Christmas Stories for Young Readers!

Me curled up on the rug!

Yay! I’m so excited. Here’s the book you’ve all been waiting for! I am proud to announce that my story How Superdog Champ Saved the Day is included. The BookElves Anthology Volume 1 is chock full of Christmas cheer, with stories that will please young and young at heart readers. There’s something for everyone in this collection of whimsical tales. Seven stories, seven situations threatening the festivities. Will the holidays be a disaster? Will families be left out in the cold? Will there be tears before bedtime, or will there be happy endings all round? The #MG BookElves group brings you its first anthology of tales to enjoy during the holiday season:

* Reliable Clooney Dockins delivered his town's mail on time for thirty-two years, until that strange and impossible Christmas Eve when he woke up late. M.G.King (Fizz & Peppers at the Bottom of the World, Librarian on the Roof)
* Max the Tonkinese cat finds Santa Claus on the roof and is whisked away to retrieve a very special message from another time and place. Wendy Leighton-Porter (The Shadows from the Past series)
* Shirley Link is an amateur sleuth who lives in a town that could use all the sleuths it can get! What is it about Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts that makes it such a hotspot for dastardly deeds? Even on Christmas Day? Ben Zackheim (Shirley Link Detective Series, The Camelot Kids)
*Champ may be a rescue dog, but he’s the best person around to stop the dognappers and save heartbreak at Christmas. Fiona Ingram (The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, Champ: My Story of Survival)
* When the railroad gets snowed under, the two bit town of Skunk Corners has to play host to a load of mighty difficult strangers. Can Big Al and the Ninja Librarian keep the season of goodwill from breaking into a riot? Rebecca M. Douglass (The Ninja Librarian, Halitor the Hero)
*Far away on the west coast of a western Scottish island, Dylan and Dougall face yuletide in Castle Haunn with no heat, light or food. Can Dylan get the message through to the mainland for help, or is there something nasty waiting for him in the hills? Jemima Pett (The Princelings of the East series)
*It’s Christmas holiday and Lily is stuck in a remote mountain village. With school out for a month and no internet connection, at first she wonders how she will fill the time. In this sweet romance, Lily discovers there’s more to gift-giving than just the giving. S. Smith (The Seed Savers series)

Each tale weaves its own seasonal magic. Each magician has already warmed the hearts of thousands of young readers with their stories. Enjoy these frantic races to meet the Christmas deadline while you curl up in your favourite reading spot this winter. And if you’re a dog (or a cat!) you can curl up by the fire on a comfy rug and get your human to read it aloud to you. Woof! Woof!

It's a Dog's Life...

I've been so busy helping out Foster Mommy Suzy with the Chicken Ladies, and planning my next writing assignment, I thought I get in some shut eye. Here's me looking cute as I snuggle under my blankie. Woof! Woof!

Have You Read My Book Yet?

Have you read my book yet? In case you haven't, it's available on Amazon. Please share this with all your friends who love animals and tell them they'll be doing a very good deed and helping animals by buying it? Why? Because proceeds go to the wonderful people at S.A.F.E. Rescue, who saved me and brought me back to life. Don't forget to leave a review so more people can read about how cute and special it is!


Here's me with a promo folder doing my marketing!

Here's me having a snooze after a busy day of telling everyone how to save animals. Being cute is such hard work!

Zzzzzzzzzzzz....

Champ Reviews: Saving Wombats

I have been ever so busy catching up on my book reviews. The book I’ve been reading is called Saving Wombats by a clever Pawthor, Emma Homes.  She writes about animals so it’s very clear Emma loves animals and I like her already.

