A No Sneeze Pet by Diana C. Gallagher Another Great MMGM Review!

Expected publication: August 1st 2013

  

About The Book: Kyle and Mia are determined to help their friend, Emma, find a pet that won't make her mom sneeze. But Emma doesn't want a pet she can't cuddle, and Kyle and Mia are running out of ideas. Will they ever come up with the perfect no-sneeze pet, or is Emma out of luck? —Goodreads

  

First Line: Kyle sat on the steps, waiting for his best friend, Mia, to come over.

Illustrator: Adriana Puglisi

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Plum Pudding Illustration

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Who: "I am a freelance illustrator, writer and story-teller with 20 years experience. I was born in Argentina and since 1995 I have lived in Granada, Spain with my husband, son, daughter, two dogs, a Guinea Pig, a little bird, and several fish. I love telling stories. As ideas often come at unexpected moments I always keep paper and pencils in my pockets and at hand when at home or in the car. I sometimes jot down a few words or a sketch, but usually both. I think that life is more beautiful when we fill it with stories." —Plum Pudding

What Others Are Saying: 

(Only found a couple of blogger reviews! Yay, book bloggers!)

"I would recommend this book for children from age 5 to age 8. The text is not too challenging for early readers or too simplified for more advanced readers. It is a low level reading book, but will be grabbed by animals lovers."—Kristi on Goodreads

"The story is cute and perfect for young, new readers. It has a good message and great pictures." —Texas Library Lady-Reading Through Life

What I Thought: This is a simple strait forward story, but not to simple for older challenged readers. This is part of new series called Pet Friends Forever. It comes with resources for teachers to for use in What you see is what you get, but coming in under 100 pages it's packed with things to discuss. 

About The Author: 

Diana G. Gallagher

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Capstone Young Readers Author Page

Who: Diana G. Gallagher is an American author who writes books for children and young adults based on television series. She has contributed to book series based on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Charmed, among others. Born in 1946, in Paterson, New Jersey, she now lives in Florida with her husband, the writer Martin Burke. She sometimes also writes under the name Diana Burke. Gallagher won a Hugo Award for Best Fan Artist in 1988 under the name Diana Gallagher Wu.

MMGM: Road Trip by Gary Paulsen and Jim Paulsen

Date Published: January 8, 2013 ISBN: 0375990313
Genre: Middle Grade, realistic fiction, humorous fiction
Publisher: Random House
Themes: dogs, rescue, father and son, family
Add it on: Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes And Noble/ *Indie Bound*

About The Book: Dad and Ben haven't been getting along recently and Dad hopes a road trip to rescue a border collie will help them reconnect. But Ben is on to Dad's plan and invites Ben's thuggish buddy, Theo. The family dog, Atticus, comes along too and the story is told by Ben and Atticus. When their truck breaks down, they commandeer an old school bus, along with its mechanic, Gus. Next, they pick up Mia, a waitress escaping a tense situation. Only sharp-eyed Atticus realizes that Theo is on the run—and someone is following them.

First Few Lines: 
"Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Absolutely."
"Why?"
"Because I'm your father and I said so."
"That's really lame."

What Others Are Saying: “The authors score on all fronts: they set an entertainingly frenzied pace, provide twists aplenty, create true dialogue that blends humor and pathos, and bring together a close-knit ensemble.” —Publishers Weekly Starred Review
  
"Dog lovers will especially enjoy the amusing glimpses into the wise dog's mind.Given its notable brevity and Ben's age-appropriate, oft-times snarky, attitude, this should be an easy sell for reluctant readers." —Kirkus Reviews

Tween Review: "My favorite part of this book was the border collie Atticus. The funny part was he didn’t know he was a dog!"—Teen Scene

Bloggers Weigh In:

Twenty By Jenny

Storytime Hooligans

The Late Bloomers Book Blog

What I Thought: A quick fun ride for dog lovers, Road Trip offers twists and turns characteristic of Paulsen's other books. The tween voice of Ben has just the right amount of a sardonic tone to sound authentic. I rarely like when a story is told from the point of view of a dog, usually because too many human characteristics makes the character of the dog seem forced. Atticus was okay and didn't distract from the story. The target age will appreciate Atticus's straight shooting perspective.This will appeal to older middle grade and reluctant readers. 

Photo Credit: Publishers Weekly

About The Authors: 

Gary and Jim Paulsen

Gary's Website
Jim's Website

Publisher Weekly- Great interview with both authors.

