Summertime Reading and
Exciting Events for Animal Lovers

Ah, summer. Three months of lollygagging around with nothing better to do than work on your tan and get lost in a good book. Yeah, right. If you’re like me, you’re busier than Lindsay Lohan’s rehab counselor. Even with my never-ending list of things to do, I always find a few moments to indulge in my favorite pastime: reading. The following are my picks of the litter for some superb summertime reading. I’m sure you’ll find these terrific tomes entertaining, educational and perhaps even life-changing.

The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy—And Why They Matter by Marc Bekoff [New World Library, $23.95]. No one who has been around animals for any length of time can refute their capacity to feel and express emotions. Even so, the scientific community has been slow to accept the idea that animals share many of the same emotions that humans do. In this highly-acclaimed book, Bekoff, a biologist and one of the world’s foremost experts on animal emotions, challenges these long-held beliefs and invites readers to reflect and reassess how they view and treat animals. For more information: http://literati.net/Bekoff.

The Lazy Dog’s Guide to Enlightenment by Andrea Hurst & Beth Wilson, photographs by Zachary Folk [New World Library, $12.95]. We pray. We meditate. We practice yoga. Still, spiritual enlightenment can be elusive. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Enlightenment can be as close as a lovable Lab bounding happily through the backyard or a sweet Shih tzu contentedly curled up in your lap. Brimming with breathtaking black and white photos and dozens of “canine-spirations,” The Lazy Dog’s Guide to Enlightenment is sure to inspire and entertain you, whatever spiritual path you’re on. For more information: www.lazydogsguide.com.

Merle’s Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote [Harcourt, Inc., $25.00]. Prepare to laugh, cry, and be moved by this eloquent exploration of the bond between people and their canine companions. With humor and heart-felt storytelling, Kerasote weaves the story of Merle’s life with the latest research on animal consciousness and behavior and explores why the dog-human bond is so powerful. Merle’s Door is tale of love, lessons and loss and reveals how the reciprocal relationship between dogs and humans can open our hearts and change our lives. For more information:  www.kerasote.com.

The Souls of Animals by Gary Kowalski [New World Library, $14.00]. In this revised second edition, Gary Kowalski, a Unitarian Universalist minister, asks deeply meaningful and thought-provoking questions such as: Do animals experience love? Do animals know right from wrong? Do animals have souls? Reverend Kowalski doesn’t profess to know all the answers; instead, he offers readers a myriad of touching examples of animal altruism, grief, play, creativity and even humor. The Souls of Animals is a gentle and poignant reminder that the connection between animals and people is deeper and stronger than we ever imagined. For more information:  www.newworldlibrary.com.

Poodles, Pugs and Parades

Now it’s time to set aside the books and hightail it over to one (or more!) of these doggone exciting events taking place this month:

Saturday, July 14-Sunday, July 15 – Santa Barbara French Festival and world-famous Poodle Parade, a just-for-fun promenade of canine topiary. Oo La La! Admission to the Festival and entry in the Poodle Parade is free. Oak Park, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm. (Poodle Parade takes place on Sunday, July 15 at 5:30 pm.). For more information: www.frenchfestival.com/poodle.html.

Sunday, July 15 – Putting on the Pug, Pug Rescue of Santa Barbara Annual Party. If you love pugs, this is the place to be! 1809 Mira Vista Ave., Santa Barbara. Noon - 3:00 pm. For more information: www.pugrescuesb.com.

Sunday, July 22 – 10th Annual Pooch Parade, Fundraising Dog Walk and Pet Expo benefiting the Canine Adoption and Rescue League Adoption Program. San Buenaventura State Beach Park, Ventura, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. For more information: www.poochparade.org.

 

What are you doing and what are you reading this summer? Let Karen know by sending her an email message at karenleestevens@cox.net.

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

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