Summer is finally here, although, at times, it doesn’t much feel like it.  There’s been lots of rain throughout the country but we try to focus on the sunny, warm days that we can all be outside to play!

Brandy and Val wrapped up their pet therapy school year on a very positive high note.  The kids really responded this year and were much more comfortable and interactive in the pups’ presence.   The strides taken are a cumulative process and  we can’t stress how important we think our work is to the kids.  They have really warmed up to them and we can see how much they appear to enjoy having Brandy and Val around and interacting with them.

Our work on the top of pet therapy was featured in two articles this past spring.  One on the website Acting Balanced which is hosted by a mom with a child who has Autism Spectrum Disorder.  The other appeared in the Calgary Herald.  We are grateful for the opportunity to speak about what we do and spread the word about how pet therapy dogs enhance the lives of others.

Continuing on with that theme, Brandy and Val will be making another appearance at the Center For Independence camp the end of the month.  The campers are comprised mostly of children who have CP (Cerebral Palsy) and MD (muscular dystrophy).  We enjoy bringing added happiness to their day.

As our mission is “to do good where good is needed” we hope you will continue to remember that with the continuing sagging economy, many pets are being neglected and abandoned.  It is through the sales of our toys and books -BRANDY AND VAL, BRANDY AND VAL’S FAVORITE THINGS and BRANDY AND VAL’S SPECIAL STORY — that we also help animal sanctuaries throughout the country such as Best Friends and Pets Alive.   In addition, 100% of the sales from BRANDY AND VAL’S SPECIAL STORY go to support Fortunate Pooches and Lab Rescue, the shelter that both Brandy and Val were adopted from.  SOOOOOO, feel good knowing that you are helping and animal in need with every item purchased from us!

As always, thank you for your continued support and enjoy the season!

Ilene Fine, Author

Brandy and Val, Real Dogs with Real Tales

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

BRANDY AND VAL, REAL DOGS WITH REAL TALES

December update

Brandy and Val packing away
To get the books shipped for Xmas Day
If your order’s not in, do not delay
Give us a click & we’ll ship it today.

Consider that a portion of sales from Brandy and Val, LLC are donated to help animal rescues throughout the country.  100% of the sales from BRANDY AND VAL’S SPECIAL STORY are donated to Fortunate Pooches and Lab Rescue, the shelter Brandy and Val were adopted from in Palatine, IL. Pet’s Alive in Middletown, NY, and Best Friends in Kenab, UT, are also recipients of funds.   The students in all of Brandy and Val’s pet therapy classes also received gifts this year of Brandy and Val books and toys.

Without everyone’s continued support, we would not have been in a position to make this happen.  Thank you!

We hope everyone has a wonderful, healthy and safe Holiday Season and Best Wishes for 2011.

Ilene Fine, Author,

Brandy and Val, the dogs!

Can you believe Thanksgiving is upon us?  Families will be coming, going, gathering and eating and we will all be giving “thanks” for the blessings we have in our lives.  Then the craziness known as the “Holiday Shopping Season” will be upon us fast and furious.  But, before we get to that, a few things:

Brandy and Val, the dogs, finally got to meet Zachary’s mom a few weeks ago.  See our Facebook page for photos!  It’s hard to believe that even though Zachary provided the inspiration for writing the Brandy and Val series, neither he nor his mom have been out to visit since the pups became a part of our family!  We hope that a visit from Zachary will now be in the making.  While we are on the subject of giving thanks and “doing good where good is needed” (our mission), did you know that sales of our books and toys benefit Prader Willi Syndrome Association, the disorder that Zachary is afflicted with and, which, to date, has no cure.

Since our sales also help several animal sanctuaries and rescues throughout the Country, I’d also like to mention Help Save A Stray, an organization that provides a nationwide network of connections betwen animal lovers and shelters.  Kudos to all the work they do–they also have an online store where profits go to shelters of your choosing!  Now through December 15, if you order from us and mention Help Save A Stray, we will send you a FREE mini-Brandy or mini-Val toy.

Our Blog, “What We Are Barking About” also talks about causes that we support in addition to giving pet therapy updates.  We work with children/young adults suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder and we are very pleased that in the past week, one child who, for one entire year would not go near Brandy, has now brushed and pet her for two weeks in a row AND says Brandy is nice.  We’re also thrilled that two of our other non-verbal, non-emotive students “high-fived” us and smiled with us.  We can only hope that these positive developments can be extrapolated to greater happines in these kids’ lives and with their friends and family.

