Chazz’s Literary Corner- Book Review & GiveAway-March 20, 2014

Book Review

Chaser
Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows a Thousand Words

by John W. Pilley with Hilary Hinzman

Copyright 2013 New York, NY ISBN 978-0-544-10257-6

SUMMARY: This is a fascinating story of the bonded working relationship between the professor and his Border Collie, Chaser: reportedly, one of the smartest breeds. At the time he was Professor at Wofford College of  Spartanburg, South Carolina, John Pilley developed training methods and engaged some of his students to help in Chaser’s training. Often Chaser was a member of the class, having been brought to the lab by Prof. Pilley.

OPINION: This is a highly interesting read. We found it motivating and inspirational regarding our  personal training goals for ChazztheDog.  We found it jaw dropping that this dog can find and identify 100’s of different dog toys in a huge pile of them, all jumbled together. The book also suggests that any Pet Pawrent can employ similar methods to teach their pet to learn multiple words and actions! If you want to go beyond Sit/Stay/Heel and really communicate with your dog – read Chaser’s story.

(Image from Chaser FaceBook Page)

GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAYGIVEAWAYGIVEAWAY

Win your very own copy of Chaser, and add it to your library of dog books

Guidelines

Period of GiveAway: 3.30.14 – 3.27.14

Winner will be announced at this blog o 3.28.14

Participants must provide valid email address to be notified.

AMTCTD Blog values your privacy & security. You will never receive any spam mail from us & we do not share your information with any third parties. Ever. Promise. Period

Must be 18+, have mailing address in the USA, provide valid email address

Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment at the end of this post.

List 5 -10 words or actions you have taught your dog to recognize.

Extra Entries:  Follow ChazztheDog1 on Twitter

                                   LIKE MuttMania on Facebook

                                    LIKE  Chaser on Facebook

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this review are strictly our own. They have not been influenced by any outside sources. We received one copy of the book for review purposes and one copy to award in the GiveAway. We received no compensation for featuring this book at our blog.

Chazz’s Literary Corner – Book Review- The Dogs of Christmas – March 9, 2014

BOOK REVIEW

The Dogs of Christmas

By W. Bruce Cameron

Copyright 2013 New York, NY

ISBN 978-0-7653-055-0

New York Times and USA Today Best Selling Author of A Dog’s Purpose and A Dog’s Journey, brings you his latest work in the wonderful The Dogs of Christmas.

“EVERY DOG STORY IS A LOVE STORY”…Bruce Cameron wrote those words not Adopted Mom, but we couldn’t agree more.  Even those terrible stories we read about despicable animal abuse; ultimately become stories of love, rescue, and redemption…at least for the dogs and they are the most important part of the story in our opinion.

Summary:

The Dogs of Christmas features several different love stories central to the theme. There is the human story of characters Josh & Kerri, and the human/ canine bond of Josh and Lucy, the soulful-eyed pregnant pup that comes into their lives – capturing the kindness and natural empathy for a creature needing assistance.

Almost immediately Josh realizes he has more then he can handle and contacts the local shelter where he meets the lovely and compassionate Kerri who comes to his aid.

Love, Trust, Relationships, and Puppies…find all of these as you enjoy reading The Dogs of Christmas

Opinion:

We really enjoyed this story! The writing is compelling, with characters we wanted to follow. Mr. Cameron is a proven author with skills and accolades to his credit. We definitely recommend this book for a great read.

Hold on now, keep scrolling…it’s time for the big Book GiveAway…and by big we mean..3 WINNERS!!!

GIVEAWAY /GIVEAWAY/ GIVEAWAY

Guidelines

Must be 18+ and live in the USA

Period: March 10 – March 23, 2014 Winner will be announced on the blog on 3.24.14 Winners will be notified by email. Invalid email address will disqualify  entrant and another winner will be drawn.

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment at the end of this post relating an anecdote you have concerning Dogs & Christmas (or Chanukah, or Kwanza for that matter). If you haven’t got a real one, make one up.

Extra Entry Earned: 1 for each

Follow ChazztheDog1 on Twitter

LIKE MuttMania on Facebook

LIKE Bruce Cameron on Facebook

Please provide your email address in your comment so we may contact the winners. We value privacy & security so your contact info will never be shared and you will not receive any spam from our blog. Also document in a comment if you follow or LIKE with other Social Media so you earn the extra entries available.

