Book Review: Ivan! A pound dog's view on life, love and leashes

Wait a minute... was this a novel? Or was this a collection of philosophical musings coming from the point of view of a dog? It had the most disjointed flow ever which made it very difficult to read, but it still progressed through "time" logically, making me rather confused. Occasionally, Ivan had some wise thoughts to share, but I never felt like they were coming from a dog, despite the main character being just that. Unlike 'A Dog's Purpose', no tears were shed, no moments of smiling while I was reading, no emotional investments in this text. In fact, I was so unattached to Ivan, the pound dog, the main character, the narrator. I felt no attachment to him, whatsoever. I didn't really care when he was in trouble, I didn't really care when he had some random stories to share that didn't fit in with the book, I didn't really care when he passed at the end of the book. That's the sign of a bad text, in my opinion.

Yes, the moral at the end o the story was great, as it is with most texts about dogs; life is about loving and being loved in return. It's easy to make this the moral of a text with a dog for a narrator because all dogs do is love unconditionally. Yet, despite Ivan's constant mentions of loving his family, I didn't feel it like I did in the story 'A Dog's Purpose' (which I still only gave a 7/10 so don't think I'm praising this book too much).

The way the "chapters" (would you even call them that?) were written was short and sweet and made it easy to read. But despite such short sections separating the text, the last 50 pages were still a challenge to get through. I just wanted the text to be over. I had read enough. I was not invested in the character, the plot progressed terribly disjointed making it difficult to read, and Ivan just didn't capture me. This could have been a great book had it made up it's mind about whether it wanted to be a novel or a philosophical text and had Ivan been a little less human and made the same discoveries that he did throughout the book, making him more like a dog that a reader can't help but love.

Score: 5.5/10
Link to text: http://www.amazon.com/Ivan-Pound-Dogs-View-Leashes/dp/1596528311/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331906146&sr=8-1

A forever home story for the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA from Luna

Hi Hamilton/Burlington Humane Society, it's me, Luna (formally known as Sheila). I just wanted to give you an update on my life here in my new forever home. My mum Claudia came to see me on March first and she tells me she fell in love as soon as I gave her kisses. That night she came back for me and brought me home with her! Can you believe it!? My new family always tells me I'm amazing and that they really love me. Mum tells me she doesn't know what she ever did without me and that I've brought a joy to her life that she never knew she could have. I like making my new family happy! My mum tells me I'm a good girl; I don't have any accidents, I only chew my toys, I sleep through the night, I listen to her orders... She says we need to work on my social skills though because I don't really like other dogs. Mum says I'm small and shouldn't try and take them all on but I think she needs glasses. I really love to cuddle and kiss my new family and sleep in weird places or in weird positions. They tell me I'm funny and that I do some pretty neat tricks, like jumping high into their arms if they say "up". My new family tells me I'll be with them forever and they're so lucky that I came into their lives. I think I'm pretty lucky too! They want to say thank you to all of you for finding me, taking care of me for the time I was there and for giving me to a family that feels complete with me as a part of it.I have to go now -- it's time to play with my squeeky stuffed toy and follow that up with a nap. Thank you so much! You've made such a big, wonderful difference in my life and my family's!

Love,

Luna

and her new family; Claudia, Ugo & Marisa

I got through on ANIMAL INTUITION with SONYA FITZPATRICK the animal psychic on SIRIUS RADIO!

Sonya Fitzpatrick is an animal psychic who has a show on Sirius radio. She is amazing and is can even find lost dogs or solve health issues in them. I called for information on Luna's background, where she came from, since the shelter just found her and did not know. I asked her what she thinks about me and about her new house. This is the reply I got: 

Sonya asked for my dog’s name and I told her I named her “Luna” and that she responds to it already. Sonya asked when Luna was shy. I told her she was shy when I first met her, only really paid attention to her surrounding and then sat on my lap and gave me kisses. Sonya said she is not shy anymore. Sonya told me that Luna was just left outside by her family because of financial issues and that they likely lost their house. They just dropped her off outside and left her. She said Luna was very hungry then and I told Sonya that she was very, very skinny when we found her and she immediately devoured the boiled chicken we made her when we got home. Sonya said that Luna knows how much I love her because I tell her all the time and has never had someone care about her so much. She said Luna is very happy with me. She said Luna really loves me too and that she wanted to make sure that she always stayed here forever. Sonya asked if she’s always beside me and I said “yes,” that she follows me around and that she is sleeping next to me right now and shares my bed. Sonya said she has never cared about a human so much. She asked what the issue was with Luna’s leg, I told her that she is always licking around there because she just got spayed. Sonya said that is likely the reason Luna is telling her about her leg. Sonya asked when do I take her on walks, that there is a time when I take her on walks and when is it. I said “right after I come home from work”. Sonya said she absolutely loves those walks and that she’s never been walked in all her life. Sonya asked when she was near water or what is the water connection. I said we live near the lake and walk not far from water together. Sonya said that Luna said she loves looking at the water and all the birds and listening to the sounds. Sonya asked who the “gentleman” in the picture was. I said it was probably my dad because he is the only man in our household. Sonya said Luna loves him very much. She said he talks to her and that she really likes him. I told Sonya how Luna greets me when I come home from work and that I’ve never felt so happy in all my life and Sonya said Luna has never been so happy either and that she really, truly loves me. 

