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I don't know if you guys remember the post I shared last September about my longtime blogging friend, Chrissy, who was trying to raise money to get her book published, He Chose Me, The Joy Of Loving a Senior Dog. Well, guess what? She finally got it published. Yahooooo...I am so happy and excited for her that I could do a doggie piddle right here on my hardwood floor!

Last month, Chrissy emailed me a draft of the book so that I could take a pre-peek and it's faaaaaabulous! The photo you see above is the illustrated book cover. Isn't it precious? In fact, the whole book is precious and very well-done.

So, it is with great pride and joy that I turn the floor over to Chrissy today, by allowing her to share with you the journey she went through in bringing her book to fruition.

Congratulations, Chrissy! Wishing you much success!

X ya!

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Hi Everyone!

I was super excited when my dear friend Ron invited me to do a guest post to talk about my new book, He Chose Me, the Joy of Loving a Senior Dog. I left my full time, super stressful job in hospital administration a year ago to pursue my love of writing. Though I had never considered writing a book, I was pretty sure that if I ever did it would be more Fifty Shades of Gray than Goodnight Gorilla. Sometimes you just don't know where life will lead you.

In 2012, I adopted my 4th senior dog, Maddie. She was the kind of dog you shied away from at the shelter. She was an old 10, could barely walk and had patches of fur missing but her sad story touched my heart so I decided to bring her home, thinking I could give her a few months in a loving home before she crossed the proverbial Rainbow Bridge. I started on her medication for her arthritis, gave her a quality dog food and treated her skin issues. This combined with being around my crazy pack made Maddie a different dog! She barked and played with her siblings but still had some mobility issues. She was a great dog and yet, people still would ask me over and over "Why would I adopt such an old dog?" They just didn't get it and nothing I seemed to say would sway their opinion.

My love for Maddie and my frustration with all these naysayers motivated me to write this book. There are millions of dogs that end up in shelters every year and the oldest ones are by far the hardest to place. I wanted to address this serious issue in the most thoughtful and gentle manner and a children's book seemed to be the perfect vehicle to do so. He Chose Me is the story of a little boy named Oliver who desperately wants a dog but is overwhelmed by the puppies at the pet store. A chance encounter with an old dog sends him in a whole different direction to a new best friend.

I launched a Kickstarter campaign at the end of 2013  to raise the money for my book and it was successfully funded! If you aren't familiar with Kickstarter, it's a crowd funding website where people can post projects related to music, journalism, comics, film and video games and then donors who believe in your project pledge the money to bring it to fruition.

I was completely clueless about the entire self-publishing process and it ended up being a much longer road than I anticipated. There are a lot of publishing companies out there who prey on the ignorance of people who have a dream of seeing their book in print and I ran across a bunch. I finally found a legitimate family owned company in Canada that I decided to work with. The other component was hiring an illustrator who was not only super talented but willing to work within my budget. I think it was fate that I found Jay Schwartz because he's not only a skilled illustrator but he has a rescued dog named Louie, the same name of the dog in my book!

Initial runs of the book will be donated to shelters, rescues and schools to use in their outreach efforts to promote senior dog adoption and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of subsequent books will go toward doing the same going forward. Since you're all friends of Ron's, if you are interested in purchasing the book, I invite you to visit the rescue/shelter owner webpage where I am offering He Chose Me to them for 10% off the regular $12.50 price.

www.seniordoglove.com

Thank you, Ron, for giving me a chance to address your friends and thank you all for listening. Let's save some senior dogs!

Chrissy

Senior dogs Chrissy has adopted

Have a SUPER weekend everyone!
X

54 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Chrissie. You persevered with the book, that's something I didn't do. I felt quite emotional reading how you found Maddie and took her on board and you're right, people do tend to choose younger dogs without realising the love you can experience with an older one. Their loss, methinks.


    I would love to buy your book since I'm a doggy lover, too, will it be available in the UK? Good luck with the sales.

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  2. Congrats on getting your book published! I love that it is for such a good cause! I have not yet had a chance to take a shelter dog home because we live in a tiny apartment and my pup is a little less than friendly but when we get a home of our own that is one of the goals, getting a shelter dog to have a loving home. After reading this post I may be considering out first shelter dog to be an elderly one. I love the idea of helping an animal in need and you are right they get over-looked far too much. So glad Ronnie shared this today, very awesome story!

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  3. Well done Chrissie on getting your book published, good luck with it!

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  4. Oh, my goodness, I've got tears in my eyes and I haven't even read the book yet!


    Chrissy, congratulations and God bless you for writing about such a sensitive, important issue! I wish you all the success in the world with "He Chose Me." In a society that puts so much value on youth and good looks, this is a story that needs to be told.


    Ron. thanks so much for giving up your blog space today so Chrissy could spread the word. I hope you both have a great holiday weekend and do take care!

