Local dog lover Amy Sullivan had asked me to let people know about two loving dogs in need of a new home. Zeus the Bassett hound, described by his mom as “wise and perceptive,” and his pal, Jack the boxer, both 3 years old, had to be separated from their “mom” when she moved away to a place that does not allow her to keep them. I’m happy to say that before I could even finish wiping the fur off the keyboard, Amy let me know that the two energetic and curious canines have been placed in a new home. Now that’s the kind of happy ending I like to hear about.

Ridgefield author and teacher Chris Belden, who recently helped publish a book of writings by prisoners at Garner Correctional Institution here in Newtown, where he teaches the craft of pen on paper, has published a novel, Carry-On. The press release that landed in my paws promises “From its first grimly hilarious scene in the economy cabin of a plane headed west, Carry-On takes us on an unforgettable journey through the shifting terrain of a marriage gone wrong. As Caleb struggles to understand what has become of him and his wife, we move through bars and cheap motels, through the stark beauty of the Pacific Northwest, and through intricate layers of memory to approach slowly, inexorably, the darkest regions of anger and love.” If that’s not enough to pique your curiosity, Chris will be giving a reading and talk, Wednesday, January 11, at 7 pm, at the Ridgefield Library, located at 472 Main Street, in Ridgefield.

A group of ladies from Nunnawauk Meadows worked very hard the week before Christmas, I’m told, to fill gift bags for residents of the nursing homes serviced by Golden Opportunities, a local nonprofit focused on improving the well-being of those who are isolated or lonely. They made up more than 300 goodie bags. Then, Nancy Taylor, a Golden Opportunities staff member, spent a good deal of time at the end of December at the bedside of a 101-year-old blind woman, at the hospital, who was in some great discomfort. Happily, the woman has recovered and is doing well, thanks in part to Nancy’s TLC. I’m going to hand out a Good Egg to all of them, for the joy they shared this holiday season.

In case you still have that celebratory feeling within, even after this coming weekend has come and gone, there are plenty of one-of-a-kind “holidays” coming up in January, if you believe holidayinsights.com. January is National Bath Safety Month, Blood Donor Month, Braille Literacy Month, Hobby Month, Oatmeal Month, Soup Month, and Hot Tea Month. Now, some of these actually make sense to me. It’s the daily holidays that confound me: Run Up the Flagpole and See If Anyone Salutes Day, January 2 — albeit a most appropriate one for our town; or Festival of Sleep Day, January 3, and a personal favorite of mine. January 3 is also Fruitcake Toss Day, as well as Humiliation Day, a day of reminding ourselves to not humiliate anyone else, in any way. Bird Day is January 4, with the suggestion to set aside some time to appreciate our feathered friends. (As if I have to be told!) The list goes on, each day, each month. If you need a holiday, I’m pretty sure you can find one here.

Looking for something with local flavor to read? There is a pretty impressive display of books by Newtown authors set up on the main floor at the C.H. Booth Library. It is truly an altar to the creativity and talent that seems to flow throughout this town.

Donna Randle, who organizes the Valentines For Troops programs at the schools, would like to enlist some adult volunteers to help with the effort. If you can help sort donations or oversee the proper packaging for mailing overseas, or if you want to take part in the campaign, contact Donna at ndrandle@charter.net. The Valentines For Troops effort also has a Facebook page, Valentines for Troops Newtown CT. Valentine’s Day is closer than you think!

I hope you’ll take the time to check out the many end-of-the-year stories in this week’s issue of The Bee. It’s always surprising to see how much has happened in our little village in just 12 months. It is no wonder that “time flies,” with our residents so involved and busy every day of the year, and it is wonderful to see how much of that involvement centers around helping others and making our town a better place to be.

The end of the year always leads to resolutions, of which I make none, but also to predictions for the coming year. Some say the world is going to the dogs, but I have some rather catty predictions, myself, for 2012:

Garfield, the cat of comic strip fame, develops a line of lasagnas that can be devoured 24/7 with no dire consequences.

Felix the Cat, NBC’s official test pattern of the 1930s, becomes the official text pattern of 2012.

Sylvester the cat starts his own line of extra spicy southern style cat foods, called “Thufferin’ Thuccotash.”

Art historians discover that the grinning Cheshire Cat is a direct descendent of the Mona Lisa.

Tom and Jerry, the clashing Hollywood cat and mouse cartoon duo of the 1960s, reach paws across the aisle in a gesture of good will — one they hope will be copied by Congress.

And The Cat in the Hat turns a dull political scene into a magical, messy adventure, becoming the Republican candidate (promising a fish out of every bowl), and challenges Obama — Bo, that is — in the 2012 presidential race.

My final prediction, is that you will pick up the paper next week and… Read me again. Happy New Year!