Categories
Leonbergers

Fort Leonberg Designing Your Home To Make Your Leonberger Happy

Meme photo of Jackson Galaxy Cat Behavior Consultant. The meme states "When you get stranded on Earth without your photon weapons so you just have to come up with a job & survive"
Jackson Galaxy the world’s foremost Cat Behavior Consultant

I am sure you cat lovers know about the world’s foremost Cat Behavior Consultant Jackson Galaxy. He has written a lot of very successful books on cat behavior including the best seller “Catification”, Designing a Happy and Stylish Home for Your Cat (and You). It is rumored that Jackson Galaxy is from outer space and that he got stranded on Earth without his photon blaster and therefore had to come up with a job to survive. Whatever the case is he is a beloved icon in the cat community.

Being an energetic and family-oriented giant breed, the right type of home may be an even more important feature for Leonbergers. Below I am listing ten important points to consider when preparing your home for a Leonberger.

  • First of all, a small apartment is not a suitable home for a Leonberger. They need room and they need a backyard or similar for running and moving around.
  • Leonbergers are family dogs, and they like to be with people so they should not be left outside for too long, and therefore your house needs to be able to accommodate a very large and hairy dog that sheds a lot.
  • In addition to shedding a lot, Leonbergers love to dig and to be messy and muddy. Allowing a little bit of a mess will make your Leonberger a happy dog.
  • You need a fence, preferably at least six or seven feet tall. The ground below the fence cannot be too soft since Leonbergers are expert diggers. A runaway Leonberger may be a happy Leonberger for a short time but bad things can happen to runaway Leonbergers. Check whether wild animals such as bobcats and coyotes can get in through your fence.
  • Check your backyard and locate and get rid of sharp or dangerous objects such as metal rods sticking up from the grass.
  • If you have a swimming pool, make sure the dog can easily get in and out of the pool on his own.
  • Get rid of poisonous plants in your house. Click here to see a list of poisonous plants.
  • While the Leonberger is still a puppy you need to enclose electrical cords with cord protectors for pets with strong jaws.
  • Secure glass tables and vases that can easily tip and fall, the fireplace. Secure toilet-bowl additives, drain cleaners, bar soap, tampons, paint, antifreeze, pesticides, oil and gasoline, rat poison, carpet cleaner, fertilizer, bleach, detergent, hot iron, sharp objects, and glass jars.
  • Leonbergers can reach all counters. They love to stand on their back legs, like bears, and they are intelligent enough to open easy access pantries, so it is important to secure food items dangerous to dogs such as; coffee beans, chocolate, onions, garlic, yeast, avocados, raisins, macadamia nuts, fruits pits and seeds, raw salmon and trout, raw eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, persimmons, rhubarb leaves, medicine, Tylenol, any food containing xylitol (sugar substitute), food left out, garbage. Click here for more information.

And Happy Belated St. Patricks’ Day from me, Thomas, the Leonberger Behavior Consultant.

Me, Thomas Wikman, in a St. Patricks' Day Card with a green beer

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Finally, if you would like to learn about more about my book and find out where to buy it, click here or here. You can also click the image below to buy it from Amazon.

The image shows the front cover of my book "The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle". Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger. The cover is beige and brown and it has the face of an old Leonberger in the middle. Author is Thomas Wikman. Click on the image to go to the Amazon.com paperback location for the book.
The front cover of my book “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle”. Click on the image to go to the Amazon.com location for the book.
Categories
Book Reviews

Cover Reveal for Reunion A Story

Sometimes I make posts not directly related to Leonberger dogs, especially if I want to promote a good book. Today I am making a cover reveal post for one of the books written by a talented author and an on-line friend by the name Alex Diaz-Granados.

New front cover for Reunion: A Story. Photo of school lockers, one is open with a hand sticking into one of the lockers. Click on the image to go to the Amazon.com page for the book.
New front cover for Reunion: A Story. Click on the image to go to the Amazon.com page for the book.
This is the cover for the e-Book version of Reunion: A Story. The image consist of green grassy or bush like weeds. Click on the image to go to the Amazon.com E-Book version of the book.
This is the cover for the e-Book version of Reunion: A Story. Click on the image to go to the Amazon.com E-Book version of the book.

About the Author

Alex Diaz-Granados (1963-) began writing movie reviews as a staff writer and Entertainment Editor for his high school newspaper in the early 1980s and was the Diversions editor for Catalyst, Miami-Dade Community College, South Campus’ student newspaper for one semester.