Here’s what Saving Wombats is all about. Ruthie, dad Tom and mum Kate, along with Ruthie’s younger siblings, Liam and Bel, and their pet wombat Womble (what a cute name!) are going to her cousins’ farm to spend a lovely holiday in the countryside (sounds like fun!). Up ahead they see a sad sight (yelp!): a wombat has been run over by a speeding truck. Ruthie’s parents stop to check the animal and discover it has a tiny baby in its pouch. The baby is still alive (yay!). Luckily, the Jirringbah Wildlife Shelter is on the same route and soon they get the baby, called a pinky, to Jo Matthews who shows the kids how to take care of the pinky. While they are there, the kids learn a lot about Australia’s wildlife and some of the skin diseases that can affect these animals; one is a horrible disease called mange (dogs can get mange too!). Ruthie doesn’t want to admit that soon Womble will be old enough to be released into the wild – imagine if he gets a nasty, itchy skin condition from the mange. Once they get to their cousins, the kids find out more about wombats and mange because there is a wombat on the farm that looks as if it has a bad case of mange. Medication can cure the condition, but it’s catching the animal and applying the medication regularly that’s the problem. Wombats are also pretty quick when it comes to getting away! With the help of some wildlife experts and her Uncle Dave, they devise a clever way of getting the medication onto the skin of the elusive wombat. Will the medicine cure this sick wombat? Will Ruthie be able to release Womble back into the wild?

I never knew there was such an animal as a wombat. But I live in California and they live in Australia so I guess that’s why. Australia looks very far away on the map. Wombats look so cute and cuddly, but they can be fierce if someone tries to get into their burrow.  I loved reading about Ruthie and her family, and especially that they all care about animals. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone in the world felt the same way? This book tells you so much about wildlife in Australia and how important it is to protect the environment. It’s a great book for kids, but people who are interested in animals and saving the planet will also enjoy it. This book is a winner for all ages and I think school libraries should have it on their shelves because kids can learn a lot and have fun at the same time! I give it five stars. I wonder if I will ever meet a wombat. I would say, “Hello Wombat. My name is Champ. What’s yours?”

Champ says: "G is for Grooming!"

Although I'm none too fond of a bath and a haircut, some days it just has to be done. Here's a picture of me looking like I need a bath!

"Yes, I am a bit dirty around the whiskers..."




But then Foster Mommy Suzy gets going with the necessities for a bath and a haircut and soon I'm looking handsome again!

"See? looking good again!"

See ya!

The Shambelurklers Return!

Yay! Can you believe it? My super-hero short story in Champ: My Story of Survival is featured in a great new kids’ book. I am so proud and honored to be a contributing Pawthor because the proceeds from this book go to help kids with autism. Let me tell you all about it.

 

Oooh! They look scary!!!

Five years ago, a friend alerted Marit Meredith to the work done by NAS (the National Autistic Society) The Early Bird Plus program, which had provided invaluable help for her friend’s grandson - and the idea of publishing an anthology to raise money for this cause was born. With a network of writer friends throughout the world, submissions soon came in, from as far afield as India and Australia, and Shambelurkling and Other Stories was published through Lulu (print on demand) in 2009.

Last year, after receiving an update on the work NAS undertakes through the helpline, Marit again sent out a call for submissions, hoping to produce another children’s book in the series. Again writers from near and far came up trumps, and on September 1^st, The Shambelurklers Return was published. In the first week, close on £100 was made in royalties, which will all go to the NAS Helpline.

If you’re wondering what or who the Shambelurklers are, the Shambelurklers was the name given to the monsters lurking in wardrobes, under beds and behind doors, by a writer friend, Rosa Johnson, when her children were small, and in the poem she wrote the myth of the monsters melt away, only to make room for another, more fun one. The poem is in the first book, with the original version opening the second, current book.

 

Here's me in the dark, checking to see if any Shambelurklers are lurking...

 

The Shambelurklers Return is a children’s book of stories and poems, for the age range 6-12, published by Marit Meredith who lives in Clydach, under the name Midnight Scribblers Publishing. It is available from Lulu for £5.99 – and will soon be available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Nook etc. as well.

Please help autistic kids by purchasing this fabulous book. You can also leave a review on the purchase site to encourage more people to buy and enjoy this marvellous collection. PS: Don’t be scared of the Shambelurklers … you just give a loud woof and they will run away!

