Patricia Furstenberg's Blog: Dog tales with tails. Take Two

One of rituals that stands out at Easter time, especially for the Christian worshipers, is the lighting of the Holy Fire in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

It goes like this…

They prayed that Saturday morning, all the high priests and the small ones, believers and worshipers, then they killed all the candles from the Church ’till the light was so dim that only the rays of the holy sun that shone through the stained glass windows showed them the way around. And with two white strips of cloth that crossed one over another they sealed the entrance to the Holy Tomb and they put a wax seal too, for all to see that nothing and nobody will go inside – till the time was right.

Read more on my blog:
https://alluringcreations.co.za/wp/th...

This month I had the honor of writing an article for "Women Writers, Women's Books" based on my own experience as the writer of "Silent Heroes, When Love and Values Are Worth Fighting for", contemporary fiction about the War in Afghanistan.

The article is titled:
Why We Need Contemporary War Fiction Written by Women

I touch on my own writing journey, as an authoress; on women warriors as role models; on the need of war fiction written by women - especially on the WHY and the HOW. I also speak of how women's fiction differs and stands out and share y thoughts on what it means to write about war.

I hope that you will enjoy my article.

Here is the link:

http://booksbywomen.org/why-we-need-c...

Thank you!

Tonight, I’m attending The Oscars. Front row seats. Imagine all the glitz and glamour!
I’m especially looking forward to “The Honorary Award”. This special award is given for lifetime achievements, outstanding contributions and services to the Academy.

Only that tonight it won’t be about the big boys. So often other performances get overlooked.
Did you know that no animal has ever won an Academy Award? Is it because they woof their lines and don’t sweat the small stuff? No.
Dogs are not eligible to receive an Oscar Award.

Think of a movie in which a dog’s performance has made a long-lasting paw-pression on you. There’s a whole pack chasing through my mind!
Is it Max the English Bulldog from the TV drama “Jake and the Fatman”? It was Buford the Bulldog who played the role of Max. Did you know that Max sired a son named Taker who appeared in the sitcom “Everyone Loves Raymond”? Like father like son.

Or perhaps your heart skipped for joy watching the numerous movies with Benji, the mix breed who took over the silver screen in the 70’s and the 80’s? Did you know that the first dog to play Benji was a shelter dog named Higgins? He appeared in other television series and lived to be 17 years old.

Any dog deserves a second chance.
The electronic dog from “C.H.O.M.P.S” was the first to make me wonder “what if?”
For a long time afterwards the child in me dreamed of owning a furry dog with beady eyes and superpowers.
Guess what, my dream came true! Over the years, each one of my dogs possessed superpowers… only I knew about!
Tara could read minds and go from couch potato to 35 mph in under 1 sec if Mom was busy in the kitchen. Gina could tell the time, especially the garbage day and the minute when the refuge truck would dive into our street.
Athos had… stage presence. He just had to show up and the street would magically empty itself of pedestrians.

Fast-forward 20 years and…
Never fear, UNDERDOG is here!!
A movie my family and I thoroughly enjoyed. Who can resist the charm of Leo, the lemon talking beagle who, every so often, gets it wrong?

What stayed with us this time was the unforgettable line delivered by Shoeshine / Underdog: “Give the dog your food!”
You can watch it on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cotqL...

I’m not psychic, but so many times throughout my life I could swear I heard my dog speaking the exact same words. While I was chewing something… anything!

I remember my darling Tara, siting by my feet in the quiet kitchen while clear, distinct drops suddenly began to fall at regular intervals. Letting out a loud sigh I visualized my father in an attempt to fix the kitchen tap once again, his tools all over the counter.
But Tara’s mirroring sigh compelled me to observe her while taking another bite of my fruit. She was quick to evade my eyes, but, alas, I had spotted the source of the leak, the real one. My dog, a huge fan of apples, was drooling. I bend towards her and this time she held my gaze with her… innocent eyes, delivering the award-winning line: “Give the dog your food!”

So tonight’s Oscar for best performance will go to… (drum role) OUR DOGS!

