Did Someone Say Treat?

Some Dogs Will do Anything for a treat...

When waiting in line for a milkbone, some dogs will dress in disguise hoping no one will notice they already had a treat...

 

Some may even dress like a little, helpless old lady...

 

Others are oblivious to the world around them, unless, of course, a treat is mentioned.

 

Toffee, someone's at the door!

 

Toffee, can you please move so I can vacuum?

 

Tof, it's thundering out!! Oh no!!!

 

Hey Tof, want to go for a ride?

 

Look Tof! A rabbit!!

 

Um, Tof?  Want a snack??

There we go.  Finally, a reaction!

 

Love at First Site 

 

What does YOUR dog do for a treat?

 

 

Copyright © Elizabeth Parker

Author of Finally Home, Final Journey, Bark Out Loud!, My Dog Does That!, Paw Prints in the Sand, Unwanted Dreams, Evil’s Door, Phobia and Faces of Deception

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Designer of Buddy Bracelets www.facebook.com/buddybracelets www.lvjewels.storenvy.com

 

 

 

 

 

Paw Prints in the Sand

Paw Prints in the Sand

I'm excited to announce my new book that will be out by the end of this month, July, 2012.  It is a fictional story, however, the foundation of the story—puppy mills—is unfortunately, quite real.

Chelsea and Anthony Shelton had their heart in the right place when they made the decision to adopt two dogs.  Shortly thereafter, they were greeted with a surprise for which they hadn't been prepared—the female is pregnant.

They made the best out of a sour situation, sold the puppies and donated the proceeds to an animal rescue group.  What they couldn't predict was the actual lifestyle of one of the buyers.

Without revealing the rest of the story, writing this book had caused me to get swept away in a dreamland of my own.  Here's one dream I don't mind if someone steals and makes it their own.  As a matter of fact, I'd love for everyone to steal this dream idea!

So, here it is.  Somehow, some way I'd love to open a pet sanctuary/rescue facility.  I'd love to have it right on my property.  Sounds like a crazy, farfetched idea for me, but it's my dream so I can make it as insane as I want! 

Join me in my insanity, won't you?

In this facility, stray dogs will be taken in, given the proper medical attention if necessary and then, ideally, adopted out.  In my world, however, once I foster a dog, they rarely leave.  I'd have to work on changing that.

I'd love for this facility to be comfortable and homey. I'm not talking cages.  I'm thinking about actual comfortable furniture for the dogs to lounge on, tiled floors instead of cold cement.  In this building, the senior dogs would have their own area, the puppies would have theirs.  No sense in getting the seniors in an uproar by an overzealous pup!

Sure, the upkeep would be costly, and I'd be replacing couches every so often, but then again, the dogs don't necessarily need style, just comfort.  So, I might be able to purchase a bright yellow, polka dot couch for an affordable price. Maybe even two.  Don't worry, I'll hang some nice pictures on the walls.

The yard would be spacious and, again separated for senior dogs, pups and for those with special needs.  There'd be enough room for them to run, play and socialize.

This way, when pups like this walk into my life, they don't necessarily have to walk out.  I'd be prepared.

And when problematic dogs, who don't quite play well with others stroll by, they too can find comfort in having a room to call their own.

Think of it as a house just for dogs, not a cold building and in no way an idea for a hoarder situation.  Just a manageable amount of dogs-someplace on an large lot for them to call their own, without worrying about when or where they will get their next meal.

It's a dream for now.  But  each dream starts with an idea, that can eventually  cultivate into reality.  As the old saying goes, If you can dream it, it can happen. 

Who knows? I can win lotto tomorrow and if I do, my idea is all mapped out.  I even know what I want the house to look like.  Now I just have to buy the winning ticket.

Again, feel free to make this dream your own.  I'd love for there to be thousands of these 'dreams' being brought to life.

Paw Prints in the Sand.  The kind of dream that might one day exist.  For now, I bring you the book-coming soon.

By Elizabeth Parker

Copyrighted by Elizabeth Parker 2012

Author of Finally Home, Final Journey, My Dog Does That!, Bark Out Loud!, Unwanted Dreams, Phobia, Evil's Door and Faces of Deception

Paw Prints in the Sand coming soon!

Finally Home-What's It All About?

I've had people write to me or approach  me at a book signing to say they couldn't bring themselves to read Finally Home because they get too emotional when it comes to dog stories.  I was happy to report that at the time when I wrote that book, Buddy was sitting right next to me.  I wanted Finally Home to be the first of its kind in that respect, and it was, as far as I know. It didn't have a sad ending.  Like so many readers, I don't like sad endings either.   Buddy was there with me the moment I started typing away and there the moment I received my first proof in the mail, and published my book.  I had his paw print to autograph my first copy. 

My goal in writing that book was twofold, or perhaps, threefold.  Primarily, he had so many quirks, I knew his story would make people smile-especially those who have owned a dog as rambunctious as Buddy.  Secondly, I wanted to donate a portion of the profits to animal rescue.  Lastly and perhaps most importantly, I wanted to correct the misconception that shelter dogs or rescue dogs are less adequate than dogs bought from a puppy store or breeder. 

I think I accomplished that. Although Buddy was a handful when we adopted him, we learned from him, he learned from us, and together, we created a soulful bond that formed our family.

Life is all about learning lessons.  The first time you try anything on your own, it's a blessing if you succeed.  Training Buddy was no different.  At first, we thought we'd get our answers out of a training manual, so we read several.  If I could think back far enough, I'd bet that Buddy probably chewed through them anyway.  No, it's safe to say our lessons were ones that couldn't be learned from a book.  They couldn't be learned from any particular trainer. They had to be learned by looking directly at the source, seeing the gentle giant for who he was, realizing that Buddy was an individual with a big heart and his own agenda.  Once we understood that, we understood Buddy.

As many dog owners will tell you, each dog has its own unique personality.  Specific rules don't apply to all. 

I've had people write to me to tell me they wanted to give up on their own dog due to their behavioral issues, but after reading Finally Home, they gave their dog a second chance.  Some have told me they wanted to buy from a breeder, but chose to now rescue instead.  I had once said that if just one dog gets saved, then all of the hard work was worth it.  After all, you can't put a price tag on a life.

If you get the chance to read Finally Home, I'd love to hear from you and welcome comments about your own dogs...or cats!  Hopefully one day, there won't be so many abandoned or neglected animals.

Like I said earlier, life is all about learning lessons.  Why not learn them from a free-spirited dog?

Thanks for reading.
Elizabeth Parker
Copyright © Elizabeth Parker
Finally Home is available on Amazon.com in Kindle or paperback format.

A portion of the proceeds from all of  my books are donated to animal rescue groups.

Visit me on Twitter at Twitter.com/golden_books or Facebook at www.facebook.com/goldenbooks1
Author of Finally Home, Final Journey, My Dog Does That!, Bark Out Loud!, Unwanted Dreams, Phobia, Evil's Door and Faces of Deception