Brandy and Val

It was with great enthusiasm that I hoped to post some “petacular” videos and photos of pets dressed up and ready for spring from Macy’s Petacular.   In it’s 14th year, the show kicks off Spring in New York along with the spectacular flower and garden show the store hosts.  While I can say it was a spectacle, the only thing spectacular about it was what a crazy scene it was.  Hoards of people and lots of little dogs dressed up way too cutesy for my taste.  So much so, I couldn’t (or wouldn’t) even choose a best of the lot since they all looked like variations of the same thing.  Dogs, with tutus, dogs with flowers, dressed like flowers, yuk.   The float/balloons and costumed humans were far more interesting.

The area was SO crowded, I didn’t even go into the store to check out the flower show.  I’ll be back, though, since in my past experiences, the array of displays are dazzling and the lineup of freebies — from gardening seminars to flower arranging — NEVER disappoints.  The flower show is in full bloom through April 10.

Brandy and Val would have been so bummed.

FYI, our MARCH MADNESS buy one book get another FREE offer expires in only 72 hours!  Visit our website for more details.  In our continuing mission to “do good where good is needed” sales of our books and toys benefit animal shelters throughout the country.  Help support animals in need and bring a smile to a toddler’s face with Brandy and Val.

BRANDY AND VAL,

REAL DOGS WITH REAL TALES

Welcome to Spring 2011!  Brandy and Val have been overcome by MARCH MADNESS and in celebration, we are offering a BUY ONE BOOK get one FREE.  Take advantage of this special, good through March 30 on our website only.

Brandy and Val have also been in the news a lot since our last letter.  ChicGalleria blog featured us as we told our story of helping autistic children.  From there, I was interviewed by the WritersAuthorsBooksandMore blog about how the Brandy and Val, Real Dogs with Real Tales series came to be.  Most recently, the Calgary Herald included us in an article about therapy dogs.

Of course, as we continue our pet therapy duties, we see progress with each session.  The kids all respond favorably when we enter the room and new activities keep everyone interested, including Brandy and Val.  Keep up with what we do on our blog, What We’re Barking About.  Comments and ideas are most welcome so please participate.  Not a blogger?  Reach out to us on Facebook or Twitter @brandyandval.

Sales from all Brandy and Val products benefit animal shelters and other good causes….an even better reason to order during our BUY ONE GET ONE BOOK FREE offer now through March 30.

Until next time, thanks for your support!

Ilene Fine, Author

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

NOW THROUGH MARCH 30, BUY ONE BOOK, GET ONE FREE!  YES, FREE!  ORDER ONLY AT BRANDY AND VAL.COM

All sales benefit animal shelters throughout the United States.  Feel good with every purchase!

BRANDY AND VAL

BRANDY AND VAL’S FAVORITE THINGS

We have lots of Favorite Things

BRANDY AND VAL’S SPECIAL STORY

100% of profits go to animal rescue

MINI BRANDY AND MINI VAL TOYS

No real post today but tune in tomorrow for our big announcement!

Last Saturday, we got re-evaluated so that we could continue our work as pet therapy dogs.  A lot of people ask our mom what we have to do during this process so we thought we’d tell you firsthand!

Well, the whole thing takes about 45 minutes.   I think Val and I were the only two dogs that day that weren’t collies except for a Burmese Mountain Dog.  Anyway, they make us go through a series of tests to make sure that “our dispositions” are still good that we won’t get irritated in a variety of circumstances.

The first thing we had to do was greet the other dogs in a friendly, non-confrontational fashion and gently accept dog treats from the other handlers.  We were really good at that.  Then we had to sit and stay while mom and dad went away for a minute or so.  I guess this was to make sure that we were well behaved and didn’t wander away from our position when not directly supervised.  We were so happy when mom and dad came back and we were even allowed to run to greet them.   Since we work with a lot of children who are not mobile or who are disabled on one side, we were tested to make sure we could go over and sit by someone in a chair at arm’s length on the left and right sides as well as approach from the front.   The part of the exam that was most fun for us was when all these people came over to us and kept petting us.  We didn’t get why that was part of the test since it felt so good, but they wanted to make sure we didn’t get nervous around all those people coming at us.  Since Brandy and I also go on book appearances and story times, we were used to that and it was no problem at all.  Then someone came over to us and checked us out to make sure that we were being well taken care of and that we didn’t get upset when someone came to look at our teeth, pick up our paws, check our coats out.  I don’t really like when people pick up the foot that was broken but it didn’t really hurt.  I broke my foot when I was wandering the streets after Hurricane Katrina.   There was also another feeding test from the proctor of the exam and Brandy and I both got complimented on how gentle we are.    Mom and dad also had to submit a form with a list of all the tricks and games we can do.  We hope that impressed the testers!  Finally, there were a few commands of the ho-hum variety:  the “sits” the “stays” the “downs.”   That was it!

Good to go.  Happiness for all.

Do you have a positive experience to share with us about dog therapy?  Please tell us!  Our mission is “to do good where good is needed” and we’d love to share your stories with others to help benefit animals and children nationwide.  Visit our website http://www.BrandyandVal.com for more details on how we help.