It is a distinct honor to present to you today, a book, that the second I saw the cover, wait, let me correct that, the second I heard the book had been WRITTEN, I KNEW not only was I dying to read it, I KNEW it was going to be superb. Such is the case with:

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Thanks to all who entered

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We could NOT be happier

for M.K. Clinton from 

 BARKING FROM THE BAYOU!!

VISIT HER BLOG HERE!!

YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS BOOK!!

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ABOUT EMBRACING THE WILD IN YOUR DOG by BRYAN BAILEY

FROM GOODREADS:

Some time ago, dogs became as interwoven in the American culture as baseball, apple pie and the Fourth of July. In fact, in most households, the dogs have even trumped evolution itself and jumped straight to being four-legged humans where they are adorned with human names, designer outfits and fad diets that would confound even the best nutritionist. In most cases, we’ve granted them our human intelligence and our sacred human emotions as well. They are no longer dogs to us, they’re family! Yet, for all that man has done to carve the wolf from the wild to create a surrogate human, today’s dog is still a wolf at heart and the accompanying instincts borne from such ancestry defines how the dog approaches its world.

The ontogeny of anthropomorphism, where we attach our human traits to our pets, is the most damaging and paralytic problem associated with dog ownership today. Believing in a fairy tale world where dogs possess the same moral consciousness and sense of altruism as attributed to humans has led to a drastic increase in leash laws, dogs being outlawed in a rising number of city and national parks, some breeds being banned in several states, an alarming escalation of aggression to humans, a rising cost in homeowner and business insurance, and a record number of clinically maladaptive dogs.

This book is not a training book. It does not cover obedience topics such as heel, sit, down, stay, and come. Instead, it’s about righting the ship of American dog ownership by changing our perception of our dogs. It is about the author growing up in the Alaskan wild under the tutelage and guardianship of a Special Forces survival instructor who introduced him to the ways of wolves and the similarities they shared with dogs. It is about the wisdom and splendor of nature and the many life lessons she provides. Mostly, it’s about developing a deep understanding of the authors of your dog’s behavior; nature and the wolf. In doing so, you will truly learn who and what your dog really is, and the whys and hows of its behavior. You will learn the tools that nature gave them to survive and coexist in both the mountains and in our homes. You will learn how activating and deactivating natural impulses and mechanisms in your dog will lead to the harmonious existence and the control you always dreamed of.

Most of all, you will come to embrace the wild in your dog and the grace and the peace that is breathed into its acceptance.

Photo courtesy of Protrainmemphis.com

SOME THINGS I AGREED WITH FROM EMBRACING THE WILD IN YOUR DOG:

“When did we lose our way? As a nation of dog lovers, we have become hopelessly lost. We no longer own dogs for pets; instead we own make-believe humans in fur coats, and we treat them as such. In our failure to recognize what it is we really own, we have wandered into a fairy tale existence where we believe dogs and humans reason and act out the same. This belief has left us hurt, woefully confused, and without answers when our dogs act out in ways we don’t expect.”

DID YOU KNOW?

“That Professional dog training, as an occupation, has no federal or statewide accreditations and no national oversight committee to govern its conduct or to control the vast amount of information that is doled out by its practitioners. Anyone who thinks he or she can train a dog can print business cards, develop a website, and label themselves a professional. There is no formal education, certification, or residency requirements, and to make matters worse, there are no required background checks!”

Photo Courtesy of Protrain Memphis

FINAL THOUGHTS: While I might not have agreed with some of the points in Embracing the WILD in your dog, I DO feel it is a thought-provoking, well-written and a WORTHWHILE read. It caused me to look at some aspects of my dog’s behavior in a different light. I might not choose to “control’ my dog’s behavior in some ways that were “inferred” in this book, but it DID cause me to THINK and that makes it a valuable and important read. I might not share some of the opinions stated in Embracing the WILD in your dog,  but I have enormous respect for the amount of research/experience that Author Bryan Bailey has that led to the writing of a book that held my attention from the first page until the end.  (158 pages).  Embracing the WILD in your dog will definitely give you things to think about, and just might cause you to throw some pre-conceived beliefs fed to you by various pet industry “experts” right out the window. I encourage you to pick up a copy and decide for yourself.

VISIT BRYAN BAILEY’S NEW WEBSITE by clicking on the photo below:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR FROM GOODREADS:

Raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, Bryan Bailey grew to appreciate the wildness of the land and its abundant wildlife. In particular, he developed a fondness for the gray wolves that roamed the vast mountain ranges and forests near his home. Under the guidance of a Special Forces Survival Instructor, he spent years studying the social interactions of wolves in their packs and discovered that, beyond obvious physical similarities, there were also
behavioral similarities between the wolves and the sled dogs that were his family’s pets.

Bryan has traveled to Europe, Africa, the jungles of southeast Asia and the remote regions above the arctic circle in his lifelong pursuit of studying social predatory behavior with an emphasis on how instinct, passed from the gray wolf, has affected the behavior of our domestic dogs.

