The Twelve Dogs of Christmas (Pine Hollow #1) by Lizzie Shane ~ Book Review

Book Description: 

A delightful holiday romance about a small-town single dad and an animal rescue owner as they try to find forever homes for a dozen lovable pups before Christmas.

Pine Hollow has everything Ally Gilmore could wish for in a holiday break: gently falling snow in a charming small town and time with her family. Then she learns some Grinch has pulled the funding for her family's rescue shelter, and now she has only four weeks to find new homes for a dozen dogs! But when she confronts her Scroogey councilman nemesis, Ally finds he's far more reasonable — and handsome — than she ever expected.

As the guardian of his dog-obsessed ten-year-old niece, Ben West doesn't have time to build a cuddly reputation. But he does feel guilty about the shelter closing. So he proposes a truce with Ally, agreeing to help her adopt out the pups. As the two spend more time together, the town's gossip is spreading faster than Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve. And soon Ben is hoping he can convince Ally that Pine Hollow is her home for the holidays... and the whole year through. 

Purchase a copy on Amazon. 

About the Author: 

Contemporary romance author Lizzie Shane was born in Alaska and still calls the frozen north home, though she can frequently be found indulging her travel addiction. Thankfully, her laptop travels with her and she has written her way through all fifty states and over fifty countries.

Lizzie has been honored to win the Golden Heart Award and HOLT Medallion, and has been named a finalist three times for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA Award®, but her main claim to fame is that she lost on Jeopardy!

Author's Website.

Review: 

I love a good sweet holiday romance and this hit the spot. Add in a dog rescue with lots of cute puppies and I just couldn't put this book down. Pine Hollow is a small village where everyone knows each other. When Ally comes from the big city to help her Grandparents run the dog shelter she never thought it would lose its town funding and have to close by the end of the year. Ally also didn't expect to fall in love. The characters are very well developed and I just love them all. I felt like I was actually along for the ride with Ally as she navigates through Pine Hollow to help save the dog shelter. This is an amazing little town that I would just love to live in. I can't wait to read book two! I have three rescue dogs and understand the hard work that goes into finding the right furever home for each puppy. This was a truly great little Holiday read that I definitely could find myself reading over and over again.

If you are a dog lover, want a little Holiday romance then this is the book for you! I give a 5 star!

~*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own. *~

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PC Nutrition First: Pet Health Tips

We have recently added to our four legged fur babies. We have added another hound to our family, his name is Buddy. Buddy is 6 years old and has been in a couple homes previous to finding his forever home with us and he girl Molly. Molly is our first hound and is now 3 years old. Both of them are a huge part of our family and we strive to feed them the best foods, vet visits and always looking for health tips to keep our babies happy and healthy for a very long time. 

PC Nutrition First wanted to share with Genuine Jenn readers some tips for our furry friends from celebrity dog trainer Harrison Forbes. Not only is he a pet lover, but he has also worked with A-list celebs like Katherine Heigl, Jane Lynch and Joanna Krupa on everything from their pet's behaviour to charity events and animal rights causes. He's a champion of happy, healthy dog and has dedicated his life to our canine companions. 

Perfecting Pet Health

Most of us can agree that leading a healthy, fulfilled life is all about balance. We strive to eat nourishing, delicious food, find a form of exercise we enjoy, broaden our horizons through lifelong learning and surround ourselves with people we love and trust. These fundamental building blocks to health and happiness are universally applicable – male, female, young or old; diet, exercise, education and socialization are essential for physical and emotional growth.

What many people don’t realize is that these basic principles apply to our pets too. To help Canadians celebrate their beloved fur babies and educate them about making nutritious choices on their behalf, the President’s Choice® Nutrition First® team has partnered with celebrity dog trainer Harrison Forbes. 

Whether you are a new or seasoned dog owner, check out Harrison’s tips for dogs of all ages!

Enjoy First-Class Fuel 

The number one contributor to a healthy lifestyle for pets and humans is diet. Like you, your pet should eat nutritious ingredients from all the essential food groups. Brands like President’s Choice® Nutrition First® make it easy for your pet to enjoy the same nutrient-rich foods you do by incorporating high-quality proteins as the main ingredient, along with wholesome grains, fruits and vegetables, pre and probiotics, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to nourish your pet’s body. 

Get Physical

Most pet behaviour problems are rooted in frustration. Like people, dogs get bored and anxious when they are under-exercised. Being a good pet parent means finding time to play with your dog. Whether focused on mental stimulation (for example, using “smart toys”) or physical exercise (like a walk in the park), interactive activities are crucial for a healthy, well-behaved pup.

Educate Early

When it comes to pet parenting, education is essential – for both of you. To effectively train your dog, you need to invest time in understanding his genetic history so you can design a program that takes advantage of his natural instincts. As your pup learns good conduct, don’t forget to recognize and reward his progress. Treats like President’s Choice® Nutrition First® Grain-Free Biscuits are a nutritious way to reinforce and reward behaviour, help him enjoy the training experience and fuel his body.

