Celebrate your Life with Heritage Makers

Say it with Doggie Biscuits

This is such a creative and cool idea.  As many of you know, I am very passionate about dogs.  Another thing I am passionate about is the entreprenerial spirit.   So when I discovered Shake a Paw Greetings by chance on Twitter I wanted to help them spread the word as best as I could. 

Oscar was very curious when the package arrive.  (On a side note, that's his girlfriend, "Miss Bear" in the background)   When we opened it up we were delighted to find it wrapped in tissue with a sweet card explaining what Shake a Paw Greetings was all about and a detailed description of each kind of biscuit.  (The ingredients were impressive!)   Even instructions on how best to store the treats.

 

You can create your own custom greeting messages - which makes this product extra special.  (But they have ideas for Birthday, New puppy, dog adoptions and more) They ship to the USA and Canada and with vacuum packaging, the biscuits are nice and fresh. It's very affordable and what I see, the impact of giving such a thoughtful gift is priceless.

Great news!  The first 50 orders to use the code PETBOOKLADY3 will receive $3.00 off. 

I wish Wendy and her new business HUGE success.  Oscar thanks you too and has agreed to wait until Christmas morning to dive into the goodies.

 

 

 

 

The LeashLocket.....Clever invention!

I was recently sent what I think is one very cool invention.  The LeashLocket is a retractable leash in a locket.  It attaches to your dog's collar making it very convenient.  Kind of like giving your dog a job - Official Leash Carrier!

The inspiration for the product came from a summer camping trip.  This is from their website: 

"The idea for the LeashLocket retractable dog leash was born during a 4th of July family camping trip to the mountains of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Our favorite neighbors had brought along their Schnauzer, Xena, who wandered into a campsite nearby. The man camping there was no fan of dogs or the six children we had between us, and began yelling to let us know. Our neighbor went to grab her dog, but she didn’t have her leash handy and could only lead Xena by her collar back to our campsite".

 

You can order the LeashLocket on their website and right now there is a shipping special of only $4.99.  Plus there is a 30 Day Money-back Guarantee - but you won't need to use it I'm sure.  I'm at the Dogs Walk for Independence this Sunday here in Vernon and will be including this in our giveaway package. 

I'm thinking that the LeashLocket will become all the fashion rage at the dog park.  (practical fashion!)

 

Looking spiffy thanks to Hartz

The nice peeps at Hartz sent me a fantastic grooming package which is perfect timing for this holiday weekend.  It's Thanksgiving here in Canada and we're expecting family in a few hours.  Turkey is in the oven, potatoes are peeled, table is set and Oscar is looking mighty fine. 

Oscar is not a huge fan of bath-time.  Never has been.  In fact you can see the contempt in his eyes.  But after a grooming session from Mom using Hartz Products, he is ready for his adoring fans.  Okay....adoring fan.  That would be me. 

(Note the disappearing ear trick.  Very Criss Angel-like indeed)

Buddy the Puggy - One very cool dog!

This awesome photo of Buddy the Puggy always makes me smile.  Here he is with his own deck of Heritage Makers custom playing cards.  Just had to share this again on this sunny Sunday afternoon.

Gone crazy.... be back soon

I don't know if this is even acceptable in the blogging world, but it's something I felt I needed to do.  My post isn't about creating keepsakes with your photos, or ways to celebrate your pet, or a product review or just silly musings on life (which I tend to do).

This is about mental illness.  My mental illness.  I have suffered from clinical depression since I was a teenager and recently I had, what I would easily describe, as a mental house of cards come crashing down.   People often see me as the happiest, easiest going person - and with the nickname of The Pet Book Lady, you kind of tend to attract happy friends.  (which I love by the way)

1 out of 5 people in Canada will suffer a mental illness in their lifetime. That's a lot of peeps!   Don't get me wrong - I am generally a very happy "peep" myself, but I do have a mental disease that can take me down a very black and lonely path.

But there is hope and with a change in my medication I will be the old "Lisa" again.  If this post helps just one person out there, it will have been worth putting my heart on my sleeve.  If you got to scream, scream.  And if you're suffering, don't be ashamed to reach out for help.  There is a way out of that horrible pit called Depression.

And don't turn to alcohol as you'll only end up looking like this guy.  (Just look what it does to your hair!)

 

The Dog Who Knew Too Much

As "The Pet Book Lady", I help people create storybooks, cards, calendars and more as a way to celebrate the love for their pets (and other occasions and relationships in ones life)   As far as being a book reviewer per se, I certainly have no expertise in that field.  But I do have two things going for me.....  My love of Dogs + my love of reading = pretty good candidate for spotting a fun read.