Using his experiences in those publications, Alex has been raving and ranting about the movies online since 2003 at various websites, including Amazon, ciao and Epinions. In 2012, Alex published his first book, Save Me the Aisle Seat: The Good, the Bad and the Really Bad Movies: Selected by an Online Film Reviewer through CreateSpace.

Reunion: A Story, is Alex’s first work of fiction. In addition to writing reviews, Alex has collaborated with actor-director Juan Carlos Hernandez on several short films, including A Simple Ad (2019), Clown 345 (2019), and Ronnie and the Pursuit of the Elusive Bliss. You can find his reviews and essays on his blog, A Certain Point of View, Too.

About the Book

It is June 1983. Jim Garraty is a senior at South Miami Senior High. He’s a staff writer for the school paper, a college-bound scholar who plans to become a historian and author of books on military history. He’s well-liked by his peers and teachers, and his future looks bright. But as commencement draws near for the Class of 1983, Jim must deal with unfinished business. The girl he loves from afar is also graduating, and rumor has it that she is going away for the summer before starting college in the fall. Worse still, Marty doesn’t know how deeply Jim’s feelings for her are – unless he tells her. But when an opportunity arises on the last day of classes at South Miami High, Jim hesitates…and the window of opportunity closes. Now, 15 years later, James Garraty is an up-and-coming history professor whose literary career is on the rise. Respected by his fellow faculty professors and recipient of popular and critical acclaim, Jim seems to have it all. Except for one thing. True love.

Reunion: A Story Paperback – July 2, 2018, by Alex Diaz-Granados can be purchased from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. The paperback version is currently $6.99 on both Amazon or Barnes & Noble. It is 51 pages, ISBN 978-1722120474, item weight 3.2 ounces, dimensions 6 x 0.13 x 9 inches. The e-Book version, ASIN B07F4SL6NQ, is $3.99 on Amazon, or free if you have Kindle unlimited.

A brief review

This book is about a “what if” scenario, about regret, and what could have been. Once you start reading the book you simply must find out what will happen, which is why I could not put it down and therefore I read it in one sitting. It is a sad but timeless love story that is very engaging. It is about life, friendship, and love. I think the story highlights how differently a teenager and an adult view life and what the consequences can be. The author describes the feelings and the thoughts of the characters in a manner that is realistic and easy to relate to. It was emotional but not too sentimental. The book has a message, especially for young people. It is an easy and quick reading, and it is one of the best short stories I’ve ever read. I highly recommend it.

Categories
Leonbergers

One Year Anniversary of My Leonberger Blog

One year ago, I launched my Leonberger blog. Alex Diaz-Granados another blogger I know gave me some advice so I could get started. Well, that was one year and one day ago today (March 13, 2022). I was too busy yesterday to work on my blog, so this post is one day late for a one-year anniversary, but I am doing my one-year anniversary today.

The purpose of the blog was to inform people about Leonbergers, a truly remarkable dog breed, as well as advertise my then upcoming book “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle, Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger.” I invited friends and announced the existence of my blog on Facebook and Instagram. Later in July of 2022 my book would be released, and a couple of months after that I started interacting with other WordPress bloggers upon the advice of Alex. At this point I am blogging just because it is fun.

I read somewhere that when you launch a blog you should make five posts at once because having a blog with just one or two posts makes it look empty. Therefore, I made five posts on launch day. Below I am posting five pictures corresponding to each of the five posts. If you click on the picture, you can look at that original old post.

What is a Leonberger? Click on the image to see this one-year-old blog post. This is an image detailing the breed standard for a Leonberger Dog.
What is a Leonberger? Click on the image to see this one-year-old blog post.
Our Leonberger Bronco. Click on the image to see this one-year-old blog post. On the left our Leonberger three months old Bronco. On the right, old Bronco closing in on 13 years old.
Our Leonberger Bronco. Click on the image to see this one-year-old blog post.
The Time Bronco Saved the Neighborhood. Click on the image to see this one-year-old blog post. On the left a peeping Tom trespassing and looking in through our bedroom window and shouting obscenities at my wife. On the right Bronco chasing off the trespasser.
The Time Bronco Saved the Neighborhood. Click on the image to see this one-year-old blog post.
Bronco’s Hamster Search and Rescue. Click on the image to see this one-year-old blog post. On the left, Bronco's cheeks holding two hamsters. On the right Claudia doing hamster CPR.
Bronco’s Hamster Search and Rescue. Click on the image to see this one-year-old blog post.
The Grey Muzzle Award. Click on the image to see this one-year-old blog post. The award says : The Grey Muzzle Award, For Leonberger Longevity, Is Presented with Gratitude By THE LEONBERGER HEALTH FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL, To Bronco, For Offering Hope And Potential For Longer Lives For Leonbergers Throughout The World.
The Grey Muzzle Award. Click on the image to see this one-year-old blog post.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Finally, if you would like to learn about more about my book and find out where to buy it, click here or here. You can also click the image below to buy it from Amazon.