GOOD LUCK to all participants. You have a very good chance of winning  in our first ever Triple Winner Giveaway!!!

DISCLAIMER

Adopted Mom Blog received a copy of the book The Dog’s of Christmas for review purposes. In addition, Mr. Cameron generously provided 3 copies to support a GiveAway for 3 lucky readers of our pet blog. Opinions expressed in this review are our own and not influenced by any outside source. We receive no financial compensation from featuring this book at our blog.

Chazz’s Literary Corner – Book Review- Animal Cracker by Andi Brown

Animal Cracker/em> by Andi Brown is a humorous take on what goes on behind the scenes of a fictional organization, Animal Protection Organization-12 site pet shelter group. 

ISBN-13:9781484107607

Copyright 2013

Themes:

The main character, Diane Salvi, the new APO Communications Director and her troublesome relationship exchanges with her arrogant, devious, cheating boss – Hal – her on again off again social life, and mainly her passion for all animals.

There is a dysfunction that runs through the home office of the APO organization that borders  on the absurd!

Animal Cracker is available at Amazon.com

GiveAway

Author  Andi Brown generously provided Adopted Mom blog with another copy of her book for 1 Lucky Reader.

Guidelines

Must be 18+ and live in the USA

Period of GiveAway: March 10 – March 23, 2014

Winner will be randomly drawn from all entries

Mandatory Entry: Please leave a comment on this post stating why you wish to win this book.

Additional Entry: Follow ChazztheDog1 on Twitter

Additional Entry: LIKE our MuttMania Page on Facebook

DISCLAIMER: Adopted Mom Blog received one copy of this book for purposes of review.  The opinions expressed are our own and have not been influenced by any outside sources.  We also have one additional copy for  the GiveAway courtesy of author Andi Brown.

March/April Blog GiveAway Winners

 

March Winner of the Orapup Starter Kit GiveAway……is Romeo….

Here’s Romeo enjoying his new Orapup Paddle

Looks like Romeo can’t ge enough licks on his Orapup paddle

If I Should Die Before My Dog Book GiveAway April Winner is Stephen L. Phillips

Book Cover If I Should Die Before My Dog

Winner’s Pawtographed Copy…..

Chazz’s Literary Corner Book Review – Through Frankie’s Eyes

Book Review:

Book Cover

 

 

Book Review – Through Frankies Eyes

 

 

Author: Barbara Techel

 

 

Published: 2013 – Joyful Paws Prints Press, Elkhart Lake, WI

 

ISBN 978-09800052-9-5

 

 

 

 

Summary

 

This book tells the story of a life’s special journey that ultimately results in building strength and independence for author Barbara Techel and her special little dog Frankie; with the perserverance of the dachshund who develops IVDD*.

 

 

 

 

 

Highlights

 

 

The story follows the evolution of two lives…author Barbara Techel and her dachshund baby girl Frankie. Frankie is diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease* and has to be fitted for her wheels. Barbara, her pet parent is devastated, and has to make the decision to put Frankie in this device. She wavers in her determination; thinking about what others might think of her and if in fact it was the right choice for Frankie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opinion/Recommendation– Purchase from:Amazon.com

Please enjoy this wonderful and informative story. For pet parents with a dog suffering from IVDD – this book has some helpful resources for information and support.

 

 

 

ChazzTheDog’s Rating: 3.4 out of 4.0 Paws Up – Chazz believes in the determination of Frankie to continue to live a happy life, moving around and playing like all dogs do. He liked that Frankie went to the local Farmer’s Market with her Mom and showed all the interested people how well she was doing, having fun and walking around even with her challenges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer:The thoughts and opinions published in this post are strictly those of AdoptedMom & ChazzTheDog. They have not been influenced by any outside sources. We received no compensation for this review, other than a copy of the book for review purposes.

 

 

 

April Winner Announcement Overdue – Part Deux

 

Sheesh! Mommie has really been messing up. We were supposed to announce the winner of the fantastic book giveaway for If I Should Die Before My Dog by Joe & Cathy Conolly.

We got a nice response to our contest, and it seems readers are very interested in this topic. It is important that’s for sure.

AdoptedMom blog looks forward to bringing our readers more vital information similar to this in the future. So…………….. stay tuned. 

