Jacki Skole's Blog, page 6

October is Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month

I’ve seen a number of Facebook posts and news stories about October being Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month. I even shared such a post on my Facebook page. But after I did that, I got to wondering: Who deemed October Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month, and when did they do so?

With the help of Google and a few clicks on my keyboard, here’s what I learned:

Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog month—or Adopt-a-Dog Month, as it’s trademarked—was established by the American Humane Association (AHA) in 1981. The group wanted an annual event that would focus Americans’ attention on the plight of homeless dogs, millions of whom were languishing in the country’s animal shelters. Fast forward thirty-four years, and the situation has improved, but far more must be done to end the crisis of canine homelessness. Thus, the continued pressure by animal welfare groups on would-be pet owners to choose adopting from shelters and rescue organizations over buying from breeders or pet stores.

A handsome dog in a Georgia shelter tries to get a passerby’s attention.

But along with Adopt-a-Dog Month, we need a month devoted to spay/neuter because without focused attention and education on fixing pets, overpopulation will remain a vexing problem. (HSUS did launch World Spay Day two decades ago; it falls on the last Tuesday in February. But the spotlight on spay/neuter needs to shine brighter and longer.)

We also need to make spay/neuter accessible and affordable, because right now it is out of reach for too many pet owners.

I hope that this October, and in the coming months and years, people who want to add a furry friend to their family will take the Adopt-a-Dog message to heart. But perhaps the folks at AHA or HSUS or ASPCA could deem one month of the year Fix-A-Dog Month, because unless we halt unintended litters, shelters and rescues will continue to be overwhelmed with far more dogs than they can possibly care for.

My shelter dog, Galen–the result of an unintended litter.

Writers & Other Animals

In 2014, Sheila Boneham birthed a blog called Writers & Other Animals. An author herself, Sheila’s goal was to promote her books and those of other authors whose stories share a common theme: Animals. Rather than post a series of book reviews, she asked authors to send their creative writings, be they fiction, nonfiction,  poetry. She would then post the writing along with blurbs about the author and his or her latest book.

Earlier this month I sent Sheila four posts. The first–a short vignette about Galen’s unique rules for playing fetch–was published today. You can read it here. The others will be released in the next several months–I’ll let you know when.

(Readers of my old blog, she’s a dork, may remember the story; I consider it an oldie but goodie.)

 

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

This is the fifth 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.

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

Title: A Letter to My Parents

Author: Carley, age 11

Dear Mom + Dad,

Why I want a dog is because I take care of all the dogs in my neighborhood. Every time I take care of one, I want a dog even more. I would walk it every day. I would feed it and play with it. I would never be bored ever in my life!! Now, this is a good time for you to think about it. Thank’s.

Love,

Carley

***

Carley and her cats.

Carley’s mom says she knows her daughter would love a dog, but the family has its hands full with cats Milo and Mandy. But between you and me, Carley, your mom says, “I can’t guarantee there won’t be a dog in the future!”

Five-Star Story

One of the scariest things about writing a book–once you get past the fear you’ll never finish it, or that the story will be stale by the time you do, or that you won’t find a publisher–is, of course, the fear that no one (except your family) will tell you they like it.

So far, I’ve been blessed to receive only good reviews. That can always change, but for now, I’m savoring five stars, courtesy of Tracy Slowiak for Readers’ Favorite.

Here’s Tracy’s review:

“In an absolutely amazing piece of work, debut author Jacki Skole brings us Dogland: A Journey to the Heart of America’s Dog Problem. In a wonderful piece of investigation into the supply of dogs in our country, Jacki Skole has taken her heartfelt interest in the origins of her family pet, which she and her family adopted from a rescue as an eight-week-old puppy, and turned it into a work that any lover of dogs, or of animals in general absolutely must read. She spent time interviewing people involved in rescuing canines, from animal rights activists to shelter managers throughout the country, and presents their stories in a beautiful and empathetic manner.

I simply could not recommend Dogland any more highly. This is not only an incredibly well-written and engrossing read, but it is an important and thought provoking work that challenges each of us to evaluate how companion animals are treated and traded in this country. Author Jacki Skole has done an absolutely masterful job at presenting the information she obviously spent a huge amount of time in gathering, all in what is also quite clearly a labor of love for her. Reading the personal stories of both her own family and the many she meets along her research path, one truly appreciates the work that good people are doing in the world of dogs. But for every good work, there are so many more that are the diametric opposite, and can cause irreparable damage to the very creatures that many profess to love. Any reader who loves dogs, loves great investigative work, or loves memoirs should absolutely read this book. It is an A+, five star read, and a book that will stay with you long after you finish the last page.”

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

This is the fourth 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.

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

Best Dog Ever

Author: Kate, age 10

I miss my dog very much. Buster was the best dog ever. I remember the day he died. Buster was partly deaf. It was a normal day, and Buster was weak and could barely walk. His face was droppy and he looked so sad. We knew it was his day to die. So my family and I spent his day with him. My mom and my dad decided to take him to the vet to put him to sleep.

