Jacki Skole's Blog, page 4

Landfill Dogs Celebrates Life

If you like the photograph that graces Dogland’s cover, you’ll want to page through Landfill Dogs, Shannon Johnstone’s photographic tribute to shelter dogs. 

I’ve written about Johnstone in past posts–the first time, in 2013, after I stumbled across her Landfill Dogs series while surfing the Internet; the second time, after Dogland was published. Now Johnstone is out with a book of her own. To learn more about it, you can read my review at EcoLit Books.

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I’m happy to announce that I’ve joined EcoLit Books as a contributing book reviewer. The site is devoted to spreading the word about books with environmental and animal protection themes. Landfill Dogs is my first review. More to come…

DOGLAND in the news

I want to thank everyone who’s spread the word about DOGLAND–word of mouth is what sells books these days, especially when your last name isn’t Rowling or Grisham, and you’re not a comedian or politician pitching a memoir. So please, keep up the good work!

That said, I’m thrilled to announce that DOGLAND is getting some powerful help in the publicity department. Of course, the more publicity, the more sales. The more sales, the more lives saved…

Here’s the news:

Animal Sheltering, a magazine published by the Humane Society of the United States, issued a review–short but sweet–in its January/February issue. You can read it here. (You just have to scroll down the page once you get there.) As for me, I’m content with this closing line: Dogland tackles a complex, emotional topic without chest-thumping and opens readers’ eyes to how we can help these faithful companions.

The Dog Writers Association of America has nominated DOGLAND for an award in the category of best book: Rescue or Adoption. The winner will be announced in February (fingers crossed til then!), but the nomination alone will put DOGLAND on the radar screen of hundreds of folks affiliated with the association.

I haven’t read DOGLAND’s competition, but at quick glance, the category seems quite eclectic:

*Tracy Libby, The Rescued Dog Problem Solver (i5 Publishing)

*Andrei S. Markovits & Katherine N. Crosby, From Property to Family (University of Michigan Press)

*Teresa J. Rhyne, The Dogs Were Rescued and So Was I, (Sourcebooks, Inc.)

Love, Loss, and all things DOG

Please join me at the Hillsborough Public Library on January 12 at 7 p.m. to talk about all things DOG.

We’ll talk love–after all, dogs are members of the family. We’ll talk loss–why a dog’s passing can leave us with a grief as deep as that which comes from losing a human family member. And we’ll talk about the rich and complex relationship that Americans have long had with dogs–it’s a relationship that I explore in DOGLAND: A Journey to the Heart of America’s Dog Problem.

What “problem” you ask? Join me, and we’ll talk.

To register for the event, please visit the Somerset County Library System.

 

 

Dog Tales: Stories about dogs written by the children who love them

A huge thank you goes out to the Stephen Gaynor School in New York City, for giving its students the opportunity to share their thoughts about companion animals. In today’s post, several students explain what it would mean for them to have a dog or cat they could call their own.

Stories have not been edited for spelling or grammar. Each story belongs wholly to its author.

Title: I want a Pet!

Author: Grace, age 9

I would really want a dog or cat. Its one of the only things I would want. I always ask my mom or Dad to get a pet. I don’t care about what type of pet! I just want a pet. My mom and dad always say when you get older or maybe like 16 years old! I’m 9 so that means I have to wait 7 years! That’s so long! 7 years! Thats too long?! I want a pet now!

Drawing by Grace.

Author: Jonathan, age 9

If I had a dog I would name it Patriots because I am a Patriots fan and I hope that they win the Super Bowl. I really want a dog. I want a dog because I get bored sometimes and would like to play with him. This is why I want a dog.

Author: Joyce, age 9

I want a fluffy white puppy because I always want someone to talk to when I am alone. I want to play with and sleep my puppy. Thank you for listening! I would name it Fluffy because it is fluffy.

Drawing by Joyce.

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This installment of Dog Tales is the ninth in a series of stories written by young people. Writing encourages children to explore their relationships with pets and works to strengthen the human-animal bond. After all, today’s youth are tomorrow’s pet owners.

To find out how your child’s story can be included in this series, please click here.

To read previous Dog Tales, type Dog Tales in the Search box at the top of my blog.

A New Year’s Resolution

I’ve never been one to make New Year’s resolutions. I suppose that’s because I’ve never wanted to be pressured into keeping them. But this year is different. Not only am I making one, I’m making it public. I figure that will sufficiently up the ante to the point where I may actually keep it.

So what am I resolving? You can find out here. (Spoiler alert: it’s writing-related, not dog-related.)

That said, I want to thank the folks at Brevity for posting my essay, an act that, in itself, gives me the courage to move forward with my resolution.

And you? Making any resolutions for 2016? There’s still time!

 

A mantra for raising kids and dogs

When my daughters were toddlers and daily tantrums the norm, I would close my eyes and say to myself, “This, too, shall pass.” (I said a lot of other things, also, but they’re not printable.) Of course, the tantrums did pass–only to be replaced by some other habit that drove me back to my mantra. Such as it is with children; they try our nerves, push and prod, all to test the limits of  parental love. What they ultimately learn is that there are no limits. A parent’s love is boundless.

