An Upside To Remote Work

If I were at the office, I wouldn't have seen this little gem during an online meeting:

Sentry kitty is watching you!

I looked down as I snapped this photo without my coworkers noticing.

I am thankful for these sweet moments of fun and joy, during the long workday.

If we all were in the office, there would be no cat nor doggo...nor fish...sightings!

Let's Hop!

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Does The Dog Die?

Friends, I've just discovered this fascinating website: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/.

I've been heartbroken when reading a book, only to discover some unsavory thing happen, that made me angry, sad, or some variation of upset.  Often, it's due to violence toward animals, but it can be other things.

Of course, I know that I'm reading a story, but why read stuff that makes me upset?  This website will save me from this problem in the future!  Type in the title of the book...or movie...and you'll find out what issues may come up!

Image from Does The Dog Die? website

I am a serious reader: I've already got 156 books under my belt this year (per my Goodreads account).  The majority are audiobooks, since I have a longish commute daily, plus I listen when on my evening neighborhood walk.  But dang it all, I get sick to my stomach when an author uses violence or other nasty thing that doesn't really help the story.  So, now I have Does The Dog Die? to help me choose what I want to read!

Disclaimer: I have not received any compensation from Does The Dog Die? website for this post.  I write about things that interest me, and that I believe will interest our readers, and I give my honest opinions.  

Book Reviews for National Read A Book Day September 6

National Read A Book Day: September 6

In honor of yesterday's holiday, here are three books that I think you may enjoy.

***

Arthur: The Dog who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home
Author: Mikael Lindnord
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Greystone Books (September 12, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1771643374
ISBN-13: 978-1771643375

Arthur is an amazing dog

Click here to watch ESPN.com's 15 minute video about Arthur

What do you do, when love strikes you, even at the worst possible time and place?

Mikael Lindnord and his three companions were in an extreme adventure race in Ecuador, which included biking, walking, and kayaking through mountains, jungles, and huge expanses of wild terrain for days.  The racers barely sleep, live on starvation rations, and push their bodies and minds to endure hardship, just to get to the finish line.  When a scruffy dog shows up, the foursome share some of their meager food stores with him.  Then, as they set out on the next leg of the race, the dog follows.  And follows.  And follows.

This book is written by the man who found a way to embrace the gift of the dog's love, at the harshest and most unpleasant time, and what he did to make sure they were never parted again.

***

Finding Gobi: The True Story of a Little Dog and an Incredible Journey

by Dion Leonard

Hardcover, 272 pages

Published June 1st 2017 by HarperCollins UK

ISBN 0008227950 (ISBN13: 9780008227951)

Seriously, isn't this doggie simply the cutest?!?

Ultramarathoner Dion Leonard, originally from Australia but living in Scotland, is running an four-day race in China.  A little dog starts to follow him, as he strides out huge distances over sand, rock, mountains, and woods.  Extreme heat, lack of hydration, and the sheer brutality of the race is enough to wear down a grown man, but a little dog?  Dion tells us of his desire to bring Gobi back to Scotland, but what ensues is more of a test than any ultramarathon he's every encountered before.

The combination of human competition and compassion, the ups and downs of finding a life-form that fills you with happiness and unquestioning love, and the technology of bringing a world-wide group of supporters together while solemnly walking door to door in a Chinese community, really drew me into the book.

***

Ellie's Story: A Dog's Purpose Puppy Tale

by W. Bruce Cameron

Hardcover: 208 pages

Publisher: Starscape; First edition (April 14, 2015)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0765374692

ISBN-13: 978-0765374691

Okay, this book is written for the youngsters, but I've enjoyed several W. Bruce Cameron books, so why not another?  The book is told by Ellie, first a puppy then an working search-and-rescue dog.  Her handler Jakob trains her, but when he is wounded, she works with Maya who also shares her household with three cats!  Maya and Ellie go out on one mission where Ellie's impressive sniffing skills are damaged by chemicals.  So they begin working in classrooms and schools, to teach children what to do if they get lost or cannot find their family.  One day, a little boy is lost while Maya and Ellie are at the school; does Ellie still have what it takes to save that boy?

I didn't know this was a children's story, until just now as I researched the publication information!  It's a good story, and I gulped down a lump in my throat more than once.  I recommend it to anyone.

Two true stories, and a fictionalized one, and YES, I know these are about DOGS, but four-footed, furry love is what we are all about, right?!?  RIGHT!?!

📚💓📚

Happy National Read A Book Day!

Eastside Cats Goes To The Dogs

Folks, a couple of weird things happened at the office.

First, a coworker called me to ask if I knew how long a dog could have kennel cough.  Well, golly...I dunno, I have cats!  So, I questioned my dog friends via FB, and they said that kennel cough can last for weeks, and may turn into something worse.  Most suggested a second opinion.  When I relayed that info to him via email, he sent back to me that his dog has now been officially diagnosed with bronchitis, and they are treating it properly.

