handbag).The one thing I wasn’t aware of was howmany people he would introduce to me

with his perky little personality. In fact, when I look at some of my friendsI have met in the last 8 years, I would never have met them if they wouldn’thave asked to pet my puppy. It just seems like animals always bring happiness,especially when he dances on his back legs and puts on a show.

Then I made a mistake of teaching him how to play catch and release,which he enjoys playing for hours. If I don’t throw what he has brought tome and ignore him, I end up with socks, toys and gloves at my feet. He figures, “Hey, you didn’t like that sock, how about this ball or this toy.”He’s a corker and we love him. Enjoy this issue full of stories about animals.

!ntuition MAY/JUNE 20124

CREDITS: On our cover: Animal Rescue League adoptables.Magazine Editor – Kate Garner

Giggling & Growing ~ Kate Garner..............................................5Grace Notes ~ Debra Landwehr Engle ......................................6Allison’s House ~ Allison George ................................................7Your Sanctuary ~ Kate Garner ......................................................8Everyday Gourmet ~ Delores Clouse, Perkup Café....................11Broad Appeal ~ Pam Dixon ..........................................................12Maxwell’s Theater @ Large ~ Maxwell Schaeffer..................12She’s Still Got It! ~ Becky Kolosik ..............................................13Unconditional Love ~ Stephanie Filer ......................................14Surviving & Thriving ~ Shelley Scott-Hoffman & Kate Garner......16In Action ~ Amanda Schreiber ....................................................18Your Calling ~ Amy Heinz ............................................................20Nead Inspiration ~ Liz Nead ........................................................21Musings ~ Mary Day........................................................................22Adventure ~ Cynthia Fodor ........................................................23Man Cave ~ Andy Hall....................................................................24The Shopping Ninja ~ Karess Carter ........................................24Life’s Journey ~ Kate Garner ......................................................26

If you are interested in advertising in our July/August Issue, contact Kari Elbert at 515-771-2032, or kelbert@desmoinesradiogroup.com.

Note From the Publisher

Kari ElbertDirector of Publications

Table of Contents

• Johnston Communications hasopened a new store at 50th andMills Civic Parkway and invite you to their Grand Opening, Saturday,June 2nd from 1-3. KIOA will be there with the Classic CarGiveaway registration and JC is also giving away a 42" HDTV. Lots

of fun and of course, food. See their ad on page 3.

• Go to page 10 for special offers for Boxwoods Fine Furnishings and Iowa Outdoor Products only for !ntuition readers.

• Classes start every 8 weeks at Upper Iowa University.Go to uiu.edu for start dates. Also, they want you toknow they have a nice new location at the corner of50th & Westown Parkway. See their ad on page 12.

• Funky Zebras is so happy to announce they are now openin Cedar Ridge Shopping Center on Douglas. “Like”their Facebook page and see the new merchandisewhen they get it in. See their ad on page 9.

• Koko Fit Club is now open at EP True Parkway and 35th Street in West Des Moines and 9530 University in Waukee. It’s personal training without the personal trainer! Call to sign up for your complimentary Koko Smartraining Session today. See the ad on page. 19.

• Isabel Bloom has moved to Valley West Mall next toYounkers and they are full of gift giving sculptures.Find their ad on page 22.

• Kick off the summer at the Women’s Expo at Heartland Plastic Surgery on Tuesday, June 12th and Dream Night on Tuesday, July 10th at 6 p.m.

Dexter

LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES:

At left, a senior picture by Jill.

!ntuition

Special thanks to our friends (furry and human)at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa who

let us visit and take their pictures.

Cover photos by Jill Fleming of Jill Fleming Photography.

5MAY/JUNE 2012 !ntuition

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Karess in West Des Moines: Forsome reason my 4-year old daughter,Rhiannon, thinks that our dog Gizmo isjust another little human friend. She triesto include her whenever she plays. Forexample, Rhi will get behind our livingroom curtains and then say, “Come onGizmo, the show is about to start.” Thenshe waits for Gizmo to join her. She neverdoes. But, the show does go on.

Leslie in Des Moines: When our daughter Samanthawas 3 years old, we got a Shih Tzu puppy. Sammy was very excited and followed Yeoh everywhere, regularlyexhausting even the puppy. Yeoh was still potty training and I came into the living room to find Sammy staring atsomething on the floor. She looked up at me and said,“Look Mommy, Yeoh makes Milk Duds,” and she started to reach for the ‘candy’.

Chris in Clive: Our girls,Macy, 4 and Stacy, 6, had longwanted a kitten. So, this lastChristmas we adopted one andhid her at my mother’s. OnChristmas Eve, Mom brought herover and we shut her in our roomfor the night. We got up beforethe girls and carefully put the

sleeping kitten in a box with lots of holes in it. We wokethe girls and fixed pancakes. Then it was time for presents.My husband said, “Girls, you should open the one with theblue bow first.” Stacy ran over but then quickly movedaway. “I don’t think I want this one, it smells like poop,”she grimaced. Then it hit us; we never took the kitten tothe litter box. ❥

BY KATE GARNER

Has a child in your life said something unforgettable? Theycould be quoted in our next issue of !ntuition magazine.Share your Giggling & Growing moment with !ntuition –kgarner@desmoinesradiogroup.com.

Giggling & Growing

“Family Cat” by Little C

Life is livelier when a little person is involved

!ntuition MAY/JUNE 20126

Writing Your Life

BY DEBRA LANDWEHR ENGLE

Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of working

with writers of all ages in different class settings and coaching situations. There are two

things they have in common:

First, they often start out by saying, “I can’t write.I’ve never been good at it. I hate to write.” Or

even, “What would I write about? I don’t haveanything important to say.”