Champ says: "I Wasn't Quite Myself..."

I wasn't feeling quite myself recently. You can see by this picture that I'm looking off-colour.

 



But then Foster Mommy Suzy took me straightaway to the most famous Dogtor on the planet, my special Dogtor Slaton. He's the Dogtor that helped to save me when I nearly died. I won't show you all the embarrassing pictures when he had to examine me (ugg!). Here's the picture of me afterwards giving him a hug.

 

Then I started feeling so much better, I even wanted to play with my blue ball! Maybe it's the colour that perked me up? Or having a squeaky ball? Anyway, here's me looking adorable and cute.

 

 

 

 

In case you've been wondering why I have been so conspicuous by my absence, I have been finishing a writing project (phew, a toughie) and reading two wonderful books about animals which I will be reviewing. I hope you enjoy them.

Champ's Top 5 Book Marketing Tips

As every Pawthor knows, marketing is an on-going slog once a book has been written. I have a few suggestions as to how Pawthors can spread the word about their work.

1. Get a great Pawtrait shot. You might need a professional photographer but Foster Mommy Suzy is so good with the camera that I just use her photos. (You saw this already but I look so cute I  had to include it again)

Soulful, intelligent, the look of a dedicated Pawthor.
 

2. You should have some interesting bookmarks made, using the cover of your book. It doesn't matter that people like reading e-books. They love getting something cute (and free) and everyone has books around the house. What better way for them to remember your book! You'll see something in the middle of this photo - temporary tattoos! Kids love them when we go to Petco Days. Depending on what your book is about, you could have great fun with these as freebies.

 

3. Coffee mugs are a really fantastic promo product. Can you imagine someone sitting at work, and every day they have their coffee break and look at the cover of your book? It's a winner. This photo is a bit dark but you get the 'picture.'

 

 

4. Folders and notebooks are also fab gifts for people to remember your book. See how wonderful the cover of my book looks!

 

 

5. Lastly but not leastly, you can get posters printed for a special event. There's no way people will walk past and miss seeing your book cover! The photo below shows the poster Foster Mommy Suzy had printed for a special Petco Adoption Day. Isn't it just the best thing you've ever seen? (Yes, that's me Muttbombing!)

I hope these tips all help you with your marketing campaign. Remember, never give up. Rome (wherever that is) wasn't built in a day.

 

I do something every day to tell people about my book Champ: My Story of Survival. Here's me busy at the computer, keeping in touch with my fans. You can follow me on Twitter, or visit my Facebook page for updates.

 

Please tell everyone you know about my book about how I got saved and have a new life, especially people who love animals (especially dogs!) and who also like 'happy ending' stories like mine.

 

 

 

Me Looking Handsome!

I have heard that a picture is worth more than a thousand words. Phew! I can count all the toes on my left front paw, and all the toes on my right front paw. A thousand sounds like a lot of words! Anyway here's a handsome picture of me that Foster Mommy Suzy took. Either I am handsomer than I thought, or she is just very good with the camera!



See my cute name tag shaped like a bone!

Champ Reviews The Poppy Project

I have some excellent news to share with my friends and followers. My biodographer Fiona Ingram has been working on a new book about a famous dog from Fiji called Poppy. It’s called The Poppy Project. Poppy met with a terrible accident one day. She was originally a hunting dog and her job was to root about in the bushes and chase the wild pigs for hunters. Oh my gosh, Poppy got in the way of a hunting machete and half her nose got cut off. She ran off and for weeks she just tried to find food by digging in dustbins, although her snout was in such bad shape she could hardly eat. But the Anjil for Aminals is always on duty and guided Poppy’s footsteps to a school where the very kind headmaster found her. He contacted the Nadi Clinic of Animals Fiji (they save lots of animals in Fiji) and they took Poppy in.