Served in the United States Navy 1977-1993. As a member of the elite bomb disposal team, Bryan served as a trainer and supervisor for the highly classified U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Projects, “Short Time”, an enemy combatant swimmer/diver detection and neutralization program utilizing dolphins; “Bottom Look”, an enemy mine detection and neutralization program utilizing dolphins; and “Quick Find”, a ASROC (Antisubmarine Rocket) and SUBROC (Submarine Rocket) detection and recovery program utilizing sea lions.

Graduated from ProTrain Professional Dog Trainer’s Academy. Earned designation as a Master Trainer in the areas of Obedience, Personal Protection and Narcotics and Explosive Detection. 1987-1990

Owner, Canine Companions, Inc., Bloomington, Indiana. Professional dog training, boarding, and veterinary hospital. 1993-2012

Supervised the Monroe County Sheriffs Department police K9 narcotics detection, criminal apprehension, and search and rescue teams. 1995-1998

Advisor to DAD/DAC (Dogs Against Drugs/Dogs Against Crime) and USPCA (United States Police Canine Association). 1995-2000

Selected by Indiana Department of Health and Social Services to train service dogs for children with Muscular Dystrophy. 1998-2004

Interned at Ely, Minnesota International Wolf Center and studied wolf behavior under the instruction of renowned wolf ethologist, L. David Mech. 1998-1999

Interned at Battleground, Indiana Wolf Park and studied wolf behavior under the instruction of renowned wolf ethologist, Erich Klinghammer. 1999-2000 and 2002-2003

Achieved certification as a Veterinarian Technician. Provided assistance with canine exams, lab work and performed anesthesia during surgical procedures at Canine Companions Veterinary Hospital. 2003-2010

Studied hyena and lion social behavior at the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya Africa, Hyena Research Project. 2006

Studied Hyena social behavior, Uganda, Africa. 2007

Studied wolf behavior, Denali, Fairbanks and Brooks Mountain Range, Alaska. 2006-2010.

Co-owner, ProTrain Memphis, LLC. and Taming the Wild, LLC. 2012-present

With over thirty years of education and experience studying wolves and other predators, Bryan has become a Master at understanding how nature has influenced the inner workings of the canine mind. Taking his cue from nature, Bryan utilizes her lesson plan to shape the behaviors in our dogs that are necessary for them to conform to our human existence. By doing this, and accepting the dog for the domestic wolf that it is, Bryan produces a dog that responds to his owner’s commands with not only steadfast reliability, but with the spirit and vitality of the wolf.

Bryan Bailey  is married to Kira Bailey and resides along the banks of the Mississippi River in Memphis, TN.

I was not compensated for this review. I was sent a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my always honest review.

THE PERFECT DOG BOOK!  

FROM ONE OF THE MOST

KNOWLEDGEABLE AND TRUSTED

PET EXPERTS IN THE INDUSTRY!

Cover Courtesy of Amy Shojai

More than 78 million pet dogs today are kept in fifty-four million U.S. households. Now, from one of the most trusted cat care authors of the last twenty-five years comes the definitive reference for adopting, keeping, and maintaining a healthy, happy dog.

DOG FACTS: The Pet Parent’s A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia is designed to answer all your questions. How do I choose the right dog? What holistic help and preventive care should I give? Why do dogs act the way they do, and what dog behavior indicates illness? What constitutes an emergency, and how/when can I safely treat my dog with home care and first aid? Inside you’ll find an easy-to-reference for that has:

Alphabetical A-to-Z listings

Each letter of the alphabet that begins a section, is attractively drawn and eye-catching.  There are  more than 200 entries, covering everything from bloat and CPR to whiskers!!! Do you know what Nutrigenomics is? Or Jacobson’s Organ? (Be honest, and don’t Google it!) What about zoonosis? I didn’t either, but I do now!

Courtesy of Amy Shojai

There are charts (many dog lovers have requested repeatedly that there be a chart showing poisons, from plants to household items. Now you have it!), that list symptoms for a particular condition, the corresponding home care or first aid, the comparative veterinarian and holistic treatments, and preventive advice.

As I mentioned above, it is virtually IMPOSSIBLE  to list EVERYTHING of importance that is in this book. I went through it page by page and read about topics that interested me, or that I need to be concerned with in order to be prepared for what I may have to encounter with my own dog such as:

Chasing Animals/Vehicles

Dakota used to do this when he was younger. He would jump and lunge at cars and people riding by on bicycles. I was pleased to read in DOG FACTS that the corrective measures that I had taken when walking Dakota were exactly what is advised to do to stop this unwanted behavior.

Territorial Aggression

Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)

“this is an inherited condition of Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs, and is an interruption in the development of the eye which impairs vision. Also referred to as collie eye defect, this is an inherited congenital condition affecting 70 to 90 percent of smooth and rough Collies in the United States and Great Britain. The condition also affects 2 to 3 percent of Border Collies, and it’s seen in Australian Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs and other herding dogs.”

(I had heard about this condition when Dakota entered my life, and am grateful to have a Veterinarian who specialized in the eyes in Veterinary school.)

Courtesy of Amy Shojai

Artificial Respiration

Cancer

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

In DOG FACTS :The Pet Parent’s A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia, by Amy Shojai, it states that the “condition most frequently occurs in middle-aged dogs. The Basenji, Boxer, Chinese Shar-Pei, German Shepherd and Rottweiler breeds appear to be more prone to inflammatory bowel diseases than others”,  (but I have known an unusually high number of Soft Coated Wheaton Terriers who have this disease as well).

