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WHAT PET SHOULD I GET? By Dr. Seuss

September 29, 2015 | 32 Comments

A lesson in decision making – will you make the right one? How will you feel about your decision?

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As a child, I loved reading books by this well-known author. In fact, I’ve purchased several of Dr. Seuss’ stories and have enjoyed reading them to my nieces and nephew (recently blessed with a second nephew – thank you). The stories were catchy; they stick in your head. The images were vibrant colours of blue, orange, yellow, and red.

I was excited to learn that an unpublished book was recently discovered by the family of the legendary Dr. Seuss. I was equally excited to learn that it was about pets. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy.

….and then I read it.

The inside flap gives us a glimpse of the lesson in the story:

Every pet looks like fun, so how in the world do you pick just one?

As I turned to the beginning of the story and read the first few pages, my heart sank. The first illustration shows two unaccompanied children looking in the window of a pet store. Their dad has given them permission to go to the pet store and pick their pet.

The children start off looking at an adult dog and an adult cat, their attention soon captured by the younger versions, a puppy, and a kitten.

I recognize this scenario – an impulse buy. Perhaps it’s the bold, capitalized font across the image reading ‘MAKE UP YOUR MIND’ that gives it away. If that didn’t, a few pages later the same messages boldly screams out from the book with the additional words:

Pick a pet fast!

Pick one out soon!

Mother and dad said

to be home by noon!

Impulse decisions like this often end with the family returning the animal. They have not done their research and are not prepared for all that is involved in caring for a pet. Pets are not novelties. In most cases, when the ‘novelty’ wears off, there are consequences. Sometimes these consequences are extreme, and it is usually the animals that suffer.

The following pages confirm exactly this message:

who knows what other good pets I might find?

I might find a new one.

a few pages later:

I picked one out fast,

and then that was that.

As a society, we have come such a long way in educating children about responsible pet ownership and caring for abandoned and neglected animals. We are trying to teach people that rescued animals, special-needs animals, and older animals all make wonderful, loving companions. Communities are advocating to stop the sale of animals in pet shops and to have the farms (Puppy Mills) where these animals are ‘manufactured,’ CLOSED DOWN FOREVER!

It is of no comfort (to me), that the publisher – Random House New York has included a lengthy afterword about Dr. Seuss and his pets, as well as their team of pet-lovers. No doubt knowing, full-well there would be disapproval regarding the publication of this book, Random House also included the following:

…committing to caring for a pet as a cherished, not captive, companion is a big decision.

Choosing where to get your pet is also very important. When Dr. Seuss wrote What Pet Should I Get? over fifty years ago, it was common for people to simply buy dogs, cats, and other animals at pet stores. Today animal advocates encourage us to adopt them from a shelter or rescue organization and warn us never to purchase our pets from places that are supplied by puppy mills. We wholeheartedly agree and completely support this recommendation.

So, Random House, WHY did you decide to share a completely different message by publishing this book? Even if all proceeds from the sale of this book were donated to rescue efforts, the message in the story negates the lesson animal-welfare advocates are trying to teach. The afterward is not the section of the book that is being read to children and may not even be read by parents.

Random House finishes the afterward by sharing with us the lesson in the book:

What Pet Should I Get? is a story about a classic childhood moment: choosing a pet. It is also a story about making decisions.

Some things are best left alone. Or dare I say ‘let sleeping dogs lie.’ For whatever reason, Dr. Seuss decided not to share this work of his with the world. The family of Dr. Seuss and Random House Publishing decided they would share this story.

I have decided I will not share this book with my nieces and nephews. Nor will I recommend it to parents for their children. In fact, I would happily suggest:

This Book is one Not to Get!

Ultimately, the decision to purchase this book and share the story and it’s lesson is yours.

Untitled

 

 

 

Categories: BOOKS & ENTERTAINMENT Tagged: Children's Book, Pet Stores, Puppy Mills

YOU’RE MY BEST FRIEND

November 30, 2014 | Leave a Comment

You’re my best friend

You're My Best Friend
I can relate to the children who struggle with school.  I loved art, english, writing, and music, but math was a challenge for me.  I clearly remember an altercation that occurred one day in school; all the other children were sent out to play after lunch.  I was asked to stay behind by the teacher – Mrs. B.  To make matters worse, the teacher’s pet Tracy was also asked to remain in the room.  Mrs. B. then proceeded to point out errors I had made on a recent math test.

Instead of seeing this as an opportunity to correct my mistakes, I felt as if I was under attack, and the two of them were ganging up on me.  I tried to stand up for myself in one instance where my continental ‘7′ was mistaken for a ‘9.’  The answer was correct, but it did not matter.  I can still see the sneer on Mrs. B’s face as she turned and asked Tracy’s opinion; did Tracy believe the number was, in fact, a seven?  Of course not – teacher’s pet!