Gary: "Running away from home at the age of 14 and traveling with a carnival, Paulsen acquired a taste for adventure. A youthful summer of rigorous chores on a farm; jobs as an engineer, construction worker, ranch hand, truck driver, and sailor; and two rounds of the 1,180-mile Alaskan dog sled race, the Iditarod; have provided ample material from which he creates his powerful stories." —Website

Jim: After studying to be a teacher, Jim realized that even though he loved teaching he missed the arts. He quit teaching and began searching for his place in the art world. "While on the phone on a winters day in 1998, I thumbed a piece of my daughter's play dough. By the end of the conversation, I had completed a simple, crude bust of a man. I fell in love with the clay at that very moment and knew what I was looking for." —Paulsen and Paulsen Fine Art

Woofstock: An Adoption Success Story

Basking in the hot sun or romping in the off leash yard these guys know how to have fun as hundreds of dog lovers gathered on Sunday, August 4th  for the Dugan Foundation’s sixth annual Woofstock. They gathered in Todd Field at the University of Puget Sound with more than 30 booths and over two hundred pets were poised and ready to play and meet the families.

Woofstock 2012 was aimed at bringing people together to have a great time and to collaborate in support of developing Washington State into a sustainable, no-kill community.  

Held on the lawn at the University of Puget Sound this annual event was a great success, despite the uncharacteristically high temperatures. There was plenty of music, food for the people and dogs and entertainment.  Animal rescue and shelter organizations brought out dogs, cats and even some bunnies hoping to match families looking for that perfect pet, besides raising money for pet projects around the region.

The weather while beautiful was extremely hot but that didn't stop people from coming out and visiting the booths. The Greyhounds Pets of America NW located their station under the shade of large trees. Even in the shade these dogs were panting hard. “Greyhounds are incredibly sensitive to heat but we’ve done our best to keep them comfortable.” Said one of the many knowledgeable dog specialists available for questions. 

Besides shelters and rescue organizations there were many booths dedicated to important programs like the Prison Pet Program that trains service dogs. The Washington State Animal Response Team offered information about their efforts during natural disasters and support they give to other states when floods, fires, storms or hurricanes leave animals homeless or stranded. Their organization was formed shortly after Hurricane Katrina which really brought the need into view.  They have been instrumental in reuniting pets with their original families as well as finding home for the other animal victims of disasters. 

According to the Dugan Foundation there were ninety-three successful adoptions in five hours. 

If you have adopted a pet, tell us about it!

Bloggers Uniting To Promote Dog Rescue!

Today I'm taking a break from MMGM to talk to you about the plight of abandoned and abused animals. When I was researching for my book Madison Morgan:When Dogs Blog I became painfully aware this problem. So today I wanted to write about some of the things that I've learned.

“His name is not wild dog anymore, but the first friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always.” --Rudyard Kipling

1. Shelters are overcrowded.There are 80 million dogs owned in the U.S. alone.

2. Dogs end up in shelters because pet owners don't realize how much responsibility caring for a pet can be.

3. While there are plenty of cases of blatant pet abuse, many times animals suffer because owners either don't understand what's required or don't have the resources to properly care for a pet.

4. Once the puppy becomes a dog, pet owners get frustrated because they don't know how to train their dogs.

5. There are still puppy mills operating around the U.S. and they are now advertising online.

6. Puppy mills are places where dogs are crammed into small cages, forced to have litter after litter and then are thrown away like an old pair of shoes.

These are just a few of the issues. I believe it is our responsibility to care for the animals in our world.

If you're looking for ways that you could get involved check out my July 15th post. Be sure to check out all the other bloggers that are participating.

Happy Furry Friday!

Do Something Crazy This Weekend! Jump on over to the new Project Madison Fan Page and like it!

Furry Friday: A Pet Blog You Shouldn't Miss!

It's rare to find a blog as chockfull of great information as this one. From product reviews to events this blog doesn't miss anything. 


Here is a sampling of Arden Moore's most recent post. Be sure to click on over and say hello! This is a pet resource you and your pet shouldn't live without!

Four Legged Life with Arden Moore


How Many Surf Dogs Can You Count On This Surfboard?

Dale Porter (KillerImage) ranks as one of the best action photographers in my opinion. Here are a couple of his photos taken today in Del Mar dog beach during the So Cal Surf Dogs practice session with famous surfer Scott Chandler. We are attempting to set a world record by having the highest number of dogs sharing one giant surfboard.

Head on over to the blog for the rest of the story!
Towel Wrap Your Cat in 5 Easy Scratch-Free Steps

Here’s Arden Moore’s latest post on Vetstreet.com — be sure to visit Vetstreet for other tips and pet stories.

When you need to trim your feline’s nails or give her medication, there’s a common household item that can make the procedure go much more smoothly — a large bath towel.

“Wrapping your cat in a towel is a great way to protect yourself from claws,” says Dr. Sophia Yin, a veterinarian and applied animal behaviorist. “Towel wrapping also prevents escapes, and helps calm down a cat.”

