Welcome to "Stories we Love", the Blogville challenge fur May, 2017. This month residents were invited to submit a picture and a write-up about a favorite story. I think you will enjoy all of the entries.
Here they are!
1. Phenny writes:
I've just read a book, called Blood&Barolo, written by Carsten Sebastian Henn. It's a dog crime story from Piedmont/Italy.
It' s about two fourlegged detectives, Niccolo and Giacomo who want to find the evil doer who snitched the howly Shroud of Turin. They try to help Amadeus, a Pharaoh Hound whose family was chosen to guard the shroud at Duomo di San Giovanni. Amadeus is an unlucky fellow, the furst night he guarded the shroud, it got lost... and therefore his furmily contravened him.... but together with Niccolo and Giaccomo he tries to whitewash his reputation and to bring the howly shroud back.
It' s about two fourlegged detectives, Niccolo and Giacomo who want to find the evil doer who snitched the howly Shroud of Turin. They try to help Amadeus, a Pharaoh Hound whose family was chosen to guard the shroud at Duomo di San Giovanni. Amadeus is an unlucky fellow, the furst night he guarded the shroud, it got lost... and therefore his furmily contravened him.... but together with Niccolo and Giaccomo he tries to whitewash his reputation and to bring the howly shroud back.
You get not only a crime story ... there is much more. You can learn a lot about Italian wine&food, about the Pharaoh Hounds, religion and the area of Piedmont, so I think it is a good book for snuggling on the couch with your dog or cat ... while you maybe snack some Alba truffles.... 100 grams are $$ 850.00 , so maybe it is better to stay with Nutella while reading, the Piedmont is the home of the Ferrero furmily too :o)
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| Phenny has chosen a furscinating story! |
2. YAM-AUNTY has written about Ashram dogs that she met in India:
Yam-Aunty is the only human who has entered this month's challenge. This is what she has to say:
What I shall do is point folk to my CANINE CHRONICLES stories. That link will take everyone to the second page and they ought to start at the bottom then move on to the 'newer' posts for the rest of them.
Mainly they are the tales of the ashram dogs from when I was in India. No matter how hard one tried to not become involved with the dogs, they found their way into the heart!!! You asked for a pickchewer... okay you asked for two... but this is both in one, in that it is of me and it is of an InDog puppy which is the subject matter of the tales.
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| Beautifur Yam-Aunty with a special Ashram dog |
3. Madi couldn't decide upon just one story so she picked four!
Each of Madi's books is non fiction.
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| Madi is an avid reader! |
1. Dewey: The small town Library Cat who Touched the World by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter
What we liked about it was EVERYTHING! But mainly Dewey lived in a library with BOOKS.
Dewey's story starts off not so good BUT OMCs he winds up a world know Kitty.
He was only a few weeks old, he was stuffed in a return book slot at Spencer, Iowa's library.
The morning Dewey was found in the library he pulled himself up and hobbled on frostbitten feet to nudge each of the staff present. He won their hearts. In spite of his circumstances Dewey survived and inspired everyone who came in the Library for 19 (nineteen years). Dewey had a way of knowing just who came in and needed his attention the most.
2. A Lion Called Christian: A true story of the Remarkable Bond between two friends and a Lion by Anthony Bourke and John Rendall
It was 1969 when the boisterous cub Christian and his two humans spent several months in the pet department at Harrod's in London. The 3 of them shared a flat above a furniture store on King's Road and could be seen walking the sidewalks and making friends. He was growing so fast the humans knew they had to find a more suitable environment for him. His humans met the stars of the film Born Free, and its creator George Adamson. This meeting led to Christian being flown to Kenya to live with George Adamson aka father of lions. We loved this book because of the unselfish devotion of his original humans. They were the only 'family' Christian knew but they put their feelings aside for Christian's well being.
3. Amazing Gracie: A Dog's Tale: by Dan Dye and Mark Beckloff, the co-founders of
Three Dog Bakery
In 2000, I read a love story, Amazing Gracie, A Dog's Tale.
The book jacket starts off, "it was love at first sight"!
Dan went to see a house full of Dane Pups...Gracie was the runt of the litter so to speak.
She had so many digestive issues she was not thriving.
She struggled to get up to go to Dan. He said he could just tell she was saying
"you know I'm the one, now get me outta here"!
Gracie's digestive issues were the motivation for ,Three Dog Bakery.
If you have not read this love story, I highly recommend it.
