Award Winner: 2018 Best Book Awards Animals/Pets: Narrative Non-Fiction
This is the story of many, many heroes and heroines, volunteers and employees alike, all of whom fought their way, making tedious progress, against unsurmountable odds and waged a long but winning battle…for the love of Valencia County Animal Shelter (VCAS) animals. Over a period of forty years, these individuals gave of themselves and selflessly stood up for the lives of the forgotten animals incarcerated at VCAS, once branded as the Dungeon of Death. Captured in this book are some of the many heart-rending stories heralding their challenges, achievements, and their boundless respect for life. Spotlighted is the game-changer for this transformation: their life-saving and innovative rescue-transport program.
Color photos featured throughout the book help tell the story.
The Research and Resource section gives the reader the opportunity to look up non-profit organizations featured within the book so they too can help make a difference.
Award Winner: 2018 Best Book Awards Animals/Pets: General
Bruiser, a mischievous Jack Russell Terrier, wakes up ready for an adventure. After devising a plan to sneak into Mr. David's preschool, Bruiser weasels his way into different classrooms, meeting new friends and causing many mishaps--mishaps that get many of the students in trouble! After seeing the students sitting out during recess, a new friend helps Bruiser realize that he should take responsibility for his actions. Bruiser then decides to make matters better for all.
Award Finalist: 2018 Best Book Awards Animals/Pets: Narrative Non-Fiction
What happens to our pets after they die? Is there another realm where they coexist with our departed human loved ones?
Are they happy and free from pain?
Award-Winning Animal Communicator and Psychic Medium, Karen Anderson, reveals tantalizing evidence that our pets communicate with us throughout their lives as well as after their physical death.
Will this evidence prove that our pets continue to send us messages and signs from the Other Side?
You be the judge.
Discover how pets feel about death, euthanasia, cremation, reincarnation and so much more. Was it their time to die? Do the pets we had to euthanize forgive us?
Included are actual sessions with departed animals sharing their loving thoughts and insightful messages. If you are grieving the loss of your beloved pet, you will also learn how to work through your grief and move into healing.
The purity of the animals' messages may surprise you and they may even present new perspectives about life after death. Discover how deeply your pets love you and how the bonds of love never die as you journey into the amazing afterlife of animals.
Award Finalist: 2018 Best Book Awards Animals/Pets: Narrative Non-Fiction
"Animals can and do make our lives better. This is my kind of book." --Bret Witter, #1 NYT bestseller co-author of Dewey [the Library Cat]"
The hu-amorous true story of an animal-phobic, city robotics engineer who learns too late that his new bride's dream is to have a farm where she can rescue ex-racehorses. When the newlyweds take a Meyers-Briggs Personality Test for fun, it tells them that their marriage is doomed. There is only one problem: they took the test after the wedding.
So whether he's chasing a cow named Pork Chop through the woods, getting locked in a tack room by the family pony, being snubbed by his wife's favorite dog, or unsuccessfully trying to modernize their barn using the latest technology, the odds are already stacked against him. It seems like everything on four legs is out to get him. Will the animals prove Meyers-Briggs right?
Enjoy the true, warm, and frequently hilarious stories of a man's journey along the bumpy road from his urban robotics lab to his new life on a rural Virginia farm.
Award Finalist: 2018 Best Book Awards Animals/Pets: Narrative Non-Fiction
For the vast majority of people, the bond they share with their dog or cat companion is a familial one, born of love and mutual affection. Indeed, interspecies relationships in the world are not rare and they are relationships that humans generally celebrate as evidence of the interconnectedness and beauty of life on Earth. But according to the loudest voices in the American animal rights movement today, such relationships are incompatible with the rights of animals when one of the parties is a human being. Living with companion dogs and cats is, according to this view, a “necessary evil” at best; at worst, it is a relationship between “master” and “slave” and those animals would be better off if they did not exist at all. With the belief that the “solution” to all dog and cat suffering lies in their eventual extinction, the contemporary animal rights movement not only preaches that the lives of dogs and cats are dispensable, their deliberate elimination of no moral consequence, their disappearance from our planet no tragedy to mourn, it embraces an agenda to which no other rights-based movement in history has ever subscribed: the deliberate annihilation of those it has pledged to protect. Welcome Home explores the dangers to animals posed by this misanthropic, pro-extinction position, challenging the logical fallacies, factual inaccuracies, and ethical compromises upon which it is based. In its place, Welcome Home offers an alternative animal rights philosophy, an optimistic and hopeful approach which champions the rights of dogs and cats to the many emotional, physical, and evolutionary advantages conferred by their cohabitation with humans, but, most important of all, the right to their very existence.
Award Finalist: 2018 Best Book Awards Animals/Pets: Narrative Non-Fiction
This is the true story of "Sirius," the Port Authority police patrol dog who died at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Told by "Sirius" in his own words, this heart-warming story describes the friendship and courage shared by "Sirius" and his police officer partner David, who survived the 9/11 attacks. A personal letter from David to the reader is included in this book. "Sirius, The Hero Dog of 9/11" is not only the inspiring story of a dog and his police officer partner. It is also the true story, for readers young and old, of tragedy, triumph and courage on the darkest day in America's history.