Seek Out Puppy Pals

Taking your dog out on the town is key to teaching him how to interact with other people and animals. Just like human babies, dogs needs time to learn what they can and cannot do around others, and exposing them to other pets is a great way to help them establish relationships and learn to enjoy
spending time with furry friends. Plus, having a dog on your arm is a great way to meet like-minded friends!

Stay tuned for more pet information from our friends at 

PC Nutrition First. 

 

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Disneynature Monkey Kingdom on DigitalHD, DMA, & Blu-ray Combo Pack 9/15

I love the Disneynature movies and I am so excited for the newest one to be released on DigitalHD, DMA, & Blu-ray Combo Pack on September 15, 2015! My daughter has been dying to see this one since we saw an advertisement at the theatre. 

Disneynature, the studio that brought you Chimpanzee and Bears, comes MONKEY KINGDOM, a spectacular tale set among ancient ruins in the storied jungles of South Asia. Maya, a clever and resourceful monkey, and her family will make you laugh and warm your heart as she realizes her dreams for her son’s future. 

Narrated by Tina Fey, own this breathtaking feature film on  Digital HD, Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) & Blu-ray Combo Pack on September 15. 

Enjoy this must-own film and Disneynature will donate a portion of first-week sales to Conservation International to help protect endangered species in their natural habitats.



~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. This is just an announcement post. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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My Little Book of Life Cycles by Camilla de la Bedoyere ~ Kids Book Review

Book Synopsis: 

How does an acorn grow into a tree? What does a baby sea horse eat? Discover the amazing stages of different life cycles and learn all about your favourite species with this stunning series. From plants and pets to exotic animals, readers will soon learn how different species are born, grow up and reproduce. Each book has amazing photographs, easy-to-understand text and discussion points for further learning.

Find out where to pick up a copy on Quarto Publishing Group USA

Review: 

I thought this would be a great book for my daughter who is in grade 2 to read on her own as her class is learning about animals and life cycles. When both my kids saw it they loved it, even my grade 3 boy who has learned a lot about life cycles of different animals. He actually sat down right away with it and went through it with his sister. They both loved it as the pictures are bright and the words are simple and straight to the point. It is very easy for younger children to understand the terms used in this book and the pictures make it very interesting and easy to keep them interested in what they are learning. All real life photos of animals that take up tons of the pages with the words scattered with the photos. My daughter took this book into class and the teacher really liked it also. They went through some of it with the students that day. 

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars as it is a great teaching tool for young children! 
b

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above book for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Look what I found on my walk

Yesterday morning Molly and I headed out to take the kids to the bus and then head out on our morning walk. We didn't get too far on our walk this morning before we came across something that needed our help. 

We were very close to the water where we take a trail for our 5km walks. The HUGE turtle started across the road! I got closer trying to figure out how in the world I was going to get this big guy across the road as he was in a really bad spot that cars fly down a hill and out to the end of this road. He was at the bottom of the hill. I remember last year I learned that when moving a turtle you are suppose to move them in the same direction they were going. I had no idea how I would move him especially with Molly with me. I was lucky that just as we were standing in the middle of the road with the turtle this guy who works for Parks Canada was coming to work and was parking his car in the lot close to us. He came to us right away and there was another car that came that had a blanket. The guy was able to get this big guy across the street but not before I stopped a couple cars flying towards us. 

I love living in a smaller town close to water and parks, you just never know what you will see from ducks, beavers and turtles.

Here are some pictures!

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Super Buddies Out on Blu-ray Combo Pack & DVD Today!

About the movie:

An ordinary day at Fernfield Farms turns extraordinary when Budderball, Mudbud, B-Dawg, Buddha and Rosebud discover mysterious rings that grant them each a unique super power. Before you can say, “Buddies, assemble,” the pups unleash their amazing abilities and race to the rescue when a shape-shifting bully from outer space threatens the planet. But can they succeed in kicking major tail without revealing their new secret identities?
 
Cast: The movie’s voice cast includes Colin Hanks, John Michael Higgins, Atticus Shaffer, Alyson Stoner, Maulik Pancholy, Chris Coppola, Amy Sedaris, Zendaya, Debra Jo Rupp, and the legendary Tim Conway as the voice of Deputy Sniffer.  The ‘Buddies’ voices include Cooper Roth (TV’s Are you Faster Than a 1st Grader”)  who voices B-Dawg; Tenzing Trainor (TV's "Stevie TV" ) who voices Buddha; Jeremy Shinder (TV’s “Louie,” "Newlyweeds") who voices Budderball; Ty Panitz (“Because I Said So,” “How To Eat Fried Worms”) who voices Mudbud; and G. Hannelius (TV’s “Good Luck Charlie,” TV's "Sonny With A Chance") who voices Rosebud.

