Sunny, the 3-year old ex-racing greyhound, has only recently been adopted from the SPCA (Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) re-homing centre by his person Chris.

Magnificent and loving, sweet and gentle, Sunny’s new likes include: lying on top of Chris, meeting other rescue greyhounds on leisurely walks, Beef Casserole for the Dog’s Soul and giving people sudden tongue-kisses.

Look into those eyes! Awwwww. For more information on greyhound adoption, check out this Nigel Buggers article.

(pretend wolves anyways…)

I thought you might like to know where Bubba and I have wandered off to recently, given the lack of recent posts. His naturally wolfish supermodel skills have been exercised in photographs for my new Inner Wild, wilderness wear for dearhearts shop.

Notice how interested he is in my Inner Wild Warmers. That’s because he connects me putting them on to us going for a walk. They are great for having your fingers free but hands warm while dog walking.

When we are wandering about, sniffing the breeze and peeing on trees, (him, not me) I am reminded of how wonderful it is to have a dog and therein a very good reason to be out in the howling wind, snow and sleet.

Amazingly, even while we have had many days of walks on slippery ice this winter, I have not yet become a human sled behind my snow dog!

Beauty without vanity.

Strength without insolence.

Courage without ferocity.

All the virtues of man, without his vices.

- Taken from Lord Byron’s Epitaph to a Dog which he wrote for “Boatswain”.

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

Billy has trouble staying awake during a story. So relaxing for little ones …..

“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 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!

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!

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.

“My best friend, my well-spring in the wilderness.”

- George Eliot