So without further delay——–> The Random Picker Machine has selected StephenLee Phillips as our winner!!!

Stephen Lee Phillips please email me at adoptedmomtochazz@gmail.com and send us your mailing address so we can ship out your book.

 

Thanks!

Book Review: If I Should Die Before My Dog..Guide Instructions & Workbook

Book Review: “If I Should Die Before My Dog*

A Dog Lovers Guide to Help Insure Your Pets Are taken Care Of When You No Longer Can

By Joe and Cathy Connolly ISBN 10: 1475124511

Illustrations: Rod Lawrence CreateSpace South Carolina

Book Cover

This combination Instruction Guide and Workbook is a must have for every pet owner who is concerned about the future, when they are no longer around to care for their animals.

Presentation:

Joe and Cathy Connolly have created a wonderful final gift for us to present to our pets next Guardian…

The information and material presented in this book is done so in a simple, straight-forward way. There is an easy Table of Contents to set out all the areas covered. I very much like that it is a workbook with blank pages to complete with specific information about my own dog.

Highlights:

“The purpose of this book is to provide a care plan for orphaned dogs whose lives have suddenly changed, either because a beloved owner has passed away or one who has no other choice then to give them up. This book gives a voice for those who cannot speak, to tell their story.” *excerpted

The reality is if you own a pet and become incapacitated and unable to care for them or worse you should go away permanently….your animal will be lost and confused. A family pet in a loving household becomes bonded to their hooman(s) and when that familiar person is no longer there – they are at sea, emotionally, practically, in every way. To prepare for the time that this happens, Joe and Cathy have asked the important questions to secure the answers someone new will need to care for your furbaby correctly.

Making preparations for this time is the business of every loving pet owner. Leaving these issues to chance or interpretation is not a good plan. You wouldn’t leave any of your other valuables up to a stranger to make choices about. Well isn’t the same most important when it comes to this loving, loyal member of your family? Fur Sure!!

Summary

Partial Table of Contents

Where Will I Go Now?	My Name Is
My Picture	My Nicknames
My Ancestry	My Medical History
Medications	Microchip
Health Insurance	My Food
Grooming	My Bed
Crates	Things that Scare Me
My Personality	Toys & Games
My Bad Habits	Commands I Know
Words I Know	Riding In The Car
Other Things I Like
	….And More

ChazzTheDog’s Opinion: I fink dis iz a grreat book for all moms and dads should read and prepare for their furbabies. How iz anybuddy gonna noe what I like to eat and what words I understand, and what my nicknames are when they get me? Dis iz beary impawtent stuff to us dogs and cats! Awooooooooooo If my Mommie can no longer take care of me, or worser she goes away and no come back…I want my next Guardian to noes stuff about me. Teachin’ a hooman from scratch takes a long, long time and much patience. I gib this book 3.75 Paws Up rating out of 4.0

GIVEAWAY

USA only

18 yrs of age +

Required Entry: Leave a comment at the end of this post. Answer the question – Why do you think it is important to leave instructions regarding your pet?

Extra Entries:

1. Follow @ChazzTheDog on Twitter

2. LIKE If I Should Die Before My Dog Book Page on Facebook

2. Subscribe to www.AdoptedMomToChazzTheDog.wordpress.com Blog

Giveaway Start Date: 3.27.13

Closes: 4.5.13

 Pals, get your entries in to win a free pawtographed copy of this awesome book.

 Disclaimer:

AdoptedMomToChazzTheDog blog has received no fee or compensation for this review. The opinions expressed are completely our own, not influenced by any outside source. We did receive a copy of If I Should Die Before My Dog for review purposes. ChazzTheDog, decides on his own Paw Rating as well. He is very independent when it comes to his reviews.

PLEASE – Can You Help Get Us To BlogPaws Conference This Year?

BlogPaws Conference– Tyson’s Corner, Virginia

Sponsorship, Sponsorship, wherefore art thou Sponsorship?

I am an experienced Sponsored Bloggger and the creator of the blog AdoptedMomToChazzTheDog.wordpress.com. I have been producing interesting, entertaining, educational, and fun content for this blog for over two and a half years…ever since adopting my dog, Chazz.

