Review: Loving Emmi

The title of this book, Loving Emmi, could also be the title of this review, that is if you are a fan of Barbara Boswell Brunner's writing. And, it would be hard to be a dog lover and not be. As a memoir writing instructor who loves dogs and writing about dogs, I am also aware of some of the perceptions out there in the world of memoir writing that books about animals may be a little "light" in comparison to say the next Wild or Dry, memoirs that explore serious topics of exploration or addiction. But there is a joy in Boswell Brunner's writing even when she is tackling difficult topics like her dog's death or little Emmi's suffering. Her voice is so comfortable that her love of dogs becomes contagious and the reader soon finds themselves engulfed in her world. My favorite passages are when you get to hear the story from the point of view of little Emmi or Izzy. While these passages could easily become silly or overly sentimental, they strike just the right tone, welcoming us into the worlds of these little animals. I don't want to say too much about the story because people should discover for themselves, but if you haven't read Boswell Brunner's work before you should give it a try and if you already have this is the ideal sequel to her Dog-Ma, The Zen of Slobber. You will fall in love with her new little pack as much as you did the old. An enjoyable read, despite the occasional tears!

And the Dog-Ma saga continues...

In this highly anticipated sequel to the best-selling Dog-Ma, The Zen of Slobber, Izzy, the feisty and ferocious terrier, has lost her eyesight. Following on the heels of this devastating loss, her arch-rival Morgan - a gentle giant of a Rottweiler - suddenly succumbs to cancer. Finding herself a lonely-only, it's not long before Izzy finds herself nose-to-nose with her humans' new pet project: a foster Rottie pup also named Morgan. Quickly renamed Emmi to avoid confusion (and the wrath of Izzy,) it was to be the beginning of a journey unlike any other.

Severely injured as a newborn, Emmi—affectionately known to her fast-growing online fan base as Baby Morgan the Broken Jaw Puppy—is hanging onto life by a thread. Living with a crushed jaw that has left her unable to open her mouth to eat or drink, the prognosis is grim. Baby Morgan is starving to death. Having rescued her from a horrific life, her parents spring into all-out desperation mode to find her the best lifesaving medical care. Despite the advice of veterinary professionals to euthanize, her parents are determined to save her at all costs. Taking to the Internet, they rally a huge online community of dog lovers who quickly become their second family. It does not take long for Emmi's sheer determination and ferocious will to live to take hold.

This is Emmi's miracle. A story of hope, inspiration and triumph in the face of adversity.

Available to buy at.... Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Author Site  Barnes and Noble  

“This book is a must read for animal lovers, everywhere. Barbara Boswell Brunner pulls at your heartstrings in Loving Emmi, a rescue story like no other. When Barbara, and her husband, Ray, decide it's time to foster another dog, they have no idea what they're getting into. This is their story, but it's also the story of every "imperfect" shelter dog; a story that promises to open eyes and hearts. A fantastic read. Two paws, way, way up.” - Author Nick Antinozzi – Desperate Times Trilogy

 “A captivating and heartwarming story that illustrates the deep and trusting bond that exists between dogs and humans, written with true understanding, compassion, and love. A must-read gem of a book.” Author Kathryne Arnold – The Resurrection of Hannah

Read an excerpt HERE

Also Available.... Dog-Ma: the Zen of Slobber (Dog-Ma Book 1) Barbara's vivid and dramatic stories, told with a wicked sense of humor, will make you laugh out loud. She definitely gets what living with rescued dogs (nine of them!) is all about.

When Barbara meets her future husband, Ray, it is love-and dog-at first sight. Over the course of thirty-two years, seventeen relocations and nine dogs, their mutual love of dogs guides them on their unconventional path. The love that Barbara and Ray get in return is literally lifesaving, with one dog attacking a lethal intruder and another discovering Barbara’s cancer. Her own survival story underscores the story of how her dogs become survivors themselves.

Each new dog adds its own dynamic to the family, sometimes upending it. From Turbo (whose Spock-like ears may have provided super powers), Barbara learns about the will to live; Lexington demonstrates incredible patience and an inexplicable love of golf; Madison teaches that laughter is truly the best medicine and that the whole “nine lives thing” is not reserved just for cats; Morgan should be sainted for tolerating Izzy, who is as cute as she is bad. Barbara is certain that somewhere in doggie heaven there is a poster that says “If you are sick, injured or in need of really expensive medical care, FIND THESE HUMANS!”