I also use this mantra with Galen, because like a toddler, she, too, will take a fancy to doing something that makes me nuts. I was reminded of one such episode when I re-read a story I’d submitted several months ago to Writers and Other Animals, but that is now posted on its blog. Readers of my former blog, she’s a dork, may recognize the story.

 

 

Finding Joy in a Bowl

Thank you to Ashland Creek Press for posting my essay about a fish, a snail, and a very wise 10-year-old on its blog. You can read the essay here.

Puppies CAN be presents

My eleven-year-old daughter bought a shirt that reads, “Puppies aren’t presents.” It’s a slogan you hear a lot this time of year, but puppies—and dogs of any age—can be presents, and the holidays can be a great time to give them, so long as a good deal of forethought goes into the getting. If you’ve been considering adding a Fido to your family, here’s why now may be the right time, along with a few things you need to know should you decide to go the rescue route.

Home for the Holidays

The holidays can be an ideal time to bring a dog into the home, especially if there are children in the household. Days off from school and work provide an unparalleled opportunity to start building that human-canine bond—a bond that will be as beneficial to the humans in your household as it is to your new canine companion.

You can also get a solid start training your four-legged family member. Puppies, obviously, need lessons on where—and where not—to relieve themselves, but older dogs may need a refresher, too. And no matter a dog’s age, she should know basic commands like sit, stay, and come.

Finally, with studies showing that dogs have the mental capacity of two-year-olds, time at home equals time to establish your dog’s daily routine. Like kids, dogs thrive on consistency.

Adopt. Don’t Shop.

Where will you find your family’s Fido? Animal welfare groups urge adoption. Why? Because each year U.S. animal shelters euthanize about 1.2 million dogs, 90 per cent of whom are healthy and adoptable and would make great pets. As for pet stores, they often sell dogs purchased from puppy mills. So to save lives and starve puppy mills of the dollars that are their lifeblood, adopt, don’t shop.

To adopt a shelter dog, you can, of course, visit your local shelter. Or you can adopt from one of the growing number of animal rescues that pull dogs from shelters, creating space for those shelters to take in ever more dogs. But as I learned while reporting Dogland, not all rescues work in the best interests of their dogs.

“Rescue has become part of the pet trade,” says Libby Williams, who runs a non-profit organization that seeks to educate people about shady rescues. “There is a lot of selling going on for profit, and a lot of so-called rescues preying on the emotions of adopters.” The result: Dogs that have not been vetted or behavior tested are being adopted out.

To determine if the rescue you’re dealing with this holiday season—or during any season—is reputable, look for the following warning signs:

Payment is cash-only.


There are a high volume of puppies for adoption. These “rescues,” also known as puppy-flippers, sometimes get their puppies from puppy mills and then advertise them as shelter dogs.


Dogs lack health records, and if they’ve crossed state lines, inter-state health certificates.


The rescue won’t guarantee a dog’s health for even 48-72 hours, and it isn’t willing to provide you with the names of veterinarians who treat its dogs.


The rescue won’t take back a dog if the adoption doesn’t work out.


The rescue’s website and/or Facebook page doesn’t include the names of the people associated with it or any means to contact it directly, such as a phone number or email address.


The rescue doesn’t interview you. Just as you want to ensure the rescue is reputable, the rescue should want to make sure it’s turning over its dogs to the best home possible. Thus, reputable rescues screen applicants, require references and whenever possible, do home checks.

Bottom line: This holiday season, the best present you can give yourself and your family might be a dog. My husband and I adopted Galen five years ago this month, and she remains one of the greatest gifts we’ve ever given ourselves and our children.

Galen, one month after she joined our family.

Dog Tales: Stories about dogs written by the children who love them

This Dog Tales post is unique in that it is a joint offering from sisters Melissa and Alice, who share letters they wrote to the family’s dog, Tako.

As with all stories in this series, the girls’ letters have not been edited for spelling or grammar. Each belongs wholly to its author.

Title: Letters to Tako

Author: Melissa, age 10 and Alice, age 7

Dear Tako,

We hope that you like your new home and your new toys. We think you are very nice and fun to play with. You make me feel happy because you are very lovable and always jump on the couch and let me cuddle with you. You lick my face when I am sad.

Love, Melissa

Dear Tako,

You are very silly and always try to stand up on your hind legs. You are very hyper and run around the background and that is very ridiculous also. I love you. When I am sad I like to be around you because you are goofy!

Love, Alice

Three Musketeers: Alice, Tako, and Melissa

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I love that both girls commented on how Tako lifts their spirits when they are down. More and more, researchers are looking into the benefits that accrue to humans from having a dog in the home. While this research is still in its infancy, findings thus far have been resoundingly positive.

For instance, according to research published last month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children who grow up with a dog are less likely to suffer from anxiety. Still to be studied: whether the relationship is causal, and if it is, how dogs alleviate anxiety.

Another interesting finding: Seven- and eight-year-olds rank pets higher than humans as providers of comfort and self-esteem, and as confidants.

DOGLAND featured

Thank you to Sheila Boneham for posting an interview about DOGLAND on Writers and Other Animals.

You can read the interview here.

Also, if you haven’t followed me on Facebook, please do. In addition to posting information about DOGLAND and all things dog, I’ll let you know about events where I’ll be speaking and/or promoting DOGLAND. Thanks!