Tamira Thayne's Blog, page 13
August 2, 2018
Win Today’s Book, Rescue Smiles, and Read about Some Beautiful Moments with our Animal Friends
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We’re giving away 31 FREE Books this Month. Today, win a copy of Rescue Smiles during Who Chains You Publishing’s 2nd Anniversary Celebration!
How do you win today’s prize? Simple. Just click on the link below to bring you to our page, and tell us you want it in our comment section. The contest will run all day today, Aug. 2nd, and we’ll select a random winner at 10:00 a.m. Eastern, August 3rd.
Spread the word! Rescue Smiles is available in paperback, kindle, and audiobook. The book is an excellent humane education tool, too
Rescue Smiles was the 2017 winner of the Maxwell Award from Dog Writers of America in the Best Human/Animal Bond category.
About the Book:
The heart of the animal rescue world lies in its stories–of freedom, of love, and of sacrifice by those who not only acknowledge but embrace the human-animal bond and its wondrous gifts.
In our first rescue story compilation, Who Chains You Books is pleased to offer a look into the emotional lives of rescuers and the living beings they hold dear. Join us for the heartwarming anecdotes, as Cinnamon steals Spice’s puppies, Alice steals everyone’s shoes, and a host of other animals conspire to steal our hearts.
Through these tales, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes peek into the relationships between rescuers and not only dogs and cats, but horses, goats, pigs, rats, mice, and birds, in this delightful first installment of Rescue Smiles.We hope you’re as captivated by the kinship between human and animal as we are.
With contributions by: Laura Koerber, Tamira Thayne, Reg Green, Heather Leughmyer, Joe Maringo, Patti Lawson, Sarah Barnett, Barb Michael, Sunny Aris, Christopher Barnekov, Gayla Evans, Kat Soul, Rachel Ogden, Melody Whitworth, and Liz Woloski.
https://www.amazon.com/Rescue-Smiles-Favorite-Stories-Liberation/dp/1946044105/
August 1, 2018
Win a FREE Book During our 2nd Anniversary Celebration-31 Prizes!
Join Us, for a Very Exciting Second Anniversary Celebration! And, Win One of 31 FREE Books During the Month of August
We can hardly believe it’s been two years since Who Chains You Publishing opened our proverbial doors…
To celebrate, we’re giving away 1 FREE BOOK each day this month on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/whochainsyou.
How do you win? Just visit our Facebook page, click on our book prize of the day, (for today it’s Adopting Adele), and tell us you want it in the comments section. THAT’S IT!
You’ll then be entered in our random drawing, and the winner will be chosen tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. Our first book in our giveaway, TODAY ONLY, is Adopting Adele, by Heather Leughmyer.
[image error]Who Chains You Books started with the vision of one woman who understood how hard it was for animal rescuers and activists to get published by mainstream publishers—yet she also knew these folks had an important message to share with the world.
Tamira Thayne had left the nonprofit she founded, Dogs Deserve Better, the previous spring, and was looking for another way to make a difference for animals. Her background in the publishing industry gave her the knowledge to bring animal-related books to the market, and in the summer of 2016 she took the plunge, creating Who Chains You Publishing and putting out her first books.
To date, the company has published 29 animal-related books, with two more slated for release this month. Our Crescent Renewal Imprint, which focuses on family, education, and the environment, has released a further six books.
We hope you’ll join us in the fun this month as we celebrate both our 2nd Anniversary and support Back to School programs. Take the first step by joining us on our Facebook page today.
Read more about Adopting Adele here:
Did You Know Humane Educators Can Get Wholesale Pricing?
Humane Education is one of the most important tools we have to engender a sense of kindness in future generations. By breaking the chain of cruelty to animals through direct communication with youth in schools, we create a more caring society, for humans as well as animals. Our wholesale program is perfect to assist Humane Educators in teaching our youth about animal issues in society.
Learn More and Place Your First Order
Guess Who Else can Get Wholesale Pricing? Nonprofits and Indie Bookstores!
We know what it’s like to run a nonprofit and always be searching for new and creative ways to raise money. Our nonprofit and indie bookstore wholesale program is perfect to help you both fundraise AND educate about animal issuesat the same time. You are welcome to sell our paperbacks on your website, social media sites, at booths, as well as at any other fundraising opportunities.
