"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive."--Gilda Radner
August 26, 2013 marks the ninth anniversary of National Dog Day, which was started to shine a well-needed spotlight on the huge amount of shelter pets in the United States who are in desperate need to find their forever homes. And, in honor of this very special day, here are a few tales that you can share with your family (both the two-legged and the four legged members). They are for all of us who are lucky enough to get to share our lives filled with the love of loyal, silly, compassionate canines.
Ruff! and the Wonderfully Amazing Busy Day
Sweet little Ruff is an awfully busy dog! He likes to dig (why naturally!) and plant flowers in the backyard garden of his home, all the while, singing a cheerful song, "Busy, Busy, all day long, toodle-oodle, that's my song!" After his days chores have been completed, Ruff looks over his handiwork and although he's quite content over his hard day's work, he's feeling rather lonely. It seems that all Ruff wants is a friend to sing along with him. He quickly bounces out of his melancholy and resumes digging to build a new pond, when all of his work soon comes to an abrupt halt when Ruff hears the scared voice of a tiny little mouse named Hubble. Ruff unexpectedly and unknowingly has made Hubble the mouse homeless through his digging! After he kindly offers to rebuild Hubble's house, the pair soon become fast friends and later, stumble upon a lost little duck named Lottie, who is forced to start looking for a new place to live. Will Ruff and Hubble be able to help Lottie?
Caroline Jayne Church's tale shines throughout with the lovable characters who show us that sometimes, the most unlikely people will find lasting friendship.
Ruff! and the Wonderfully Amazing Busy Day
By Caroline Jayne Church; Text by Gillian Shields
Publisher: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2013)
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-201498-6
For ages 4 thru 8
Retails for $17.99 (Hardcover)
Seaman's Journal--On the Trail with Lewis and Clark
The story of the real-life adventures of explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, as they embarked on their historic journey to discover a route to the Pacific Ocean in August of 1803 is told through the eyes of a beautiful Newfoundland named Seaman. This tale is adapted from the diaries of Meriwether Lewis, and is filled with historic, factual information that will take readers right front and center to the action. Through Seaman, we discover the differences between beavers, badgers and squirrels in a chase; how the intense heat of the prairie is too much for a Newfoundland to bear (he ends up cooling off all day in a riverbank); meet various tribes of Indians, and along a stop at Fort Mandan in November of 1804, Seaman meets Toussaint Charbonneau and his Shoshone Indian wife, Sacajawea. Patricia Reeder Eubank weaves accurate data and gorgeous watercolor illustrations in a way that brings this story of a fearless explorer way ahead of his time, and the timeless loyalty of his faithful, four-legged companion in a way that children will feel as if they are right there with Seaman and crew amidst all of the action of this time period.
Seaman's Journal--On the Trail with Lewis and Clark
Written and Illustrated by Patricia Reeder Eubank
Publisher: Ideals Children's Books, an imprint of Ideals Publications (2010 )
Website: www.idealbooks.com
ISBN: 978-0-8249-5619-6For ages 7 and up
Retails for $9.99 (Softcover)
Charlie, the helpful basset hound's idyllic life as chief ranch hand (or, as Drummond lets readers know that, well, everyone on her ranch knows that, "Charlie is the boss.") and occasional squirrel chaser is once again quickly turned upside down, this time, by the arrival of Rowdy the dog. At first, Charlie is willing to be a good dog and shows Rowdy the ropes around the Drummond ranch, but, something quickly smells funny to Charlie. And familiar. "Hmm, That's funny. Rowdy smells like bacon. He must like bacon, too." As Charlie runs back into the house for breakfast, he sees that his bowl, normally brimming with bacon, is empty. And, so is his water dish! And, when he sees Rowdy getting his belly rubbed by Mama, well, Charlie decides to put a stop to it. But, something unexpected happens on the ranch that makes Charlie reconsider. Will Charlie call a truce? Will Rowdy and Charlie become friends? And, will Charlie ever find the missing bacon?
Drummond's delightful story about the adventures of her real life dog make this tale a must-read bedtime story, and your little ones will also enjoy looking out for the tiny chipmunk who is featured on every page, even though he is never mentioned in the story.
Charlie the Ranch Dog-Where's the Bacon? (I Can Read Beginning 1 Reading Book)
Based on the Charlie the Ranch Dog books by author Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman) and Illustrated by Diane deGroat
Publisher: Harper, An imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2013)
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-221909-1
For ages 4 thru 8
Retails for $16.99 (Hardcover)
***Momma's Note: If your family is looking to adopt, please visit www.petfinder.com or www.aspca.org for further information on all you will need to know before you consider bringing home a shelter dog.
Our best friend. Our protector. Our clingy, lovable lizard hunting pup, who has blessed our family for five years.
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