Second, when they’regiven permission to writeabout their experiencesand memories—some-thing that’s personallyimportant to them—they write clearly andconvincingly, creating thekind of writing that makesthe reader feel like she’smade a new friend.

Why is writing important? Because it honors who you are. It givesyou a voice. It shares a part of you that your family and friendsmight not otherwise know. And, it helps others learn somethingabout themselves, too, as they see themselves in your experiences.

There are lots of forms to do this, of course, whether it’s writing apoem, scrapbooking, keeping a journal or writing letters to your kids.

However you write, keep in mind a few thoughts that will helpyou push through any resistance.

• Just write something. Asan early mentor told me, there’s nothing scarier than a blank sheetof paper (or a blank computer screen). Start filling it up withsomething—anything. You can go back and revise later.

• Write to one person. If you sit down and write for an invisible audience, you may never start. Instead, picture a friend,child, relative—someone you know who is the right audience foryour writing. Then write to that person in the most personal, intimate and honest way you can.

• Be specific. Instead of saying “I love holding my newbornson,” describe what that experience is like for you. What is hedressed in? How soft is the blanket? What do his ears feel like?What sounds does he make? How does he smell? What does it feellike to have him snuggled up close to you? Appeal to all the senses,including details that will help your reader share the experiencewith you.

• Use writing as a pathway to life. When you’re writing consistently, you pay attention to life’s little details. You start tonotice the meaning in everyday tasks. You become more present inyour conversations and relationships. Record life in your ownwords, and you’ll savor each day in a whole new way. ❥

Submit your essays, stories and poetry for publication in one of the Tending Your Inner Garden® seasonal books. Visitwww.tendingyourinnergarden.com to see the first of the four

books, and for details on submitting to the other three.

Deb Engle mentors clients in life issues and writing/book publishing,and through the Tending Your Inner Garden program of personaland spiritual and personal growth for women. Find her online atgoldentreeco.com and tendingyourinnergarden.com.

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7MAY/JUNE 2012 !ntuition

By Allison George

M y two oldest children are boys. They get each other. When they were younger, they

wrestled, they jumped, they turned theirpeanut butter and jelly sandwiches into guns and shot eachother over lunch. As long as I could tolerate their sillyantics, they got along well. Then, we added a third child. A bouncing baby GIRL.

When she was born seven years ago, the boys enjoyed having ababy sister to protect. Unfortunately for the boys, she learned totalk and that seemed to change the fun of having a baby sister.She has opinions. Most importantly, she likes pink.

Throwing a girl into the mix has brought me boundless opportunities for pure entertainment. I watch the boys try to include her with their games and they do their best to reciprocate. They will play with her dollhouse, as long as it can get robbed. The Littlest Pet Shop is okay, but the game ismore fun if something happens that involves pretend fire. I have

watched my sweet girl play along just for the sake of spendingtime with her built-in playmates.

On a beautiful day this week, the kids headed outside to play.While the boys were busily gathering their supplies to play Nerfgun war, I heard her strong confident voice, “I don’t want a gun today. How about we pretend I’m the queen and you can be my bodyguards?” The boys agreed. It seemed like a goodcompromise. She grabbed her cape and crown and headed outside to play with her brothers who will, undoubtedly, always be her bodyguards. ❥

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Allison’s House

Family photos courtesy of Allison Marie Photography.

I t’s your dream yard, but it can also make your pet ill or even cause death. The American Society for the Prevention

of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Centerfields tens of thousands of calls each year involving pets and ourattempts to have a fabulous yard. Animals can be made sick dueto pet-toxic plants, insecticides, weed killers, fertilizer, mulch andeven compost.

As with children, if pets go outside, we have to be careful to keepan eye on them so they don’t injure themselves on garden tools,run into the street, sneak into a neighbor’s yard or find trouble inour own yard. In fact, our yards could be the most dangerousplace of all unless we are well informed whendesigning and maintaining our yard.

Design

You might be surprised to know that there areabout 400 plants and flowers that can make cats

and dogs sick. Yet, thegood news is there are over500 that are pet-safe. TheASPCA has a thorough listof both, with pictures, atthis web address - http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants.

Plants and other design items that can make animals quite illinclude gardener favorites like hydrangeas, apples, day lilies, cherries, mushrooms, daffodils, morning glory, cocoa mulch and rhubarb. To give you an idea of just how illness inducingplants can be, here are a couple of examples of the symptoms they can cause:

Lily of the valley: vomiting, irregular heartbeat, low bloodpressure, disorientation, seizures and even put your pet in a coma.

!ntuition MAY/JUNE 20128

A Pet-Friendly YardBY KATE GARNER

Your Sanctuary

cont. on pg. 10…

zThe grass is so soft that you never want to wear shoes. The flowers so colorful it’s like touching a rainbow. And after the rain, everything glows.

9MAY/JUNE 2012 !ntuition

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!ntuition MAY/JUNE 201210

Tomatoes: hypersalivation, severe gastro-intestinal upset, diarrhea, drowsiness, confusion,weakness, dilated pupils and a slow heart rate.

Azaleas: vomiting,diarrhea, coma,hypotension, cardiovascular collapse and even death.

When in doubt about whether a plant orflower should be in your yard, talk to your local landscape or gardencenter. They are the real experts in plant safety for people and pets.

Oh, and don’t forget entertainment for your furryfriends. Birdhouses, bird baths, butterfly bushesor outside enclosures can make pets very happy.