For their role in guarding the yard against… pigeons, from their shady spot underneath the lemon tree. Always captivating the audience!
And for acting like a pack of starving animals (even though they’ve been just fed) only because you are eating something. What commitment!
Oh, and for delivering killer lines even at the wee hours of the morning. Talking about dedication!
* Thundering Applause *
Patricia Furstenberg

This article was initially published by mypuppyclub.net http://www.mypuppyclub.net/oscar-goes...

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

It’s that time of day, or should I say early evening. The time when, with pyjamas and slippers on, children can curl up on their bed or on the living room couch next to Mom, Dad, or a grandparent – or all of the above and just listen. There are stories that are fables, tales that teach for those who listen and truly have the desire to learn. But the best stories, the best fables are about friends. Because what would life be without friends?

There’s Pete the stuffed elephant who, though left behind in the acorn forest and somewhat lonely at first, always finds a way to be cheerful and he always finds new friends. There’s happiness and joy all around Pete and it’s very infectious. Then there’s Murphy the lizard, Pete’s new friend in the acorn forest. And there’s the ever curious Little Tail, a dog who wants to see and do everything, including finding Snow and making Snow his newest best friend. And there’s Summer Wind and a frozen dragonfly who, once he’s thawed, will help Little Tail find his way back home.

Patricia Furstenberg’s collection of twelve stories, Happy Friends, is a classic collection of stories to charm and to teach young readers the value of life and the value of good friends. Each of the twelve stories stands on its own, but each story interacts with the next as the plot thickens. The individual stories become Little Tail’s journey of discovery as he leaves his home and friends, only to discover that Snow might be interesting, but so are his friends back home.

For as “The Book of Life” says, and is often quoted in Happy Friends, “The time spent in the company of friends will, more than once, become part of our most cherished memories, staying with us for the rest of our lives.” Happy Friends is a treasure to be enjoyed and shared over and over again.

Review posted here https://readersfavorite.com/book-revi...
on 23rd September 2016Happy Friends: Twelve stories, one book

https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Friends-...

When I told my husband I want to write this article his reaction was: “Whoa, baby, mine-field ahead!” But I’m a mother and a writer. Therefore, I am brave. So I ventured into the arena.

I come in peace.

I happened to befriend this outgoing, bubbly mom. Our children attend the same school. We always chatted up a storm until we hit the pet zone.

“We have dogs. You?”

“We have Mr. Whiskers!”

“Oh…”

Of course she has a cat! I should have known. She’s stylish and elegant; she’s even got that feline walk, so graceful.

I have dogs. I’ve always been a dog person.

Dogs are pack animals and so are humans

We live in families with a well-defined hierarchy where each member has its place; the dad, the mom and the children. Or the mom and then the dad, come to think of it.

“Dad, can we…?” – “Ask Mom.”

“Dad, have you seen my…?” – “Ask Mom.”

“Dad, where’s Mom?”

A pet dog will immediately find its place within this matriarchal unit; probably right behind Mom’s cooking spoon.

Besides, a dog’s body language is universally known and easily understood. They wag their tail or show off their fangs. You know right away at which receiving end you want to be: the faithful one. When dogs love you, they surely let you know it.

Cats are… cats. They resemble teenagers

Cats and teens are both elusive and with a mind of their own. Speaking the same language with us, yet words holding different meaning to them depending on their mood. Your disciplinarian monologue often ends with the youngster retrieving to the sanctuary of his own room. And the door slams behind because “it was the wind.” You can almost see that tail held straight up, fur puffed out.

Trying to discipline a cat is pretty much the same.

“Cat, you ate my tuna sandwich?! Come here when I’m talking to you! I said come… Oh, she’s gone.”

Up on her shelf she lays and you can almost hear that door closing with a bang.

For cats, being art of a pack is not a necessity and they usually prefer to hunt alone; but do expect them to gift you with their kill.

You can’t predict their behavior, coming or going as they please. Capricious like a teen, one moment sitting by your side if it suits them, the next moment removing themselves without apparent reason. Tolerating you. Negotiating their giving and taking, but on their own terms, quietly. Dogs, even when they’re silent they’re… noisy. Cats are inaudible. They’re there… watching you, maybe. Or maybe just ignoring you.

