Book Review: a dog named Slugger

A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill, is a true story about a woman who, at the height of her Cerebral Palsy symptoms, turned to a service dog organization where she was matched with Slugger, a highly intelligent, devoted and loving Yellow Labrador.

The book is heart-warming and inspiring, but it also promotes a very worthy cause--the Service Dog Industry. Leigh’s proceeds from the book will go to the nonprofit St. Francis Service Dogs organization.

On a personal note - - I've had a copy of this book for a few months, and had it by my bedside, knowing that I would soon have lots of time to do nothing but reading.

I recently had surgery for total knee replacement on my left knee! While what I went through was nowhere close to Leigh's needs and the restrictions which go along with Cerebral Palsy, but living in a four-level house made me very quickly understand how nice a four-legged helper would be. It never failed that whatever I needed was in the wrong part of the house. Opening doors holding onto a walker in front of me, or while holding a cane in one hand and other supplies in the other, really brought home to me what a huge help Slugger's presence must have been to Leigh.

I really enjoyed getting to know Leigh by reading her book, and fell in love with the playful, but hardworking Slugger, and his protege Kenda. My only criticism is that there weren't enough pictures! I would have loved to see more photos of these new friends.

If you'd like to know more, visit the website: Leigh Brill or Facebook page, A Dog Named Slugger.

Book Review: Photobooth Dogs

Photobooth Dogs is a wonderful collection of 100 portraits, taken in photobooths, of folks who love their dogs and decided to create a photo memory of that love.

Cameron Woo, co-founder and creative director of The Bark, collected the photos from flea markets and attic boxes and documented 80 some years worth of memories.

Looking at some of these nostalgic photos makes me want to run out and find a photobooth and bring my cats to pose with me.

(via Dog Art Today)

Photo : copyright Cameron Woo, 2010

Just incase you were wondering - US$11,542,683

Sotheby's: Audubon sells for record £7.3m

LONDON 7 DECEMBER 2010 --- This evening, one of the most magnificent printed books ever produced, John James Audubon’s Birds of America, sold at Sotheby’s London for £7,321,250/ US$11,542,683, establishing a new world record for any printed book ever sold at auction. A fiery enthusiasm among four collectors bidding on the phones and in the room drove the price rapidly beyond pre-sale expectations (£4-6 million/ US$6.3-9.5 million). The book was bought by London dealer Michael Tollemache, who was bidding in the room and who described the work after the sale as “priceless”.

Source

How much?

LONDON -- Sotheby's is auctioning a rare copy of John James Audubon's "Birds of America," billed as the world's most expensive book - a treasure that could sell for 6 million pounds ($9.5 million).

One of only 100 or so remaining copies of "Birds of America," the tome will be on the block Tuesday in London alongside a first edition of Shakespeare's plays expected to fetch at least 1 million pounds ($1.6 million).

The books come from the estate of the 2nd Baron Hesketh, an aristocratic book collector who died in 1955. Another complete copy of "Birds of America" was sold by Christie's for $8.8 million in 2000, a record for a printed book at auction.

The collection of 435 hand-colored prints is made from engravings of Audubon's illustrations.

Source

Monday Pet Roundup

Hi and Welcome to Monday Pet Roundup!

* I saw these birds while on a walk downtown Saturday. They were perched so cute on an office building window sill.

* I'm so excited because today I'm announcing the contest winners of A Dog's Purpose book and a pet-friendly Frisbee. Thank you so much for all the great and thoughtful responses. Here are some of the wonderful endings to the sentence: A dog's purpose is-
to love us
to show us what a best friend is
to make us happy
to teach us
to protect us
to help us discover our inner dog.

* $100, $700 or even $1,000..Ark Animals blog explores why buying a pet can be expensive. Are you willing to pay? And do you think a shelter pet should cost less than other pets?

* With pets so expensive, little shock that they are sometimes the object of illegal practices. Thieves stole several rare birds from a pet shop in the Chicago are. One suspect was seen on surveillance camera taking a parrot out of its cage and putting it in her purse. Good news: the birds have all been safely returned.

* Is this place for real?! You may have seen the pictures going around the web of hundreds of cats and teeny tiny replica houses. From greenplanet.com, find out more about the man who built Caboodle, a cat village--complete with little houses, a church and Wal-Mart--for homeless cats.