Toweling can also benefit cats who tend to be anxious, fearful or aggressive when handled, adds Dr. Yin, author of Low Stress: Handling, Restraint and Behavior Modifications of Dogs and Cats.

“Cats can be more difficult than dogs to restrain for several reasons,” says Dr. Yin. “In general, cats receive less socialization and handling than dogs, and their evolutionary history as a prey species can also cause them to feel more vulnerable when restrained. And cats can easily reach around to grab, bite or scratch you.”

FOR THE INSTRUCTIONS CLICK HERE!

So head on over to Four Legged Life and find more valuable content that every pet owner should see!

Do you know a pet blog that I should be highlighting?

Don't forget to check in with Project Madison for the latest developments.

Do You Have A Pet Emergency Supply Kit?

National Animal Disaster-

Preparedness Day  

May 12, 2012. 

 Are You Ready?

Whenever there are national disasters, there are animals that are effected. We often think about being prepare ourselves but what about your dog or cat. What happens if you have to leave your home in a hurry, will you have the things you need to take care of your pet?

If you're not sure what to do the folks over at Pet Camp have some great suggestions. The following list of supplies is from their website. 

Prepare a Pet Emergency Supply Kit 

Just like you need to prepare an emergency supply kit for yourself, you will also need one for your pet. Make sure you use plastic zipper bags to store items and then place them into a larger waterproof container. Here are items to include in your kit:

• Food & Water: Keep at least 3 days’ worth. If your pet eats canned food get some cans with tops that don’t need a can opener. Make sure you rotate this food and water every few months so that it’s ready for use in case you actually need it. 
• Food & Water Bowls: Include something light and easy to clean. 
• Medicine & Medical Records: If your pet is on regular medicines, keep an extra supply in your kit. Put a copy of your pet's most recent medical records in your kit should you need to have your pet stay elsewhere. 
• First Aid Kit: Include the basics like: cotton bandages, bandage tape and scissors, antibiotic ointment, latex gloves, tweezers, saline solution, and a basic pet first aid book.
• Leash & Collar: Keep an extra leash and collar in your kit. If you have an extra set of ID tags put them on the spare collar. Ensuring that your pet is microchipped will assist in identification if you and your pet are separated.
• Crate or Carrying Case: Have a crate or carrying case for your pet. If your kit is small and you have a smaller pet, consider adding an all-cotton pillow case so that you have something to contain your pet. You may want to consider a crate on wheels or a pet stroller to make evacuation easier.
• Cleaning supplies: Depending on your type of pet, you may also need litter and a litter box, paper towels and plastic trash bags. Consider using aluminum roasting pans because they are light and can be thrown away. Include some liquid dish soap and disinfectant. 

Being prepared isn't only for national disasters or catastrophic events. Often it's small local events that can mean you have to leave your home. Thinking about your pets before it happens will ensure that their welfare will be taken care of. Fires, water mains bursting, chemical or gas leaks can all force you to make a quick exit. 

Bankok Flood Emergency

Have you had to leave your home in a hurry? What other things should pet guardians be aware of?

What You Need To Know About Big Black Dog Syndrome

“Did you know that Black Dogs are generally the last to be adopted and are euthanized in shelters in much larger numbers? People may consider them too “plain”, think they are menacing, or simply don’t notice them because their dark color makes them disappear in their kennels. Those involved in animal welfare have dubbed these phenomena "Black Dog Syndrome."


Warning: This video made me a bit teary-eyed.

Here are some great links if you would like to know more about BBD.(Big Black Dog Syndrome)
The Big Black Dog Research Studio
Why Color Matters
Black Pearl Dogs
ABC New Story
Black Dog Rescue Project
Start Seeing Black Dogs
MSNBC News Story


Now for the Furry Friday Funny...



Have An Awesome Weekend!!

Furry Friday: Happy Easter!

wondercomments.com

Spring is an awesome time of year to think about relationships. Mark Nepo, an inspiring poet and philosopher, wrote a piece that I found inspiring and relates not only to our relationships with our families but with all living things.   Enjoy!

“There’s a story about a woman who on her way to Chimayo saw two Spanish farmers repositioning stones in a riverbed to redirect the flow; she felt compelled to help. She had the feeling that this had been done for centuries—their mothers and fathers, their grandmothers and grandfathers, each in their own time and way, picking up the same stones pushed about by the storm or drought and putting them back so the water can continue.

It seems this is the never-ending work of relationship, each of us in our own time and way moving the stones between us, repositioning the heavy things that get in the way, so the life of feeling can continue.

