Book Review: God and Dog by Wendy Francisco

Through humorous illustrations and simple text, Wendy Francicso has captured the feelings of many dog owners and put them into words.  God and Dog is a tribute to the unconditional love dogs give us and also a prayer of thanksgiving to God for dogs. This is truly meant as a gift book for dog lover's, whimsical and a great reminder of the value of dog's in our everyday lives (well if you're a dog parent for sure)!  This book is suitable for any age, young children will enjoy the illustrations and simple text, while adults will cherish the message of companionship!

God and Dog initially started as a YouTube phenomenon, a song with an animated story with over 2.5 million views to date and now you can share this wonderful animated song in book form with your dog-loving friends and family.

Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from Hachette Book Group.  I was not required to post a positive review.  The thoughts and opinions are mine and no additional compensation was received.

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on a trail...on a trail...on a trail...

gotta be on the trail of something...what I don't know...never found anything...see I'm not much hunting or even bothering to figure out where anyone's been....but I'm on a trail today and I'm gonna find me something good...maybe there's bacon at the end of this trail cause I'd never even touch a rabbit or squirrel (they might scare me)...I could even go for some kid crumbs....

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Thursday Hopping!

Thanks for stopping by!

Be sure to enter my giveaways while you're here and there are always bonus entries for following!  Show my giveaways some love and enter today so I can continue to bring you some amazing products! I'd also love if you linger and check out my Finding Me Monday posts, cooking with kids or the posts about Logan, our great dane!

Don't forget to come back for the Healthy Families Happy Kids Event starting October 2nd!  You won't want to miss it!

Leave me a comment if you follow me so I can return the favor!  Plus I love checking out new blogs and meeting new people!

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Giveaway: Boon Scrubble Bath Toy (& Review re-post too!) - CLOSED

This giveaway has ended!  Thanks for visiting!

If you've been reading Two Monkeys & a Washtub for very long, you might remember that I recently reviewed the Boon Scrubble bath toy!  Well Boon, Inc. wanted to offer a Boon Scrubble bath toy to one of my readers too!  For those that are new, here's what we thought:

Boon Inc., Scrubble Bath Toy

Read the full review here!...My sons really don't take baths anymore because they think the shower is a daily waterpark adventure so these toys were a perfect fit! The toys are perfect for little hands, easy to unscrew, fill, and close-up again and can be used to scrub the walls, shower doors, or the floor! The plastic is a little hard to scrub themselves, but it took only one attempt before they realized that these were better suited for play than for actual self-cleaning! The first few showers with Boon, Inc. Scrubble Bath Toys have been such a hit with my boys that it was a battle to get them out of the shower even once the water started to run cold!...We really like these bath toys and plan to purchase them as gifts for many birthday party gifts for ages 1-3 (my boys are 2 & 4) since they will be great for boys or girls! 

Giveaway Details:

One winner will receive a Boon Scrubble Bath Toy!  This giveaway will end on October 13th at 10:00PM!  I'll email the winner who will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen! 

US Only!

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Boon and let me know another Boon product you'd love to try and why!

Extra Entry Easy Links

Please leave all comments in the form below (comments below post will not be counted)!

Follow Two Monkeys & a Washtub on Google Friend Connect

(located on the right hand side bar)

Follow monkeyswashtub on Twitter

Follow BoonInc on Twitter

Tweet about this giveaway (up to 3x daily, at least 1 hour apart for up to 3 extra entries daily)

Tweet - #win a BoonScrubbleBathToy @BoonInc @monkeyswashtub http://goo.gl/fb/TzSaK ! Ends 10/13!

Follow Two Monkeys & a Washtub on Facebook

Follow BoonInc on Facebook and tell them you're trying to win a Scrubble Bath Toy at Two Monkeys & a Washtub!

Follow Two Monkeys & a Washtub on Networked Blogs

Subscribe to Two Monkeys & a Washtub by e-mail/RSS feed

Vote for me!