We hope that you will include our books – BRANDY AND VAL, BRANDY AND VAL’S FAVORITE THINGS and BRANDY AND VAL’S SPECIAL STORY - and toys on your gift lists for any pre-schoolers you have in your lives.  They’re affordably priced, heartwarming and gifts that give back.  Thank you for your support.

Ilene Fine, Author

Brandy and Val, Real Dogs with Real Tales

Alas, for Brandy and Val, the swimming season has ended and the days are now filled with cornering chipmunks and squirrels followed by periods of rest amongst the piles of leaves.  For the rest of us at Brandy and Val, we continue focusing on “doing good where good is needed” where, through the sales of our books:  Brandy and Val, Brandy and Val’s Favorite Things, and Brandy and Val’s Special Story, we are able to benefit animal shelters nationwide.

My alma mater, Washington University in St. Louis, published a profile about us in its’ October Magazine that truly captures the essence of what we at Brandy and Val, LLC are all about.  The pups’ recent appearance at the Character Counts social also provided an excellent forum as we help spread the word that good citizenship, character and empathy benefits society as a whole.  Apparently, the Senate and President Obama fell the same since this week has been nationally recognized through Resolution 658 as “National Character Counts Week”.

Pet Therapy continues for Brandy and Val as they work with special needs children (mostly those afflicted with Autism Spectrum Disorders).  Their continued participation in the Read to Rover library program advances the cause for literacy as children read comfortably, without adult intervention, to the dogs.  We’ll be updating our progress soon on our blog, “What We’re Barking About” so look out for it.

Now’s the time to start planning for Holiday Gift Giving.  In addition to our books, plush toys resembling Brandy and Val are also available individually, as a pair or combined with a book.  Your continued support of us helps others and we really appreciate that.

Regards,

Ilene Fine, Author

Brandy and Val, Real Dogs with Real Tales

Our cup runneth over this past month with great press, and, why not?  Brandy and Val, two real rescue dogs, have great stories to tell and causes to support that benefit children and animals.  Our whimsical children’s educational book series and stuffed animal likenesses are great fun for pre-schoolers.  Our downloadable discussion guide is chock full of lively topics that parents and teachers can use to make Brandy and Val a learning tool, too!

So, without further delay, we invite you to watch our most recent TV segment spotlighting Val on the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and read about what makes Brandy and Val, the books AND the dogs so special!

Woman’s World Magazine 8/23/10

NBC5 Chicago 6 p.m. newscast 8/30/10

Chicago Tribune 8/25/10

Associated Content Book List 8/25/10

TLC Animal Services 9/14/10

Thank you for your support of Brtandy and Val, Real Dogs with Real Tales books and toys. Give them as gifts that truly give back.

Ilene Fine, Author

Brandy and Val

Brandy and Val’s Favorite Things

Brandy and Val’s Special Story

We’re celebrating our FULL PAGE SPREAD in this month’s Women’s World Magazine.  Pick one up today and read all about us–who we are, what we do and why we do it!

After all, we’re all about “Doing good where good is needed.”  Our books – BRANDY AND VAL, BRANDY AND VAL’S FAVORITE THINGS and BRANDY AND VAL’S SPECIAL STORY — are entertaining and educational for pre-schoolers and they do good since every sale benefits animal rescues throughout the country.  Don’t forget we have Mini-Brandy and Mini-Val toys, too.  There’s still time to order and have them to take with you on that final summer hurrah we call Labor Day Weekend!

We’re enjoying our summer break but are gearing up for the busy fall, lining up our appearances and pet therapy programs.  On Septeber 16, we plan to be at the “Character Counts” Social in Elk Grove Village, IL (225 East Elk Grove Blvd) starting at 4:30 p.m. talking about the responsibilities of pet ownership and reading our stories.  Starting September 23 on consecutive Thursdays through October 14, you can sign your child up to read to Brandy and Val at the Mt. Prospect Library, IL, PAWS TO READ PROGRAM 7:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.

With the 5th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina coming up the end of the month, we wish to thank everyone who helped in the reilef eforts and who continues to help rebuild the City.  Val was adopted from Katrina and he sends special doggie kisses to those out there who helped save his life.  The rest of his family is forever grateful, too!  100% of the sales from BRANDY AND VAL’S SPECIAL STORY are donated back to the rescue Brandy and Val were both adopted from.

Until next month, remember that without your continued support, we wouldn’t be able to continue helping others.  Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and comment on our posts at “What We’re Barking About,” our blog.

Ilene Fine, Author,

BRANDY AND VAL REAL DOGS WITH REAL TALES

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

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

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