8 State Hurricane Kate

Dear friends,

Here are some valuable holiday tips for you and your pets from animal communicator Mary Getten (http://www.marygetten.com/), with a few of my own added below. I hope you and your pets have a safe and happy holiday season.

HOLIDAY REMINDERS

During the Holidays, there are many new hazards for our pets. Here’s a quick reminder to ensure that you and your pets have a safe and joyous time.

* Holiday Food – Fatty foods can cause pancreatitis and gastrointestinal issues. Chocolate, coffee, and onions are toxic to dogs and cats. Rising dough on a counter top is irresistible to some pets, and can cause serious problems. Don’t forget that wrapped food gifts under or on the tree can be easily consumed by dogs, cats, birds and small pets. Not only are the food items a problem, but those wrappers are impossible to digest.

* Holiday Plants – Many lilies are deadly to cats. Mistletoe, poinsettias and holly cause gastrointestinal upset for all critters. Christmas tree water can be filled with chemicals or bacteria and pine sap is dangerous if ingested. Secure your tree to the wall so your pets can’t knock it over.

* Decorations – Tinsel, ribbon, ornaments and hooks are attractive play things for many small animals. If swallowed they may cause internal blockages requiring surgery. Broken glass ornaments can cut paws and mouths. If your pet likes to play with things on the tree, decorate the lower third with unbreakable wood or plastic ornaments.

* Candles – Put burning candles in places that are inaccessible to your pets. They could set themselves on fire or tip the candle over and start a fire in the house.

* Batteries – Don’t leave batteries for those Christmas toys lying around. They are fun to play with, but contain corrosives. If ingested, they can cause mouth ulcerations and intestinal issues.

Remember to tell your pets about any visitors that will be coming, or if you will be away over the holidays, and if things are going to be stressful, give them Rescue Remedy in their water dish.

Blessings to each and every one of you humans, cats, dogs, horses, birds, reptiles, fish and small critters. Have a wonderful holiday season filled with joy, laughter, friends and good times.

~ Mary Getten

If you’re traveling with pets, please make sure they have proper ID (tags and registered microchip) and are riding safely in travel kennels secured in the car, or are restrained in pet safety belts with distributed loads designed to keep your pets safe. Don’t let pets ride loose or tied by the collar around their neck—this could lead to ejection from the vehicle, or strangulation. Walk dogs on a secure harness or martingale collar that they can’t back out of, to make sure they don’t get lost at rest stops or in unfamiliar places. Click here for more information on pet vehicle safety.

Bring pet records along in case they’re needed while you’re on the road (the Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book can help you organize records), and don’t forget to talk to your pets to let them know where you’re going.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Jenny, Bandit, Chase and Cayenne

Posted on December 19th, 2010
Filed under: General | No Comments »

----------------------------------------------------------------

Posted on November 29th, 2010
Filed under: Calendar of Events, Events, General, News, We Recommend | No Comments »

----------------------------------------------------------------

Win your own signed copy of the deluxe hardcover, limited edition Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book! The contest began on October 24^th and runs through midnight on Tuesday, November 2^nd. The winner will be selected at random and will be announced on November 3^rd.

To enter the contest, simply begin following @8StateKate on Twitter and tweet this message:

Enter to win a signed Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book. Just follow @8StateKate & Retweet. See http://bit.ly/dbgozQ #WINNWMD

“This book is a must-have for all dog lovers and would make a great gift. There is nothing else like it!”

—Dr. Marty Becker, “America’s Veterinarian”

“My post-Katrina animal rescue experience and my journey with 8 State Hurricane Kate taught me a lot about keeping your dog safe and learning to live in better harmony with your dog. This is the book that I wanted to organize all of my dog’s information, for daily use, travel, and emergencies. Grab it and go!” 

—Author Jenny Pavlovic

Click here to view the video. Click here to look inside the book. Click here to order.

The new Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book has everything you need for your dog in one convenient package. This compact, journal-style book has space for your dog’s vet records, emergency contacts, and other important information, with tips for positively training and enjoying your dog. It also includes sections on how to keep your dog from getting lost (and what to do if your dog is lost), how to use a microchip effectively, traveling with your dog, first aid tips, activities to do with your dog, and more. It includes disaster preparation information from Noah’s Wish, a group that rescues animals in disaster situations and a template for making a disaster plan for your family and pets. Special features include a durable hard cover, concealed wire-o binding that lays flat for writing, archive-quality photo pages for inserting photos of your dog and you, a sealed pocket for important records, tabbed pages for quick access, checklists, and more. It’s even made in the U.S.A.! A limited number of these deluxe hard cover edition books are available.

