An Author’s Dream Book Launch Party

Allen and Linda Anderson

The #AnimalStars book launch was a grand event. We were amazed and very happy to see all the excitement and love for the book and for American Humane Association. The book party was at Fox Studios in Los Angeles in the ballroom.

Leading up to the ballroom was the red carpet, backdrops with ANIMAL STARS book cover images, and massive posters lining the red carpet on the other side of the entrance aisle. Hundreds of well-wishers attended. At one point, when our coauthor Dr. Robin Ganzert asked, “And what’s the name of this book?” everyone sang in unison, “ANIMAL STARS!”

ANIMAL STARS — Book Launch Party

 

Animal Stars

The party included food, drink, and lots of laughter. Many of the book’s contributing authors/trainers attended with their animal stars who were featured in the book. People were getting photos and videos of themselves with the famous animal actors. Crystal, the capuchin monkey star of NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM and WE BOUGHT A ZOO was a full participant in the celebrations. She graced us by sitting on our shoulders and grooming our hair. What an actress!

Celebrities James Denten (Mike the Plumber on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) and Animal Planet host and author Victoria Stilwell were enjoying the party as well as a young man from television that the teenagers all knew and adored.

Animal Stars Director’s Chair

We were thrilled to meet Dr. Marty Becker, official veterinarian for GOOD MORNING AMERICA and the DR. OZ SHOW. He wrote the foreword for our first ANGEL ANIMALS book and for this book. Such a nice man. Our publicist for all these years, Monique Muhlenkamp was also at the party representing our publisher New World Library.

Allen and Linda Anderson with their Friends at the Animal Stars Book Launch Party

Margo, Linda, and Arlene

It was an author’s dream book launch party. And we are grateful to have had the opportunity of meeting people who sent the book off with a good start. Many came up and told us they have been reading and loving our books for years. What a treat! Who knew?

Linda, Crystal, & Allen

Robin Ganzert and Friends

Meeting Finder, the Horse Who Played Joey in Steven Spielberg’s War Horse

From childhood, we have always felt loved horses. We love horses so much that we have written two books about these amazing creatures. Just as millions of people around the world have, we watched the Thoroughbred Joey in Steven Spielberg’s movie War Horse and marveled at the horse’s acting and athletic ability. Remember the spectacular scene when Joey jumps over the World War I tanks? The horse’s keen intelligence and bravery heightened our regard for him from respect to awe.

Finder

What a treat it would be to actually meet Finder, the amazing horse who played the role of Joey, and his incredible trainer Bobby Lovgren. Part of our extensive research as co-authors with Robin Ganzert, PhD, president and CEO of American Humane Association, for our new book Animal Stars: Behind the Scenes with Your Favorite Animal Actors, was to meet the celebrity animals who star in film and television and to interview their world-class trainers.

In mid-July 2013, we drove to the home of Bobby Lovgren, his wife Wendy, and their family. Coming from the Midwest’s Twin Cities, we were unaccustomed to the dry desert heat and cooled down by sipping on icy fruit smoothies. Relying on a crisp-voiced GPS navigator, we wound our way outside Los Angeles to a world where animals are the stars.

We arrived at Bobby’s home to find a horse ranch with stables and corrals. After graciously greeting us, Bobby and Wendy brought us into a spacious open room of their home. Its walls and shelving displayed photos and memorabilia from movies for which Bobby had trained and wrangled horses. The Lovgren’s home seemed like a sanctuary where a world-traveled trainer could rest and regroup with his family between assignments.

Interviewing Bobby

We set up our microphone and tape recorder and retrieved our notepads for taking additional notes. Bobby’s stories and adventures as a movie animal trainer kept us entertained and enlightened. He stressed his determination that safety protocols be followed for horses and other animal actors. He explained that he repeatedly practices any trick or action a horse is asked to perform. Without patience and careful practice, Bobby would not allow the horse to do the trick.

Finder and Bobby Lovgren

His one regret? Often scenes that took weeks of practice and orchestration to do safely, get attributed to CGI effects by audiences (and even movie reviewers).

Sometimes, Bobby has to refuse a director’s request for an action but usually can find a safe alternative for getting the same effect. He expressed his appreciation for having American Humane Association Certified Animal Safety Representatives on set. When Bobby feels concern over doing animal action, the safety reps are always firmly in his corner and helping to find other ways to accomplish the director’s goals.

Our conversation turned to talking about Finder. We had already interviewed Bobby on the phone for his story in Animal Stars, “Finder, as Joey in War Horse, a Director’s Dream Actor.” Bobby describes Finder is a Thoroughbred who adds a touch of attitude to every performance. One of the statements in his story had made us especially eager to meet this magnificent horse. He had said, “Finder is the most challenging animal I’ve worked with because he loves when cameras and people are around. They energize him. A professional, he brings something new to each scene.”

