Every Dog Has Her Day #GetOnTheShelf

Last week, Precious and I headed over to the local NBC station to interview for the segment you see above.   Of course before we left, we had to take a few photos to mark to occasion.  Afterwards, Precious was rewarded with a trip to the park to chase squirrels and roll around in a dead worm.

This could be a part of the series: Other things I've been on.. 

Thanks for my voting to help my books get on the shelf.  Please vote daily through Sept. 2.


Want to share on your site or podcast.  You can send people to  http://TheAdventuresofPreciousTheDog.com  It will forward to the voting page.

Other things I've been on #GetonTheShelf

I thought I'd share with you other things I've been on.  Clearly, the only thing left is to #GetonTheShelf

I've been on a Lost Dog poster.
   

I've been on a ladder (or two)

 

I've been on a treadmill
 
I've been  under a shelf. 
 

Now you can vote to help my book Get on the Shelf at Walmart.

Using Paper.li to help my books #Getontheshelf @Walmart

For a few more weeks, You're going to see a version of my paper.li that included the Get on the shelf contest hashtag. I hope you will RT it to help people vote for me to get my books on the shelf. Thank you for all of your support.

I recorded a podcast where I talk about how the content and a different kind of social interaction have helped us in this contest.

Vote for The Adventures of Precious the Dog #GetontheShelf

Adventures in Oklahoma Weather

Weather in Oklahoma takes some getting used to.  It's April.  Last Wednesday, Precious had to wear her sweater to the Wednesday afternoon Food Truck festival at the all new Guthrie Green park in Downtown Tulsa.  

 

Then on Sunday, we had to seek out a shade tree in the same park. 

Throw in the thunder storms and I think Precious is hoping to be shipped back to California.  

Precious and Rocky: A strange Pair

For those of you who have met Precious, you know she is much more interested in the humans than she is other animals.  Although we had two Sr. Dogs when she was a puppy, Precious has been the only dog for a long time.

Enter, Rocky and Nala.  Both big dogs love Precious. She is teaching them how to be spoiled pets and they appreciate her for it.

Precious on the other hand simply tolerates the big dogs.  Much like Shadow and Sheba did her when she was a puppy.   As long as she doesn't miss out on her walks, treats, or attention she's cool.

It does seem, however, that Precious tends to like Nala more than she likes Rocky.   Much to the chagrin of Rocky, who does everything in his power to be like Precious.

It's quite funny (and a bit uncomfortable) to see Rocky as Lap dog, but that is his desire at all times.

I caught this photo of Rocky making himself comfortable in Precious' bed... while Precious was in it.

It was the first time.... Precious just let it happen.

Girls Day! Precious and Nala

It's just us girls now. Time now to focus on Nala and getting her used to the leash, the car, and making sure she has pawesome  new experiences. 

Since this was a beautiful day, I thought we'd just ride to the park, and maybe Nala could see how Precious walks.  When we got to the park, Nala was ready to walk... with Precious.

Nala, like the other dogs, puts a lot of trust in Precious and will do what she see's Precious doing. (most of the time)

They are both pretty focused on two dogs in the distance.  One on the leash, one not,.  I was very impressed with Nala's cool.  Precious is a great teacher.

After being a little freaked out about getting  in the car.  The walk in the park made Nala a very happy dog.

I can't tell you how proud I am of Precious.  She has taught each of the strays how to be an awesome pet.  Now that it's just her and Nala.  I think she's enjoying her role.

Nala has a hard time relaxing... still.  But she really enjoyed herself today.

Strays in the Hood: FIN. Rocky's Finds his Furever Home

I'm very happy to report, Rocky is on his way to Norman, OK with his furever dad.. Gabe.

I'm especially happy because Gabe is family.   Gabe is our cousin,  and he fell in love with Rocky's photos even before we knew Rocky would ever come around.

It wasn't easy.  Rocky played a little hard to get at first, but it was easy to see that Rocky and Gabe will be best buds very soon.

Gabe and Rocky played in the backyard for a while.  Rocky even let Gabe give him a belly rub.

All set up for his ride home.  Rocky in his bed, with a KONG with some good frozen peanut butter and cookies.

Congratulations Rocky and Gabe.  

We'll see you both at Thanksgiving!  

Rocky Montage:

Yappy Howl-O-Ween

Precious, Nala, and Rocky wish you a safe howl-o-ween.

You will bring us treats!!!!

Treats We say!

