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Superpower Dogs ~ The Movie
Many of my romantic suspense novels feature dogs, including military canines. When you’re an animal lover like I am, you can’t say or do or get enough of these amazing four-legged friends. Clearly I’m not the only person who feels this way because there’s a new movie out this month spotlighting the amazing talents and abilities of dogs. Appropriately enough, it’s called SUPERPOWER DOGS.
Here are a few fun facts about the production of the movie and an introduction to the stars.
- More than 500 people in five countries worked on this film for 2.5 years.
- The American Humane Association monitored filming to ensure the animals’ wellness.
- Special doggie-vision cameras were used to provide the audience with a dog’s eye view.
Read more production notes here.
Halo – His superpower is Search & Rescue
Henry – His superpower is Avalanche Rescue
Reef – His superpower is Water Rescue
Ricochet – Her superpower is Emotional Support (Read this blog I wrote in 2017 about Ricochet! She’s amazing!)
Tony & Tipper – Their superpower is Endangered Species Protection
SUPERPOWER DOGS is now showing in IMAX and Giant Screen Theaters. For more information, visit superpowerdogs.com.
No Dog Left Behind - A network of heroes
Animal rescue efforts have grown from local shelters that take in strays and abandoned pets to sophisticated networks that transport animals to new homes and bright futures aboard airplanes.
Talk about inspiration for an author!
I recently read an article on ConsumersAdvocate about one such organization. Pittsburgh Aviation Animal Rescue Team (PAART) works to transport at-risk animals by networking with other rescue groups, shelters and adoption organizations. To maximize efficiency of their efforts, PAART fills their planes with food and supplies, often providing desperately needed supplies for shelters that are over-crowded, which often leads to euthanizing healthy animals.
Transporting pets and animals via airplanes may seem extreme, but consider a geographic area that has been hit with a major disaster such as a hurricane or flood. In a case like this, the region is not able to provide resources for the sudden increase in lost or abandoned animals. Relocating these animals to a region not impacted by disaster offers more resources and individuals who are able to rehome and/or care for them.
I’m sure my readers would fall for a strong, alpha hero in a contemporary romantic suspense novel, like my Grayce Walters series, who showed a soft spot for animals. A pilot who volunteers with a fictional organization based on PAART sounds good to me!
Easter and Springtime Safety Tips for Pet Owners
After a long and dreary winter, springtime is finally here! One of the first celebrations of the season is Easter–which means chocolate and lilies and other health risks for pets.
Make pet safety part of your planning process when you organize gatherings, decorate for holidays and have special treats in the house. Here are a few of the most dangerous hazards for dogs and cats.
Flowers and Plants
Lilies and daffodils are two of the most popular springtime flowers. Both are toxic if ingested by cats.
Easter Grass
Lining baskets with brightly colored Easter grass is as much a tradition as colored eggs, but the strands can cause major medical problems if they get into an animal’s digestive track. Avoid problems by lining baskets with tissue paper instead. (Hint: Ditto for Christmas tinsel!)
Chocolate
Be careful if hiding treats is part of your Easter fun. Dogs have keen sniffers and may find hidden chocolate treats. It is the theobromine and caffeine in chocolate that’s dangerous to pets. The severity of an animal’s reaction to consuming chocolate depends on how much and what type. Play it safe by keeping chocolate put up where dogs and cats can’t get into it.
Xylitol
This artificial sweetener, used in candy and baked goods, can have adverse effects on humans when eaten in excess amounts. It only takes a small quantity to harm dogs.
Warning Signs That Your Pet May Need Veterinary Care
Lethargy
Vomiting
Trembling
Diarrhea
Straining to defecate
Painful/distended abdomen
Dehydration
Loss of appetite
Remember that holidays and celebrations are fun for you, but they may be disruptive for your pet. If you are traveling or having company, plan ahead so your pet remains safe, comfortable and well behaved.
Happy Springtime!
Traveling with your pet
Summer Safety Tips for Pets
Keep your Fourth festive (and your summer sunny) by implementing these strategies to keep pets safe and healthy. It is especially important to consider the welfare of your pets during Fourth of July celebrations because many are terrified of fireworks and loud noises.
- Keep pets indoors.
- Use only pet-specific products such as bug repellant and sunscreen.
- Prevent pets from drinking alcohol, which can poison them.
- Outfit pets with ID tags and/or microchip. Keep a clear, current picture of your pet in case they get lost.
- Do not use fireworks around pets.
- Keep harmful chemicals such as lighter fluid and citronella products away from pets.
- Don’t give pets table food. Many human foods are hazardous to animals.
- Supervise children around pets who may be agitated or frightened by loud noises. Additionally, make sure children do not inadvertently leave behind toys, such as glow sticks, which dogs may chew and ingest.
- Secure your pet in a safe, quiet, comfortable area at home while you enjoy fireworks and celebrations.
- If traveling with your pet, bring health/vaccination certificates. Check any requirements if you are traveling internationally or flying.
- Plan ahead to find pet-friendly hotels.
- Install pet restraints, pet barriers or use a travel crate in your vehicle to avoid your pet being injured in an accident or distracting the driver.
- Pack pet gear for your road trip: water bowl, toys, dog food, leash, grooming supplies and pet first-aid kit.
- Never leave pets alone in an unattended vehicle, especially in hot weather.
- Learn water safety tips to keep dogs safe around pools and at the beach.
- Know the signs of heat stroke (rapid panting, bright red tongue, thick sticky saliva, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea) and proper treatment.
Share your pet safety tip!
Meet Surf Dog Ricochet
I love dogs. They are noble and heroic and worthy of being included in my romantic suspense stories. For many years, Gus and Talley, my two Golden Labs, were my constant companions; they inspired me to include four-legged characters in my books because of the unique relationships people and animals share.
When I was researching topics for today’s blog, I came across a website for an impressive canine–Surf Dog Ricochet (or Ricki, as she is called). The achievements of this very special SURFice dog® highlight the endearing qualities of all service dogs: loyalty, personality, dedication, steadfastness, comfort and unconditional love.
After “flunking out” of training as a service animal, Ricki’s owner wasn’t sure what to do with the puppy. She enjoyed surfing and, at fifteen months, took third place in the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge surf competition. Ricki’s knack for surfing created a unique opportunity for her to work with special needs kids and peoples with disabilities on the water.
One of Ricki’s other talents is her ability to detect stress and anxiety in people. This is one reason therapy dogs are being used to treat service members with PTSD and children with autism. Read more on this on Ricochet’s website.
Over the course of Ricki’s career as a therapy dog and philanthropist, she has raised almost $500,000 for various causes, won top dog awards and become a media star. You can read her story in Ricochet: Riding a Wave of Hope with the Dog Who Inspires Millions and catch her in Super Power Dogs, which comes out in 2018.
Part of what is most inspiring about Ricki’s story is that her “pawsome” success as a surf therapy dog was not intentional. That’s a wonderful reminder that when life doesn’t go as planned or we fall short of our goals, there is still the potential to become or experience or achieve something amazing.
See Ricki’s incredible photos and learn more at her website: www.surfdogricochet.com.
Photos of Ricochet used with permission.