“Each person who adopts a dog needs to be given this important book.” 

—Allen and Linda Anderson, Founders, Angel Animals Network and Authors of Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster

“A valuable guide you’ll find yourself turning to again and again throughout your dog’s life.”

—Kyra Kirkwood, Author of Move Over, Rover!

Click here to order.

Posted on October 24th, 2010
Filed under: General, News | No Comments »

----------------------------------------------------------------

Meet Jenny Pavlovic and get your own signed copies of the new

Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book

and 8 State Hurricane Kate: The Journey and Legacy of a Katrina Cattle Dog

at upcoming book signings: 

Thursday, November 4^th, 7:30 pm:

Common Good Books

165 Western Avenue North, St. Paul, MN

651-225-8989

Contributing authors Jenny Pavlovic and Sage Lewis join

authors Allen and Linda Anderson at a book signing for

Dogs and the Women Who Love Them:

Extraordinary True Stories of Loyalty, Healing, and Inspiration

Click here to hear a podcast of the authors discussing this book.

Saturday, November 6^th, 2:00 pm:

Borders

1501 Plymouth Road

Minnetonka, MN 55305

952-595-0977

Contributing authors Jenny Pavlovic and Sage Lewis join

authors Allen and Linda Anderson at a book signing for

Dogs and the Women Who Love Them:

Extraordinary True Stories of Loyalty, Healing, and Inspiration

Click here to hear a podcast of the authors discussing this book.

Sunday, November 7^th, 1 pm to 4 pm:

Dog Boutique

Highway 169 and 63^rd Avenue North

(9659 63^rd Avenue North, Maple Grove, MN)

Maple Grove, MN

Meet author Jenny Pavlovic and get your own signed copies of

8 State Hurricane Kate and

the Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book at special holiday prices!

 At 2 pm, pet chaplain Sid Korpi will conduct a special pet blessing service.

Saturday, November 13^th, 9 am to 2 pm:

Twin Cities Obedience Training Club

Bazaar and Open House

2101 Broadway St. NE

Minneapolis, MN, 55413

612-379-1332

http://www.tcotc.com

Meet author Jenny Pavlovic and get your own signed copies of

8 State Hurricane Kate and

the Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book at special holiday prices! 

Thursday, November 18^th, 6 pm:

Valley Bookseller

217 North Main Street 

Stillwater, MN 55082

651-430-3385 

Contributing authors Jenny Pavlovic and Sage Lewis join

authors Allen and Linda Anderson at a book signing for

Dogs and the Women Who Love Them:

Extraordinary True Stories of Loyalty, Healing, and Inspiration

Click here to hear a podcast of the authors discussing this book.

Friday, November 26^th 11 am to 1 pm:                                   

Bad Dog Frida

2094 Atwood Avenue

Madison, Wisconsin, 53704

608-442-6868

http://www.baddogfrida.com

Meet author Jenny Pavlovic and get your own signed copies of

8 State Hurricane Kate and

the Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Shelter from the Storm.

http://www.sftsrescue.org

Posted on October 18th, 2010
Filed under: General | No Comments »

----------------------------------------------------------------

As I peered over the side of the boat in anticipation, a geyser of salty water blasted me in the face. I laughed out loud, feeling like I’d been nailed by a kid with a squirt gun. This ‘kid’, a 15-foot gray whale calf weighing over a ton, had surprised me with a shower from his blow hole. This, my first gray whale encounter, felt playful and friendly. The joke was on me!

Jenny Pavlovic Meets a Gray Whale in Laguna San Ignacio

Read more…

Posted on September 19th, 2010
Filed under: General | No Comments »

----------------------------------------------------------------

In August of 2010, as the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approached, 8 State Kate Fund donations from book proceeds exceeded $5,000, with a donation to Animal Rescue New Orleans.

