We are two of the most loving, caring, gentle, fun dogs around but we’re angry and we’re not going to take it anymore!  First there were the Katrina dogs (Val is a member of that group), then there were/are the foreclosure dogs and NOW?  Now there are the oil spill dogs, given away by families as a result of the Gulf Oil Spill.  What are we angry about?  Plain and simple:  we, as dogs, family pets, etc.  do not feel we are disposable items once we are adopted into a family.  Do you give away your children?  We think not.

We will provide unconditional love, friendship, companionship and “warm-fuzzies” for the rest of our/you life if you just treat us with some respect!

We know mom has mentioned this before but DO NOT ADOPT US unless you can afford to keep us and love us.  As puppies, we grow up, and for some, become less “cute.”  Consider that.  Once we hit the adult stage it does not give you permission to abandon us.  We get sick and need maintenance against fleas, ticks and the like. Therefore, we incur VET bills.  Please be sure you can handle them.  We require food.  That means FOOD bills.  Please be sure you can feed us and provide us with water.  We require nuturing and love and exercise, like your children.  Without it, we can become angry and mad and mean.  We may even misbehave.  You also must teach us how to behave in your home.  Consider that before adopting us. Think of us as infants needing to be taught.  Seriously.   Also,  spay and neuter us and help control our population.  DO NOT IGNORE us once you’ve given us shelter. That is simply not enough.

There are way too many of our family members being given away, being abused and being abandoned.  Stop the insanity.  Thank you.

NOTE:  Our mission is “to do good where good is needed.”  We help our fellow pups by donating sales from our books:  BRANDY AND VAL, BRANDY AND VAL’S FAVORITE THINGS and BRANDY AND VAL’S SPECIAL STORY to animal rescues and sanctuaries.  Your support is greatly appreciated.  Mini-Brandy and Mini-Val toys are also available.  We help children by participating in various pet therapy programs.

We would love to hear from you.  If you have a great cause or blog idea, contact us at:  info@BrandyandVal.com

REAL DOGS WITH REAL TALES

Welcome to the Dog Days of Summer!  Brandy and Val are enjoying their ice cream to beat the heat and we hope you are having your own “fun in the sun.”  Our big news is that Brandy and Val, LLC just celebrated its’ first anniversary.  We are very proud of our accomplishments this year in “doing good where good is needed.”  To name a few, the following charities have benefited from the sales of our products: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary; Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary; Prader-Willi Association; Cabrini Connections Tutor-Mentor Connection and, of course, Fortunate Pooches and Lab Rescue, where Brandy and Val were adopted from!  So, a big thanks to all of you who have supported us throughout our first year and who helped make this possible.

Continuing to make news with our fabulously fun books and toys for tots, we appeared this past month in PET PRODUCT NEWS and NATURAL DOG.  If a child you know doesn’t have one of our books or toys yet, order one now as they make great diversions for the kids while on car rides, at the beach or anywhere toddlers become restless, in other words, EVERYWHERE!

We would LOVE for you to comment and suggest stories for our blog, “What We are Barking About” and don’t forget you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter, too. Also, look out for our article in the September edition of Women’s World magazine. I hear it will be on newsstands in mid-August.

In closing out the month, Brandy and Val also want to say thanks to the Center for Independence Camp for allowing us to read to and work with your special children.  We hope that through our pet therapy duties, we can enhance the lives of children in some positive way!  Please contact us at info@BrandyandVal.com if you would like Brandy and Val to visit a school, library or children’s program in the Chicago area.

Enjoy the rest of the summer.  As always, thanks for your support,

Ilene Fine, Author,

Brandy and Val, Brandy and Val’s Favorite Things, Brandy and Val’s Special Story

Now that the Dog Days of Summer are upon us, did you ever wonder where some of the most widely used dog expressions come from?   Well, I decided to check a few out and thought I’d like to share my findings with you….

THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER  finds its’ origins in the stars, specifically the constellation Canis Major or big dog.  The brightest star in this cluster that resembles the outline of a dog is called Sirius.   Sirius is 20 times as bright as the sun and twice it’s size and it was believed that  the period between July 3 and August 11 (approximately) represented “extra summer warmth,” hence, the “dog days of summer.”    In actuality, the timeframe represents the 20 days before and the 20 days after when Sirius and the sun are perfectly in line.