The image shows the front cover of my book "The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle". Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger. The cover is beige and brown and it has the face of an old Leonberger in the middle. Author is Thomas Wikman. Click on the image to go to the Amazon.com paperback location for the book.
The front cover of my book “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle”. Click on the image to go to the Amazon.com location for the book.
Categories
Book Reviews

Review of Secrets in the Blood by Unity Hayes

This blog is primarily about Leonbergers. I review Leonberger books, but I also review books that are not about Leonbergers but that I love, and I want to promote. This post is one of those. I am reviewing Secrets in the Blood Kindle Edition, August 1, 2013 – by Unity Hayes. The book is 225 pages, ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00E50JO3A, it currently cost $2.99.

Unity is the author of Secrets in the Blood (mystery/romance – August 1, 2013). She has been writing since the age of 15 and has always dreamed of telling stories through the craft of writing. Unity is a Registered Nurse that enjoys small town living, antiquing, and spending time with her family.

Secrets have been buried in a steel town for many years, but someone is about to blow the lid off them and rock this little town. Cassidy loves her life just the way it is. But when mysterious and good looking West arrives, her world is turned upside-down. West carries the secrets of the steel town. Cassidy is attracted to the stranger but a relationship seems impossible as West’s accusations make him appear crazy and bodies start to pile up. No one wants to believe West; can Cassidy let her feelings go and trust him? Who is the killer? How many bodies will pile up before the biggest secret of all is revealed?

This image is the cover for the book Secrets of the Blood by Unity Hayes. Click on the image to go to the Amazon location for the book.
Cover for the book Secrets of the Blood. Click on the image to go to the Amazon location for the book.

You can find the book on

My review below (to see my Amazon review click here)

An Action-Packed Romantic Thriller with Mystery and Captivating Drama

I normally don’t read books in the romance category. However, this book is so much more than a romance book. It is more than anything a mystery, a thriller, a captivating drama and a fast paced adventure. The romance is an added bonus for those who like that. What I found so intriguing about this book were the thick mysteries as well as the fast-paced action. There were surprises on almost every page. It is one of the best thrillers I’ve ever read.

The setting, a replica of an 1880’s old wild west town called the Watering Hole, appealed to me, perhaps because we’ve stayed in such a place in Arizona. It was a tourist trap of course, but it was fun. The book brought back memories from that trip and the descriptions of the town in the book felt real to me. If the Watering Hole was real, I would take my family there, well assuming that there were no murders or other strange things happening.

There’s danger, death, and a string of violent or strange events. Every page made me wonder what was going on and what was going to happen next. As I was reading my mind went to the girl with dragon tattoo, but that is a different story. This is a very good and unique story, the drama and the dialogue are brilliant, and the character development is good. The author is a registered nurse, which certainly benefitted the descriptions of injuries and the healing processes of the victims. I think realism is an important advantage. I highly recommend this fun and exciting thriller.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Finally, if you would like to learn about my book and find out where to buy it, click here or here. You can also click the image below to buy it from Amazon.

The image shows the front cover of my book "The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle". Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger. The cover is beige and brown and it has the face of an old Leonberger in the middle. Author is Thomas Wikman. Click on the image to go to the Amazon.com paperback location for the book.
The front cover of my book “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle”. Click on the image to go to the Amazon.com location for the book.
Categories
Book

There Are Leonbergers on Bookbub

Bookbub is a book discovery service that was created to help readers find new books and authors. Bookbub has 15 million users, so it is a fairly large service. Upon the suggestion of Jacqui Murray I decided to join. You can join as a reader or as an author. Since I’ve written a book I joined as an author. I noticed there were already three Leonberger books on Bookbub, so mine is the fourth one. The vast majority of Leonberger books are not on Bookbub. There is also an author by the name Leon Berger, but he does not write about Leonbergers.