It’s Back to School Month, and there’s an easy way to help animals…send along one of our books as a gift for your student’s teacher!
Most teachers end up buying books out of their own pockets, as school funding gets cut more each year. One way to advocate for animals AND help teachers with relevant materials for classroom use is to provide age-appropriate reading supplies. Check out all our books that work for elementary schools, and make a difference today. http://whochainsyou.com/index.html
July 26, 2018
Animal Advocate in Need of Kidney Donor; Please Share with All Your Animal Rescue Friends!
An update from author and founder of Who Chains You Tamira Thayne on her attempt to be a kidney donor for a fellow animal advocate. Please share this post far and wide so that Bonnie might find the right person to make a difference for her. Thank you!
Me (left) and Bonnie Plafke, who came to hang out with me during testing in Florida.
It is with a sad heart that I report today on my efforts to be a kidney donor for my animal rescue friend Bonnie Plafke. In initial testing, our blood matched well, so I flew to Florida last month for two days of in-depth physical exams. Although I got a clean bill of health overall, it was discovered that my kidneys are smaller than normal.
What is “normal”?
My kidneys measured 8.3 and 8.5 cm compared to a “normal” of around 10 or greater (4-5 inches). The day I met with the doctor, he seemed to feel it was not a big deal since my other numbers seemed fine, but the group finally met and reviewed my case and turned me down as a donor. It seems my body is more selfish than…
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July 17, 2018
Two Tweens Find Homes for Returned Shelter Dogs in New Book from Author Samantha K. Riggi
[image error]The Returned: Chewy’s Story, Book One
Samantha K. Riggi
“That’s all for now. You can learn more about Susie’s happily-ever-after by reading my blog, The Returned. Click on Susie’s Story. Thanks for listening.”
Anna closed her podcaster app and put the microphone down. She and Molly had been best friends since second grade, and now the two girls run a blog and podcast called The Returned, which helps returned shelter dogs find new, loving homes and families.
With three successful adoptions under their belts, the girls are preparing for their next adoption mission. When Chewy, a yellow labrador, is dropped at the shelter, Anna and Molly become determined to find her a happily-ever-after of her very own.
In the meantime, Anna is struggling with her dad’s distant behavior. When Chewy’s blog is posted, Anna discovers that someone is threatening her family. Will Anna find out who is behind the threat? Will Chewy find the forever home she deserves? Find out in this first installment of The Returned: Chewy’s Story.
Perfect for ages 10-14 (and up!), and grades 4-8. The series makes an excellent humane education tool, too, for nonprofits and humane educators.
Buy in Paperback | Buy on Kindle
About the Author
[image error]Samantha K. Riggi is an elementary school teacher with a passion for animals, the environment and writing. She lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband, children and two old dogs. She’s the author of The Returned: Chewy’s Story, Bravo’s Freedom, and Wesley Reece: Fourth Grade Hero.
Did you know that we sell books at wholesale to humane educators as well as nonprofits? Visit our humane education page to learn more.
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June 10, 2018
Long-time Pigeon Advocate Talks Pigeon Shoots and our “Smidgey Pidgey” Book
Smidgey Pidgey’s Predicament, now out in paperback, kindle, and audio from WCY Books and author Tamira Thayne, is dedicated in part to long-time pigeon advocate Johnna Seeton, who has worked for many years in Pennsylvania to put an end to their horribly cruel pigeon shoots.
Who Chains You caught up to Johnna, and asked her some questions about this abusive practice and her efforts on behalf of the pigeons.
To make sure our audience is on the same page with us, what exactly are pigeon shoots?
Pigeon shoots are barbaric contests in which live pigeons are stuffed into small traps on the ground. These nine traps, which are electronically controlled by an operator, are situated within a scoring ring on a field. The shooter stands in a certain spot with his or her double barreled shotgun and yells, “Pull!”
The operator pushes a button which releases a single pigeon from the trap. The shooter gets two shots at the bird, as the pigeon desperately tries to escape. The scoring occurs if the pigeon lands within the balloon-shaped ring. It doesn’t matter if the bird is wounded or dead, as long as he/she falls within the ring.