There is More!!

Courtesy of Amy Shojai

 Also Included:

Appendix

Where you will find DOG ASSOCIATIONS and BREEDS AT A GLANCE,  RESOURCES FROM ANIMAL EXPERTS TO ORGANIZATIONS and SYMPTOMS AT A GLANCE (that helps you identify what ailments might be bothering your dog.

Courtesy of Amy Shojai

Easy-to-use Index

The comprehensive, easy-to-use index makes quick reference a snap !!!!!!

Accessible, yet comprehensive, DOG FACTS can be used with ease and trust. And doesn’t your dog deserve the very best?
FROM DOG FACTS:The Pet Parent’s A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia: the author has taken great pains to compile the most up-to-date information currently available for dog lovers on the care of their dog; however, veterinary medicine is constantly improving. Please consult with your veterinarian on a regular basis to provide the best care for your dog.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Amy Shojai, CABC is a nationally known authority on pet care and behavior, a certified animal behavior consultant for cats and dogs, and a former veterinary technician. She is a founder of the Cat Writers’ Association and the author of more than 30 award-winning pet care books including pet-centric thriller series. She shares her North Texas home with a 20-year-old Siamese wannabe, delinquent silver shaded tabby, and smart aleck German Shepherd.

CONNECT WITH AMY! Drop her a line at her blog  or her website . Follow Amy on Twitter (@amyshojai) and like her on Facebook.

 DOG FACTS: The Pet Parent’s A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia by Amy Shojai makes me, and will make ALL dog lovers  feel secure/comforted to have so much information available at their fingertips. It  is yet another vital “tool” to add to my responsible dog owner tool box, and I can’t stress enough that it is one that should be a part of yours as well! 

GIVE-AWAY!! ONE lucky reader who is 18+ and who resides in the U.S. (apologies to our International readers, but the size/weight of this MUST HAVE RESOURCE makes shipping out of the country cost prohibitive), will win a copy! (An approximate $25 value which is a BARGAIN for all of the information that is in this book!)  Entering is easy! Simply enter on the Rafflecopter below and good luck!

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In full disclosure: I was not compensated for this review. I was sent a “PROOF” version of DOG FACTS: The Pet Parent’s A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia in exchange for my always honest review. Some of the information that I mentioned might be slightly different in the published edition.

Thanks to all who entered our give-away for:

Cover Courtesy of Amy Shojai

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS

TO THE WINNER

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Today I am pleased to present to you:

DIARY of an AIREDALE Volume Two

 Where Airedales Rule and Terrier Tales Abound!

“a dog has the soul of a philosopher” – Plato

I had the pleasure of reviewing Volume One in 2015  and Volume Two is equally as endearing and just down right adorable!

If you look at the above back and front cover of Volume Two, I have the most INCREDIBLE HONOR of being quoted there!

ABOUT THE DIARY OF AN AIREDALE SERIES:

Meet Alf, an Airedale with attitude and a lot to say as he dishes on the secrets of dogdom. Pet lit with humor and advice for your best furry friend It’s a dog’s life, or is it? This unique series follows the adventures, year by year, of an Airedale Terrier pup whose short idyllic life is turned upside down when he is torn away from home and starts life’s journey, learning about love and kindness, pain and terror, joy and despair.

Watch, each year, as he matures from a cute fur ball to a handsome dog experiencing all of life’s ups and downs from comic to tragic and everything in between.

I thought it would be fun to share some of Alf’s wisdom/thoughts with you that I found to be particularly entertaining. These are thoughts that Alf shares in Volume Two:

HUMANS SNEEZING: if your dog is like Alf and Dakota when Dakota’s Dad sneezes, Dakota loses his mind, when I sneeze, he pays it no mind. Dakota isn’t alone about jumping when his Dad sneezes, here are Alf’s thoughts about sneezing and how it takes a dog by surprise! “The sound humans produce is nearly the same as one we make. Sneezes are involuntary for our species too, but we also blow out a specific blast of air to communicate threat and defense. That’s why an expulsion of air like that bothers us. Your four-legged friend will often make a similar noise during play, except he is not sneezing at all, he is snorting, which tells the other dog this is only a lark, nothing more.  People jump at loud noises too. It’s not so strange.”

ON SWALLOWING PAPER: Get aggravated when you are chasing your dog to grab paper before he rips it to shreds and possibly eats it? I do too…here is what Alf thinks about it: ” I swallow paper as often as I can but most of the time one of my people chases me and yanks it out of my mouth. They invented an out of sight game, I make them chase me and I can squeeze into difficult places, like under tables, where it’s hard for them to grab me before I gulp the evidence. COOL. The more aggravated they are, the better the fun.”

The above are just snippets of some of the Alf’s observations, pondering and wisdom that is sprinkled on every page. You will read about Alf’s adventures and thoughts on a variety of topics, stated in a way that only an intelligent and observant Airedale such as Alf can communicate. Alf proves that in many ways, dogs are smarter than their human companions.