I remember saying our last goodbyes. I also remember my dad had to drag Buster across the floor to get him in the car. After my dad and Buster left, I ran upstairs and cryed my heart out. I still love you Buster and I always will.

Kate with Buster, the “best dog ever”

***

Kate’s mom says Buster died three days before Kate’s ninth birthday. He was thirteen years old.

 

 

 

 

“Just Sparks, Starry, Keenan, Kel, and Popcorn.”

Lindsey’s eyes grew wide as she saw more than a dozen dogs and even more people milling around under a series of tents. “Are all these people giving away their dogs?” she asked.

“No,” I said. “These are all volunteers. But all these dogs do need homes.”

We’d just arrived at an adoption event held in a parking lot and on an adjacent patch of grass outside a North Jersey dance studio. The event was hosted by One Step Closer Animal Rescue, or OSCAR. I’d come to drop off a Tricky Tray donation for an upcoming fundraiser. My girls had come to see the dogs and cats—or more accurately, to pet, hold, and ogle them.

Lindsey and Dhani have been to adoption events before. At those, most of the dogs were crated or penned. At OSCAR’s events, only puppies who’ve yet to be fully vaccinated are in pens. All other dogs are leashed and paired with a volunteer. That’s why, to Lindsey, the scene resembled a casual gathering of dogs and their owners.

The decision to leash dogs, not crate them, is a deliberate one. OSCAR’s founder believes a dog’s personality changes when confined and judging personality—is this dog hyper? friendly? aggressive? submissive?—is what potential adopters come to adoption events to do.

Another benefit of leashing is that the dogs grow accustomed to meeting other dogs that, like them, are on leashes. If a dog acts aggressively or shuts down in the presence of other dogs, the action informs OSCAR of the type of environment the dog will need to be placed into or it tells them that volunteers will need to work with the dog before he can be adopted.

Finally, most dogs can use a lesson or two (or three) in leash etiquette, and the events provide an ideal learning space.

Once Lindsey and Dhani spied the puppies, the girls made a beeline for them. Within minutes they were holding the puppies.

Lindsey and Popcorn

Then they were in the pen with them. Then they were asking—no begging—to bring them home. “Just Starry, Sparks, Keenan, Kel and Popcorn,” said Dhani. “That’s all.”

Of course, mean mom said no.

Dhani and Starry

But being in the company of the dogs did make me think about fostering—we’d done so once before. That dog now lives with my mom, so I’m not sure whether that experience counts as a foster success or failure.

Was I up for fostering again?

Just the day before I’d received a call from my cousin—while cleaning out his garage, he’d discovered a dog pen and a crate. He wanted to know, did I have someone to donate them to?

I told him I was sure I could find a home for them. At the time, I hadn’t for a moment considered that home might be mine. But now… looking at the dogs, looking at my daughters…

Mean mom is still thinking…

Got DOGLAND?

It’s been a long and incredible journey, but DOGLAND is now officially available! You can buy it online at any of the following places: Ashland Creek Press, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo.

All proceeds will go to the extraordinary animal welfare programs profiled in the book, so please buy it. Lend it. Recommend it.

Together, we can save lives. Thank you!

 

Are you a good guesser?

I’ve never been good at estimating how many cookies or marbles or candy corn… are in a jar, but if you have that talent, stop by the Hillsborough Municipal Complex July 29th from 7-9 p.m. Be the first to tell me how many cookies are in the jar below, and you’ll win a free copy of DOGLAND.

Are you a good guesser?

Or, if like me, your guestimating skills are lacking, buy a book and help save lives. All the proceeds from sales of DOGLAND will go to the extraordinary animal welfare programs profiled in the book. See you Wednesday!

Be one of the first to own DOGLAND!

DOGLAND hits the online marketplace August 1, but you can get your paws on one at the DOGLAND pre-release signing and fundraiser.

Where: Hillsborough, NJ Municipal Complex

When:  July 29 between 6:30 and 9:00 p.m.

Bring family. Bring friends. Bring dog owners and dog lovers. I’ll have plenty of books, toys, and treats available for purchase.

100% of the proceeds will be donated to the extraordinary people and programs profiled in DOGLAND.

Firsts

Firsts can be at once terrifying and exhilarating.

The first day of school. A first kiss. The birth of a first child.

Perhaps it’s appropriate then, that August 1st heralds yet another first in my life: the release of DOGLAND, my first book. Every step of the process—from the reporting to the writing, from the search for a publisher to the waiting on reviews—has been more angst-producing and exciting than I could have imagined.

To celebrate DOGLAND’s introduction into the world, I am giving away three copies via Goodreads’ First Reads program. You can enter here to be one of the first to own DOGLAND.

Please read it. Lend it. Recommend it. The proceeds will be donated to the people and programs profiled in DOGLAND—people and programs working to save the lives of America’s stray, shelter, and unwanted dogs. You’ll be surprised—and saddened—by just how many dogs desperately need homes, and heartened by the humble visionaries working to save them.

***

 

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Dogland
by Jacki Skole

Giveaway ends August 23, 2015.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway