Smart Living Weekly August 13, 2020

Sm mart a r t L iving Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • August 13, 2020

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Right in Our Region

Pet Adoptions On the Rise See Page 16

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AFTER

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Pet Adoptions on the Rise Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Perfect Peace Your Technology ..............................................24 How Technology Enhances Our ‘New Normal’

Smart L iving ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Lukas Assistant Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Multimedia Editor Sara Myers Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Behling Contributing Writer Peggy Werner, Paula Kalivoda Furniss General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky, Sherri Saleh Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Distribution Kelly Fairbairn Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.com Published by Hughes Media Corp.

222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly.

Copyright 2020 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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Eyes to the Light I

t’s easy to feel discouraged and powerless these days. Our anxiety levels are sky high, engulfed as we are by uncertainty over the pandemic, economy and our divided republic.

Once-routine decisions are now agonizing. Is it safe to send kids back to school? To travel? To have workmen in my house?

Like everyone else, I’ve experienced a full gamut of 2020 emotions. I have no magic advice, but offer a few observations.

First, this too SHALL pass. Rockford history offers a poignant lesson on patience.

During the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, Camp Grant Commander Charles B. Hagadorn became so distraught by the daily rising death toll, and his powerlessness to stop it, that he took his own life by gunshot. One day later, the number of dead began to fall. If only he’d hung on a little longer.

Second, we may feel powerless, but we’re not. There are countless actions we can take to get our minds off our troubles and to help someone else. We can support locally owned shops and restaurants to bolster our region’s economy. We can check up on isolated folks.

We can donate to food banks and other groups that help people in need. We can campaign for a candidate or cause. We can donate blood.

Third, it’s important to realize we’re not alone in our anxiety. This is a moment to be extra kind. A smile goes a long way, even under a mask. And if you need help, ask for it.

Finally, many of us (me!) need less TV cable news. While it’s important to follow and vet news carefully, my quality of life and sleep suffer when I overdo it. I need to balance news with going outside, getting exercise, having good conversations, doing a project. Birds still sing, gardens still grow, other wonders carry on. What a shame if we miss them.

My siblings and I still laugh about something our late Mom used to tell us when we were out of line: “God didn’t put you on this earth to make me miserable!”

I sometimes tell my TV those words before I turn it off. I have little power over the pandemic, but I am fully Queen of my remote control.

Chins up, eyes to the light. Have a peaceful week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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I  W

Perfect Peace I

n the book of Isaiah, written more than 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). In Galatians 5:22, we see “peace” listed among the fruit of the spirit that Christians reap when they follow the ways of God. The word is translated into English from the Greek “eirene,” (“pax” in Latin), and appears more than 90 times in the New Testament. (The name “Irene” comes from eirene.)

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus cautions that this world can’t be a place of peace. “Don’t suppose that I’ve come to bring peace on the earth,” he says in Matthew 10:34. In fact, the very act of following him will stir turmoil, not peace, he warns. (Luke 12:51) So if this earth isn’t a peaceful place, why is peace promised to us?

Because the peace God gives is internal, not external.

Jesus knew what the Old Testament proclaimed about peace: “You [God] will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You,” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT).

Jesus promised that God would send the gift of holy spirit, a “comforter,” to live inside each of us (John 14). That promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentacost. This supernatural kind of peace only comes from God. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” Paul wrote (Philippians 4:7.)

Shortly before the darkest moment of history – the betrayal and execution of Jesus – Jesus told his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I don’t give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your hearts be troubled and don’t be afraid.” (John 14:1).

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

God has already delivered peace to us through Jesus Christ, whether or not we “feel” it. Studying how the word "peace" is used in scripture helps us to internalize and claim this precious gift that nothing in the world can take away from us. ❚ – Janine Pumilia

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R  O R

Pandemic Prompts Rise in Pet Adoptions

By Peggy Werner

A

mid the tragedy of the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s at least one silver lining. A dramatic increase in pet adoptions is happening at Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary and across the country.

Noah’s Ark has taken in 634 cats and dogs since mid-March, a record number and an increase of about 30 percent over the previous four months, says Noah’s Ark Office Manager Maria Brice. The increase is due to the fact that many shelters didn’t accept animals during the COVID shutdown and spring was kitten and puppy season.

Some of the animals went into foster care until they were old enough to be adopted, some returned to owners and many were adopted, says Brice.

“People knew they were going to be home a lot more, so they had time to train and bond with their pets, while having the

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added satisfaction of the companionship.