Appropriately Volume Two ends on Alf’s second birthday…..there are MORE volumes to come and I cannot wait.  If you are looking for some fun summer reading Diary of an Airedale Volumes One and Two will NOT disappoint!

ENTER TO WIN VOLUMES ONE AND TWO! ONE LUCKY WINNER WHO RESIDES IN THE U.S. OR CANADA WILL WIN VOLUMES ONE AND TWO! Must be 18 and over. Entering is easy, there is just ONE MANDATORY entry requirement on the Rafflecopter below, GOOD LUCK!!

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ABOUT P. J. ERICKSON

She began her writing career with a mystery/adventure series, The Chase Larsen Adventures. After publishing her first two books, Yokche and Kill Devil, a young puppy came into her home and The Airedale Diaries were born. PJ lives with her family in South Florida and is a member of the National Writers Association. In her spare time she loves to travel locally, seeking out unexplored corners of her adopted state. pj@embarqmail.com  VISIT P.J.’S WEBSITE!

In full disclosure:I was not compensated for this review/give-away.  I received a copy of Diary of an Airedale Volume Two in exchange for my always honest review.

To those who took the time to enter our give-away we thank you!

CONGRATULATIONS

TO THE LUCKY WINNER

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In honor of National Dog Day,  a day that “celebrates all breeds, pure and mixed and serves to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, either from public shelters, rescues and pure breed rescues. National Dog Day honors family dogs and dogs that work selflessly to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort. Dogs put their lives on the line every day – for their law enforcement partner, for their blind companion, for the disabled, for our freedom and safety by detecting bombs and drugs and pulling victims of tragedy from wreckage.”  Dakota and I think that today, while we are celebrating ALL dogs, it is also the  perfect time to introduce an important children’s book that honors Service Dogs.

Click to visit the website

Digger the Service Dog: “by evoking an emotional response in my art I can have a conversation with a total stranger, who may or may not speak my language…from anywhere in the world. If I can illustrate a response toward empathy and educate the public to seen and unseen disabilities, I have used my art to encourage a more compassionate society.” Hope Saxton

FROM THE SERVICE DOG DIGGER: “What does a Service Dog do?  A Service Dog helps people function in a normal life by helping disabled people do things that they can not do, like fetch an out of reach phone when it rings. They may also alert a handler to a ringing doorbell that they cannot hear. A Service Dog may also help mobilize a person by helping them stand or walk, or even by transporting them. Service Dogs come in every size and with different tasks that they like to do.”

Written and beautifully illustrated by Hope I Saxton in language that children can understand, The Service Dog Digger “allows the reader to understand the role service dogs play in society. Hope shares her experience that endears pets and children as well as pets and parents.”

Meet Digger:

“Digger” Photo Courtesy of Hope I Saxton

Digger is the dog of author and illustrator Hope I Saxton. “Digger is a soft, attentive, friendly, longhaired Chihuahua that will capture your heart.”

In The Service Dog Digger,  Saxton describes “the many ways in which Digger helps his owner be more aware of her surroundings and to remain calm, so she can speak better.”

She also explains to children (and adults), that “A working animal helps his or her human handler do his or her job better than doing it alone.” She mentions the jobs that police dogs, performance dogs and search and rescue dogs do that is clear, simple and concise for young minds to understand.

This book, while small in pages, stands tall in the important message that it shares. Children AND adults will learn the PROPER way to approach ANY animal, especially a working animal. Hope teaches us the:

5 Finger Rule to Approaching Working Animals…

1. Stop
2. Look!
3. Listen…
4. Ask….
5. Follow directions!!!

That is a rule that many adults need to be reminded of as well!  Including myself!

This beautiful hard-cover book is only 18 pages, but it is 18 EXTREMELY IMPORTANT pages. In the back you will find various organizations that will help individuals with disabilities, animals, Veterans and more.

I know many of you who read my blog have service animals of your own. What an incredible gesture it would be to purchase this book (it is available as a hardback 978-1-4808-3707-2,  which is what I received, paperback 978-1-4808-3705-8,  and as an E-Book 978-1-4808-3706-5, Publisher: www.archwaypublishing.com) for the facilities that you visit, as well as to give to some of your more special parents and children that you encounter during your visits. What a wonderful and cherished gift this would make!

While Dakota and I give The Service Dog Digger a resounding rating of  “4-PAWS UP!!”, my one and only complaint, (which is actually more of a suggestion),  is that I would have liked to have seen this book be longer. I am suggesting that Hope Saxton turn The Service Dog Digger into a SERIES, that will go into more depth about the myriad of SPECIFIC situations that I am sure Digger helped her with throughout his life.  How educational, interesting and fun that would be for all of us to read!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hope Saxton is a U.S. Marine and Army veteran with a service dog for almost a decade. Hope has a BFA in Visual Communications from the Northwest College of Art in Poulsbo, WA. She is an avid photographer, motorcyclist and gardener. Hope volunteers her art and her time to veteran and other service organizations.

She is married and has 4 grown children, and 3 grandchildren, 3 dogs, a turkey and a dozen chickens. She and her husband, Franklin, reside on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.

