I have several favorite mugs. This one reminds me to be optimistic-such as now when I get daily rejections as I search for an agent.
It’s difficult sometimes.
My other favorite statement mugs remind me about my goals for writing (draw out emotions and help the reader live the plot)–and lists insults penned by Shakepeare (or whoever wrote those plays).
Of course, I much prefer to use my pretty teacups.
(2019)
I have several teacups-all dainty. They help me get into an historical mood. Right now my evil twin is writing books based in the Regency and Medieval eras. These aren’t meant for kids, but for their moms.
What do you use to remind yourself to see the happier side of life?
Let me know. Sonja
P.S. Don’t forget to get your copy of Guinness Become a Therapy Dog at special prices- if you’re in the UK!
Today I’m combining two of my favorite things: Guinness the Therapy Dog and giving away stuff.
This is only for my UK readers.
Starting today, you can downlooad the ebook version of this book at SALE PRICES!
Use the direct link in the left margin of this website, or go to amazon.com and search for my name (Sonja Danielson) in the search bar to see my entire book catalog.
This countdown deal goes for several days, but the price goes up incrementally.
The mission of National Dog Day (from nationaldogday.com) is to encourage adoption and to celebrate all dogs.
The website recommends giving your dog a hug, adopting a rescue, and generally celebrating all things canine.
This isn’t just a holiday for purebreds (like Guinness the Therapy Dog) or for mixed breeds (like Lucy the Wonder Dog). It’s for all breeds, of all sizes and parentage.
Both Guinness the Therapy Dog and Lucy the Wonder Dog are rescues. Guinness was an owner release; and Lucy was adopted from a rescue organization. They’re both family dogs, with Guinness working as a therapy dog.
Guinness came to us when he was almost two years old and has worked his way into our family seamlessly. We went to dog school together and learned how to behave around people, how to walk on a leash, and how to be a good dog-human team.
Lucy was a stray. That’s why she’s so broken: she was on her own during her formative puppy months. I think she was abused because she was a stray. Judging from her fears, Lucy was hungry a lot and was likely chased from places where she felt safe. She also has a fear of boots, so it’s likely she was chased off by someone who wore them.
It’s also why she’s able to catch birds as they fly through our backyard.
Both of these dogs deserve to be honored for all they bring to our family. So, happy Dog Day, Guinness and Lucy.
Guinness the Therapy Dog is 95 pounds of love. He has a heart as big as outer space and wants to give everyone as much love as possible.
Also, he doesn’t know where his feet land.
Which is why he steps on my feet a lot.
A lot.
Have you ever had 95 pounds land on your toes? It’s not pleasant. But aren’t a dog’s feet soft? Parts of them are. Sure. But those toenails click on the floor for a reason. They’re hard…and pointy.
Bernese Mountain Dogs have rounded feet–great for snow but lousy traction on wood floors. Especially laminate wood floors. This means he needs to find purchase on something when he flies out the door to chase a lizard. That’s usually my foot.
But I love that weirdo.
He gives back so much more that it’s hard to be mad at him. Like now, when he lays quietly on the floor at my feet while I type this. There’s all that love I mentioned before.
Do you have a pet that gives you unconditional love? Sonja
Have you seen the popular account by real_guinness_the_therapy_dog?
He has thousands of followers and posts (well, he doesn’t have opposable thumbs, so I post for him) pictures every day.
If you like cute, giant, furry dogs then Guinness’s account is for you.
I also follow several other Insta accounts.
For instance, @august_musings. She is an inspirational poet and posts some amazing work.
I’ve posted about her before. When you read her verses, I dare you not to feel better and, better yet, smile and say ‘yup’.
Also, @april.reads.and.proofreads is an exceptional proofreader. She looks over every manuscript written by my evil twin. Her comments are always exactly what’s needed, and she finds all those typos and punctuation errors that creep into the book.
Last but certainly not least, I need to mention my favorite military account @tigerstripedmisfits. This non-profit donates all its profits to military foundations (like the Green Beret Foundation). All monies are made with the sales from its website: tigerstripedmisfits.com.
There are quite a number of lizards that hang out in my backyard. There must have been a large hatching in the easeway because they pull themselves over the top of our wall and saunter across the yard.