Maintenance

Naturally, if you want the greenest lawn, perkiestplants or biggest blooms, you will need to feedyour greenery. Take care though, some fertilizers smell appetizingto pets and can seem like a snack waiting to happen. Some fertilizers can take a toll on your pet’s gastrointestinal trackthough, even causing a bowel obstruction. The best bet is to let

the fertilizer thoroughly absorb into your yard or plants before lettingyour pet outside; read the label for guidance and if the time is noton there, check the company’s website.

Bugs can be a real pest in the garden as well, but insecticides can bekiller, and not just to the insects they are meant to end. Herbicides,insecticide baits, sprays and granules may keep your plants fromgetting eaten or withering from insect poison, but whether in storage or after treating the plants, the chemicals can be deadly.There are a number of safer ‘green’ options for dealing with pests,which are great, but even ingesting these can make a pet ill. So,be cautious about where you spray or store the critter control.

Composting

It’s great for the environment, but the waste we toss in can makepets ill. Some foods, plant trimmings and even coffee grounds cancause illness. The easiest answer it to put the compost bin in apart of the yard where your furry kids aren’t allowed to go.

The bottom line: You CAN have the oasis you want, but if youwant to share it with your pet, a little planning can make it safefor the both of you. ❥

Poison Emergency (pet or human)? Iowa Hotline - 1-800-222-1222; available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

…cont. from pg. 8Your Sanctuary

MAY/JUNE 2012 !ntuition

Hash Brown Tacos

Ingredients:

8 oz. hash browns

salt & pepper (to taste)

sour cream

shredded cheddar cheese

fresh bacon bits (cooked)

green onion (chopped)

Season hash browns with salt & pepper; grill to perfection. After the

bottom side is cooked, flip over and cook the other side until half or

three-quarters done, then slather the top with sour cream, shredded

cheddar cheese, fresh cooked bacon bits, & chopped green onion.

Cook 5 minutes or more depending on how crispy you want

them, fold over and there you have the hash brown taco!

When ordering a hash brown taco at Perkup Café, make sure you

have 20-30 minutes to wait as there is a definite process to cooking

a great set of hash browns and this can’t be rushed. When things

get really busy, you may have to wait longer for a set of hash

browns or a hash brown taco. But ours are soooo good and

worth the wait! We have WIFI and great coffee, so just bring

in your laptop, grab a cup of coffee and settle in.

11

By Delores Clouse, Perkup Café

EverydayGourmet

6000 Aurora Avenue • Des Moines • 515.282.0033 • www.hockenbergs.comWith locations in Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Denver and Kansas City

Celebrating 100 Years in Business!100 Years

Here’s Jen, De & Kaye -

You’ll find the three of us here

most any weekend.

!ntuition MAY/JUNE 201212

Theater @ Large!

R ecently, I hosted a Smart Talk Women’s lecture featuring Arianna Huffington. Her talk was about

being fearless, which I expected from a powerfulwoman who co-founded the news website The Huffington Postand sold it for millions last year, while staying on as president.What I wasn’t expecting, was how much of her talk was aboutwomen not getting enough sleep. She took a different

approach to productivity at work afterfainting from exhaustion and breaking a cheekbone on the corner of her desk.

Since my weekday starts at 3:30 a.m.,and I’m a klutz anyway, she had mehooked! Arianna made it sound so simple and it is—GET MORE SLEEPLADIES! She suggests a minimum of 7 1/2 hours. I get maybe 6 hours ofsleep a night. So, it’s true, a lot of daysI feel dull and unmotivated in thehours following my early radio job. I’m one of the zombies my new BFFArianna talks about, in a nation ofsleep-deprived women!

I am thankful that I can get to sleep on my own but Arianna had a couple of tips that may help you: Never haveelectronic devices charging near you. Write a “To Do” List so all those thoughts in your mind can escape before bed. And don’t ever work in bed. Arianna says “sleep your way to the top…literally!” ❥

Broad Appeal

Sleep Your Wayto the Top

BY PAM DIXON

“Maxwell & Pam In The Morning” 93.3 KIOA

Such Stuff asDreams Are Made Of…

BY MAXWELL SCHAEFFER

“Maxwell & Pam In The Morning”93.3 KIOA

As my headline indicates, Prospero’s metaphor to dramatic illusion in The Tempest is a fitting intro to the nightmares of

actors!Actors, in general, are an enigma. It takes a certain mix of blind

courage and sheer confidence to play out a role in front of an audience, yet, most actors are highly insecure and self-conscious. It seems, amongus thespians, these common anxieties play out in similar, recurring,nightmarish theatrical dreams.

Recently, my actor-friends weighed in on the topic:Patty says she often dreams of “being on stage in a production I

haven’t rehearsed and I massively stumble through choreographyand monologues.”

Steve recalls, “I dream I’m standing backstage in my underwear,holding a script, with no idea who my character is, or any of thelines, and someone tells me I’m ON!”

Pam’s dream? “I’m backstage and hear my cue, but I can’t findthe entrance to the stage.”

Katie’s horrible vision? “I once dreamt my director spontaneouslyburst into flames out in the audience!”

I have a recurring dream just about every time I’m in a show.I’m playing “Snoopy” in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. I’m ontop of the doghouse in my scarf and flight helmet, shooting downthe Red Baron, when my doghouse rolls off the stage and tumblesinto the orchestra pit. Of course, I wake up before I crash into thetrombone player. GOOD GRIEF!

Drake psychology professor, Bryan Hall, tells me these dreamsmay be due to “performance anxiety,” however “they may point tosome concern about how others perceive you in real life.” Perhapsit’s the knowledge that our moment in the spotlight always fades.

“Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve!” ❥

Me with AriannaHuffington

13MAY/JUNE 2012 !ntuition

On Average, a one-year stay in a nursing home costs about $30,000. T or F?Answer: False - The national average, one-year stay in a nursing home costs about $86,000.

