Tag: animals

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Christmas at Corgi Cove: A heartwarming tail with mischievous Corgis

352 pages publisher Avon publish date October 17, 2023

ABOUT THE BOOK

If you’re looking for the perfect feel-good Christmas novel, then look no further than Annie England Noblin’s newest novel. This book will absolutely delight readers looking for a sweet and sassy read—and not to mention enchant the fans of Annie’s signature canine characters.

Rosie Reynolds had come to lakeside Corgi Cove as a lost, lonely girl abandoned by her own mother, but there she discovered a true place to call home. She loves her Corgis, Bonnie and Clyde; loves the lakeside life; and loves her aunt and uncle most of all. But when she discovers their struggling inn is about to be bought out by some big city chain, she hatches a plan: to win a contest naming theirs the best Christmas-themed inn in the USA. It’s a long shot, but she knows if the whole town pulls together that they can do it.

But she didn’t count on Everett St Claire, who emerged from his gleaming, black BMW, straightening his tie and asking himself how did a big-city guy like him find himself in a speck on the map like Corgi Cove? And how fast could he get back to the city? After all, it couldn’t be that difficult to convince one elderly couple to take the money to retire.

He didn’t count on getting sucked into life on the lake. Sure, the people might be…eccentric, and Rosie might seem like a pain in the backside, but there is something alluring about the place. And with the holidays nearing, and the deadline looming, Rosie and Everett are about to discover the magic of a Christmas at Corgi Cove.

MY THOUGHTS

A quick and delightful comfort read.
I love reading Christmas books all year round and if they have dogs added that’s such a fun addition.

Rosie Reynolds is the niece of the innkeepers, and their inn is called Corgi Cove. Two corgis’ live there, Bonnie and Clyde. They all reside at Corgi Cove with Rosie’s aunt and uncle who adopted her as a child when her mother left her.


Corgi Cove, located in Texas is beautiful but struggling financially. Nearby a big-name developer is buying up property and turning it into vacation spots.


Everett St Claire comes to Corgi Cove looking to make a quick sale and be back home in time for Christmas. He doesn’t count on getting to know the family and falling for Rosie. The family doesn’t want to sell the inn but if they don’t, foreclosure will happen in the new year. With the family of course not wanting Everett around, especially Rosie how will this problem resolve?

Now I’ve seen this plot before, failing family inn leaking money, the family doesn’t want to sell and somehow it gets saved. You know what though I like the premise of this, especially with the dogs, it’s such a charming read.

Rosie is so upset her family’s inn needs to be sold or it’ll go into foreclosure. When Everett is there on day a family emergency happens and he saves her uncles life. The family warms up to him after this, but Rosie seems to be running hot and cold.

I think you’ll be charmed by this Christmas book with the mischievous corgis. You’ll want to see how things turn out with the inn; can it be saved? Will Everett continue to get the cold shoulder from Rosie or will her heart melt as the temperature warms? Cute, fun read.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Annie England Noblin lives with her son, husband, and three dogs in the Missouri Ozarks. She graduated with an M.A. in creative writing from Missouri State University and currently teaches English and communications for Arkansas State University in Mountain Home, Arkansas. She spends her free time playing make-believe, feeding stray cats, and working with animal shelters across the country to save homeless dogs.

Have a terrific day and thank you for stopping in.

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Midnight at the Shelter -A middle school read

304 pages grade level 3-7 Quill Tree Books publisher Nov 1,2022 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Written with a distinctively doggy voice, great humor, and plenty of heart, this novel from acclaimed author Nanci Turner Steveson is a perfect pick for readers looking for a touching animal story in the vein of Because of Winn-Dixie or Marley & Me.

Rescue dog MahDi is happy helping his human partner, “MomDoc,” with the important work at her vet clinic and the local animal shelter. The two of them make a good team, caring for the town’s pets and matchmaking rescue animals with the families who need them.

When the shelter is suddenly down a staff member, the animals have to deal with a new caretaker: Huck, an unpleasant man who seems to have no problem threatening the animals he’s supposed to care for. As more dogs crowd into the shelter than are going to new homes, MahDi begins to worry that if MomDoc isn’t around, there is no telling what Huck might do.

With three perfectly good legs, the heart of a true leader, and his pack mates by his side, MahDi is willing to risk everything to save his shelter-friends from an uncertain future.

MY THOUGHTS

Midnight at the shelter has a distinctive doggy voice. This is a middle school age chapter book. Told from the voice of our main character a dog. The dog is owned by a vet and before this the three-legged dog had not had a good life.

A town stray, he was captured along with his other doggy friends and thrown in a truck, the truck is in an accident, and he is the only survivor but loses a leg in the process. The vet who cares for him adopts him. The vet gives medical care to the animals in the shelter so they can be adopted.

