Dog Days of Summer 2019 Wrap Up

I want to thank La La in the Library and Jo's Book Blog for hosting this wonderful event for the 3rd time.  As usual, I didn't get nearly enough dog books read but I loved participating and am very happy with how the month went.  I was able to read and review 4 dog books (2 with the help of Cass) and I had a wonderful article from Jan S. Gephardt about our 4-legged friends/family.  Cass participated in all 4 of my Can't Wait Wednesday posts and I am pleased to announce he is now a regular CWW contributor.  Finally, I was able to complete BINGO for La La's contest.  Here is my chart and details.  

KISS A DOG ON THE NOSE - Those that know me have to realize not a day goes by where Cass doesn't get at least one kiss on the nose.

POST A DOG PHOTO ON IG WITH #DDOS - I posted one per week.

PET A DOG - Again, see Cass 

READ A BOOK WITH A DOG IN IT - I read and reviewed 4 this month!

RETWEET THE POST - DONE!

So if you didn't participate, then you missed all the fun.  But hey, there's always next year!

Dog Days of Summer Special Guest Post!

A few months ago a publicist contacted me about a book I had on my radar.  I knew it would be perfect for Dog Days of Summer 2019 and happily agreed to accept a copy for review.  When I explained my August activities, Beverly agreed to see if the author would be willing to provide a special post for the occasion.  So Booker T's Farm is happy to welcome the author of "What's Bred in the Bone," Jan S. Gephardt.  

How much does your dog understand?

By Jan S. Gephardt

Have you ever wondered how much your dog knows? Does she understand your facial expressions and gestures? How much of what you say does he really comprehend? And when your dog greets you at the door with a wagging tail, is it really love—or does she just see you as a meal ticket?

Recent studies suggest the answers are “often,” “more than you might think,” and “it’s probably a lot like love.” Just how much your dog understands is still being studied, but it’s already clear we have more in common with our canine companions than we might think.

Humans have a longer history of evolving side by side with dogs than with any other domesticated animal species. Archaeologists have found dog remains with a human burial from as long as 14,000 years ago. Geneticists have found mutations that would suggest a more domesticated diet dating back some 32,000 years. And a sandstone cliff in Saudi Arabia offers pictorial documentation of a man hunting with dogs on leashes that’s more than 8,000 years old. 

So dogs and humans have had a pretty long time to get used to each other. How much have we “rubbed off on each other”? Some researchers say quite a lot! Neither humans nor dogs would be what we are today, without each other.

That’s true physically, but studies in dog cognition also tell us it’s true in terms of dogs’ brains. This first became clear when dogs showed they could easily understand gestures such as a human pointing to an object, although chimpanzees could not. Researchers also have shown that dogs pay attention to where we are looking, and recognize the difference between happy and angry human expressions.

Verbal Virtuosos

Dogs can’t speak our languages, but they can respond to our wishes, cued by words (sounds) we’vetaught them, and guided by the tone of our voice. (Scientists haven’t, as far as I know, done studies on “selective hearing” in dogs who choose not to respond). Probably the most famous canine “verbal virtuoso” was Chaser, a border collie who belonged to a psychology professor named JohnPilley.

Pilley and Chaser were able to demonstrate that she had a vocabulary of 1,022 different nouns (the names of toys), and that she could comprehend (by reacting appropriately to)sentences containing a prepositional object, a verb, and a direct object. Pilley memorably showed her talents to the world on an episode of 60 Minutes, first aired in 2014, but still available online.

And while dogs can’t read the way humans can, it is possible to teach them to recognize individual written words (visual symbols) and respond to them as if they were verbal commands. Several different dogs have been taught to do this, as an inspiration for elementary students just beginning to read. The largest “written vocabulary” I found online was four words, demonstrated by a Labrador Retriever in the UK, named Fernie.

But is it truly love?

Many people, especially scientists wary of being accused they’re anthropomorphizing, have been reluctant to say that our dogs “love” us.

Several studies have shown that oxytocin levels (the so-called “love hormone”) rise in both dogs and humans when the human smiles, when dogs and humans look at each other, when they snuggle, or when dogs are caressed. Some researchers believe this mutual reaction is key to dog domestication.