Meeting Finder

At last, it was time for us to meet Finder. As we walked to a fenced-in running area that held several horses, and Bobby left to bring the famous gelding to us, we talked to each other about all the kind words Steven Spielberg had said about Bobby and Finder. Flown to England for War Horse, Finder and Bobby impressed Steven Spielberg with their professionalism and skill. About the experience, the iconic director had written for Animal Stars, “I thought the centaur was a mythological creature until I watched Bobby Lovgren and Finder interacting. At one point, I could not tell man from horse. They both performed admirably.”

Finder

Soon, Bobby brought Finder to a large open area that he uses for training and exercising his horses. Beautiful, muscular, and confident, Finder strutted next to Bobby as they entered the arena. The power of Finder’s pride and presence was palpable. While some people meet a Holly wood star and feel disappointed, saying things such as, “He’s shorter than he looks onscreen,” Finder was even more imposing than he appeared in War Horse. Everything Bobby had told us about him was true–and more: This horse had attitude!

Bobby allowed Finder to show off a bit for his visitors by rearing up on his hind legs, running, and trotting. Finished for the time being with impressing us, he came over to where we had been watching him, awestruck. At Bobby’s instruction, Finder carefully lay down on the ground. We gathered around, knelt in the dust, and stroked our hands across his sleek back and sides.

Finder with Allen & Linda Anderson

The trust and affection between Bobby and Finder were total. It was apparent that these two knew each other well and deeply. We observed an unbreakable connection of two strong individuals who trusted and respected each other. They had become comrades, sharing their life’s adventures together.

In his story Bobby had commented on their teamwork by saying, “Although some might not call what Finder does acting, I’ve noticed that he heightens his actions when people are around. He lets me create emotions for him to show, and the expressions on his face make him easy to read. I’ve never seen a more expressive horse.”

Right about that! During a short photo session Finder made a special connection with Linda as he gently placed his head on her shoulder.

Bobby told us that American Humane Association’s Film & TV Unit, which officially oversees hundreds of filmed media productions each year as part to of its “No Animals Were Harmed®” service, often brings new staff to the Lovgren ranch to watch Bobby properly and safely train and work with horses. As we left the Lovgrens and Finder, we felt honored to have met a matchless team of human trainer–and animal teacher.

Animal Stars

ANIMAL STARS: Behind the Scenes with Your Favorite Animal Actors by Robin Ganzert, PhD, and Allen & Linda Anderson with a foreword by “America’s Veterinarian” Marty Becker, DVM, is published by New World Library. It will be released as an e-book on August 19th in major e-book retailers and available in bookstores by September 25, 2014. For details on receiving a free gift with a pre-order of Animal Stars and to see endorsements from Temple Grandin, Naomi Judd, Lisa Vanderpump, Carson Kressley, Jon Turtletraub, Quentin Tarantino, Zac Ephron, and other celebrities, go to www.animalstarsbook.com.

Allen and Linda Anderson performing a reading and book signing at Magers & Quinn Booksellers, Minneapolis, MN

We enjoyed our time at Magers and Quinn Booksellers!  We read from A DOG NAMED LEAF and signed books.  We loved talking with the animal lover attendees.

Allen and Linda Anderson at Magers and Quinn Booksellers.

Dogs and the Women Who Love Them

IS YOUR PET CONSIDERATE?

We don’t recall seeing articles about animal family members being considerate. There have been some studies showing animal altruism though.

In our home, our cat Cuddles lives up to her name and cuddles up next to Linda at night on our bed. She’s very considerate not to wake up Linda until morning, when she decides it’s time for her breakfast.

Our cockatiel Sunshine is considerate when we use the spray bottle, filled with warm water, to give him his morning bath. He raises his wings so we can spray under them and puts his head down for a good spray of his head feathers.

The reason this theme is on our minds today, though, is that our dog Leaf, one of our life’s greatest spiritual teachers, often shows us consideration. He’s definitely not a – my way or the highway – kind of guy.

Although we mainly do our writing at home, if we need to meet with a client, Linda carefully puts on her makeup to prepare. Sensing that we’re about to leave the house, Leaf is eager to kiss Linda’s face with his long, pink tongue. So Linda says, “Leaf, don’t kiss off all my makeup.” And she turns away so he can’t reach her cheeks.

The other day, it appeared that Leaf got the message. As Linda was ready to leave the house, she bent down to kiss him on his head. In turn, he very carefully kissed her only on the tip of her nose. With great discipline, he put his tongue back in his mouth and refrained from plastering her face with any more kisses.

Considerate.

Have your pets been considerate to you or others? Send us your stories to .

Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network — Spiritual Perspectives for People Who Believe Pets Are Family Member
http://www.angelanimals.net

To subscribe to the Angel Animals Story of the Week, send a blank message to
AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com

A DOG NAMED LEAF — “the most unusual dog book ever”

A DOG NAMED LEAF

When Allen Anderson’s doctor called him with life-shattering news that he had two potentially fatal conditions – a brain aneurysm, which could rupture at any time, and a blood clot aimed at his heart, he faced even more harrowing prospects than when he worked as an inner city Atlanta police officer. Although his wife Linda called him ‘Miracle Man,’ because he’d survived so many close calls, Allen thought his luck had finally run out. He could die suddenly or be debilitated like his father who suffered for years after a massive stroke.