Medicaid covers long-term care services received at home. T or F?Answer: False - Medicaid primarily covers long-term services in a nursing home.

RHONDA VRY-BILLS, CLTC(Ph & Fax) 515-957-9333rhondabillsltc@aol.com • www.ltcistrategies.com

A Failure to Plan...is a Plan for Failure

F rom Night Eyes to Zoo Brew,Carol Akers has been greeting

visitors of all ages at Blank Park Zoo with awarm and friendly smile for over 15 years.And even though life may be a “zoo” mostdays…this on-the-go 73-year-old wouldn’twant it any other way!

You see, for Carol, volunteering has been away to stay active, give back and make adifference. It’s something she’s been doingsince she was a little girl. “In grade school,I remember helping my friend’s handi-capped uncle with raking and other chores,” she recalls. “I’vealways enjoyed being able to do for others… it means a lot.”

No Stranger to Hard WorkCarol raised her kids as a single, working mom. In her “full-time” job as Laundry Manager at the Veteran’s Homein Marshalltown, she washed clothes and linens for 780 residents as well as for the boy’s home in Eldora. Seventeenyears (not to mention thousands of loads later) she retiredand moved to Des Moines to take care of her granddaughter.Even then, she continued to work several part-time jobs.

Her secret is keeping busy. Carol also helps with her community SHARE Iowa Food Program, is a foster

grandparent at Hillside Elementary, and runs errands for afriend. While she had to slow down a bit in the last fewmonths because of knee replacement surgery (and a 2nd follow-up surgery), she kept busy stamping Easter bags forthe zoo, knitting 200 Easter chicks for her school kids, crocheting stocking caps and fleece quillows (a quilt thatfolds into a pillow) for West Des Moines Human Services, aswell as crocheting purple baby hats for the Women’s Leagueof Kansas. “The more I can do, the better,” Carol says.“When you take the focus off yourself and put it on others,that’s when you really start to enjoy life.”

And now that Carol’s back on her feet, life will once againbe a zoo…and that is just the way she likes it! ❥

Carol Akers Wild About Volunteering

BY BECKY KOLOSIK

Carol Akers

She’s Still Got It!

!ntuition MAY/JUNE 201214

BY STEPHANIE FILER, COMMUNICATIONS &COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR, ANIMAL

RESCUE LEAGUE OF IOWA, INC

I n our society, animals playsuch an important role infamilies that often people

choose to sacrifice their ownwell-being in order to ensurethe well-being of their pet. The following are just a handful of the many programsthe ARL offers to help people,by helping pets.

Crisis Foster: Domestic violence shelters in the Metro accept women and their children,but due to lack of resources, they are unable to accept pets. Thisbecomes a serious human welfare issue since according to theASPCA, up to 48% of battered women delay leaving their abuserfor fear that their pet will be injured or killed in retaliation – andthey usually are. No one should feel that in order to save the petthey love so deeply that they need to remain in an abusive situationso the ARL partners with local shelters to help. Women areencouraged to escape their abuser with their pets. Upon arrivingto the shelter, the ARL is called – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week –to pick up the animal(s). The ARL then places these pets into fosterhomes where they remain, safely, until the women can get back ontheir feet and reclaim them. Sometimes it’s a matter of days untilthey can find a relative or friend to stay with and sometimes it’smany, many months until the women can re-establish a life ontheir own. Regardless of the time, the pets are safe until they can be reunited with their family to help in the healing process.

Humane Education: The ARL offers a variety of programs forkids of all ages. Through in-school programs, shelter tours, kidscamps, and workshops, the ARL teaches kids compassion, responsiblepet ownership, how to avoid animal bites, and the importance ofspay/neuter. Studies have shown that children who abuse animalswill later go onto abuse humans, so the ARL’s Humane Educationprograms assist in teaching kids empathy towards all living

creatures in an effort tostop violence of any kind.

Paws for Patriots:Medical studies haveshown that people wholive with pets have lowerblood pressure, decreasedstress, and higher levelsof oxytocin (the “feel good” hormone in the brain). The benefitsare so positive that now many doctors are prescribing pets to soldiers who suffer from PTSD. To assist this effort, the ARLoffers any retired or active U.S. Veteran 50% off of pet adoptionsto make it even more affordable to adopt a pet and 50% off dogtraining classes to strengthen the human-animal bond.

Whinny: In a partnership with the Rockwell City men’s correctional facility, many abused and neglected horses find theirway to the medium-security prison for rehabilitation and a lot ofTLC through the ARL’s Whinny program. The inmates care forthe horses and once they are ready for adoption, they return backto the ARL’s Kruidenier Rescue Ranch where they are soon placedinto permanent homes. This is a win for the inmates because itteaches them empathy and they learn a skill that they can use oncetheir return to their community; it is a win for the prison because thisprogram is considered a privilege for the inmates so they must stay ontheir best behavior in order to participate; and it is a win for the horsesbecause they receive constant care during their rehabilitation andfor many, begin trusting a human for the first time.

At the ARL, we have a passion for protecting animals because ofthe love they share and the protection they give, but most of all,because they deserve it. ❥

Unconditional LoveThe ARL Helps People

by Helping Pets

Stephanie Filer

Stephanie Filer is the Manager of Special Gifts and Partnershipsfor the ARL. If you have would like more information on theARL’s programs or adoptable animals, please contact Stephanieat sfiler@arl-iowa.org or (515) 473-9116. You can also visit theARL’s website for more information at ARL-Iowa.org.