But oxytocin isn’t the only scientific proof. Studies of dogs in MRI scanners show the brain structure associated with anticipation and positive feelings (the caudatenucleus) lights up in dogs when they smell the odor of a familiar person.

And then there’s body language. How can you mistake the message of the facial expressions, the wriggling body, the wagging tail? How can you mistake the hugs?

Dog owners know: they “get” us, in a way few other animals do. After 32,000 years, even scientists are beginning to agree.

It's clear that Jan has done her research and it's even more evident in "What's Bred in the Bone."  I'm about 100 pages in and already I've fallen in love with the dogs I've encountered, especially Rex.  Be sure to check back Friday for my review and thanks so much Jan for stopping by!

Cassius Reviews Atomic Frenchie Vol. 2

Seems like Dogs Days of Summer is still going strong.  Today Cassius joins us for a review of a book which would be enjoyed by young or old alike!

TITLE: Atomic Frenchie Vol. 2 - The Cow with the Nuclear Heart

AUTHORS: Tom Sniegoski and Tom McWeeney

PUBLISHER: Insight Kids

PUBLISHING DATE: May 7, 2019

FROM GOODREADS: Kirby the French bulldog, OB the turtle, and the ghost of Erasmus J. Peckinpah embark on a road trip to the mysterious Area 51, hidden in the wastelands of the Nevada desert. Erasmus has convinced Kirby to help resurrect his cryogenically frozen body (which they've brought with them in the trunk of an old Cadillac Eldorado they're driving) by acquiring a nuclear heart currently inside the chest of a cow at the facility. 

On their journey, the gang encounters the angry spirit of an old prospector, a motorcycle gang with a grudge against French bulldogs, and last but not least, a full-fledged alien invasion! 

From New York Times best-selling author Tom Sniegoski and renowned comic artist Tom McWeeney comes the new and hilarious sequel to Atomic Frenchie, an original middle-grade graphic novel series about Kirby, the world’s most diabolical supervillain. 

CASS' THOUGHTS: This book was so much fun!  It was a combination of a graphic novel and narrative and if there's a word for that forgive me, I am a dog after all.  Anyway, that means it told a great story but I also got to see fun pics of Kirby, OB and Marie Claire, the cow.

So Kirby is basically trying to help Erasmus J. Peckinpah come back to life.  And to do that, they need Marie Claire's mechanical, nuclear heart.  The gang travels to Area 51 to find Marie Claire and complete the procedure.  Kirby doesn't mind helping Erasmus, but he really wants all of Erasmus' scientific plans and blueprints so he can take over the world.  The gang gets into all kinds of trouble, meets some bratty aliens and their mother, and recruits a intellectually-challenged biker.

I really liked Kirby even if I don't agree with his plans to take over the world.  I mean, not all humans are bad, right?  Mom says maybe the world should be run by a dog though so maybe she is on to something - she is Mom after all.  She also says Kirby reminds her a lot of my brother, Barkley.  I only knew Barkley for about 7 months but I totally agree he had the attitude and the smarts for world domination.  The other characters are fun and there is a great cliffhanger which means hopefully there will be a volume 3.  I was a tad worried about Marie Claire and how she would survive without her heart but don't worry, Kirby always has a plan.

I highly recommend you pick up this book. It's a quick read but substantial (look Mom, big word) enough to pack quite a tale.  Please please please be a volume 3.

And hey Mom, can I have a turtle?

CASS'S RATING: 5 PAWS

COYER CHALLENGE UPDATE: Read a book with a number in the title.

Can't Wait Wednesday (224) - Favorites From Both of Us!

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

And in honor of DOG DAYS OF SUMMER, all month long you'll be getting a pick from me and an additional one from Cassius!

FROM GOODREADS: Veronica Speedwell and her natural historian colleague Stoker are asked by Lady Wellingtonia Beauclerk to help with a potential scandal so explosive it threatens to rock the monarchy. Prince Albert Victor is a regular visitor to the most exclusive private club in London, known as the Club de l'Etoile, and the proprietess, Madame Aurore, has received an expensive gift that can be traced back to the prince. Lady Wellie would like Veronica and Stoker to retrieve the jewel from the club before scandal can break.