Thank you to Hope Saxton for this wonderful book and to ALL OF YOU, Dakota and I wish you a

 Happy National Dog Day!!

Thank you to all who entered our give-away for:

Photo Courtesy of “Too Licky” Click to visit their website!

THE LUCKY WINNERS ARE:

CHERRI MEGASKO

DEBBIE

I will be emailing you soon!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!

FROM DAKOTA’S DEN: I first reviewed this book back in 2014. Recently, I was contacted by Angela Thompson Roberts asking if I would share information about her recently released, updated and expanded version. The book was “tweaked throughout”, no content was removed, Chapter 4 was totally “re-worked” and much was added to Chapter 15.  Today I will be featuring some of my previous post along with some new.

When I first read the title I thought, “hmmm…can I help Dakota to HAVE common sense?” but that isn’t what the book is about AT ALL. ( I STILL interpret the title that way, and that got me to thinking, maybe it would have been better to name it “A Common Sense Approach to Raising Dogs”, but I digress….)It’s about helping and guiding dog owners who, whether they are adding their first dog to their family or 20th, make better decisions and choices  to help them “raise healthy, low-maintenance pets while saving time, money and worry.“ The information in this book applies to ALL dog breeds!

Author Roberts dedicates this book to her first bulldog, “Odis”. She raised him from age 6 weeks onward. He led to a “20-year hobby of raising dogs.”

I love that Angela states: “I am not a veterinarian, nor do I possess a vet-tech degree; however, I do consider myself to be an expert in raising dogs the right way.” My “common sense” approach includes providing the best nutrition possible, following simple guidelines, spending a few minutes per day to reinforce basic training, and knowing how to handle emergencies.”

Angela focuses heavily on how to avoid illnesses and injuries. She also advises you to establish a good relationship with a vet who exhibits compassion, and is willing to respond to your telephone call in the event of an emergency, REGARDLESS OF THE HOUR.

In Raising Dogs with Common Sense you will learn things such as:

• Adoption Options (Puppy vs Adult dog)
• How to socialize your dog
• What your first purchases should be (accessories, etc.)
• Nutrition
• How to handle chewing and biting
• Immunizations and General Healthcare
• House-training
• House Sitter vs. Kennel Boarding
• and much, much more!

Some Suggestions that I loved were:

• Purchasing a waterproof mattress cover if your new pup/dog sleeps in the same bed with you
• Warning that ANYTHING that is small enough to be swallowed should be kept away from the dog/pup. “If it can be swallowed, but it’s not FOOD, it can result in exploratory surgery, because it doesn’t digest.”
• When cleaning up accidents in the house that take place on Wood or Vinyl floors, “absorb pee in paper towels or an old cloth towel. Use vinegar water to clean up the spot, as the vinegar takes urine smells out of the floor and evaporates quickly. Rub the urine-filled towel on the ground at the designated potty area before disposing of the towel if time and weather permits.

• Keep a bottle of Peroxide and Mineral Oil in your home-read the book to find out why!

And more!

Written in a straight forward and conversational manner, Raising Dogs with Common Sense is one of a number of handy reference books that you will want to add to your doggy tool box!

Learn much more about how this book came to be, along with other fun details on Angela’s website at www.DogBluff.com   to purchase on Amazon CLICK HERE

I was not compensated for this review. 

Since Dakota’s blog first began in 2011 I have been doing book reviews, (on our cat blog I have been reviewing books since 2010.) In the past year I greatly cut down the number of books I had been reviewing because of the enormous amount of time it takes to read the books and write the reviews. They were beginning to take over my life!

Today is International Children’s Book Day, which is an event that celebrates Children’s literature. I remember as a child reading brought me enormous joy. It inspired my imagination by helping me to escape to other places, even other worlds, and it is something I hold close to my heart.

International Children’s Book Day was founded back in 1967 by Jella Lepman the founder of the International Board of Books for Young People and it is always held on or near the birthday of celebrated author Hans Christian Anderson.

In honor of this event and it’s importance to our young people, I have decided to share links to ten of our favorite children’s books that we have reviewed through the years. (If you click on the title of each book it will take you directly to my review. NOTE:If there is a give-away attached to a review, obviously the give-aways have ended) 

Be sure to read til the end pf this post where I will give a “sneak peek” of THREE truly special books that I will be featuring on April 26th!

Camp K-9

is a delightfully written/illustrated Children’s book that takes a look at hidden insecurities (as well as hidden similarities) as seen through the eyes of  Roxie, an adorable pup on her way to camp (Camp K-9) for the first time.

Roxie has a secret , (her blankie) stashed in her “Pooch Pouch” that she doesn’t want the other campers (especially that mean old Poodle Lacy) to see because Roxie is afraid that Lacy will bully her even worse if she sees what is hiding in her pouch!

JJ The American Street Dog

How Meg Changed Her Mind

Henry Says Hello

JJ Goes to Puppy Class V3

 

“Happiness Is A Pitbull Smile”-Thomas Andrew Athanasiou

Peanut The Pitbull

is a story of a family, “Mom, Dad big sister Sara, and little brother Albert-that wanted a dog to love and care for.” They head out one day to their local animal shelter and adopt a pet who needs a new home.