Allen and Linda, empty-nesters whose children were grown, had recently rescued a one-year-old cocker spaniel they named Leaf, and the dog desperately needed their help to heal from traumatic effects of abandonment. After Allen’s diagnosis, he and his dog became comrades facing battles together.

Similar to the popular accounts by medical doctors and scientists who have had near-death experiences, Allen was unexpectedly catapulted into realms typically reserved for science fiction, such as credible otherworldly visions and end-of-life flashes.

Leaf’s demonstrations of heightened awareness defied easy explanations, too. Yet they echoed findings of a University of Western Ontario study that documents dogs are extremely good at figuring out what people need. Also, Goldsmiths College’s research on empathy suggests dogs consistently attempt to comfort their owners who are in distress.

Allen’s dual journey of a man and a dog coming together at exactly the right time for mutual healing raises profound questions about unexplored realms of consciousness, the reality of heaven, and new frontiers in relationships with animals. His hope is that by telling his story with honesty and courage, it will offer hope to anyone who has felt alone, powerless against fate, or who has wanted to find a true purpose in life.
A Dog Named Leaf (ISBN-10: 0762781654, ISBN-13: 978-0762781652), a 224-page paperback published by Lyons Press, an imprint of Globe Pequot, is available at major online book retailers, in bookstores, and at lyonspress.com. Visit the book’s Facebook page and view photos of Leaf at http://www.adognamedleaf.com or http://www.facebook.com/adognamedleaf

 

When has an animal served as your spiritual partner in life?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angel Animals Story of the Week – SPECIAL EDITION

September 16, 2012
Visit us at http://www.angelanimals.net
Dear Friends of Angel Animals,

Welcome to the Angel Animals Story of the Week – SPECIAL EDITION. We’re always happy to connect with fellow animal lovers.

A DOG NAMED LEAF

We invite you to check out a new book that is very dear to our heart. It is A DOG NAMED LEAF: The Hero from Heaven Who Saved My Life by Allen Anderson with Linda Anderson, published by Lyons Press, a division of Globe Pequot Press. Read more at http://www.adognamedleaf.com .

The official release date is November 6, 2012, but you can preorder at http://www.amazon.com/Dog-Named-Leaf-Heaven-Saved/dp/0762781653/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347838235&sr=1-1&keywords=a+dog+named+leaf

On Amazon.com if the pre-order price decreases between the time you order and the end of the release date, you’ll receive the lowest price.

You can also pre-order the book at the Barnes & Noble website: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-dog-named-leaf-allen-anderson/1111422376?ean=9780762781652

Why pre-order?

This book has been called “truly the most unusual dog book ever” by Dr. Marty Becker, DVM, resident veterinarian for GOOD MORNING AMERICA and THE DR. OZ SHOW.

Here’s what else Dr. Becker said about the book: “With its dramatic dual journey A DOG NAMED LEAF explores the intangibles of health and healing without attempting to explain them away. This memoir’s pulse-pounding brushes with danger, startling synchronicities, and insights on fulfilling one’s purpose in life offer hope and new perspectives on the expansive power of love.”

Wouldn’t you like to be the first kid on your block to have the book?

If you pre-order, as soon as the book is released, you can post customer reviews on Amazon and Barnes & Noble as well as online book clubs such as Good Reads. Tell the world about this amazing story of human-animal spiritual partnership and companionship.

There are millions of books published each year. We need your help to bring this inspiring book — so full of love and hope — to the attention of readers in a world that needs upliftment now more than ever.

Allen and Leaf’s mutual journey of healing is a miracle story like none you have ever read. We can promise you that with sincerity. Here’s why. As with all our other books, we ask well-known authors and celebrities to write “blurbs” or endorsements for the book. This one has endorsements by two NEW YORK TIMES best-selling authors as well as other authors of best-selling animal books.

Not only did well-respected authors love the book, they wrote glowing letters to us with their endorsements. One author wrote, “After finishing A DOG NAMED LEAF, I had to go lie down for a few minutes. What a story! Congratulations on what I’m sure will be a best selling memoir. Thank you for sharing it with me and allowing me to add an endorsement. Thanks for the opportunity to get a sneak peek at Leaf.”

We are grateful for your support and can’t wait for you to read this special book.

Why do YOU want to pre-order A DOG NAMED LEAF? Please share your comments and answers to the question on http://www.facebook.com/adognamedleaf and “Like” A Dog Named Leaf and Angel Animals.

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This week’s story is an excerpt from A DOG NAMED LEAF.

We encourage you to e-mail this newsletter in its entirety to your animal-loving friends and encourage them to sign up for our weekly publication. They will be joining a terrific community of thousands of like-minded people from around the world. We do not sell or share our newsletter subscriber list with anyone.

Animal blessings,
Allen & Linda Anderson

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STORY OF THE WEEK

A DOG NAMED LEAF — EXCERPT
By Allen Anderson with Linda Anderson

Excerpt from A DOG NAMED LEAF: The Hero from Heaven Who Saved My Life by Allen Anderson with Linda Anderson, published by Lyons Press, Guilford, Connecticut, 2012. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.
During my healing process Leaf became my channel for viewing and living in the strange postsurgery world where my body could no longer be trusted to do what was necessary. After I was cleared to drive again, I took Leaf to the dog park, so both of us could relax.

