332. No Butts about it, I Love This Dog

fur on Hugo's backside, Gedera

No butts about it, I love this dog!

Hugo's heart would love for others to support SOS Pets Association http://www.sospets.co.il/16641/_About_SOS_Pets_Association

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2010. All Rights Reserved

326. Crystal Clear

crystal on bench, Park Leumi, Ramat Gan

Mervyn sent me this picture and begged me to put it up today. Sometimes persistence gets you what you want.

This heart was just sitting on a bench, and without doing anything it landed up on Levavot blog - sometimes being passive will also get you far.

Mervyn's heart would love for you to contribute to the animal shelter http://www.spca.org.il/english.php

*Content © Nomi Helene 2010. All Rights Reserved

270. Ginger

dog collar, Tel Aviv

This morning during my walk with Hugo I noticed Ginger in the distance, lying down on the sidewalk with a very focused stare in Hugo's direction. As we got closer, both Hugo and Ginger began wagging their tails, and just like that the two became best of friends. In that moment of pure love I spotted Ginger's heart-speckled collar.

Ginger became quite camera shy, so Ylena, her owner, held her as I took this picture.

Ylena and Ginger's hearts would love for others to support CHAI (Concern for Helping Animals in Israel) in helping to stop animal abuse http://www.chai-online.org/en/companion/emergency_abuse.htm

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

228. Anything for Love

dog bone, Tel Aviv

Who says heaven is not on earth?

Today Hugo's dog food was delivered to the apartment along with some treats - including this bone.

This heart-shaped bone makes love look delicious!

I contacted Natalie at the petshop. Natalie's heart would love for others to contribute to ELEM in helping youth in distress http://www.elem.org.il/lm/english.asp?catid=137&parentid=0

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

222. A Mobile Heart

marker on ceramic mobile, Tel Aviv

Sweet Liza touched my heart today when she sent me this package in the mail with the following note attached:

Dear Nomi,
Thought I had a <3 (heart) to send to you...
with <3,

Liza

Thank you so much Liza for this beautiful gift - mmmmmmmmmmmmoi!

This gift from the heart blossomed into a mobile heart - I guess it's time to get moving!!!

Liza's heart would love for others to contribute to Let the Animals Live Israel http://www.letlive.org.il/english/home.php

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

171. Tremendous Surprise

cat's mouth, Herzeliya

Gingy, AKA 'Tremendous Surprise', is a Persian Peke Face, and incidently the only heart in Levavot to show its face - I simply could not resist sharing it with you!

This picky Peke Face has a heart shaped mouth, and will only eat hand fed strips of beef each morning from Helene.

This heart loves gourmet!

Helene's heart would love for others to contribute to Let the Animals Live Israel http://www.letlive.org.il/english/home.php

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

166. Control

metal dog tag, Tel Aviv

This dog tag was in the process of being engraved by Batya, and in Hebrew reads Hugo.

While we ultimately have no control over destiny, when we love someone we try our best to hold onto them.

This dog tag has permanently taken Hugo into its heart, and will do its best to keep him with me - I love that!

Batya's heart would love for others to contribute to Let the Animals Live Israel http://www.letlive.org.il/english/home.php

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

150. African in Israel

African Grey's feathers, parrot farm, Kfar Hess

While this African Grey remained silent, the heart on its back spoke a thousand words.

This heart gave much love to Hilton on his 29th birthday - Happy Birthday Hilton!

Hilton's heart would love for others to help lone soldiers http://lonesoldiers.ning.com/

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

139. Wearing Your Heart on your Sleeve

fur on cat, Tel Aviv

On June 1, 2009 I found a cat with a heart on its head - love was on its mind.

Today I found this cat wearing its heart on its sleeve. Perhaps that's why this cat looks exhausted.

To help cats and other animals in need via the Israeli Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals http://www.spca.org.il/english.php

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

133. Well Balanced

feathers, pigeon's tail, Tel Aviv

This electrical line served as a sort of meditation spot for a group of pigeons.

This heart loves feeling well balanced.

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

132. The end of a Chapter

wooden greeting card, Mitzpe Harel

Beneath a tent in the middle of nature a wonderful group of women got together to close a chapter.

Thank you Shira for these hearts and all the love you gave this year.

Shira's heart would love for others to contribute to helping animals in need http://www.israelpets.org/eng/index.htm

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

121. Up Close and Personal

mark on dog's (Hugo) skin ,Tel Aviv

To love someone is to see their beauty up close and personal.

Hugo would love for others to help out with SOS Pets Association http://www.sospets.co.il/16641/_About_SOS_Pets_Association

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

111. The Negev

stones and sand, Park Timna, Negev

I used to have a love affair with the desert. I would go on a regular basis seeking out the wide open space filled with cascading, hypnotic hills. The Negev's calmness would almost instantly send me into a state of meditation. It has been a while since I have seen her beauty, so I was more than pleased when I received this heart last night.