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Way back in2004, a co-worker at

the Des Moines RadioGroup tried to call me over the weekend to ask what she shoulddo with a dog that she and her husband found. The dog wasfound running on the highway near Carlisle on an unbearably hotday, and as Kara and her husband tried frantically to lure him intotheir vehicle, he nearly got hit by two semi-trailer trucks. Theyfinally succeeded in getting him to the side of their car, and theysnatched him up into the cool safety of the vehicle. I missed hercall, and when I called her back, she had taken the dog to AnimalLifeline of Iowa (ALI).

She had sent me a picture of him, wondering if he was a puppyand what breed he was, and I fell head-over-heels in love with himat first sight from the picture. I called the ALI and they informedme that the procedure was to wait 7 days until the owner camelooking and they also needed to post an ad regarding the founddog. They also explained that the dog was an expensivePomeranian, and that someone probably paid around $400 forhim and they would most surely come any day to claim him.

I called the nice ladies at ALI asking if the owners had come yet,and they told me kindly, “No, not yet, but keep calling back.”On the sixth day, I nervously placed another call, and again theysaid, “No owner has come yet.” On Day Seven, I received a callfrom them saying “Come get him! We can’t believe it, but no onehas come to get him!” I packed my kids, Kayla and Drew into thecar, who were then 13 and 11 respectively. We had been througha rough divorce and I had recently lost a dear grandmother, andwe were all looking forward to meeting the little guy. I had never

been allowed to see him, as he was being held in a foster homeduring the waiting period.

When we got there, the lady from ALI brought him out, and hewas the cutest, fluffiest, most hyper little dog I had ever seen. Shesaid the shelter had named him “Little Mister,” but the only namehis foster mom could get him to respond to was “Baby.” Aftersigning the paperwork and paying the fee, we loaded him into mySUV. The kids were hungry, so we drove through a Subway to geta sandwich, with Kayla in the front seat and Drew in the back.The dog promptly growled at Drew and stole his entire sandwich.The kids were VERY unsure about this new little dog with thefeisty attitude.

We grew to love the little guy, who had to be named Baby, of course.In 2004, a few days before Christmas, Baby suffered a severe backinjury, cause unknown, except small dogs are prone to it.

It was one of the worst nights of my life.

He screamed, I picked him up, and he was completely paralyzedfrom the neck down and in severe pain and shock. This happenedaround 10 p.m. and I loaded him into my car, put him on my lap,and drove him to the Animal ER in Des Moines. When I arrived,the staff had awful looks on their faces, and I was put into a wait-ing room. Finally, a vet tech came into the room and talkedabout euthanasia being an option. It was December 23rd. Howcould I tell my kids that their dog had been put down two daysbefore Christmas? As I was crying, I asked what were my otheroptions? They said I could drive him to Ames that night, andISU could possibly try surgery on him, but it was very costly andthere was a good chance he would never walk again. I wrestled withthe moral weight of doing the right thing for Baby. Was it more

!ntuition MAY/JUNE 201216

A Dog’s Tale…

Surviving & Thriving

A Tale of Two Babys

BY SHELLEY SCOTT-HOFFMAN

ethical to put him down or puthim through this surgery?How would I pay for it?

I drove to Ames that night,arriving around midnight.They agreed to perform thesurgery, but there certainlywas no guarantee and I hadto face the possibility that notonly would he quite possiblynever walk again, but I mayneed to learn to express hisbladder several times a day.

To make a long recovery short, he spent a month at ISU,where the staff gave him water therapy and lots of love andattention. The landmarks came one at a time…the first timehe went potty by himself, the first time he wagged his tail abit, and the first time he dragged his little body over to see me.

Now, eight years later, the little stray dog that didn’t havemuch of a chance is a healthy, happy, feisty little guy withBIG attitude. Not only does he walk, he runs! Sure, it’s a little crooked run, and one foot sometimes quivers, but everytime I come home to him, I know I did the right thing. Hisbeautiful fluffy coat never grew back after surgery, so he has afunny shaved body with a fluffy head. My dog Baby (who Ithought I was saving) has, of course, saved me. ❥

17MAY/JUNE 2012 !ntuition

L inda R. Blakely of Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary and Rescue believes that animals deserve our time, 100% of the time. And time is exactly what she had

to offer Baby; time and patience.

Four years ago, a young feral female cat appeared outsideLinda’s home with her four kittens; the little girl was barelyfour months herself. Linda kept the mom fed, but she andher kittens would not trust her. A few weeks later she wentout to check on them and all but one kitten was gone. They returned in the evening and Linda knew she needed tocapture the little family for their own good. They set-up atrap and were able to grab the kittens; mom was not so easyto grab.

When Linda did snatch the cat up, she went wild. But Linda swepther away into a special cat room in her house. For months Lindaslowly worked to prove her love and trustworthiness to the little girlnow called Baby. It took time, but Linda did it, she won Babyover. She notes however most animal shelters do not have theroom or time to spend on a hard case like Baby, “In any other environment she would likely have been euthanized.”

Instead, now, Baby is a loving family pet who Linda just couldn’tpart with. Baby is a living example of Linda’s belief that with thetime that they deserve, all animals have a future. ❥

A Cat’s Tale… BY KATE GARNER

!ntuition MAY/JUNE 201218

T he Des MoinesMenace

women’s soccer teamhas never met eachother before. It istheir first season, andthe team has just beenformed. In addition,their first game isagainst the League’sdefending champions,Indiana. Butoffensive/mid playerMaggie Cucuk is not

worried. In fact, she’s “extremely excited”.

Soccer has always been a great passion for Maggie, playing onteams for almost all of her life. She and her fiancé also coachthe soccer teams at her alma mater high school and college(they are getting married this summer).