Available to buy at.... Amazon.co.uk     Amazon.com    Author Site    Barnes and Noble

"Anyone who loves dogs and animals will thoroughly enjoy this book, you will find the authors love, compassion and kindness to her dogs unconditional and the sacrifices both her and her husband make are unbelievable." - Beck Valley Books

"A sweet, funny and poignant book that I read, cover to cover in just one sitting. It caused me to shed more than a few tears, brought many smiles to my face and even made me laugh out loud a time or two. Whether you’re head over heels for furbabies or are just looking for a great read, this is the book for you!" - Jayedee Halpin Dewitt

"If you love dogs, if you’ve ever rescued a dog, or if you just want a book that exemplifies the extraordinary bond that develops between dogs and the humans who love them, you must read Dog-ma the Zen of Slobber." - Terrier Torrent

Read an excerpt HERE

About the Author Award Winning Author, Barbara Brunner grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with her parents, sister and always a dog, or two or three. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from a small women's college in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Meeting her husband in Washington, DC, they continued together on a journey as self-proclaimed dog addicts. In the ensuing years, she founded three successful businesses in the Pacific Northwest and is a prolific fundraiser for breast cancer research. She and her husband are retired and now reside in Southwest Florida with two dogs and copious amounts of dog fur. She is currently working on indulging her well known flip flop addiction.

Find the author on the following sites... Website   Facebook   Book's Facebook  Twitter   Pinterest   Google+    Goodreads   Amazon Author Page

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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY !!

Win $50 Amazon.com/Paypal (winners choice) Open Worldwide Ending on Sunday 15th May at 11.59pm EST

Enter Below & Good Luck!!

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Book Review: The Road Unsalted

One of the greatest gifts in life is a good teacher. I have been fortunate to know several—my childhood art teacher, Maryann Davis, my fifth grade teacher, Paul Rocheleau, my photography teacher, Jim Block, and presently my friend, Sonja Hakala.

A fellow writer, Hakala is a self-publishing maven, who can take students through the history of publishing from its origins to present day. I feel like I am getting a Masters' level course, just sitting in her current class at the AVA Gallery in Hanover, NH.

Sonja has written books on publishing and quilting and recently turned her attention to fiction, writing a novel set in the fictional town of Carding, Vt.

Sonja gave me a copy of her novel for an unbiased review. I tried to be as unbiased as possible, and as a teacher myself used to reading students' works, I feel I did a good job, but t is always difficult to read the work of a friend—can she write, will I like it, what if I don't? Fortunately, Sonja can write and with every page I found myself being further drawn into the world of Carding, Vt., a town very familiar to my own.

And, for you dog lovers out there, Hakala includes a dog, Nearly that offers its own perspective on the community.

So, here is my review of Sonja's book. Next week I will run a Q & A with her. Enjoy!

Review: The Road Unsalted by Sonja Hakala

If you live in a small town, the dynamics of Sonja Hakala’s novel The Road Unsalted will be familiar to you. If you live in the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire, as I do, this story may feel like walking into a page of your own life. Hakala sets her tale in the fictional town of Carding, Vermont, but locates Carding in the Upper Valley region. Real life artists and locations pepper the story that has all the right elements including: small town politics, romance and scandal, and the warmth of family and friends found in such a tight-knit communities. At times I found myself laughing at the familiarity of it all, and at other times I was downright touched. Take for instance the scene where the friends of one of the main characters, Ted Owens, gather on the ski slopes to help him confront a painful memory. The characters ring true if a few, such as Lisa and Alli-O, are deliciously over the top. There are even a few scenes from the point of view of a dog, Nearly, a tribute to Hakala’s own dog Goldie. Nearly offers an unique perspective that dog lovers will enjoy. Hakala manages to use all these devices without seeming silly or diminishing the pace of the narrative. The novel is also peppered with lyrical description: “To the north of the green, the land swooped down to Half-Moon Lake, a big fat puddle that filled a hole craved out by the Corvus River. At the head of the lake, a thirty-foot bluff jutted out over the water, a great knobbly knee of granite that has resisted the river’s erosion for time out of mind.

The story has real heart as illustrated by the relationship between Suzanne and her Uncle Ted, but characters such as Edie Wolfe and her dog Nearly will long linger in my mind. The storyline – whether the Carding Academy of Traditional Arts will be forced to leave town as a result of a political debate over ancient roads – is entertaining, but it is the small town intrigue and wonderfully written characters that keep me reading and eager to return to Carding once again in the future.

Dog-Ma Author Interview: A Second Go-Round

Dear Readers, I am having trouble with my Internet connection tonight so I can't link back to my former reviews and interviews with Barbara. There is also a recent give-a-way that ends Thursday that I posted in my blog. If you want to learn more look back through the blog archives or check the book review link on the side of the page. And, if you haven't read the book you may want to read it. Last March I had the opportunity to interview Barbara Boswell Brunner, author of Dog-Ma: the Zen of Slobber. I had reviewed her book on this site and she was kind enough to do a Q & A about writing and her dogs including Izzy pictured below. Barbara spoke with me again recently to update readers and followers of this blog on how the process has been in promoting her book and how she is doing. Below is also an excerpt from the book. Dog lovers will surely enjoy.

Barbara's vivid and dramatic stories, told with a wicked sense of humor, will make you laugh out loud. She definitely gets what living with rescued dogs (nine of them!) is all about.

When Barbara meets her future husband, Ray, it is love-and dog-at first sight. Over the course of thirty-two years, seventeen relocations and nine dogs, their mutual love of dogs guides them on their unconventional path. The love that Barbara and Ray get in return is literally lifesaving, with one dog attacking a lethal intruder and another discovering Barbara’s cancer. Her own survival story underscores the story of how her dogs become survivors themselves.