Companionship is the best reason to have a pet,” she says.

Tyler Gouchenour, 25, and his fiancee, Christina, 30, were planning to adopt a dog in the future, but moved up their plans when both of them landed at home due to pandemic restrictions.

This made sheltering in place more bearable and allowed sufficient time to bond and train “Rosie,” the 8-monthold Beagle they adopted on April 22.

“The shutdown wasn’t as noticeable or as bad because of the dog,” says Tyler. “She gave us more to do than just sit around watching TV.” The couple did a lot of online research and watched videos on dog training. Rosie helped by being a quick learner with a good temperament, Tyler says.

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The couple crate-trained Rosie so she’d be used to it when they return to regular work schedules.

Tyler grew up with pets and Christina didn’t.

“All my sisters have dogs and I’ve always been around other people’s pets, so I knew I wanted one,” says Christina.

“It’s nice to have your own dog. She’s so loveable, affectionate and cute.”

R  O R

Noah’s Ark has seen an increase in the distance people are traveling to adopt a pet. They’ve come from as far away as Chicago, Galena and Southern Wisconsin because of closed doors or reduced hours at other shelters.

The emotional and physical benefits of pet ownership are well-known.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a bond between people and pets is good for our health. Specifically, pet ownership can lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, decrease feelings of loneliness and increase socialization.

Daily activities of grooming, feeding and playing with a pet, as well as going on walks and socializing with other pet owners, adds to a sense of well-being.

It’s important to choose a pet that’s a good fit for your lifestyle.

“You have to consider how many people will be involved in the care of the animal, how much time you’re home, and the needs of the particular breed. Some dog breeds need a lot of activity and puppies need to be fed several times a day.

Although cats are easier to take care of, they need love and attention, too,” Brice says.

The Noah’s Ark adoption application requests information about the number of people in a home, whether the applicant owns or rents and lifestyle habits.

“If we don’t think it’s a good match, we have the right to deny an adoption,” she says.

In addition to adopting pets, there are other ways people can help Noah’s Ark. Donations of pet foods are used to

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stock a pantry for people who can’t afford it. The shelter also has an ongoing need for laundry detergent, bleach, postage stamps and cash donations. Noah’s Ark buys food for the animals so that their diet is consistent, Brice says.

In addition to finding homes for pets, shelters also are interested in controlling the population of feral cats.

Several shelters have trap, neuter, release (TNR) programs. Contact any shelter for information and instructions.

Due to the pandemic, changes have taken place at Noah’s Ark, including reduced hours, visits by appointment only and mask requirements. Volunteer training programs have been put on hold.

The shelter’s largest annual fundraiser, Bark & Wine, originally scheduled in April, has been rescheduled for November, if pandemic restrictions allow for it.

Noah’s Ark is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday; and is closed on weekends. ❚

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Y T

Technology Can Enhance Our ‘New Normal’

By Peggy Werner

A

s we learn to live with a “new normal” that includes social distancing and other safety measures, we can find comfort in being connected to our surroundings through technology, says Charles Zambrano, owner and general manager of EZ Satellite and Wireless, 6239 N. 2nd St., Loves Park.

With Google Nest products, people can control their thermostats, secure their homes without landlines, safely talk to visitors at their doors, learn when packages are delivered, receive warnings from smoke detectors, and enjoy improved and expanded Wi-Fi coverage, which is especially important to those working from home.

“People are not always aware of the great products that are available and how much more in control they could feel and how much easier their lives could be,” says Zambrano.

For example, the Nest thermostat can turn itself down when you’re away and you can control the temperature from your smartphone, whether or not you’re home. The remote temperature-sensing device tells the thermostat which rooms should be at what temperature at various times of day.

The Nest Cam continually records video, sends you phone alerts, provides a three-hour snap shot history and has night vision. This device is perfect for monitoring a certain area inside or outside of your home. And if you want to keep an eye on Mom or Dad, whether they’re home alone or at a facility, you can easily keep tabs on their care and condition.

You’ll never miss a visitor at your door or a newly delivered package with the Nest Hello doorbell. You can check in at anytime to see a live shot of what’s going on at your front door, talk to someone

at your door, and be alerted when packages arrive.

EZ Satellite and Wireless also offers customers a wide selection of indoor and outdoor security cameras and installs them. Some automatically send notifications to your cell phone when motion is detected.

For more information on products or to set up an appointment, contact Zambrano by calling (815) 957-4335 or visit ezsatellitenow.com. ❚

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