CNJ+ March 2026

CAN LOVE BE LIMITED? By Richard Mabey Jr.

Your Closest Haldeman Dealer is in Your Driveway! Your Closest Haldeman Dealer is in Your Driveway!

It was two and half years ago that I was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. At first, I was devastated. But within a few months, I began to accept my fate, my destiny. Strange as it may seem, it was a little dog named Rocko, who helped me through those early weeks of reaching acceptance of having this horrible heart disease. Rocko’s mommy was a kind lady, who was in her ear ly eighties, who lived on my block when I lived in The Villages. Martie loved Rocko. When the time came that Martie needed to have surgery on her knee, she asked me if I would take care of her cute little puppy. I imme diately agreed. I simply loved Little Rocko.

A moment from a happy time, yours truly and Little Rocko.

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I had often walked and cared for Little Rocko, for well over two years pre viously. Rocko and I were good pals. While Martie was in the hospital, every morning I would wake up at seven in the morning and walk up to Little Rocko’s home and feed and walk Little Rocko. After walking Rocko a good mile, I would bring Rocko home and play fetch with him on his living room floor. As destiny would have it, Martie needed to reside at a rehabilitation center to receive physical therapy from having her knee operated on. All in all, the time that I cared and walked Little Rocko every day, was well over a month’s time. Needless to say, Little Rocko and I became best pals. Martie had told me, before she went in for her surgery that Little Rocko had a serious heart problem, so she gave me Little Rocko’s Veterinarian’s name and phone number. Martie told me that she had her credit card number on file with Little Rocko’s doctor. She told me if needed, to let Rocko have the best medical care. Fortunately, I did not need to call on Little Rocko’s doctor the whole time I took care of Rocko. Sadly, about a year ago, Little Rocko went to Rainbow Bridge. It was a sad day, to say the least. I cried my eyes out, when I was told of Little Rocko’s passing. I loved him very much. Yesterday, I was putting up outdoor Christmas lights on my house. I was feeling a bit down, remembering the times that my father and I used to put lights up atop the long front porch of the old Mabey Homestead. I felt a heavy, sadness. I was all so dearly missing my beloved father. I was only three steps on my ladder, when I inwardly heard a distinct, high pitched barking of a dog. It was the unmistakable, unique, trademark bark of my dear puppy friend, Little Rocko. When I turned around, from facing the front porch windows of my home in Florida, to looking at my front yard, my heart leaped with joy. There, on my front lawn, I saw the ghost of Little Rocko. As I climbed down the ladder, the specter of Little Rocko began jumping around in circles, as I remember all so well, how he would often do that when he would first see me. There was no mistake about it, a ghost-like Little Rocko was hopping and jumping around, just a few feet from me. As I walked closer to Rocko, he simply vaporized and disappeared. At the same time, joy and sadness filled my heart. Can love be limited? Can God be limited? Is there a connection, that we as human beings, hold with the precious animals in our lives? Is the death of a beloved pet, really and truly the end of a spiritual connection with that dear and special one? Each and every one of us, holds the answers to these questions, hidden deeply in the chambers of our hearts. Truly, love is the most positive powerful force in the universe. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has recently had two books pub lished. He currently hosts a YouTube Channel entitled, “Richard Mabey Pres ents.” Richard may be contacted at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com. Spice Recovery Spices can do a lot more than add pizzazz to your cooking. They offer many health benefits and help in healing. By Mia Ingui Cinnamon Cinnamon is actually one of the most powerful healing spices, and has become most famous for its ability to improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes. As little as 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon a day could cut triglycerides and total cholesterol levels by 12 to 30 percent. Cinnamon can even help prevent blood clots, making it especially heart smart. Cinnamon has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It's been shown to conquer E. coli and other types of bacteria. Cloves Have a toothache? Put a couple of whole cloves in your mouth. Let them soften a bit, then bite on them gently with good molars to release their oil. Then move them next to the painful tooth and keep them there for up to half an hour. Clove oil has a numbing effect in addition to bacteria-fighting powers. Coriander The herb can be helpful for some people with irritable bowel syndrome, as it calms intestinal spasms that can lead to diarrhea. Preliminary studies in animals support another traditional use for coriander—as an anti-anxiety herb. Its essential oil appears to fight bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella. It's also being studied for its potential cholesterol-reducing benefits and has been shown to lower cholesterol in animals.

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www.haldemandirect.com | 833-878-7898 640 US Highway 130 And Hickory Corner Rd. East Windsor, NJ 08520

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www.haldemandirect.com | 833-878-7898 640 US Highway 130 And Hickory Corner Rd. East Windsor, NJ 08520