This continues until the shooter has had the opportunity to blow away five pigeons, one at a time. Then the “Trapper Boys and Girls” run onto the field to gather up the dead and wounded birds, throwing them into nets they are carrying. As they are doing this, another trapper loads more pigeons into the traps.
Many of the wounded birds fly beyond the scoring ring. Hours may go by before the trappers conduct a “perimeter check”. Of course, they can’t possibly find all the wounded birds; they fly too far a distance. The trappers who collected the wounded birds from the scoring ring bring the birds back to a partially enclosed area where they kill the pigeons.
We have seen this done many times by various methods, such as pulling off their heads, using scissors to cut off their heads, and slamming them against a barrel.
We understand from reliable sources that large-scale gambling takes place at these cruel events. We have returned one day, two days, as many as five days after a pigeon shoot, and we have found live, wounded pigeons.
How did you first get involved with advocating for the pigeons?
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Johnna Seeton, middle, in her work as a humane society police officer
I first learned about what was happening to the pigeons in 1986, through my attendance at a Trans-Species meeting in Grantville, PA. A woman named Judith Black, along with Doris Gitman, told the attendees about the Hegins Pigeon Shoot, which they’d attended in 1985. We were all horrified at the stories they relayed!
Trans-Species organized a huge protest at the Hegins, PA pigeon shoot on Labor Day, 1986. They also began to lobby bills to prevent pigeon shoots in PA at our State Capitol. That was the start of my dedication to ending pigeon shoots.
Have you ever rescued wounded birds after pigeon shoots, and if so, were any of them able to be saved and set free?
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Pigeon with a broken wing, who was later able to be set free
I have rescued many, many pigeons from various shoots in PA throughout the years. Having attended over 100 shoots from 1986-2012, I transported the wounded birds to various veterinarians and rehabilitators in the state. Even though some of the birds died, or were so badly injured they had to be euthanized, there were a large number of pigeons who were able to be saved. These beautiful birds were eventually set free!
How many years have you worked on bills against pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania, and where does that effort stand now?
I have worked on bills against pigeon shoots for 32 years! Heidi Prescott, from HSUS, now leads the lobbying effort to stop these cruel events. She lets me know when there is a chance a bill will be voted upon, and I run right to the Capitol (only two blocks from my house) to help her. The bill to prevent pigeon shoots has been introduced almost every legislative session since 1986.
The current pigeon shoot legislation is Senate Bill 612, introduced by Senator Pat Browne. It currently has 16 co-sponsors, and sits in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
It would be helpful if readers who live in PA would contact their own State Senator and State Representative and encourage them to ask for the bill to receive a vote. Also, please ask our PA Governor Wolf to support and sign the bill when it gets to his desk.
What did you think of our new children’s book, Smidgey Pidgey’s Predicament? Would other pigeon lovers enjoy it as well?
[image error]I absolutely LOVED this book! Not only was the story well-written, but the vocabulary words are a perfect teaching tool. I appreciated the entire concept, and you gave proper direction how to get involved in protecting “pidgies”. The illustrations added a beautiful visualization. I am placing copies in the offices of my doctors, dentist, and local library, as well as giving the book to my friends’ children and grandchildren.
Buy in Paperback | Buy on Kindle
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Buy Audiobook
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The author, Tamira Thayne, regularly feeds pigeons, aka doves, in her yard, and has always felt soothed by their calls. It breaks her heart to know they are treated so badly.
What can you do?
If you live in PA, get active against these cruel shoots! There were two that blatantly took place in the state June 3-4, 2018, and it’s well past time folks raised their voices in opposition to the cruelty. Learn more and get involved at this Humane PA Pac link.
Some recent articles:
This recent article features quotes from Johnna
Biggest pigeon shoot in years follows PA cruelty law exemption
About the book
[image error]It was a gorgeous summer day in Central Park, and Smidge and her brother Ridge had time to share one last adventure before it was time to grow up, as Mama Pidgey primly informed them. Yuk, where was the fun in that?!
Smidge slapped Ridge’s wing with hers. “Hey, you hungry? Wanna be real birds, and scavenge the park for seeds, or go see if Mrs. Laney is providing Pidgey Take-Out today?”