More good news! People all over the world heard about Poppy’s plight through Facebook and sent money to pay for an operation on her nose. Poppy got famous pretty quickly and then when Bondi Vet of Animal Planet heard about her … well, she was possibly the most famous dog from Fiji! Poppy had a life saving operation so she could eat and breathe properly and she got a new Fur-Ever Family that loves her to bits. Poppy is such a happy dog now, living a wonderful life in Australia. But she hasn’t forgotten all the needy animals left behind in Fiji, which is a very poor country.

Poppy was in very bad shape!

Fiona and Poppy decide to write down Poppy’s story about how she went from thin and starving to happy and healthy, and to use the money from the sales of the book to help Animals Fiji. Poppy’s story made me cry (at the sad part) but then it made me smile and laugh all the way because it is so happy. Poppy wrote a Pretty Ever After Poem, telling readers how she was worried that people would run away from her because she looked ugly. But you can learn a lesson here: everyone is beautiful because it does not matter what you look like on the outside … it’s the inside that counts!

What's inside the book? Oooh, lots of interesting stuff. Poppy also has an exciting adventure (Poppy’s Beach Adventure) in which she saves a little girl called Samantha from bullies at the beach. Poppy is a smart dog and she loves teaching people about Fiji. Poppy’s Classroom Capers will test your general knowledge about Australia and Fiji (don’t worry – the answers are at the back!). If you want to know how to help animals in general, Poppy includes loads of tips about caring for animals and making a difference.

Poppy all healed and looking pretty!

There are some sad photos because Poppy had a very bad time, but mostly there are photos of Poppy looking just gorgeous and being happy with her family. If you want to learn more about Poppy or to say hello, Poppy has a Facebook page as well. She loves to hear from people. If you want to know more about Animals Fiji and the fantastic job they do in helping Fiji's animals, then please visit their Facebook page as well. Animals Fiji needs a lot of support because they are trying to raise money to build a new clinic.

Please support Poppy and Animals Fiji by telling everyone about this 5-star book. It’s available on Amazon and you can be even nicer by leaving a review to say what you thought. Animal lovers of the world must stick together and make the planet a safe, loving place for all animals.

A Prayer for Chloe

I haven't posted for a very long time - well, it feels like a very long time - because my biodographer Fiona has been nursing her little dog Chloe back to health. Chloe was badly bitten two weeks ago by two very big dogs in the park. These dogs were not on a leash. Chloe got mauled so badly she had to have an operation to sew her back together again. But she is getting better, thanks to all sorts of kind people who helped to rescue her. Here's a picture of me praying to the Anjil for Aminals to make Chloe perfect again. Remember to always keep your dogs on a leash when you go for a walk, just in case!

If I could send Chloe my ball to cheer her up, I would!

Animals Need You!

Today my special guest is my biodographer Fiona Ingram and she has a big favour to ask all my fans and supporters. We need your help for a worthy cause. Now that I am better from my horrible ordeal, I want to help save other animals all over the world.

Fiona says: “This post has nothing to do with writing and everything to do with animals. People who know me have realised by now that I have a passion for causes, especially related to animals. I am busy with my animal rescue book on Poppy, the famous Fijian dog saved by AnimalsFiji. Poppy went on to make a full recovery after surgery, and now has a happy Fur-Ever Home with a loving family in Australia. However, there are many animals in Fiji still in need of help; and their need is dire. The lease is up on the land that Animals Fiji’s Clinic occupies. Animals Fiji needs your help to build a new home. Please read on and help in any way – again, no donation too small! You can donate directly to Animals Fiji’s donation page, or donate to my campaign on gofundme.”

Animals Fiji says: “Just US$16.00 will buy a brick for our new home! We need 10,000 bricks! Can you help us? Any amount will be an enormous help.

 

The Animals Fiji Nadi Clinic (operated by the West Charity Trust Society), which provides emergency care for sick animals and plays a vital role in the management and control of Fiji’s feral cat and dog populations has 3 months to find new land and premises to operate from or it will be forced to close. Since its doors opened 2 years ago, the Nadi Clinic has treated approximately 6,500 sick and injured animals, rehomed 960 abandoned pets and has de-sexed around 2,300 cats and dogs. Over this time it has established several outreach programs, where teams of volunteers are funded to travel to remote communities to control animal populations and to assist injured animals. These programs alone have reached over 20 communities and have led to 600 animals being de-sexed, meaning that over 7 million fewer puppies and kittens will be born.



