Friday, November 23, 2012

Guest Book Review “Daily Dose of Dogs (aka Cats with Your Coffee)” Written by Chrystal Parker (Review by Kevin of Animal Shelter Volunteer Life)


I’ve been a fan of the “Daily Dose of Dogs (aka Cats with Your Coffee)” blog (http://dogsandcats.typepad.com/) for about two years, so I was delighted to learn that private animal rescuer Chrystal Parker – the person behind the blog – had written a book about her tireless efforts to save animals in rural Southern Illinois.

The book, which shares its title with the blog, is Chrystal’s first, and chronicles one year in her ongoing mission to help the homeless creatures – big, small and every size in between – that cross her path.

Writing in an engaging diary style (the prose in the book is taken directly from Chrystal’s blog entries), she invites her readers to share in the daily triumphs and heartbreaks that come with animal rescue.  She entertains, teaches, and encourages, and in doing so helps her readers believe that even the smallest kindnesses can – and do – make a difference.

For those who wonder what keeps Chrystal going, there are insights galore to be found in the book.  What started as a way to help address animal overpopulation in rural Southern Illinois has shaped her, and given her a certainty that everything matters. The essence of this point is captured poignantly when she writes:

…once you love something, that love never ends.  It extends into eternity.  Love is forever.  We move through this life experiencing joy and heartache.  Love is the basis for both.  I wouldn’t give up the Love even to avoid the heartache.

Also included in the book is the genesis of Chrystal’s rescue (named “Winnie’s Wish”), and happy follow-up tales of the animals adopted during the year it was written, including one (once known as Ash, and now named Jimmy) who went all the way to Toronto, Canada.  (Note: Chrystal’s rescues have found new homes in her area, and in places as far away as Georgia, California, Montreal, and Toronto.)
"Circe"

“I hope this book will help people feel good about what’s happening with homeless animals in one little corner of the world,” Chrystal recently wrote in an email, “and that it instills a belief that together, we can make a difference for animals everywhere.”

I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THIS “FEEL GOOD” BOOK.  Its nearly 600 pages are brimming with stories of love, selfless giving, and the incredible bonds that exist between humans and animals.  You will almost certainly be changed after reading it.  You will be encouraged.  You will come away knowing that the little things DO matter.  For these reasons and more, Daily Dose of Dogs (aka Cats with Your Coffee) would also make a wonderful and uplifting holiday gift.  And here’s an important added bonus: ALL proceeds from sales of the book go directly to fund Chrystal’s Winnie’s Wish rescue (http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/IL682.html), and the amazing work being done there.
"Frosting"

For more information, or to purchase Daily Dose of Dogs (aka Cats with Your Coffee), please visit the book’s pages at Amazon (http://amzn.to/P0HCSs), Barnes & Noble (http://bit.ly/P6p8l3), or Xlibris (http://bit.ly/MQWeRK); or contact Chrystal directly at c3k@lazernetwireless.net. [ISBN: 978-1-4691-8854-6 (soft cover) / 978-1-4691-8855-3 (e-book)]

Kevin (aka “meowmeowmans”)

44 comments:

  1. Hi Caren and Cody!
    Thank you for sharing this review from Kevin with us. It sounds like a fantastic book - one I will be adding to my wish list!

    I have a question that someone might be able to answer - are the diary entries written in regular type or italics? I only ask because my vision impairment makes it hard to read italics, so if it's written in italics, I'll find someone to read it to me :)

    Cody, we hope you can stop by to see us sometime. We love seeing you and reading your posts!

    Purrs,
    Carmine, Milita, and Jewel
    (and the human mom)

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    1. It is in regular type. She adds a few notes here and there, but it is an easy read.

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    2. just signed up to follow you! You have so many blogs that i wasn't sure which one but I think I got the right one! xoxoxo

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    3. Thanks for visiting us, Caren!! :)

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  2. what a wonderful woman and a great job she is doing,Speedys mum

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  3. Nice review. Have a fabulous Friday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  4. Great review Kevin. Hope she sells some of those books. Have a great day.

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  5. Feel good books are a must at this time of year, well any time of year really!! Great review :) More power to the rescuers x

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  6. That was a really great review and we enjoyed it!

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  7. It looks and sounds very moving. Chrystal's words resonates so deeply in my - especially "I wouldn’t give up the love even to avoid the heartache"... It epitomizes what I feel!!! Thanks for always sharing such sweetness!
    Love and hugs
    from your furry friends in Greece,
    Joan

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  8. It sounds like a wonderful book. Thanks for the review!
    Purrs

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  9. Caren and Kevin,
    I cannot begin to thank you enough. Kevin, your review is glowing and you know how much this work means to me and how much it helps me to get the word out about the book. My BIG dream is to have the book catch on and sell enough to actually help fund the continuation (or even expansion) of my rescue work. Caren, you are SO kind to offer a place for Kevin to do this book review. My passion for animal rescue is matched by my deep gratitude for the help I receive from wonderful folks like you. Kevin and Caren - THANK YOU!!!