Ridge rubbed his belly. “Yum, Mrs. Laney’s for sure! Maybe she put out french fries again,” he grinned mischievously.
The two were so intent on their scramble for treats that when they heard the first squawks of protest, they assumed it was just a squabble over a savory morsel. Soon the cries became louder and more frantic, and more birds joined the chorus.
Finally realizing something wasn’t right, Smidge and Ridge looked up from their breakfast.
But it was too late—a black sack came down over their heads, engulfing them both and turning their world to darkness…
Who was stealing the city’s pigeons, and what’s to become of Smidge, Ridge, and the others? Find out in Smidgey Pidgey’s Predicament, excellent for ages 8 and up, and perfect for humane education in today’s classrooms. Includes Vocab Builders, as well as information about the very real threat to pigeons, and what you can do to help these wonderful birds.
$12.97 Paperback • $3.97 Kindle • Kindle Unlimited
This book is available for wholesale pricing on sales of ten or more copies
for nonprofits and humane educators. Check out the links to learn more.
Online sales of the book donate $1 each to Showing Animals Respect
and Kindness through 2018 for their efforts to end the shoots.
About the Author
[image error]Tamira Thayne is an animal activist, and the founder and former CEO of Dogs Deserve Better, a nonprofit organization seeking an end to dog chaining.
She is also the founder of Who Chains You Books, publishing titles for those who believe people—and animals—deserve to be free. She is the author of Happy Dog Coloring Book, Capitol in Chains, Foster Doggie Insanity, The Wrath of Dog, The King’s Tether, The Knights Chain, The Curse of Cur, (upcoming) and the co-editor of Unchain My Heart and Rescue Smiles.
Tamira lives by a river in the woods of northern Virginia, with her husband, daughter, one dog, six cats, and hundreds of outside birds and critters she adores from afar.
About the Illustrator
[image error]C. A. Wulff has been involved in pet rescue for over twenty-four years, volunteering with Ohio humane group Valley Save-a-Pet. An author, artist, and animal advocate, Wulff uses her art and writing to spread the joy of the human/canine bond.
Her books, Born Without a Tail: the Making of an Animal Advocate and Circling the Waggins; How 5 Misfit Dogs Saved Me from Bewilderness, chronicle her personal journey of animal rescue. Her books How to Change the World in 30 Seconds and Finding Fido. are guides for animal advocates and pet parents. You can follow her on her blog “Up on the Woof”, where she shares biscuits of dog-related info. [thewoof.wordpress.com]
Wulff currently resides in one of our nation’s National Forests with her lifemate and five dogs. She attributes her love of animals to having been raised by Wulffs.
June 3, 2018
“Slow Moe” Asks Folks to Just Say NO to Escargot
[image error]Who Chains You Publishing welcomes April Pedersen to our author family with the release of her first book, Slow Moe: A Snail Tale.
April pulls double duty on the book, both writing and illustrating this engaging tale of a little guy who escapes the snail farm in order to seek a better life for himself.
About the Book:
Slow Moe was born into a place no snail wanted to be.
Nobody noticed the egg hatching; the youngster stretched and looked around, feeling small and all alone. He was greeted by row upon row of snails just like him, as far as the tiny eye could see.
Soon upward movement caught his gaze: a group of snails was creeping up a nearby pipe towards the ceiling! “Crawl onto my shell and we’ll get you out of here,” a young snail in the rear shouted.
[image error]Moe decided he wanted life to be an adventure, so he latched on for parts unknown…and ended up on a journey much bigger than one little snail could imagine.
Will Moe find a safe, loving—and most of all—fun place to call his own? Find out in Slow Moe: A Snail Tale, written and illustrated by April Pedersen. This small book full of big heart is perfect for the classroom, humane education work, and family reading time for children 6 and up.
Sloe Moe is available in paperback and kindle, and coming soon in audiobook, too!
Buy in Paperback | Buy on Kindle
About the Author and Illustrator
[image error]April Pedersen is a freelancer illustrator and author based in Reno, Nevada. She is partial to frogs, snails, video poker, science fiction, geocaching, and chess.