Thank you Mervyn and Bella for collectively bringing a piece of the desert's beauty back to me.

Mervyn's heart would love for you to contribute to the animal shelter http://www.spca.org.il/english.php

Bella's heart very modestly asks that you contribute to The People's University Project at Tel Aviv University http://www.unibaam.tau.ac.il/Peoples_University.pdf

*Content © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

105. Kissed by a Heart

Hugo's tongue, Park Hayarkon, Tel Aviv

Today after work I went with Hugo to the park. After polishing off a very yummy halva and chocolate oreo cookie ice-cream I lay back on my sheet to relax, when this happy heart suddenly appeared wanting to lick me, (which in dog translates to kiss) - Could anyone ask for more?

It took some effort to recreate the kiss, and capture this heart on camera. In the process I was cracking up laughing by myself, or so I thought - When I finally sat up I discovered I was very much not alone in the park. Oh well, this happy loyal heart is definitely worth a little embarrassment.

Hugo would love for others to contribute to SOS Pets Association http://www.sospets.co.il/16641/_About_SOS_Pets_Association

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

95. Doggy Style

magnet on hair dryer for dogs, grooming shop, Tel Aviv

Anna is a very funky dog lover. Her grooming shop is called Doggy Style, and cannot be missed as she has two of the most gentle Black Russian Terriers whose enormous size seems to stop every passer-by. Ribbons from dog competitions decorate Anna's shop, and reflect her passion.

Today, as Hugo was getting groomed I spotted this heart. It was no surprise that I would find a heart in this shop - I think even Hugo loves getting groomed here!

To contact Anna for dog grooming: 054 740 1034

Anna's heart would love for others to help animals in need http://www.spcaisrael.org/

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

94. The Land of Honey

filet, Neveh Sharet, Tel Aviv

Asi is one of the treasures I have found in the holy land. We met at the dog park two years ago, where I discovered his wisdom, intellect, humor, kindness and endless patience - since then he feeds my mind with food for thought on a regular basis.

Today, Asi fed me this delicious filet. As I was a vegetarian from 1993-2009, eating meat is still reatively new for me, but my taste buds were certainly loving this heart.

Thank you Asi for finally inviting me to the promised land of honey ("where there is no milk because we killed the cow")

Asi would love for others to check out this video and possibly adopt a dog via SOS in Herzeliya this Friday, June 12. For more information http://www.flix.co.il/tapuz/showVideo.asp?m=2614890

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

89. Meowch

street cat, Tel Aviv

Street cats are everywhere in Tel Aviv, and most other cities throughout Israel. With an unpredicatable and unstable existence, these cats have taken on survival tactics, and can become quite vicious at times. Like other problems in this region there are many opinions regarding the solution.

As I tried to give a voice to this problem via the heart on this cat, Hugo and I got hissed at big time - while this heart is terrified it desperately wants to be loved!

One way to help with cats and other animals in need is via the Israeli Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals http://www.spca.org.il/english.php

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

68. Burning up for your Love

toasted marshmellow, Modiin

In the spirit of the holiday Lag BaOmer, children with PDD (Pervasive Development Disorder) begin their day on a mat, eating falafel and singing songs. It was no surprise to me that when Shira, the national service volunteer toasted marshmellows for the children, she created a heart.

I have known Shira for nearly a year, and am constantly amazed by her never ending patience with the children. This heart proves that Shira's contribution to these children's lives is made with pure love!

Shira's heart would love for others to contribute to helping animals in need http://www.israelpets.org/eng/index.htm

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

33. Precious Hearts

Drawings on paper, Silver Spring Maryland

These hands belong to the sweetest, most loving family. Before I arrived they prepared all these hearts for me - Each one proving that the most precious things in life are the simplest.

Thank you Kayla, Maya, Elaine and Michael!

Dante and Jasper did not help in these creations, though I am sure they were a creative inspiration...This family loves animals (especially dogs), and would love for others to get involved with the Washington Animal Rescue League: http://www.warl.org/

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved

17. Look What I Spotted

dalmatian, Tel Aviv beach

After many hours at the beach I spotted this loveable, huggable, and very energetic ball of love. Pythgoras, named after the Greek mathematician, wears the simple equation for love all over his body. After licking me all over Pythgoras sat patiently as I took this picture. This loyal heart is all love!

So many animals are not as fortunate as Pythgoras. For more on how you can help animals in Israel http://www.sospets.co.il/16641/_About_SOS_Pets_Association

*Content and photo © Nomi Helene 2009. All Rights Reserved