The Dog Who Knew Too Much is absolutely delightful.  Trust me on this one.   It is the forth installment of an entertaining series written by Spencer Quinn. Bernie is a war vet and Chet is his canine companion - a crime-solving duo on the move.  It is written in Chet's perpective which is both entertaining and very clever.  As a dog lover, the writer seems to really "get" what a dog is thinking.

You'll also want to check out Chet's Blog for fun updates and announcements.    Now that I have read the 4th one in the series, I'm going right back to the beginning to re-discover the magic of these characters.  Great book to add to your library!

Bold Fashion Statement AND a Big Mission

Recently at Blogpaws, the amazing annual pet bloggers conference, I spotted one of the coolest fashion statements I have ever seen.  Doreen from Doggies and Stuff was carrying a very, very funky bag from Calico Dragon Bags.  Being a crazy dog person, this one totally caught my eye.  And looking at their fun and inviting website, they have several other very creative designs; all with an important message.

So if you love animals and want to make a statement, you'll definitely want to check them out.  (They ship world-wide)  PLUS you're making a huge difference in the life of a hard working mom. (This is from their website)

"We also donate a portion of our profits to the designated charities. Our line is produced by Anne Chenn , who started her own home based business in China, and as a result she was able to escape her abusive husband. With the Calico Dragon line, Anne is able to support herself and her 6 year old son".

Thank you Calico Dragon Bags for doing what you do.

 

FAITH WALKS: A Memoir of a Beautiful Life

I am so thrilled to hear that Jude Stringfellow's book is now available;  FAITH WALKS: A Memoir of a Beautiful Life.   

I love the statement on the cover. "Oprah Winfrey said that after years of interviewing people, her favorite guest was a dog".  And that of course would be Faith.   I will be ordering my copy right away but for now - here is an overview from the website:

"For all accounts and purposes the life of one dog shouldn't make that much of a difference, but this life did. Faith's life began without hope and without love. Having been rescued by Reuben Stringfellow at the age of three weeks, Faith's life took a dramatic turn. Completely unable to function as a normal dog, it was up to the Stringfellow family to create in Faith a means to function as best she could. This is the definitive book on the life of Faith the Dog. Her life story is one for the history books. In fact, her story appears in scholastic text books in several countries! Courage, perseverance, dogged-determination, and a generally great disposition is what it took for Faith to become who and what she is today: "A Modern Day Miracle".

I reached out to Jude several months ago and had the pleasure of creating a deck of cards featuring the sweetest photos of Faith and the people who love her.   Faith is indeed very much loved and has touched people all around the world.  Again - Congratulations Jude on your book and please give Faith a snuggle from The Pet Book Lady!

 

The Amazing Connection between Pet Lovers

I finally got around to unpacking my suitcase from my recent visit to Vienna, Virginia where I attended Blogpaws.  Once again I had fun going through so many fun swag items and oodles of contact cards and information sheets.  It was such a fantastic event and I'll be starting my countdown to Blogpaws 2012 once again.

The memories we have are indeed the best "leftovers" from a trip.  Thinking about those few days, it is undeniable -  the amazing connection pet-loving people have with one another.  We're one big happy family with the common love for our pets.  The common love for animals in general.  I am so grateful to be part of the Blogpaws Community!

One of the highlights for me at the conference was getting to hear and meet Heidi Ganahl, Founder of Camp Bow Wow.  To be honest, I am a bit of a "groupie".  She is an amazing entrepreneur and totally inspires me to keep following my dream of helping people celebrate the love for their pets.

I'm looking forward to keeping in touch with the new friends I made at Blogpaws and the friendships that were strengthened.   How many more sleeps until Blogpaws 2012?

 

 

Back from Blogpaws.....almost.

Just getting back home from a fantastic time at the Blogpaws Conference.  Hundreds of pet loving enthusiasts in one hotel for a 3 day event - learning, sharing, laughing, crying and break-dancing.  Okay - no break-dancing but maybe next year?

Trying to get home has been a real nightmare.  I booked through Expedia.  With the cancellations and delays due to Hurricane Irene, they basically washed their hands of me.   Being on hold for 2 hours is not my idea of a good time.   I know that they can't control the cancellations due to Irene but at least be helpful to your customers. Plus they kept cutting me off to the point I was developing a complex.  I do have to say their on-hold music is quite festive.  Always look for the positives I say.

Even got to see the sites of Washington, DC and try out my new fancy dancy camera.  Of course I ended up taking photos of duck butts and statue crotches.  Well worth the investment!