Jenny Pavlovic started writing 8 State Hurricane Kate: The Journey and Legacy of a Katrina Cattle Dog because she didn’t want Kate to be forgotten. She also wanted to tell the stories of the Katrina survivors, the animals and people that Kate and Jenny met on their journey. Along the way, Jenny was inspired to continue writing because she hoped the book would help her find Kate’s original family. As the network grew, the book became something larger, an opportunity to give something back, when the 8 State Kate Fund was born. A portion of book proceeds is donated to provide financial relief for animals in desperate situations. Thank you to all who have supported this effort by purchasing the book 8 State Hurricane Kate.

Click here to learn more about the 8 State Kate Fund and the animals and organizations that benefit.

Posted on August 25th, 2010
Filed under: General | No Comments »

----------------------------------------------------------------

8 State Hurricane Kate, an old Australian Cattle Dog, was rescued from a rooftop in Louisiana nine days after Hurricane Katrina. I met her in September 2005 in Gonzales, Louisiana, where rescued animals were taken for care and shelter.

With no known address or ID, she was running out of options. When Hurricane Rita forced our evacuation, I drove home to Minnesota, through eight states, with Kate in a kennel in the back seat. While fostering Kate, I listed her on Petfinder and searched for her original family, even posting a “Do You Know This Dog?” video on YouTube.com. Yet five years after Hurricane Katrina, I still don’t know what her life was like before August 29th, 2005.

Kate’s story holds valuable lessons for all animals. My journey with Kate inspired me to write the Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book, to organize my dogs’ information in one place, for daily use, travel, and emergencies. This book includes important information from Noah’s Wish, a group dedicated to caring for animals in disasters. The following tips will help keep you and your pets safer and happier.

8 Things I Learned from 8 State Kate

1. Microchip your pet. Katrina showed us how easily pets can lose their collars and IDs. A microchip implanted under the pet’s skin is the best permanent identification. I recommend a microchip even if your pet never leaves the house. A flood, tornado, hurricane, or even a surprise bolt out the door can separate you. A microchip is a small electronic chip with a unique ID number, in a capsule the size of a grain of rice. When a pet is found, the ID number is read by a hand-held scanner and the microchip company is notified. The company looks up the ID number in their database to find the owner. A microchip will only reunite you with your pet if you’ve registered your current contact information.

2. Keep good pet records, including a current photo of you with your pet (to verify ownership) and photos of your pet’s unique identifying characteristics. Store your pet’s vet, food and medication records in one place (like the Not Without My Dog book). Include information on the pet’s daily routine, words the pet knows, and other useful tips for anyone taking care of your pet in an emergency situation. Make sure a designated person knows where your pet’s information is stored, in case something happens to you.

3. Make a disaster plan for your family and pets. Know the most likely natural disasters in your area. If you must stay home, be prepared to survive without assistance. Assemble a kit to meet your family’s basic needs for at least three days. Store it in easily accessible waterproof containers. If you must evacuate, do not leave your pets behind. Have carriers, leashes, and harnesses for your pets. Know the local evacuation routes, how you’ll transport your pets, and where you’ll take them. Plan alternate destinations because emergency shelters for people often don’t allow pets, and pet-friendly hotels fill quickly.

4. Make a family communication plan in case a disaster occurs while you’re separated. Know where your family will meet if you can’t reach each other by phone. Identify a neighbor or petsitter who will get to your pets quickly when they need help and your family is away from home.

5. Make sure your pets are properly vaccinated, treated for fleas and ticks, on heartworm preventative, and spayed or neutered. Healthy pets are better prepared to survive anything, including displacement and housing with other animals. Accepted vaccination protocols are changing, and some flea and tick treatments are not approved by veterinarians. Do your research and decide what’s best for your pet.

6. Socialize and train your pets. Socialize pets to be confident in different situations. Positively trained pets are less likely to get lost. Make sure they know how to walk on a leash/harness and are comfortable riding in their carriers in the car. Teach them to wait before exiting the car by pausing, then giving them a reward.

7. Tune in to your pets. They’re tuned in to you. Give them opportunities to do what they were bred to do. Help them relax and be confident. Appreciate them for who they are. The more connected you are to your pets, the better you will weather anything together.

8. Be resilient. An old girl who has lost everything can recover with dignity and grace, and be happy. Kate taught me this too.