The dog they chose was an adorable Pitbull puppy who they named “Peanut”. He was named after Sara and Albert’s Grandfather’s favorite dog he had growing up, who was a Pitbull named “Peanut.”

This positive and touching story, which contains a bevy of illustrations of Thomas’s prominently featured on EVERY page, follows Peanut as he discovers the joys of life, as only a puppy can,  until, an incident at a dog park that was NOT his fault takes place. The incident, written about in a way  that a child can completely understand, conveys how people can discriminate against a breed (and often people!), based solely on misinformation and stereotypes.

Lexi Goes On Vacation to The Outer Banks:

Chihuahuas Like Cheese

Monday at Jelly Roll Park

In Monday at Jelly Roll Dog Park, it’s Monday and a new dog, Muttley, arrives at the New Orleans park all the way from “Minn-ee-a-po-lis”.  All Muttley wants to do is make friends, but the group of friends that he meets (Rex, Ginger, Champ, Princess and Buddy) are all pure bred dogs who have been coming to the park since they were puppies. Their group has been formed, and they are less than eager to offer an outsider admittance to their “exclusive” group. Especially one who came from a “dirty pound.”

Being Brave For Bailey

Too Licky

Gigi Giles and Ryan Giles, Photo Courtesy of Too Licky.com

What is “Too Licky?”

“Too Licky” is a children’s book about finding the ‘just right’ rescue dog.

Gigi Giles and Ryan Giles are the authors of the precious and important book: “Too Licky.”Back in April they launched a SUCCESSFUL kickstarter campaign to fund the creation of “Too Licky.”

I would say those are some pretty great books that should be in EVERY dog lover’s children’s library at home, school, and in your public library! Here is a sneak peek of THREE EXTRA SPECIAL BOOKS that we will be featuring on APRIL 26th!!

New Mom’s Choice Awards® Gold Recipient
Sashi, the Scared Little Sheltie Tells the True Story
of Unconditional Love for a Rescued Furry Friend

All of the cover photos are from:

CLICK TO VISIT AND PURCHASE

“CHILDREN’S BOOK SERIES BY LINDA GREINER ABOUT THE ADVENTURES OF SASHI THE SHETLAND SHEEPDOG (SHELTIE) AND HER FRIENDS”

You can see why I am soooo EXCITED TO PRESENT THESE TO YOU! STAY TUNED!!!! Come read our review on APRIL 26TH!

Author Kevin Meehan knows how it feels to not have much of a home. He never had a sense of protection or safety growing up.  Often a difficult childhood makes one more sensitive to the needs of others, and gives them an innate understanding of another’s plight.

cover photo courtesy of www.thecadencegrp.com (used with permission)

In Kevin’s case, when he found (and rescued) “Isosceles” the VERY DAY he entered an animal shelter after spending his first three years of life neglected and likely abused in the backyard of his Wyoming home, Kevin UNDERSTOOD the pain this poor pup had experienced.

When Kevin adopted Isosceles he was introduced to a house, a warm bed, adventures, homemade food, as well as being cared for with unconditional love and patience.

Isosceles’ Day reinforces the message that even when things seem to be at their darkest, life CAN change for the better!

From the Publisher:

From being awakened by friend Mole, to a breakfast of dancing eggs, howling and grunting with Moose, time spent with Frog and Platypus, lunchtime with Lizard, playing it cool with Mouse, listening to drums with Prairie Dog, riding in a wagon with Rhino, drinking from a hose with Goose, and a lullaby with Frog, come share a fun day with Isosceles, a happy rescue dog, and his animal friends!

Each of the experiences mentioned above have illustrations that are detailed, whimsical and fun that are a delight to view. It is a darling book with a special message that adults can use to begin a dialogue with the little ones in their lives.

Come share his special day with a cherished little one in your life!

Available on Amazon

It isn’t uncommon for a human child to experience feelings of jealousy when a new sibling joins the family, well, animals are no different!

In “Taffy Meets Inky” Taffy was perfectly content living with “his man” ALONE, until one day, a tiny, annoying little fellow named “Inky” joined he and “his man.” Taffy was NOT pleased.

Wherever Taffy was, Inky was there too. Taffy was NOT pleased.

He felt Inky was an annoyance and like any sibling, wanted to avoid him and keep his distance…….until….one day, something happened that made Taffy have a change of heart.

What happened?

You will have to read the book to find out!

“Taffy Meets Inky” would be a cute book to read to a child who had a new sibling join the family, or one who is awaiting a new sibling.  The illustrations are darling and children will greatly enjoy them! Feelings of jealousy are normal, sibling relationships ebb and flow, and “Taffy Meets Inky” is the perfect book to encourage a loving discussion of those feelings..

About the Author:

Joan Mueller is a licensed mental health counselor with a specialty in working with young children.  You can learn more about her AND purchase the book at joanlmuellerbooks.com  (You can also get a Taffy and Inky coloring page there too!) It is also available on Amazon.

About the Illustrator:

Julie Anderson has loved drawing since she was first old enough to hold a pencil. She has illustrated many books and instructional materials for young children. 

“Your Inner Dog is Calling.”

