Birthday Wish List

One word:  Flip 

(okay, two words: Flip cam!)

How else are my parents going to share all my funny antics with everyone?!  Futhermore, how am I going to prove that it is, in fact, the cat who chews up shoes and eats bubble gum still in the wrapper?

My birthday is right around the corner and I'll be the Big 0-2 (I sound more distinguished with two digits).   I think I'm mature enough to handle it.  Toes crossed!!

Is it true?!

Oh goodness, is it true that Amazon is going to allow Kindle users to check out e-books from public libraries?!  That's what I've heard, through the gravevine, and I'm ever-so-hoping that it is true.

I still love the smell of a new book (and often the taste, but I've learned to control my urges, sometimes...), but I am very excited about checking out e-books for my local library.  I have a Kindle, so I'm upset that I can't use this wonderful library feature yet, but I am hoping to hop on the e-library bandwagon soon!  Finally, not having to worry about bringing books back to the library from vacation with sand in them and a salt water film on the cover :)

PS.  For my not so tech savvy book buddies, check out this funny one: 

It's a Book by Lane Smith

A little book about print in the digital age. 

 

Paws for a Cause

R.E.A.D

(Reading Education Assistance Dogs)

gives us something to bark about!

Let's face it, reading can be intimidating! 

For some kids, who could possibly be a better reading buddy than man's best friend?  A pup, of course!

With the idea that "fear destroys intelligence" (Williams Ayers), the R.E.A.D program was designed for reluctant readers who are given the oppourtunity, through the program, to read to  a companion that does not judge, laugh or criticize, allows children to proceed at their own pace, and is less intimidating than peers or adults.  Reading with Rover is another tail-wagging program whose mission is to inspire children to discover the joy of reading while developing literacy skills and confidence in a safe environment using Reading With Rover Dogs.

Maybe literacy dogs aren't everyone's cup of tea, but it certainly can put a bark in our ear about ways to approach our reluctant readers! 

Happy reading everyone (and I hope our K-9 friends are having a woof of a good time diving into their favorite books)!

Dog days of summer: Some favorites to get through the day

1. Kong toy

Tough, durable and the perfect hide-a-way for yummy treats!  Frozen peanut butter inside the Kong toy could lasts A LOT longer than any stuffed toy with a squeaker!

2. Tennis ball sling shot

Need I say more?  Okay, I will, just in case.  This thing can shoot a tennis ball to up to 220 feet, it semi-reloads itself and for those of you with little fury friends, they make a mini sized one!  Just get me to an open field and let those babies fly!

3. Safety First:  Life jacket for pups

We all need some extra buoyancy whether is a fishing day at the lake or a splashing in the waves day at the beach, a pup can get tired doggie paddling all day!  Also features reflective strips and a handle for easy handling... A safe pup is a happy pup :)

 

4.  Water bottle for on-the-go

Very cool, easy to use and durable!

5.  And, of course, a friend to play with!

Summer Reads to Woof About

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

If you've ever wondered what your dog is thinking, Stein's third novel offers an answer. Enzo is a lab terrier mix plucked from a farm outside Seattle to ride shotgun with race car driver Denny Swift as he pursues success on the track and off. Denny meets and marries Eve, has a daughter, Zoë, and risks his savings and his life to make it on the professional racing circuit. Enzo, frustrated by his inability to speak and his lack of opposable thumbs, watches Denny's old racing videos, coins koanlike aphorisms that apply to both driving and life, and hopes for the day when his life as a dog will be over and he can be reborn a man. When Denny hits an extended rough patch, Enzo remains his most steadfast if silent supporter. Enzo is a reliable companion and a likable enough narrator, though the string of Denny's bad luck stories strains believability. Much like Denny, however, Stein is able to salvage some dignity from the over-the-top drama. (Publishers Weekly)

Huck Runs Amuck by Peter Reynolds

Meet Huck. He loves flowers. FLOWERS, FLOWERS, FLOWERS. And he'll do whatever it takes to get a mouthful: climb the highest mountain, walk a tightrope, even defy speeding trains! It's true, he can't resist! But when his mad dash up a church spire is mistaken for a heroic attempt to save Mrs. Spooner's flowery hat (rather than a determined effort to eat it), Huck has a crisis of conscience. Can anything deter this goat from his gastronomical bliss?

I just ordered my copy!

 Marley & Me by John Grogan

Labrador retrievers are generally considered even-tempered, calm and reliable;and then there's Marley, the subject of this delightful tribute to one Lab who doesn't fit the mold. Grogan, a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and his wife, Jenny, were newly married and living in West Palm Beach when they decided that owning a dog would give them a foretaste of the parenthood they anticipated. Marley was a sweet, affectionate puppy who grew into a lovably naughty, hyperactive dog. With a light touch, the author details how Marley was kicked out of obedience school after humiliating his instructor (whom Grogan calls Miss Dominatrix) and swallowed an 18-karat solid gold necklace (Grogan describes his gross but hilarious "recovery operation"). With the arrival of children in the family, Marley became so incorrigible that Jenny, stressed out by a new baby, ordered her husband to get rid of him; she eventually recovered her equilibrium and relented. Grogan's chronicle of the adventures parents and children (eventually three) enjoyed with the overly energetic but endearing dog is delivered with great humor. Dog lovers will love this account of Grogan's much loved canine. (Publishers Weekly)

 

 Huck by Janet Elder

The remarkable true story of how one lost puppy taught a family -- and a whole town -- about hope and happy endings.

Okay, a pup named Huck can do no wrong :)

Any other suggestions?  I would love to hear from you!