Posted on August 18th, 2010
Filed under: General | No Comments »

----------------------------------------------------------------

Jenny Pavlovic – Author Interview

by Cathy B Stucker

(Thank you to Cathy Stucker for this wonderful interview, which originally appeared at http://www.sellingbooks.com/jenny-pavlovic-author-interview.)

What is your most recent book? Tell us a bit about it.

My new book is the Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book, for daily use, travel, and emergencies. I wrote this book because I couldn’t find the book that I wanted for my dogs. It’s compact, with a hard cover, records pages for all of your dog’s important information, pages to insert photos of you and your dog, a sealed pocket for important records, and tips for living positively with your dog. It has a resources section with information on how to prevent your dog from getting lost, what to do if your dog gets lost, how to use a microchip effectively, how to make a disaster plan for your family and your pets, basic dog first aid, traveling with your dog, and more. I’ve learned a lot since Hurricane Katrina. I wanted to put all this information in one place to take along when I travel with my dogs, or leave with the dog sitter when I have to travel without them. I’m happy to share all that I’ve learned and hope this book will help keep dogs safe everywhere.

Tell us something about yourself.

I’m a dog lover, writer, speaker, blogger, animal rescuer, and biomedical engineer. I’ve helped rescue many dogs, and a few cats and horses, since Hurricane Katrina. My journey with rescued Katrina dog Kate changed just about everything about my life. I went down to Louisiana for a week to help care for rescued animals after Hurricane Katrina. I didn’t go down there to get a dog, but I ended up evacuating ahead of Hurricane Rita with an old cattle dog who was running out of options. Kate inspired me to write my first book, 8 State Hurricane Kate: The Journey And Legacy of a Katrina Cattle Dog, because I didn’t want her to be forgotten. Her story of being lost after Katrina with no identification represented so many lost animals. I hoped that writing her story would raise awareness about what happened down there and help me find out where she came from. Click here to learn more about Kate’s story by watching the “Do You Know This Dog?” video. 50% of book profits from Kate’s book are donated to the 8 State Kate Fund, providing financial relief for animals in desperate situations.

I currently live in Minnesota with Australian Cattle Dog (ACD) Bandit, rescued ACD-Collie mix Chase, and rescued ACD mix Cayenne. Bandit is “tough” guy who loves to herd cattle and play with his jolly ball. He’s a lot of fun. He taught me to lead or get out of the way. Chase was rescued by my friend Sarah who I met in Louisiana rescuing animals after Hurricane Katrina. Sarah lives in Virginia, where she rescued Chase from a man who was going to shoot him for chasing sheep. Chase is a very sensitive guy who actually has a talent for herding sheep. Cayenne was rescued in Tennessee after being dumped in the wilderness with her baby littermates when they were too young to leave their mom. She was very sick and was nursed back to health by a kind woman named Deb. When Cay first came to my house, it took two of us to pull her out of the crate to get her out of the car. She was practically feral, afraid of just about everything, including me. She has come a long way and just graduated from an agility class where she did an excellent job.

(Photo by L.S. Originals of Fridley, Minnesota)

One of my greatest rewards has been seeing rescued dogs recover from pasts of abuse, neglect, or trauma and begin to enjoy life. I have learned a lot from watching my herding dogs do what they were bred to do. Through working and living with them, I have become a better person and a more confident leader. After years of working with my dogs in obedience, rally, agility, herding, carting, tracking, acting tricks, and therapy dog work, with experience in TTouch, animal communication, and more, I’m beginning to feel pretty well trained! My day is not complete until I get out for at least one walk and ball game with the dogs.

How did you publish this book?

I was told that I would have to go to China to make such a journal-like book with a hard cover and special features, but I’m happy to say that I found a way to make it in the U.S.A. It will help keep people employed in Minnesota and New York. I founded the 8 State Kate Press when I self-published 8 State Hurricane Kate, and I made it a more formal business to publish the Not Without My Dog Book. This second book is much more complex, with many special features, and cannot be made print-on-demand like my first book. I’m very grateful for the people who stuck with me to help make this book a reality. I depend on wonderful editors, knowledgeable and supportive friends, an award-winning book designer, a very patient webmaster, a business consultant, and more.

How did you know you wanted to be a writer? How did you get started?