And now, the contest winners! Thank you so much to everyone for entering, I wish you all could have won. I'm delighted to announce the winners, CONGRATULATIONS! Please send your mailing address to me at peggyfrezon (at) gmail (dot) com and I will get your prizes right out to you.


For the first place drawing, A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron, the winner is:
Gloria













The second place winner, a dog-friendly Frisbee, goes to:
Benny and Lily

Monday Rufferences & Resources

Welcome to Monday Rufferences and Resources, a round-up of pet news and tips this week.

My daughter Kate brought this to my attention, and I must admit I'm having fun feeding and watching Googley, my new pet "hamster." Try out this fun new google app!

Looking for a good read? Here are some more new dog (and other pet!) books:
Soul of a Dog: Reflections on the Spirits of the Animals of Bedlam Farm by Jon Katz (Villard Books) This inspiring book joins the others books by Jon Katz, including Izzy and Lenore, Dog Days, A Dog Year, and A Good Dog.

A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog by Dean Koontz (Hyperion Books) about his 3 yr old golden retriever Trixie, a retired service dog.

Horses With a Mission: Extraordinary True Stories of Equine Service by Allen and Linda Anderson (New Orld Library) collection of true stories.

Guardians of Being by Eckhart Tolle and Patrick McDonnell (New World Library). McDonnell is the creator of Mutts comic strip. books shows you how interaction with animals can make us better people.

Read this article for more comments about favorite dog books.

Most people have certain preconceptions about different breeds of dogs. But these biases don't hold true for every dog. Many good, sweet dogs are left out of a loving home because their breed has a reputation. Are you worried that pitbulls are aggressive? Greyhounds need too much exercise? Find out more facts here.

Looking for a new dog blog to read? Check out dexter speaks. Dexter is a 4 yr old golden doodle. Maybe he has something to say to you!

Here's a way you can help. Donations of pet food are being sought to help California fire victims.

There's still time to travel, and you might want to visit these pet-themed fall festivals, including the dachshund races in Findlay OH, and dog-owner look alike contest in silver spring MD.

Have a great week. And please check back next Monday for more Rufferences & Resources. And let us know what's going on with your pets this week! We'd love to hear!

I think I have to read this book

Rossetti's Wombat, by John Simons, tells the story of Top, a wombat who belonged to the Pre-Raphaelite painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti for a few months in 1869.

The book also describes the strange history of the European fascination with the wildlife of Australia, from the late 18th century onwards.

By 1860, most well-to-do people could buy a pet kangaroo from a London pet shop - and many of them did.

Wombats were rarer and more expensive but the tradition of wombat owning was well established by the turn of the 19th century.

Napoleon had a pet wombat, as did the Duke of Edinburgh.

I can understand why. They are adorable!



"The Wombat is a Joy, a Triumph, a Delight, a Madness!" ~ Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Image source

Kennedy endorses "first dog"

The president-elect's family has only just narrowed down its choice for first dog to either a Portuguese water dog or a Labradoodle.

Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, in a written statement, said he supports the Portuguese pooches. He already owns two and just brought a third pup into the fold.

"I am proud to endorse the Portuguese water dog as the next First Dog of the United States," Kennedy's statement reads. "They have a can do and hopeful spirit. They are smart. They are resilient. They are determined. They are optimistic. And they are tireless. Sounds like a perfect fit for the Obama Family and the Obama Administration."

Source: WLKY.com

Photo of Ted Kennedy and his Portuguese water dog, Splash(Globe Photo / Chris Hartlove)


Click the play button below to hear Senator Edward M. Kennedy read from a children's book, "My Senator and Me," purportedly written by his dog Splash

Source: Boston.com

The philosopher and the wolf

A spur-of-the-moment decision to buy a wolf cub changed Mark Rowlands’s life. From that moment on he found human company never quite matched up. The Philosopher and the Wolf: Lessons in Love, Death, and Happiness is the story of the eleven years Brenin and Mark had together.

An excerpt:

"The rule was that Brenin was never, ever, under any circumstances, to be left on his own in the house. Failure to abide by this rule involved dire consequences for the house and its contents; and the fate of the curtains and the air-conditioning pipes was merely a gentle warning of his true capabilities in this regard. These consequences included destruction of all furniture and carpets, with a soiling option also available for the latter. Wolves, I learnt, get bored very, very quickly - about 30 seconds of being left to their own devices is generally long enough. When Brenin got bored he would either chew on things or urinate on them, or chew on things and then urinate on them. Very occasionally, he would even urinate on things and then chew them, but I think that was just because, in all the excitement, he would forget exactly where he was in the order of proceedings."