Worse yet, London is gripped by hysteria in the autumn of 1888, terrorized by what would become the most notorious and elusive serial killer in history, Jack the Ripper--and Lady Wellie suspects the prince may be responsible.

Veronica and Stoker reluctantly agree to go undercover at Madame Aurore's high class brothel, where another body soon turns up. Many secrets are swirling around Veronica and the royal family--and it's up to Veronica and Stoker to find the truth, before it's too late for all of them.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  First of all I love this series.  Veronica and Stoker are two of my favorite characters.  And look at that cover!!!  Also, it doesn't hurt that Jack the Ripper is mentioned and that there is a dog on the cover!

CASSIUS'S PICK:

FROM GOODREADS:Werecougar Lily Mason has sworn off investigating crimes in Moonrise, Missouri. Now that she's a college student with two jobs and officially the girlfriend of animal activist Parker Knowles, she's too busy for drama and danger.

Besides, the last case nearly cost her everything, including her life.

At least until her friend, the elderly Opal Dixon, breaks a hip and must recuperate in a nursing home. Opal's has been spending all her time complaining about her annoying roommate, her idiot doctor, and the laundry service that keeps losing her clothes. So, Lily is less than convinced when Opal insists a nurse's suicide is really foul play.

Still, to ease her friend's fears, Lily agrees to look into the situation. With her loyal dog Smooshie at her side while she delves into the case, Lily soon learns that it's not all Bingo and low-sodium diets at Moonrise Manor.

And when Opal's suspicions make her the next target, Lily realizes she's running out of time to save her friend...and stop a sadistic killer. 

WHY CASSIUS CAN'T WAIT:  Because Smooshie is my book girlfriend.  I love her and am so glad she is getting a 5th book!

Can't Wait Wednesday (223)

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

And in honor of DOG DAYS OF SUMMER, all month long you'll be getting a pick from me and an additional one from Cassius!

FROM GOODREADS:  He is, after all, the master of lies.

But is it lies when a man comes calling and says the End of Days is nearing?  That you must do everything within your power to stop it? Even when you have no powers. You are, after all, just a human.

Or do you have no powers? Are you just a human? And what the hell are you supposed to do about preventing hell-on-earth when you’re fresh out of prison, a biker ex-con who can’t even vote?

But the man who bears the message, the mission, is not a stranger shouting on a street corner while hoisting a sign promising death and damnation. He is someone you’ve known since boyhood, someone you trust implicitly. Someone who has never, ever lied to you. He's Grandaddy.

But who is he really? And who are you? Are you truly a weapon meant to be wielded against the devil’s return? Against the End Times. The End of Days. Apocalypse and Armageddon.

Demons, Grandaddy says, are now loosed upon the earth in the first spasms of a most unholy war. Demons inhabit and make real the beasts and characters of fiction, folklore, fairytales. Gods and goddesses walk the earth. The minotaur. Murderers. A horseman without his head. Myth becomes reality. Legends—and lies—are truths.

And maybe the man you’ve always trusted isn’t entirely human.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  This one has all kinds of things to interest me.  The biker/horror combo, demons murderers and minotaurs.  Sign me up!

CASSIUS' PICK: 

FROM GOODREADS:  In David Rosenfelt's newest series - a spinoff of the much beloved Andy Carpenter mysteries - Andy's wife forms an investigative team with a former detective and his German shepard partner.

Andy Carpenter's wife, Laurie, was a cop, a good one. Now she helps out on Andy's cases while also raising Ricky, their son. But she's been chafing to jump back into investigating on her own, and when her former partner and his German shepard K-9 partner come to her with a proposal, she's in.

From the author of the bestselling Andy Carpenter mysteries comes a spectacular new series with a K-9 main character.

WHY CASSIUS CAN'T WAIT:  I don't think Mom has read the original series even though I keep telling her she needs to do so.  I mean, she loves dogs and was once accepted to law school so I think she liked them.  But who am I to say?  Anyway, maybe she can start this spin-off and be on top of things. Plus, isn't that Shepard a beauty?  Wonder if she's a female???

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???

Cassius Reviews a Childhood Classic

Since I'm celebrating all month long with Jo's Book Blog and La La in the Library, I thought it would be an awesome time for Cassius to review some children's books.  I've discovered so many now as an adult that I only wish I knew about when I was younger.  So sit back and enjoy this new feature brought to you by Booker T's Farm's very own Cassius!

