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Local News

Monday, February 02, 2009

Children's book helping kids understand effects of cancer
Reineke Family Dealerships - Upper Sandusky
By J. STEVEN DILLON

STAFF WRITER

Watch out Marley the dog, "Clarabelle the Cat" has arrived and she appears to have an attitude.

Clarabelle, the real life feline pet of Patricia and Matthew Theis of Findlay, is the main character in a children's book the Theises have written.

"Clarabelle the Cat Loses Her Hair" is the first in a series of books intended to help children and adults better understand cancer and how it can affect those undergoing treatment.

The first book is illustrated by Karen Norheim, also of Findlay.

The story is based on Patricia's ongoing battle with cancer, but is told through the eyes of a young girl named Pat, who has cancer, and her longhaired cat, Clarabelle.

"It's a story inspired by the Lord," Matthew said. "The book is meant to show children how people can sometimes look different after they go through treatment.

"At the same time, we're hoping and praying that parents, when they're reading the book to their kids, get something out of it, too."

Patricia is a Stage 4 breast cancer survivor and has been fighting the disease since 2001.

It had been in remission for five years, but recently returned.

She said she became inspired to write the book several years ago when she lost her hair following chemotherapy treatments after her initial bout with the cancer.

While her hair has since returned, at the time she would wear either a wig or a scarf when going out in public.

Some people, she said, reacted poorly to her change in appearance.

"I had a co-worker who just kind of stared at me," Patricia recalled. "After I had walked away, I happened to look back at her and noticed she was kind of smirking. It was hurtful."

Others, she said, looked at her or acted differently because she had lost her hair. Some openly laughed at her new appearance.

"Some people just don't think," Patricia said.

The family pet became part of the story line when its fur became matted and tangled after Patricia started her chemo treatments and was unable to groom Clarabelle as often as before.

Eventually, the Theises decided to have the cat's fur shaved.

In the book, the cat becomes insecure after its haircut and is laughed at by other cats in the neighborhood.

On one page, Clarabelle is pictured hiding under a chair because she is embarrassed by her new look.

The hair loss of the two characters creates a special bond between Clarabelle and Pat, which is captured in the book.

"There is a message," Matthew said. "The message is that it's more important what a person looks like on the inside, than on the outside."

The Theises, who operate the Triple T Bed and Breakfast, said they got the idea to write the book about three years ago. The couple's children, Zachary, Sarah and Megan, helped with the story line and Megan has also developed a Web site, www.clarabellethecat.com.

The Theises are already working on two additional books featuring Clarabelle and Pat.

The next will be about "extreme makeovers" the two characters undergo, while the third is about the travels of the cat and owner as they help others deal with cancer.

While the real Clarabelle may never obtain the notoriety of Marley, the canine from John Grogan's book "Marley and Me" and popular movie by the same name, the cat's owners believe she will get plenty of attention in coming months.

The Theises plan to bring Clarabelle along to book signings and readings, whenever possible.

"I think having an animal in the book gives children something they can focus on," Matthew said. "Having Clarabelle available for them to actually see and pet should be a fun thing for them."

Two book signings were held over the weekend, and another will be held at First Federal Bank, 7591 Patriot Drive, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 14.

Matthew said $1 from every book sale will be donated to cancer charities.

Groups can also arrange book signings with Clarabelle, with a percentage of the book sales to aid their fundraising effort.

More information about the book and fundraising can be obtained by contacting the Theises at 419-424-1419, or by e-mail, .

On the Web:

www.clarabellethecat.com

www.thecourier.com



Dillon: 419-427-8423,

Send an e-mail to Steve Dillon

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1 Comment

Harold Brown wrote:
Where can I get a copy of this bookI
“ Im a cancer survivor and would like to get a hold of a copy of this book for my grandchildren to read. Thak you ”
Monday, February 02, 2009 7:20:34 PM
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.