My formal complaint to the Oakville/Milton Humane Society

To: <shelter@oakvillemiltonhumane.com>

Cc: <dlea@oakvillebeaver.com>; <kmiceli@miltoncanadianchampion.com>

Subject: Disappointed in the Oakville/Milton Humane Society

Dear Oakville/Milton Humane Society,

I am writing to you to tell you how disappointed I am in your adoption process. I have read, over and over, about your demand for adoption rates to increase and about the struggle with overcrowding. Yet you do not seem to be eager or have time to even read applications for your sweet animals!

On February 25th I came to your shelter and inquired about one of your dogs, Suzie. You informed me that there was an application in for her but you were looking to take more, just in case. That Monday, I asked to see Suzie and spend time with her and I instantly felt a connection and a desire to mother her and give her a forever home. I filled in an application for her, despite there having been one since the weekend (or longer, I do not know, I did not inquire). Your staff informed me that you would contact me to keep me updated on the status of Suzie, even if her first applicants were called for a meeting with her. Wednesday arrived and I did not get a call. I called to inquire and was informed by your staff that you have not even looked at the first application due to time contraints. Yet, some of your other staff went on and on about how they couldn't believe Suzie had not yet been adopted, had been in the shelter since August, and how badly she needed a home. If this dog needed a home so urgently and if she has been there for such a long period of time, why would you let even five days pass without a look at an application? It has now been over a week since I went to your shelter and applied for Suzie and I've yet to receive a phone call regarding her status which leads me to believe you have continued to have no progress or care with this sweet, sad dog.

Thankfully, this Thursday I walked into the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA and that evening walked out with a dog that has now filled the space in my heart that I had hoped Suzie could fill. She is in her forever home. And all HBSPCA asked of me was information about my lifestyle and my desires in a companion in order to make sure that she was the right match for me. They sat with me and my family that night with no need for a meeting later in the week. Your application process involves interrogation, inconvenient meetings at a later, unknown date, and from this experience, it seems as though getting a home for a dog is not your major concern (despite all that you advertise in the Oakville Beaver and the like). It is heartbreaking to know that an application wasn't even looked at for five days when these animals need loving homes immediately, more than anything in the world.

I am so disappointed in your shelter and I feel so sorry for your animals if this is how you treat the adoption process, and I just wanted to let you know.

Sincerely,
Claudia Amendola

A few hours later, I received a call from the Oakville/Milton SPCA asking if I was still interested in adopting Suzie. I told them, "Actually, no, I just e-mailed you guys," to which the woman replied, "Oh, I have yet to have it forwarded to me!" Coincidence that they call me mere hours after I send my e-mail, or their attempt to cover their butts when the Oakville Beaver comes to question them? That's okay; I took a photo of the exact time they called and it's nothing but suspicious. 

"Techies"

There is nothing that irks me more than someone who claims to be a 'techy' but really just enjoys tech and knows nothing about it. I live tech, so when someone tells me they love technology, I figure they could have discussions with me about operating system speeds and really understand specs, not just talk about web programs, GBs (more is bettaahhh!!) or the obvious. Thinking technology is cool and understanding technology to the point where you could probably build a computer if you were asked to are two different things.

On a different but not completely unrelated note, I had a technological education class today, and while it seems rather simple for a tech-fiend like myself, the teacher clearly shares my passion for tech (clue: she had a circuit board piece around her neck) and I'll probably love the class thanks to her.

Teaching is the best career in the world.

Seriously.

Hamilton Spectator Recognizes my Issue

A little updated regarding the complaint that I sent to the city of Hamilton:

This is the reply I received from the By-Law Municipal office:
"Good morning Claudia.

We are in receipt of your concerns regarding offensive billboard signage advertising.  Municipal Law Enforcement does not regulate the content of signage, strictly the placement and authorization of placement of signage.

You may contact Hamilton Police Services and they will investigate the content of the signage.  Also, you may wish to contact the billboard sign company to inquire as to what regulatory body they are required to conform to when installing billboard signage.

Trusting you will find this information to be of assistance.

Laura McDavid

Customer Service Officer

Municipal Law Enforcement"

As suggested, I sent an inquiry to the Hamilton Police asking where I could direct my complaint. When they didn't reply in a few days, I sent my complaint to the Hamilton Spectator. They were obviously interested and the next day called me asking for an "on-the-phone interview". I told them all the details and I told them how I felt about the issue.

A few hours later, I received a phone call from the executive to the chief of police of Hamilton. He informed me that according to Criminal Code of Canada number 163 "Intending to Corrupt Morals" as well as a case from 1992 that they looked at called "Virgina vs Butler", there is nothing that the police can do regarding the billboard because it doesn't break the law. He suggested (though he did say he didn't want to pass me around from person to person) contacting the sign company and asking them if they know that it's located across from an elementary school and if, as a member of the community who cares about what children are being exposed to, if they could move or remove it.

I didn't have to notify the company of my complaint (the location next to an elementary school) because the following day, I/my issue was featured in the Spec and they contacted the company for me. The company apologized for the location but not for the ad (I couldn't care less about the ad itself).

Here is the article, online: http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/272557--sign-location-wrong-agency

Disappointingly, the comments are nothing but negative and a lot of ad hominem attacks and attacks on who I am as a person and that's their own prerogative (everyone is entitled to an opinion, right?). I wanted my complaint to get noticed and I wanted someone to take responsibility for the poor placement of the advertisements and that happened, so I'm happy.  


And now here's to hoping it's removed, A.S.A.P.