The dog tells the story of some of the animals in the shelter waiting to be adopted. The book is really hard to read as it describes the depression the animals have for being at the shelter for so long and the abuse and neglect, they have had before they came to the shelter.

Though it’s sad it’s also realistic and this is why I think it’s a good thing for children to read. Maybe after reading this, children will think not to abuse an animal because they have feelings too and animals not being treated right have long term consequences from abuse and neglect sometimes to never recover.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nanci Turner Steveson grew up with a book in one hand, the reins of a pony in the other. She wrote her first “novel” at age nine about a wild horse named Liberty. Nanci is a member of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and is on the Board of Directors of the Jackson Hole Writers Conference. She is a theatre stage manager, Teen Creative Writing Instructor at the Teton County Library, and reading fairy to book hungry children. The mother of two grown sons, Nanci lives in a historic meadow cabin in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with assorted horses and dogs. She is dedicated to getting books into the hands of the homeless through her Literacy for Hope Project. Nanci is represented by Al Zuckerman, the founder of Writers House, LLC, and can also be reached through her web site at http://www.nanciturnersteveson.com

Thank you for stopping in and have a wonderful weekend.

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Daily Prompt 6 April Saturday

Daily writing prompt
What animals make the best/worst pets?
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There is no right or wrong answer for this one. What may be the best/worse animal for me may not necessarily be the best/worse animal for you. There are so many things to take into consideration before acquiring an animal. Do you really want this animal and it’s not something you’ll be tired of in a month. Do you have the time to devote to this animal, walking brushing, attention, training etc, depending on what kind you get? Will you be home enough so they don’t have separation anxiety and chew, scratch or go on your floor? Pets like kids come with unexpected expenses, that puppy or kitten may be so adorable to look at but eventually they’ll need vet care for an emergency, sickness or just plain routine maintenance. Will you be able to afford the upkeep of it? It’s not far to the animal if you get it and can’t afford it and then dump it back at a shelter. Since Covid the cost of pet foods and litter and their supplies have gone up every few months. It’s not cheap being a pet parent. If you can afford it and have the time for a pet(s) it’ll be a lifelong friendship and devotion so take all these into consideration before getting your new pet. I’ve had cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs as pets. Currently I have 2 cats and feed 3 strays outside. I have no dogs or rabbits but do have guinea pigs.

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Blog tour for A Fresh Start At Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home by Sarah Hope

I’m excited to invite you onto my blog today for the blog tour of A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home. The author writes such lovely books, and this series focuses on dog adoption. Helping animals in any way is near and dear to my heart so you can imagine how much I’ve enjoyed this series.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home

There’s no place like home…

Although dog trainer Sally is relatively new to Wagging Tails, the team she works with have quickly become her family and the dogs her friends.

But when Andy, the one that got away, turns up for a brief respite from the city, she is at a crossroads. As tempting as a life with him is, she loves her home of West Par, and anyway, she has responsibilities here.

Number one on that list is ensuring the dogs’ home stays in business. A developer has been sniffing around wanting to buy the land, and the team is worried.

Sally will do anything to save her home and her friends’ livelihoods but the lure of reuniting with her lost love is strong. Is there a way for her to have both?

MY THOUGHTS

A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home is the third book in the series. Though it is part of a series it can easily be read as a standalone without missing anything important.


I love the fact that the book is focused on dog rescue and hope it inspires some to help dogs in some way: adoption, volunteering or even monetarily.
The book is a real ray of sunshine, guaranteed to make even the darkest skies bright. After you’re done reading your heart will be filled with gladness.


The characters are well thought out and well developed, friendly sorts who want the best for the dogs and have a lot of empathy. The plot moves along at a medium pace, not getting offtrack.

There is a light romance going, a second chance at love possibly. The focus is not on the romance though which was nice to see. The story is lighthearted but with some serious parts as well. Puddles stole my heart; I’m rooting for you little one. A sure win, once you start this book you’ll be hooked.

Pub Date 20 Mar 2024
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

VISIT OTHER BLOGS ON THE TOUR

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/freshstartsocial

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah has been dreaming up stories ever since she was a child. She remembers many a family stroll when she’d daydream up her next story adventure.

As an adult, she prefers to write romance novels and novellas with a Happy Ever After ending. She has two main romance series, the Escape To… series that focuses on single mums taking a chance and fulfilling their career dreams as well as finding love, and The Cornish Bakery series, that follows a busy bakery in a beautiful fictional bay in Cornwall.

Sarah Hope lives in Central England with her two children and an array of pets and enjoys escaping to the seaside at any opportunity.

She has also written some women’s fiction books.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HappinessHopeDreams

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahHope35 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_hope_writes/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/SarahHopeNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sarah-hope

Have a wonderful day. Thanks for stopping in.

