Kids, Books and the Canine Connection

What do people mean when they say, "If only people were more like dogs."

Every dog lover...Has probably had this thought. They have experienced the human-canine connection. If they own a dog, they are having ongoing experiences that reinforce this phenomenon. Science has only a peripheral understanding, and yet the anecdotal evidence reinforces what dog lovers have found to be true. 
Depending...on their experiences, even people who can't be considered dog lovers have noticed qualities and attributes within dogs -- loyalty, love, courage -- that are considered admirable.

There is even more compelling evidence...

In recent times, the widespread use of therapy dogs --  with sick people in hospitals, lonely people in nursing homes, and the terminally ill in hospices -- bears witness to their healing qualities.

And the growing number of therapy reading dogs attests to the trust that they elicit in kids, as they experience the canine connection in the classroom, the library, or at home.

In her therapy reading dog program, Pages for Preston, in Sheboygan, WI, Julie Hauck, a third grade teacher at the Longfellow School, increased kid's reading skills, motivation, even behavior..."It was wonderful to witness my students applying character lessons from the books in their own peer interactions..."

We live in difficult times, in a difficult, and sometimes painful, world. Dogs, and the human-canine connection bring wonderful qualities into our lives.
When we started the Planet Of The Dogs series for kids, we hoped that we could help open the doors to the human-canine connection. We're still hoping.

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 Is the Human-Canine Bond and Our Sense of Loyalty and Love for Dogs a Modern Invention? Thus begins an article by Author/Educator Stanley Coren, Ph.D., in the Canine Corner of Psychology Today
"I was recently attending a university sponsored event and found myself speaking to some other professors in attendance. When the topic of conversation turned to dogs I mentioned to the group that I had just come across a wonderful quotation, by Roger Caras, an author who also served as the president of the ASPCA. It went "We give them the love we can spare, the time we can spare. In return dogs have given us their absolute all. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made." I brought it up because I thought that it nicely summarized my own feelings about dogs.

A professor from the English Department, gave a little snort of disdain and proceeded to tell me, "I am amazed at how a scientist like you has been sucked into this sentimentality for dogs. This idea that dogs feel any loyalty and love for humans is a modern invention..."
The discussion that follows traces the written record of the human-canine bond back to ancient times...to read it all, visit:

 http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/canine-corner/201006/is-the-human-canine-bond-and-our-sense-loyalty-and-love-dogs-modern-invent
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 Adventures In Storytelling...a contest

We received news of a dog rescue story contest from Jake Finkelstein, owner of the handsome Orville (photo on the left), a rescued dog. Here are the highlights as

posted on http://tapngive.com/?page_id=422

The SPCA of Wake County; an organization dedicated to creating a more humane community where every adoptable animal has a home; has partnered with Tap-n-Give; an innovative iPhone and iPod Touch application that makes it easy to instantly donate to deserving charities; to host a contest in celebration of the love and joy that rescued pets bring to our lives.

Between now and November 7, 2010 submit your funniest, most touching and life affirming stories and photographs of your rescued pets. As submissions are received we’ll post them to this website so that you can also vote for your favorites and share the entries with family and friends.

The best submission – as determined by Tap-n-Give – will receive a grand prize package that includes $200 worth of pet wellness products from Casey Petraceuticalsas well as an Adidas athletic bag and a Nike running t-shirt.
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Delta Society Dogs Pet Partners 20th Anniversary Celebration in New York City...

On November 5th, Nancy George Michalson and her Pet Partner, Callie (photo on the left), will host a celebration for the Delta Society of NYC...
Pet Partner's visits range from hospitals and nursing homes to schools and libraries...Nationally, over 1,000,000 people each year benefit from the 10,000+ registered Delta Society Pet Partners' work.
We have sent copies of Snow Valley Heroes, A Christmas Tale for the therapy reading dogs...if there are Pet Partner therapy reading dog owners who did not receive a copy, write to us at barkingplanet@aol.com, we will send a complimentary copy. 

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Tooting Our Horn...

To read sample chapters of Planet Of The Dogs, Castle In The Mist and Snow Valley Heroes, A Christmas Tale, visit WWW.planetofthedogs.net

Our books are available at bookstores and online at Amazon, B&N, Powells and elsewhere...
Here's an excerpt from a review of Snow Valley Heroes, A Christmas Tale,
by Cheryl C. Malandrinos -editor/reviewer, The Kids Book Connection...
"...McCarty has brought together many captivating elements to create a beautiful story. The illustrations provided by Stella Mustanoja-McCarty are absolutely stunning and add a great deal to an already charming story."

And, from Nancy Houser on Way Cool Dogs..."Your books are not only well-written with beautiful illustrations, but speak to the heart of all dog lovers."

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Faces from the Road...

Deb Eades is committed to dog rescue/transport...to helping dogs trapped in trouble, pain, and maltreatment...she continues to drive on the Dog Rescue Railroad, carrying dogs to safety, and a new life.

Faces from the Road is a video she created to show homeless dogs who have been saved by being transported on the Dog Rescue Railroad. Deb is also the author of a  touching book -- based on her real life experiences -- Every Rescued Dog Has a Tale. 

To see the video:http://everyrescueddoghasatale.blogspot.com
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Barb Techel's Dog Books about Frankie, her crippled Dachs hund, teach, motivate and touch the heart...excellent illustrations...here is an excerpt from a review by Joyce Gilmour, Editor and Book Reviewer

"...I am always on the lookout for books that can take children beyond the academics and into learning that will affect their relationships...In the second book, we learn that Frankie becomes a therapy dog. She visits Libby's House and the residents there look forward to the time that they get to spend with her. What a lesson to learn! If a dog can provide this need, children can discover that they, too, can bring joy into people's lives. They can find out that by giving to others their life is enriched." 

For more information visit: www.joyfulpaws.com
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Up On The Woof....Getting Financial Aid for Pet Emergencies

 

C. A. Wulff, editor of Up On The Woof (http://thewoof.wordpress.com), author of Born Without a Tail, creator of Yelodoggie, and mother to innumerable dog , cats and other wildlife, writes well-
written posts that relate to real life...some of her beloved rescued dogs can be seen on the left.

Recently, she wrote an article on dealing with the money side of pet care -- especially dogs -- wherein she offers a multitude of resources and ideas...here is an excerpt:

When we adopted Rocket Boy, he was five weeks old and had already had one emergency trip to the vet. Little did we know that we’d be in emergency rooms with him four more times over the course of our first year together.  Every pet owner, at one time or another, is faced with an unexpected veterinary bill...In our tanked-out economy, it’s becoming harder for pet owners to come up with the money they need to save their best friend’s life. So what’s a person to do?...
 

Read it all at Up On The Woof...
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 Continuing...Our Therapy Reading Dogs Reprise

 

This is Bandit with a reading friend.

 

We think JR is the name of the relaxed dog in the second photo...Both photos are from Therapy Dogs United, Erie,PA
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Check out Sunbear Squad...

for the information you need to take appropriate action if you should ever see a dog being mistreated or a dog in distress...www.sunbearsquad.org

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from Rose In A Storm, a terrific new book for dog lovers by Jon Katz...here is a quote about, Rose, a working dog, part border collie....
"Rose was always looking for work, which was the key to her heart. She loved people who gave her work, or worked with her." 

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