The Nevada Humane Society

I apologize for making this "pitch" here, but I'm sort of at a pause in my book project and don't know how to get around it. The book itself is being prepared now for distribution. It will be listed on Borders, Barnes and Nobles, and Amazon, but not stocked. What will make the difference as to how effective my project has been is whether I sell. All royalties go to the Nevada Humane Society.
http://www.nevadahumanesociety.org/
I'll tell you why.


To read the stories in "Patient 444" you might wonder how I could support anything "humane." I've been in this world long enough I guess, to know that people are more complex than we like to think. The other day I had to leave the theatre during "March of the Penguins" because I couldn't take seeing parents struggle so hard to mate and then lose their single child because of nature or because they made one innocent mistake. I am a veteran of the Vietnam era and survived the Tet of 1968. From that I learned compassion and empathy. That's why today I do what soldiers are supposed to do. I stand up and do what I can to protect those who can't protect themselves.

Three years ago my wife was depressed and unhappy, and I wanted to help her through that, so I decided that we needed a cat. We went to the Nevada Humane Society and Suzi was in one of the front pens. We both picked her out at the same time. She had contracted upper respiratory problems and we nearly lost her, but the Feline Medical Center saved her...twice. I don't regret a minute of it. She's a companion and comfort to us both.

In the news lately, there's been a lot of focus on Crawford Texas. On August 16 someone drove down crosses set up to honor the war dead. Both sides of this argument have valid points. This wasn't a bad man, just an angry one. I think we have become a nation of angry people. I think that's because we forget that there are things in this world that depend on us to live up to our own standards, things like children, and animals. A nation is judged by how it treats the weak and dependant, those who can't speak for themselves. To be "right" many of us are failing that test and for that, those who depend on us suffer. The cycle ends when we let real compassion govern our lives and shape how we think and feel about one another. Animals are a great way to learn compassion.

When to be "right" is more important than to be true to the Teachings of the Prince of Peace and the principles of every major religion on the planet, the world becomes a dangerous place for those who can't defend themselves. Anger and its accompanying thoughtlessness prevails. This translates into damage that is indiscriminate in what it harms. It makes a dangerous world out of one we have the opportunity to make safe for those who have no choice in the matter, and depend on us to make the right decisions for everyone. In some ways a Humane Society is not the best answer for the problems of our animal community, but it's better than many solutions people come up with on their own. And so the entire proceeds of what I've done go to the local Humane Society that brought us Suzi, and do what they can to help those like her (dogs and cats) who need to be rescued from our indifference.

There is no good way to say this. I just want to know that my efforts might produce something and I need your help to do that. The PDF of my book is $3.00 and the royalty is 2.40. This goes entirely to the Humane Society, no part of any of this goes to me. That's how I've set up the royalty distribution. Every bit helps. If you can spare that much it would be appreciated. If not please pass this on to someone you think can. Thanks for allowing me a few minutes of your time.

"Patient 444 and Other Short Stories."

PDF version http://www.lulu.com/content/133300 Printed version http://www.lulu.com/content/133739Calendar http://www.lulu.com/content/141039 CD of "The Egg." http://www.lulu.com/content/143529
"Patient 444 and Other Stories."by J.M.Lamoreux http://www.jmlamoreux.com/www.jmlamoreux.com

Author Introduction

My name is J.M.Lamoreux. I was born in Long Beach California and lived there most of my early life. I grew up around Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, and Huntington Beach. I was a typical "odd ball" in high school, and read a lot of "intense literature," ("intense" to my friends) mostly in the vein of authors like Dylan Thomas, Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce and T.S. Elliott.

Today I live in the Reno area not far from Lake Tahoe and Carson City. I'm 55, retired, and producing a lot of work I'm happy to say. My preference for writing style and subject matter are stories that are powerfully compelling and disturbing too. I think you will agree as you browse my writing samples. If you are intrigued by this sort of story telling, then I can safely say you will enjoy your time here, because there are plenty of stories now, and more to come. I like doing this writing thing.