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Daily Prompt Mon 12

If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?

https://www.pexels.com

I would make a law that all dogs and cats kept as pets have to be spayed and neutered to end animal suffering. Animal mills for breeding and animal hoarding would not exist.

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Two Nonfiction book reviews about dogs: All Dogs are Good and Bobby & Bubba’s Small Adventures

160 pages nonfiction Grand Central publishing November 9, 2021 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Written for anyone who has known the touch of a cold nose on their hand, the bark of a best friend, or the joy of a walk accompanied by a wagging tail, All Dogs Are Good pays tribute to the special bond we share with our canine companions.Filled with heartfelt poems and prose on the love, dedication, and laughter our dogs bring, as well as the unique lessons they teach us along the way, bestselling author Courtney Peppernell’s vignettes of life with our dogs are a touching reminder of the gifts they give us during their journey on earth.Celebrating dogs everywhere, All Dogs Are Good is a collection dog lovers will hold in their hearts forever.

MY THOUGHTS

Such a well written and beautiful book. This is a work of nonfiction.
I was brought to tears multiple times as I read. This is a collection of poems and memories people have about their dogs. So many lovely memories and how much they enjoyed spending time with their dogs whether it was walking, snuggling or giving them treats. They all had great memories and miss them so much. It made me think about my dogs that are no longer with us and miss them too all the while having all the wonderful memories.

Pub Date 09 Nov 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

THE AUTHOR

76 pages Silverwood Books Nonfiction Pub Date 31 Jan 2023

ABOUT THE BOOK

The biggest celebrity cult since ‘Made in Chelsea’, Bob Marley and Roman Abramovich, the two brothers have already appeared on TV, magazines and their own Instagram page without letting on just how really naughty they are.

These are their little stories…written for children of all ages, particularly if you’re a parent looking for a way to break the vice-like grip of the iPhone and the internet on growing minds. They’re lovable, funny, poignant and even a tiny bit exciting – much like Bobby and Bubba themselves. Hope you love them as much as we all do!

MY THOUGHTS

I was instantly drawn to the cover when I saw it.
Bulldogs are cheeky and adorable, and they will certainly let you know what they want and don’t even try not giving it to them.
This nonfiction book is about British Bulldog brothers – Bobby and Bubba. They divide their time between the town (London) and the country (Warwickshire).
This famous duo is famous on television, magazines and of course social media.
The book is marketed for children, but I know adults enjoy it as well. With short chapters and it being adorably illustrated, it’s okay to read just one more chapter to your child at bedtime. I enjoy reading about these spoiled pups’ antics and seeing what they got up to.

Pub Date 31 Jan 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

THE AUTHOR

Although he has written extensively on political and economic topics, this is Anthony Coombs’ first foray into books. He was encouraged to do so by Bobby and Bubba themselves. Whilst relying on the “daddy” Alexander for their everyday needs, they insisted that “grandpa” Anthony use his dwindling literary skills to share with the world their “irresistible charm” and the adventures it gets them into. In any spare time Anthony gets from dog walking, he combines a career as chairman of a FTSE finance company with building houses and overseeing a charitable trust which supports children and young people with physical and mental disability challenges. Following his earlier incarnation as a Member of Parliament, Anthony also likes to write about current affairs. He loves both football where, despite his father once owning Birmingham City, he is an avid Aston Villa fan, as well as the fancy footwork required in ballet where he sits on the board of the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Anthony likes to torture himself at golf, more gently in the gym and to take equal care of his soul as a practising Christian and trustee of Premier Christian Media. Most important of all, he is the proud husband of thirty-eight years to Andrea, and of course the father of B and B’s daddy, Alexander. –This text refers to the hardcover edition.

Have you read any nonfiction books recently? I don’t read many but do need to remedy this.

Have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for stopping in.

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BOOKS FROM THE BACKLOG

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Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks. Hosted at Carole’s Random Life.

This week I am featuring:

All Dogs Are Good

Poems & Memories

by Courtney Peppernell

Pub Date 09 Nov 2021

ABOUT THE BOOK

Written for anyone who has known the touch of a cold nose on their hand, the bark of a best friend, or the joy of a walk accompanied by a wagging tail, All Dogs Are Good pays tribute to the special bond we share with our canine companions.

Filled with heartfelt poems and prose on the love, dedication, and laughter our dogs bring, as well as the unique lessons they teach us along the way, bestselling author Courtney Peppernell’s vignettes of life with our dogs are a touching reminder of the gifts they give us during their journey on earth.

Celebrating dogs everywhere, All Dogs Are Good is a collection dog lovers will hold in their hearts forever.

Why I added this to my reading pile

I love dogs and enjoy reading about them. I believe this is a nonfiction book will be a great addition to my books read this year.

Have you read this book or would you read it ?