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Shop Liz Claiborne New York Outlets for Savings of 40-70% (including new fall fashions)!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Liz Claiborne New York Outlets. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's Fall, that time of year when our children get to go back to school shopping and women get to go shopping for all the new Fall fashions!  Fall is the time of year when designers unveil their new collections and the fashion world follows. Every fashionista, young and old, dreams of being able to afford the beautiful clothes that they see in fashion magazines. Every woman dreams that they will be as elegant as Jackie Kennedy or Grace Kelly. Well, now you can with the timeless fashions of Liz Claiborne...Liz Claiborne New York Outletsare selling their entire inventory at a discount!  You'll be able to find the perfect items for work or play and there are plenty of timeless items to choose from too!

Everything must go! 40% - 70% off!!! And don't worry, Liz Claiborne New York Outlets are likely located in an outlet mall near you for your shopping convienence! You'll definitely want to search for one near you with even the new Fall fashions are available for sale - up to 40% off! So what are you waiting for?!? It's time to Go Shopping!!!

I love fall and in North Texas we really have a long summer, a long fall, a couple days of winter, and a short spring so I love fall fashion! From cozy sweaters and jeans to boots with a trendy jacket, there are so many options to choose from and it's not so cold that you have to cover up your outfit! This is the perfect time of year to redefine your wardrobe or at least pick up a few new classic pieces! Don't forget that Liz Claiborne New York Outlets carry Misses, Women's and Petite's so you shouldn't have a problem finding something that suits you perfectly!

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Review & Giveaway: Scandle Shimmering Lotion Candle! - CLOSED

This giveaway has ended!  Thanks for visiting!

Scandle Travel Tins

I recently received a Scandle Shimmering Lotion Candle to try out!  Truly, this is one of the most amazing candles!  Not only does it make your home smell wonderful, but it burns at only 2 degrees above body temperature so once melted, it can be used as a massaging lotion!  I received a Coco Cabana travel tin (and when you think travel tin, don't think tiny candle...this is a good size candle and perfect for trying out a new scent) for review and as soon as it started burning, I was transported to white sandy beaches with the waves crashing so even without a foot or back rub, this scent is relaxing!  It has a light scent of pina coladas or that perfect summer suntan lotion!

The Scandle Shimmering Lotion Candle really leaves the skin feeling smooth and soft with just enough shimmer to hide any fine lines so it's perfect for over-worked hands at the end of the day and the warm wax is very relaxing too!  As noted on Scandle Candle's website, it's important to never use these candles in front of young kids because they won't know the difference between this low temperature wax and a regular candle!  Scandle Shimmering Lotion Candles are made with 100% natural ingredients including soy, jojoba, and shea oil!

Scandle Shimmering Lotion Candle

You can purchase the reusable ceramic and travel tin Scandle Shimmering Lotion Candles online at their retail store for $22.95 and $13.95, respectively or search for your local retailer!  These will make ideal gifts for the upcoming holiday season!  Scandle Candle also offers the original Scandle Candle with massaging oil for the perfect gift too!

Giveaway Details:

One winner will win their own Scandle Shimmering Lotion Travel Tin (scent chosen by Scandle Candle based on availability)!  This giveaway will end on October 12th at 10:00PM Central!  I'll email the winner who will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen!  Giveaway is open to US only!

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Scandle Shimmering Lotion Candle and let me know what scent you would love to have (Coco Cabana is no longer available, so don't say that or it won't count)!!!  Please fill out all information in the form!  Comments below the post will no longer count!

Extra Entry Easy Links

(Enter all extra entries in the form below - all values listed in the form below):

Follow Two Monkeys & a Washtub on Google Friend Connect

(located on the right hand side bar)

Follow monkeyswashtub on Twitter

Follow ScandleCandle on Twitter

Tweet about this giveaway (up to 3x daily, at least 1 hour apart for up to 3 extra entries daily)

Tweet - #win a ScandleShimmeringLotionCandle @ScandleCandle @monkeyswashtub http://goo.gl/fb/G2D9N ! Ends 10/12!

Follow Two Monkeys & a Washtub on Facebook

Follow Scandle Candle on Facebook and tell them you're trying to win a Shimmering Lotion Candle at Two Monkeys & a Washtub!

