Category Archives: PR/Marketing
Every dog wants a home, but it takes a special dog to bring a family together
Life is difficult enough having a husband. Add children into the mix and it’s well… sometimes over-rated. I haven’t had a facial in 7 years. Talk about a luxury. I haven’t seen the gym in 2 years. I haven’t slept in for 7 years. I haven’t gone to the bathroom with the door closed in 7 years. I have aged at least 10 years. And, I have been cleaning up poopie diapers for 6 years. Although, I must say as I was just helping my three-year old in the loo just one moment ago, at least children learn how to wipe their own backsides… eventually. With dogs, you’re continually cleaning up after them. It is an endless battle of using the pooper scooper (or using recycled Waitrose bags), vacuuming dog hair, wiping eyes and ears and the constant deodorising. Let’s face it. It’s what my children are going to be doing for me once I am a geriatric. Hey- what goes around comes around!
But, even though parents are broke half of the time when they have children it is still worth it; tired eyes and all. I wouldn’t change it for the world. It is what I wanted out of life and I always knew that. As for Buddy the Beagle- he came as quite the surprise. I knew I wanted a dog for our family. I wanted my children to grow up with a pet as I always did. My husband never grew up with a dog so he didn’t know what to expect. To his dismay, Buddy has grown on him completely. Plus, he does make a lovely companion when he wants to ‘go walk the dog’ down to the local watering hole.
I chose the Beagle because when I googled what sort of dog would fit into our lifestyle ‘Beagle’ came up in the search engine. I liked the fact that he was a medium-sized dog and that he shed very little. He has almost no dander which is good because I suffer from allergies. I like to go running and when he was old enough he could go running with me which sounded perfect.
What I didn’t know was that his nose ruled over everything and of course food followed next. When the park is very busy he needs to be on the lead because all of those wonderful smells throws out everything he’s been taught not to do at home. When I recall ‘Come’ I have to also shout ‘and watch your food!’ My husband gets so embarrassed (as I make HIM walk over to strangers to apologize)!
But, I don’t mind that Buddy is this way. We as a family have learned that this is how HE is. He is part of our family. We as individuals are NOT perfect in any way (I am most of the time, joke) and we accept each other as individuals within our family. Buddy doesn’t differentiate. The girls love him so much. And, he has many, many furry friends who come over to play with him. He is happy. After his long walk today to the park, pub for a drink and back he is sleeping sound on his little ottoman. And, yes… he has a smile on his face.
He is my only little boy and he is quite the lad. He likes to dance to a different beat as do I, my husband and each one of my kids. We are a unique family who is in love with a unique breed. He is not hyper or crazy in any way. He knows what he ‘should’ be doing, but he likes to press the boundaries. (I wonder where he gets that from?)
Buddy the Beagle makes us happy and being happy is the most important possession to have in life. When my girls are tired and they need that special hug they chill with Buddy on the couch. When my husband wants to get away from the thick of it all he ‘walks the dog’. When I am sitting here alone on the couch when my husband works late, Buddy is laying on my lap keeping me company. He is a top dog and we wouldn’t change him for the world.
MMR immunisation catch up campaign- can dogs get autism?
Have you ever noticed that certain dogs have more amazing talents than others? Could that be a significant characteristic of autism?
K9 Magazine ‘Dogosaurus’ may well be benefiting from being able to label the interesting behaviours that our dogs exhibit. However, labelling something is one thing and understanding the reason is another. Many dogs have magnificent talents that can aide humans such as seeing -eye dogs and/or dogs that can sense when someone is going to have a seizure. K9 Magazine believes that many dogs may be operating on a completely different mental spectrum to that which is ‘neurotypical’.
But is this ‘sixth’ sense dogs have for humans something that they are born with or is it the production of too many vaccinations and/or non-eco friendly cleaning products?