DOG TIRED  Seems to date back to the 1800s when Alfred the Great’s two sons would go out hunting with the dogs; whoever would catch more at the end of the day would have the honor of sitting next to their father at the evening’s supper.  The exhausting competition left the sons “dog tired.”

RAINING CATS AND DOGS  This is a puzzler.  In my findings there seems to be no consensus of where the term exactly comes from.  Several theories abound ranging from Norse mythology where sailors likened violent storms to be caused by cats (bringing the rain) and dogs (the wind).   Another says that, during the 1500s, dogs and cats would sleep on or hide in the thatched roofs of houses in England and during storms, they would washed out of the thatch.  It it also theorized that perhaps Jonathan Swift penned the term in his 1710 poem, A Description of  a City Shower.

SICK AS A DOG Ok, this one’s relatively simple.  Dogs eat anything and everything, right?  And sometimes it doesn’t work out for them, right?  In other words, you’re left cleaning up a big mess on the floor.  So, back in England in the 1700’s the phrase was coined.

What doggie expressions are your favorites?  Brandy and Val, Real Dogs with Real Tales, would love to hear your comments!  We love to “do good where good is needed” and it is through this blog, our sales of our books and toys and our pet therapy appearances that we want to spread the word and benefit the lives of animals and children.

We are so excited to have guest blogger, Jane Davis, share the story of her rescue dogs Hogan and Magic with us!  At Brandy and Val, our mission is “to do good where good is needed” and for months, we have been extolling the virtues of adopting abandoned/sheltered animals and the virtues of pet therapy.   Jane and Hogan make a special team…..

HOGAN & ME
by Jane Davis

As I was waiting for a ride from a friend down her “off the grid” road,  a flash of energy came bounding toward me. I knelt quickly on the ground  while a spotted white, brown and black dog leapt upon me. He was  emaciated, dirty and determined. I played with him for a few minutes until  suddenly he sat still, smashed his right paw on my left shoulder and  stared into my eyes, his icicle blue eyes piercing my soul.

“Ghost eyes,” I thought.

“You get it?!” he seemed to say. “You are mine. I am yours.”

As soon as I acknowledged, “Yes, I hear you,” he started jumping all  around.

But he would not get into my friend’s car. I communicated to him that  he had to come on his own. He refused, so I said goodbye.

Two miles later, glancing out the window, I saw him running alongside  the car, a slight grin parting his mouth. He jumped into the car.

But my landlord said, “No dogs.”

We moved.

Two months later the new landlord said, “Dog can’t stay.”

We moved twice more before we found our final home, where we have been  for the past three years.

For the first year, Hogan thought it was fun to play his favorite game  throughout the night: head butting. He would take a running leap onto the  bed and smash his forehead into mine. He remained unsocialized despite the  training he was receiving. Finally, a friend suggested that I spray him in  the face with water. Two sprays later, the head butting ceased. I worked  closely with him, attempting to train him while keeping his wild spirit  intact. We went to puppy training and the dog park. He became increasingly  accustomed to everything in his new life. Read the rest of this entry »

For those of you who follow us, you are already aware that Brandy and Val works with autistic children in some of our pet therapy programs and working with special needs children is a project that is near and dear to us.   Recently, one of our staff members brought the Hiram Farms agricultural program to our attention since his brother is afflicted with the disorder and the farm is competing for much needed grant money that will help it expand its’ day program targeted at providing inspiration and meaningful work for individuals growth with Autism Spectrum Disorders.   The grant money will provide the Farm  with funding to build an activity center and farm office.

Farm work is therapeutic for people with autism.  Working with animals is calming and helps to develop skills related to respect, trust, contribution, commitment, self-confidence and responsibility.  Physical labor improves aerobic health, coordination and balance.  Since children and adults on the autism spectrum typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communications, social interactions and leisure or play activities, programs aimed at developing these skills enhance the lives and families of those involved as they benefit the overall community.

Speaking of community, as an added benefit, the farm’s 120 acres produces organically grown vegetables, meat and eggs for Hiram, Ohio!

PLEASE help Hiram Farms win this grant by voting on the Pepsi Refresh Everything website. The grant only goes to the top ten ideas so every vote counts. Learn more about the farm and how to vote for the grant on the Hiram Farm Facebook Page. ACT NOW!  VOTING ENDS JUNE 30!