“The weather of simply living jams things up, and we, like every generation before us, must roll up our pants and sleeves, step into the river, and unclog the flow. Of course, we need to ask, What are the stones pushed about between us? What are the heavy things that keep getting in the way?

“No doubt, they are infinite and particular, but often, they are made up of habits of not: not seeing, not hearing, not feeling, not being present,not risking the truth, not risking the hearts need to live out in the open.

“That we close off, jam up, spill over, and dry up are all part of being human in gravity of time. That we feel compelled to stop and help even strangers move the heavy thing out of the way is an impulse known as love.”                                                                                                              —Mark Nepo 

ureimpressionsphotography.blogs

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter! 

Pam




Just one more thing. 

FURRY FRIDAY: There Can Only Be One Photo Contest

lampeace.com

What: This is a photo contest. Send in any photo of an animal that you think is cute or funny. Entries must be your own original photo. Please include your own caption for the photo.


How: Send your photo to Pam. Be sure to include FURRY FRIDAY PHOTO CONTEST in the subject line. All entries must be received by April 20, 2012 to be included in the contest. 


When: On Friday April 27th all photos will be posted along with the caption that the entrant included. Commentors will be encouraged to vote and write captions for any of the photos entered. Two winners will be drawn, one from the photo entries and another from the commenters. 


Prizes Include: Winners will be announced on May 1st. Each winner will recieve a $25 dollar gift card to PETCO. A sneak peek at Project Madison and will be featured in the first newsletter. 


So dig out those silly photos. If you think you have a unique one of a kind pet and a snappy caption send it in. The reality is our pets are one of kind and they each have their own brand of funny. Don't miss this chance to share the love.

FURRY FRIDAY: Cat Breading...Cruel or Cute?

The other day I was looking for a "cute" YouTube video to share on my Furry Friday series. I'm split on this. Is breading a cat cruel? At the same time you can't deny that the pictures are cute, in a minor degrading kind of way. I'm not sure the Egyptians would appreciate this treatment of deity. 

Are they happy or sad?  Mmm not sure.
(gawker.com)

I decided  much of it depends on how it's done. Do you simply shove some bread on the cats head? Mmm...or perhaps the cat eats its own hole through the piece of bread? 
I was relieved to find directions posted by Gawker:

1) Take a piece of bread (If this is your first time, use a soft white bread. Experienced breaders will use rye or even multigrain.)

2) Cut a hole approximately 1 inch larger than your cat's head. This trips some people up. Remember: the bread has to fit around the not just the cat's head, but it's ears, too.

3) Gently place the bread around your cat's head.

4) Take a picture. Post it to the official in-bread cat Facebook page.
I see some problems with this. It appears the strategy is to make sure the hole is 1 inch larger than your cat's head. How do you measure your cat's head? Ok, so you eyeball it, fine. Shouldn't this step come before "taking a piece of bread" in step one. Also, it may not be possible to start with "soft white bread" (ie. Your cat has an uncommonly big head.) and be forced to move to more dense bread such as sour dough or whole grain. (This reminds me of a fourth grade writing assignment where we had to write the steps of making a peanut butter sandwich. Believe me, there were some interesting looking sandwiches.) 

When I investigated this meme further I found this and was reminded of another issue I hadn't even considered. 

What if you're home is gluten free and...well let's face it, it costs more and there are very limited choices for gluten free bread, this may be a problem. (You only use a slice, unless of course you are the neighborhood cat lady, which is an entirely different issue.) Then I stumbled on this site and realized there's some serious monetary compensation to be had. Fletch and Vaughn's Cat Breading  is offering $500 to the cutest pic submitted. 
This caused me terrible concern. Now that this internet meme has been monetized we could be looking at an exploitive activity with the poor cat as a victim. And as if that wasn't enough this practice has received the Colbert Bump.  I'm just sayin'...


Then I found this:

This just doesn't sit well with me. No...not because I'm afraid of Zombies.(Can't wait until Walking Dead is back on, even though the second season sucked. I don't know about you, but I'm really tired of pouty, sullen Shane, even if he is hot.) 


There is something far sinister going on. After years and years of noble cat heritage, honor, sophistication and elevated status, years of sitting nobly on the back of the couch overlooking the lowly world of humandom, the cat has been knocked off that pedestal of grandeur. (Is this a conspiracy on the part of Fido?) 


So before you run out and grab that loaf of bread intent on breading with the best of them. Anxious , that you're not left behind in the latest internet meme since planking. Stop, and think. If this is okay now, what will it be tomorrow. We've already degraded our animals to traveling in purses and dressing in costumes...what's next?  


And Then I Saw It!

OMG, if that didn't terrify you, it certainly has traumatized me. I will never look at a loaf of bread the same way again...


So what do you think? Is it cruel or is it cute?