Olavinlinna Castle in Finland is located on an a small island of rock in an area that even today is dense with lakes and forest.
It was built in the 15th century, during occupation of Finland by the Union of Kalmar (Norway, Sweden and Denmark).
It served as a defensive fortress for nearly 400 years for the Swedes or the Russians, depending on which country occupied the land.
In 1700, overwhelming Russian forces began a series of brutal attacks to regain control of Finland from the Swedes. During a prolonged siege, two of the castle's original five towers were destroyed by Russian cannon.
The Great Northern War, also known in Finland as the time of the Greater Wrath,
was a devastating time of crop failures, famine, epidemics, and brutality as both armies ravanged the countryside.
By 1721, when the war officially ended, after years of tumolt and suffering, nearly half the population of Finland had been lost.
History informs and inspires the Planet Of The Dogs books. However, we hope to teach kids that non-violence is an alternative to bloodshed and devastation.
The Castle In The Mist was built on the edge of a vast lake in the land of the Forest people. The invading Black Hawk tribe lived there.
Prince Ukko, leader of the Black Hawk tribe, like the rulers of Sweden and Russia, always sought more land and more power. War and mayhem were imminent when the winter snows had melted.
Do you believe that dogs can stop war? The only hope in the land of the Forest people, was the dogs... It was up to the dogs, coming down from their own planet, to free the kidnapped children, and to find non-violent ways to bring peace to the land.
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We are excited...
On July 20, 2012, Barking Planet Productions will publish Circling the
Waggins: How 5 Misfit Dogs Saved Me from Bewilderness, by C.A. Wulff, an intimate biography that will touch the heart of dog lovers everywhere.
"A dog lover's true life adventure... Two middle aged women, living in a rugged and isolated cabin in a National Park, maneuver through one unexpected pet debacle after another until they discover that even the tiniest of lives is precious; heartache and joy go hand-in-hand, and love is an eternal circle of wagging tails."
This book is a journey into the heart and mind of a dedicated pet loving woman who shares her experiences, concerns and deep emotions with the reader.
Pages 344; Illustrations 35; ISBN: 9780978692865
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The Gift of Reading
The Kone Corporation Centenial Foundation of Finland is bringing the gift of reading to needy children in China. Kone made this decision based on the lack of books available to children of migrant workers...
"Some 20 million migrant children have moved with their parents to the country's booming cities...these children are not entitiled to social services or public schooling in their new places of residence. To serve these children and take advantage of the parent's eagerness to see their children get an education, hundreds upon hundreds of proprietary schools have sprung up...Often housed in abandoned industrial or commercial sites and staffed by non-qualified teachers, these schools offer a poor substitue for public schooling. In many cases, classrooms are unheated,
children go without lunch, and there are no books for the children to use."
In response, the Kone Corporation Centenial Foundation has created a mobile library vehicle that carries more than 3,000 books and supports after school reading clubs, tutoring teacher support and other related activities.
In Finland, over 230 library buses have served both urban and rural communities for 50 years.
The photos of the mobile library and the children, are courtesy of Kone.
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The Dog Opens the Door...
I learn from Therapy Dog owners... Susan Purser, a former teacher in Sarasota, Florida, shared some thoughts with me about working with her Austalian Cattle dog, Rose. Susan's words moved me and gave me insights into her world. Susan and Rose visit schools (R.E.A.D.programs), hospitals, nursing homes and private homes.
Here are excerpts from Susan's experiences with Rose that I want to share:
"I consider myself a facilitator...if my dog could drive, she would not need me. Rose
seems to enjoy seeing people multiple times and developing a relationship with people...she is a working dog by nature and she just loves these jobs. I am constantly amazed at the doors that Rose opens...she goes to places that I could never get without her...reaches beyond my reach, touches a person deeper than my touch. The restless or agitated person who is calmed by Rose's touch...the child in the classroom who won't settle down and get to work, but when Rose sits by them, they quiet right down and the hyperactivity seems to dissipate. The child getting excited about reading to Rose every week; they wouldn't do that for me but they do it for Rose. Lying with a dying patient who will smile, close their eyes and stroke her with a peacefulness that is so precious...I know I couldn't enter that person's space without Rose...
No matter who you are or why you are do pet therapy, it is the dog that opens the door...doors that would otherwise be closed to a well meaning human...doors that are sometimes closed to family, friends, care givers and staff of facilities. There is something very special about these canine creatures and they have been saving and comforting humans for thousands of years. It is their touch or look that gives people that inner peace when their world is shrinking or spinning so fast that they have lost control. When doors begin the final closing, there is that one last smile, nod, a hand that reaches for a dog that allows some of them to say good bye and close their eyes in peace..."