Each new dog adds its own dynamic to the family, sometimes upending it. From Turbo (whose Spock-like ears may have provided super powers), Barbara learns about the will to live; Lexington demonstrates incredible patience and an inexplicable love of golf; Madison teaches that laughter is truly the best medicine and that the whole “nine lives thing” is not reserved just for cats; Morgan should be sainted for tolerating Izzy, who is as cute as she is bad. Barbara is certain that somewhere in doggie heaven there is a poster that says “If you are sick, injured or in need of really expensive medical care, FIND THESE HUMANS!”

Throughout 2012 and 2013, Dog-Ma has been on the Bestseller lists of Kindle, Amazon and Goodreads aswell as being named as a finalist in the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards in the animal/pet category and presented with a medal at the Harvard Club in New York City - May 2013.

Buy the Book.......

Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Barnes and Noble Kobo

Book Excerpt Chapter 1 Blood

It is everywhere. The stark white walls shimmer with droplets like a Jackson Pollock painting. My hand pulses with pain as I struggle to separate the combatants, one collar in each outstretched hand. Rivulets of red run down my arm and I am unsure if it belongs to me. I cannot, I must not fixate on it. My heart pounds until I am sure it will escape my chest; each beat pronounced and strong. My predicament is clear: let go of one and the other will perish. I must hang on and wait for calm to prevail. Breathe deeply. Show control. No, TAKE control. I try convincing myself this will all be over soon. I cannot scream; it would only exacerbate their fury.

Time slows as though the clocks have momentarily stopped. With each breath, the pain of my hand surges through my body. Morgan shakes her head and dots of red splatter onto the floor. The soft white fur surrounding Izzy’s mouth is stained with a cocktail of gore. Her blue-clouded eyes sparkle as she gazes blankly in an undetermined direction. She cannot see her intended adversary, having been robbed of vision a year earlier. Her snarls are guided by her nose; her anger guided by fear.

As my muscles strain to maintain the distance between the combatants, I hope for a reprieve. I struggle to control one hundred and twenty pounds in one hand and twenty pounds in the other, tenacity compensating for the smaller stature. Deep claret tones slowly ooze through her long white, wiry fur. I can already see her eye beginning to swell shut, like a prize-fighter on a losing day. Morgan is dripping blood. Izzy’s tooth has ripped a gash in the tender velvety lining of her ear. She shakes her head to ease the pain. If I wasn’t so damned pissed off I could appreciate the artistry of the spatter, with flow and movement as intricate as any piece of MOMA artwork.

“Leave it!” booms from around the corner. Ray extricates Izzy from my hand, gently coaxing her to settle down. Izzy’s maniacal temper has not eased, evidenced by her continued struggle for freedom. Izzy has only one mission: kill or be killed. It does not matter that the Rottweiler is six times larger or has jaws that could crush bone. She must prevail. Failure is not an option. She is a terrier.

Ray has a soothing effect. Izzy feels safe in her human dad’s arms.

They have much in common: determination, stubbornness and moxie: two peas in a pod. Where they differ is in temper. Izzy has no control over hers. When the anger switch flips in her tiny little brain, no one can turn it off. She is focused to a fault, her tantrums often triggered by the fear of her sightless world.

Morgan sighs. She is ready to be released. She quiets easily and quickly. She is a gentle giant, not a fighter. She bites only to defend herself. If her intent were to eliminate her assailant, it would happen in one quick snap of her jaw. She cannot understand why this monster was brought into our peaceful home. We were a happy family until Izzy appeared. She is the Anti-Christ. She is pure evil. Our home has become a salient battleground with opponents always vigilant, wary of the other, waiting for the first sign of war.

Finally, the opponents are separated, sent to their respective corners. Equanimity has settled in, not like a comforting blanket, but a static-filled one; on edge and ready to snap at the first sign of friction. I wonder how our family became ensnared in this violence. It wasn’t always this way.

There was a time when our home was a sanctuary of Zen-like calm, a respite from our hectic professional world. We rescued abused and abandoned animals, provided them with comforting shelter and loving care. Yet, here I sit on the kitchen floor, assessing the multitude of damage, wondering where we failed.

This is where it begins......

About the Author

Award Winning Author, Barbara Brunner grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with her parents, sister and always a dog, or two or three. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from a small women's college in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Meeting her husband in Washington, DC, they continued together on a journey as self-proclaimed dog addicts. In the ensuing years, she founded three successful businesses in the Pacific Northwest and is a prolific fundraiser for breast cancer research. She and her husband are retired and now reside in Southwest Florida with two dogs and copious amounts of dog fur. She is currently working on indulging her well known flip flop addiction.

Barbara is available for book readings, autographing and speaking engagements and may be scheduled for your book or dog event.

Follow the Author...

