THE BOOK OF BARKLEY: A Word of Caution For Those Buying Animals as "Gifts"

Sunday, December 19, 2021

A Word of Caution For Those Buying Animals as "Gifts"

Everybody has seen cute pictures of those lovable chubbies on TV, and who hasn't played a game of "Hungry Hippos?" Every kid wants one! It's a yuletide tradition, just like bunnies for Easter. But sadly, each year most of the Hippos that Santa brings through the front door (that's not an easy thing to do by the way) end up unwanted at the local shelter! A two-car garage is NOT "lots of room" to play and Hippos eat as much as 150 pounds of grass a day. They can chow down on an entire suburban neighborhood in a week. And while your teacher may say Mr. Hippo is a vegetarian, don't be fooled. The beast can be very aggressive and may attack you even if you are simply trying to give him a treat and some cuddles. "Hippo-allergenic", and "no-shed" take on new meaning when they've chased your partner up a tree after flattening the gardening shed!

So please this year, give your child an age-appropriate toy. Please tell them they really don't want a Hippo for Christmas.

7 comments:

KtenDecember 19, 2021 at 10:43 AM
But all I want for Christmas is a hippo! teehee!
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Ruby Rose and the Big Little Angels 3December 19, 2021 at 11:34 PM
How about a hungry hungry hippo?
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lexitheschnauzerDecember 20, 2021 at 10:17 AM
Nope, animals are never appropriate gifts. Unless, of course they're from the freezer or meat section of the grocery!
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Tails Around the RanchDecember 20, 2021 at 10:18 AM
Giving a hippo for Christmas?? Good grief. It seems we are becoming too influenced by Fifth Avenue marketing. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas. 🎄
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Terra December 20, 2021 at 12:44 PM
Thank you for the warning, I was very tempted to buy a hippo for a child I know. I think I will get her a book instead.
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C.L.W.STEPDecember 21, 2021 at 2:31 PM
No thanks to a hippo at our house! We'll just visit the ones at the zoo.
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Priscilla KingDecember 21, 2021 at 3:30 PM
Knitter's magazine had a cute pattern for a knitted hippopotamus pillow, with a little ruffled tutu skirt optional...and someone probably has a program where people can "sponsor" a living one in Africa.
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Welcome to The Book of Barkley and the Blogville dog blogging community. This blog was created for more memories of Barkley as well as updates on our Lab Rescues that have joined our household since Barkley left us.

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FIVE STARS

No one who has ever had a dog as a companion will be able to read The Book of Barkley: Love and Life through the Eyes of a Labrador Retriever by L. B. Johnson with dry eyes.

Johnson tells the story of her life, from childhood to adulthood, from the perspective of her relationship with Barkley, a Lab that she got when he was just a stubborn ball of fur who ‘selected’ her when she viewed the litter of which he was a part. Her descriptions of adjusting to Barkley’s presence in her life, and how this helped her come to terms with and understand her past and learn to take life a day at a time on her own terms will resonate profoundly with anyone who has fallen in love with a dog and had to learn to live with its loss.

This is a story of unconditional love and acceptance, the kind that asks nothing but love in return. As Johnson and Barkley forge bonds of trust and understanding, she also strengthens her human relationships.

This is much more than a mere memoir – it is a story of life and how to live it, and how we humans can learn to live our lives better if we’d only learn to live it like a dog does. The author uses language well, with descriptions of animals, people, and places so vivid you feel that you can feel the textures, smell the odors (pleasant and otherwise) and hear the whining of a puppy needing to go out to do its business. Life can be sad or happy, and the author takes us through it all – a trip that you won’t regret taking. A five-star book that definitely merits the Awesome Indies Seal of Excellence

About Barkley and His Mom

My Mom started this blog due to requests from friends who wanted a place to go for stories of her furry friend Barkley that weren't in the book and stories of my rescue and new life in my furever home. She donates all of the proceeds from her writing to animal rescue and groups that train search and rescue and service dogs but that's OK, as she still gives me lots of dog treats and toys.

The Book of Barkley is Mom's first memoir. She used to be a jet pilot for somebody's Uncle but now has a Ph.D. in something involving science and forensics which is like TV but without expensive suits or cleavage. Additional mayhem is provided by my Dad and our 100-year-old "fixer upper" Mission Bungalow.

Her second memoir "Saving Grace - A Story of Adoption" was published in April of 2015". Her Third Book - "Small Town Roads", her first Fiction Novel was published October of 2016 and was an NPR selected "2017 must read" and 2017 Readers Favorite International Book Award GOLD for "Fiction - Religious Theme". Her 4th book, "Calexit, The Anthology", a Novella with other authors, was published in October of 2017 and was on the Amazon Best Seller's list two days later. Her fifth book "True Course - Lessons from Life Aloft" was a #1 best seller at Amazon 24 hours after publishing so I think she has been bribing you all with treats.

Abby - Mom's Lab Assistant