“Take Off the Leash.”

If you are like me, when you watch your dog you often wish that you possessed their outlook on life. Dogs think “every day is a glorious adventure!” There are so many new things to discover and sniff!

We all know that our dogs are intelligent and wise. They gaze at us lovingly and sometimes quizzically.  How many times do we wish we knew what they were thinking? What is their secret to appreciating life and to making a commitment to live every day to its fullest? Will we ever know?

Courtesy of Andrew Darlow

YES, YES, YOU CAN!!!  “Biscuit for Your Thoughts?” is the perfect gift for the dog-lover in your life!!! It is “Philosophy According to Dogs.”

FROM THE PUBLISHER: “In Biscuit for Your Thoughts?, these practitioners of canine zen impart their wisdom, cultivated over thousands of years, to help us mere humans better deal with the rigors of our bipedal lives.”

When I was contacted by the delightful, personable, thoughtful  and talented Andrew Darlow, who is the photographer behind “Biscuit for Your Thoughts?”, asking if I would review his book, after I heard about the book I knew he was barking right up my alley!

I love dogs, I am obsessed with quotes, and I consider myself to be quite philosophical, ( I minored in Philosophy, of course I am philosophical!!), well, apparently I am not as philosophical as the dogs featured in this perfectly photographed, perfectly transportable, perfectly gift-able gem!!

You know how they say “a picture is worth a thousand words?”  I am going to stop barking and let the photos/quotes speak for themselves. When I emailed Andrew telling him the pages of some of my favorite photos/quotes, he was kind enough to send some spreads to me to give you a little nibble, just enough to tease you, and to show you how you MUST not only gift this book to the special dog lovers in your life,  but you MUST get one for yourself

Courtesy of Andrew Darlow. Click on the photo to visit his website

Courtesy of Andrew Darlow

Courtesy of Andrew Darlow

I told you!! And…YOU’RE WELCOME!!!! 

“Biscuit for Your Thoughts?” is pint-sized but powerful. It’s 94 pages full of canine wisdom, love and precious doggy cuteness! What’s NOT to love? Dakota and I give it FOUR COMPLETE SHELTIE SPINS AND A RESOUNDING 4 PAWS UP!!!!

Andrew Darlow is the award-winning photographer behind this collectible. He is also an author and consultant based in New Jersey. His dog and cat photographs have been featured internationally in numerous print and online publications and he is the author of the book Pet Photography 101: Tips for Taking Better Photos of Your Dog or Cat.“He specializes in capturing the special, and often philosophical, bonds between pets and the people they keep around. To see more of his work, visit CandidCanine.com “

The Editor  is a real cutie!! He is a doggy named “Toast” who just happens to have his Dogtorate of Philosophy from the Oxford Training School & Grooming Salon. He enjoys long walks, organic, fair trade dog treats and sitting on the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle. This is his first book.

You can purchase “A Biscuit for Your Thoughts? Philosophy According To Dogs” on Amazon as well as The Book Depository

GIVE-AWAY!!! You read that right! Andrew has generously agreed to do a give-away!! It is open to pretty much ALL OF MY AUDIENCE (because The Book Depository lists countries that they will send their books to, and I am fairly certain that you, my lovely readers reside within their jurisdiction). THERE WILL BE TWO WINNERS, EACH WINNER WILL RECEIVE ONE BOOK (an approximate $15 value).

I am going to make entering super easy too…

HOW TO ENTER:  LEAVE A COMMENT TELLING ME WHICH OF THE QUOTES ABOVE RESONATES MOST WITH YOU AND WHY. That’s it!

YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS AND OLDER TO ENTER. 

THE GIVE-AWAY IS OPEN NOW AND WILL END ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 22ND, 2018 AT 5PM EST. The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be announced on the blog on or around October 23, 2018.

FTC Disclosure: I was sent a free copy of “Biscuit for Your Thoughts? Philosophy According To Dogs” by Andrew Darlow in exchange for my always honest review. I received no financial compensation.

Thanks to all who entered our give-away for:

Courtesy of Andrew Darlow

I assigned each comment a number and entered the total numbers into random.org…I had random.org pick two numbers, the first number selected was:

NUMBER 2 which belongs to Allen Pearson from the blog From the Dog’s Paw

His comment was: “Looks like a great book! My favorite quote is the first one “All it takes to be a philosopher is a sense of wonder.” Why? I tend to have a sense of wonder and curiosity myself so I must be an awesome philosopher.”

The next number selected was:

NUMBER 5 which belongs to Sandee from Comedy Plus

Her comment was:

“My favorite is, “Be who you are and bark what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” This is a great way to approach life. Those who don’t matter need to be put in a different part of your life than those that matter. It’s the way I roll.”

Huge congratulations to the lucky winners! (Sandee I think I have your mailing address), Allen I will be contacting you via email for yours!!

In honor of Change a Pet’s Life Day, ” this is a day to celebrate how amazing pets are, and to remind us all to give back”, we wanted to give you a sneak peek of a new book that is a MUST READ!! It is: “The Dog in the Dentist Chair: And other true stories of animals who help, comfort, and love kids” by Peggy Frezon. 