Follow Two Monkeys & a Washtub on Networked Blogs

Subscribe to Two Monkeys & a Washtub by e-mail/RSS feed

Vote for me!

Disclosure:  I received a the product discussed above in exchange for my honest review and opinion.  No additional compensation was provided!

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Eden Fantasys - Great Lingerie and so much more!

This post contains links to an Adult Store, and is meant for those 18 years and older.

If you are easily offended, do not click on the links!

I always have a hard time when I click onto a blog and it states that any blogs that have any reference to adult sites will be blocked from participating in any links or activities they have going on because there are site like Eden Fantasys out there that provide a little bit of everything. You can be married with kids and shop at "adult shops" in my opinion and even if you talk about an adult store, it doesn't imply that your blog is no longer family friendly! It doesn't mean you are crossing some line or pushing some barrier...it's up to you what you order and look at as you peruse the site. If something makes you uncomfortable then it's just not meant for your marriage or your relationship!



Corset Style Babydoll Set

As an Eden Fantasys Ambassador, I love that I get the opportunity to try out some of their amazing products from their candles and massage oils to their sexy lingerie! Eden Fantasys really carries some cute styles that you just don't see at other stores and at least in my book there's nothing wrong with that transition from mother to wife and really focusing on your marriage every once in awhile when the kids actually sleep through the night!  I loved this Corset Style Babydoll Set and just had to have it!  It's got just enough coverage to avoid feeling self-conscious yet still looking sexy!  It's also got a true corset back, so it will continue to fit as I lose weight!  This is a perfect addition!

Eden Fantasys really makes you feel comfortable when you order too! You won't be added to their e-mail newsletter unless you request to be added, you won't receive embarassing catalogs in the mail, and your kids or neighbors won't be able to tell what's in the box when it arrives at your house (just know when your special box is shipping, because, well, you just might not know what's in the box either)!  If you haven't visited Eden Fantasys, it's worth a stop whether you're interested in purchasing something new, joining the informative forums, or just seeing what all is offered!

Disclosure: As a member of Eden Fantasys Ambassador Program, I am provided products for review that may or may not be discussed in my posts in exchange for my honest opinion about my experience at the site. The opinions expressed in this posts are mine and may differ from others.

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Tuesday Hopping!

Visiting? Let me know how you found Two Monkeys & a Washtub and where you hang out on the web so I can friend you back! Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to enter my giveaways while you're here and there are always bonus entries for following! I'd also love if you linger and check out my Finding Me Monday posts, cooking with kids or the posts about Logan, our great dane!

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It's Time to Announce Winner's! Lots and lots of winners...

Okay, so a little catching up first and then on to tonight's winners!

The winner of the simulated diamond earrings was comment # 146, Renee who said "I voted on picket fences"!

The winner of the Rock 'N Learn Phonics 2 Vold DVD Set was comment # 80, cherdon who said "daily tweet"!

The winner of the Flannery Brothers, The New Explorer's Club CD was comment #19, Stephany13 who said "I also subscribed to your blog with GFC."!

The winner of the $15GC or Mystery Tee from Costume Squad was comment #50, Tabithia who said "twitter follower & tweeted"!

The winner of the $50 Amazon Friends & Followers Gift Card was comment #6, Mami2jcn who said "I voted for you at picket fences #2"!

The winners of the Outlast hand sanitizer were comment #54, ruthill74, who said "$15 Costume Squad GC giveaway entrant" and comment #75, Penny W, who said "email subscriber"!

The winner of the Rattles Children's CD was comment #32, Stephany13, who said "I subscribe by email"!

The winner of the Ziploc prize pack was comment #69, Cathy W, who said "Voted for you #2"!

Thanks to everyone that entered!  I am working on getting the emails sent out, but if you see your name and are too excited to wait!  Feel free to send me an email at baileypoo[at]gmail[dot]com!

Giveaways may look light for a couple days, but the Healthy Families Happy Kids event will start October 2nd and there are close to 2-3 giveaways a day, so you'll want to make sure you've grabbed those extra entries now and stop back by since three blogs will be participating and we can't wait!

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Don't forget to get those extra entries in for the Healthy Families Happy Kids Event starting Oct. 2nd!