"Brenin and I were inseparable for 11 years. Homes would change, jobs would change, countries and even continents would change, and my other relationships would come and go - mostly go. But Brenin was always there - at home, at work and at play. He was the first thing I would see in the morning when I woke - largely because he would be the one to wake me, around daybreak with a big wet lick to the face - a looming presence of meaty breath and sandpaper tongue framed by dawn's murky light. And that was on a good day - on bad days he would have caught and killed a bird in the garden and would wake me up by dropping it on my face. (The first rule of living with a wolf: always expect the unexpected.)"

Happy Howl-o-ween!

It is Halloween.
Small children ring our doorbell.
May I eat just one? *

* Dog-ku

Wonderful doggie poetry

Haiku is an ancient and revered art form.

What kind of haiku would be composed by a dog?

They say integrity is its own reward.
Wrong. I like pig ears.

They say old habits die hard. Wrong.
Bruce Willis dies hard. Old habits last forever.

Why no dog congress?
'Cuz we can't stop sniffing butts.
Oh wait! That's the same.

Dog-ku: Very Clever Haikus Cleverly Written by Very Clever Dogs, written by Steve D. Marsh is the most charmingly funny book I have read in ages. The haiku are clever and humorous. Many pages contain pictures of some very cute dogs.

I brought the book to work today. My coworkers and I spent way, way too much time reading the poems out loud to each other and laughing at them.

Here are some of our favorites :

I am not howling.
It is country music and
I'm singing along.

Accidental poop
Left by your bedside with love.
Why do you step there?

I don't shed that much.
Just enough to decorate
Your brand-new dress pants.

Dewey Readmore Books

Dewey Readmore Books was the resident cat at Spencer Public Library.

He was put in the book return one cold January night in 1988. When the staff found him the next morning, they decided to adopt him. After the library's board of trustees and the city council approved, the kitten was declawed, neutered, and given the proper vaccinations. A contest was held to pick a name, and Dewey Readmore Books was officially added to the staff. The staff cared for Dewey and donated their pop cans to feed the kitty. Patrons and friends from as far away as New York have donated money for Dewey's food.

Dewey passed away on November 29, 2006 due to complications from a stomach tumor. He had become very frail because of hyperthyroid disease for which he was receiving medication. He died in the arms of the library director, Vicki Myron. He had just celebrated his 19th birthday eleven days before he died.

Vicki Myron, the director of Spencer Public Library, has written a book about the impact Dewey had on her life,

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

Through her developing relationship with the feline, Myron recounts the economic and social history of Spencer as well as her own success story—despite an alcoholic husband, living on welfare, and health problems ranging from the difficult birth of her daughter, Jodi, to breast cancer.

Book Review: Dog Park Wisdom

The title is misleading. Dog Park Wisdom, by Lisa Wogan covers a lot more than just the dog park.

This book is a handy guide for every aspect of dog ownership from picking the right puppy and choosing the right name, all the way to traveling with your dog.

From breaking bad habits to understanding canine emotions, Wogan covers everything from potty training tips to grooming, proper playtime and off-leash etiquette.

There are great anecdotal stories from the author, her friends, family, and sometimes from complete strangers. My favorite among these is why you should wear a belt when visiting the dog park.

Photos by Bev Sparks make Dog Park Wisdom visually a pleasure as well as a fun read.

Lisa Wogan continues to gather tips for dog care and share new tidbits at her blog, www.dogparkwisdom.com.

Bev Sparks photography is used by ad agencies and greeting card companies, appears in magazines and books. See her portfolio at dogphotography.com.

Book Review: Yorkie Doodle Dandy

21-year-old American Air Force Private First Class William A. Wynne, stationed in New Guinea during World War II, met and fell in love with with Smoky, a Yorkshire Terrier pup.

The story told in Yorkie Doodle Dandy is the history of their experiences together in war, being smuggled through customs, military discharge, their return to America, Will's wedding, two inter-coastal automobile trips, performing in show business and much more.

Smoky is actually a renowned WWII hero who strung telephone lines through an eight-inch drainage pipe under an airstrip in a combat area - a three day job which was accomplished in two minutes by the seven inch tall, four pound, Smoky.

Stories about Smoky appear in over 50 books and magazine articles Including Volumes I and II of the History of the Fifth Air Force. Smoky was YANK magazine's "Champion Mascot of the SWPA" in 1944.