ChazzTheDog

At the blog we do Product Reviews, passing on information to pet lovers and pet parents concerning our experiences with various pet products – you may be looking to get for your furbaby.

In addition, we have created a special area doing reviews of dog themed books and films .Chazz’s Literary Corner and Chazz Goes To Da Movies is where you can find our crackerjack reviews, opinions, movie trailers, and ratings. Chazz himself weighs in with a 4-Paw Rating Scale…so you are getting it straight from the pup’s mouth (or paws)!!

We have received great feedback at our blog and statistics show it has been viewed in at least 54 countries. (How do they translate Awooooooooooo into other languages? Giggles)

Now we are reaching out, extending our paws looking for help/Sponsorship to the to the upcoming BlogPaws Social Media and Networking Conference being held in Tyson’s Corner, VA. We live in Los Angeles…and that trip: airfare, hotel, conference registration will run in the neighborhood of $1,000.00. Keeping Chazz properly fed, trips to the vet, and a few nail clips takes all the money we’ve got..and there just isn’t an extra thousand laying around to spend on this trip. But we really want to go. I went last in 2011 and it was amazing. Keynote speakers, breakout sessions, how to improve your blog, meeting people and animals (yep people brought their pets over 70 dogs, 9 cats, and 2 ferrets that year)is well worth attending.

In return we can offer our services to distribute information on your product line or service, blog before, during, and following the 3-day conference, and just generally being a goodwill ambassador for your business. Get some “Paws On The Ground” at this event. We can be your eyes, ears, and nose sniffing out the happenings.

You can email me directly at adoptedmomtochazz@gmail.com for further details.

Please, please won’t someone out there give us a paw up? Paw it forward. We will do such a good job you won’t be disappointed. The conference is held May 16 -18, 2013 at the Sheraton Premiere-Tyson’s Corner. They roll out the red carpet for all us pet lovers and couldn’t be more helpful to the attendees or their pets.

We have our paws crossed and our hoping to hear from YOU. Thanks!

Regards, AdoptedMom and ChazzTheDog

Chazz’s Literary Corner – Book Review & GiveAway March 1, 2013

Hey pals..sorry we are late in posting GiveAway Winner..but Mommie had health problems and went to ER. She home now and said “Oh noes we didn’t post winner of A Dog Named Leaf Book.”

So without further ado……the winner of the Pawtographed Copy of A Dog Named Leaf – The Hero From Heaven Who Saved My LIfe is   cstironkat

Condogulations!! Please contact me here at my blog or directly to adoptedmomtochazz@gmail.com with your mailing address info!!!

Book Review & GIVEAWAY : A Dog Named Leaf – The Hero From Heaven Who Saved My Life by Allen Anderson with Linda Anderson

Book Cover

ISBN 978-0-7267-8165-2

Lyons Press Globe Pequot Press Guilford, Connecticut

Copyright 2012

Summary: Allen Anderson, a former Atlanta policeman and computer software programmer is living with his wife Linda. Six months earlier they had lost their beloved family dog Taylor. Following a period of time, grieving for their pet, they began to think about the possibility of having another dog.

Then the unthinkable happens. After experiencing some symptoms, and with the insistence of Linda, Allen visits his primary doctor. Then he gets referred to a specialist who gives him the devastating news – tests had shown he had a brain aneurism.

The journey of Allen Anderson towards his return to health is aided, enriched, and guided by LEAF his newly adopted dog.

Highlights:Harley gets a new family and a new name. Leaf ultimately comes into his own to become the loving dog he was always meant to be, and known as LEAF Anderson. Allen’s life is turned around by the love and loyalty of his special dog.

Allen Anderson & LEAF

Opinion: This is a moving story of a real family, with real challenges who had an amazing experience when they adopted a little Cocker Spaniel.

Recommendation: This is a well written, and touching story I highly recommend. People who question a dog’s ability to connect with their humans, on an emotional level, may well be persuaded to take another look at that question. Allen & Linda Anderson make a compelling case for believing. Their rescue of Harley (renamed Leaf) does not over time appear to be just a random happenstance. Instead, it was a meeting and relationship that was “meant to be”.

When life threw Allen Anderson a huge medical curve ball, LEAF was right there for the entire journey. Not only that, but Leaf was the only being Allen often felt he could express himself to during some of his darker times.