Grab the button and post it on your blog's main page sidebar or lower bar dependent on your layout to gain 10 extra entries into any/all giveaways on all three participating blogs! You'll need to leave a comment on the following posts to qualify (just so it's easy for us to track so you get credit!)...Two Monkeys & a Washtub, Chubby Cheeks Thinks, and The Coupon Challenge!

<a href="http://http://www.twomonkeysawashtub.com/search/label/healthy%20families" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu359/baileypoo/HealthyFamilies125x125.jpg" /></a>

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Finding Me Mondays: Still recovering from surgery but the swelling is going down...yeah!

<a href="http://www.twomonkeysawashtub.com/search/label/Finding%20Fe" target="_blank"><img src=" http://http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu359/baileypoo/findmemondaysTMAW.jpg" /></a>

Little victories when recovering from gall bladder surgery...It's a great thing to know that the swelling is going down somewhat more now (two weeks after surgery).  I am guessing it would have been much better earlier last week, but my youngest son lost his balance and landed right where my gallbladder had once been....and slammed a metal car into an incision area...so I am happy to say that it was just an ouch and not an ER visit and I can't ask for more than that!

I am starting to feel better although I am still really tired in the morning, feel disconnected at times due to little pain bursts, and the evenings are the worst when it comes to swelling and pain...something I guess I didn't expect.  Overall though, I'm happy that my weight has stayed about the same as just prior to surgery when I had lost weight due to being unable to eat and can't wait until I can get on my bike and take the kids for a ride!  It is finally starting to feel like fall in North Texas so it should be easy to get outside and get moving!

Since the list was getting long, I'm going to start posting a link to the long list and just include the previous week and this week's weigh-in every Monday!  (Long list June 21st (203.5 lbs) - September 13th (194 lbs))
Last weigh-in: September 13th - 194lbs, Size 14
Today (September, 26th - 194 lbs and I can honestly say that my Size 14 jeans are starting to fit looser although I can't button the top button due to healing sutures from surgery)

As I've said every week though, regardless of my current weight  and how I feel right now, I am still hoping that by next June, I will still be able to reach my goal of being able to keep up with my kids and husband and wear the red dress that hangs prominently in my closest (it blocks all my pants) so I have to look at it every day....it will continue to be my motivation - even if this week I couldn't do much more than hang out at the computer and slowly walk outside to watch the kids play!

Join me in the journey of finding yourself, whether it's weight loss or something else by linking up below! We could all use some support!

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Review: Shirts That Go....great tees for boys 2-12 years!

I don't know about you, but as a mom of two boys I always have a hard time really finding cute clothing that is meant just for them!  There are always cute clothes for girls available and new designs at all time, but when it comes to boys it seems like it is the same boring designs every year...well that's until you shop at Shirts That Go!  Shirts That Go is all about capturing the amazement of everything that goes, from fire trucks, trains, motorcycles, bulldozers, airplanes, and even garbage trucks.  If you have boys, you know that there is always that extra time spent looking for the construction site to watch the work or stopping to visit the fire station!  We stop to watch the train daily it seems and always stop to watch the "wee-ooo's" go by (ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars for those without boys)!

My youngest loved his steam train t-shirt!  I think if it didn't need to be washed, he would choose to wear it daily.  The oversized realistic image is great!  It's so nice that the image is larger than an index card stuck in the middle of the chest which is typical of most big-box stores!

The tees are made from light-weight 100% cotton and hold up nicely in the wash too!  We've washed ours a few times, and there has been no image fade or peel which is a definite plus when shopping for clothing for boys!  When ordering, be sure to review the sizing charts because the shirts run on the small side.  My son typically wears a 2T and we ordered a 3T...you can see that it fits just about right on him but agrees with the sizing charts presented on the website.

If you're considering sending one of these great Shirts That Go as a gift, these tees pretty much arrive in the mail already wrapped so you won't have to worry about that at all.  The box has one of the cute truck designs on it too!