Just one of the many animals that heed help!

The clinic plays a vital role in ensuring the health of Fijians and their animals. We have until 12 June 2014 to find new land and premises and are fundraising to find the FJ$30,000 we need to do this. (This comes to around US$16,000) If the Clinic closes then the valuable out-reach programs will cease and there will be no pet doctor in the Western Division of Fiji, putting the lives of animals and the health of people at risk.

Animals Fiji needs your support. All contributions gratefully accepted. No donation is too small - our animals depend on your kindness and goodwill!”

 

I want to cry when I think about these poor animals not having a place to get well. So please help if you can. Here’s a picture of me saying a special prayer to the Anjil for Aminals to spread the word and raise funds for Animals Fiji.

As I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord Animals Fiji will keep...

 

My Special Valentine!

I hope everyone got lots of love and special gifts on Valentine's Day. However, for anyone who did not, don't worry, I am sending you a beautiful red rose. Here's a photo of me on Valentine's Day, wishing even more love to everyone in the world! Remember, it doesn't have to be Valentine's Day for you to show love: spread lots of loving every day of the year and you'll see it all come back to you!




Love is easy...

Champ Interviews Pawthor Byron Tinker

Today I am honoured to have acclaimed Pawthor Byron Tinker visit my blog and answer a few questions about his life and career.

Byron's amazing adventure!

Hi Byron and welcome to my blog. I just loved your book Tortoise Soup (my review here). It was such an incredible adventure that I’m sure readers are as curious as I am about you and your amazing life. So here are a few questions so the world can learn more about you and your amazing feats of bravery and skill.

How did you come to live with Pawthor Nick Holland and has he been very helpful in getting your book written and out there for readers?

Hi Champ! It's a big honour for me to speak to such a famous dog! My human, the Pawthor Nick Holland, read your story to me and it was very moving! He bought me from a tortoise breeder called Brian. Us torties and turtles make great pets, but it's better to get us from specialist tortoise & turtle breeders, because some people try to sell torties that have been snatched from the wild! My mum and dad were from Russia! They were being illegally smuggled into England. The airport people spotted them and passed them onto Brian, who takes really good care of them.

What a lucky escape for your parents. So, what made you decide to write Tortoise Soup?

I love books, but there weren't enough about us tortoises.  People think we are slow, but we can do lots and lots! I decided to write a book myself, though I had to get my pet human to type it all up for me.

I am sure Nick was keen to help. I mean, what an experience for him as well. This is a secret question – is everything that happened in the book true?

It all happened! Or was it a dream? After all, having adventures in our mind is almost as much fun as having them in real life. Don't tell anyone though, Champ, but it was all true!

That's amazing, although I suspected it was all true. Did you feel sick when you were flying with the wild crane, trying to get back to Ruby? I ask this question because in my book, when I had to fly with the pigeons, my stomach kept going round and round.

I did feel sick at first, and it was very cold up there. But I was so excited that I soon forgot how sick I felt.

Byron enjoying his annual strawberry!

I noticed in your book you had a hard time getting exactly the kind of food you like and are accustomed to eating. So, what’s your very favourite food in the whole world?

Definitely strawberries! But too many would make me feel sick, so I only get two a year. One at Christmas and one on my birthday (July 20^th!). It's a very special treat. I also love big yellow dandelion flowers!

Hmm, strawberries? They sound interesting. You were very brave during your adventure, even when that Miss Scratbakk nearly got you with the big machine. Truthfully, were you ever so scared you thought you couldn’t go on?

I was! I was so scared  could have put my head in my shell and never come out again. But sometimes you have to hide how scared you are. It doesn't matter how little you are, if you have a big heart then you can achieve big things!