Bummer!  I feel sorry for this family, as this is their first dog.  They went on vacation, kenneling the dog, and now this!  Coworker promised to keep me informed on how his pup is doing.  I did NOT remind him that I suggested he'd adopt a couple of cats, when he first discussed getting a pet. 😸

Second, just after the kennel cough incident, one of our upper management people stopped me in the hallway, asking if I knew a good dog veterinarian in the area!  Nonplussed, I said that I didn't know, but would ask around.

I sent an office wide email, and got almost a dozen responses!  I dutifully turned the info over, and she said her daughter was adopting a new puppy and appreciated the recommendations.  As much as I tried to convince her to adopt a cat instead 😸, I was promised photos of puppy soon.

Being an executive administrative assistant, I'm in the office to ASSIST.  Usually, it's to set up a meeting, cater a customer lunch,  update spreadsheets or handouts, make sure badges work, yadda yadda yadda.  However, it's nice to know that folks think I can answer any question, and I usually can...because I've got connections! 😸

Since I've yet to receive images of these two dogs, I thought I'd show you another coworker's German Shepherds, who just happened to turn a year old.  And this coworker will tell you that I put in a lot of effort to convince her that she'd really enjoy CATS instead! 😸

Macey, left and Maverick, right
8 weeks old

Macey, left and Maverick, right
I year old!

Meet 'Treat The Dog'! And don't worry; there is cat stuff too!

Talented people are amazing to me, and any who love animals go right to the top of my list of favorite people!

Meet Pam Baril, the owner and creator of Cookie Cutter Tweets/Treat The Dog, LLC.  I purchased many cat toys and artwork from Pam over the years, where I've visited her booth at the hugely popular Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market in Michigan. She offers a variety of dog and bird items also, and adds new creations often.

At the market

For the birds

For the dogs

EC: Tell us about how you began Treat The Dog, LLC.
PB: I’ve been in business for just over eight years, when I started selling bird seed feeders.  At the first farmer's market where I sold them, the market manager asked if I would consider getting licensed to sell dog treats (which I did), and the rest is history! The cat people spoke, so I started making organic catnip toys, which I sell more of than any other of my pet products!

Kitty enjoying a catnip toy made by Pam

When I saw the sign at Pam's booth,,
I grabbed it right away!

EC: Describe your product focus:
PB: I hand-make every item I sell, and although it’s a lot of hours sewing and baking, I love every minute of it!  Being at my markets are “my happy places”.  I look forward to seeing my customers, both human and furry; the dogs know I’m the treat lady, and get their sample treat when they see me. The customers that don’t have their pets with them always show me pictures. It’s a thrill seeing them wearing one my bandannas in person or a picture!

Dog fashions!

Bandannas for every holiday

EC: Do you have an interesting story from a customer who purchased your products?:
PB: One of my fondest memories is of a dog named Zoey, who would visit me at both the Northville and Farmington markets. She came to my regular space in Northville, but I wasn’t there that day, and she just stood there in disbelief.

Dog watercolor

Cat watercolor

Thank you, Pam, for taking a few minutes out of your busy schedule for us today. We know you are ramping up to start the new summer season, and we know there will be lots of dogs, cats, birds… and humans in your future!

Disclaimer: All photos used by permission of Pam Baril, or are my own images.  I was not compensated in any way for this interview; I just really enjoy Pam's work!

Wet and Rainy

The 'O' Cats's Frozen Waterbowl

Chucky's under there!

Visited with family on Thanksgiving Thursday, and stayed away from the crowds on Friday.  The photos below are from my neighborhood walk, when it was misty and chilly.  But the colors of everything seemed so alive!

As much as I prefer Spring, Summer and Autumn, there is no denying that cold and dreary can bring out beauty too!  And the tree dogs were barking and carrying on, and they made me laugh and laugh; such big woofies, trying to show me that they were toughguys.  They are too adorable!

Dog Day?

This in one of three Newfoundlands at this house

I met several cute dogs while at the farmer's market yesterday.  No photos, because I was too busy petting and cooing!  There was a gorgeous black Great Dane, a King Charles Spaniel, and two Shih Tzus...one who was a puppy and I fell in love with it's little wagging tail.  Her human was happy to let me pet and play with her pup, as a way to help socialize her.  Glad to help!

Later on, during my evening neighborhood walk, I encountered two smallish Terrier dogs, an overweight but loving and beautifully brindled Bull Dog, and an old lady Springer Spaniel, who's human and I compared fur amounts on our clothes from our respective pets.  There was a Malamute, three Shar Peis, and one Newfoundland behind fenced yards that I did not get to pet.

The Hubby, every so casually, suggested that I may be a Doggy Mama, in Cat Mama's clothing.  WHAT?!?  I just like all animals (except most insects), so I just happened to have one Dog Day...doesn't mean nuthin'.

Look...see...lots of photos of CATS!

Sweetie, relaxing in the shade

Chucky, doing the dangle

Patty O'Malley, being silly

 

Angel, in MY chair