Those of us at Brandy and Val, LLC have voted.  Brandy and Val, “Doing good where good is needed.”  Spread the word.

Take Your Dog to Work Day is a great opportunity to share with your office how adorable your REALLY best friend is.  Also, it’s a great way to help promote the idea of pet adoption from animal shelters, humane societies, breed shelters and the like.  There are some great animals out there looking for loving new homes.  Both Brandy and Val were shelter dogs and now they’re out in the community helping others as pet therapy pooches.  That’s pretty good.    Take Your Dog To Work day has been around since 2009 and did you know that companies like Google, Amazon.com, Dartmouth College and Sur La Table will be participating? Get involved.  Visit Take Your Dog to Work Day.com for ideas on how to get started.

Our mission at Brandy and Val, LLC is “to do good where good is needed.”  It is through the sales of our books and toys, along with our pet therapy duties that we hope to benefit the lives of children and animals.

Summer travel season is finally here!  Brandy and Val love road trips so why not include them in your travel plans?  Compact size books and toys EASILY fit into a carry-on or beach bag and the kids will love having them along.

Our newly designed website is complete.  Visit our HOME page which now includes a downloadable discussion guide for parents and teachers and easy access to how we’re making a difference in the lives of others.  The ABOUT tab has a drop down menu offering new bios about Ilene, Brandy and Val; press and word-of-mouth we’ve received; and upcoming events.  The BUY page has testimonials from some of our biggest fans AND, to celebrate summer, we’re offering a set of 3 Brandy and Val titles for only $30.95, a $5 savings.

Join the disucssion on our blog, “What We’re Barking About.” Topics range from “all things dog” to causes we celebrate and believe in.  If you have a story you’d like to share wtih us, send us an email and let us know.  Don’t forget that you can also find us on Facebook and Twitter, too.

Our mission at Brandy and Val is “to good where good is needed” and it is through the sales of our books and toys that we can help support animal rescues and sanctuaries throughout the U.S.  It is through our pet therapy duties that we can benefit the lives of children so THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Look for us in the coming weeks at:

BARRINGTON LIBRARY Read to Rover program, Barrington, IL.  Sign up now and have your children read to Brandy or Val.  Wednesday evenings in June, 7 – 8 p.m. Call 847-382-1300.

GLEN ELLYN BOOKFEST, downtown Glen Ellyn, IL.  Saurday, June 19, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Brandy, Val and Ilene will be signing and selling books at the Inland Bank, 520 Crescent Blvd.  We hear there will be dog treats so bring your pups and your kids!

CENTER FOR INDEPENDENCE Summer Day Camp, Lake Zurich, IL. Friday, June 25, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.  Story reading and activities with Brandy and Val.   Call 708-588-0833 for details.

Until next month, enjoy your summer!

Ilene Fine, Author,

Brandy and Val, Real Dogs with Real Tales

Sunday’s NEW YORK TIMES revealing article, THE ANTI-CRUELTY SYNDROME finally correlated what many animal rights supporters, animal lovers and the like, have believed all along:  there is a definitive link between animal abuse and other forms of violence. DUH!  There is enough convincing scientific evidence out there that now local government agencies are willing to put resources to work that  help track down these violent offenders of animals and also help rehabilitate them, too.  The article points out that animal cruelty awareness is getting its’ just due in this country and that 46 states have laws on the books making various forms of animal abuse a felony.     Perhaps this is great opportunity to revisit the implications of the recent Supreme Court ruling which overturned a federal law that made it a crime to create or sell dogfight videos and other depictions of animal cruelty.

The whole article is certainly worth reading, chock full of facts and programs that are being tested and used in communities.   As participants in pet therapy programs, we have always endorsed and mentioned organizations that use animals in helping to teach empathy and responsibility to people.   We’ve also talked about the healing and rehabilitative effects of being near or having an animal in one’s life.   In a twist of irony, the article goes on to say that those who are animal abusers benefit from prolonged exposure working with animals and that equine-therapy programs are especially good at this.  We already know that victims of abuse and emotionally withdrawn individuals benefit from the many pet therapy programs out there, too.

Whether it be the abused,  the abuser or the rest of us, it’s time to acknowledge, respect and benefit from  the power of animals.  Brandy and Val have known this all along!