Maggie took a couple of years off from playing after graduating

from college in Sioux City, andbegan teachingkindergarten. Butthe break gave her afresh perspective. She says that missing the sport helped her realizehow special it is, “Even at 6 a.m. practices, [though] you’re miserable when they’re happening.”

“To reach your potential, you need to keep fit,” Maggie says. She swears by jumping rope as her cardio workout, saying it’s easier on the body than running.

Joining the Menace provides Maggie with what she loves bestabout the sport: playing on a team that shares the same passionand works together for the same goal, while each member is committed to doing their best. “The team drives each other,” she explains, and yet “the bigger battle is against yourself.” ❥

Watch Maggie and the new Des Moines Menace Women’s team in action, find their schedule here -http://www.menacesoccer.com/team/women/

Exploding with action, Maggie controls the ball.

Maggie in action (in black).

In Action!BY AMANDA SCHREIBER

Des Moines Menace:Maggie Cucuk

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!ntuition MAY/JUNE 201220

I founded AHeinz57 in August 2008.

I have always been drawn to dogs. I have been rescuing dogs since I was old enough to walk to school. Iwalked through the alleys to school visiting all the dogs,feeding my bag lunches to the hungry ones. I have beenhelping homeless dogs ever since.

In 2008, I saw a dog being dumped on I-80. After 12 days,Amazing Grace, was caught and I had a new dog. Enter thechoice: continue complaining about the plight of homelessdogs or do something about it. That’s when AHeinz57 was born.

Since then, we have gained 200+ volunteers, leased a building, acquired transport vehicles, built strong

relationships within ourcommunity and withrescues all over the country and Canada. Wehave adopted out 1,000+dogs, and transported 3,500+ death row dogs. Over 4,000dogs are off the streets and alive today because of our awesome volunteers and their dedication to these dogs!

I have learned that miracles DO happen: lost dogs can befound; abused dogs can learn to trust; and puppies can survive being thrown into rivers and out moving car windows. I have seen the worst in people, but I have also seen the best in people through the daily selfless acts of our volunteers.

Friends worry that I don’t have a life but I’m just doing what I know I was put on this Earth to do and I love it! ❥

Please visit us at www.AHeinz57.com or email us atadopt@aheinz57.com.

Your Calling

BY AMY HEINZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AHEINZ57 PET RESCUE & TRANSPORT, INC.

Miracles DO Happen!

Amy Heinz

I am a loud mouth. I LOVE getting up in front of an audience and speaking the truth! One thing, though- I hateconfronting people who have hurt me.Women’s apprehension over negotiation is 2.5 times more than

men, according to Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever of CarnegieMellon. I put together a list of my least favorite “communicationissues” and asked a few “strong” women to identify those theystruggled with the most and why.

1. The Super Silent Strength Sapper. The silent treatmentis a power move, a gauntlet thrown down to you: figure out whatis wrong with me or I will allow our chasm of silence to grow intoa relational canyon.

2. The Emotional Gladiator. Some people FEEL DEEPLYand when you try to confront the truth, they become anEmotional Gladiator- building a wall of tears and anxiety and preventing resolution. Kari, a successful entrepreneur, strives tocreate productive dialogues but it seems sort of unfair to removeher own emotional responses to get through the process.

3. Emotional Pirate. A cousin of the silent treatment, theEmotional Pirate holds certain topics hostage. As long as youdon’t address the “hot spots,” you feel connected. Bonita is atriple threat, handling a corporate position, a small business and amusic career yet she struggles to handle the emotional pirate. Shemaintains the relationship will eventually wither if she is not ableto effectively address the issues.

4. Confrontation Constipation. You don’t want to seem crazy,you don’t want to blow it out of proportion, but you are feelingbad and it’s someone else’s fault! Joann is a charming newlywedand student. When she needs to confront someone’s behavior ashurtful, she finds herself very anxious.

5. Need nothing syndrome. Usually, you are the one with theanswers. People come to YOU for help. When it’s time to ask forwhat you need, the words stick in your throat. Caron, a thoughtfuland savvy employment specialist and recruiter, struggles with

creating boundaries with certainpeople who treat her poorly. Ifthey don’t get it, Caron feels it’s awaste of time.

Even though the five situationsare very different, they share some common assumptions.

• “They should know.” It seems so obvious to them it should beobvious to you and they don’t want to have to explain.• “They won’t accept my truth.” It’s scary to agree to disagree andit’s almost easier to avoid pulling the trigger than be rejected.• “They won’t be able to handle negotiation.” If they expressedthemselves, it wouldn’t be a fair fight. Better not to say anything.

Effective communication isn’t about getting acceptance or provingtruth. It is about building bridges of understanding with variousperspectives. Trusting your own instincts and the goodness in others. Now, it’s time for some DARES!

• Break the silence in love. Tell the person who is giving you theSilent Treatment there is an open door when they are ready to talk.• Civilly express your feelings to that person who is hurtingyou. Take a deep breath, set up a time to talk and just say it,clearly and kindly.• Ask for time from someone who isn’t making time for you.I know they should know you need it, but imagine you are not thecenter of their universe and trust they love you. • Ask your friends for help in an area of personal struggle.Don’t take it too seriously- it could be dating, clothing or decorating- just ask for help!• Set up a time to dialogue with an Emotional Gladiator.Bring a kit (tissues, chocolates, music) and let them get it out.

My guess is you will be surprised not only at the other person’sreaction but the light feeling you have in your soul. Good luck! ❥

Book Liz as a speaker or coach!Want to take a 30 Day Challenge with Liz?