Website, Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Goodreads

"My inspiration for writing this book was driven by pure emotion and my desire to invite the reader to step into the journey of my utterly insane true-life stories." – Barbara Boswell Brunner, Author, dog-ma

Book Tour Dates

Author Q & A: Barbara Boswell Brunner

Welcome to Pugs & Pics Barbara. Thank you for being willing to talk to us again.

Q: It's been awhile since your book Dog-Ma: The Zen of Slobber came out, how would you say response has been? Do you have any anecdote you can share regarding your favorite comments or responses?

A: The response to the book has been wonderful and beyond my wildest dreams. My original intent was for my dad to be able to remember all of our dogs as he retreated into Alzheimer's. He lived long enough to see it published and seeing the joy in his face while holding his copy will be a memory I always treasure. After he passed, my husband and I had the daunting responsibility of cleaning out his apartment and one of the items we accidentally donated to a thrift store was dad's copy of Dog-Ma, on which I had placed a very personal cover page note for him. Several weeks later I received an email from a woman who had purchased that book, started reading it and realized what she had in her hands. Though my father lived in PA and I in FL, this book had been found by a woman visiting family in PA, who also lived in Fl, very near to me! Serendipitous. We met, found we both have a passion for dogs and rescue and have become fast friends.

Q: What is the most important thing you learned about writing and marketing a book from this experience?

A: Writing a book is the easy part, though it may not seem so at the time. Marketing is challenging and demands constant attention. It is very difficult for a self-published author to get their books out into readers hands. Social media has given us a platform and if used wisely can aid in the process. Selecting the proper channels and knowing when and how to promote is tricky. Having experienced people along the way to assist is necessary. Using experienced bloggers and book tour managers is essential and the experience is magical when it works.

Q: When I first interviewed you gave some advice about writing a memoir -- "Define the message and then tell your story." First, how would you categorize the message of your book and second how did you go about defining thins? I find this is often a challenge for my students as well as myself --what is it I am trying to convey with this story?

A: The message within Dog-Ma can be viewed on the surface that by seeing the humor in the nutty and comical things our animals do on a daily basis life becomes more fun. If you look deeper, I think the message is that no matter what these crazy animals do they must be loved and accepted and never become "throwaway animals." Adopting an animal is a lifetime commitment, not a short term "while they are cute" commitment. It breaks my heart to see senior dogs or those with challenging personalities in the shelters. If there is one message I could shout from the mountain tops it would be that. I am not sure I even thought about that message as I was writing the book. I believe it is just a part of my soul and being. So as advice to your students I would have to say that you have to have belief in what you are writing, you must become a participant in your story, feel your characters and your message will become clear.

Q: Now that sometime has passed is there anything you wished you had done differently with the book -- any story you wish you had included or left out, for example?

A: Simply, yes. Every time I reread it there are things I want to change -- things I wish I had said differently. Some of the things I wrote about offended people. They were not meant to, the stories I told were true. These things really happened to me and to my dogs. It makes me sad that some people felt hurt by my words. It was certainly not my intent. Things that I found humorous, others did not, but I suppose that is what makes the world more interesting.

Q: As someone who has lived with so many dogs what is the one piece of advice you would give to someone considering getting their first dog?

A: I recommend visiting the shelter you are going to adopt from with every family member. Visit with the dog you are adopting and make sure there is a connection. Don't adopt a dog just because it is cute or because it looks like one your Aunt Sue had. Really get to know each dog that is available. Personality is so much more important than looks. Isn't that so true in dating, as well? This animal is going to be a family member. Make sure it is a good fit so it will last for life. Don't overlook senior dogs or dogs who are specially-abled. They have just as much to offer as puppies and often come housebroken and trained. As always remember Adopt, don't Shop!

Q: I asked before and have to ask again, how is Izzy doing today?

A: Izzy is doing extremely well. For those who do not follow her on Facebook (and yes, she has more followers than me) here is a quick recap. In May, she had a very small window of opportunity to have one of her eyes operated on, in hopes of giving her some vision back. The cataract had started to become hyper-mature and if we did nothing we would have no chance of regaining vision. We had just a week to make not only the decision to have the surgery but to organize the plans to travel  two hours away to have it done. The post-op care was daunting and I had to make a spreadsheet to keep track of her drops and medicines. There was something we had to do to her or give her every walking hour of the day for many weeks. However, the operation was a smashing success and she now has full vision in her right eye. She is back to her old self, playing ball, chasing geckos, and running no-stop. She just had a checkup with her eye surgeon at the end of October and were told the surgery results could not have been any better. Sadly, we lost Morgan in September to bilateral renal cancer. As much as Izzy fought with Morgan, she still mourns her. We often find her in Morgan's bed. She sniffs the cover and sighs. Sometimes she will roll around in it, but she will never sleep there. I am sure she misses her.

Q: And finally, what are you working on now? Have you begun a new book?

A: I have started two new books and cannot seem to get very far into them. Losing Morgan took us by surprise and I believe once I have been able to fully process what happened it will become the next book. Canine cancer has taken four of my dogs. I want to write about it as a cathartic exercise and be able to donate the profit to canine cancer research.