Dakota and I had the honor of reviewing another book of Peggy’s a few years ago and we just received our copy of her latest book this past week. Just looking at the cover and the clever title assured us that we are going to LOVE this book! Stay tuned, our review will be posted on February 18th but we wanted to give you a preview TODAY!!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: “This is a heartfelt look at real-life animals who visit, cuddle, and help kids in unexpected and amazing ways: JoJo the golden retriever who calms anxious kids at the dentist, Gracie the therapy cat who encourages reluctant readers, Parfait the service dog who helps a boy with seizures, Magic the miniature horse who comforts children in hospitals, Ricochet the dog who surfs with special-needs kids, and others.”
 
“Each chapter, kids will recognize animals’ great capacity for love and devotion, which reflects God’s enduring love for us all. This book strengthens kinship with animals, encourages humane treatment, and helps kids build lifelong bonds with animal friends. Includes beautiful color photos of the actual animals, relevant and easy-to-read Bible verses, and ways children can give back and help animals.”

ONCE AGAIN, STAY TUNED FOR OUR REVIEW ON FEBRUARY 18TH BUT YOU CAN PURCHASE THE BOOK NOW!! It’s available on Amazon and wherever books are sold!

“Sally has a longing to be adopted that began when she was placed in a kennel permanently. A Home for Sally shares the story of a young poodle who considers she is unlovable and unadoptable because of her disability. Sally believed that her dream of once again having a family may never come true.”

FROM DAKOTA’S DEN: ” A Home for Sally” was written by Stenetta Anthony, “who was a pre-school educator before becoming an author. Her creative talent was enhanced and developed while educating young minds. Being in a classroom atmosphere produced her ability to write books that are educational, insightful, and thought-provoking.”

“A Home for Sally” is one of those educational and thought-provoking books referenced above. Only 20 something pages in length, the story is about a young poodle who is missing one of her paws. She sadly watched as her litter mates and many other dogs were adopted, while she was passed over. She felt her disability made her different and that she would never find her forever home.

A book such as “A Home for Sally” will set the stage for conversations about the importance of pet adoption and about loving and accepting not only pets who have a disability, but the same lesson can be applied to children to learn to accept humans who have disabilities as well. There is nothing worse than feeling “less than”, and “A Home for Sally” teaches that even with a disability an animal or person is worthy of the same love as anyone else.

Other learning tools are a glossary of terms used in the book and a resource for some rescues that are located in the Midwest (Stenetta Anthony is from the Midwest.)

The illustrations are wonderful, vibrant and fun. This would be a great book to “gift” to a local rescue (they could include it in their waiting area, the same would hold true for pediatrician’s offices, school libraries, it would make a great bedtime story or anytime story!!)

Dakota and I give it 4 paws up!

Available at:

Covenant Books

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Ingram Content Retailers

In full disclosure: we received a copy of “A Home for Sally” in exchange for our always honest review.

Dakota and I are happy to share with you the heart warming fictional story, based on a true event, of one super special Golden Retriever named Oakley.

“Far from home and all alone,

Oakley discovers the meaning of family,

and most importantly,

of being LOVED.”

Oakley spent the early days of his life in an animal shelter dreaming of traveling the world in search of someone who will not only love him, but that HE can give love to. But….there was one HUGE problem. Oakley wasn’t socialized in his early days and thus became afraid of people.

A lovely couple was led to Oakley by a Veterinarian and they had great plans to help Oakley overcome his fears. They decided to take him to the beach and that is where the adventure begins! Rather than exploring the beach with his humans, Oakley decides that exploring the beach/island on his own might be an even better idea…..or was it? You will have to read the story to find out!

While intended for children, (who will find it to be great fun hearing about and looking at darling illustrations of Oakley running on the beach and through the Island), adults will enjoy this heart-warming story as well.

In the back of the book are rescue resources from the author such as Petfinder.com and more. A portion of the proceeds from every copy of this book that is sold will be donated to those resources and other worthy rescue organizations.  You can purchase here .

Dakota and I give this sweet and fun book a resounding 4 PAWS UP!! 

ABOUT OAKLEY:

The “real-life” Oakley was one of Amy and her husband’s most special rescues. Raised by a breeder until the age of two and wasn’t properly socialized during his critical early months, as a result he  always had a hard time adapting to humans. He was “one of the sweetest, most gentle big dogs anyone ever met.” Oakley really DID escape on the island of Cape May, New Jersey in the spring of 2010. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amy J. Hanna-Eckenrode is the author of “Oakley’s Great Cape Escape”  as well as,  “Have Dog Will Blog.”  (you can also find her page on Facebook). She is the editor of the Central PA Pets magazine, and director of the Central PA Pet Expo. 

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

The illustrations are clear, bright colorful and fun, and it is hard to believe that this book marks illustrator, Tom Worthington II‘s first foray into illustrating an entire book.  The illustrations are wonderful! Tom has devoted his entire life to art. He has had hundreds of illustrations published in newspapers, magazines and books. He dedicates his work to his little “dog boy,” Niko.

PURCHASE A COPY HERE

In full disclosure: I was not compensated for this review/book feature. I was sent a copy of the book in exchange for my always honest review.