CritterKin- helping kids learn the joys of petcare

Our guests on PAWsitive Radio- all things pets was    CritterKin

And what a PAWSOME conversation it was!


Jena Ball, the writer and illustrator and Creative Director with Startled Cat and CritterKin talked about the inspiration for CritterKin, which actually dates back to when she was a young child.  Jena grew up passionate about wanting to prevent animals from being returned to shelters, and to teaching the importance of choosing the best pet for your family, and making certain families have the education, tools and resources to have their pets be FOREVER (or shall I say.... FURever) pets.  They are part of our family.

Jena Ball

The CritterKin Mission is "help children (and through them their families) learn the invaluable life lessons that pets can teach. These include respect for all life, an understanding of and appreciation for difference and diversity, empathy, responsibility, and anawareness of our role as the species that has the greatest impact on the planet." (Source: CritterKin).  CritterKin is closely tied to and very supportive of animal shelters, and the important work they do!

Marty Keltz talked about the importance of stories, and that stories connect people. An Emmy Award-winning producer he was the co-founder and president of Scholastic Productions, Inc. (1978-1995) and a Senior Vice-President in charge of New Media at Scholastic Inc., the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books. He led the teams that created The Magic School Bus on PBS.

Martin Keltz

CritterKin Moments are beautiful stories, photographs and music about the lessons we learn from animals, and the many beautiful ways in which they make the world a better place. I was thrilled, and honored to learn CritterKin featured our dog Toby in one of their CritterKin Moments ( http://critterkin.com/moments.html)./   Scroll down and you will see PAWS with Purpose and a wonderful photo of Toby surrounded by children. What a legacy our pets leave. 

All the CritterKin dogs have their own personality, and their own story to share. One our interview Jena shared a few with the listeners.

The next phase of the CritterKin project is their Kickstarter launch in late April. This is a fundraising campaign to hire the animators, designers, engineers, and programmers needed to transform the humane education plan and Jena’s illustrations and stories into a mobile application. 





And there is one more member of the pack....
A veteran brand strategist, Thompson brings more than 20 years of experience in market research, brand positioning, advertising, design and digital media to Startled Cat. In 1998, he formed Remedy Communications, Inc., a full service agency with clients that included Fortune500 companies like Johnson & Johnson (Tylenol), AstraZeneca, and the U.S. Dept. of Defense. Thompson is both a co-founder of Startled Cat and the founder of the Academy of Bright Ideas (AOBI) Ltd.

Doug Thompson

So how can you help? What can you do?  First, listen to the radio show to hear Jena and Marty talk about CritterKin and the many ways in which the project will help create forever homes for animals. And, make sure you visit their website www.critterkin.com and their facebook and Twitter pages to help share their message.

You can listen to the show here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chammond/2013/04/10/guests-jena-ball-and-marty-keltz-from-critterkin


Read a great article in the Examiner about CritterKin:

Lessons from Cats!

What's your favorite cat story?

How has a cat impacted your life?


Deborah Barnes, Author of The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey, was  a guest on my PAWsitive Radio (all things Pets) show. Deborah’s new book is a stunningly-illustrated true story about the world of Zoey, a high-spirited female Bengal cat, and Zee, a loveable male Maine Coon. 

While Zee and Zoey are the charismatic stars of the book, Deborah introduces readers to an evolving cast of feline characters. 

Deborah Barnes, author

 Photo Credit: Amazon Author Profile Page (make sure you check out 

her website for beautiful photos of her cats and the characters in 

the book)

The stories are graced by custom photos and artwork, and are backlit by the life lessons that cats share by just being cats. We are gently encouraged to wake up and enjoy each day, not as we might wish it to be, but as it is – full of mystery, beauty, and the opportunity to welcome whatever we have before us. 

Deborah shared the many ways in which Zoey and Zee inspired her to write a book, and wake up optimistic and hopeful.... and to live an extraordinary life. She is also a champion for many pet related organizations and animal causes, in fact, Deborah raised $10,000 and incredible prizes with a fundraiser contest she held called Cat Ruler of the World. The Blind Cat Rescue was the recipient of $7500 and the other 5 runner up programs won incredible gits and prizes.  

Are you following your dreams? Deborah shared how her life has changed as  a result of her loving feline family, the lessons they teach her every day and the way in which her cats inspired her to take action on her dreams.

For more information about the author and this book, including excerpts, please visit:  http://www.zeezoey.com

 

Listen to internet radio with PAWsitive Radio on Blog Talk Radio

  To find out more about the book and to order your copy. 
This book may be the most inspiring and rewarding read of the year for anyone who loves cats.

Shelter Pet Success Stories

Have you ever adopted an animal from a shelter?  Fallen in love with the smiling furry face on a rescue organization website? I did!  We adopted Toby, a Chesapeake Bay retriever... he had me at WOOF!  Big brown eyes, great smile, white teeth, charming personality... a wonderful addition to our family.

 I am delighted to interview Steven Latham the Producer of the wonderful new PBS show, Shelter Me.  Please join us on Saturday August 11 at 3 pm MST on PAWsitive Radio....all things pets. You'll learn more about Shelter Me, these incredible shelter pet success stories and more.


Steven is an award-winning filmmaker and the President of Steven Latham Productions. He recently produced and directed SHELTER ME, a family-friendly PBS show that celebrates the human-animal bond with positive, uplifting stories about shelter pets and their new homes.  SHELTER ME focuses on the success stories to bring more people into the shelters to give these incredible animals a second chance.
Website: http://stevenlathamproductions

Listen Live or download the show later at: 

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chammond/2012/08/11/guest-steven-latham

And... send me your favorite rescue animal stories....  let's keep this conversation going. You can post a comment on the blog, post on @ontobysterms on Twitter or  On Tobys Terms on Facebook..... or you can email me at charmaine.hammond@hammondgroup.biz