There are 248 pages full of love and devotion, this is why we loved this book
4. Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, How I learned about Love and Life with a Blind Cat by Gwen Cooper
The author Ms Cooper already had 2 cats. She did not want or need another one. Her veterinarian called her with a story about a three week old eyeless kitten who had been abandoned. When she saw the kitten it was love at first sight...for Gwen. She was warned of all the trials and tribulations of owning a blind cat. Homer was a dare devil, made friends with every one. He could hear a fly and would leap up into the air for it. He survived being trapped in their apartment alone after 9/11. He was fearless. He defended Gwen with his life one night when their apartment was broken into. He sensed the intruder by his smell. When that criminal came into the bedroom Homer turned into a wild panther he flung himself at the intruder who had not seen him. He had no idea how big Homer was or that Homer was Blind. WE loved this book because thrived in spite of his circumstances, he seized each and every opportunity and made the best of it. He did not let himself be defined by his handicap...which of course he had no idea he had.
All of these book are over 20 years old but every so often I pick them up to read them for the 87th time. They are all quick reading and full of inspiration.
4. Yang sent in a grrreat entry:
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| The Aeronaut's Windlass is Yang's choice. |
First off I think Rowl should have been on the cover. I would have been happy to have served as their model for Rowl. I mean I have the purrsonality and the looks to play Rowl if they ever make a movie out of the book and I would be willing to allow Littlemouse (the humans call her Bridget) to carry me in her arms. Mommy says I probably have some Ragdoll in me, I am the only cat in the family that likes being carried now that Socks is gone. Grimm Ship-Trees is handsome enough for a human and is of some help to Rowl, but in my opinion Rowl was the main character.
I like that several of the humans speak cat and that Benedict is a half-soul. I think that means he has some cat in him somehow. He certainly behaves bravely like a cat, the humans refer to him as Warriorborn.
So here is what happens Rowl's purrson Littlemouse becomes friends with Benedict and his cousin Gwendolyn. Gwendolyn gets everyone in trouble and Rowl has to fix things, but before he can the humans get in a pesky war and Rowl has to save everyone with Grimm Ship-Trees help. The lady cat that likes Rowl is a good spy and is pretty helpful, but she is kinda mean to Rowl, she likes to think she is superior but I am sure Rowl will put her in her place soon.
Rowl also saves Clan Nine Claws. See not all the cats choose to have human servants. Rowl choose to live with Littlemouse and her family and they are very lucky as Rowl is the son of a Clan Chief. And cats are full citizens in the Spires, this allowed him to act as Littlemouse's second in the dual Gwendolyn got her involved in. Anyway some of the cats choose to live away from the humans in clans and they have their own rulers and stuff.
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| Yang is definitely handsome enough to be in the movies! |
This book is the first in The Cinder Spires series and I am looking forward to book 2. ~Yang, reporting for ATCAD.
Alasandra, The Cats and Dogs http://atcad.blogspot.com/
5. Sweet William the Scot loves a children's classic. He will tell you all about it:
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| Sweet William the Scot reading his favorite book. |
Well we are going for The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Bianco. These are our favorite quotes from the story.
“Real isn't how you are made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.'
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| Sweet William the Scot is perfect as a Bunny |
Every year I do a painting of an old postcard I have found at a tag sale. This year the Rabbit was replaced by Sweet William pushing the wheelbarrow.
Perhaps like an illustration you might find in the Velveteen Rabbit.
We all love our animals so deeply but those of us who keep our animals till we see them go to the bridge know we have cherished them. We have watched their hair go gray their eyes grow dim their joints stiffen till we hold them up. But that did not matter we loved them just the same as when they were new.
A lesson we try to teach our reader students ~ many who have not had love. I, Sweet William The Scot, try to give them love.
6. Bouncing Bertie has also chosen a much-loved classic:
For 'Stories we love' I have chosen my favourite Winnie the Pooh story, ' in which Eeyore loses a tail and Pooh finds one'. Gail and I both love all the Pooh stories, but I am not sure any human could truly appreciate how attached one can get to one's tail, and how traumatic it would be to wake up and suddenly find oneself without one. I hope I am not guilty of vanity when I remind you how often my own tail is the object of admiration.
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| Bertie definitely has a pawsome tail! |
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| Yes, tails are furry impawtant! |
You can hear the story read very nicely on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Toodle pip!
Bertie.
7. Tegan, Wyatt's little sister has an interesting book to share:
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| It is the Story of Smokey Bear. |
Hereis a picture of Tegan (Wyatt’s little sister) reading her favorite book. The True Story of Smokey Bear.