With my frontal lobe (that controls emotions) still not in total functioning mode after brain surgery, other drivers agitated me. I now understood how a person could be overtaken by road rage. To my embarrassment, I found myself yelling with the windows closed, at a driver who lingered at a stoplight.

It irritated me that they crossed lanes too closely in front of my car, chattered on their cell phones, or indulged in other poor driving habits. Ordinarily I wouldn’t have been fazed much and just made sure I got out of their way.

In our car CD player we keep a recording of around five thousand people chanting the mantra “HU.” For me, it is an incredibly soothing sound. The voices of all these chanters fluctuate and harmonize into a magnificent, unrehearsed symphony of high vibrational sound.

When I’m driving, I often push the button on the car stereo system and listen to the uplifting song waft through the speakers. With Leaf in the car, I doubly enjoy the chant, sensing that it also soothes and comforts him.

On this day, Leaf watched me from the front seat as my anger erupted at other drivers. I was like someone with Tourette’s syndrome, unable to censor my negative mind talk. After watching me scream at a bus that stopped frequently in front of my car, Leaf reached his paw over to the CD player. Out of six buttons on the stereo radio, he firmly pressed the one that allowed the CD to play.

The timing, position of his paw, his selection of buttons, and the CD that happened to be in the stereo could have all been coincidental. I didn’t care. I needed it. Consciously or not, I knew Leaf was being God’s messenger for me.

His act of compassion had its desired effect. I calmed down and let the chant heal my troubled, aching heart and mind. Gratitude welled up in me. My dog had figured out how to supply exactly what I needed to dissolve a passion of the mind I couldn’t control at that time.

I looked over at him. As if nothing had happened, as if he did this sort of thing every day, his attention returned to the traffic. His curious eyes darted back and forth, as he watched cars whiz by.

Who was this dog? If I couldn’t register an oncoming vehicle, would he lean over and steer the car out of the way for me too?. . . .

I knew now that life had turned our relationship to its flip side. Leaf was rescuing and trying to heal me. This little black cocker spaniel, abandoned and thrown out like someone’s trash, had become nothing less than a spiritual giant in my life.

Visit http://www.adognamedleaf.com, http://www.facebook/adognamedleaf, and http://www.facebook/AngelAnimals for photos of Leaf.

BIO:

In 1996, Allen Anderson and his wife Linda Anderson founded the Angel Animals Network to use the power of story for raising awareness of the spiritual gifts pet family members bring to homes. They are award-winning authors who have written 15 books, with a half-million in print, translated into multiple languages. The Andersons’ books have been featured on Oprah.com, the Today Show, ABC’s Nightly News, Amazon.com’s Hot 100, and B&N’s Top 10. In December 2012 a video of Leaf will be part of Animal Planet’s special, “A Year in Pup Culture.” The Andersons live in Minneapolis, Minnesota with their cat Cuddles, cockatiel Sunshine, and a dog named Leaf.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:

When has an animal served as your spiritual partner in life?

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ADDITIONAL ENDORSEMENTS FOR A DOG NAMED LEAF:

“A DOG NAMED LEAF is a very touching and well-written book that clearly comes from Allen Anderson’s heart. Although I am not a religious or spiritual person and couldn’t wrap my mind around some of the things that happened in Allen and Leaf’s story, the more I read, the more my skepticism melted. I am convinced of Leaf’s ability to sense what Allen needed. This book will make readers feel as if they know Leaf, and they’ll grow to love him too.” –Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, Ph.D., NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of 24 books, including WHEN ELEPHANTS WEEP, DOGS NEVER LIE ABOUT LOVE, and THE DOG WHO COULDN’T STOP LOVING

“When I rescued my companion dog Jethro, I realized this wonderful being also rescued me and taught me valuable life lessons. A troubled and scarred shelter dog and a former police officer face life and death challenges together making A DOG NAMED LEAF impossible to put down. Its unexpected twists and turns kept me pinned to the pages and cheering for Leaf and Allen to heal and succeed together. Read this most inspirational book and share it widely.” –Marc Bekoff, author of THE EMOTIONAL LIVES OF ANIMALS, WILD JUSTICE, and THE ANIMAL MANIFESTO

“A remarkable story that will reaffirm your faith in the unique and mutually healing bond that can sometimes form between humans and animals.” –Gwen Cooper, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of HOMER’S ODYSSEY

“A DOG NAMED LEAF transcends the oft-told story of the human/dog bond as Allen and Leaf teach each other lessons of trust, love, and faith in the face of life’s tumult. This book is a must-read for anyone who has experienced the guiding spirit of a dog.” –Susan Wilson, author of THE DOG WHO DANCED and ONE GOOD DOG

“I was moved by this story of resilience and love. It conveys beautifully the vulnerability and richness of a dog’s life, and the connection between their biographies and our own.” –Jonathan Balcombe, author of SECOND NATURE and THE EXULTANT ARK

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ANNOUNCEMENTS:

WOOF, MEOW, WRITE, and PUBLISH: Writing about Pets and Animals for Love and Money is a new, downloadable, three-part, comprehensive course to guide you in writing books, articles, stories, blogs, and essays about animals for pleasure or extra income. We designed and wrote this one-of-a-kind course based on our experience as best-selling, award-winning authors of 14 published pet books.