Except for night time; that’s when they’re sure to let you know who rules the streets.

Don’t take cats for granted

Cats can’t be persuaded into performing a trick just because you want them to. They’ll do it if it pleases them. After all, most cats act like they believe human’s sole existence is to serve them. Probably learned it from the ancient Egyptians who held cats in the highest esteem. See, cats do perform whatever part suits them best!

Cats are independent

Historically speaking cats have been kept around houses in order to keep vermin under control. On the Cyprus Island archeologists found a wildcat buried near a human, the remains dating since 9 500 years ago, the proximity of the two skeletons signifying that there was a close relationship between these two species It is only during the 19th century that cats have begun to be bred as companion pets intentionally.

Dogs give their love together with their heart, right from the start. And their claws do not retract. Dogs are predictable, conventional and constant.

Humans have to earn a cat’s trust. You have to earn the right to hold and enjoy that fuzzy, warm ball of fur and purr…

This article was written for mypuppyclub.net and posted here: http://www.mypuppyclub.net/cats-life-... on 11 September 2016Patricia Furstenberg

I always thought an animal’s ears were made for listening… and cooling, on some occasions.
Turns out I was wrong.
Ears give a dog his hair style

“Watch out! She’s going to shake herself!” was often heard whenever Tara, our German Short-haired Pointer pup, had finished eating. Her diet consisted of yummy, healthy treats cooked just for her.

A home cooked dog meal has advantages… and disadvantages. Advantages for the dog; disadvantages solely for the owner, since the food is wet. And a pup’s long ears have an obvious affinity for anything wet or sticky.

That’s how Tara’s NEW hairstyle was born.

Normally her broad, drooping ears would frame her face in a … long bob.

She would shake them the way a maiden impatiently shakes her locks. And they would often fold outwards, our job mainly being to restore them to their initial feature.

During meal-time she would be transformed into a pony with a feathered head-piece. Her long ears would be tied together at the top of her head using soft hair elastic. No more mess.

We were careful not to keep her ears in a dog bun for longer than necessary, usually about 5 minutes, as it can interrupt the blood flow and cause damage.

Nevertheless, Tara would wear her new hair style with panache.

A dog’s strength lies in his ears.
So does his hairstyle

It’s in the way he cocks his head. Not for paying attention, a dog’s hearing is four times as good as ours.

Dogs simply know just how irresistible they are when doing it!

A German Sheppard, a Doberman or an Aussie, with their rose ears, would be wearing a quiff or a fringe up.

Think Meg Ryan’s short, pixie style. Think Harry Styles from One Direction or James Dean.

A Corgi with his bat ears, a Dachshund or Bull Mastiff with their v-shaped ears would wear a pushed-back long hair style.

Think Sandra Bullock with medium length hair. Think Cary Grant or Chris Pine.

The Hounds or the Spaniels with their long ears would definitely be on the groomed hippy side. Think Sarah Jessica Parker or Johnny Depp with long locks.

What hair-style is your dog wearing?

Article written for Sunday Dog Tales on mypuppyclub.net http://www.mypuppyclub.net/ears-give-...

Download the first book in "Happy Friends Series" - HOW PETE MET LIZARD, How Pete met Lizardfor FREE here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
https://www.amazon.com/Patricia-Furst...

The reproachful sigh

“I was watching my favorite show last night”, my mother once told me.

She’s a huge NCIS fan. “I was caught up in the action, the next moment the blood froze in my veins.”

Mom’s been an ER Surgery Nurse, she doesn’t scare easily. “I was alone in the room when somebody sighed, just next to me”, she explains.

No time for criminal investigations, my mother bursts into laughter.
“It was Tara!”

Our dog’s bedtime ritual consisted of retiring early together with dad. A couple of hours later she would wake up, find mom by the TV and WAIT for her to come to bed.

Wait quietly at first… then begin to sigh.
A nasal, long sigh, while all the time keeping her back towards mom. It was Tara’s reproachful, emphasized moan: “and how much longer will you keep ME awake?”
The grumpy sigh

My husband and I had a big yard and Gina, a mature Doberman – Rottweiler cross, when we decided to adopt a Rottweiler puppy.

