Our Story
Lighthearted Press has been publishing books for dog and cat lovers since 1997. That was the year a book title—For Every Dog An Angel—unexpectedly found its way to author and illustrator Christine Davis, who knew she was destined to write the story. For Every Dog An Angel became the first book she wrote. It wasn’t long before For Every Cat An Angel was born, followed by three more books for animal lovers—Forever Paws, The Shelter Dog, and Old Dog and the Christmas Wish.
Her award-winning titles have brought comfort to readers all over the world. Veterinarians use her books in their sympathy programs, giving them to clients who are struggling with their grief. The gentle words and whimsical artwork appeal to the child in each of us, which makes the books perfect for readers young and old.
After many years of speaking with people who were struggling with their feelings of loss, Chris found herself on an unexpected journey that brought her face-to-face with a different kind of grief—that of hidden sorrow from years of childhood abuse. This led to the writing of Breathing Fire, her first book to reach beyond the genre of animal lovers to anyone who has walked through life under the spell of unworthiness.
What began as a book for others who, like Chris, had been abused as children, became a map for anyone looking to move beyond living with a bowed head and a broken spirit.
The book dovetails perfectly with her previous books for animal lovers because both genres deal with loss, grieving and navigating the road from sorrow to joy. In both cases, the path to healing comes through sharing our stories.
Lighthearted Press has been re-imagined and now offers books and gifts that connect us to a magical place where all things are possible.
Chris spends as much time as possible communing with wildlife in the wooded area where she lives. She delights in the mama raccoons who bring their babies to visit in the summer. Crows perch on her fence and speak to the author, eager for peanuts and news of the day. A single crow began coming to Chris in her dreams, conveying a story of great importance to the crow clan.
One rainy day in April 2017 a bloody, mangled squirrel appeared in her yard. He was missing his left eye and ear. His face was horribly mutilated. His body was crisscrossed with bleeding slashes.
She thought he came to die. Instead, he came to heal. Chris named him Big George. Over the next four months, Big George revealed much about himself as his wounds began to close.
This photo of George was taken two months after he first appeared.
In August 2017, on his last day with Chris, George told her he was setting out on a journey to find the crow who visits her at night. The situation had become desperate.
And with that, he left her yard.
Late one night, in November 2018, Big George and the Crow King came to the author in a vivid dream. An army of crows stood with the King. Puzzle pieces that had appeared over decades suddenly fell into place.
“We need your help,” they said.
To be continued…
Chris