Amazing things happen when a dog walks into the room.
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Read Sample Chapters of the Planet Of The Dogs Series at: www.planetofthedogs.net
All books in the Planet Of The Dogs series can be purchased at
your favorite independent bookstore or on the internet through Barnes& Noble, Amazon, Powells and many others.
Librarians, teachers, bookstores -- order our books directly from Ingram...professional discount, of course.
Therapy reading dog owners, librarians and teachers with therapy
reading dog programs...write us at [email protected] and we will send you free reader copies of books from the Planet of the Dogs Series.
Read Dog Books to Dogs....Ask any therapy reading dog: "Do you like it when the the kids read dog books to you?"
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Austalian Readers ..
Rainbow Books and The Nile now carry our books
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Dogs, But Not Wolves, Use Humans As Tools
By Jason G Goldman
"Sometime between fifteen and thirty thousand years ago, probably in the Middle East, the long, protracted process of domestication began to alter the genetic code of the wolf, eventually leaving us with the animals we know and love as domestic dogs. While there are several different theories as to exactly how dog domestication began, what is clear is that there were some wolves who were less fearful of humans than others. Over time, those wolves were incorporated into early human settlements. Perhaps humans and early dogs learned to hunt cooperatively – both species hunt primarily by outrunning their prey – or perhaps early dogs instead learned that they could avoid hunting by scavenging on the leftovers of human hunting parties. Whatever the initial reason for the incorporation of wolves into human society, there their descendents still remain...
... Instead of sharing social space primarily with other wolves, dogs came to treat humans as social partners. This is one of the critical differences between a domesticate and a wild animal that is simply habituated to the presence of humans. Domestication is a genetic process; habituation is an experiential one. Domestication alters nature, habituation is nurture."
Follow this link to read all of this fascinating article: Scientific
The illustration is from Planet Of The Dogs.
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Great Summer Reading
Summer is a great time to keep kids reading!
Studies show that reading over the summer better prepares children for the next school year.
Moreover, summer is a great time for kids to explore topics and stories that interest them...including stories about dogs.
Whether on the beach or curled up at home on a rainy day, books from the Planet Of The Dogs Series are sure to enthrall young readers.
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Rescued Dogs Become Search Dogs Planet Dog Foundation describes the grant in this way:" This grant would underwrite the cost of finding and evaluating potential search canines at local shelters and breed rescue groups, and will cover screening x-rays, medical check-ups, vaccinations, and spay-neuter if needed. The dog will be paired with a firefighter and once established as a functioning long-term team, will be our Team for the duration of their working life together." |
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If you are a dog lover near Portland Maine on July 17, check out Planet Dog Foundation's 6th annual Bark In The Park...A canine parade at 6:15 and an Orbee-Tuff Baseball game at 7PM...benifitting the Therapy Dog Program at Maine Medical Center...Location: Hadlock Field... lots of wags and woofs for all.
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Here you'll find articles ranging from dog health to dog rescue to dog stories to...
Here's an excerpt from a lively and informed article: Three Popular Mixed Breed Dogs
" Mixed bred dogs have been around for years and years. Whether it is by accident or intended, people have fallen in love with mutt breeds for decades now. It is not until very recently that “designer” dog breeds have become more popular among the general dog owning population. “Designer” breed is just a fancy way..."
Follow this link to read it all: Popular
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Frankie, the beloved Walk "N Roll Dog, has returned to the Planet of the Dogs.
Frankie worked as a therapy dog inspiring kids and comforting adults. She also inpired two wonderful books for kids. Her owner, author and good samaritan Barb Techel, has started a memorial foundation in Frankie's honor that will provide wheels for other crippled dogs. Here is the link: wheels
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From Sunbear Squad...Volunteer Animal Rescue Drivers...all the information on what is happening, volunteering, what it takes to qualify and more...here is an excerpt with a link...
"Each weekend in America, an army of volunteer rescue transport drivers deliver dogs and cats to safety in an organized relay of vehicles. Hard-working volunteer transport coordinators plan the logistics, organize the four-legged passengers, and provide support by phone continuously during the entire one- or two-day operation. Drivers sign up for relay "legs" via e-mail. They meet the previous leg drivers at an appointed time, transfer the lucky dogs and cats to their vehicles, and drive to the next relay meeting spot where the process is repeated until the destination is reached..."
To read the entire article follow this link:Rescue
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"I like a bit of mongrel myself, whether it's a man or a dog; they're the best for everyday."
George Bernard Shaw, Misalliance (1910)
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