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  5. Hi Shae!
    Thank you so much! And thank for you considering adopting a shelter dog. You won't regret it if you choose a senior. Sometimes, you go into the relationship knowing there are challenges (like with my Maddie) but other times, you have a perfectly healthy dog with a number of years ahead of them ( like my Millie). Either way, you're guaranteed a loving, grateful pup.

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  6. Congratulations Chrissy! Yes, I do remember the post that you shared back in September about your book and am so happy to hear that you raised the funds and got it published because it's for such a great cause. I love the book cover, it's so sweet! I will be sure to share this post with my friends to get the word out there. The best to you and much success!

    Thank you for allowing Chrissy to share this beautiful follow up post, Ron. Have a wonderful weekend x

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  7. Thanks so much for stopping by Shae!

    Isn't it fabulous that Chrissy got her book published? I am so happy!!!

    *doing the happy dance*

    You GO, Chrissy!
    X

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  8. Thank you for stopping by, Pearl!


    Have a lovely weekend!
    X

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  9. Cheers to you, Chrissy! Congratulations on getting your book published because this is for such an important issue and cause. I found myself getting very emotional reading your story. I love the way the book cover illustration turned out because it's very warm and inviting. I have a feeling this book will bring a much needed awareness.


    Wishing you all the very best!


    And Ron, thank you for sharing this with us, dude!

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  10. Hi Valerie!
    Thank you! So am I hearing you say that you have a story that's just waiting to be told? I can hook you up with my publisher, ;-)
    You're right. It's totally their loss!
    I'm actually trying to set up a way to allow international purchases but I'm still working on that. I'll keep you posted!

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  11. Hi Rob!
    Thanks for your kind words. You're so right about society putting value on youth and good looks. Personally, I think a frosted face on a dog is pretty darn gorgeous!
    Thank you~ you have a great weekend, too!

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  12. Hi Denise!
    Thank you so much! I was so pleased with the way the cover turned out, too. You're right, it does convey a sweet message. I'm glad you like it!
    I really appreciate you offering to share the post so we can increase awareness about these forgotten gems!

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  13. Hi Matt!
    Thank you for your kind words. I'm hoping that, as you say, it will bring more awareness. There are so many of these amazing dogs that need to find their forever homes.
    And I'm so glad you like the cover! Ron gave me a thumbs up when I first sent it to him. We both knew we had a winner.
    Thanks, again!

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  14. Hey there Valerie! Much thanks for stopping by, dear lady. Have a lovely birthday weekend!
    X

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  15. Hey there Rob! I was SO happy, excited, and honored to share my space with Chrissy so that she could spread the word. GO, Chrissy!


    Have a super weekend, buddy!
    X

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  16. Hola Denise! Thanks much for stopping by girl, and for lending your support!


    Have a WONDERFUL weekend!
    x

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  17. Hiya Matt! As Chrissy shared, it's a TWO THUMBS up book - a winner! Much thanks for stopping by, buddy. Have an excellent weekend!
    X

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  18. What a great way to bring awareness to a problem in the shelters! Congrats Chrissy & good luck with your book! Have a great weekend Ron!

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  19. Ron, you're a sweetheart to introduce us to Chrissy -- and what a good thing she's done! These senior dogs need just as much love and care (probably more, in most cases) than puppies do, but it's the scrambling puppy antics that get the most attention. Throwing away a pet just because it got old is like throwing away a person who's no longer young -- unthinkable!

    Chrissy, thanks for telling us about your road to publication. Good for you, getting the crowd funding project to succeed!

    Happy weekend, both of you!

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  20. Hi Benzeknees!
    Thank you so much! Let's hope kids start nagging their parents about getting senior dogs. :-)

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  21. Hi Debbie!
    You make such a great point about throwing away the old! The saddest stories I hear are the ones of people turning in their old dogs for puppies. It's heartbreaking.
    Thank you!

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  22. Congrats on the publication, Chrissy! I am not a pet person, but if I were, I'd definitely want a dog more my speed . . . An easy going senior!

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  23. Hi Bijoux!
    Thank you! That's so funny! I say the same thing. I'm too tired for young children and puppies. :-)

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  24. Chrissy, I went back and the read the post from last September and remembered it. I am so happy to hear that you got the resources to publish your book because I feel (being a big dog lover) that this is such an important message. "I wanted to address this serious issue in the most thoughtful and gentle manner and a children's book seemed to be the perfect vehicle to do so." And I think that was a great idea because in sharing this story through a children's book, it not only teaches them something but also their parents and adults.


    We should all honor and care for the elderly, whether it be dogs or people.


    Congratulations on getting this book published and I wish you much success and love.


    Ron, thank you for sharing Chrissy with us!

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  25. Have a wonderful weekend too, Benze. And thank you for stopping by!

    X

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  26. Debbie I loved this....

    "Throwing away a pet just because it got old is like throwing away a person who's no longer young -- unthinkable!"