Read more at http://www.allenandlindaanderson.com

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BOOKS by Allen and Linda Anderson:

All of Allen and Linda’s books are available at New World Library, Lyons Press, online, or regular bookstores, and at many gift shops that sell animal books.

Visit our wonderful publishers’ websites at http://www.newworldlibrary.com and http://www.lyonspress.com to see the wide array of animal books and outstanding authors published by these companies.

A Dog Named Leaf: The Hero from Heaven Who Saved My Life
Animals and the Kids Who Love Them
Dogs and the Women Who Love Them
Horses with a Mission
Angel Animals Angel Animals Book of Inspiration
Saying Goodbye to Your Angel Animals
Angel Dogs with a Mission
Angel Horses: Divine Messengers of Hope
Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster
Rainbows & Bridges: An Animal Companion Memorial Kit
Angel Cats: Divine Messengers of Comfort
Angel Dogs: Divine Messengers of Love Angel Animals:
Divine Messenger of Miracles
You Ought to Be in Pictures by Linda Anderson
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Please visit any of the blogs below to comment on past and current articles and stories. We look forward to reading your comments, stories, and answers to questions posed in the newsletter. This is a great way to get to know other people’s thoughts, experiences, and concerns about the angel animals who share their lives.

Check out our Twitter site at http://www.twitter.com/angelanimals

Visit http://www.facebook.com/angelanimalsnetwork and join the Facebook
Angel Animals Network — Where Pets Are Family fan page.

Visit http://www.facebook.com/ADOGNAMEDLEAF and join the Facebook
A DOG NAMED LEAF: The Hero from Heaven Who Saved My Life.

Visit http://www.facebook.com/allenandlindaanderson and join the Allen
and Linda Anderson fan page.

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ANGEL ANIMALS VIDEO PRESENTATIONS

We have produced a series of short videos about the work of Angel Animals. In the videos we share a bit about ourselves. We also present our message of the spiritual connection between animals and humans. Visit http://www.youtube.com/user/angelanimalsnetwork to view a variety of videos.

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OTHER INFORMATION

The Angel Animals Network is devoted to collecting and disseminating original, true stories about the spiritual connection between people and animals. You can learn more about Angel Animals at http://www.angelanimals.net. Visit our Angel Animals Online Shopping at http://www.shop.angelanimals.net.

If you send this newsletter to others (and we hope that you will), please don’t change it in anyway and include the information above about the Angel Animals Network. Thank you.

This newsletter is sent to you by the Angel Animals Network.Copyright 2012, Allen and Linda Anderson, Angel Animals Network. All rights reserved. Nothing in this newsletter may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual authors and/or copyright owners. Angel Animals(r) is a registered trademark.

What are your memorable snapshots in time with animals?

SOUL EQUALS SOUL

Allen recently heard a special friend say that each moment in life is a snapshot in time; often gone before we are ready.  Allen was in a rushed circumstance when he heard the words. In the week of vacation he was preparing to take, he wanted to think about how this view of life applied to him, Linda, and Leaf.

During Allen’s vacation days away from his job in computer software, he took care of Cuddles, Sunshine, and Leaf while Linda visited their grown children in Atlanta and then her mother in Texas.

Each vacation day, Allen took Leaf to the large dog park next to the Mississippi River.  The visits are always filled with adventure and fun, while the two of them explore trails and riverside. As they walked down the mile-long dirt path to the dog park, Allen noticed that Leaf would look directly at the faces of people passing by him.

Leaf lifted his head high and made eye contact with each person. Many seemed surprised that they are being acknowledged with eye-to-eye contact by a dog.

Was this a snapshot in time moment, when a human feels a spiritual connection with another life form, in a chance meeting, on a dirt trail?  Did each of those human beings feel a spiritual connection with a dog?

After Leaf took his snapshot of each person he passed, Allen heard comments from the people. They said things such as, “There’s a lot going on with that dog,” or “What a interesting personality — such a character,” and “Such beautiful eyes!”  Almost every person smiled at Leaf and then at Allen. In each person’s face the eyes grew just a bit brighter and more alive.

There is a saying in ancient religious traditions that soul equals soul. Leaf and the people he passed experienced that age-old wisdom for a moment. As a snapshot in time, two souls, regardless of the physical body each inhabited, met an equal.

An individual remembers a snapshot in time for as long as possible. It becomes a moment of light connecting with light, soul with soul; of remembering what was lost, what was forgotten, and who and what we are.

But the moment slips away. The veil quickly takes its correct and proper place, covering the light, bringing each of us back to daily life.  The moment is gone, and the snapshot fades from memory before we’re ready.