TITLE: The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog

AUTHOR: John R. Erickson

PUBLISHER: Viking Juvenile

PUBLISHING DATE: March 29, 1999

FROM GOODREADS: The popular Hank the Cowdog series is based on the humorous antics of the canine Head of Ranch Security. In this first book, Hank and his little buddy, Drover, set out to solve a series of baffling murders on the ranch. Is Hank a suspect? An Outlaw? Can he clear his good name? 

CASS' THOUGHTS:  Hank has clearly been given an important job as Head of Ranch Security.  I can relate since I'm Head of Farm Security (don't tell Dad, I think he thinks he's in charge).  Anyway, there have been some recent chicken deaths at the ranch and just because Hank was caught disposing of the evidence, he is blamed.  Come on, a dog's gotta eat right?  However, I clearly have my humans trained better because my chicken is always cooked.  Being upset, Hank runs away from home and joins the coyotes.  This leaves Drover in charge and clearly he has been ill-prepared.  However, Hank may just have a few tricks up his paws. 

This book was a lot of fun and I can see how younger kids would really like it.  The chapters all have cool headings which I enjoyed and there is even some artwork.  My only complaint is that there is one chapter where Hank and Drover hitch a ride into town and then make fun of and torment a boxer in the back of a truck beside them.  The author made the boxer out to be a stupid bully.  Clearly he needs more research. 

CASS' RATING: 3 PAWS

COYER CHALLENGE UPDATE:  Read a book from an animal's perspective

A Brand New Favorite - Hollow Kingdom Review

TITLE: Hollow Kingdom
AUTHOR: Kira Jane Buxton
PUBLISHER: Grand Central Publishing
PUBLISHING DATE: August 6, 2019

FROM GOODREADS: S.T., a domesticated crow, is a bird of simple pleasures: hanging out with his owner Big Jim, trading insults with Seattle's wild crows (those idiots), and enjoying the finest food humankind has to offer: Cheetos ®. 

Then Big Jim's eyeball falls out of his head, and S.T. starts to feel like something isn't quite right. His most tried-and-true remedies--from beak-delivered beer to the slobbering affection of Big Jim's loyal but dim-witted dog, Dennis--fail to cure Big Jim's debilitating malady. S.T. is left with no choice but to abandon his old life and venture out into a wild and frightening new world with his trusty steed Dennis, where he discovers that the neighbors are devouring each other and the local wildlife is abuzz with rumors of dangerous new predators roaming Seattle. Humanity's extinction has seemingly arrived, and the only one determined to save it is a foul-mouthed crow whose knowledge of the world around him comes from his TV-watching education. 

Hollow Kingdom is a humorous, big-hearted, and boundlessly beautiful romp through the apocalypse and the world that comes after, where even a cowardly crow can become a hero. 

MY THOUGHTS: Go buy this book now! Seriously, you can't go fast enough. I need more people to share in my joy. I'll wait until get back. You think I'm joking???

I honestly don't know where to start with this review.  As you can probably tell, I clearly loved it and to be honest, the description above pretty much tells you all you need to know about the plot.  So let me just gush about the things I love.

First of all, this book, which is about the very tragic fall of man (of course I guess that depends on who you ask how tragic it is), is so full of humor that I laughed so much my husband thought I was losing my mind (also a possibility in our house).  S.T (short for S**T Turd) has lived with his owner and their bloodhound for many years.  Much of what he has learned has come from Big Jim, who can best be described as a good ole' boy, and television.  So needless to say, S.T. uses some pretty crude language but really doesn't understand how crude because he thinks it's normal.  For example, he believes the human race is called "mofo's" because that's all he's heard from Big Jim.  S.T. uses it as a term of endearment  - a lot.  He also quotes depression advertisements while trying to cheer up the family dog, Dennis and loves Cheetos and the Seattle Seahawks.

