There were demonstrations from Special K-9s Search and Recovery,  the Tomball Fire Department, a nd others…low-cost micro-chipping…and $5.00 toenail trims!  Spencer, Katie, and Elie would have come along for the ride if we had known that!

Oh,  and there were rescue groups showing off all the wonderful animals in need of forever,  loving homes!  Learning about why the dogs were in need of homes is always heart-breaking…what are people thinking?  For example,  there was a Great Dane who needed a home because his owners didn’t realize that a Great Dane puppy would grow up to be a HUGE Great Dane!  

Now see what Rummy looks like after receiving loving care from the folks at Husky Haven!   Isn't he a handsome boy???

And that’s not all!  Rummy is 1 of 10 finalists in Purina’s National Rally to Rescue contest!  The winner will be announced on October 12^th…find out how Rummy places by checking http://www.rallytorescue.org.  

Speaking of new friends, I met a young budding artist/author by the name of Leanne, who honored me with one of her original drawings.  I’m hoping Leanne will stay in touch with me because you can never have too many friends!!

Oh, and I got to meet another author…Frances Alberti.  She was there with her book “Finding Rover – A True Hurricane Katrina Story.”  It’s the story about her brother’s Hurricane Katrina ordeal when he lost his home and nearly lost his best friend Rover.  Proceeds from the book go to help her brother Bobby rebuild his home and to pay for medical bills.  You can find out more out Fran’s book at:  www.findingrover.com.

Many thanks to Kim Grieff (www.thepettutor.com) who organized the event.  I think she deserves a huge round of applause, many pats on the back, and a long vacation!!!

I also need to send a very special, huge Thank You to my dear husband Mike and my sister Sue who helped me before, during, and after Dog-Fest 2007! 

Before I forget, another big Thank You for my dear friend Toni who got all this started when she rescued Spencer.  She wasn’t able to join us at the Dog-Fest but I know she was with us all in spirit! 

The most special thanks of all goes to everyone who purchased one or both of the books!  Your glowing comments made my heart sing!  
 

BTW, you can read more about the event at www.dog-fest.com.

One of the massage therapists, sat with her nephew while her sister, another massage therapist, gave free massages to the members of the Sugar Land Fire Rescue Team...

It always tickles me to see the quizzical facial expressions when I get to the part of the book where I talk about "HuMom" and "HuDad." 

Hair International - August 11, 2007

One of the great benefits of sharing my books with others at these book signing/reading events is meeting other great animal loving friends!  

On this day, I met Grandma Betty, her daughter, and two lovely granddaughters.  The youngest granddaughter is already well known for "having strays follow her home."  And although I applauded her efforts, I also tried to warn her of the possible dangers associated with approaching stray dogs!

It if so difficult for us animal loving people to even begin to fathom some of the abuse some of these animals have suffered.  Not knowing what an animal has gone through previously, we must always exercise caution when trying to rescue one.  

It was a pleasure sitting there and sharing our own stories.  As some of the stories were quite poignant, I must remember to take enough kleenex for all to all future signings!

Thanks to Chelsea, owner of Hair International, and her staff for their hospitality and participation.

                                Ashford Primary School

Joan Guild, the librarian who arranged the book readings at Askew Elementary does double-duty by also being the librarian at Ashford Primary School.  Lucky for me because Ms. Guild was kind enough to invite me to read “A Different Kind of Family” to the Ashford students grades Pre-K through 2 on May 9, 10, and 11!

I knew it was going to be a great week when I first arrived at the school to pick up the advanced order forms on Monday, May 7^th.  Seventeen book orders had already been placed!  I was so excited!!!

The children were delightful and TALL!!  What are parents feeding their kids nowadays? I could still walk under the kitchen table when I went into first grade and I don’t think I was as tall as some of the second graders until I was in Junior High!

Anyway, I did not let their size scare me (of course, there was a fairly large support team there for me) and we had a great time - reading the book, and talking about Spencer’s “Different Kind of Family” and pets in their own homes.

I met a nice young man by the name of Theopolis, who took great care of my dear friend Clyde, while we listened to Pirate No Beard detailing all the special events scheduled this summer at Kendall Neighborhood Library. 

Bailey, bless his heart, kept his hand raised up for what probably seemed like to be an eternity so he could tell me about his adopted dog Harley.

One boy’s dog is named Shelby and another little boy wanted me to know that King Charles Spaniels are his absolute favorite kind of dog!

Gabbi and I discussed how neither of our names ended with an “e.” 

And, one little boy told me about his pet turtle named Snapper!  Isn’t that a great name for a turtle!!!

Of course, not all the stories were happy ones as some students told me about how one of their pets had died and how they missed the animals.  I assured them that I understood completely.

In all, I read the book to over 500 students including 150 Kindergarten students and 300 First and Second graders!!! 

By the end of the week, a total of 24 books were purchased.  A portion of these book sales will be combined with the Askew Elementary and Memorial Business Women’s purchases for a nice donation to CAPS!!! 

Thanks to Principal Polhemus for approving my visit…Brenda and Lisa for their assistance and sharing their own animal stories with me…Mario Lira, the music teacher, for the microphone and keeping us all in line…all the other teachers and support folks for being cafetorium monitors…and a very special thanks to Joan Guild for making the visit possible!

Thank you, Ashford Eagles, for your hospitality, book purchases, and most importantly, your love for our animal companions!

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                  Memorial Women's Business Network Group
                        April 10, 2007

I was extremely honored to receive an invitation from Kelly Leaning of Greenwood King Properties to speak with the Memorial Women's Business Network Group.  

We met at La Madeleine at Town & Country on the morning of April 10.  What a great group of friendly, seemingly fun-loving, hardworking professionals!  

The group also included several avid dog and cat lovers.  After speaking to the group about my books, some shared their own experiences with adopted shelter animals and one woman told us all how their beloved cat was returned to them thanks to CAPS!

A total of 8 books were sold.  A portion of those proceeds will be combined with the Askew Elementary School sales for a donation to CAPS.

You can find out more about the Memorial Women's Business Network Group at the following website:  http://www.mwbn.org/

P.S.  A special thanks to Linda Satterwhite, Mary Kay consultant, who was instrumental in arranging this engagement.

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After reading the book, several students wanted to adopt our Spencer!  Each day, when I returned home and shared the response with him, his head got bigger and bigger.  If all school visits go this well, we will need to change the back door to a sliding glass door just so Spencer's head will fit through it!