I think the sauntering is on purpose because Guinness the Therapy Dog and Lucy the Wonder Dog.
They go crazy when ever one of the lizards just strolls by the French doors with their devil-may-care attitude. I think I even saw one do a swishy thing with its tail to taunt them.
The dogs bark and bark, and stare at the lizards. The lizards slow down a little. The barking increases in volume and pitch. The lizards slow even more, knowing they have the dogs’ attentions.
It’s a funny game.
I enjoy it.
Guinness the Therapy Dog also talks to them. I imagine he says something like, “Hey! Hey! Hey! What are you doing?”
He’s a very curious guy.
Is there anything that you want to do, or someone you want to meet? Sonja
My dog, Guinness, is a therapy dog. That’s why I write books about him. After he became a certified therapy dog, we became involved in a charity called Gabriel’s Angels.
Gabriel’s Angels strives to use pet therapy to instill compassion, confidence, and best behavior in at-risk children.
We like volunteering with this Arizona-based charity because it is more than ‘pet the dog.’ Gabriel’s Angels includes reading and activities in each visit that help the kids focus on positive traits, such as the three listed above.
Each therapy team must qualify to become a part of Gabriel’s Angels, including age requirements, aptitude tests, and health records.
Guinness the Therapy Dog and I are a therapy team that visits the kids in a group setting. Other teams are a part of reading skills activities.
Guinness and I love visiting!
If you are over the age of 18 and have a dog who would like to be involved in pet therapy, then get training!
(c) 2020 Guinness has his first therapy session at the library!
Guinness wants you to read about his adventures as a therapy dog. We are offering the ebook for FREE!
It’s available only for a limited time at this special just-for-you price.
Go to Amazon.com and search for my name to see all my books, or use the link in the left margin of this web site. There are direct links for each of my books.
This book is the second in the series, but does not rely on the first book to set it up. You can read them in any order (although I recommend starting at #1!).
This is an illustrated, easy-to-read book. More advanced than a picture book, but much less complicated than a middle-grade or chapter book intended for advanced readers.
Enjoy reading about Guinness the Therapy Dog! Sonja
I thought it was time to reintroduce my work to my new followers and readers. I am a writer. I’m also a wife, mom, friend, and therapy dog handler.
I have two book series out right now, plus a nonfiction book based on American history. It also happens to be my family history.
The Fairies of Carlow book series is for those who are able to read chapter books. The material should be appropriate for those in grades 3-6. I’ve also heard from adults who have enjoyed the stories of the fairy princes and princesses who live in the Kingdom of Carlow. While their lives are magical, danger lurks across the border. The horrible Red Caps have a kingdom the adjoins Carlow. Separated by a strong fierce field that is monitored by the Border Council, the Red Caps continually attempt to battle the fairies of Carlow.
Because of the Red Caps, the royal fairies are under strict rules. One daughter chafes under the restrictions and manages to escape. She becomes a commoner and lives as a peasant.
My second book series is about Guinness the Therapy Dog. These books are easy readers and expertly illustrated by an artist who lives in England. They tell the story of my big Bernese Mountain Dog as he brings happiness to high-risk kids and kids who like to read to dogs. Of course, we haven’t been able to do any therapy activities since the pandemic began. We both miss the kids, both at the shelter and at the library.
The nonfiction history book is called The Voyage and tells the story of John Wing as he goes to Oxford, becomes a minister, and takes his family around Europe as he searches for religious freedom. This is an easy reader and illustrated by the same artist who crafted the artwork for the Guinness the Therapy Dog series.
All my books are available on Amazon.com. If you search for my name, you’ll be able to see my entire catalog. This website has direct links to each title in the left margin.
Please leave a review on GoodReads.com and Amazon.com. Sonja
Here are the covers of all my books that are available now!
Go to Amazon.com and search for my name to see the entire book catalog. Every title is available in paperback and ebook.
I have quick links in the left margin of this website that will take you directly to the book’s page on Amazon.com.
The first three books, the Guinness the Therapy Dog series and The Voyage, are illustrated easy readers. The Fairies of Carlow series are middle-grade books with chapters and complex plots. Choose your reading level and the titles that intrigue you. Each book in their series stands alone, so it isn’t necessary to read the series from book 1 (although I think you will enjoy them that way!).
