National Puppy Day

My granddog, Remy, as a puppy

by Beth Carpenter

I’m a dog person. I love cats and horses and rabbits and finches as well, but dogs are special. That’s why I was excited to discover that today is National Puppy Day! It’s all about celebrating the joy and love puppies bring into our lives, and encouraging the adoption of rescue dogs and puppies. Today, I’d like to thank the people who work hard to bring pets and pet lovers together.
Roxy
This is Roxy, our resident clown and cuddlebug, as well as guardian of the castle. She belonged to a military family who wasn’t told until they’d moved into a new apartment that only small dogs were allowed. They could have dropped her off at a shelter, but instead they placed an ad, brought her out to meet us twice, and handed over her crate and toys so that the change in her life would be as seamless as possible. Roxy was eight months old then. She’s been with us more than seven years now, and still makes us laugh every single day.
Roxy digging for her squeaky toy

Remy and me
My granddog, Remy, was a rescue puppy. My daughter found her at a special adoption event. Someone else wanted Remy as well, but the foster family choose her, and they’ve lived happily every after. There’s a story behind Remy’s name. My daughter was working all over Arizona for a construction company right out of college. Several of the men she worked with had daughters around her age. They worried about her living alone in a trailer and told her she should get a gun. Instead, she got a dog and named her Remington. Remy is no weapon, but she is a devoted companion, thanks to the foster family who brought them together.

Then there are the people who go above and beyond. One day I took Roxy to the vet for shots and saw these puppies in their waiting room. Don’t they look exactly like Roxy must have as a baby? The receptionist told me one of their clients had found the puppies in a dumpster while on vacation in the Caribbean. She couldn’t stand to leave them behind, so she flew them to Alaska. Because of her and the veterinarian who helped, instead of dying in that dumpster, these puppies were ready to be adopted into a good home. 

So a special thank you today to all the foster families, volunteers, and other angels who work behind the scenes to find families for pets and pets for families. Do you have a story of a special animal and how they came into your life?


My first Harlequin, THE ALASKAN CATCH, comes out in August, and yes, there is a dog in the story. To celebrate, I’m giving away this Alaskan salmon-themed kitchen set to someone with a US mailing address, or a $10 Amazon card internationally. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Comments

  1. Welcome to the Harlequin family! Can't wait to read your book!

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    1. Thanks, Laurie. It's strange - I've replied a couple of times and my comment didn't appear. Maybe third time's a charm.

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  2. We're so glad you're here. I loved your "dog stories."

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  3. Aww, Beth, if I didn't like you already, this post would have done it! I also loved all three stories, and I bet those pups didn't have to wait long to be adopted.

    You might have seen the post already of how Harley and Logan adopted us, but since you asked, here it is:
    http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.ca/2014/09/a-dogs-life-by-kate-james-and.html

    For anyone living in or around the Greater Toronto Area, there is a wonderful dog (and horse) rescue facility called Dog Tales:
    http://www.dogtales.ca/ They do amazing work.

    Happy National Puppy Day!

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    1. Dog Tales? How perfect! I always enjoy hearing about Harley and Logan. Lucky dogs, to have you and your husband.

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  4. What a great post, Beth! Your dog stories made me smile. And that video of Roxie...I love it! I can't wait to read your first book! Congratulation to you.

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    1. Thanks, Jill. Roxy has two speeds, sleeping and moving, and find the sqeaky toy in the blanket is one of her favorite games.

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  5. I loved your post for National Puppy Day, Beth, and especially the story of how Remy got his name. Clever daughter! Our family has always been 'into' dogs as opposed to cats cause my mother had cat phobia! But recently my daughter's partner was working in the States and one of his work crew found a litter of abandoned kittens. The work mate took them to a vet clinic, had them neutered and shots given and then arranged for their transport back home with her to Canada! One of them found a home with my daughter and her partner and he's adorable. We're always asking for more funny stories about Felix. So maybe we're 'cat' people after all! Thanks for a nice start to my day!

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    1. What a wonderful outcome. If I had my way, we'd have cats, too, but hubby's allergic.