Yorkie Doodle Dandy is a great cream puff of a book - an excellent way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Book Review: Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health

A book that should be in the library of every pet owner and pet lover: The Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health is an outstanding resource. Written by veterinarians and animal health specialists, the book is still aimed at the public at large. It's easy to understand and also easy to find information quickly.

The book covers health issues in common and exotic pets, but there are also some unusual and interesting special subjects. I found the chapter on diseases spread from animals to people (zoonoses) fascinating because I like this sort of off the wall stuff.

Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health is a book I will keep handy and will refer to often for the well being of my pets.

Book Review: The World is Your Litter Box

The World Is Your Litter Box: A How-to Manual for Cats is a very unusual book in that it was written by Quasi, who happens to be a cat. This book is actually an instruction manual for cats who were unfortunate enough to be born without the innate feline abilities possessed by Quasi.

The cats who live in my house, Grace and Bandit, were very interested in the book. Grace, of course, wouldn't read it while I was looking, but she did read it after I was asleep for the night. Grace, the world's most prolific upchucker, learned of a few new places to throw up thanks to Quasi. Bandit thought the book was very flavorful - all four corners now are artfully decorated with fang marks.

Grace and Bandit have a few suggestions in case Quasi is thinking of a sequel. They'd like to teach him the "brush your tail against a candle during a party" trick to liven up social gatherings. Also, to encourage household remodeling and redecorating, there's the "get up into the ceiling and cause the drywall to collapse" trick.

On the whole though, we'd like to congratulate Quasi, and his human co-author, Steve Fisher, on a cute, humorous, and charming book.

Book review: Businesses for Pet Lovers

101 Best Businesses for Pet Lovers What You Need to Know about Starting and Succeeding in a Pet Business of Your Own is a great reference for anyone who loves pets and is thinking about turning that qualification into a means for making money.

The money spent on pets has more than doubled since 1994, creating a multi-billion-dollar industry that is even more lucrative than the human toy industry. 101 Best Businesses for Pet Lovers lists a wide variety of moneymaking opportunities from something as simple as dog walking, to careers which require education and training such as pet grooming and pet masseuse.

Authors Joseph Nigro and Nicholas Nigro are well qualified to write about this subject. Joseph began his entrepreneurial career with pet shops which he was eventually able to sell to the Petco Company in 1996 for $19.1 million.

101 Best Businesses for Pet Lovers interested me on a personal level because I am one of those people who turned my love of animals into a business - Internet Pet Supplies - Internet Pet Supplies has been selling pet treats and pet supplies on the Internet since 1998. i-pets.com does not have a physical store, we sell only on the internet. I started very cautiously, selling only a few items, mainly USA rawhide treats, and have increased the products carried because of customer feedback.

I would recommend this book, it is well researched, well written, and offers some very imaginative ways of making money.

What Your Cat Wants You to Know

Are you a cat person, or would you like to be one? Welcome to the club. Thirty-four percent of American households include at least one cat, which adds up to 90 million pet kitties owned in the U.S. If you're thinking about getting a cat — or want to know more about the one you've got — the new book The Cat Bible: Everything Your Cat Expects You to Know is an excellent place to start. Author Tracie Hotchner is one of the leading experts of the feline world.

TIME's Andrea Sachs (who has two cats herself) interviews Hotchner.

Online Guide to Insect Songs

Online Guide to Insect Songs, brought to you to complement the book, The Songs of Insects. Here you will be introduced to the songs of 76 species of crickets, katydids, and cicadas.

Ernest Hemingway and Cats

When you hear of Hemingway and Key West, you immediately imagine a yardful of six-toed cats. But Key West was not the only town known for Hemingway cats. In Cuba, Ernest’s hilltop home, Finca Vigia [Lookout Farm], once had fifty-seven cats roaming its grounds.

Among the many family letters describing his cats is one written in 1942. Ernest tells Hadley Mowrer that he had not been able to sleep the night before and had recalled a song they had composed for their cat, F. Puss, so many years earlier in Paris. It went like this, "A feather kitty’s talent lies In scratching out the other’s eyes. A feather kitty never dies Oh immortality." According to the letter, the Finca cats enjoyed Papa’s song.

Hemingway's Cats: An Illustrated Biography by Carlene Fredericka Brennen, details Hemingway's love for cats.

See the book's website.

(via)