Award Finalist: 2018 Best Book Awards Animals/Pets: Narrative Non-Fiction
Using humor and her own observations, the author traces her acquisition of Buster, a junkyard rescue, whose high energy leads her to the dog park. The author recounts their adventures and illustrates what happens there. Instinctive dog behaviors, prejudices, dog walkers, aggression and more are covered.
KIRKUS REVIEW. A recommended review. Considered a book worth reading.
A primer about appropriate canine (and human) behavior during public playtime.
The dog park has become the site of much folklore, community policing, and sociological interest in America. In this debut work, Lee readily admits that she’s not an expert on animal training, so she bases her recommendations on many years of active participation and keen observation in the dog park area reserved for larger animals. Much confusion stems from human misperceptions of canine behavior, Lee says, and she seeks to set the record straight. “Each time you go is a new experience, because no two days there are ever alike,” she advises from the outset. “The mix of dogs and people are never the same, and you can never anticipate what might happen.” Although this may strike some new dog owners as somewhat alarming, the author provides general rules and strategies so that readers will feel prepared for all contingencies. Chapters specifically delve into such subjects as “Puppies,” “Children at the Dog Park,” “Neutering,” “Balls and Personal Toys,” “Body Language,” and “Prejudices.” One of the author’s salient recommendations is to take one’s dog for a walk before hitting the park so that the pet expends some excess energy in advance. Lee also urges owners to note and avoid the specific times when professional dog walkers bring large packs, pointing out that it’s virtually impossible for one person to keep tabs on so many dogs and that, logically, they’re more likely to get into trouble under such circumstances. As an added bonus, Lee sometimes adopts the voice of Buster, her 60-pound American Staffordshire terrier mix, to offer a dog’s unique perspective on the matters at hand; she crafts an introduction and conclusion as her pet, as well as one of the middle chapters. Even grizzled dog park veterans who’ve seen it all may appreciate this refresher course, and all dog lovers will enjoy Lee’s anecdotes, which she uses to illustrate specific points. Overall, she writes in a clear, accessible style and approaches her subject matter with humor in the hope that everyone will experience fun and safe adventures.
A handy, easy-to-read manual, particularly for neophyte pet owners in urban areas, where dog parks are essential for exercise and socialization.
Award Finalist: 2018 Best Book Awards Animals/Pets: General
Sadie Sees Trouble is a unique invitation to parents to engage children with the delightful tale of Sadie the Dog as she tries to lure her little girl Penny back into active play around their home. Responding to nationwide calls by educators to reduce “screen time” among young children, veteran educators Linda and Julie Jarkey developed this first book in a series of Sadie stories so that it literally opens doors in family literacy.
What doors? Well, first, the doors to your kitchen cabinets! All of the book’s colorful artwork was produced with items typically found in a family’s kitchen. The components are listed at the back of the book, from strawberries to mustard. After reading the story the first time, readers can download free black-and-white illustrations of Sadie and Penny to color along with the characters and expand the entire story. The authors welcome readers to visit the book’s website and share their ideas of ways to turn common foods and household materials into art supplies. The authors even step outside and include blades of grass clipped from the lawn. This first book is an open invitation to enter Sadie’s world and spark creative ideas in your home.
Award Finalist: 2018 Best Book Awards Animals/Pets: General
This children story is about a group of animals who were previously abused, bullied, neglected, or endangered by humans, living together on an unconventional sanctuary. This once peaceful sanctuary was disrupted when two villains attempt to steal a few prized animals from an old farmer. Both the farmer and the animals face multiple challenges. Will they be able to overcome these dangers?
This exciting yet emotional story touches on environmental concerns, animal abuse, arrogance, and bullying. It also emphasizes the importance of recycling, respect, team work, and self-esteem to all readers. Each individual animal has different personality traits and strength; as they embrace and support one another to fight off many hardships which they are faced with.
Award Finalist: 2018 Best Book Awards Animals/Pets: General
Teddy is a dog in need of a new home after living at the animal shelter for so long. Lisa is on a quest to find a home for Teddy. When her plans to invite some friends over to meet the dog fail, she lets him stay at her house temporarily, but not forever. Poor Teddy! Will he ever find a family that will love him and make him their own? Poor Teddy is the true story of a shelter dog looking for his fur-ever home. If you enjoy sweet rhymes, cute illustrations, and heartwarming lessons about kindness and belonging, then you'll love the story of Poor Teddy!
Award Finalist: 2018 Best Book Awards Animals/Pets: General
Safe and secure in the palace gardens of Winston Island, Princess Persayus of the Persian breed happily played with her grandfather, the great King Cypress, and her doting mother and father. The Persians were known across the land for their beauty, elegance and gentle nature. They were admired, but not by all. Queen Samera of the Siamese breed, driven by envy and greed, hatches a plan to dismantle the royal family and steal the kingdom. Samera's attack leaves Winston Island without their courageous leader and Persayus far removed from her family and the protective surroundings of her cherished land. Lost and alone, Persayus finds herself on a frightening journey of self-preservation and discovery, forced to find courage and strength against all odds. With the support of her new fearless pals, only Persayus can lead the charge to rescue her family, save her land and return her breed to their rightful power. But to do so, she must conquer her greatest fears.