Shirts That Go continues to come up with new designs, but right now you can purchase Motorcycle t-shirts, Train t-shirts, Garbage truck t-shirts, Fire truck t-shirts, Airplane t-shirts, and Bulldozer t-shirts!  Right now, you can save 10% and still get free shipping (it's always included in your purchase) by using the code: monkeyswashtub at checkout!  If you have boys, you'll definitely want to check out these great kids t-shirts!  Shirts That Go also offers quantity discounts if you are considering purchasing extra shirts for a child's birthday party or just want one of each design!

Disclosure:  I received the product mentioned above for review in exchange for my honest opinion.  The views represented here are mine and may differ from others!  No additional compensation was recieved.

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Take the Reuse Challenge and Save! (Not just money but the planet too!)

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Aladdin. All opinions are 100% mine.

Reusing is trendy!  It's cool to have the neatest coffee mug, shopping bag, lunch box container or fabric napkin!  No matter where you shop, stores are offering reusable bags, cups and possibly serving food on dishes that can be washed and reused instead of just being tossed!  Many stores are also offering discounts for using reusable products - really that's encouragement for those that are used to the throw-away mentality!  Aladdin is a company that offers so many great reusable products from mugs and lunch containers to water bottles, there are really a lot of great options!

Aladdin started the Do The Reuse Challenge to encourage people to give up disposables in exchange for discounts on their really cool reusable merchandise!  By accepting the Do The Reuse Challenge you can save a little on Aladdin mugs, bottles and snack containers, which will help you save even more which is pretty neat!  The Do The Reuse Challenge is a 30-day commitment to give up disposable paper cups, water bottles, or food containers.  If you think about it, it's really worth it to take care of our environment today for our children tomorrow.  Here are just a few of the statistics about using disposable items: 

Seven million barrels of oil are used to produce the disposable bottles Americans go through in one year.  In the United States, 50 billion disposable water bottles are consumed per year; 137,000 per day; 1,585 per second.  It costs about $165 a year to make drip coffee at home versus $636 to buy drip coffee at your local café.  Unless we change our habits, 23 billion paper coffee cups will be thrown out in 2010.

You can accept to take part in the Do The Reuse Challenge today!  It's a great opportunity to take a step in the right direction!  Move away from being a throw-away society to a re-use society today and see the impact we can make for our children's future!  For me, we pack lunch everyday for work, take coffee in reusable cups and use fabric napkins and we're hoping that more people join us!  Join Aladdin on Facebook to keep up with the Do The Reuse Challenge and more about new products!
   If you think about it,      

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What's your preference for entering giveaways? Please leave some feedback!

With the upcoming Healthy Families Happy Kids event and another event planned in December, I'd like to get an idea for your preference for entering giveaways so that it's easy for you to stop by and enter (I don't use CAPTCHA, so don't worry about that)!  Please answer the poll on the top right hand side by 9/28/10 at 8:00PM or leave a comment below letting me know your preference:

I like leaving comments below the post - then I know how many other people entered too!

I'd rather have a Google Form that I can enter all the info in and click submit and be done all at once!
(If I use a google form, I still plan to have multiple entries, it will just have multiple checkboxes when multiple entries apply, etc. and if you qualify for early extra entries, then there is a spot just for that - I just can't quick link to my twitter follow, facebook, etc. within the form so it will have to be in the post above)

Doesn't matter to me either way!

THANKS SO MUCH FOR LETTING ME KNOW!

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Review & Giveaway: Nano HEXBUGs....one of the coolest toys! - CLOSED

This giveaway has ended!  Thanks for visiting!

We had the opportunity to host a Nano HEXBUG party recently and the kids and adults had a wonderful time!  We started with the Nano HEXBUG Bridge Battle Habitat Set for the HEXBUGs to play in and the kids were mesmerized (adults too)! 

Eventually, with a little creative thinking and some help from the kids, we expanded our HEXBUG habitat with the extra pieces we were sent to fill the entire coffee table. 