Secondly, there are animals EVERYWHERE.  You have crows, dogs (including Winnie the Poodle), cats (Genghis Cat), wolves, a whale, an octopus, orangutans, and numerous others.  They communicate among themselves using their own internet per se (aura for air, web for ground and echo for water).  Some are happy that the humans are disappearing, yet some, especially the "domestics" desperately want to save them.  However, S.T. is pissed off at the whole situation and he takes it upon himself to save the humans, and if that isn't possible, at least save the domestics left behind.

And lastly, the book is full of such wonderful friendships and characters.  Clearly S.T. has gotten annoyed by Dennis in the past, but when he sees how upset he is over Big Jim's demise, he takes him under his wing (pun intended).  He looks out for him and tries to teach him to survive in the new world. He loves him and tends to any wounds and comforts him when he is sad. Their friendship becomes so dear that S.T. actually becomes physically ill when he has to venture out on his own to see what is happening which leaves Dennis on the ground.

So have I convinced you yet?  I'll admit, I don't know that this book is for everyone.  It's crude at times and extremely sad at others (yes, I cried).  However, Buxton shares with her readers a commentary about mankind and other inhabitants of the world.  She has a way of painting a desolate view of the future with humor, wit, and emotion.  And just wait until you see what brought the humans down - classic.

I've seen a few interviews and there has been some mention that Buxton is not yet done with S.T.'s tale.  I honestly hope she isn't because I'm here to say I would pre-order a sequel sight unseen.

MY RATING: 5 PAWS (and more)

COYER CHALLENGE UPDATE: Read a book featuring an animal prominently in the story.

Can't Wait Wednesday (222)

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

And in honor of DOG DAYS OF SUMMER, all month long you'll be getting a pick from me and an additional one from Cassius!

FROM GOODREADS: Time Traveler’s Wife meets Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind in a wondrous novel exploring the burdens of time, the endurance of love, and the timelessness of family.

Just because life might be out of order, doesn’t mean it’s broken.

It’s new years eve 1982, and Oona Lockhart has her whole life before her. At the stroke of midnight she will turn nineteen, and the year ahead promises to be one of consequence. Should she go to London to study economics, or follow her heart and remain at home in Brooklyn to be with her boyfriend? As the countdown to the new year begins, Oona feels lightheaded, woozy, and it’s not from the champagne. At the stroke of midnight Oona is torn from her life and everyone she loves, finding herself in her 51 year old body thirty-three years into the future. Greeted by a friendly stranger in a beautiful house she’s told is her own, Oona learns that will with each passing year she will leap to another age at random. Still a young woman on the inside, but ever changing on the outside, who will she be next year? Philanthropist? Club kid? World traveler? Wife to a man she’s never met? 

Hopping through decades, and a lifetime Oona Out of Order is a surprising, magical novel that explores the power of love, the bonds of family, and the wonders of life. 

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I think this one sounds kind of fun because of all the waking up in a different age of life each year.  Not my usual genre but I'm still curious about it.

CASSIUS' PICK:

FROM GOODREADS:  A Dog's Promise continues the story of Bailey, the good dog whose journey started in A Dog's Purpose and continued in A Dog's Journey (both major motion pictures). This time, Bailey is joined by Lacey, another very special dog, who helps Bailey fulfill his promise over the course of several lives.

This charming, wise canine soul brings joy, laughter, and comfort as he unites a family fractured by life's inevitable obstacles. The love and loyalty of these two memorable dogs shows us the incredible power of hope, truth, and unending devotion in this moving novel by award-winning author W. Bruce Cameron. 

WHY CASS CAN'T WAIT: First of all I love the dog on the cover.  Secondly, Bailey and Lacey sound pretty cool.  I keep telling Mom that she needs to read this series but she keeps telling me she doesn't want to be sad right now.  I get it but I think she's missing out!

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU WAITING FOR THIS WEEK???

Dog Days of Summer 2019!

So once again this year I'll be participating in the 3rd Annual Dog Days of Summer.  This is a reading challenge hosted by Jolene of Jo's Book Blog and La La in the Library.  I don't think that all the details are up yet but basically yep, you read dog books and post cool dog posts.  There are giveaways and instagram tags as well.  So if this sounds like something you'd enjoy, please check them out.  

So I never have a shortage of dog books to read and I know I won't get to all of these because I have some other commitments but I'm going to give it a good shot!  Here's some of what might get read this month.  

So are you joining in and what are you planning on reading???