Listener
November 4, 2009
News from Tom McMahon of AllVoices.com –
PETTING A DOG is soothing for both giver and receiver. It can lower your heart rate, calm you down, improve your mood and reduce stress. Researchers call it the “pet effect.” It’s no wonder that dogs “volunteer” in assisted living and nursing homes, children’s hospitals, libraries and schools.
The latest is the dog listener. “The philosophy is simple,” says Rachel Rodriguez in a recent CNN article. “Children who are just learning to read often feel judged or intimidated by classmates and adults. But reading to a dog isn’t so scary. It won’t judge, it won’t get impatient, it won’t laugh or correct if the child makes a mistake. In a nutshell, dogs are simply excellent listeners. And for shy kids or slow readers, that can make all the difference.” The dogs also can provide confidence.
Although some dogs are trained as a registered therapy dog, your own dog could become your child’s listener. Help them find a comfortable spot together. Let your child know that some dogs can still hear you when their eyes are closed. Happy reading with Fido! – Tom McMahon
Sleepy
October 21, 2009
Billy has trouble staying awake during a story. So relaxing for little ones …..
Weekend
October 18, 2009
“He had let out the dogs and they were jumping around him frantic with joy, as if they were afraid, every night, there would never be another letting out or another morning.”
- Mary O’Hara
Who
October 12, 2009
“Who wouldn’t want to read to a dog?” said Peggy Blevins, winner of the Frenemies photo contest in The Witchita Eagle this week.
I love that!
Peggy was talking about all the people who want to read to her 4-year old therapy dog, Finley. Not only does Finley get read to all the time but he gets a feline face wash from his pal, Jack the cat, when he gets home! Cute!
Weekend
October 10, 2009
Ah, so comfy. A quiet rest while at camp. Now, I know gun dogs are extremely adaptable, and flexible too. But how did this guy manage to get himself into a folding camp chair without knocking the whole thing over? I find getting into these things tricky and these chairs are designed for people! Plus, he’s on a leash! This is obviously a well-deserved rest for a very wise dog!
Gift
October 9, 2009
What gift would your dog love? You and your complete attention. You reading them a story written just for them with their name and favorite words. You with them, reading and be-ing.
Just in time for the gift-giving season – a discount on a soulful Christmas gift for your dog (and you) Beef Casserole for the Dog’s Soul.
I don’t know how long this madness will last but I’ve just been to Blurb.com and reduced the cost of Beef Casserole for the Dog’s Soul, a treasury of barkalicious stories to read to your dog from $15.90 to $12.80 plus $6.99 postage for 1 to 5 books. (So the bulk postage charge allows you to get copies for your dog’s buddies even more cheaply!)
I am inspired by the notion that if you want an idea to really take-off – and in this case the idea is for people to read to dogs, especially stories written especially for dogs – then you have to make it real easy for people to be involved in the idea.
I wish I could give Beef Casserole for the Dog’s Soul away for FREE but for now I’m dropping the price to almost cost as a Christmas gift for you and the dog in your life. A great excuse to start reading to you dog during the holidays! Buy this year’s most unique and soulful dog gift while this limited time offer lasts.
Friend
October 7, 2009
“My best friend, my well-spring in the wilderness.”
- George Eliot
Weekend
October 3, 2009
Wow! Is it just me or does woman posing with her handsome Borzoi look like a Thoroughly Modern Millie? Well, wait for it – this picture of human and canine elegance and poise was taken in 1929!
Do you think it’s accidental that the woman’s tensely-drawn bow reflects the coiled spring of energy that is a Borzoi; ready to fly at incredible speed like an arrow? This is a gorgeous visual representation of dog-person simpatico.
(P.S. Remember that snowy scene in the movie Orlando when he/she is out on the ice with a magnificent troop of Borzois?)
Photographer: G.Riebecke
Amber
October 2, 2009
Gorgeous Amber the Airedale Terrier and her person Robin read Beef Casserole for the Dog’s Soul before writing a review on their blog!
We took this review very seriously since Amber (who lives with another Airedale, Krissy) is a rather literary dog being the companion of writer, Robin Reynolds and her family.
Robin is the author of the beguilingly charming book, Life to the Max, Maxims for a great life by a dog named Max.
Life to the Max is a beautifully soulful book – joyful and light and yet also profoundly spiritual and funny. We love it. It’s a perfect gift book for people of all ages.
Preview
September 29, 2009
When I’m buying a book I like to flick through the pages. I have no idea why. I just do. So I’m delighted to announce you can now flick through all the pages of Beef Casserole for the Dog’s Soul online.
Thank you to the wonderful people who bought Beef Casserole for the Dog’s Soul on the strength of the first story, Puppy Dog, (which until now was the only part of the book you could see). And thanks for the lovely reviews and gorgeous feedback on how much your dogs love hearing the stories.
I’m so pleased that everyone can see all 19 stories to read to your dog – the entire 182 pages.
I’ve chosen to make our book available only through Blurb.com because it is an independent, eclectic online bookstore and we like that sort of thing round here. Now that the folks there have launched for a full book preview feature it affirms Blurb as a great choice for us, and you.
Check out the new full book preview feature and flick through Beef Casserole for the Dog’s Soul now.