I totally agree with you. Do you believe in the Anjil for Aminals (that’s who helped save me from abuse)?

I definitely believe in the Anjil for Aminals! I think somebody up there in the sky is looking out for us all. That's why we should all say a prayer for our anipals who need her help.

Has being a world-famous Pawthor changed you in any way? Has it changed your life? Do you feel you still have all four paws on the ground?

I get fan emails from across the world, which I love! But I try not to get too big headed, or I wouldn't fit in my shell any more. I got my picture in the local paper as well, but it wasn't on the front page where I should have been. Oops, my head is getting bigger again!

Byron charging around the garden!

Ha ha! Byron, you are so funny! What’s a typical day for you?

I wake up and exercise, up down, up down, twenty times. And then my other eyelid. It's hard work keeping in top shell condition. Then I have a bath in a plastic tub with warm water in it. When I come out my human has put my food out. I gobble it up and then snooze under my sun lamp. While I snooze, I'm thinking up ideas for new books. At midday, my human lets me out of my home (my tortoise table) and I stomp around the house and watch television. Then it's back to snoozing until supper time, lots of nice weeds for me to eat, with a bit of lettuce. If it's summer time, I go outside and charge around the garden – I like that! But I can't stand the cold, so I spend my winters indoors. I love climbing over things, knocking things over and digging in the soil. Maybe I should be a tortoise marine? Then when it gets dark, I go to sleep. Another fun filled day will be waiting in the morning.

Two exciting stories in one book!

Life sounds great and your human certainly takes good care of you. Clearly, you have trained him very well. Now that you’re a Pawthor with two books (A Christmas Shellebration and Tortoise Soup), what’s next on the writing agenda?

I think I should be the first tortoise in space. I'm planning on stowing away on a rocket and blasting into space with my special human friend Ruby! I want to find out if the moon is made of cheese or lettuce? When I get back, I will write all about it.

Phew! You are one ambitious tortie, and why not! You show 'em up amongst the stars! If you had One Big Wish that was guaranteed to come true, what would you wish for?

I would wish that all anipals would be happy and healthy, and there would be no more cruelty out there. Because we all have a lot of love to give, and we only want a little love in return.

What a lovely wish! I also wish for all anipals to have love and happiness, and a nice warm place to sleep, with lots of good food, too. What’s your message for other aspiring Pawthors out there?

Don't let anyone stop you writing your story! People might try to put you off, but they're just jealous because you can write a book and they can't. Once you've done it, then you'll be a Pawthor for life, and nobody can ever take that away from you. And maybe your book will make people happy, and that's the bestest gift of all!

I agree, making people happy is a very good aim. Thanks so much for sharing details of your life and career with us today. I am sure this will inspire many Pawthors to put paw to paper and get their stories out to eager readers.

Thank you Champ! I loved talking to you, I hope I wasn't too slow!

Not at all! I appreciate your taking time out of your busy Pawthor schedule to be with us. I’m reading Shellebration right now and hope to post a review very soon.

For new readers, Byron lives in the United Kingdom which is a long way from where I live in California. His guardian is Nick Holland, who is also a Pawthor. I think he helps Byron with some big words and spelling in his books. You can follow Byron on Twitter @ByronTinker. You can also buy his books on Amazon, and don’t forget to leave a review.

Me and My Friend Shady

Today I was thinking about introducing my friends to someone special that lives with all us animals at Foster Mommy Suzy's house. Well, Shady is a rabbit so he has his own comfy house in the back garden. He has the Chicken Ladies to talk to every day, lovely scenery to enjoy, and of course I chat to him all the time.

 

Shady is also a rescue from the Camarillo shelter and is missing a piece of his lower lip. Shady also appears in the short story in my book where he gives some advice. Shady is special because he is special like all animals, but when I first came to Foster Mommy Suzy's home to get better, Shady was helpful and encouraging. Here's a pic of me below, when  I first arrived, just thinking about going outside.

