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A
visit to the Frankfurt Book Fair 
The
big event of October is Willy going to Frankfurt Germany to
attend the International Book Fair. Willy is no stranger to
international travel having made a fulfilling trip to Japan
last year. He will be representing Bowtie Press, the
publisher of How Willy Got His Wheels and How
Willy Got His Wings books. Willy and Deborah will be
part of a contingent of five people from Bowtie Press at the
Fair.
This fair is the largest trade fair for books, multimedia and communications. People and businesses from all aspects of the industry will be there: authors and publishers, booksellers and librarians, art dealers and illustrators, agents and journalists, information brokers and readers. Over 300,000 visitors from five continents and over 110 countries are expected to attend the fair. Over 6,700 exhibits will be located in the 6 main halls of the Fair. Not only is this Fair the largest of its type, it dates back to the Middle Ages (15th century); the first Fair happening shortly after Johannes Gutenberg invented movable type in Mainz, Germany, a meer 25 miles(40 kilometers) from Frankfurt. |
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Fostering
a sentiment of kindness to animals 
Humane
education has been around since the late 19th century first
being introduced to American schoolchildren by George T.
Angell, the founder of the Massachusetts Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In 1933, the National PTA
Congress issued the following statement in support of humane
education: "Children trained to extend justice,
kindness, and mercy to animals become more just, kind and
considerate in their relations to each other. Character
training along these lines will result in men and women of
broader sympathies, more humane, more law-abiding – in
every respect more valuable citizens." Such character
building is important in the development of a humane society
important to the overall good of our society.
Currently most Humane Education courses are available through local animal care and control agencies (SPCAs, humane societies, animal rescue leagues, and the like). In California, the State Legislature passed Education Code Section 23.5 that states in part: "Each teacher shall endeavor to impress upon the minds of the pupils the principles of morality, truth, justice, patriotism, and a true comprehension of the rights, duties, and dignity of American citizenship, and the meaning of equality and human dignity, including the promotion of harmonious relations, kindness toward domestic pets and the humane treatment of living creatures..." Each school district in California implements the requirements of Section 233.5 in a manner that best satisifies their specific needs. There has not been a uniform application of the education standard. Sadly, only 15 other states have enacted similar statutes bringing Humane Education into the public school curriculum. In October, 2004, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and California State Board of Education declared the month, Character Education Month with an elaborate proclamation about the event. This proclamation should extend the breadth of the event to be a recurring, annual event with an expanded scope to encompass more aspects of humane treatment of all living creatures. This continued awareness is necessary to continue to focus people on the importance of Humane Education. In Long Beach, California, Friends of Long Beach Animals, a non-profit organization, has supported Humane Education for all grades in the Long Beach Unified School District. Using a District approved curriculum, over 15,000 LBUSD students have participated in the Humane Education program. Now in its third year, the program has been heartily embraced by the District. Many of the students have participated in several individual classes over the life of the program and are increasingly grasping the humane treatment concepts of the program. Encourage your local district to embark on a Humane Education program. Now having said all that, we want to remind everyone that November 6 - 12 is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. Take it upon yourself to visit you local shelter(s) and give your support to the staff and volunteers. |
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Beat
the holiday crowds and rush 
The
holiday season is rapidly coming upon us. In the spirit of
the Magi, the tradition of gift giving continues to this
day. From the Magi, to O'Henry to Washington Irving to
Charles Dickens, the giving of gifts at Christmas and family
unity are traditions of the holiday season. A relatively
recent phenomenon, however, is the sending of commercially
printed holiday cards which originated in London in 1843.
Today, gift giving and sending of holiday cards brightens
the holiday season for all.
Holiday gift giving can be done on the Wheely Willy website. Pass on the spirit of Willy by giving a book to a family member or friend. Holiday cards are also available to spread "Willy" holiday cheer. You can avoid the holiday crush at stores and malls by visiting Willy's online store and selecting gifts for one and all. Willy's online store is at http://www.wheelywilly.com/cart.htm. Don't forget your local charities during the holidays. Many groups collect donations of food, gifts and money to distribute to the less fortunate during these holidays. Given the events of recent months, the holiday season will be more difficult for many more people than usual. Seek out organizations in your community that help to raise the spirits of those in need and support them. |
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Some
Helpful Pet Hints for the Holiday Season 
The
holiday season will bring your pets many gifts. Some will be
toys for their fun and enjoyment. Toys should be a part of
every dog’s life. Most pets are energetic and giving them
the appropriate toy can control some of that energy. No
matter what age, from kitten or puppy to senior, pets
naturally love to play. Play stimulates intellectual growth,
develops coordination and balance and teaches pets proper
interaction with humans and other pets (socialization). But
you need to choose carefully. Picking the right toy for your
pet isn't always easy. It may take a little trial and error
before you find that perfect toy your pet just won't leave
alone. Toys can be dangerous to your pet. Balls and other
toys that are too small can easily be swallowed or become
lodged in a pet's mouth or throat. If it can be swallowed,
it can be dangerous. Discard toys which break into pieces,
or have pieces torn off. Discard toys with parts inside,
once the inside is exposed. Pay particular attention to your
pet's chewing habits and pick toys that are suitable for
their level of chewing.
Aggressive chewers tear toys apart. Parts can be lodged in the mouth or throat, and can even kill a pet, if swallowed. Aggressive chewers should only have durable, hard rubber or nylon toys. Semi- aggressive chewers don't tear toys apart, but will chew enough to cause wear on a toy. Semi- aggressive chewers should have canvas, plush, fleece, Berber or rope toys. These toys are softer, but will not come apart easily. Understanding your dog's chewing habits and preferences make it much easier for you to determine what type of toys best suit your pet. It is important to stay away from toys that have string or shiny bits of metal that pets might swallow. Many pets are surprisingly finicky about the size, shape, or feel of the toys they'll play with. If your pet doesn't play with the soft plush toy you give him, try a rubber or bone-hard toy. Be patient and don't give up - you'll find the toy type your pet loves to play with. |
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| Items
of Interest and Note
Here
are some items to keep in mind in the upcoming weeks and
months
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