Today or rather yesterday my profile was approved for upload. Therefore, I have not done a lot of work on my profile yet. I linked my book to Bookbub, added a profile picture, and wrote a couple of sentences about myself. I started following a few authors and published a few reviews. However, I am just getting started. Please, if you are an author and you are on Bookbub, tell me in the comments, so I can follow you. Naturally I wouldn’t mind follows myself (both authors and readers can follow). Below is my preliminary Bookbub profile picture. Click here to see my Bookbub profile.

This is my Bookbug profile picture. I will probably update. It is me and our Leonberger Bronco giving me a hug. Click on the picture to go to my Bookbub profile.
This is my Bookbug profile picture. I will probably update. Click on the picture to go to my Bookbub profile.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Finally, if you would like to learn about more about my book and find out where to buy it, click here or here. You can also click the image below to buy it from Amazon.

The image shows the front cover of my book "The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle". Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger. The cover is beige and brown and it has the face of an old Leonberger in the middle. Author is Thomas Wikman. Click on the image to go to the Amazon.com paperback location for the book.
The front cover of my book “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle”. Click on the image to go to the Amazon.com location for the book.
Categories
Bronco's Adventures

Bronco and His Grey Muzzle Award

Facebook recently reminded me of our late Leonberger Bronco’s Grey Muzzle Award. He got it three years ago. He was 12 years and 8 months old at the time. The Grey Muzzle Award is an award given by the Leonberger Health Foundation International (LHFI) for longevity. Leonbergers, and other giant breeds, don’t live very long. LHFI bestow the award on any Leonberger who has reached the age of twelve. The Grey Muzzle Award is also given to breeders, because they are partially responsible for the dogs’ longevity. This is a special award and it made us very happy that Bronco got it.

This is a photo from the day we received our Leonberger Bronco’s Grey Muzzle Award. The photo shows Bronco to the left and my wife Claudia holding the award to the right.
The day we received Bronco’s Grey Muzzle Award. It is a beautiful memory. He was 12 years and 8 months old at the time.

We got the award a little bit late because we applied for it a little bit late, but when we got it we were very happy. When Bronco passed away from a heart failure four months later, we submitted his DNA to LHFI for research.

The grey muzzle award diploma. It is a personal letter from the Leonberger Health Foundation International, dated February 19, 2020
The grey muzzle award diploma
Bronco’s Grey Muzzle Award for Leonberger Longevity is Presented with Gratitude. It feature Bronco's face, and ribbon with platinum medal.
Bronco’s Grey Muzzle Award

The Leonbergers receiving the Grey Muzzle Award are the canine equivalents of centenarians—humans who are at least one hundred years old. You don’t have to have your Leonberger registered with the LCA or AKC to apply for the award—it’s open to all purebred Leonbergers around the world. You can also apply if your dog is deceased, as long as he lived past the age of twelve. If you have a twelve-year-old Leonberger, simply fill out a form on the LHFI website or send an email to lhfgreymuzzle@gmail.com.

LHFI will ask for some information, including the registered name and call name of the dog; the breeder’s name, kennel name, address, and email; the dam’s registered name; the sire’s registered name; the owner’s name, address, and email; the birth date of the dog; and whether the dog is alive or dead. If the latter, they will want to know the cause of death. In addition, they would like you to write a one-paragraph tribute to the dog and send two (preferably high-resolution) photos—one head shot and one favorite photo.

For more information click here.

To see the 2019–2020 awardees, including Bronco, see the video below.

Bronco is the ninth Leonberger at 2:00 minutes.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Finally, if you would like to learn about more about my book and find out where to buy it, click here or here. You can also click the image below to buy it from Amazon.

The image shows the front cover of my book "The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle". Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger. The cover is beige and brown and it has the face of an old Leonberger in the middle. Author is Thomas Wikman. Click on the image to go to the Amazon.com paperback location for the book.
The front cover of my book “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle”. Click on the image to go to the Amazon.com location for the book.
Categories
Book Reviews

The Winding Road by Miriam Hurdle

This is a Leonberger blog but sometimes I post about books that I want to promote. This post is a review and a promotion of a very good and important book called “The Winding Road: A Journey of Survival” Paperback – July 30, 2022 by Miriam Hurdle.