I always liked to write and thought that I would write a book ‘someday’. Then I got busy with daily life. When I was 5 years old, I created a little book about “the dog who couldn’t say roof” and tried to sell it to my mom. No kidding. Isn’t it ironic that 40 years later, I wrote a book to give a voice to Kate and all the lost Katrina animals. I guess I had that in me all along and Kate inspired me to put it out there.

What do you believe is the hardest part of writing?

The hardest part of writing is finding the time to do it on a daily basis and keeping your momentum if you have to spend most of your time doing something else to support yourself. I think we would have many more creative and inventive people if they could find a way to make a living doing what inspires them.

How do you do research for your books?

My books so far have mainly been ‘researched’ via my life experience. In both cases things that happened to me and that I learned along the way provided the basis for the book. While writing the Not Without My Dog Book, I consulted with experts and searched online to fill gaps in my knowledge and make sure my information was current. Writing the book was a great opportunity for me to learn. (Author’s note: Noah’s Wish provided significant information on disaster preparedness and caring for injured animals.)

Did you learn anything from writing this book? What?

I learned from creating this book—because this process has been one of creation and design in addition to writing—that my engineering background is useful in ways that I never knew before. I’ve also learned from creating both books that if you are open, clear about your intentions, and keep moving in the direction of your dreams; people and opportunities will appear before you.

Are you working on your next book? What can you tell us about it?

The Not Without My Dog Book is my next book, but don’t be surprised to see a Not Without My Horse Book or a Not Without My Cat Book in the future!

What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?

The best advice that I can give came from a horse named Ruby. Her message was, “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something” (click here to read the rest of the story.) I also want to repeat that if you are open, clear about your intentions, and keep moving in the direction of your dreams, people and opportunities will appear before you. I’m very grateful that I took a chance by going down to Louisiana by myself to help care for rescued Katrina animals. I was compelled to go and my life hasn’t been the same since, because I acted on something that mattered to me. I’m very grateful for all the friends I made along the way, all the people who supported Kate and me, and all the people and animals who appeared in my life when I needed them most. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t taken a risk and overcome fear to follow a compulsion to do something to make a difference.

What are you doing to promote your latest book?

I’m well-networked on Facebook, in a way that I wasn’t when my first book came out in 2008. I now have blog, newspaper, radio and TV contacts, friends across the country from my Katrina animal rescue experiences, an e-mail list, and a long list of Facebook friends. I’m also promoting that this book is made in the U.S.A. I think it’s important that we support U.S. industry if people in this country want to be employed. Go into any store and look at the photo books and journal-type books. I dare you to find even one (other than mine) that’s made in the U.S.A. The Not Without My Dog Book will be sold online and eventually in pet supply stores and gift shops, maybe even at the Minnesota State Fair and beyond. It may also have a corporate sponsor… stay tuned!

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

Click here to learn more about my books, read my blog, see videos, find my press room, and more. Click here to listen to recent radio interviews. Click here to become my friend on Facebook and here to become a fan of 8 State Kate Press on Facebook. I update my friends on Facebook most often. Subscribe at http://www.BookTour.com to be notified of my upcoming events. Subscribe to “8 State Hurricane Kate” and “8 State Kate” videos at http://www.YouTube.com to be notified when new videos are uploaded.

I want to say one more thing… please turn off all electronic devices today and give your undivided attention to the animals in your life. They are much more complex than you may realize and they have a lot to give and teach you. Please pay attention to them and do your best to understand them and give them a great life. This world will be a better place once we change our attitudes toward animals, appreciate their wisdom and beauty, love them, and stop throwing them away.

Posted on July 6th, 2010
Filed under: General | No Comments »

----------------------------------------------------------------

Premier Book Signing for the

“Not Without My Dog” Resource & Record Book!

Posted on June 30th, 2010
Filed under: Calendar of Events, Events, General, News, We Recommend | No Comments »

----------------------------------------------------------------

We’ve had a series of very LOUD and frightening storms in Minnesota lately. Keeping my noise-sensitive dog Chase calm has been a challenge. I’ve received many questions about how to help a dog cope with thunderstorms and fireworks. We use Rescue^® Remedy and a body wrap to help Chase feel secure (more info below). Here are some tips to help you prepare for and weather that next storm, and for the 4^th of July: Read more…

Posted on June 27th, 2010
Filed under: General | No Comments »

----------------------------------------------------------------