As Leaf moved to the next person along the trail, another moment in time, another snapshot may have been recorded in memory. Maybe not all of them faded quickly.

On Friday Cuddles, our cat, and Leaf finally had enough of Linda’s absence as the end of Allen’s vacation neared.  The cat and dog lay down on the back of the couch and looked forlorn.

Allen told Cuddles and Leaf that Linda would be home soon, but they wanted to see her NOW. 

Visit www.angelanimals.net/nlimage81.html to view the photo Allen took shortly before he left to pick up Linda at the airport. It is a snapshot of two souls waiting to be reunited with their missing loved one. Visit www.angelanimals.net/nlimage80.html to view an image of Leaf.

What are your memorable snapshots in time with animals?

Allen and Linda Anderson
ANGEL ANIMALS NETWORK – Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net

To subscribe to Angel Animals Story of the Week, send a blank message to AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com
What are your memorable snapshots in time with animals? You can post your comments at our Angel Animals Facebook page: www.facebook.com/angelanimalsnetwork and “Like” Angel Animals while you’re there.

 

ANIMALS CAN’T SPEAK OR WRITE – BUT NOW YOU CAN

Dear Angel Animals Readers,

We are sharing this special edition of the Angel Animals Story of the Week Newsletter. We only do these a few times each year when we have something new and exciting to tell you about. After all the years we’ve been pet book authors, we are so happy to finally be able to offer you our hearts and minds on the subject of writing about pets and animals.

Have you ever wanted the advice of someone with experience who is eager to help you fulfill your dream?

ANIMALS CAN’T SPEAK OR WRITE – BUT YOU CAN

We’re using this special edition of the Angel Animals Story of the Week to introduce you to WOOF, MEOW, WRITE, PUBLISH: Writing about Pets and Animals for Love and Money. It is our downloadable, comprehensive course for people who want to write books, articles, stories, and essays about animals for publication or pleasure.

Check out our new website that tells all about this one-of-a-kind writing course. Go to  www.allenandlindaanderson.com to download WOOF, MEOW, WRITE, PUBLISH now. You’ll love the 14-day return offer.

Never before have the authors of fourteen published pet books, many of which have won awards and become best-sellers, actually revealed the secrets of writing successfully in the specialized field of pet writing.

We are excited to finally be able to tell you about the techniques and hard-earned experiences that helped us sell over a quarter million books through retail outlets and online bookstores. Our pet writing keeps us in touch with you and thousands of others who read the online Angel Animals Story of the Week newsletter.

Did you know that our books are published in multiple languages, by major publishers in New York and the United Kingdom, and sold in bookstores and online around the world?

Some of you may remember that our 2010 pet book, Dogs and the Women Who Love Them, was listed as one of the top sixteen dog books by O Magazine.

Our seminal book on animal rescue, used in disaster-preparedness training and college classes, won the prestigious American Society of Journalists & Author’s Outstanding Book Award. You may have noticed our books featured on the Today Show, Montel Show, Animal Planet, NPR, USA Today, and the Washington Post, among others.

Betty White, Carson Kressley, Joe Mantegna, Richard Simmons, Tippi Hedren, Willard Scott, Brigitte Bardot, Dr. Allen Schoen, DVM, Dr. Marty Becker, DVM, and numerous other animal-loving celebrities have endorsed our books.

Now we have meticulously gathered together experience and insights we gained since beginning Angel Animals Network in 1996. We are excited to share with other writers the shortcuts, pitfalls, techniques, and challenges of writing about pets and animals.

In today’s world, we know from practical experiences that pet writing can serve as a welcomed additional source of income. Even in a down economy, with two out of three American homes having pets, and most people viewing pets as family members, the market for pet and animal books remains insatiable.

Why do New York Times best-selling authors, such as Susan Orlean, and celebrities, such as Shirley MacLaine, write animal books? These are authors who have written about many topics but they know that people today can’t get enough of the unconditional love, laughter, and fascination animals bring into our lives.

Why, when so many other books are floundering, do pet books remain successful?

It’s simple. Do the math.

If you have a pet, you want to read a pet book. If you don’t have a pet, you want to read a pet book, because it helps to fill the hole in your heart a furry friend would occupy. That’s a lot of people who want to read books, magazines, blogs, articles, essays and website content about pets and animals.

Go to www.allenandlindaanderson.com to download WOOF, MEOW, WRITE, PUBLISH now. You’ll love the 14-day return offer.

We’re introducing to you today the most unique writing book ever! And that’s no exaggeration or hype.

You won’t be able to match this book with any other writing book for its practical information about writing, publishing, and marketing. WOOF, MEOW, WRITE, PUBLISH has all the basics and so much more in its three-part course.

A 150-page Manual Filled with one-of-a-kind information about writing, publishing, and marketing that you won’t find anywhere else; includes real-life examples from professional pet authors.

A 115-page Workbook Loaded with 74 exercises and writing prompts that will lead you through every phase of writing about pets.

A 10-minute Audio Recorded Podcast Our chance to talk to you about how we started at mid-life with love for our family pets and built up a business as successful pet book authors who could help animals everywhere with our writing.

