5 Reasons Why You Should Read 'A Dog's Purpose'

I read this bestselling book last week:

Image via Goodreads.com

Here's a brief plot synopsis, from the publisher:

"This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog’s search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog’s Purpose touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here?"

Although I purchased the book several months ago, I had been hesitant to read it because -- being written in the voice and viewpoint of the dog -- I was a little concerned that it might be silly. (Which, I am aware, sounds highly hypocritical coming from me, but I prefer my novels to be a little more sophisticated than my blog posts. So there. :)

I was wrong. It's not silly.

So, because it's summer (and we all need at least one good read over the summer), without giving away any more of the plot, here are five reasons why I think you should read this book:

5. It's written from the perspective of the dog, which, because Cameron seems to be some sort of canine mind-reader, makes for quite a thought-provoking (and often hilarious) read. 

4.  Although I found the first half of the book slow in a couple places, it's a page-turner. I read the entire book over about six hours (the second half pretty much had me riveted).

3. It will make you want to have a deep conversation with your dog (or, at minimum, give your dog your undivided attention, you know, just in case he's trying to tell you something important).

2. It will make you want to bear-hug your dog(s) and pretty much every other dog on the planet. 

1. The sequel, A Dog's Journey, just hit the stores (with outstanding reviews), but you won't fully grasp it if you haven't read A Dog's Purpose first (per several reviewers, as I haven't read the sequel yet, but will be as soon as I can find it at the library). :)

Image via Goodreads.com

Happy reading! 

Note: I did notice on Amazon.com (not an affiliate) that there were several inexpensive used copies of A Dog's Purpose available.

Second note: I'd give you my copy, but I'm making my older two kids read it next.

Third note: If you are my neighbor, you can borrow it when they're done. :)

*****

Another book review coming up tomorrow!

Hint: It's Corgi-related.

A Rhyming Kitten-Fostering Tell-All (The Sleep Aid Edition)

Caution: May cause drowsiness. Avoid operating heavy machinery while reading this post.

Not the tell-all I had planned for today (because today didn't go as planned - dang plans), but since I did shamelessly drop a tell-all teaser at the end of yesterday's post, I am going to deliver. But because I am bleary eyed and hopelessly incapable of writing a simple post, like normal bloggers do, I've decided to make everything I list rhyme with "all." (Why not?)

I will also be adding a few cute pictures to distract you from all the rhyming words. Starting...NOW:

My foster kittens play with balls.

They also have claws.

This one might be a south paw.

My foster kittens sometimes fall (off of things - but they don't mind).

But they almost never come when called.

You talkin' to me?

If I don't keep the fur on their faces and butts clean, their hair will fall out and they'd be bald (in patches, but it would grow back eventually).

Kittens are small (especially teeny Bob, but he's getting bigger).

If I don't wear long pants, my ankles often get mauled (kittens have to be taught when not to use claws).

I've decided not to show you a picture of my nicked ankles because you might be appalled.

So I'll just show you a sleepy puffball.

And that is all.

It's the weekend; have a ball!

P.S. I fully intend to post the "real" tell-all next week. I will, I will! :)

Of Gingers, Hair-dos, Adoptable Kittens and Sweet Irony

First, the irony:

Almost a year ago I wrote a post promoting June as "official" Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat month. I wrote it almost apologetically (being fairly new to pet blogging), believing deep in my soul that it would be one of the least read posts I'd ever written (because it was a cat post on my mostly dog blog), even in spite of its sensational photography. ;)

That said, I'd like to direct your attention about halfway down my right sidebar to the section titled "Stuff People Have Read...A Lot." Those are my 10 most popular (by number of page clicks) posts, listed in descending order (#1 on top). 

You see what's #1, right? ;)

Over the last few months, since the dawn of Pinterest and its phenomenal popularity, I have watched this very unlikely post (the very one that I wrote in honor of all the adoptable shelter kitties one year ago) charge its way up this list, and finally, a few weeks ago, overtake the top spot. Today, not only is it my most popular post, it is so in the way the legendary thoroughbred Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes: By a freaking "mile" (or by over 1,000 clicks as of this writing)!

And the sweetest part about this?

I get to (unapologetically) promote Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat month every single time someone clicks on Tigger-in-a-red-wig, not just in June, but every single month of the year! 

And well, since I'm on the subject of Tigger in her "ginger" red wig, and it is June, and adoptable kittens are plenty in many local shelters and rescues,

Why not have a look at a few "natural" gingers who just can't wait to be the #1 most snugly thing you add to your family this month!

Hi, potential new family, we're Jackie (left) and Moe.

Okay, so Jackie isn't all "ginger;" she's actually a tortoiseshell (which is made from ginger and black), but she's gorgeous sitting there with her brother, and well, there you go!

Jackie and Moe are sweet nine-week-old little ones waiting for someone at Richmond Animal Care and Control. And you know what?

I think THEY WOULD LOVE TO BE ADOPTED TOGETHER. :) The only thing better than one kitten, is TWO!

So, are any of you 70s blues-rock fans?

Cool! I'm Foghat!

Also available at Richmond Animal Care and Control, eight-week-old Foghat is waiting for some lucky person to give him a "slow ride" home!

(Editor's note: Have I mentioned how much I love the names of the animals at Richmond Animal Care and Control, the former temporary home of Ham Skillet? :)

****

So clearly, although I've emphasized kittens and orange fur in this post, there are many great cats of ALL colors and stages of life awaiting adoption this month.

In addition, many shelters and rescue organizations are offering cat adoption "specials" during the month of June. The Richmond SPCA (for whom I'm fostering three infant kittens), for example, is offering this incentive (taken from their blog):

"June is “Adopt A Cat Month” at the Richmond SPCA! Adoption fees for all cats aged 6-months and older are reduced by 50 percent. We have many cats available who would love to find homes, so be sure to take advantage of this special. As always, each adopted pet is already spayed or neutered, up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations and microchipped." 

Sounds like a really good deal to me!
And one last thing:

Cats rock!

(Coming tomorrow: A kitten-fostering tell-all!)