 

I was almost too scared to go outside...

 

Now here's a pic of me talking to the Chicken Ladies (also my friends and very clever birds). I was still very skinny.

"Is that a dog?" squawks Miss Henrietta.

 

Then there's my first chat with Shady. I'm wearing a coat because the sores on my body hadn't healed properly. Now I know what you are thinking ... where's the rabbit? Shady is very shy and he doesn't really like the camera.

 

Here's me today, all healed, having a chin wag with my long-eared buddy! This time you can see Shady in the left side of his hutch. My fur has grown back and I am healthy. Thank you to all my friends who helped me back on the path to being the doggie I am today. I love them! Remember, a friend in need is a friend indeed. Be a friend indeed to all helpless animals in need and they will reward you with all the love in the world. Who could ask for anything better?

Big woofs and tail wags! Please share your rescue stories with me. I love to talk about 'happy endings' stories on my blog and in my Tweets.

Why We Dogs Love Toys

This isn't actually mine and oops, I think I broke it!

Today I thought I'd talk a little bit about why we dogs love toys. I got lots of toys for Christmas (lucky me) and I think humans should know just why we like lots of different toys. I mean, humans have lots of different things too, like toys, and shoes, and clothes and stuff. Dogs are the same. We also like variety.

 Playing is an important part of a dog’s life. It keeps them mentally active and alert. Chewing is part of their entertainment.  A dog toy is a toy that is specifically for dogs to play with. Dog toys come in many varieties, including dog bones, puppy toys, balls, tug toys, training aids, squeaky toys, discs and Frisbees, plush toys, and sticks. Here's a picture of me having fun.

Dog toys serve different purposes. Puppies, for instance, need toys they can chew on when they are teething because their gums and jaws become very sore and chewing on things provides them relief. Also, playing with different toys encourages exercise, which benefits the pet's overall health. Toys also stimulate dogs' minds, discourage problem behavior resulting from boredom and excess energy, and promote dental health.

There are a wide variety of dog toys on the market that are designed for different purposes and depending on the dog's characteristics such as size, activity level, chewing habits, and play style.

Distraction toys keep dogs busy. They are useful when people cannot play with their dogs. Some examples are food delivery toys, dental chew toys, Kongs stuffed with treats, Nylabones, chew challenge toys, and puzzle toys.

A dog bone is either a real or toy bone that makes a good dog toy. Some dogs like to bury bones in the yard, so they can dig them up and chew on them later. Other dogs like to carry bones around with them. Dog bones also help getting plaque off of the dog's teeth.

Latex and rubber dog toys are great for dog entertainment. With these toys, dogs that are aggressive chewers have a safe way to satisfy their biting instincts. These toys also help keep dogs' gums and teeth clean and healthy. In general, hard rubber bones and other latex dog toys help improve dogs' overall oral hygiene.

Even though your dog has plenty of toys, don’t forget he needs you to play with him too. It’s great exercise and fun for the both of you. Frisbees, balls, tug toys are all great “my human can play too” toys.

Yes. Dogs really do need toys. Toys keep them happy, occupied and out of trouble.

 

 

Vespa Needs Your Help: Vespa's Voyage!

I just read about a wonderfully brave little dog in South Africa at a shelter called Woodrock Animal Rescue. Vespa's back legs stopped working and she still scoots around (like a little Vespa!) but she's going to need some wheels to have a full and happy life. Please read her story below and remember any donation makes a difference. Disabled animals are not 'broken' animals: they are just different. Their love and loyalty is exactly the same!

With your help, Vespa can get back on track!

Who we are!: Vespa's voyage!: Stella's story. Vespa came into my life  around September of 2013. The day I met her I knew this girl was special. She has this happy bo...

Looking for Fur-Ever Homes: Abby and Buddy

I love all my pals at SAFE Rescue and whenever a doggie comes in needing a Fur-Ever Home, I like to help all I can. Here are two wonderful pooches who would make two new families very happy. California area, but Abby and Buddy don't care where their new owners live.