April is the author and illustrator of Slow Moe, and the illustrator of Adopting Adele, Brave Benny, Bravo’s Freedom, Happy Dog Coloring Book, and Courageous Conner.
Did you know we offer wholesale pricing to nonprofits and humane educators, as well as independent bookstores? Learn more at the below links.
June 2, 2018
Last Chance to Get Your Animal Rescue Tale into our Upcoming “More Rescue Smiles” Book!
[image error]Our FIRM deadline for story submissions for More Rescue Smiles is upon us, and it’s June 15th! Get us your rescue tale of ANY animal (except for dogs, we have plenty of those!) ASAP for a chance to get your story in the book.
Folks have loved the first book in our animal rescue series—the award-winning Rescue Smiles—so don’t miss your chance to have YOUR story touch hearts and lives through our second book—More Rescue Smiles, edited once again by Heather Leughmyer and Tamira Thayne.
Got a particularly-winning photo of your baby, too? Maybe you can even claim the cover photo spot!
The heart of the animal rescue world lies in its stories—of freedom, of love, and of sacrifice by those who not only acknowledge but embrace the human-animal bond and its wondrous gifts.
In our first rescue story compilation, Who Chains You Books was pleased to offer a look into the emotional lives of rescuers and the living beings they hold dear. Readers joined us for the heartwarming anecdotes, as Cinnamon stole Spice’s puppies, Alice stole everyone’s shoes, and a host of other animals conspired to steal our hearts.
You got a behind-the-scenes peek into the relationships between rescuers and not only dogs and cats, but horses, goats, pigs, rats, mice, and birds, in this delightful first installment of Rescue Smiles, available in audio, paperback, and kindle.
Now we’re following up that success with More Rescue Smiles, and we want to include your stories! Every animal is invited inside our pages, from dogs to cats to chickens to rats—and of course every wild animal who calls our fields and woods home.
Stories between 1000-3000 words will be accepted, and we are taking submissions through June 15, 2018. So what are you waiting for? Send us along your entry today.
Submit your stories through our form here: http://whochainsyou.com/mystoryform.html
Got more than one story? Up to three submissions will be considered.
Got more questions? Drop us a line at info@whochainsyou.com, and we’ll be happy to help you out.
Happy Writing! We can’t wait to meet your rescue friends.
May 13, 2018
Dog Mom v. Human Mom: Who’s “Got it Easier”?
By Tamira Thayne
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It’s that sacred day of the year. You know the one—the one where we moms get to do whatever it is WE want to do. We get to be completely selfish, laze around in bed, and make inordinate demands on our family, like “Clean up your own mess”, or “Run out to the liquor store and bring Mommy a half gallon of whatever’s on sale, there’s a good lad.”
That kinda thing.
Except for some reason I’m already on my second load of laundry and contemplating whether I really DO want to vacuum the floor on Mother’s Day. [Pretty sure the answer is NO…Yes, it’s NO.]
As I was peeling away the hair-covered sheets from the dog and cat beds—and trying to contain the runoff within said sheets so it didn’t further hairify the floor—I contemplated how much of said fur was about to be deposited into my washing machine.
I acknowledged to the person I talk to in my head who is also me that I’m gonna have to make sure the washing machine is thoroughly sanitized before the hubby notices. [He likes to pretend the animal laundry gets magically poofed to the laudromat so our own machines don’t get sullied—we maintain this fantasy as part of our peaceful household.]
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The author’s daughter with a blind foster dog
Which got me to pondering…is it easier being a Mom to dogs and/or cats or to those of the human persuasion?
Let’s compare, getting right into the thick of it. The, ooey, gooey thickness of it…
Wretching. Horking. Vomiting.
Dog & Cat: OH, THE HORROR! The puke…the sound of which can strike fear into the hearts of many an intrepid dog or cat mom. You know that wretched wretching noise of which I speak….there you are, dreaming about Timothy Olyphant (Justified, not Santa Clarita Diet, although he is a very supportive husband in that role), when suddenly there it is. Yak…yak…YAKKKKK!
But where is it? Is it in your bed? On the floor? Between you and the bathroom? Can it wait until morning, or will you forget about it and definitely step in it then?
[Ponder the problem. If you’re one of those lucky moms, you roll over, go back to sleep, and vow to investigate at the break of dawn.]