Thanks for stopping in. Enjoy your day.

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The Twelve Dogs of Christmas

Have you read, The Twelve Dogs of Christmas? It’s such an important book about dog rescue. You will pawsitively love it! Come see my review here on my other blog.

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas

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TOP TEN TUESDAY

Welcome to another TTT! This week’s topic was submitted by Susan @ Bloggin’ bout Books, and is Bookish Jobs I Would Do For Free (Real or Imaginary). Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

Bookish Jobs I Would Do For Free

Now considering money is no issue I’d love to do these bookish things.

Recommend books based on a person’s interest.

Set up a little free library. I have so many books to give away.

Open a used bookstore/bakery coffee shop.

Collect donations of children’s books for children and set up a reading program with older adults reading to them and they would get books and snacks to take home with them.

Set up a program where children would read to a pet. We have this program at our library, and it works beautifully.

Be a personal assistant for authors

Have author interviews on my blog

Start a book blog meme

Work at a library checking out and shelving books.

Help set up for a public book sale.

girl read book surrounded by books, vector illustration, books

What types of bookish things would you love to do ?

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Good morning, so glad they’re willing to help.

Austin Guinea Pig Rescue looking for people to care for animals abandoned along I-35, MoPac

Hannah Ortega

Austin American-Statesman

Guinea pigs can learn people’s voices. That’s why every time Elizabeth Mack goes downstairs and says good morning, she’s greeted by a high-pitched chorus of squeaks.

The squeaks continue whenever Mack retrieves some lettuce from the fridge next to her dining room, which she converted into a sanctuary for the 24 little rodents — 31 if Mack’s own seven are taken into account. Large, topless cages sit on and underneath several tables, each one housing usually two or three guinea pigs.

Then there are the two, free-roaming lop-eared rabbits that Mack said act as the guinea pigs’ guardians.

Mack is the president of Austin Guinea Pig Rescue, an organization that’s been around for 17 years. But in just the past few months, Mack has faced a hefty challenge: There’s apparently a breeder dumping dozens of guinea pigs along Interstate 35 and MoPac Boulevard and in park bathrooms.

Many of these guinea pigs came to Mack pregnant or with health problems such as satin syndrome, which causes skull deformity and bone decalcification.

“The reason why this person is offloading pregnant animals and (satin syndrome guinea pigs) is this is what happens, and they get sick, and they die horribly,” Mack said. “We knew it was a breeder because let’s just say in an average year, we get maybe one or two satins. We’re up to 22.”

The dumping started in August in Northeast Austin. Since then, it has grown more frequent. Mack keeps track of the abandoned guinea pigs’ locations, and she said the breeder never reuses a spot.

“In August, I got a phone call about two pigs in the park, and some lady brought them to my house, and they were satins,” Mack said. “And I thought, ‘That’s weird.’ Then a week later, the shelter said someone had dropped off guinea pigs found in the woods. And I was like park, woods, interesting.”

Mack said she’s speaking out about the dumpings now because she needs fosters and adopters for the increasing number of guinea pigs — and their soon-to-arrive babies.

“We think (the breeder is) getting more desperate because the number of pregnant females they’re dumping, which is the breeder stock, pretty much every female we’re picking up, they’re all pregnant,” Mack said.

In one particular rescue, Mack said she took an entire deck apart “in the pitch-black dark” to reach a guinea pig.

“It was going below freezing, and they can’t survive freezing temps,” Mack said. “And the city of Cedar Park was so wonderful because it took me 3½ hours to get the whole deck a part, get the guinea pig and then we had hours putting it back together. And, of course, we didn’t do it perfect, and they were really sweet about it.”

Mack said she hopes to eventually build intake centers for rescued guinea pigs, but in the meantime, she needs help finding homes for the current ones. Practically all of them, she said, love affection such as scratches and cuddles.

“Guinea pigs are born loving and gentle. Abuse makes them mean. They’re literally born absolutely gentle and docile, … which is why they make really good pets.”

Those interested in fostering or adopting as well as volunteering or donating can visit austinguineapigrescue.com for information and application forms. The organization provides fosters with all needed supplies, Mack said. If at any point a foster or adopter can no longer take care of their guinea pig, they can return the animal to Austin Guinea Pig Rescue.

Guinea pigs with satin syndrome will not be available for adoption. They will become what Mack called sanctuary pigs and go to special foster homes that handle their medical needs until the end of their lives.

Mack wants to offer amnesty to the breeder for the sake of the guinea pigs’ health and safety.

“Look, no questions asked. We understand you got over your head,” Mack said. “Please just surrender so we don’t have to lose any more of these animals.”

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2023/01/16/guinea-pigs-dumped-near-highways-austin-guinea-pig-rescue-in-need-of-homes-for-abandoned-animals/69808025007/

Thank you for visiting today.