    Amen!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, dear lady. Have a fabulous weekend!
    X

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  27. Much thanks for stopping by, Bijoux. Have a super weekend! X

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  28. Hi Robert (fellow dog lover!),
    You hit the nail on the head! I'm really hoping that the book will get parents thinking, too. I agree, we should respect and cherish the elderly instead of tossing them aside.
    Thank you for your kind words.

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  29. Hey ho Robert!

    It was an honor to share Chrissy's great news. She worked long and hard to get this book published. And it's a faaaabulous book with a sweet and very inspiring message!

    Have a grrrreat weekend, buddy. And thank you so much for stopping by!
    X

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  30. Congratulations Chrissy, I remember your earlier post and I'm really glad you got the book published. Love the cover too.

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  31. Hi Dale!
    So glad you like the cover. Thank you for your kind words!

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  32. Hey there Dale!

    Much thanks for stopping by, buddy. Hope you're having a terrific weekend!

    X

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  33. I just love the whole concept of this! Senior dogs have a special place in my heart. All they want is love and they ask nothing in return. What a wonderful idea ... This book! Congratulations on raising the funding and finally seeing your dream come true! Yay you! I am going to head on over to the website and check out the book!
    Jeanne

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  34. Hi Jeanne!
    You're exactly right! They just want love and a warm place to lay their head. Thank you so much!

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  35. Hello there Jeanne!

    Yes, isn't Chrissy's concept of this book brilliant? I've never seen anything else like it.

    MUCH thanks for stopping by, my friend X

    Happy Memorial Day weekend!

    X to you and the girlz!

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  36. Congratulations to your friend! And what sweet faces on those old pups.

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  37. Hi Petra!

    That's so insightful of you to mention that us "older and wiser folk" are the ones to appreciate them. The demographic of my He Chose Me Facebook page followers is 38-50. :-)

    I know! Can you believe the illustrator has a dog named Louie? And he's even a beagle mix, my breed of choice!

    Thanks for your thoughtful words, Petra.

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  38. Hi Nite Byrd,

    Awww...you have a senior named Toast? Cherish every moment with your sweet baby! I'm sorry about Tony. I'm sure he's playing with my Maddie now. I just lost her a few weeks ago.

    Thank you! I hope you love the book. :-)

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  39. Hi Secret Agent Woman (Best name ever!)
    Thank you so much! The sweet faces on my babies match their sweet souls.

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  40. What a fabulous project. I know it will do such good. Thanks, Chrissy and Ron.

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  41. Petra, it was an honor and joy to share Chrissy's book with everyone! Thank you so much for stopping by and for your beautiful words. You're a sweetheart!

    X

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  42. Hey there Nitebyrd!


    MUCH thanks for stopping by, Sis! You're gonna LOVE Chrissy's book!!!!!


    Have a fabulous Memorial Day tomorrow!


    X ya!

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  43. Aren't the faces on Chrissy's pups adorable?


    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have a great Memorial Day holiday tomorrow!
    X

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  44. thanks for the update and what a wonderful thing to do for maddie, chrissy. just like people even the elderly or senior dogs have something to offer. glad you gave her that chance.

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  45. What a great story! It breaks my heart to see older animals in shelters. We adopted an adult cat at a local fair. She was surrounded by kittens. I love what you're doing and love that you wrote a book about it. Good luck!

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  46. Hey there Jayne!

    "I know it will do such good."

    Yup...I think the same thing. It's a charming book with a great message.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you had a super Memorial Day weekend!
    X

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  47. Hey Val!


    Thank you so much for your support. And thank you for stopping by!


    X

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  48. Hiya Lauren!


    As I shared, I got to read a draft of the book and it's truly wonderful. It's a sweet story with a very inspiring message.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you had a super Memorial Day weekend!


    x

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  49. Hi Jayne!
    Thank you so much! I love when I get such positive feedback about the cause.

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  50. Hi Val!
    Thank you for your kind words. I would do it all over again. She was such a special girl. :-)

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  51. Hi Lauren!


    Thank you for adopting an older cat! Kittens and puppies sell themselves but it takes a special person to see the value of older animals.



    Thanks so much for your kind wishes.

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  52. My baby dog is now a senior. Toast is 16 years old. I am so buying your book! Thank you Ron, for posting this - I wish I knew about the Kickstarter campaign. That's what I get for being a slacker.

    Thank you Chrissy for writing about this. Your Dino looks just like my Tony who crossed the bridge a few years ago.


    (Ron, I'll be trying to catch up soon. Miss you!)

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  53. What a touching and wonderful story! I must read this book.

    Of course, the oohs and ahhs seem to go hand-in-hand with youngsters and puppies, doesn't it? But look at those beautiful faces! I truly believe it takes us older and wiser folk to appreciate such beauties and their struggling journeys. I am so moved by your compassion, Chrissy.
    And that the illustrator's dog's name is Louie? How serendipitous is that?
    It was meant to be!
    Congratulations, Chrissy, and, thank you, Ron, for sharing! :))
    p.s. Going to visit senior dog love straight away...

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