Doggone Good Reads! – Sit, Stay, Blog

“Who Said I Was Up For Adoption?”

Posted on September 17, 2021September 21, 2021 by Sit, Stay, Blog

Written by Colin Chappell, “Who Said I Was Up For Adoption?” is the epitome of a Doggone Good Read! The uniqueness of this book is truly second to none, with readers gaining not only the author’s perspectives, but also their spin on what Ray must be thinking and feeling throughout his adoption experiences!

All net profits of this book are donated to the Oakville & Milton Humane Society! Who doesn’t love a feel-good cause?

Chappell takes his readers on a transparent journey through the process of rescuing a dog. He vulnerably shares about his fears and hesitancies to adopt a dog, especially one with a heartrending history like Ray’s. He highlights beautiful examples of the power of the human-animal bond, and suddenly a story unfolds about two souls who learned to trust, listen to, respect, and wholly love one another.

Readers can expect to gain powerful insights into responsible dog ownership, such as the necessity to say “No” and advocate when your dog’s well-being might be at stake. Additionally, this book provides a sense of clarity into how animals communicate with us, if we take the opportunity to really listen. Accounting for experiences commonplace to many, if not all, pet owners, Chappell also sheds light on how he navigated a difficult decision-making process related to Ray’s health.

By its end, you’ll learn to really know Ray. You’ll laugh at his love for pepperoni, feel pride in his local celebrity status, smile at all of his tail-wagging moments, and maybe even shed a happy tear! Best of all though, you’ll admire the loving bond between man and his best friend!

I cannot conclude this review without a well-deserved acknowledgement of the beautiful design of this book! A rarity in adult literature, this book is published in color and is replete with a series of Ray photos that are sure to put a smile on any reader’s face! Click to get your own copy here!

Interested in reading more about Ray and his adventures with his best friend, Colin? Check out their blog site here!

Did you know? Ray was previously featured on Pets on the Net here at Sit, Stay, Blog! Check out his debut here!

Doggone Good Reads!

“A Dog’s Purpose”

Posted on March 14, 2021March 14, 2021 by Sit, Stay, Blog

Anyone who knows me well knows that it is my goal to author child and adult literature. I’ve dreamt of writing fiction and nonfiction stories from the perspective of my own dogs to capture the essence of our human-animal bond. My experiences in the assistance dogs community, however, ignited a reluctance to utilizing such an anthropomorphic approach in my writing. To mediate this inner conflict and develop inspiration, I turned to existing literature that has been well-esteemed by its readers to date. The work of W. Bruce Cameron, a bestselling author, perfectly exemplifies how to write from the dog’s point of view, embrace creativity, and respect the unique differences between humans and non-human animals.

“There are no bad dogs, Bobby, just bad people. They just need love.”
(Cameron, 2010, p. 34)

“A Dog’s Purpose” is the first in a series of tail-wagging good reads written by Cameron. Cameron strategically utilizes anthropomorphism to offer insight into the science behind dogs (i.e., their keen sense of smell, olfactory detection of hormonal changes in humans, etc.). Through a series of stories, readers become attuned to issues, such as shelter overcrowding and pet loss, and an open-minded audience can expect to think creatively about what might happen after their pet crosses the rainbow bridge.

Some might argue that “A Dog’s Purpose” is a hope-instilling read that offers insight into the life purposes of ourselves and our companion animals. Through the lived experiences of the dog, it becomes readily apparent that the purpose of the human-animal bond is to promote protection, companionship, safety, security, comfort, and beyond. Anyone with a keen eye for philosophy will quickly recognize that “A Dog’s Purpose” invites questions about one’s own purpose. For example, do we each have just one purpose? Does our purpose change as we navigate life? How do we discover our purpose?

“This was, I decided, my purpose as a dog, to comfort the boy whenever he needed me.”
(Cameron, 2010, p. 71)

As painted by Cameron, having and finding purpose isn’t just a unique human experience, it’s commonplace for our companion animals as well.

Doggone Good Reads!