Front cover of the book "The Winding Road" by Miriam Hurdle.
Click on the image above to go to the paperback version of her book on Amazon

The paperback version of the Winding Road, which is what I bought, is 148 pages, ISBN 979-8842330812, item weight 9.9 ounces, dimensions 6 x 0.34 x 9 inches. You can buy The Winding Road from Amazon, as a paperback, hardback or e-Book. The paperback version is currently $6.99 on Amazon, and the hardback is $25.28. The Kindle version is $1.99 or free if you are part of Kindle Unlimited.

About the Author

Miriam Hurdle is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She published four children’s books at twenty-six years old. Her poetry collection received the Solo “Medalist Winner” for the New Apple Summer eBook Award and achieved bestseller status on Amazon. She has a Doctorate of Education from the University of La Verne in California.

Click her to visit is her website

Click her to visit is her Goodreads page

Click her to visit her Twitter account

These are her published books on Amazon

Review of The Winding Road

This book is the gripping story of Miriam Hurdle’s fight to survive an aggressive cancer. She is an accomplished author, and therefore she was able to tell her traumatic story with intelligence, clarity and honesty. The organization of the book, the storytelling, book design, editing, it is all very professional at the same as the story is personal and deeply touching.

During a hysterectomy in the summer of 2008 a mass was discovered, and it turned out to be melanoma. Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer that usually does not appear in internal organs, at least not initially. This made the situation both unusual and quite dangerous. In 2007, melanoma in the female organ had less than 300 cases reported worldwide.

Survival was not the only thing that Miriam had to fight for. There were also insurance issues, her work situation, finances, etc., that weighed heavily on her mind and the minds of her family. Add to that the brutal but necessary treatment. She fought courageously with a lot of resolve, and her family and her community gave her a lot of support. The book makes it clear how important this is in this kind of situation. The people around you can make a big difference making sure you don’t lose hope.

I can add that my mother was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, another aggressive cancer, and it was not discovered early. She died at the age of 56. Miriam’s story resonated with me because I recognized a lot of things from her story even though her and my mother’s cancer were not the same. For example, I’ve seen the brutal effects of chemotherapy. What Miriam went though is extremely difficult. I am originally from Sweden, which has national healthcare, so unlike Miriam we were spared from having to deal with insurance issues.

This book is about the power of resilience, courage, hope, community and faith in the face of a cruel disease, which unfortunately many of us will face during our lifetimes. Miriam is a great writer whose genuine and lucid writing could serve as a guide for all of us as we prepare to face unknown traumatic situations. I highly recommend this book to everyone. We should all learn something about the journey before we face it.

Categories
Leonbergers

The Fiercest and Most Dangerous Dog in the World

The video below from animal watch feature 15 fierce and dangerous dogs including Dogo Argentino, Rottweiler, the pit bull and others. But which dog is the most fierce and dangerous dog? There is a dog that is more fierce and powerful than any lion; the most dangerous dog in the world, the #1 on the list, the lion dog, it is the Leonberger. Yes, if you read some of the posts on this blog you will laugh. The most dangerous dog in the world is the goofy, friendly and happy Leonberger, the big teddy bear that every child loves to hug. There is some truth to it though, Leonbergers are very strong and powerful and will protect you and your home fiercely. Our Leonberger Bronco saved the neighborhood from a peeping Tom terrorizing the neighborhood. This is a long video but to see the segment on Leonbergers fast-forward to 19:38. That’s just one and a half minute.

The fiercest and most powerful dogs in the world. Which one is #1?

Like the video says, if bored they tend to chew on things and they have very powerful jaws among the most powerful jaws in the dog world. We lost our wedding album. My wife was so mad that our Leonberger chose to destroy the wedding album instead of let’s say encyclopedia Britannica.

To be honest though, I think that the most dangerous dog in the world is our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo (see below). Don’t mind the stroller, that’s just to avoid scary snakes and frogs. Wouldn’t you want to avoid scary snakes and frogs? Quacking ducks scare him, but not much else. OK maybe everything else scares him too, but he is still the fiercest dog according to some opinions.

Photo of our mini-Australian Shepherd sitting in a pet stroller.
Pet strollers are great for safety.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Finally, if you would like to learn about more about my book and find out where to buy it, click here or here. You can also click the image below to buy it from Amazon.