Dog-Ma Give-a-way

Here's a chance to win some really wonderful items:

SPONSORED DOGTASTIC GIVEAWAY !!

10 WINNERS !!

EACH WILL RECEIVE...

A DOGGIE SWAG BAG WORTH $150

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A DOG-MA AUDIOBOOK GIFT CODE FOR DOWNLOAD

for US entrants

Want more winners?

15 more winners will receive the Dog-Ma audiobook gift code to download aswell!!

to all worldwide entrants

Plus the 'very first winner' will also win a really cute dog outfit (US only)

Ending on Thursday 12th December at 11.59pm EST

So what's inside the swag bags?

Dog-Ma Audiobook gift code for one download from ACX rrp $18

Barbara's vivid and dramatic stories, told with a wicked sense of humor, will make you laugh out loud. She definitely gets what living with rescued dogs (nine of them!) is all about.When Barbara meets her future husband, Ray, it is love-and dog-at first sight. Over the course of thirty-two years, seventeen relocations and nine dogs, their mutual love of dogs guides them on their unconventional path. The love that Barbara and Ray get in return is literally lifesaving, with one dog attacking a lethal intruder and another discovering Barbara’s cancer. Her own survival story underscores the story of how her dogs become survivors themselves.

Each new dog adds its own dynamic to the family, sometimes upending it. From Turbo (whose Spock-like ears may have provided super powers), Barbara learns about the will to live; Lexington demonstrates incredible patience and an inexplicable love of golf; Madison teaches that laughter is truly the best medicine and that the whole “nine lives thing” is not reserved just for cats; Morgan should be sainted for tolerating Izzy, who is as cute as she is bad. Barbara is certain that somewhere in doggie heaven there is a poster that says “If you are sick, injured or in need of really expensive medical care, FIND THESE HUMANS!”

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Give-a-Way: It's Just a Dog

Several months ago I began reviewing dog books on this blog. Russ Ryan's book, It's Just a Dog, was a blast to read and I'm glad to be a part of this give-a-way that offers three winners a chance to receive his book.

 

This Dogtastic Giveaway has been brought to you by

author Russ Ryan and Beck Valley Books

Open Worldwide

Ending on Sunday 11th August at 11.59pm EST

What if your dog died and then came back as a ghost…that could talk? Would you welcome him back with open arms or run away scared to death? 

This is the premise of IT’S JUST A DOG, a new novel about love, loss, and one man’s dog who rises up yapping from the grave.

Charlie Keefe is not just your typical dog lover –– he’s a world famous dog painter, a.k.a. “The Picasso of Pooch Portraits”. Unfortunately, Charlie’s beloved muse, Pete, his lovable Jack Russell terrier, has just died. And he’s totally devastated by the loss of his furry best friend.

So, after months of grieving over his dearly departed soulmate, Charlie reluctantly agrees to foster a new puppy –– a cute Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Brownie from the local animal shelter. Soon after, Charlie is surprised to find himself falling head over heels with this new puppy girl, his ‘Rebound Dog’, as he calls her –– as well as being romantically attracted to Janelle Jordan, the head hound at the dog rescue.

But then complications arise when the ghost of his old dog, Pete, mysteriously reappears one night and comes back to haunt him and the new puppy –– setting off a bizarre chain of events that throw Charlie’s life, career, and entire belief system into chaos!

If you’ve enjoyed such classic dog books as The Art of Racing in the Rain and A Dog’s Purpose, then you are bound to find a place in your heart for IT’S JUST A DOG. 

IT’S JUST A DOG is not just for dogs. It’s for anyone who has ever lost a pet –– and learned to love again. If you’re a feel-good fan of dog books, make IT’S JUST A DOG your special treat!

Enter Below and Good Luck !! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Attending a Reading: A Dog Walks into a Nursing Home

The Norwich Bookstore was filled to capacity tonight when my best friend Sheila and I walked through the door.

“Did you make a reservation?” the young woman at the door inquired.

“Did we have to?” I responded.

“Yes,” she said. “But you can sit on the stairway.

We climbed the steps took a seat and looked down to watch author Sue Halpern and her therapy dog, Pransky, wind through the crowds to the front of the room. We were there to hear a reading of her new book, A Dog Walks into a Nursing Home, about her therapy work with Pransky.

I, of course, was drawn to the reading by my interest in everything dog, but also by the fact that Sue Halpern is a teacher at my alma mater, Middlebury College, and is married to climate change guru Bill McKibben. From my high perch on the steps I had a wonderful view of Pransky, a golden Labradoodle with whom I and the rest of the crowd fell quickly in love, but once the introductions started Halpern seized my attention in her own right.

I hadn’t yet read the book, but I can’t wait to do so, as this is more than another dog story, though Pransky and her work are prominently featured. As Halpern talked I learned her book is organized around the seven virtues.

“What do you do at the nursing home?” one of the members of the audience asked and Halpern’s answer was very revealing.

“I soon learned it was not about doing but being,” she said.

She explained how while she was looking for something to do together with her intelligent and active dog, her own interest in memory led her to want to work at a nursing home where many people were dealing with dementia. She had a selfish reason as well. People with dementia don’t always look ill and the thought of working with people at the end of their lives or suffering from serious illness did not appeal to her, causing anxiety at the thought of confronting their and perhaps her own mortality. She soon found herself, however, working with that population and soon realized that while she may have been nervous her dog was anything but. She was just happy to be with the people who were happy to see her.  Halpern sensed there was a story in all this and suspected that a patient in the nursing home would eventually reveal themselves and share a gem of wisdom from which a book would be spun, a la Tuesdays with Morrie perhaps. Halpern noted that this didn’t happen. The story she realized was about the collective experience of all these patients and their effect on her dog.

“I started to ask the big questions such as how do you live your life?” she said. “I began to ask myself what am I learning?”

These questions soon led her to ask more – was working at the nursing home an act of charity or an act of self-interest?

So often dog books are viewed as something frivolous, something to be dismissed as part of the new cultural obsession with everything canine, but seldom have I encountered a dog book that is simply just about being a cute dog. Many like Halpern’s seem to address larger issues. Interestingly, dogs seem to have a way of making us more human. I can’t wait to read Halpern’s book and discover more about her journey because each dog book seems to take me on my own.

Book Review: It's Just a Dog

 

Book Review:

I love dog books, but I admit some are better than others. Russ Ryan's It's Just a Dog is one of those. The thing is I wasn't expecting it to be. Before I turned on my Kindle and began the first page, I had pretty low expectations. You see I knew nothing about the book or its author other than the fact that it was a novel about not only a talking dog, but a talking ghost dog! I seldom turn down a dog book, that's why I'm reviewing them here on the blog, but my taste typically gravitates toward memoir not gimmicky or cutesy talking dog stories.

Ryan's book is neither of these. It is at once heartfelt and hilarious! And, cleverly engaging. I fell in love with the voice of his protagonist dog painter Charlie Keefe from the get-go and would have continued to the end just to listen to him tell his story, but there is more to this book than a charming style and amiable narrator. The plot may be a wee bit light and episodic, but this book has heart and like all the best comedy, a bit of soul as well. Any dog lover will identify with the emotions of Charlie, who loses and grieves for his dog Petey (who must be put down while he is away on vacation) until said dog reappears as a ghost.  Charlie welcomes him back with open arms as any dog owner would. Ryan, who admits in the acknowledgments to having had a Petey of his own, manages to deal with grief and the loss of a beloved pet without getting schmaltzy, in a way that is both fresh and fun. The actual plot is secondary and maybe a little light for some readers, but as an artist myself I had to admit I identified and enjoyed Charlie's career challenges. I also thought his romantic entanglement to ring true, but what delighted me the most were the emotions familiar to all dog owners that managed to make me both smile and empathize with Charlie's plight. Ryan may have entitled his book "It's Just a Dog," but this novel is anything but your typical dog story. It's a fast and fun read with hidden depths.

Book Description:

What if your dog died and then came back as a ghost…that could talk? Would you welcome him back with open arms or run away scared to death?

This is the premise of IT’S JUST A DOG, a new novel about love, loss, and one man’s dog who rises up yapping from the grave.

Charlie Keefe is not just your typical dog lover –– he’s a world famous dog painter, a.k.a. “The Picasso of Pooch Portraits”. Unfortunately, Charlie’s beloved muse, Pete, his lovable Jack Russell terrier, has just died. And he’s totally devastated by the loss of his furry best friend.

So, after months of grieving over his dearly departed soulmate, Charlie reluctantly agrees to foster a new puppy –– a cute Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Brownie from the local animal shelter. Soon after, Charlie is surprised to find himself falling head over heels with this new puppy girl, his ‘Rebound Dog’, as he calls her –– as well as being romantically attracted to Janelle Jordan, the head hound at the dog rescue.

But then complications arise when the ghost of his old dog, Pete, mysteriously reappears one night and comes back to haunt him and the new puppy –– setting off a bizarre chain of events that throw Charlie’s life, career, and entire belief system into chaos!

If you’ve enjoyed such classic dog books as The Art of Racing in the Rain and A Dog’s Purpose, then you are bound to find a place in your heart for IT’S JUST A DOG - Part Book, Part Blog, ALL DOG, (Okay, there may be a few cat videos, too, to show some love for the other team!)

Buy the book from….

Amazon.com – printed book

Amazon.com – ebook

Barnes and Noble

About the Author 

Aside from being a dog lover and a dog widower, RUSS RYAN has written and developed screenplays with the Hollywood producers of American Pie, Final Destination, and Fireflies in the Garden. He was also a writer on a really bad teen comedy, National Lampoon’s Repli-kate, starring Eugene Levy. This is his first novel.

In addition, he is the creator of Meansheets, a vintage movie poster blog that focuses on the greatest artists and illustrators from the 1940′s-1980′s.