Kid: “Mommy! I don’t feel so good.” Rubs belly. “I think I’m gonna frow up.” Rushes for the bathroom…
Odds are about 80/20 they won’t make it. At least when they miss you know exactly where it is, and sometimes it’s even on the bathroom floor, which means there’s not even carpeting. Score.
Plus, you’re telling me there’s a CHANCE.
Point=Kid
Grocery Shopping
Dog & Cat: “You’re leaving us here? At home? While you go to the place with all the delicacies, and the smells, and the beautiful decisions over what to bring home to this prison?”
You, ruefully: “I’m so sorry, my sweethearts. I will miss you incessantly, but alas, there are laws against bringing you with me into the grocery store, which we are of course greatly offended by and will make plans to protest another day.”
Kid: “I hate the grocery store. Why do I have to go? Ooh, can I have that? Mom!!!! But I want it! I need it. All the other kids have it.” [Slips said item into cart while you compare green beans.]
You, harried. “Why is it a big fight every time we come here? We have a LIST.” You clutch the list and thrust it emphatically and victoriously into the air.
[Kid is umimpressed. Throws him/herself onto the floor when you remove the item from the cart and screams that you’re the worst parent EVER. Repeat.]
Point=Dog & Cat
Play Dates at the Park
Dog [If you have any living gray matter, you won’t be taking your cat to the park—EVER]: You briefly ponder on the way to the park why you have a death wish. Rufus is pacing the back seat with excitement, spittle and fur swishing throughout the vehicle because you just had to open your sun roof, and even your iced tea has now sprouted.
Yeah, there was that one time you took the dog to the park and there was just the two other nice dogs and everyone got along and the other dog dad was actually hot and nice.
But that was only one time. The other 3,098 times your dog peed on the sexy guy’s leg, fought with two dobermans and a rottweiler, and ended up with a $3098 vet bill and the cone of shame. You’re now facing two civil lawsuits because your dog’s an asshole, and you’ve had to move cities three times to find new dog parks.
Kid: You briefly ponder the weather, and hope this beautiful spring day will hold up. Did I forget my book? Darn it. Well, I’m sure I can find something on Kindle Unlimited to read.
I hope Betty Sue is there with that delightful Kenny. He’s such a good influence on Ralphie. I sure hope that Damian isn’t there, he tugged on little Kate’s hair braids the last time and made her cry. What a kerfuffle. I’m so glad I remembered some healthy snacks for Ralphie to share with his friends.
Point=Kid
Swearing
Dog and cat: You’re in your first real home, a young married couple, and fresh out of the military. You have a mouth like a sailor, but it’s all good, because Mom and Dad are five states away, and they aren’t technologically savvy enough to plant bugs in your house to monitor you from afar. You’re FREE!
You rush to the local rescue group to adopt Fluffy and Kirby, because you know you’re mature enough now, and Mom taught you how to care for your best friends. You pass the home visit with flying colors, and get that exciting call to come pick up your babies.
While driving home with your precious cargo, one of THOSE drivers cuts you off, and then stops right in front of you. “Why, you sonuvabeeyotch! You crazy mothereffer! I’m gonna shove this car so far up your rectum you’ll be spitting steel by suppertime!” you scream, really warming up to your topic.
Then, guiltily, you remember Fluffy and Kirby sitting patiently in the back, hoping this will be their FUREVER home this time—not like that last one.
You give them a tentative smile, and they look back at you with eyes full of hope and love, saying only two words: “Ruff” and “meow.”
Your secret is safe.
Kid: You’ve been in your new home for three years now, and, Thank Dog for your good genes, have managed to pop out a two-fer, TWIN boys! Waahoo! You love spending time with your sons, and regularly take the two year olds with you on jaunts about town.
While driving home with your precious cargo, one of THOSE drivers cuts you off, and then stops right in front of you. “Why, you sonuvabeeyotch! You crazy mothereffer! I’m gonna shove this car so far up your rectum you’ll be spitting steel by suppertime!” you scream, really warming up to your topic.
Then, guiltily, you remember Keenan and Keefer in the back seat, soaking up the atmosphere like the little sponges they are.