This image shows the front cover of the book "The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle". Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger. Click on the image to go to the Amazon location for the book.
This is the front cover of the book “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle”. Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger. Click on the image to go to the Amazon location for the book.
Categories
Photos

Photos of a Leonberger and His Friend a Mini Australian Shepherd

This post is mostly photos of our late Leonberger Bronco and our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo. As you may know Bronco was a remarkable and brave Leonberger who saved the lives of our other dogs on two occasions, rescued run away hamsters, and liberated my wife and the women in our neighborhood from a nightly peeping Tom. Well, he also did a lot of less desirable but funny things. Bronco lived a long life for a Leonberger and was therefore awarded the Grey Muzzle Award and the Leonberger Health Foundation International wanted his DNA.

We got Rollo four years ago. Our little Rollo and Bronco were best buddies. Rollo climbed all over Bronco, bit his tail and even dangled in it like a swing one time. Rollo wanted to play with Bronco all the time and Bronco was very accepting of his rambunctiousness. Unfortunately, Rollo lost his buddy when Bronco passed away. Things have not been the same since then, but Rollo is still thriving. Below are some photos of them two.

Photo of our Leonberger Bronco (Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle) at the age of three months.
Our Leonberger Bronco (Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle) at the age of three months.
Photo of our Leonberger Bronco at a young age, jumping up to give me a hug.
Our Leonberger Bronco at a young age, jumping up to give me a hug.
Photo of our Leonberger Bronco sitting in Claudia’s lap.
Bronco is all grown up and sitting in my wife Claudia’s lap.
Photo of our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo when we picked him up at the breeder when he was just a little puppy 8 weeks old. We were picking him up. The other puppy is an English Bulldog.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo when we picked him up at the breeder. 8 weeks old. The other puppy is an English Bulldog.
Photo of our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo on our lawn, minutes after he arrived home. Still a bit afraid.
Rollo is finally home, still a bit scared.
Photo of our Leonberger Bronco welcoming our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo home. They are both in our backyard on our lawn.
Bronco welcoming the new puppy.
Photo of our Leonberger Bronco and our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo. They are in the kitchen.
Bronco and Rollo in the kitchen.
Photo of our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo.
Rollo
Photo of our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo lying sideways in front of our Leonberger Bronco. He wants to play.
Rollo wants to play with Bronco.
Photo of our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo jumping up and biting the tail of our Leonberger Bronco.
Rollo jumping up and biting Bronco’s tail. Once he even dangled in it like a swing. Luckily Bronco was tolerant.
Photo of our Leonberger Bronco and our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo as well as two of our children in the sofa.
Two of our kids and two of our dogs.
Photo of our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo and my shoe, which he chewed up.
The Artist and his Art. Those were my nice shoes.
Photo of our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo playing with an orange volleyball.
Rollo with a volleyball.
Photo of our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo playing with a soccer ball.
Rollo with a soccer ball. Rollo rolls things.
Photo of our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo lying on his back in the sofa wanting a belly rub.
Rollo wants a belly rub.
Photo of our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo wanting to play with our Leonberger Bronco.
Rollo (grown up) wants to play with Bronco.
Photo of our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo kissing our Leonberger Bronco.
Rollo gives Bronco a kiss.
Another photo of our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo kissing our Leonberger Bronco.
Rollo gives Bronco a kiss.
A third photo of our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo kissing our Leonberger Bronco. This time Rollo covers Bronco’s face for the camera.
Rollo gives Bronco a kiss.
Photo of our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo and our Leonberger Bronco in our backyard, both of them walking on the green grass.
Rollo and Bronco in our backyard.
Photo of our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo and our Leonberger Bronco lying on the green grass next to each other in our backyard.
Rollo and Bronco in our backyard. That’s my grill to fly off in a tornado a few months after this photo.
Photo of our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo and our Leonberger Bronco lying on the floor in our house. Bronco has a bandage on his foot because he just had a toe amputation because of Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Rollo and Bronco lying on the floor in our house. Bronco has a bandage on his foot because he just had a toe amputation because of Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Our Leonberger Bronco is having a bandage change. He had a toe amputation because of Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Rollo our mini-Australian Shepherd and canine nurse is overseeing the process.
Rollo is overseeing Bronco’s bandage change. Rollo was extremely interested in everything that happened during the bandage change.
Rollo our mini-Australian Shepherd on the sofa.
Rollo on the sofa.
Bronco, or Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle is standing in our backyard with a sunray shining down on him. He is St. Bronco because he rescued our runaway hamsters, saved our pug Daisy’s life, sniffed out an oncoming insulin shock in our Labrador Baylor, and saved the women in the neighborhood from a peeping Tom.
St. Bronco in our backyard. He is St. Bronco because he rescued our runaway hamsters, saved our pug Daisy’s life, sniffed out an oncoming insulin shock in our Labrador Baylor, and saved the women in the neighborhood, including my wife, from a nightly peeping Tom.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Finally, if you would like to learn about more about my book and find out where to buy it, click here or here. You can also click the image below to buy it from Amazon.