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1.	Monday 24th June - I Heart Giveaways
2.	Tuesday 25th June - Pugs and Pics
3.	Wednesday 26th June - Life as Leels
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15.	Monday 8th July - CindyLu's Muse
16.	Tuesday 9th July -Terrier Torrent
17.	Wednesday 10th July - Just Jennifer
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20.	Saturday 13th July - Candle Beam Book Blog
21.	Sunday 14th July - Coupons and Friends
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23.	Tuesday 16th July - Read, Rate and Review
24.	Wednesday 17th July - My Frugal Wife
25.	Thursday 18th July - Beck Valley Books
26.	Friday 19th July - SIGNED BOOK GIVEAWAY !! 3 WINNERS !!

I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

 

printed book          ebook version

Dog-Ma Give-a-Way

A few weeks ago I reviewed Barbara Boswell Brunner's book, Dog-Ma: The Zen of Slobber as part of a virtual book tour. That tour is winding down, but there is still a chance to win a signed copy of the book through the Rafflecopter Give-a-Way below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Interview: Dog-Ma: The Zen of Slobber

I am working on an art project tonight, but wanted to leave you with this author interview with Barbara Brunner Boswell, author of Dog-Ma: The Zen of Slobber. I reviewed Barbara's book last week and decided to ask her if we could do a Q & A about memoirs, writing and dog books. I started this trend a couple of weeks ago when I interviewed Barbara Techel, author of Through Frankie's Eyes, and hope to talk to other memoirists and authors of dog books in the future. I hope you enjoy reading Barbara's answers as much as I did.

Q: Barbara, I really enjoyed your book. I am wondering if you could let readers of this blog know what led you to write it?

My initial inspiration was the grief I suffered at the loss of our first dog, Kashi. I started writing the book in my head almost twenty years before putting pen to paper. I took a break from my work life when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I sold my business; worked on getting well and found myself ready to finally start writing my little story.

Dog-Ma was inspired by my love of dogs and the need to get all of the crazy stories we had been telling at cocktail parties for decades down on paper before senility sets in and I forget them.

Q: Why do you feel memoirs featuring dogs are so popular?

Anyone who loves dogs will relate to someone else’s dog stories. All dogs do crazy things and I think readers like to learn that they are not alone in that craziness.  Discovery that their own dogs may not be the nuttiest ones on earth is comforting. Anyone who has lost a furry companion to old age, disease or accidents can empathize with the grief others feel and perhaps gain some closure. And, who doesn’t love a funny dog tale?

Q: I teach memoir writing at a small community college and many of my students would like to write a book but are uncertain where to start? Can you give them any advice?

This one is a hard question to answer because memoirs are so personal. I suppose that to write a memoir you must be passionate about your life and the message you want the memoir to convey. Find the most important central message and use it as a starting point.

I was given a piece of advice early in my writing from a bestselling author. She said to write a poignant memoir; you must start in the middle and work outwards. For me, that made complete sense. If you start at the beginning, it may be hard to grab your reader’s attention. Define the message and then tell your story.

A publisher told me that a memoir should never be told in chronological order. Yea, I threw that piece of advice out the door!

Q: What led you to choose the publishing route that you did?

I am very impatient. I knew that if I queried and followed the traditional route my chances of publishing were slim. My father was suffering from congestive heart failure and I wanted to get my book in print before he passed away. He was my mentor, guide and inspired my love of books and dogs. He was so proud of Dog-Ma and enjoyed showing it off to all of his friends and neighbors. As it turns out, I published in August of 2012 and he passed away on New Year’s Eve 2012.

Dog-Ma may or may not get discovered by a big publishing house. It is currently on the desk of a New York literary agent, not in his slush pile, so good things may happen, yet. None of that really matters in the big picture. I made my dad proud and to me, that is all that counts.

Q: What has been the most rewarding aspect of writing this book?

There are so many things that have been rewarding. The five star reviews I receive are satisfying and the people I meet at book signings are so much fun and I love to hear their personal dog struggles. The most rewarding thing, though, has been the other authors I have met through this process have become dear friends. Authors are such a supportive group. The advice and direction I have gained from them has been phenomenal.

Q: What was the most challenging?

Getting over the fear of rejection and criticism was my greatest challenge. Being able to set those fears aside has allowed me to gain experience and knowledge that have greatly benefited the book.

Q:  Izzy is the last dog you mention getting in your book and when you left us, Izzy, a terrier was wreaking havoc and beating upon your much larger dog, Morgan. How is Izzy doing today?

Izzy continues to think she can beat up Morgan. Morgan just sighs and walks away. I am always hopeful that they will one day wake up and be best friends, but reality says I am delusional.

We had a photo shoot last week with Hannah Stonehouse Hudson for the cover of my next book. Izzy and Morgan were both such hams. I think they knew they had to “out-cute” each other to see who gets the cover. Sibling rivalry rules!

One last thing I would like to share on the blog. As I said earlier, my dad was so proud of my book. When I had to pack up his apartment after he passed away I had help from several strangers who worked for the charity where I was donating all of his possessions. Someone else packed up his huge collection of books. Two weeks after I returned home to Florida I received this message on my Facebook author fan page.