That’s how Athos rolled into our lives, a compact mass of black fur. For a few weeks Gina wanted nothing to do with the curious intruder.

At first she would jump up and move as soon as he came near her, like he had the plague. Later on she would just switch on her siren.

Puppy approaching?

Grumpy sigh ‘on’ and Athos, warned, would keep his distance.

It wasn’t long until they became inseparable, although the pup’s endless energy proved quite tiring!

The happy sigh

This is the “full of expectations sigh”, the “I can SEE in your eyes that you ARE going to play with me” sigh.

Usually accompanied by a furry, eager head pressed tight against you.

The sigh no dog should be without.

It is my favorite sigh.

Published: mypuppyclub.net http://www.mypuppyclub.net/dog-tales-...

Download the first book in "Happy Friends Series" for FREE here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

https://www.amazon.com/Patricia-Furst...

“We’ve got a puppy!” is what you’re most likely to hear people exclaim, joyfully. No one will ever say: “We’ve got a tail!”

That tail’s a tell-tale!

Tara, my first dog, had a docked tail when I bought her.

This was long before docking and cropping became banned in Europe.

Today, even without a federal law in place, most Veterinary’s throughout the world oppose these cosmetic practices.

But what Tara lacked in tail length she made up for in rear muscle strength!

When she was happy, she was HAPPY, wagging her short tail, her rear-ends and sometimes even her back!
Love me, love my dog

Before Tara we sheltered a lost Blue Great Dane puppy, Honda, for a few weeks.

Honda was a tall puppy, I thought… aged two, as her owners mentioned when they fetched her.

24 hours after we’d found her, our average-size apartment was already “tail-proofed”. Because Honda didn’t just have a tail, she had a secret weapon.

Luckily for us it was winter, no explanations needed as to why our legs were bruised.

We soon learned that when Honda stands, the safest place would be near her head, away from her pounding end.

“Mom, where are my keys, I’ve put them on the coffee table!”

“Mom, where is my book, it was on the side of the sofa!”

“Oh, found them, the dog just wagged them off!”

Honda would lay and wag, hit the front door in the process and I could vouch someone was outside, knocking!
When happy, Honda wouldn’t wag, she would hammer!

Dog-tails come in many sizes and so do their four-legged owners. Thin or curly, crooked or straight, short or lengthy, I love a wagging tail.
It’s the sound and sight of a dog laughing.

This article was initially written for mypuppyclub.net: http://www.mypuppyclub.net/dog-tales-...

https://www.amazon.com/Patricia-Furst...

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...

How Pete met Lizard: Happy Friends Series Do dogs grow up to mimic our appearances and personalities or do we, subconsciously, pick that one puppy who best resembles us?

When I selected Tara, my first house-dog and a German Short-haired Pointer, she looked like a seal.

You know, the luscious, dark furred, round-bottomed sea-creature with gleaming eyes and long whiskers.

I was not round-bottomed nor did I have whiskers 25 years ago.

But Tara did and she also had honey-colored eyes and long ears, framing her face like well-set curls.

It’s all in the… eyebrows

Have you noticed how much a dog can communicate by just looking at you?

How they’re able to turn every situation in their favor?

So did Tara, just by using her eyebrows; bringing them together, creased low over her eyes, deep in thought.

“Doing a PhD thesis on this ball in front of me. Care to help?”

Or by lifting them, curving them over her eyes, suddenly so big and innocent, this movement often combined with a small drop of drool in the corner of her mouth.

“I trust you unconditionally to take care of my every need,” they’d say.

“And I need to play right NOW!”

Or by just keeping her brows motionless, only her eyes rolling slowly underneath, left, right… watching me, studying me, persuading me…

“I know we did not play during the past hour. Do YOU?”
Unconditional love

We surely mimicked each other, Tara and I, my heart joyful after hers.

She was always giving and loving, unknowingly fueling my love for animals; teaching me that unconditional love has no limits.

This article was initially published in http://www.mypuppyclub.net/tara-from-...

https://www.amazon.com/Patricia-Furst...
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FREE on Smashwords: HOW PETE MET LIZARD, Book 1 in "Happy Friends Series": https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...