“Ask Anna: Advice for the Furry and Forlorn”

Some days the world is spinning so fast that we just want to take a break, turn off the news on the TV and cuddle with our dog with a good book and a cup of tea. The world can be hard to understand but dogs have all the answers! (or almost)…

That’s why I think this is the Perfect Book to read with your dog. He may have some questions too about the meaning of life or about why humans do this and that. Ask Anna: Advice for the Furry and Forlorn is an awesome read! I laughed at every page and understood more about my furry angel and the questions she may have when I do human non-sense things.

Dear Anna, I'm a Newfounland and my sister is a Chihuahua. I love her. But how could this happen? —Burt

Dear Burt, Although dogs are magical beings who know all the secrets of the universe and are capable of just about anything, in this case I suspect the answer is—adoption. —Anna

Anna Koontz (the dog) and his human and best selling author Dean Koontz wrote this book together to answer lovely dog questions and to help Canine Companions for Independence. 100% all the earnings will be donated to this awesome organization.

So if you or your dog have questions about the meaning of life… this is the perfect book! Hug your dog and read it together!!

Book Review: “Captured. . . The Look of the Dog”

Life is made up of stories and experiences. Many times simple and joyful, like going to the dog park and listen how other proud pet parents tell stories about their adorable dogs. After that, imagine going back home in a sunny morning and sitting at your favorite spot to drink coffee or tea with your dog at your side to read a good book, something to fuel your spirit, like "Captured… The Look of the Dog".

I received the manuscript of this awesome book. It has many stories, poems and quizzes that will melt your heart, and all of them accompanied by wonderful photography. Sisters Gloria Yarina and Fern Goodman are the authors of this book. They are both dog lovers, compassionate and interested in helping animals. That is what the book is about, stories about love and compassion mixed with humor and fun. The perfect read for a dog lover!

Look into the eyes of an animal and you will see, hear and feel a whole other language. ~F. Goodman~

Here are some excerpts from the book: Joy, Oh Boy Boy, oh boy, oh boy I bet you think I’m full of joy But I can assure you it is a lie In truth, I’m trying to cough up a fly

Older Dog, She Has My Heart She calmly greets me with a smile and tail a waggin.’ She mimics my moves. If I bend down, she does too. She eats and savors her food instead of in a greedy gobble. She unconditionally trusts all of her needs will be met. She snuggles just right, molds her body to mine. She understands without being given a single command. She never attempts to run out of an open door. She knows where and how to communicate her potty time.

She contentedly meanders in the backyard as I read. She follows me inside when I get up. She beds down when I am napping. She still learns new things, anxious to please. She coos lovable purring sounds when I pet her. She takes treats delicately, conscious of my fingers. She walks on a leash in stride; we are two ladies on the block. She is my constant harmonious companion. She looks up to assure me, yes, we have that special bond. She would do anything for me and I for her…she has my heart.

Dog Art Dogs are steadfast like a treasured work of art Looking back at you, tugs at your heart Mold the magnitude of a dog from a ball of puppy clay Sculpt an obedient canine from the materials of a stray Paint the façade you desire on a canvas that you spray Design the joy and demeanor with a detailed bouquet Dogs are precious like a treasured work of art The look that connects you, tugs at your heart

To Pre-order the book in paper back, write a note to thelookofthedog@gmail.com

If you are a non-profit rescue group and you post the book for sale on your website, the authors will give your organization ten percent of the net profits. Contact Gloria or Fern at thelookofthedog@gmail.com for more information.

International Assistance Dog Week

This week we celebrate dogs who are more than companions, dogs who help people with disabilities and support them at a physical and emotional level.

International Assistance Dog Week was started after the efforts of Marcie Davis, a wonderful woman who wrote the book Working Like Dogs: The Service Dog Guide book, a great resource with practical advise and guide about service dogs. She is also a host of the internet radio program Working like Dogs.

Dogs have an extraordinaire intelligence and ability to help, but not all breeds are recommended to be trained for service. Between the most common service dogs we have Golden Retriever and Labrador, "A good service dog is not protective, is people orientated, not overly active, confident but not dominant or submissive. Service dogs should not require complex grooming as this could be a problem for their owner"

To read more of which breeds make a good service dog and to find assistance, go to the Assistance Dog International website and find your regional chapter.

There is so much to learn about. Some of the assistance dog types are: Guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired Hearing dogs for the deaf and hard of hearing Service dogs for people with other disabilities like Brace/Mobility Support Dogs (BMSD), Wheelchair Assistance Dogs, Autism Assistance Dogs, Diabetic Alert Dogs (DADs), Severe Allergy Alert Dogs (AADs), Seizure Response Dogs, Medical Alert Dogs (MADs) and Psychiatric Service Dog (PSDs) just to mention the most common types.

This week, some groups are organizing events to educate people and raise awareness about why these dogs are so important and cherished. If you want to organize an event, follow this link and download the materials you need (including banners) http://youtu.be/FkyeESrDywc

Celebrate Assistance dogs by spreading the word. Do you or a family member or friend have the blessing of enjoying the company of a service dog? Tell us about it in the comments section below! We would love to hear about your experience.

Note: The images in this post are from the International Assistance Dog Week website.

The Illustrated Book of the Dog

This is a great finding! A book from 1881, "The Illustrated Book of the Dog". If you love dogs and old books, you will enjoy this one. More than 700 pages of text and illustrations with the history and descriptions of many breeds, how to make a kennel, general management of dogs, grooming, feeding, medicine and much more. I haven't read the whole book, but browsing through the pages I found beautiful illustrations in color and black and white. I also love the old yellow tone of the paper. This book was scanned from the original.

It is interesting to read about dog's life in 1881. The book is focused more on show dogs and what characteristics were important to the judges to consider in a competition.

This is a sample of dog clothing.

St. Bernard's in color.

Another page with the description and history of a breed.

A Scotch dog beautifully illustrated.

And the Spaniels at an 1881 home.

If you want to read the book, click here. The page gives you options to read online, download a pdf, read on your Kindle and some more.

Enjoy the book!

Book: The New York Dog

Capturing the smile of a dog in a photograph is something that dog lovers do all the time. I often carry a camera with me to photograph my dog Winnie and other dogs I see at the park or the neighborhood. Some weeks ago I watched a video class at Creative Live with photographer Rachael Hale McKenna and I was hooked. The patience and the kindness she has to create photographs with animals is amazing.

Her new book "The New York Dog" is on bookstores now. I just ordered mine and I can't wait to read it. This is a description of the book:

"Following in the paw prints of The French Cat and The French Dog, The New York Dog showcases Rachael Hale McKenna’s signature photographic style in the Big Apple. Capturing both the atmosphere of the city and the personalities of its canine residents, Hale explores the life of the New York dog from many angles, showing dogs taking walks, riding in taxis, lounging in extravagant apartments, shopping in boutiques, visiting spas, dining in restaurants, and much more. From purebreds on the Upper East Side to loveable mutts in Queens, The New York Dog celebrates the wide variety of dogs that live throughout all five boroughs of this great city."

If you want to see Rachael in action, enjoy her video.

To get awesome tips for photographing your dog, read this post from the Design Sponge blog about Rachael and then... get those wonderful pictures!