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| Tegan is thinking of becoming a forest ranger! |
She’s mesmerized by the brave little bear cub, who survived a terrible forest fire to become the nation’s symbol for fire prevention.
Now, Tegan wants to be a Forest Ranger or a Bear.....
Wyatt and Tegan
Gardening with Wyatt
8. Dougie Dog and Zoey from ZOOLATRY are sharing one of their
most favorite stories of all:
It is a classic by Shel Silverstein, "The
Giving Tree."
Thank you, Dougie Do and Zoey!
9. Hailey and Zaphod made an excellent choice:
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| So many grrreat anipals in this one! |
Our Lady’s favourite Disney movie growing up (and probably still) is The Jungle Book (1967). The cartoon is based on Kipling’s book 1894 book the Jungle Book which sits proudly on Lady’s book shelf. If you don’t know the story, it is of a young boy, Mowgli who is found by wolves and raised in the jungle. When the tiger, Shere Khan, comes back to kill Mowgli because he is human, the wolves decide it is time for him for him to return to the ‘man' village. Mowgli, Bagheera the panther, and Baloo the bear go on a musical adventure through the jungle. Lady doesn’t know why she initially fell in love with this story, but she did. Her mom thinks it was probably the big cats, she has always loved big cats. Her favourite character is Bagheera the panther. She loved this character so much she named her first cat after him (Angel Bagheera is pictured below). She wanted to get an orange tabby to call Shere Khan, and when the Man picked angel Cinder as a cat, she tried to convince him to call him Mowgli at least! She also loves the music and thinks the Bare Necessities is one of the best songs ever and it sits on her play list on her iPhone. While there have been several remakes of this film, Lady says this original is the best!
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| Angel Bagheera was named after the Jungle Book character. |
10. Arty and Jakey love a story that reminds them of Angel Dory so they made a collage:
Beautifur work, boyz!
11. Idaho Pug Ranch dogs Bailey, Hazel and Mabel were the next ones to take the challenge:
When thinking of a favorite story to share, one came to mind immediately – a true story about lab-mix named Merle and the free life he lived. Some may consider the book controversial as the majority of us would not give our dogs the freedom that this dog was given by his human companion. But it is a wonderful story about a special dog. Touching, sad and humorous – you will fall in love with Merle. It is the kind of book you will want to read more than once.
So here is a little about
Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote
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| This must be a smart dog! |
This national bestseller explores the relationship between humans and dogs. How would dogs live if they were free? Would they stay with their human friends? Merle and Ted found each other in the Utah desert— Merle was living wild and Ted was looking for a pup to keep him company. As their bond grew, Ted taught Merle how to live around wildlife, and Merle taught Ted about the benefits of letting a dog make his own decisions. Using the latest in wolf research and exploring issues of animal consciousness and leadership and the origins of the human-dog relationship, Ted Kerasote takes us on the journey he and Merle shared. As much a love story as a story of independence and partnership, Merle’s Door is tender, funny, and ultimately illuminating.
Hazel shows us her Mom's books!
Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
12. Angel Lexi has sent us a wonderfur entry from the Rainbow Bridge:
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| Hazel shows us her Mom's books! |
Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
12. Angel Lexi has sent us a wonderfur entry from the Rainbow Bridge:
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| This is a timeless story |
Angel Lexi here. You didn't think Blogville could get away with telling about favorite stories without me, did you? After all, I starred in my favorite story. The Wizard of Oz was Mom's favorite movie when she was a little girl, and it became an important part of our lives.Mom and I worked together for weeks and months at a time so that I could be a shining star right there on the earth.
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| Angel Lexi |
by Angel Lexi at www.lexitheschnauzer.com
13. Molly has entered the challenge with a book she highly recommends:
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| This looks like a good book fur anipals! |
Our favorite book is Putter and the Red Car. The story is written by Putter's mom, Miss Kate. It's the story of their family moving from Massachusetts across the country to Washington state and so many fun stops along the way. Of course, the main character is Putter, who was angel Maggie and angel Mitch's goodest and bestest friend always and forever.
The second picture is angel Putter herself. She is in the bookstore and she is posing in front of her book that is for sale.
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| Angel Putter in front of her book! |
Love,
Molly
Well those are the stories we love. Thank you furry much to the kitties and dogs who entered. You have all made grrreat suggestions and I know that Hazuzu and I will be reading some of these. We will also try to watch the first Jungle Book movie.
Watch fur the Jube challenge!
From the Blogville Department of Arts and Entertainment,
Louis Dog Armstrong