Features that make the eighteen modules we wrote for you into a delightful and ONE-OF-A-KIND course are:

* how to observe and write about your pet’s personality
* what your choice of a pet might be saying about you
* the noteworthy aspects of a multi-pet home
* how setting and context affects what you write about pets
* hints for making choices about dialogue and action when animals don’t speak in words
* putting human-pet relationships under a magnifying glass for revealing the delicious details
* discovering the journey you and your pet are taking together
* tricks for transforming your pet writing into page-turners that people have to read
* developing a professional style and voice for pet writing
* becoming aware of animal activists’ hot-button issues you haven’t considered
* enhancing your pet writing (and publishing opportunities) with animal photography
* editing and rewriting with a cat on your lap or a dog at your feet
* overcoming hesitation about publishing what you write
* finding and interviewing ordinary people, authors, experts, and celebrities who love animals
* deciding on the form that best suits your writing about pets and animals
* six proven elements for writing a pet article that gets published
* how to choose an intriguing title for your pet book, story, or article
* overcoming pet-writers’ block and getting unstuck
* finding time and making space for pet writing
* having realistic expectations about pet writing and publication
* how to build a pet-writing career from nothing to selling what you write
* becoming a pet expert that readers respect
* the intricate and complex world of self-publishing pet books
* why self-publishing a pet book is no longer a second choice
* finding a publisher to make an investment in your pet book and writing career
* writing a dynamite pet book proposal
* how to write, syndicate, maximize, and monetize a pet blog
* finding a reputable literary agent to represent your pet book and build your writing career
* eight signs that an “agent” may really be a con artist
* best ways to market, promote, and sell your pet book and pet writing
* why you should think about hosting a pet-writing contest
* building an amazing platform with media attention BEFORE your book is published
* bibliography of pet books for analyzing craft, styles, and formats
* benefits of having a writing coach for achieving your pet writing goals
* and SO much more…

Want to take the first steps toward mastering a form of writing that will connect you with animal-loving people around the world and across cultures?

Want to honor an animal who has meant much to you?

Want to use writing to acquaint potential customers or clients with your pet business or service?

Go to www.allenandlindaanderson.com

Join us in making the world a better place for animals and people

through the power and love of the written word. Animals can’t speak or write – but YOU can.

Let us help you make those dreams come true.

Sincerely,
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network — Where Pets Are Family

****

DUAL JOURNEYS

(Excerpted from WOOF, MEOW, WRITE, PUBLISH: Writing about Pets and Animals for Love and Money by Allen and Linda Anderson, Angel Animals Network, 2011. All rights reserved.)

From Part One: Writing about Pets and Animals, Module Five, The Journey — Person and Pet

Pet books and stories, especially memoirs and personal experience accounts, depict the journey of a person and an important animal in the person’s life. Readers get involved in the emotional elements of the story when the main characters — the person and the pet –change and grow.

A simultaneous dual journey involves a person and a pet having experiences together over the same time period. Each of them moves from a beginning of their relationship to the climax and resolution of their most pressing crisis. Then the story finishes with an ending either of their time together or of the main conflict they faced.

A parallel dual journey may happen simultaneously or at different times. In this type of story the pet and person share an issue, such as fear of abandonment. Together they help each other resolve the issue. Some parallel dual journeys involve pets and people who both have the same or similar illnesses or serious challenges to battle.

A separate but equal dual journey is one in which the person or pet has significant experiences happen before or after they are together. This type of dual journey usually occurs when a beloved pet has died, and the person continues on with life, possibly with another pet.

At some point in any dual journey, the lives of the person and pet must intersect. This is when the person comes to understand the roles he and his pet are playing for each other. The discovery is likely the person’s Moment of Truth in the story.

In the popular book MARLEY & ME, the dual journey structure was a logical way to tell both the author’s and the dog’s stories in one book. John Grogan and his wife Jennifer embarked upon a journey of getting married, finding jobs, and starting a family.

Their journey intersected with that of a rambunctious yellow Labrador retriever named Marley. The pet grew up in the course of the memoir from an untrainable puppy to an adult dog with serious issues that impacted the Grogans’ marriage and family life.
EXAMPLE:

The dual journey of Marley & Me is simultaneous.

Marley’s journey shows his oversized fears and drama as he becomes an indispensable member of the Grogan family.

John’s journey is that of a young man who at first, is focused on a career and new marriage. He becomes a respected journalist, father, and somewhat successful tamer of Marley.

John’s Moment of Truth or climax and resolution occur when Marley is about to die. It is then that John realizes and states with clarity to Marley that this ever-loving companion was a good dog.

The trick in a dual journey story is to not lose one thread while the other is unraveling and unfolding. Pet memoirs, even the best-selling books, have reached various levels of success with this dance. The best ones choose to feature events that include both the person and the animal.

Even when the animal is not part of a chapter, the person refers to the pet or remembers something that brings the animal back into the picture.

***

From Part Two: From Writing about Pets and Animals to Getting Published, Module Eleven, What Form Should Your Pet Writing Take?