I felt humiliated and incredibly angry.  There were other 7’s on the page to refer to.  It was obvious to me that the number was, in fact, a ‘7.’

My parents hired a tutor to help me learn my numbers and would give me math books as birthday and Christmas presents.  These were not appreciated and remained unread.  I wonder where those books ended up.

Library Dogs are near and dear to my heart.  Tails are Wagging would like to become involved with and support such programs.  I have Mentioned Therapy Dog Training with Henry’s trainer and hope to get him into the program.  I also look forward to meeting with the Ontario Provincial Therapy Dog Coordinator, with St. John Ambulance to discuss the ‘Paws 4 Stories’ component of their program.   I hope our book ‘Henry says, “Hello” can help raise funds for this program.

It’s too bad there aren’t therapy dogs for math.  I would have loved a little ‘Einstein’ buddy.  As someone who struggled as a child, and understands the frustration and emotional turmoil of such struggles, I was thrilled to learn about Paws 4 Stories.  This program provides children with a non-hostile learning environment and non-judgmental, patient reading companions.  Therapy Dogs will sit and listen to a child as they read the same sentence over, and over until they get it right.  Instead of feeling stupid, ashamed and discouraged, children receive the support they need to become confident readers.

Check back later for more information about this program.

You’re my Best Friend – illustration

I adore chubby cheeks on children and could not resist exaggerating them in this illustration.

Henry meditates: he cuddles with his stuffed toy and exudes complete calm.  Sometimes I will sit with him and before long, I too feel completely at peace.  This illustration is particularly special to me: I look at this illustration and recognize the feeling of peace that Henry shares with others and the importance of encouraging children to read.

The tales on the bookshelf also have special meaning (more about these later)…

Bookshelf

http://www.sja.ca/English/Community-Services/Pages/Therapy%20Dog%20Services/Paws-4-Stories.aspx

Categories: HENRY SAYS, "HELLO" - A Must Read Children's Book Tagged: Art, Beautiful, Best Friend, Children, Children's Book, Cuddles, Dogs, Enjoy Life, Happy, Henry, Hope, Inspiration

PARTY GUESTS

November 23, 2014 | Leave a Comment

Halloween Party Guests

Party Guests

Gus reminds me of our neighbor dog ‘Chap.’  Notice the (left) paw?  It’s not a handshake position, it’s a “hey; you stopped paying attention to me” pat.  The behaviour frustrates to his parents who apologetically try to correct it.  I consider it part of his charm.

Gus

 

Gwen is quite like one of the other three Golden Retrievers  that live on our Street.  Most days when we walk Henry and Reese, the Goldens run to the fence (just as in the image below) to say “Hello” to us.  Reese slows her pace deliberately in anticipation of a group discussion.  The Golden’s family are also Foster Carers for Golden Rescue.

 

Gwen and Monster

 

Merlin (the Magician) is another story completely!

Leanne, a fellow volunteer at Georgina Animal Control was one of the first people to hear this story,  she listened patiently until it was over and then she asked ‘do you have a Merlin?’  I did not.  Leanne informed me there had been a mixed-breed adopted from our local shelter, and that he was now called Merlin.  Leanne put me in touch with Merlin’s mom Sarah, who also listened to the story, and agreed that I should feature her Merlin in the book.  Sarah informed me she is a Marketing Designer and Graphic Designer and that she and her team would be happy to help with  marketing and provide and design the book template.   It’s almost like Merlin waved his wand and everything just WAS!

Merlin

 

Eva the Ghost and Betty the Bee

When I was a little girl, my dad bought my mom a timid little beagle named Wimpy (read more about Wimpy in a future post).

BeeWitched

Henry borrowed Betty’s costume and Reese is a ‘mini’ Paige

Braids & Beagle

 

There is no such thing as white – at least not that I found in watercolour painting.  In order to show the creases and folds in Eva’s ghost costume, I had to add various shades of grey.  The same with Betty’s white bits which we can imagine were in the shadows.  I have learned a lot about the process of translating watercolour artwork to print-ready book files.  White does not translate well for a start!

See book for completed illustration.

Betty and Eva

 

 http://www.goldenrescue.ca/

http://www.eventsbysarah.ca/

 

Categories: HENRY SAYS, "HELLO" - A Must Read Children's Book, WORKS OF ART Tagged: Art, Best Friend, Children's Book, Dogs, Friends, Fun, Halloween, Happy, Henry, Inspiration, Party, Treat

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