Go to 30DaysofYou.com to start.The 2011 LLS Celebrity of the YearLifeDare.tv (c) 515-664-6881

Twitter (liz nead) • Facebook (Liz Nead) Linked In (Elizabeth Parayil-Nead)LifeDare TV is featured in Ladies Home Journal, lhj.com/lifedare

21MAY/JUNE 2012 !ntuition

Nead InspirationBY LIZ NEAD

Live an Inspired Life! CD audio series available at www.neadinspiration.com, or 515-664-6881.

I Can’t Deal With Her Crying!

With your support we will help keep computers out of thelandfill, while improving the quality of life for people with disabilities or other barriers to employment!

Be Good to Your Planet!You do your part…By bringing your unwanted computer equipment to any local Goodwill Store.

We’ll do our part…By recycling and refurbishing your unwanted equipment.

www.dmgoodwill.org

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Thank you!

Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa(in partnership with the

Dell “Reconnect” program)

FIVE DARES for Strong Women and Their Communication Issues

Z eus, my beautiful blue-eyed boy, was always there to greet me when I came home from work. The

routine that I miss so much. He waited patiently for me tofinally sit down so he could curl up on my lap, his loudpurring letting me know how contented and happy he wasto see me and hoping that I would stay for awhile. Healways knew when it was time to turn in for the night andwould curl up beside me, but first I would have to rub behind

his ears and under his chin before we wouldboth go to sleep.

There was really no need for an alarm clock;he knew when it was time for me to get upand get ready for work. He would follow meto the door as if to say, “have a good day.”

We spent many years together and were so in-tune to each other. Then Sunday, April 8th it was time. He had a large tumoron his spleen.

It is all the funny little things that he did, taking care of his needs,the comforting feeling with him by my side if the work day hadbeen stressful. Yes, I talked to him about everything and hewould look at me as if he understood. Now coming home is notthe same. I am sure that there are many of you who are readingthis that have had this same experience, but it never gets any easier, does it? I say now that I will never have another cat butthen one never knows. Zeus just happened into my life when Ileast expected it and am so glad that he did. There is definitelythat void now and it will take time. ❥

Musings by Mary Day

~ Mary

!ntuition MAY/JUNE 201222

Zeus

I t was not your normal girl’s getaway!

You might call it a “rescue mission.”Instead of packing mybathing suit and Fodor’sTravel Guide, I packedmy comfy sweatsuit

and a copy of How To Be A Caregiver For A Cancer Patient. The news came suddenly two weeks earlier. My best friend and

college roommate texted me, “Just heard back from the Dr. I have lung cancer.”

How could that be possible? Greta never smoked, went to churchevery Sunday and lived a healthy life. She went in for a routine physicaland came out with a diagnosis that would change everything.

You feel so helpless when someone you love faces a life-threatening illness. Since our divorces, Greta and I always jokedwe would take care of each other in old age. But we’re still young! Itook a week’s vacation and flew to Washington D.C. where she hadsurgery to remove half of one lung.

I am not a nurse, but I knew I could at least make her laugh, makeher meals, make her take her meds, hold her hand when she couldn’t

hold up her head. Another college bestfriend, Lisa, joined us. We hugged. Wecried. We talked. And talked. About the future, our fears, our dreams, ourchildren. We howled as we tried to washGreta’s hair in the kitchen sink.Suddenly, every breath was precious.

Losing my mom just before Christmas made me realize howimportant it is to shower the people you love with love. You thinkthey will always be there. They won’t. When I go home now, mymother’s chair is empty. I would give anything to have her backagain just one more day. This Mother’s Day, I am reminded to makemy family and friends my first priority.

As much as I love to travel and explore new places, I learnedthere is nothing better than spending a week’s vacation with anold friend. If there’s someone in your life you want to see, gothe distance. Instead of being swept away by the beauty of asunset on a beach, you can BE the sunshine in someone’s lifeand rediscover the beauty of a deep friendship. Don’t wait for acrisis to take the time for someone you love. Although it waspainful to watch a friend in pain, this girl’s getaway was moremeaningful than any day at the beach. ❥

23MAY/JUNE 2012 !ntuition

Adventure

BY CYNTHIA FODOR

Travel Writer & Co-Anchor KCCI TV News

Cynthia Fodor

Not Your Normal Girls’ Getaway

I remember a time when my wife and I honestly believed thatif we could successfully raise a puppy, that a baby would be

no sweat.

Good thing we came to find out that apples andoranges are fruits of a much different color.

The year was 2004. We had just movedback to Des Moines from Fargo, North Dakota,and decided to get a dog. Aside from being thecutest little beagle pup you ever did see, RubySoho became one of our first real tests as a co-habitating couple. Conventional wisdom,when we didn’t know any better, tricked us intobuying the fact that since we survived thosecrucial first couple years of our dog’s life, weshould seriously consider the next steps in our

relationship: Marriage and having a baby of our own.

Fast forward to June of 2010, and the birth of Alexander.One thing neither of us had prepared for was the fact that RubySoho would continue to need the same amount of love andattention she always had, while we became lifetime students inthe never-ending education of parenthood with our son.

It’s now May of 2012. We just celebrated Ruby Soho’s 8thbirthday, and are about to officially welcome Alexander to the“Terrible Twos,” even though he’s already sort of been there forseveral months.

With each passing day,new achievements arepraised and new challenges met with theknowledge Mellissa and Ihave acquired over theyears. For canine andhomo-sapien alike. ❥

!ntuition MAY/JUNE 201224

O ur dog Gizmo is a member of our family and at times we

spoil her like our own child.But being a good pet parent can beexpensive, so I wanted to help you savea few dollars. Just like with regular shopping, little deals and customer loyalty programs can add up.