You give them a tentative smile, and they look back at you with eyes full of vinegar, and and then at each other, before screaming: “Sumbish! Mavaeffa! Sumbish! Mavaeffa!”
Horrified, you rush home to put on Clifford The Big Red Dog before they memorize the gutter talk you’ve inadvertently taught them, and realize your word salad freedom has come to an end.
Point=Dog & Cat
It’s a Tie!
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Foster Doggie Insanity: Tips & Tales to Keep your Kool as a Doggie Foster Parent
Truth be told: I could go on all day with this…and I’m sure you too can think of lots of fun comparisons. For some moms, there will be a definite pro/con list that lands to one side or the other of the pet/kid argument.
Having been lucky enough to birth two humans and become a mom or foster mom for hundreds of dogs and cats during my years of active rescue, I can tell you that, despite my jokes and lamentations, I’ve loved them all.
Now that my daughter is an adult, and I am down to life with one dog and six cats, I can say with some degree of certainty that the human child has become easier.
For example: Today’s Mother’s Day, and I still had to get up and take care of our companions and feed the outside critters, birds and squirrels. My old cat Una still yapped incessantly until he got his morning treats, and the dog still refused to do his business in the rain.
But Bryn got up at five, went to her job at the bakery, then brought me home two cookies and is taking me to dinner. I can drink wine with dinner and know I have a driver to cart my buttocks safely home afterward.
Yet, a cat is snuggled on my lap as I type, and the dog lays contentedly at my feet. And therefore I acknowledge—to the voice in my head that is also me—that I am, indeed, ONE LUCKY MOTHER.
Happy Mother’s Day, from myself and the rest of the authors at Who Chains You Publishing. Whether you’re a mom to humans or to the fur-covered variety, we wish you a little time to sit back, put your feet up, and read a good book today. Here’s to you! http://www.whochainsyou.com.
About the Author
[image error]Tamira Thayne is an author, animal activist, and the founder and former CEO of Dogs Deserve Better, a nonprofit organization seeking an end to dog chaining.
She is also the founder of Who Chains You Books, publishing titles for those who believe people—and animals—deserve to be free. She is the author of Foster Doggie Insanity, Happy Dog Coloring Book, Capitol in Chains, The Wrath of Dog, The King’s Tether, and the co-editor of Unchain My Heart and Rescue Smiles.
Tamira lives by a river in the woods of northern Virginia, with her husband, daughter, one dog, six cats, and hundreds of outside birds and critters she adores from afar.
May 10, 2018
Need a Teacher Gift? 26 Books for Classroom Use in Animal, Family, and Environmental Education
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It’s that time of year when students love to bring a beloved teacher an end of year gift. With budget crunches and classroom cuts, many teachers across the U.S. find themselves spending way too much out of pocket for books and other materials to educate the students.
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That’s why books always make a great teacher gift, and Who Chains You Publishing and our Crescent Renewal Imprint offer 26 books perfect for classroom reading, reaching students from pre-school through middle school.
Pre-K teachers will love titles like Nana’s Banana, Happy Dog Coloring Book, What’s in the Corner, and Went Out to Get A Donut, Came Home with a Muffin.
Browse all our great titles for animal lovers on our book page here: http://www.whochainsyou.com/books.html
Browse all our excellent Crescent Renewal Imprint titles here: http://www.whochainsyou.com/crescentrenewal.html
Grade school teachers could share all of the above PLUS so many more—with a plethora of books that advocate for the animals, the environment, anti-bullying, and education!
Browse all our great titles for animal lovers on our book page here: http://www.whochainsyou.com/books.html
Browse all our excellent Crescent Renewal Imprint titles here: http://www.whochainsyou.com/crescentrenewal.html
Middle school teachers can share many of the above, plus more, such as Rescue Smiles, The Listener’s Tale, and The Shapeshifter’s Tale. And finally, high school teachers will love the YA Paranormal offerings of The Chained Gods Series.
Know that your teacher’s an animal lover and an avid reader? She/he would love one of our adult books in both fiction and non-fiction encompassing animals and society issues surrounding the care and treatment of animals.
