Search Results for: blog ill never own a puppy

Three Seasonal “Biscuit” Books – Alyssa Satin Capucilli

When my twins were little, we loved the Biscuit books by Alyssa Satin Capucilli and Pat Schories. These gentle stories all feature a cute, silly puppy named Biscuit and his owner. His owner is never named, but referred to as “the little girl”. These are great stories for emerging readers and younger children. Even the youngest child can say “woof, woof” along with biscuit. The illustrations are very heart warming. Here are three Biscuit books, perfect to read in this season. Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch is a sturdy board book. Very young children will enjoy this simple book. Biscuit … Continue reading →

Welcoming Puppy: Throwing a Shower

Since October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, perhaps you’ve decided to do that –welcome a dog into your family. Getting a new dog, be it a puppy or adult, is an exciting occasion. One worth celebrating. Why not do just that by throwing a puppy shower? What a Puppy Shower Is If you’ve ever attended (or maybe planned) a wedding or baby shower, it’s the same thing, just applied to a pet. It can be as elaborate an affair as you want, or you can keep it small and intimate. You can also invite other dogs to your party … Continue reading →

Project Puppy Love

With the cold weather upon us, you can warm your pups AND your heart with Project Puppy Love. I recently got the chance to pick coat designer Holly Glover’s brain about Project Puppy Love. Aimee: How did Project Puppy Love get started? What inspired you? Who got your first coats? Holly: PPL started after I made coats for my own dogs. My dogs are definitely members of the family and, like our cats, are spoiled. I decided they needed winter coats because their fur is so short that they get cold easily. Everything I saw in stores and online was … Continue reading →

Acclaimed Author L.C. Hayden’s “Killer” Effect

Author L.C. Hayden, photo courtesy of the author and used with her permission Sometimes we rescue an animal, adopt it into our family, and think we’ve done it the favor by saving its life. I’d like to share with you the following exchange I had with mystery, horror, and inspirational writer L.C. Hayden. (Her books include, Why Casey Had to Die, her newest release, What Others Know, which was a Left Coast Crime nominee for best mystery, When Colette Died, which was an Oprah On-Line Reading Café selection, and When Angels Touch You.) She’s had a lot of pets (and … Continue reading →

The Upside Down Show

Developed by Sesame Workshop, the organization that created educational programming like “Sesame Street” and “Pinky Dinky Doo,” a new show is coming to NOGGIN called “The Upside Down Show.” It stars David Collins and Shane Dundas as two brothers named — you guessed it — David and Shane who live together in their own apartment. Otherwise known as Australian comedic duo The Umbilical Brothers, David and Shane now bring their comedy and creativity to children. The entire premise of the show is that David and Shane like to go where they have never been before, and apparently, they’ve never been … Continue reading →

Memory Lane

It appears to be baby shower season in my social circles.  Have you noticed friends having babies tends to come in seasons?  My youngest is going on 5 so the days of baby items and playthings are sadly over.  The love of shopping for a baby never diminished so now I enjoy shopping for my friends.  Seeing the variety of baby toys as I shop brings back sweet memories of my own children’s baby years.  Sometimes just seeing all the new dolls, games, rattles, and electronic novelties, makes me want to have another baby.  Yes, folks, I want to have … Continue reading →

Charlie and the Christmas Kitty

  If your children asked for, but didn’t receive the puppy or kitten they placed on their wish list to Santa, this book might work as a consolation present. Maybe. Sure, Charlie and the Christmas Kitty may be a far cry from an adorable tail-wagging, face-licking bundle of fluff that would follow your child around the house and potentially run for help should he fall down a well, but, hey, Santa’s not perfect. Still, you can’t deny the cuteness contained in this festive holiday read, even though the story’s clueless main character doesn’t realize it’s Christmas: “Why is there a … Continue reading →

Mall Pet Stores: The Beginning of The End

I’ve been following the story of the move some cities in California made to ban all pet stores that actually sold animals. This was made in an attempt to curb the sale of dogs and cats sourced from puppy mills and kitten factories. I talked about how, as a teenager, one of the only stores I ever liked stopping at in the mall was the pet store. I wondered where that pet store got its animals. The era of pet stores in malls might be coming to an end. California-based company Macerich, which owns shopping malls all across the country, … Continue reading →

Just Shy: Dealing with One Dog’s Uncertainty Around Other Dogs

I’m just shy The more I think about my people dog, the more I become concerned. What if I’m just refusing to see the truth, that my dog has developed potentially aggressive behavior? Sure, she’s never actually fought outside of the initial problems she had with the puggle last year, but I couldn’t help being concerned that her dislike, or at least wary disinterest in, other dogs could develop into something worse. Chihiro had her yearly vet visit last Thursday so I explained the situation to the vet and asked her for advice. I know that veterinarians aren’t necessarily specialists … Continue reading →

May Madness

Forget about March madness, if you are a parent, the month of May is when crazy comes knocking. In addition to Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, May means graduations, end of the school year field trips, concerts, talent shows and First Holy Communion. If you thought you were pressed for time during the other 11 months of the year, May is typically when moms and dads are really forced to put their multitasking skills to the test. We are a less than 48 hours into this new month and I have already been required to use my fingernail as a … Continue reading →