Two of the big chains, PetSmartand Petco, offer reward clubs.PetSmart has ‘PetPerks’ which keepsmembers in the loop on new specialsthrough the email club, and offers private sales for members as well.

Petco offers the ‘PALS’ program where you receive 5% back oneverything you buy. In addition this program offers exclusivediscount coupons sent to you by mail or email.

Locally owned shops can offer great deals, as well. ThreeDog Bakery in the West Glen Town Center has their ‘TummyRub’ program. You can sign up and receive exclusive emailswith pet news, new productreleases, contests and specials. Jett and Monkey’sin the East Village offerstheir ‘Club Doghouse’which offers an email once a month letting membersknow about current sales.Iowa Pet Foods andSeascapes and Bone-A-Patreatoffer frequent buyer cardsfor some of the best brands of food. Smitten Kitten offers free delivery with a qualifying purchase.

These are just a few of the stores around town that offerpet specific supplies, but there are a number of others, plusgrooming, boarding, day care and poop scooping. The bottomline is, when looking for pet-friendly deals, don’t be afraid toask, you may like what you find. ❥

Have tips to share with Karess?kcarter@desmoinesradiogroup.com

by Andy HallMan Cave

Andy Hall is theMusic Directorand AfternoonHost at Lazer103.3 FM

The

Shopping Ninja by Karess Carter

Karess Carter is MiddayHost at STAR 102.5 FM

Karess &daughterRhiannon

Alexander &Ruby Soho

Rhi & Gizmo (2008) Friends fromthe beginning.

POSITIVE ATTITUDEMatt Wosmansky has been a pleasure to work with for ouradvertising needs. His positive attitude and great personalityreally shine through. He is the reason we have chosen to advertise with the Des Moines Radio Group!

Rich AndraschkoSKY ZONE

Call 515-280-1350 and be added to this list of happy advertisers.FULLY UNDERSTANDWe started advertising on KLTI and KRNT last fall and have noticedan increase in sales over the last several months. Annie Meacham andShelley Scott-Hoffman have been a lot of fun to work with creatingads. They ask all the right questions to fully understand your business,and are willing to make any necessary changes to make you feel totally comfortable with the ads.

Jennifer RobinsonSPECTRUM LIGHTING

GREAT EXPERIENCESince 2006 we have been advertising with theDMRG, and it has been a great experience fromtop to bottom...we’ve increased our brand awareness within our market within a reasonableadvertising budget...Laurie Brown has providedtop- notch customer service, and she will workfor us until we are satisfied…I was very skepticalof radio advertising; ask me now and I wish wewould have started earlier.

Joe NguyenANYTIME FITNESS - NORWALK

Scott & Pam NeffCENTRAL IOWA ORTHOPAEDICS

SATISFIED CUSTOMERSWe have received so many new patients throughthe testimonials from patients on the radio andmagazine ads. We have been tracking throughpatient surveys. With so many changes in insurancesand changes in medicine, we have scaled ouradvertising to only radio and Intuition magazineads. Patients are frequently asking if they can be thenext testimonials for our ads. Glad to have satisfiedcustomers, and great advertising. Thanks!

What our clients are saying…

What our clients are saying…

I n October of the year 2000, I was at my end. I was in amiserable job that had me on the road all the time. I wasdriving the streets of Chicago for work, contemplating the

unthinkable – perhaps I should leave this world.

As the light grew dim on that cool night I came to a 4-way stopthat was snarled. There were two people in the street chasing akitten. I saw a black streak as a lady begged for my help.

As luck would have it, I was the one to snag him. I was aboutto put him in the yard but the lady yelled,

“No! You have to take it with you!”

I was perplexed. I wasstaying at a hotel and hadno idea where to find ananimal shelter.

I begrudgingly put thekitten in the car anddrove away, wonderingwhat I was thinking. Iculled together the neededsupplies and headed tothe hotel. I gave him abath and then we stared ateach other for a while.He was tiny, not morethan 5 weeks old. I puthim in bed with me thatnight and planned to take him to a shelter.

But when I woke up, there he was, asleep across my neck. Ipetted him and he purred. Everywhere I went as I readied forwork, he was right there.

He made me smile again.

And then I realized, I did have purpose – to care for myfoundling.

I have never had a dark thought about ending my life again.That’s because of the little black kitten I rescued, who reallyrescued me. ❥

!ntuition MAY/JUNE 201226

Life’s JourneyBY KATE GARNER

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Visit our online store at

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You...even better!www.heartlandplasticsurg.com

Heartland Plastic Surgery

was voted “best place for

aesthetic surgery” by

Cityview Magazine.

HEARTLANDPLASTIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY, P.C.

Eugene J. Cherny MD, F.A.C.S.

Kick off your summerKick off your summerYou’ve heard of the monthly Dream Nights at Heartland Plastic Surgery.

Every once in awhile they like to take it to a higher level

and they call it…

MichonLeddyPA-C

Stephanie BrownLICENSED

ESTHETICIAN

Dyann EdwardsARNP

10611 Hickman Road . Des Moines, IA 50322

Phone: 515-254-2265 . Fax: 515-254-2272

Brenda RoweRN, BSN, CSPN

Dream NightTuesday, July 10th at 6 p.m.

Women’s ExpoWomen’s ExpoTuesday, June 12th at 6 p.m.Tuesday, June 12th at 6 p.m.

Door Prizes • Hors d’oeuvres • Live DemonstrationsComplimentary mini-consultations with Dr. Cherny

BMW of Des Moines • Van Veen Chocolates • Great HandbagsJewelry • Clothes Vendors • Shop, Shop, Shop!