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  6. PUPPY DAY!!! I didn't even know they had that. But that makes total sense! I love animals but dogs do hold a special place in my heart. There is an organization in our county called The Dallas Hope Memorial Fund whose goal is to give elderly patients peace of mind by finding their pets great foster homes when they have to go into a nursing home or assisted living situation where they aren't allowed to keep their pets. They also assist in finding pets for elderly patients. We adopted our dog, KC, through them when his owner had to go into a nursing home. As part of the program, KC has free veterinarian care for the rest of his life and yearly checkups and shots at no charge. KC has been a real blessing to our family and I'm so grateful for organizations like the DHMF that are dedicated to helping both the elderly and pets.

    Congratulations on your debut Heartwarming book! I can't wait to read it!

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    1. What a wonderful organization! I know my mother-in-law would never move into assisted living no matter how much she needed it if it meant her dogs suffered. Thanks.

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  7. Great post. Looking forward to your debut book for the line. Love stories of Alaska and of course, with animals. I can't abide the cruelty some people inflict on innocent animals. So glad you helped out a military family. I know it happens that some single guys can't take their dogs when they're transferred or sent on mission. We see ads in our paper. I can't imagine it's easy for them to leave a beloved pet either.

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    1. It's heartbreaking to hear the stories, but encouraging to hear about the people who step up and help in those situations. A couple of years ago, a bad fire swept through an area near Willow, Alaska, destroying a couple of major mushing kennels, and the community pitched in to take care of all the displaced huskies.

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  8. I am a dog person too!!! Love them, always have, always will!! Happy Puppy Day!!!

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    1. Hi, Melanie. I'm sure we'll get to see lots of wonderful photos of cute puppies today. Enjoy.

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  9. PUPPY DAY! What a great holiday! Your post was wonderful. I know it's official that I'm an over the top dog person now. Two weeks ago, I rescued a yellow lab mix from traffic (he's gotten out when the high winds blew down a section of his master's fence). He was a puppy, strong like a young colt. He knocked me down...I sprained my ankle and broke two ribs, but he's safe. I think he was darling and I know now...I'm a sucker for dogs...and cats...and horses...and...and...

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    1. Oh, my goodness. Broken bones and a sprained ankle rescuing a puppy! You definately went above and beyond, Catherine. So sorry you were hurt, but glad the pup is safe. Sending up prayers for healing.

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  10. What kind of person could leave puppies in a dumpster to die!! I'm so glad they were rescued.
    I love your pictures!! My first dog, a German Shepherd named April, was about 6 months old when my mom's boyfriend brought her home from a grocery store. We lived in an apartment building at the time, on the 8th floor. When she got to our house she went out on the terrace into a corner and was shaking nonstop from head to toe!! I felt so bad for her because she was scared. Well, after a few days she fell in love with us, we fell in love with her, and she was our beloved dog for 10 years. I still miss her after nearly 32 years!! If I think about her too long, I still tear up. Congratulations on your first Heartwarming book!!

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    1. Thanks, Laurie. I've always loved German Shepherds. Did you see Rumor who won the Westminster show? What a gorgeous dog.

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    2. I didn't know, but now that you mentioned it I looked it up and WOW - Rumor reminded me immediately of April, except she was black and white. But she looked perfect like Rumor. There was a burst of emotion when I saw Rumor. Thanks for telling me. ( :

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  11. National Puppy Day - I love it and your blog post. We are a dog and cat family too. Although my dog is currently with her grandparents since we moved and don't have a fenced in yard. And my mom doesn't seem inclined to give Bailey back to us anytime soon and Bailey is being spoiled rotten so it is a win-win right now. The only ones in our house who don't seem to miss the dog are the cats. Looking forward to your release!

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    1. So your mom gets the fun of spoiling Bailey and you still get to see her (him?). Win-win is right. I'm looking forward to yours as well, coming in July. I love the cover.

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  12. Congratulations on your release! Very exciting! :) And your dog looks like a sweetie. I'm a dog person, too, but don't have one... one day!

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    1. One day. In the meantime you can ooh and aah over other people's dogs and look at cute pictures, right?

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  13. Hi Beth! Wonderful post. I love the photos of the fur babies in your life. The story of Remy's name is perfect. I am the proud parent of a rescue dog myself, a dachshund named Lucky. I realize how unoriginal that name is but I got him over Thanksgiving weekend 15 years ago and let six of my young nieces and nephews name him. He's spoiled, mischievous, ill-mannered, and doesn't take well to strangers but he's been the light of my life since the day I found him. Happy Puppy Day to all!

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    1. Aw, Lucky is the perfect name. Dachshunds have so much personality. I'll bet he's a blast to have around.

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  14. What lovely dogs. Where would we be without them x

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