The paperback edition of The New York Times Bestseller, Through a Dog’s Eyes, written by Canine Assistants founder Jennifer Arnold, is being released. We have the hardback copy already, along with the DVD of the PBS documentary narrated by Neil Patrick Harris. After we had watched the documentary in 2010, we were so moved by the stories, the dogs and those they helped, that we took the opportunity to renew our membership to our local PBS station during a pledge drive. 

"Good With Dogs"

The book includes stories from Arnold’s life and the lives of the dogs who were her greatest teachers, and provides convincing and compelling testimony to explain her choice and style of teaching. Early in her career, Jennifer was told that in order to be "good with dogs" you had to be tough with them. Now she knows how wrong that is and why it is wrong. She wants all dog owners to know what she had learned. The book truly is unforgettable and will forever change the way you view the relationship between dog and owner.

She describes a kind way of handling your dog can bring a happier life for both of you. Her opposition to dog management methods that have you dominate and become physically controlling when handling a dog is clear. Like so many dog trainers that I've met since starting Grouchy Puppy, Jennifer opposes shock collars and choke chains.

Janice Wolf has been rescuing, rehabbing, studying and advocating for animals for over 50 years. She has been a Veterinary Tech., dog trainer, and kennel manager among her work experiences, and has cared for a large variety of creatures, including wildlife, domestic and exotic species. 20 years ago her dream of a sanctuary slowly began to take shape in the hills of Arkansas. A place where injured and ill animals of many types could heal, and where special needs animals could often find a permanent loving environment. Rocky Ridge Refuge has been home to everything from Antelope, a Zebra, and a Watusi, to the current Capybara , Water Buffalo and baby Emu. Also, plenty of dogs - 26 right now, of which 16 or so are 'keepers' and the rest being readied for adoption.

Janice also has implemented 'Pet Therapy' programs in many locales around the country, and presently heads a group she started called 'Paws for Comfort'. She believes animals have a unique ability to affect the heart and emotions and sharing her furry and feathered friends with others has long been an activity she finds time for. One of her greatest joys is photographing her multi-species family as they interact day to day and sharing those photos on her Facebook Fan page (rocky ridge refuge). She has been urged by many to publish a book of these images and she is exploring that possibility now. She also plans a book of the stories from the Refuge, the individual tales of many of her rescues and the often miraculous recoveries she has played a part in. She uses a combination of conventional and alternative treatments in her healing efforts and always a large dose of love. Animals don't care how much you know, they need to know how much you care.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? A perfect day is one in which I have made some positive impact in another life: person or critter! Whether through acts of healing, comforting, teaching, or sharing joy on any level, any giving I can do is really a gift back to me.

This is a new guest post from Elisa Leyva-Guerrero about pet fostering and pet adoption. Read her very first story "Nolan Teaches us about Faith"

I started tweeting for the rescue I volunteer for the St. Louis Senior Dog Project last year. I have met great people on Twitter and have learned more about how to use this great resource to help our rescue. A great Twitter friend @MaggieTKat first introduced me to tweetups and fundraising parties (or pawtys) on twitter.

Along with @MaggieTKat, our little rescue is embarking on uncharted territory for us but one that we are so eager to try out: A fundraiser that will take place not only in person but online as well! On June 11 our SENIOR DOGS ROCK fundraiser will take place, and you can join us online or in person.

You can join in the fun on Twitter by connecting with us @STLSeniorDog and our friend @MaggieTKat who will be leading the pawty online. My dachshund @MoxieDaDoxie will be in attendance as well so you can follow him too.

If you have never attended a virtual pawty this is the time! There will be online quizzes with prizes, virtual DJ’s and virtual bands. On June 11 make sure you follow the hashtag #seniordogs so you don’t miss out on anything.

We found a great venue for those being able to join us in person, a Noodles and Company restaurant in Des Peres, MO. They will donate 25% of the proceeds from consumed items on their store on Saturday June 11 from 11am to 7pm. I am so incredibly grateful to the managers of this restaurant.

Every dog deserves unlimited belly rubs, love, patience, kindness. Dog lovers know this without hesitation (you told us clearly on Facebook). Do you know what else dogs deserve? A warm bed and decent, nutritious food.