Super Buddies is directed by Robert Vince, written and produced by Robert Vince and Anna McRoberts.  

Follow on Facebook and view exciting trailers, games, video clips and so much more on the Disney website. 

Our thoughts: If you are a fan of the Buddies you will not be let down. This is another fabulous family movie. My daughter said her favorite parts of the movie is when Rose Bud gets her power which makes her go super fast. Rose Bud is her favorite puppy. She also loved how B-Dog used his power unknowingly to save the day. My son liked when the good guy alien landed on the earth and transformed to a dog. His favorite Super Buddy is B-Dog and Butterball. The kids loved learning each of the Super Buddy powers and how they helped save the day. This movie was added to their favorite pile that will be watch over and over again. I enjoyed watching this movie with them also along with our beagle Molly. 

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. We received the above dvd for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Some Shrine Circus Fun for the Whole Family!

Last weekend I fibbed to my children. I know, I know that is not acceptable as we always tell our kids that we are not to tell "stories". My little story started out with "We need to go do some groceries today, how about we head into the city for a change?" Their answer "Sure, can we look in the toy section?"

So we hurried up and made a lunch for the road. It is an hour drive into the city from our place and my surprise started at 1pm but we needed to be there by noon.

We followed a lot of cars heading toward a big tent and the kids started with the questions especially when we turned the other way from the mall they could see.

Surprise! We are going to see the Shrine Circus! We headed to get our tickets and wait in line for when the doors opened to the Big tent. The kids were super surprised and really happy. They have never been to the circus and had a lot of questions while we waited.

We had VIP seats and sat really close to the "stage". A small tip for people that haven't been to the Shrine Circus before. Try to seat near the entrance as you will be able to see the Tigers better! The kids were in awe of everything going around us and excited to see the tricks done by the performers especially the little boy who is 7! My son is 7 and he was so excited to see that someone his age was in the circus. I was totally on the edge of my seat by the end of the performance with the gentleman walking blind folded high in the air. We look forward to attending the circus again in the future!

The Shrine Circus has been making its rounds around Canada and if there is a stop near you, you should really check it out. Next stop is tonight in Quebec! Check out the schedule and pick up your tickets today!

Follow the Shrine Circus on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #ShrineCircus

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn for the Shrine Circus. We received tickets in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Wordless Wednesday - A Day Trip

The Hubs and I had the whole day yesterday to spend together, this is pretty rare as we work opposite work schedules and both kids were in school. Hubs need to go get his eyes checked and get new glasses. We made a trip to a town nearby, where we enjoyed some YUMMY Fish & Chips from our favorite spot and sat down by the water. These are a few photos I took.

 

 

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Wordless Wednesday - Dog/Cat Days of Summer!

 

Wouldn't it be fun to be a cat or dog for a day? They have no problems sleeping anywhere!

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by CCM. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Wordless Wednesday - Beauty on the Lake

While on vacation I took this photo. I have more great shots from our vacation to come.
~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Canadian Coupon Mom. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Iams Senior Plus Pet Food

For as long as I can remember we have always have had pets from kittens and puppies to rabbits and hamsters. We were always very lucky that most of our pets lived long healthy lives into their elder years. Caring for our pets and giving them the right food during each stage of their life is very important for optimal health.

Right now we have two cats and a rabbit, our cats are still very young with one just getting out of the kitten stage. I am very happy to hear about all the wonderful pet foods from Iams that will be available for them when they are in their Senior Plus years.

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Am I Cat or a Baby?

We adopted this beautiful pure black kitten last August and she quickly fit right in with our family. The kids love her and play with her daily. She loves to hang out in their beds and my son always has to take her to bed at night.

For the most part our older kitty loves her also but he doesn't like people to see it:

Found sleeping in A's bed with our other cat Marty

Both of the crazy kitties getting into trouble on the table :(

Recently my daughter has been playing house with Lily and funny thing is that silly cat is loving it. I am really starting to think this cat has no idea it is a cat. When she first came to us we needed to put a child proof latch on the garbage as she would tear it open, we couldn't leave food anywhere in reach of her. The kids had a hard time eating as she would try to eat anything and everything they had.

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Wordless Wednesday ~ February 15th, 2012

The girls playing iPod

 
~*Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. This post is written by Canadian Coupon Mom. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Maxx Scoop

Hi All, I want to tell you about the cat litter we got to try and LOVE! It's Purina Maxx Scoop. I love the small spaces clumping litter. It smells great and is low dusting (big bonus when you fill the litter box up) Our Cats seem to like it also. We have 3 cats (2 males) and we usually clean the box once or twice a day. There are no more peeing or poops beside the box either! I got to try out this awesome litter by going to Try Maxx Scoop and you take a little survey, they send out a coupon for you to try it and then tell people how you like it. They contact you a few weeks later for a survey on how you enjoyed your new litter.

Enjoy!

till next time :)
~Jennifer

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