Happy 10th Birthday Precious

Just in case you're thinking "Where's Precious" in all of this talk of strays in the hood.  Have no fear.  Precious is still the #1 dog around these parts.  

In fact, this weekend, Precious celebrated her 10th birthday.

She got to do all of her favorite things.

First a trip to Mohawk Park

A ride in the car

A trip to The Dog Dish

A new T-Shirt

A trip to Petco

I'm a bird watcher

Pony up to the treat bar

Picking out treats

Then, we topped it all off at a Pet Friendly hotel in Norman, OK.  

Do not disturb

Precious & The Prairie Dogs

Well, more like Precious with her head in the prairie dog hole. During our walks in Southern California, Precious is in her element. Chasing, digging, and flushing out critters.

Look who's teaching social media marketing. @imajackrussell

Students in California got a special treat. While teaching Social Media Marketing at UCR Extension, I brought Precious in to help the students understand social media from a real expert...

As you can see @Imajackrussell had her Twitter account on the screen.

Precious shared with the class how she brought her Twitter followers along in the process of self publishing her books.

Precious also taught the students about e-commerce.  She had her Square credit card reader on hand to sell books to anyone who just had to have one.

Follow Precious on Twitter @Imajackrussell
Facebook.com/Imajackrussell
or
Google+  Precious Lawson 

Back in California! Traveling with @Imajackrussell

Look closely, you'll see Precious' pal Lizie 

Precious and I are back in California for a couple of months while I teach social media and other marketing classes for UCR.

Precious has been traveling since she was a puppy, but even the most seasoned pet traveler needs to follow a few steps. Here is a list of steps I take before traveling with Precious.

 1. Reservations. A good, safe trip starts with the reservation. Understanding the airline's pet travel policy is a must. Southwest Airlines is the airline I go to first. 1. because they don't have bag fees for the first two bags, and 2. Their pet rate is only $75.00 each way.


 2. Check Layovers: Traveling from Oklahoma to California almost always includes a stop over. When I'm traveling with Precious, I try to schedule longer layovers to give us time to go out of the airport, take a walk, and go back through security.

3. Travel certificate. While I have never been asked for a copy, I never want it to be the first time and I not have one. Plus it's always good to notify your vet that you are traveling.

4. Walk, Walk, Walk. A happy Jack Russell is a tired Jack Russell. (True for most breeds) Before the flight, I like to go on a long walk with Precious. I've also taken her to doggie daycare prior to traveling so she's worn out and just wants to sleep.

5. Security (TSA) Pets need to be out of their carriers to go through the TSA lines. I take Precious' collar off and carry her through. Pets don't go through the xray thing, but I noticed I had to have a hand swipe this time.

6. On the plane. Precious is a great traveler, she understands that all she can do is go to sleep in that little space. So that's what she does. As long as your pet can see/smell YOU, they should be ok.

7. The layover. Some airports are great for pets. Others... Not so much. (Las Vegas could use some help) Still, go outside. Get some fresh air. You'll have to go back through security, but it's worth it.

We're Baaaack!  

After a great night of rest for both of us, we hit the familiar trails.  Precious  had a blast chasing prairie dogs, Lizies, and she even found the Rabbits.

Do you travel with your pet?  What are some of your favorite tips?

Fly Me to @BarkWorldExpo #EukanubaPawsInMotion

Precious writes:
Some of my favorite memories are from BarkWorldExpo

I met my pal @Niqqi at the first BarkWorld Expo

My pal @BorisKitty took that video.

That's him posing with the books I pawtographed for him.

Yep, that's a real pawtograph.

HuMom met some great humans too.  This is @SheldonGryffin 's Dad
Rick.

Miss Leesia took this iconic photo of me with my head in the famous Bark World Expo goodie bag

2011 Barkworld was equally Pawesome! I got to hang out with all of my pals in the Best Friends
Doggie Daycare.  Look, It's my pal @Preston_Speaks  and is that @FrankieElperro over there?!

And I got to ride in a Subaru

While I will miss driving to Barkworld this year, I'd love to win a flight from #EukanubaPawsInMotion 

Social Media Pets

Cheryl Lawson & Precious the Dog - photo by Captured Charms Photography

During the 2012 Social Media Tulsa Conference,  I talked about the journey Precious and I have been on using social media and particularly how her Twitter followers helped in the creation of the children's book series. 
Social Media Pets: Who Let the Dogs Out

View more presentations from Cheryl Lawson

Don't forget to vote (daily) to get The Adventures of Precious the Dog on the shelf at Walmart.  