“Craig & Fred”

Posted on June 22, 2020 by Sit, Stay, Blog

“Craig & Fred,” written by Craig Grossi, is a doggone good read that is certain to raise the question “Who rescued who?” A heartwarming story, “Craig and Fred” details the unique circumstances that brought man and dog together as one. Grossi utilizes an easy-to-read narrative to depict his inter and intranational journeys alongside his best four-legged pal, Fred.

Told through the eyes of an eight-year Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, readers can expect to gain insight into Grossi’s wartime experiences, including the often difficult transition to civilian life. In sharing his story, the author outlines how Fred served as a social lubricant, allowing for more seamless discussion of difficult war stories. Throughout their experiences together, Fred faithfully served (and continues to serve) as a constant source of companionship, comfort, and guidance, and their relationship together truly embodies the human-canine bond. Through this inspiring story, readers gain clarity into why dogs really are man’s best friend. Although the question remains of “Who saved who?,” it is clear that both Craig and Fred played important roles in one another’s journeys toward healing and recovery!

Interested in following along on the many journeys of Craig and Fred? Follow them on social media!
Facebook: /FredTheAfghan
Twitter: @fredtheafghan
Instagram: @fredtheafghan

Doggone Good Reads!

“Paws & Effect: The Healing Power of Dogs”

Posted on January 21, 2020March 21, 2020 by Sit, Stay, Blog

“Paws & Effect,” written by Sharon Sakson, is a tail-wagging good read that focuses on the remarkable impact of the relationship between humans and canines. Sakson creatively utilizes each chapter to convey factual and anecdotal information related to, among other things, the therapeutic role of the human-canine bond. “Paws & Effect” provides readers with an in-depth look into the foundational beginnings and current roles of assistance dogs to promote independence and overall wellness in humans. In addition to learning about the therapeutic impact of assistance dogs, readers can expect to learn about the astounding nature of military working dogs and the incredible bond formed between these animals and their handlers. Sakson bravely takes a dive into controversial topics by providing scientific insight into seizure alert dogs and olfactory detection of melanoma from our furry friends. “Paws & Effect” displays a phenomenal balance between personal accounts and existing scientific evidence of the healing power of dogs in mitigating physical and mental ailments in their human counterparts. An exquisite read, “Paws & Effect” is a must-read for dog lovers near and far!

Doggone Good Reads!

“Until Tuesday”

Posted on May 27, 2019 by Sit, Stay, Blog

Until Tuesday is a tail-wagging good read that focuses on the intimate relationship between a veteran and his service dog, Tuesday. Luis Carlos Montalvan, deemed a “highly decorated captain” in the U.S. Army, served two tours in Iraq. Post-Iraq, he found himself experiencing a host of mental and physical disabilities. Montalvan reports that the crippling aftermath of serving in combat caused him to experience debilitating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and chronic physical pain. He coped unhealthily, often relying on alcohol, isolation, and alienation from others as a means to manage every day life. Each day was seemingly a constant battle for Montalvan “until Tuesday.” Tuesday was a beautiful golden retriever trained by East Coast Assistance Dogs. Through his training, Tuesday learned many cues, including how to open doors, turn on lights, and sense and respond to the onset of anxiety and flashbacks. For Montalvan, he did just that and more. Tuesday connected with Montalvan like none other and provided him with the service he needed to more healthily manage both his mental and physical disabilities. Through Until Tuesday, readers learn about the manifestation of posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, alcoholism, depression, and physical ailments in Montalvan’s life. We learn about the horrific extent of the many issues that our nation’s veterans face upon reintegrating into civilian life, and we gain a first-hand account of the therapeutic and healing power of the human-canine relationship. With Tuesday’s help, Montalvan developed the confidence and courage to become a nationally recognized advocate for veterans with PTSD. Until Tuesday provides an avenue for readers to learn about “man and dog,” “war and healing,” “ability and disability,” and “spiritual restoration.”

Montalvan reportedly died by suicide in 2016. In memoriam of a national hero, thank you for your service. Thank you, Tuesday, for your gift of life that you provided to your partner in the years leading to his death.