"Barbara, I am compelled to write to you.... as you will see... I was recently (last weekend) in Lancaster visiting family and friends and my sister in law took me for a fun afternoon of shopping at the thrift stores bargain hunting. I adore books and although I already had a full suitcase I found myself in buying a few. One of them was your Dog-Ma. I am a dog lover and couldn't resist your title. Finally this morning back here in Boca Raton Florida I opened the book to start reading, I noticed sticker on the front inside cover -a return address sticker presumably of the person who owned the book, I removed it... and then started reading. When I opened the book I saw it had been inscribed, "Dad, Love you! B" What? I thought, what was the name of on that mailing address sticker? Robert Boswell. I am now holding in my hand the book you gave to your father. I immediately went to find you on FB and I looked up and found on the web your father's recent obituary. I want to offer my deepest condolences. I also hope you don't mind me reaching out to you.... I feel a special connection to you. As a book and a dog lover..... wow. SO, I am reading the book now, with my Rottweiler, Shasta Pearl (2 years) old at my feet. I will cherish the book -for it's wisdom and stories of love and for it's special sentimental value- and if you are ever in Boca Raton...well... I just have to meet you."

The writer of this message and I have become Facebook friends, chat daily and are meeting in person for the first time in a few days. Things happen for a reason and I cannot wait to see how this one plays out.

Book Review and Book Tour: Dog-Ma, The Zen of Slobber

Dog-Ma, The Zen of Slobber. As a dog lover you probably identify with that title and if you don’t, you’re at least likely to identify with one of the canine cast of characters in this super-packed book. Author Barbara Boswell Brunner’s book definitely targets dog owners by weaving amusing anecdotes of the life she and her husband, Ray, shared with numerous canine companions over the course of their courtship and marriage. Nine dogs of their own and many canine friends grace the pages of this book, each portrayed as a person in his or her own right. The book is full of laughter and tears as Boswell Brunner shares her dogs’ antics and sadly the heartaches of some. To me it is in these tender moments that Boswell Brunner’s writing is not only at its most poignant, but also at its best. Yes, she knows how to weave an amusing tale – who will forget her dobie's tampon ear supports, Cooper’s toy Horton emitting its endless chatter, her Turbo strolling an upscale neighborhood with a goat? These are wonderful, funny stories, but when Boswell Brunner turns to the sensitive her writing truly moves me.  I love her homage to Madison – “She saw the silver lining in every bad situation. Madison was an optimist. Madison was loved.” Beautiful.

No doubt readers will have their favorite characters – mine was Cooper and I would recommend this book just to hear about his antics with his stuffed toy, Horton, which called to mind my own dog, Vader. Other readers will certainly find their pets amidst these pages. My primary disappointment with the book is that Boswell Brunner didn’t take us deeper into her own life. Yes, we are privy to the couple's moves and career evolution and she offers us glimpses into deeper fare such as her cancer and a mother-in-law with Alzheimer’s, but she doesn’t dwell there long and I think the story would have been richer if she had. I have a feeling Boswell Brunner is a good enough writer to go there if she wants to, to fill out the details of her own life with as much heart, humor and soul as she brought to the dogs. I think in a second book, she should try doing just that. Still, there is much here and enough plain old good dog stories to make any dog lover smile.

For dog lovers everywhere.......Barbara's vivid and dramatic stories, told with a wicked sense of humor, will make you laugh out loud. She definitely gets what living with rescued dogs (nine of them!) is all about. This book will inspire you with the couple's unstinting love, devotion, and respect for dogs as family members. You'll be glad to include it in your treasured collection of great dog books.

When Barbara meets her future husband, Ray, it is love-and dog-at first sight. Over the course of thirty-two years, seventeen relocations and nine dogs, their mutual love of dogs guides them on their unconventional path. The love that Barbara and Ray get in return is literally lifesaving, with one dog attacking a lethal intruder and another discovering Barbara’s cancer. Her own survival story underscores the story of how her dogs become survivors themselves. 

Each new dog adds its own dynamic to the family, sometimes upending it. From Turbo (whose Spock-like ears may have provided super powers), Barbara learns about the will to live; Lexington demonstrates incredible patience and an inexplicable love of golf; Madison teaches that laughter is truly the best medicine and that the whole “nine lives thing” is not reserved just for cats; Morgan should be sainted for tolerating Izzy, who is as cute as she is bad. Barbara is certain that somewhere in doggie heaven there is a poster that says “If you are sick, injured or in need of really expensive medical care, FIND THESE HUMANS!”

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About Barbara Boswell Brunner Barbara grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with her parents, sister and always a dog, or two or three. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from a small women's college in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Meeting her husband in Washington, DC, they continued together on a journey as self-proclaimed dog addicts. In the ensuing years, she founded three successful businesses in the Pacific Northwest and is a prolific fundraiser for breast cancer research. She and her husband are retired and now reside in Southwest Florida with two dogs and copious amounts of dog fur. She is currently working on indulging her well known flip flop addiction.  

Buy the book from ....

Author's Website

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Barnes and Noble

   

printed version           ebook version 

I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.