About the Authors:

 Allen and Linda Anderson are the founders of Angel Animals Network. Founded in 1996; it is a place for people to share stories of the relationships between humans and pets with an uplifting message. Website www.angelanimals.net

In addition, Mr. Anderson is an inspirational speaker. And together he and Linda have co-written the series of books about having pets as family members.

Allen & LEAF at the lake

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ADOGNAMEDLEAF

Twitter:

Disclaimer: Adopted Mom to ChazzTheDog Blog received no compensation for this review, other than a copy of the book to read/review. In addition, a copy was provided by the authors in support of a GiveAway at our blog for one lucky reader.

ChazzTheDog’s Paw Rating: 3.5 Paws Up out of 4 I lubbed hearing this story and learning about LEAF and his family. He had some tough times in the beginning, before he found his furever home..but it all turned out for the best!! Yay!

GIVEAWAY

General Rules:

Must be 18+ to enter

Must live in the USA

1. Required Entry: Leave a comment at the end of this post answering the question: Why do you want to win a copy of A Dog Named Leaf- The Hero From Heaven Who Saved My Life?

2. Follow ChazzTheDog on Twitter – extra entry

3. LIKE A Dog Named Leaf on Facebook – extra entry

GiveAway begins on Saturday, March 2^nd

^{Contest ends on March 22nd, 2013}

^{Winner will be picked and posted on this blog, Saturday March 23rd}

^{Good Luck to all participants. Tell your friends, this is a terrific read for all dog lovers!}

Not Exactly A Year End Wrap-Up…But Sorta

Blog 2012 In Review

As we wave goodbye to 2012 and a hearty welcome to 2013; we decided to take a look at just what went on this past year at AdoptedMomToChazzTheDog Blog. Wow, there’s been a lot!

Growth: we had so much at our blog in 2012. We inaugurated several important Pages that fixed our niche & direction among the world of Pet Blogs. Chazz’s Literary Corner, Canine Cinema Chazz Goes To Da Movies. We came out in a clear way to let Pet Brands and other marketing groups know we were available for partnering, marketing activities on behalf of their products or clients with both our Press/Media and OP/ED Pages.

With the launch of our Press/Media Page, AMTCTD blog started taking careful note of the Country Readership we were developing. Amazing, mind-blowing, to realize dog lovers or just curious folks were clicking on to our blog from where they live on the other side of the world. WooHoo exciting to say the least.

Partnership: We reached out and made new furriends this year with several people. Authors, Hy Conrad & Jeff Johnson brought our year to a smashing close with supporting a Book Review & GiveAway of their hysterical book, Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You To Know – 11 Courageous Canines Tell All. The people over at BIONIC did another GiveAway with us for small dogs – with a Dog Treat Stuffer Ball.

We continue to value our relationship with Disney and their PR. AMTCTD was chosen to see a special screening of Tim Burton’s FRANKENWEENIE movie at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, CA in September, and prepare a Film Review. The whole thing was a blast, and “Flat Chazz” made the scene too! Santa Paws2, The Santa Pups is another Film Review we did and Disney helped us to give away a BlueRay DVD copy of the film to one lucky winner!

Posting: AMTCTD blog posts on a regular basis. Included among those posts are book reviews, movie reviews, product reviews. We have also stepped up the amount of GiveAways we can offer, partnering with a lot of great folks. This is particularly a win/win for ourselves and our partners. Most of all – we continue to strive to post educational, interesting, and fun content for our reades.

Readership: AdoptedMomToChazzTheDog Blog has been read in over 54 countries worldwide to date. We are certain our largest audience comes from the USA, but it’s clear we have readers far away from these shores too. Dogs are domesticated and kept throughout the world as pets. Granted most cultures don’t go to the extremes some of us here in America do..pampering our pets, dressing them up, carrying them in designer handbags, feeding them designer diets. But lots of folks like reading about dogs, and the culture of being a Pet Parent in today’s world.

We wish to thank each and everyone who has supported our Blog. It is a pawleasure to write, and as long as that remains the case we will be here.

We are looking forward to what 2013 will bring with excitement and anticipation. ChazzTheDog will be turning 5 years old at the end of this month. I can’t hardly believe where the time has gone. He continues to be the source of such love and loyalty, I can hardly get over it. And I hope I never do….

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

Stick around, we are just getting started!!!!