From the moment we set up our Nano HEXBUGs (a little over two weeks ago), our kids have played with them non-stop and I have to admit that these are pretty fun toys for grown-ups too!  The environments are easy to build and hold up well to the demands of two small boys (toys are designed for ages 3 and up, but easily ideal for teens too)!  In fact, if you have a large range of ages in your home, this would be a perfect combined gift!  The sets are easy to clean too if you have a young child that loves to color everything!  The HEXBUGs come in cool test tubes with online codes to expand your play online and learn about real science.  There are a variety of designs, and limited edition designs (mutations as termed by HEXBUGs) as well.  We also love that these are small toys, so you can fit a lot of pieces and HEXBUGs in a small storage container!

You can buy Nano HEXBUGs and their habitats online, but I've also recently seen them at stores like Target and Toys 'R Us!  You should really pick these up now because I think these will be on kids wish lists this year for the holidays!

We had a few extra Nano HEXBUGs left from our party that I'd like to share with my readers, so hopefully you'll like them as much as we did!  You don't need the habitat to play - you'll just need to be creative with your containment :)

Giveaway Details

The winner will receive a set of three NanoHEXBUGs as pictured below ($25 value).  This giveaway will end on October 8th at 10:00PM Central.  I'll email the winner who will have 48 hours to respond (winners notified within 5 days of ending).

Mandatory Entry

Visit Nano HEXBUGs and let me know something you learned, your favorite habitat and why, or your favorite HEXBUG and why.  (Mandatory entry must be completed before extra entries will be counted)

Extra Entries

Follow Two Monkeys & a Washtub on Google Friend Connect (2 extra entries)

Follow monkeyswashtub on Twitter (1 extra entry)

Tweet about this giveaway (up to 3x daily, at least 1 hour apart for up to 3 extra entries daily)

#win a set of three Nano HEXBUGs toys @monkeyswashtub http://tinyurl.com/32lu3lh ! Ends 10/8!  RT Pls!

Follow Two Monkeys & a Washtub on Facebook (3 extra entries)

Follow Two Monkeys & a Washtub on Networked Blogs (3 extra entries)

Subscribe to Two Monkeys & a Washtub by e-mail/RSS feed (2 extra entries each, can do both)

Vote for me (2 extra entries each day just for clicking)!

Enter any of my other giveaways (1 entry for each giveaway entered)

Add this giveaway to a linky, come back and leave me the link and approximate # (3 extra entries)

Disclosure:  I received the NanoHEXBUG party kit as a member of MomSelect to host friends and family for a Nano HEXBUG party.  It was optional to write a review or provide a giveaway in association with this party pack.  We loved the product, so I wanted to share with my readers.  I'll be paying shipping for this one! No additional compensation was provided.

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Review: Katie Up and Down the Hall by Glenn Plaskin

Katie Up and Down the Hall is a distinctly sentimental and touching memoir by celebrity journalist and best-selling author Glenn Plaskin about how his first dog, a blonde Cocker Spaniel, turned a hallway of New York City neighbors into a family. The story spans the fifteen years Plaskin and Katie lived together in Plaskin's Battery City apartment. Katie charms their elderly neighbors Pearl and Arthur, Plaskin's friend and neighbor John and his son Ryan, and many of the celebrities Plaskin interviews as part of his job—such as Leona Helmsley, Peter Jennings, and Katherine Hepburn.

Katie's antics are both charming and likely familiar to many dog owners. Her story illustrates how sometimes the most important people in our lives arrive there both unexpected and completely by accident.  Katie experiences both the mundane and surprising of Plaskin's everyday life and she has a front row seat for the extraordinary and saddening events of 9/11. Her death mirrors the inevitable losses of beloved pets and people in our lives that we all experience.

Katie Up and Down the Hall is a sweet book about a man, his dog, and a family created by choice with a smattering of encounters with familiar celebrities. Glenn Plaskin is a skilled memoir writer which makes
what could be just another dog book an enjoyable read.  Read more about this story on Facebook and on the book's website!

Katie Up and Down the Hall: The True Story of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors into a Family by Glenn Plaskin
Hardcover: 272 pages
ISBN-10: 1599952548
ISBN-13: 978-159995-254-3

Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of Katie Up and Down the Hall from Hachette Book Group for review in exchange for my honest opinion.  No additional compensation was provided.  The views presented are mine and may differ from others.

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