Browse all our great titles for animal lovers on our book page here: http://www.whochainsyou.com/books.html
Browse all our excellent Crescent Renewal Imprint titles here: http://www.whochainsyou.com/crescentrenewal.html
Who Chains You Publishing would like to thank the teachers for another great year of giving the gift of education to your students. We know the work can be heartbreaking, but the effort you put in is appreciated by so many. Thank you!
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April 29, 2018
“Smidgey Pidgey’s Predicament” Shines a Spotlight on Pigeon Shoots
Smidgey Pidgey’s Predicament
by Tamira Thayne
Illustrated by C.A. Wulff
[image error]It was a gorgeous summer day in Central Park, and Smidge and her brother Ridge had time to share one last adventure before it was time to grow up, as Mama Pidgey primly informed them. Yuk, where was the fun in that?!
Smidge slapped Ridge’s wing with hers. “Hey, you hungry? Wanna be real birds, and scavenge the park for seeds, or go see if Mrs. Laney is providing Pidgey Take-Out today?”
Ridge rubbed his belly. “Yum, Mrs. Laney’s for sure! Maybe she put out french fries again,” he grinned mischievously.
The two were so intent on their scramble for treats that when they heard the first squawks of protest, they assumed it was just a squabble over a savory morsel. Soon the cries became louder and more frantic, and more birds joined the chorus.
Finally realizing something wasn’t right, Smidge and Ridge looked up from their breakfast.
[image error]But it was too late—a black sack came down over their heads, engulfing them both and turning their world to darkness…
Who was stealing the city’s pigeons, and what’s to become of Smidge, Ridge, and the others? Find out in Smidgey Pidgey’s Predicament , excellent for ages 8 and up, and perfect for humane education in today’s classrooms. Includes Vocab Builders, as well as information about the very real threat to pigeons, and what you can do to help these wonderful birds.
$12.97 Paperback • $3.97 Kindle • Kindle Unlimited
$1.00 from each Paperback and $.50 from each Kindle
sale will benefit the nonprofit Showing Animals Respect and Kindness through the end of the year.
What are pigeon shoots? Well, they’re as bad as you can imagine. From a June 5, 2017 article in the Philly Voice by John Kopp, titled “Pennsylvania clings to pigeon shoots that have nearly vanished nationwide”:
“During such shoots, live pigeons are placed into spring-loaded boxes and propelled into the air at the shooter’s command. The shooter then fires at them from a distance of about 30 yards. Hundreds of birds are wounded or killed.”
From that same article: “One group, Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) has protested the Philadelphia Gun Club shoots by posting videos of wounded pigeons and aerial videos of the shoots.
“We’ve really been pressing them hard and exposing the people who have been participating in it,” SHARK activist Stuart Chaifetz said. “We treat it the same way as if you saw someone dogfighting – it’s inexcusable.”
About the Author
[image error]Tamira Thayne is an animal activist, and the founder and former CEO of Dogs Deserve Better, a nonprofit organization seeking an end to dog chaining.
She is also the founder of Who Chains You Books, publishing titles for those who believe people—and animals—deserve to be free. She is the author of Happy Dog Coloring Book, Capitol in Chains, Foster Doggie Insanity, The Wrath of Dog, The King’s Tether, The Knights Chain, The Curse of Cur, (upcoming) and the co-editor of Unchain My Heart and Rescue Smiles.
Tamira lives by a river in the woods of northern Virginia, with her husband, daughter, one dog, six cats, and hundreds of outside birds and critters she adores from afar.
About the Illustrator
[image error]C. A. Wulff has been involved in pet rescue for over twenty-four years, volunteering with Ohio humane group Valley Save-a-Pet. An author, artist, and animal advocate, Wulff uses her art and writing to spread the joy of the human/canine bond.
Her books, Born Without a Tail: the Making of an Animal Advocate and Circling the Waggins; How 5 Misfit Dogs Saved Me from Bewilderness, chronicle her personal journey of animal rescue. Her books How to Change the World in 30 Seconds and Finding Fido. are guides for animal advocates and pet parents. You can follow her on her blog “Up on the Woof”, where she shares biscuits of dog-related info. [thewoof.wordpress.com]
Wulff currently resides in one of our nation’s National Forests with her lifemate and five dogs. She attributes her love of animals to having been raised by Wulffs.