Pedigree launched a brand new dry food formula this spring. In celebration they will be donating more than 100,000 lbs of food to shelters across the country.

Pedigree believes “Every Dog Deserves” leading nutrition.

Photo caption: Chelsea Kane and Pedigree kick off the "Every Dog Deserves" Campaign to donate 100,000 pounds of its best recipe ever to shelter dogs at The Amanda Foundation on June 1, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. 

Every Dog Deserves Campaign: Nominate a Shelter to receive $1,000 from Pedigree! [click the link below for details]

Throughout the month of June, PEDIGREE is asking you to help them help dogs by logging onto Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/Pedigree), and Twitter (@PedigreeUS) use hashtag #everydogdeserves to tell them why you think “Every Dog Deserves” the very best.

For each Like, comment, @reply, re-tweet, photo upload, etc. directed at Pedigree they will donate (1) one pound of food (up to 100,000 pounds total).

With so many shelters overwhelmed from recent natural disasters, and many still struggling from budget cuts, the food donated by Pedigree will be enjoyed by thousands of deserving dogs across the country.

Shreve Stockton is a writer and photographer living in Wyoming. She is the author of two books: Eating Gluten Free and The Daily Coyote and the creator of three blogs: Vespa Vagabond, The Daily Coyote, and Honey Rock Dawn.

BlogPaws has launched its 2011 “Win a Trip to BlogPaws” contest on Facebook. What's BlogPaws you ask? It is a great place to meet other pet bloggers and pet brands, to learn about how to use blogging and media to benefit pets and the animal welfare community. BlogPaws held two incredibly popular and successful events in 2010.

At the September BlogPaws event in Denver, we met so many amazing people including the inspirational Mike Arms, from the Helen Woodward Animal Center. It was after attending the first BlogPaws in April 2010 that we were motivated to create this blog you're reading now! You can learn about the pet industry, what you can do to help pets and more at BlogPaws.

This year they are scheduled to have one event near our nation's capitol (Tysons Corner, VA) from August 25-27, 2011. Here is your chance to meet us there!

“Win a Trip to BlogPaws” Contest - June 30 Deadline

The grand prize is a great travel package covering your airfare, your hotel, and your registration. Two second prize winners will receive an admission pass for the conference.

To enter, just share a photo of your pet with an explanation (up to 50 words) of why YOU should come to BlogPaws. The deadline to enter is June 30, 2011. Good luck and we hope to see you there!

TO ENTER:

• visit the contest tab on BlogPaws’ Facebook page

Our friend Janine from Nooks and Crannies Professional Organizing, LLC has scored a great gift for one of our readers that will help ensure that you have all of your pet's info in one place.  With Hurricane Season upon us, this is a vital tool to have on hand should you need to evacuate Houston or access your pet's medical records and related info quickly.  Comment on this post to be entered to win this great tool, or you can send us an email at [email protected] with your contact info and include "Hurricane Giveaway" in the subject line!

via www.houstondogblog.com

In California, earthquakes can happen anytime. However in many parts of the country it is now Hurricane Season. Ryan from Houston Dog Blog has a great giveaway available right now that is perfect if you live in Houston or wherever you might be vulnerable to hurricanes!

Dogs and exercise. Solar power. Put those together and you get Cleo. She generates warmth from her own internal source and distributes it across the grid, known as our couch.  Even in this stormy weather. Hope your weekend includes the outdoors even if it's raining, like it is in San Francisco.

When we need them the most, doesn't it seem like your dog knows exactly what to do? You are feeling down and they just seem to know the button to push to perk you up? Maybe it is to act up, dance around or bark, getting you to focus on them. Maybe they suddenly and quietly snuggle their head in your lap, without your invitation.

Pets make a difference in our lives. They spur us into exercise. They can get us to slow down and relax. They make us feel protected and loved.  Studies are being published showing the physical benefits that pets bring to our life. Scientific evidence supports what our human hearts already know.

Dr. Marty Becker, the popular veterinarian of 31 years who appears on the “Dr. Oz Show” and “Good Morning America,” was in San Francisco recently. He said in an interview that "there are about eight studies that prove people are healthier with dogs around". Our dog Cleo has us watching our diet, along with hers, she gets us away from the computer and out the door. Cleo's activity engages us, as much as we engage her. Our daily life involves her in every way.