Rescue of the Week!

SAFE Rescue says: "Abby is still looking for her Fur-Ever Home. She is such a fun and sweet dog.  She’s very shy at first but give her a little time and she's a fun-loving, happy, playful girl. Abby is a 1.5 year old female terrier mix who came to SAFE Animal Rescue with a badly injured back leg. Dr. Slaton was able to save her leg and she is as good as new. Abby is one of our sweetest and most playful dogs ever. She has a lot of puppy energy and loves her walks and time at the dog park. She runs like the wind so you would never even know that she almost lost her leg. If a family is willing to give her time to adjust to her surroundings they will have found such a loyal and loving dog. Loud noises still scare her so she would do best with older children. She is available and waiting for her Fur-Ever Home."



Cute, sweet Abby waiting for a loving new family.

Rehoming for Buddy!

SAFE Rescue says: "If you are looking for a handsome young Collie, Buddy may be the boy for you. He is a one year old neutered white/sable headed collie. Buddy has been obedience trained, loves car rides, is housebroken, walks well on a leash, likes people and other animals and is very smart. He plays well in doggie day care and dog parks. We are rehoming Buddy for his owners. He will do great as an only dog or in a family that is very dog savvy."

Handsome Buddy will make a great buddy!

 

If you would like to meet Abby or Buddy, please email Safeanimalrescue@aol.com. Even if you are not looking for another pet, please pass this message on to someone looking for a lovable 4-pawed friend and companion.

The Joy that Donations Bring

Today I have some amazing news. SAFE Rescue got a whole bunch of fantastic stuff from a wonderful pet company called Nuvet. Look at all the cool stuff that we got!

 SAFE Rescue says: “We'd like to send a great big Thank You to Nuvet and their employees for caring about rescue pets! Today Malia and Robert from Nuvet delivered a truck full of toys, carriers, food, collars, leashes, beds, blankets, bowls and so many other wonderful items for our rescue dogs! We’ll be able to spoil our foster dogs with all of the fun stuff they donated!”

 

Robert and Malia with a wonderful load of goodies for animals in distress!

 

I also add my barks of happiness and lots of tail wags to say thank you. SAFE Rescue saved me and it’s only because loving caring people donate that SAFE Rescue is able to do so much for animals in need. Remember, no donation is too small, and if you have left-over stuff that other animals can use, don’t be shy to help out your nearest animal shelter.

 

Here's Fergie thinking WOW!

 

Check out our kind Aminal Anjils at Nuvet and also have a look at what SAFE Rescue does for rescued animals.

Nani Needs a Home!

Pet Rescue of the Week!

I am so grateful to SAFE Rescue for saving me and making me well again. I feel it’s my duty to help them help as many other dogs as possible. Today my blog is about an adorable little rescued dog called Nani. Nani is still looking for her forever home here in So. Cal. She’s perfect for someone who only wants one dog. She likes to go on walks, throw squeak toys in the air and play with them, but most of all wants to be with her human.

SAFE Rescue says: “Nani is white Poodle/Lhasa Apso mix that we rescued from East Valley Shelter. Her owners surrendered her after they discovered blood in her stool. Turns out she had bladders stones and needed urgent surgery. Three huge stones were removed by Dr. Slaton and she is now good as new. No special diet required either.

We think Nani was an only dog as she wants her human’s lap all to herself. She is approximately 7 years old but has a lot of play left in her. She throws her toys around and catches them before they hit the floor.

We think she would do great with an older person since her favorite thing is to sit on the couch next to you (yes she is a couch potato). She is available and waiting for her forever home.

For more information please contact safeanimalrescue@yahoo.com. Thank you!”

Nani says: "I know I am adorable. Let me show you just how much."

 

I think Nani is the cutest little dog in the world. So, if you know anyone who would love to offer Nani a new Fur-Ever Home, you can contact SAFE Rescue. Please share this post so lots and lots of loving people see it. You never know, someone reading this might be Nani's new guardian.