Come On, Get Happy

Arden Moore, who grew up in the “boonies” just outside of Crown Point, Indiana, has adored animals since she was in diapers. “We had many pets – dogs, cats, ducks, bunnies, and even one very personality-plus guinea pig named Fido,” Arden wrote to me in an email message from her home in Oceanside. “My childhood dogs – Crackers (an overweight beagle rescue), Peppy (a Border collie mix) and Corky (a Siamese cat) would join us for swims in the lake in our backyard and rides in our canoe. I didn’t know it was unusual for cats to swim because Corky took to the water so naturally and easily. He also loved to follow anyone with a fishing pole in their hand because he knew that eventually he would have the chance to snack on a bluegill.”

Today, Arden is an award-winning author, editor, and radio talk show host who shares her home with “the furry fab four”: Chipper, a Golden Retriever/Husky mix, Cleo (a.k.a. “torpedo tongue”), a 12-pound “mystery” mutt, and two cats, Callie and Murphy. “All four get along very well,” Arden says, “and they love to nap together in a big furry pile.”

Arden will be in town tonight (sans the furry fab four) for a presentation and booksigning for her latest books, “Happy Dog, Happy You” and “Happy Cat, Happy You.” The “fab-ulous” event takes place from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Borders at 900 State Street in downtown Santa Barbara . I caught up with Arden just before she embarked on her national book tour, which began last night in Oceanside, to chat about her books and her passion for pets.

You've written 20 pet books and 3 human health books over the past 9 years. How do you do it all?!

I possess an insatiable curiosity to learn and to share solid information and I have the world’s strongest typing fingers (smile). Seriously, though, I feel fortunate to have been able to have published so many books. I spent 20 years as a newspaper reporter/editor, primarily at the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel where I covered everything from Super Bowls to space shuttles. My newspaper years honed my interviewing and research skills and developed my respect to meet deadlines and to communicate with people from all types of backgrounds. I then spend a few years as an in-house senior writer at Rodale Press and had the chance to work on health books as well as write articles for Prevention, Men’s Health and the former Pets Part of the Family magazines.

Tell us a bit about "Happy Dog, Happy You" and "Happy Cat, Happy You."

The books are full of easy, low-fuss, time- and money-saving ways to improve that special people-pet bond. These days, pets are also feeling the “bite” of this economy and both books are designed to offer creative ways that take mere pennies or a few minutes. The books are formatted so you could open any page – and viola! – you are treated to a bite-sized tip or tidbit. A nice bargain!

Can you give readers a helpful tip from each book?

CATS: Cats are the champions of power napping, but Thomas Edison, a famous cat lover, was also an advocate of power naps lasting no more than 20 minutes. Share his advice – and his affection for felines – by treating yourself to an occasional afternoon siesta with your cat. A short snooze gives your body a chance to relax, recharge, and revive. Persuading a cat to nap in the middle of the afternoon is no problem; after all, the typical tabby sleeps up to 18 hours a day.

DOGS: Hours can zip by easily when you are plowing through paperwork or working on a must-do home project. Dogs seem to know when we need a break and will often paw our leg or let out a little yip. When you find yourself with a pile of office work at home, don’t forget to take a “Bowser break” and play with your dog for a few minutes or take him for a short walk. Chances are you will be in a better mood and able to focus better because of it.

Give us the scoop on your new radio show, "Oh Behave!"

“Oh Behave!” began in October and each week, I invite guests from the pet world to help me “edu-tain” our listeners. This is a podcast you can download for free on iTunes and other sites or just listen from your computer. We now have faithful listeners from as far away as Singapore . The shows are posted on the Pet Life Radio’s website and you can scroll down and select whichever show you like – think of it as TiVo for the ears!

A little birdie told me that you're going to have a contest with nifty prizes during your free presentation tonight. How can readers join in the fun?

As part of my national book tour that will take me from Maine to Kauai from now until Oct. 18, I have partnered with Zootoo.com, a very cool online web site for pet lovers. People can download (for free) their favorite “happy” pet photos on the website as well as share their photos with me at each tour stop. At the end, we will be selecting photos to create page-a-day calendars and award prizes to the pets receiving the most public votes. Learn more by visiting my website or by visiting Zootoo.com. At each stop, we will also be awarding cool prizes, so be sure and stop by Borders tonight!

One final, very important question regarding the furry fab four: are they always happy?

Of course!

****

Let Karen know about your happy hounds and contended cats by sending an email message to her at karenleestevens@cox.net. And be sure and stop by Borders-downtown tonight at 7:00 pm to meet Arden (and Karen) in purr-son.

---

By Karen Lee Stevens,
Founder & President, ALL FOR ANIMALS, Inc.
Copyright © 2008. All Rights Reserved.

---

Return to Karen Lee's Home Page
Return to the ALL FOR ANIMALS Home Page