Image showing the front cover of the book "The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle". Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger. Click on the image to go to the Amazon location for the book.
This is the front cover of the book “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle”. Click on the image to go to the Amazon location for the book.
Categories
Book Reviews

Vampire of the Midnight Sun Two Engrossing Horror Stories

Cover for Vamoire of the Midnight Sun by Priscilla Bettis

This blog is primarily about Leonbergers, especially our late Leonberger Bronco, or as his full name was, Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle. I also review Leonberger books and sometimes I review books that are not about Leonbergers, books I love and want to promote. This is one of those posts. Today I am reviewing Vampire of The Midnight Sun – January 28, 2023 by Priscilla Bettis. It exists as a Kindle edition with a print length of 55 pages, ASIN B0BS9N5VR1. It is $2.99 on Amazon.

Priscilla Bettis (embedded from Amazon author page)

Even though I am not the traditional vampire aficionado, because of the implausible vampire mythology surrounding vampires, for example, they burn up in sunlight, they turn into bats, all their victims also turn into vampires. It seems silly and evokes questions. I should say I still prefer traditional vampires over zombies. Zombies are boring. However, Priscillas vampire tale is not a traditional vampire story, it is a lot more plausible and modern.

I should say that I have some connection to vampires. That’s because I went to Transylvania with my son and the water polo team, he was part of. Together with another parent, Jim, I was a chaperone. The coach was a native of Transylvania and he decided to make the trip about Dracula, or as his real name was Vlad II Dracul or Vlad II Tepes the Impaler. We visited Dracula’s grave on Snagov island, his birthplace in Sighisoara, the Bran Castle, and the Poienari Castle. I can add that the Bran Castle is the most famous castle and a tourist trap, but there’s no evidence he was ever there. The Poienari Castle on the other hand, was a castle he restored and lived in.

When we visited the Snagov island and the Snagov monastery Dracula’s monk decided to initiate me and my son into Dracula’s covenant. We drank water from Dracula’s well and participated in a ritual and voila, here we are protectors of Dracula. Therefore, I might as well launch into my review of Priscilla’s horror stories.

Below I am posting my updated Amazon review for Vampire Of The Midnight Sun. To see my Amazon review click here.

Two engrossing horror stories that you’ll never forget

Can vampires live under the sun, the midnight sun? Can vampires be blood thirsty but not evil? The first story in Priscilla Bettis “Vampire of the Midnight Sun” story collection certainly implies this and it makes vampires a lot more plausible and interesting than the helpless and evil vampires who are poff-gone under the slightest ray from the sun.

Two friends, Billy and Frasier, are river rafting in Alaska. They end up in the cold river water and have to hike back to safety, wet and without provisions. That’s how a very difficult but interesting hike begins. However, unbeknownst to Frasier, Billy is not a normal mortal. Billy’s special condition turns out to be an advantage to both of them but also the cause of confusion and mounting tension and a gruesome surprise. You don’t need evil for horror, you just need what is otherworldly and bizarre. I found Billy to be quite fascinating and more believable than all the vampires that I’ve come across in other stories. The story was captivating, and the unique narrative was refreshing, and the descriptions of the surrounding beautiful scenery was breathtaking.

“Vampire of the Midnight Sun” also contain a second short story called “the fire witch and the cowboy”. It takes place in an old wild west town called Dusty Bend in Texas during the wildfire season. The town has a secret. There are dark old sins to atone for and as a result there’s wild fire, lots of fire, fire from hell arising from supernatural forces. In the story there are cowards and heroes, witches, ghosts, revenge and death. It is a spellbinding horror story that gave me goosebumps.

I highly recommend this collection of two great horror stories.

To see Priscilla Bettis’ Amazon author page, click here, and to visit her website click here.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Finally, if you would like to learn about more about my book and find out where to buy it, click here or here. You can also click the image below to buy it from Amazon.

This image shows the front cover of the book "The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle". Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger. Click on the image to go to the Amazon location for the book.
This is the front cover of the book “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle”. Click on the image to go to the Amazon location for the book.