One controversial topic on this morning’s BBC Breakfast news was the fact that many people have not vaccinated their children in the South Wales for measles. What are they so worried about? Is it the fact that some studies show that MMR immunisations could be one of the causes of autism? The news went on and on how fatal it could be if your child was not vaccinated. They also noted that 1 out of 5 kids have been hospitalised for not having the vaccination suffering from compilations of measles. Apparently, kids that were born from 1996-2003 will be the most at risk says this scientific debate.
Health Officials have organised a million dollar national program for 10-16 year- olds by the end of the summer. Is this something that we need to be spending a million dollars on? Don’t think that it’s everyone’s right to choose whether or not they want their child or dog vaccinated?
I suppose the reason why we vaccinated our pets is because if they were to bite another animal they could make that animal very sick. And, the reason why we are supposed to vaccinate our children is so that they don’t get ill from these childhood diseases. But, with like with many things in life there are risks.
I know of a family in St. Albans who have NEVER vaccinated their children. They are strict homeopaths. If their child had a dangerous high fever they would just pack them with wet cloths until the temperature came down. No medicine needed. Being homeopaths and having the philosophy of not vaccinating their children who fall within what the BBC morning news described as the ages at risk for complications of measles is from my point of view taking a huge risk.
Why do parents not believe in immunising their children? Is there any scientific research that proves the effects of such vaccinations? Do they affect children’s learning and development?
Andrew Wakefield’s ‘dishonest and irresponsible’ research into the causes of autism led to his being struck off by the General Medical Council. But, just because one person could not prove that the MMR causes autism doesn’t mean that it was not a good theory.
At the end of the day, there are so many things that go unexplained in life. Does vaccinating our pets cause them to behave in an autistic manner? Only more studies will prove this theory.
Would you like to raise money for your school?
Press
Jessica Valentine is in the Canton, Repository On Line.
Former Canton Resident Writes Book by Gary Brown
Former Canton author Jessica Valentine said she was prompted by her own children — ages 3, 5, and 6 — to write a children’s book.
“They inspired me,” she said in an email, “as well as my little boy Beagle, Buddy. He is always getting himself into trouble going on spectacular adventures!”
Valentine, a Walsh University graduate and former St. Thomas Aquinas High School substitute teacher who now lives in England, wrote “Bud & Roo’s Spectacular Adventures — The Beach.” The book is illustrated by Suzy Jones Biggar.
The author and illustrator have self-published the book through Bugle Boy Publishing, but are looking into publishers in the United States to circulate the book in America.
The book retails for $10.99, and it can be purchased from the authors by emailing info@bugleboypublishing.com or by ordering through bookstores.
Valentine said that sales of the book are also being used as a school fund-raising program in England.
“For every book that a school sells, they receive 20 percent to use for school supplies, technology, sports equipment or whatever they wish.” she explained. “We want to remain active within our community and that is how we are giving back.”
The book is aimed at children 5 and younger, said Valentine.
Networking in the afternoon in the pub with Glen Cooper
Thank you to the gorgeous and clever, Glen Cooper to backing us on Kickstarter! We are very excited to get the ball rolling with The Circus fund raising on Kickstarter. Please visit us to see what we are up to! In the mean time, the best place to network in the afternoon is with this bunch:
http://www.anafternooninthepub.co.uk/
Just a really nice group of people, no pushy people- and, great contacts!
We are donating £2 to the Downs Syndrome Association tomorrow at The Inn on the Park
We are donating £2 for every book sold to the Downs Syndrome Assoication. The event starts at 10.30am and it being held at the Inn on the Park. Looking forward to seeing you all there!
http://www.inn-on-the-park.com/site/event/stella-dot-fundraising-event-friday-22nd-march/
Kickstarter Promotional Video for Bud & Roo The Circus
It only takes one second to donate £1 to help us creative people with our next book, The Circus. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/841289528/bud-and-roos-spectacular-adventures-the-circus
We have found a very useful tool to help creative people raise money to achieve their dreams by creating books & films. Please check it out and enjoy this video that we put on YouTube.
Book Launch & Beach Party at Waterstones this Saturday at 11am-2pm