Brandy and Val are my two rescue dogs that are out and about in the community working with children.  It is through their pet therapy work and the sales of their books:  BRANDY AND VAL; BRANDY AND VAL’S FAVORITE THINGS and BRANDY AND VAL’S SPECIAL STORY that the goal of “doing good where good is needed”  can be realized.  Animal sanctuaries and rescues throughout the country benefit from every purchase!

Hi everyone!  This weekend was a spectacular weather weekend for us but, we are getting older and the heat affects us more.  Please remember how important it is to keep us pups cool in the summer months.  Even though we pant and that is our coping mechanism, pooches can get heat stroke, sunburned and skin cancer.  So, please keep the following in mind:

1)  ALWAYS make sure  fresh water is available for us to drink.  Cool/cold is preferable.

2)  Provide a shady area for us.  If you want us to enjoy the great outdoors with you, make sure there is a shady spot for us to hang out in.

3)  Some us us LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to swim and lie in the water.  If there is a swimming hole nearby, let us in to enjoy.  However, if it’s a chlorinated area, please dry us off as the chlorine is bad for our coats and skin.  Think about buying us a kiddie pool to sit in if there’s no place for us to refresh.  That will work and make us happy, too.

4) Sounds obvious but  DON’T leave us in cars for prolonged periods of times and if you can, put the car in the shade.  DEFINITELY leave windows open for air to circulate.  If you think it’s too hot, don’t take us…..even if we look at you with those begging eyes!

5)  We really like our COOLING BANDANAS.  There are several brands out there but when it’s hot and we go for walks, mom or dad puts one around our necks.  They really help.

6)  Keep the A/C on and think about keeping us indoors.  If we want to go in, let us.  Keep the air on to keep us comfy.  We’ll love you even more for it (if that’s possible)

7)  Sounds corny, but, we could use some sunscreen, too!  Our noses can burn and if your pup has exposed ears, they can get sunburned.  Yes, we also can get skin cancers.  In fact, we think Val’s nose was badly burned while wandering the streets after Hurricane Katrina, so take care.

 This doesn’t apply to us, but perhaps consider shaving/trimming some hair off those pooches with long locks.  They’ll look kind of funny but they’ll stay a bit cooler.  Don’t completely shave them as their skin will be exposed and subject to burning.

WHAT TIPS CAN YOU SHARE WITH US FOR KEEPING PUPS COOL WHEN IT’S HOT?

We at Brandy and Val, LLC want to “do good where good is needed.”  Our mission is to  help animals and people and support causes we believe in through our pet therapy work and sales of our books, Brandy and Val Real Dogs with Real Tales and toys.

BRANDY AND VAL

May Update

May has been a busy month for Brandy, Val and Ilene!

Word around town is that you’re begging to hear more about Brandy and Val, Real Dogs with Real Tales! We were just interviewed by NBC5 and we’re pretty thrilled that within the first year of our launch, we have been featured on both ABC and NBC in Chicago.  The Hudson Valley Press in NY also recently featured us.

Visit our newly re-designed home page, follow us on Twitter and introduce your toddler (or a friend’s) to the world of Brandy and Val, two rescue dogs who have stories to tell. Real pictures of the pups are engaging and brightly colored pages with durable tabs that little fingers can grab hold of are just 3 of the many reasons our books are starting to stand out from the crowd.  The little mini-Brandy and mini-Val toys add to the fun.  With our mission of “doing good where good is needed” know that every sale benefits animals waiting for adoption or needing care at shelters throughout the U.S.

Upcoming appearances include:

Read to Rover, read to the dog program at the Barrington, IL, Library.  Every Wednesday in June, 7 -8 p.m.  Contact the library and sign up your child to read to Brandy or Val!

Glen Ellyn Bookfest 2010, downtown Glen Ellyn, IL.  June 19, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Summer Time Story Time at the Conductive Ed Summer Camp, Lake Zurich, IL.  June 25, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.  Call 708-588-0833 for details.

You may also follow us on Facebook and we’d love you to comment on our blog posts at What We’re Barking About!

As always, thank you for your continued support.  Without you, we can’t help others.

Ilene Fine, Author

Brandy and Val, Real Dogs with Real Tales

Brandy and Val’s Favorite Things

Brandy and Val’s Special Story