"...BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR" - GETTING READY FOR THE 4TH

With the annual July 4 bombardment right around the corner, here are a few simple tips to protect your pets. 1) Even if you're at home with them, before the fireworks start, be sure to securely fasten all doors and yard gates  to prevent an anxious dog (or cat) from going on the run. 2) For dogs, swaddling in a familiar blanket or their guardian's old T-shirt can provide emotional relief.  3) If your pooch's anxiety is way off the chart, there's always Bach's Rescue Remedy, a natural tranquilizer, as well as prescription meds. 4) Despite all precautions, dogs will sometime pull a Steve McQueen and pull a great escape. That's why it's important that your pet's collar have your contact information, and that he be microchipped. 5) If your pet goes missing, immediately contact the local animal control and nearby veterinarians to see if your dog or cat has been brought in.

Tanner, a pit bull patriot

Tanner is still no fan of the 4th but he's gotten better each year. Here's a look back at how it went on his first Independence Day (from GIMME SHELTER, Chapter ) - "[Tanner] stayed home while we drove to Carl’s for a cookout supper and front row seats at the annual Malibu  Colony fireworks. Lounging on the beach as powerful explosions shake the earth and rivers of color rain down on the Pacific is a visceral, magical experience. We left early to be with our dog. We found him quaking in the dark, burrowed into his bed like a tick on a deer, a casualty of the neighborhood kids and their cherry bombs." 

Lou and I are both both Instagram newbies (@tannerthepitbulll has way more followers than @louisspirito) and still learning how to share things we enjoy, like this picture of a strikingly handsome Husky with impeccable literary taste. Thanks to indieBRAG (@indiebrag) for posting and for honoring us with a BRAG Medallion in Nonfiction.

A NICE REVIEW…INSTAGRAM CONTEST…A FEATURE FOR 'MOM' AND HER ART

It's difficult  for self-published books to draw attention from the mainstream press and so Lou and I are wagging our tails over a very nice review of GIMME SHELTER in last Friday's Publishers Weekly.

We're also thrilled to announce our first Instagram book giveaway contest, sponsored by @pitbullsandkids. The theme is Who Rescue Who (we know the answer to that one) and the contest has another day to run (until 9 PM EDT, June 17). If you hurry, you can still enter. Just repost this flyer, along with a brief story of how you and your dog rescued each other, along with a cute photo of your 4-legged savior,and make sure to hashtag #WhoRescuedWho5. Winners will be announced Sunday, June 21.

Instagram - @pitbullandkids

It wasn't all book news this week. My mom, Eugenie, and her fabulous sculptures, were highlighted in a feature article in this month's 'Sustainability' issue of  Unity Art Magazine. I'm no art scholar - I think dogs playing poker are cool! - but she crafts beautiful work. Lou just dragged home a 300-lb. chunk of alabaster, a gift from our friend, Zari, so I expect there will soon be more hammering and chiseling.

BOOK TRAILER: TANNER & LOU 'DISCUSS' GIMME SHELTER