Worksheet # 11-2, Try This Prompt
The Road Not Taken

Choose an experience from the period of your life when you and the animals you want to write about were together. This should be something that really rattled you and maybe even changed the entire course of your life. Write about it with as much detail as you can.

Tell how the experience moved you into another path or direction.

Now write about what your life would have been like if this experience had never happened or had turned out differently. How would it have been if the animal had not been part of it?

Compare the two accounts and see if you have a deeper insight into why you had the experience. Why did things turn out as they did? What did the animal contribute to the experience?

***

From Part Three, Publishing and Marketing Your Pet and Animal Writing, Module Fourteen, Self-Publishing Pet Books

So why bother self-publishing a pet book?

Although bookstores may have a policy of not carrying self-published books, sometimes independent and even chain stores will buy a few from local authors. They will shelve them, as long as the author will lets them return unsold the books. Don’t be discouraged. Stopping by to chat with a bookstore manager can encourage him or her to carry your book or even to schedule a book signing.

But pet books have the advantage of selling to a specific niche market — animal lovers who buy books. This means they sell well in places other than bookstores.

Here are just a few of ways that self-published pet book authors sell their books:

* Pet supply stores may sell self-published pet books, especially those written by local authors.

* Often libraries will buy self-published pet books from local authors and even offer them the opportunity to make presentations about their books for library patrons.

* People buy animal books as gifts for their animal loving friends.

* When someone adopts a pet or loses a pet, friends often give them a pet book.

* Pet books sell in gift shops and anywhere people buy gifts.

* Self-published authors can use part or all of their profits to support their favorite animal charities. They can donate books to animal shelter silent auctions, where animal lovers get to know the authors by seeing the books on display and reading about them in the auction brochure.

* Animal organizations sometimes buy books to give as rewards to their top donors.

* Authors sell their pet books at a discount to animal nonprofit organizations that in turn, sell the books to raise funds.

* Animal books aren’t limited to being sold to the general public in bookstores. They sell in pet supply stores, at fairs, as part of workshops and speaking engagements, and anywhere people who love animals gather.

* Sometimes a pet book author strikes a deal with a pet product, or service company and the company buys the books at a discount to offer as incentives for buying their product or service.

Get creative and you’ll see a multitude of places, people, and outlets that would be great for selling your self-published pet book.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:

Can you envision yourself as a pet writer? What will your writing do to help animals, other people, and you?

WHAT PEOPLE WHO TOOK A PET-WRITING COURSE FROM ALLEN AND LINDA ANDERSON SAY:

“I have a more hopeful feeling of being published than ever before. I was given tons of new resources and I feel very hopeful for my writing future” –GP

“Wonderfully practical with real world advice and guidance. I am excited. Adopt me! The Andersons are GREAT mentors!” –SK

“Thank you for all the quality information for the starting writer in the pet world. I now have all I need!” –BLW

“So many resources for writing and getting published. It could be used for any type of book or article.” –SRT

Go to www.allenandlindaanderson.com to buy and download your three-part pet writing course now.

We welcome you to the wonderful world of writing about animals.

***

Note: Immediately after your purchase you will receive an email with the link to download WOOF, MEOW, WRITE, PUBLISH.

 

Funny Video at a Dogs and the Women Who Love Them Book Event

Very funny story from Nancy Brooks on a child explaining how to make babies to a R.E.A.D. therapy dog at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iUHmyVOC-g

Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network — Where Pets Are Family!
www.angelanimals.net

Dogs and the Women Who Love Them
www.dogsandthewomenwholovethem.com

IN AN ENLIGHTENED WORLD

In her book, The Bonesetter’s Daughter, author Amy Tan writes, “I was like a turtle lying on its back, struggling to know why the world was upside down.”

How likely is it that much of the world is like that turtle, trying to view the complex animal-human relationship from a perspective that only yields false results?

In an enlightened world the veil would be lifted, and golden threads that connect all life would become visible.

In an enlightened world you would communicate easily with species that have lived on this earth longer than people, can move about it more freely, and view life in an entirely unique way. Animals would become a valued resource for decision-making, health, and happiness.

In an enlightened world there would be no doubt that the souls of animals survive death and move on into an afterlife. You would be comforted in the knowledge that you’ll be reunited with those who have placed their indelible paw prints upon your heart.

Even though you personally may be enlightened about your spiritual connection with animals, unfortunately we’re not living in an enlightened world — yet.

In our opinion future generations will look back on our modern-day era and ask, “Can you believe back then people actually didn’t know that animals are souls?”

Our cultures will seem as primitive as previous periods in history when one class, society, clan, or tribe looked down on, treated cruelly, or subjugated another and justified their actions with the viewpoint that the enslaved had no feelings, no ability to care for themselves or to make choices, no awareness, no souls. Today’s humans will appear to be arrogant people who confused the power to dominate with being superior to those who fell under their rule.

As always, a story says it best. What could life be like in an enlightened world? Please always share your stories, whenever and where you can, so that the day may come when we all live in an enlightened world.
Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network — Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net