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    1. it is my pleasure and you are most welcome! I am just sorry that I was sooo backed up on reviews that I couldn't do this one, that being said, I am honored and THRILLED to have had Kevin help out! He did an amazing job! THANK YOU KEVIN!! Thank you Chrystal for all that you do! xoxo

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    2. Thank you, Caren and Cody, for your ongoing friendship, and for giving me a place to share my enthusiasm about Chrystal's amazing book!

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    3. And Chrystal, you are certainly welcome. Your work is amazing, and it truly comes alive in the pages of your book. Thank you for all you do! :)

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  10. great review Kevin - and I join Chrystal in thanking Caren for posting this.....

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  11. What a great and thoughtful review, Kevin...
    This line alone has it at the top of our wish and read list:
    "We move through this life experiencing joy and heartache. Love is the basis for both. I wouldn’t give up the Love even to avoid the heartache."

    (((purrs)))

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    1. Thank you, Katie and Glogirly! I an so glad that I was able to convey how wonderful this book is. I know you'll SO enjoy reading it. :). Hugs to you both!

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  12. Oh boy! I LOVE THIS BOOK!! It really is just as wonderful as Kevin says! Seriously! Think about getting one for yourself and a bunch for gifts! :)
    I'm not just saying this because the kitty I adopted from Chrystal makes his first hiss filled appearance near the end of the book, a poor little puff ball and his 5 sisters being rescued and not so happy about it! It is so well written, the heart of Chrystal for animals so clearly seen, it'll make you laugh and cry, and keep reading!
    Thank you Caren and Kevin!

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    1. you are welcome Andrea and we thank Kevin and Chrystal as well!

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    2. You're welcome, Andrea. I'm happy to do anything I can to help Chrystal do her amazing rescue work! I know you feel the same way. Thank YOU! :)

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  13. A wonderful book ~ we love it, and a great review!

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  14. we noe R commint haz nothin ta due with yur post but we haz eated two manee piez
    and bee sneekin over heere stead oh werkin

    heerz a copy N paste...hit it:

    burd day iz over but weez knot sad
    we eated noe burd N we bee trooly glad
    if ya haz sum pie ya can still cell a brate
    hope yur week oh end iz trooly sooper grate

    haza awesum week oh end, peace
    out N rock on

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  15. Thanks for recommending this book. Everybody needs a feel-good read here and there!


    Pet lovers please check out my homeless cat blog archives for some informative posts and stories about the cat abandoned/feral colony I manage.

    http://homelesscatcare.blogspot.com/

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  16. This sounds wonderful and Kevin, whom we adore did an awesome job. We need more. feel good books and motivation to help kitties!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, Layla! We adore you, too! :). It really is a wonderful book!

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  17. This sounds like a very uplifting and touching story. I'm going to buy it as a gift for myself this holiday season. Caren and Cody, thanks for posting the guest book review.

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    1. Cool! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Mr. Black! :)

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  18. Thanks for the wonderful review! This is the group Leo and Star and their Mommy raise money for, right? We luffs them! XOXOXO

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    1. Hiya Spitty! You're absolutely right. Star and Leo and their Mom Andrea do a GREAT job of raising awareness and money for Chrystal and Winnie's Wish. AND Leo was rescued by Chrystal! How cool is that?! :)

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  19. Lovely review =)
    Sounds like something I would like to read!

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    1. Thank you, Maggie! You should definitely give Chrystal's book a read. It really is terrific. :)

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  20. We told our Pops about Winnies Wish and he is now helping by donation! When we told him about the book he jumped right on it! What a wonderful way to support a great cause! A great deal too!
    We gave Thanks for having friends like you who remind the world about what matters!
    Purrs
    TImmy T and Family

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    1. Thank you so much, Timmy and Pops! That is really awesome of you fo help Winnie's Wish, and I bet you'll enjoy the book!

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  21. Ooh, that looks like a good stocking stuffer for my my mom person!

    Nubbin wiggles,
    Oskar

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  22. Wonderful reveiw! Sounds like a pawsome book :)

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  23. Sounds like a wonderful and heartfelt book. Thank you for the review, Kevin!

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  24. Thanks for sharing this review! Sounds like a really good book! It's going to be on my wishlist. :)

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  25. It sounds like a good book to read on a cold winter morning, all snuggled up with a couple kitties.

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  26. Hi Pal, Just dropping in to say Happy Sunday--hope yours was easy!

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  27. This is a fantastic book and I don't say that just because my own Winnie's Wish cat, Lady Audrey Nova StarWatcher nee Sparkles, makes an appearance near the end. I was going to buy it and give it to my mother but that didn't work out because, of course I had to read it myself! Sorry mom!! Seriously, it's that good. I do suggest keeping tissue & chocolate nearby because there are lows as well as highs in her book. But oh... oh... Chrystal is just an amazing person. And her writing reflects that. Beware buying one copy as a gift for someone else! You'll want one to stay at home!!

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