Posts tagged "book"

There are heroes. And then there are superheroes. Meet Mary Spencer. She's giving Wonder Woman a run for her money.

Spencer joined the SPCA of Texas in 1992 and served as its chairman for eight years. Today, she chairs the organization's building committee and represents the mayor of Dallas on the city's Animal Shelter Commission. Last week hundreds who share her passion for homeless pets attended an event in Dallas to launch her book, "All My Fosters Are Rockstars," which weaves stories of some of her foster pets with information about the importance of microchipping, spaying and neutering, adoption, and other animal welfare issues. This week Paw Nation sat down with the affable advocate to talk about her life-saving work.

As a one-woman rescue organization, you have fostered an astounding 500(!) pets. Have you had a favorite?
There have been a few really special ones. Some I still keep in touch with. The blind standard poodles are an incredible story. They were puppy mill dogs I got from a shelter. They were in very bad shape, and their rehabilitation was a unique experience for me. They are now happily living at Rolling Dog Ranch in New Hampshire. It is a utopia for disadvantaged animals, where they can run and play and be cherished like children.

For those who love pets, it seems natural that you'd want to make a living from working with them. After all, what could be more fun than washing and grooming cute, furry dogs all day? Well Jan Nieman did just that -- for 21 years. And she has quite the story to tell about it in her recent book Going to the Dogs: Confessions of a Mobile Pet Groomer.

All from the comfort of a mobile pet-grooming van cruising around the Baltimore area, Nieman groomed just about everything -- dogs, cats, you name it! Many times, hilarity ensued. Such a case was when she groomed Spaz, a large springer spaniel, who more than lived up to his name, she says.

"With all legs scrambling in four different directions, he knocked over my super-sized drink and soaked my beige smock," Nieman recounts in her book. "Fortunately, it was a clear Sprite and although drenched, I was not Coke brown. At the end of Spaz's grooming, we were both worn out. He had nipped at the brush and wound up with bristles in his nose. When I sprayed him, he snapped at the water. In the past he'd gone berserk with the blow dryer and attempted to eat it. I didn't mind. That allowed me to towel dry him and save some time. He was a good old boy, just a bit of a 'Spaz.'"

The novel "A Dog's Purpose," by W. Bruce Cameron tells the story of a dog that continues reincarnating and realizes he'll keep coming back until he fulfills his purpose. But first he has to figure out what that purpose is.

To celebrate the book's July 6 release, we're giving two lucky Paw Nation readers each a copy of "A Dog's Purpose." Along with the hardcover book, each winner will receive a fun "A Dog's Purpose" floppy Frisbee to share with their pup or a friend. For more on the book, check out our interview with the author.

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us what you think your pet's purpose is.

The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Friday, July 9, 2010.

You may enter only once.

Two winners will be selected in a random drawing.

Two winners will receive a hardcover copy of "A Dog's Purpose" along with a floppy Frisbee (valued at $22.99).

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

Click here for complete official rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so be sure to provide a valid address!

Not long ago, Paw Nation talked to the author of a fun new book called "Am I Boring My Dog?" The book is lighthearted, but is packed full of useful information for pet owners who want to indulge and pamper their pooch while still being socially responsible.

The book covers topics ranging from why dogs make good pets and where you should get a dog to responding to folks who criticize the amount of money you spend on your four-legged friend. Looking for a dog-friendly job? This book helps you figure out how to make that happen, always in an amusing way.

This week, five lucky Paw Nation readers will win a copy of this fantastic book. Will it be you? All you have to do is leave a comment below to enter!

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us your biggest question as a dog owner.

The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Monday, January 25, 2010.

You may enter only once.

Five winners will be selected in a random drawing.

Five winners will receive a copy of "Am I Boring My Dog?" (valued at $14.95).

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

Click here for complete Official Rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so be sure to provide a valid address!

Have you ever taken your dog to a dog park? If so, chances are good you've encountered a situation that was less than desirable. Perhaps your dog picked a fight, or maybe another dog became fixated on yours and interfered with his ability to play freely.

Cheryl S. Smith, the author of the book "Visiting the Dog Park: Having Fun, Staying Safe," has a lot to say on the subject. She took a few minutes to chat with Paw Nation.

Did a specific experience lead you to write this book?
Two things led to this book. First, having a new dog park nearby and watching (from outside the fence) the interactions there, it was obvious that people just didn't understand what was going on with the dogs. Second, the increasing push for more dog parks. If this is going to become a common feature of parks, then people really need to understand the pros and cons.

What is the most common mistake people make when taking their dog to the dog park?
The most common mistake is assuming that everything will be fine, that all dogs just naturally get along with each other. We don't assume that every human will play well with every other human, and we shouldn't put that expectation on our dogs.

Could you share some of your favorite pieces of advice for a successful dog park visit?
For a successful dog park visit, people should know their own dog first. If he or she is a bit insecure, plan to visit the park when it isn't too crowded. Always keep an eye on your dog to be sure things are going well, and be willing to change your plans accordingly. If your dog is running away from other dogs and isn't having fun, then leave the park and go for a walk instead. On the other hand, if your dog is having a blast, stay longer.