Should I Tweet That?!

During Social Media Tulsa Conference 2012.

Precious mingled through the crowd borrowing gadgets so she could tweet.  lol

Precious is seen here with #SMTulsa official Twitterer @VickiMaeisOK 

We had a blast.  See more photos from the conference via Captured Charms Photography

@Capturedcharms 

Help @Imajackrussell 's Children's Books Get On The Shelf

It all started with the comment from my mom "That Dog Ought to Write a Book!" Two self published  books and a REALLY spoiled Jack Russell Terrier later, I now have the opportunity to get the books on the shelf at Walmart.

Here's how YOU can help me and Precious get The Adventures of Precious the Dog Children's book series on the shelf!

Vote, via Facebook connect (Daily)
http://www.getontheshelf.com/product/1229/The-Adventures-of-Precio#

Text to vote
From your mobile phone, text  1229  to 383838 (one per day from your phone)

Tweet it out.  (Remember,  sharing is caring)


Help @Imajackrussell 's Children's books #Getontheshelf  Pls Vote! 
http://ow.ly/9vM4Q  

Want to win a Pawtograph coy of  Precious' books?  Comment on this post that you voted, tweet this post, or send out the tweet above.  On April 3rd.  We'll do a fresh pawtograph session and you could win both books signed by Precious.  

Note: The first voting round will finish April 3, and the top 10 entries will proceed to Round 2.

Help Us Raise $25k Animals with Tree of Hope #Rosepets

Back when Dick Van Patten co-founded Natural Balance Pet Foods in 1989, he knew that animals needed the support of pet parents and pet food companies, too. We want to bring a bit of happiness and hope to displaced pets this season. That’s why we’re donating a $1 to Tree of Hope for every “like” we receive on our Facebook wall from Dec. 14 through Jan. 2. Our goal? $25,000!!! It’s ambitious–but we believe that there are thousands of other pet lovers out there like you who would like to help us achieve our goal.   

Read the full story Help Us Raise $25k Animals with Tree of Hope

written by Rick Rockhill on December 21st, 2011 

Please take a moment to Like the Natural Balance Facebook Page today! https://www.facebook.com/NaturalBalanceFan

. @PepperPom Likes to Read The Adventures of Precious the Dog

We met @PepperPom and her human at BarkWorld Expo 2011. She took a photo with her copy of The Adventures of Precious the Dog, Precious and Lizie Play Hide and Seek. I think she was reading it to her human! Thanks Pepper, great photo!

Where is The Precious? @PetHub Will know

If you take a close look at this photo, you'll see evidence of one of the scariest times in the life of  Precious the dog.

Those who have followed @Imajackrussell on Twitter for a while, you will remember April 26, 2010.

The day Precious was lost.   

I'm not sure why she wasn't wearing a tag (My false sense of security perhaps).

Precious is micro-chipped, and I was able to report her missing online, but this particular adventure took place at night when animal shelters are closed and most vets are at home.

The problem (in this case) was while my dog was equipped with a microchip, most people don't have access to high tech micro chip readers. 

I had to resort to the low tech printing signs and flooding the campus where she was last seen.

I was very fortunate that one of the students saw Precious on a very peculiar adventure on campus, took her home, fed her, saw my signs the next morning and called me.

This experience is why I am so excited about Pet Hub's QRcode based dynamic ID Tags.  As more and more people are equipped with smart phones, their exposure to QRcodes and what to do when they see one will increase.   After I registered Precious' new tag, I scanned it with my phone. Within seconds, I received this email message.

** Precious's tag was just viewed by a mobile device ** 

This email is to notify you that the PetHub.com profile for Precious was just viewed by scanning their tag or typing in the web address found on the tag. If Precious is missing, this is your opportunity to update the profile to show important details to help get Precious back to you quickly and safely.  

Edit Precious's profile at:
http://www.pethub.com/id/Number/Edit

If the person viewing Precious's profile has GPS enabled and allowed their location to be shared, you will see a map showing their location as provided to us via their mobile device* below.

I didn't include the image of the map, because it was too spot on & Precious is just.. well too precious to risk. :)  


We met the great folks from Pet Hub at BarkWorld 2011, and they were kind enough to  send a smaller size for Precious to test out.  


As you can see it's pink and matches her collar.  I am comforted that if one of Precious' adventures should take her out of my sight again, Pet Hub will be there for someone to scan and let me know they have found The Precious.