- A New Leash On Life by Kara Hamilton -

About the Book

Little kids like dogs. Little kids like to poke dogs. Little kids like to pull their tails. Some dogs tolerate this; some dogs don’t. This book is for the dogs that don’t.

Smokey, the miniature apricot poodle has it all. But can it last? With the arrival of a new baby, he struggles to adjust to his new place in the family. After several failed tactics, he ingeniously teaches the baby how to properly behave around him so they may co-exist peacefully. He not only realizes that there's enough love for everyone in the family, he also gains a new best friend.





This author supports the work of the Humane Society of The United States and has included a helpful tips section for parents sourced by them.

- A New Leash On Life by Kara Hamilton -

The Author

Kara Hamilton is a San Francisco-based actress and model with leading roles in films, commercials and advertising campaigns. She holds a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Florida State University where she regularly wrote for 'The Sunshine Network' (currently Fox Sun Sports) and Florida A&M's newspaper. She lives with one husband, two children, three chickens and four battery-operated fish. Before the children, came the dog - a dog she loved dearly and wanted to peacefully coexist with her then-new baby, not be one of the 1.4 million abandoned to shelters each year. Unimpressed with the current choices, she desired a creative and entertaining way to teach her child (as well as others) how to properly behave around dogs. Completely based on Kara's life story, the picture book "A New Leash on Life" was born.

The Illustrator

Alexandria Gold grew up in Portland, Oregon where she loved being creative. Even now, everyday is an opportunity to be creative as she is working as an illustartor and crochet artist in San Francisco. She has exhibited around the Bay Area at places such as Trickster Gallery, The Stillwell and the AAU Spring Shows. Her miniature crochet characters have been featured in a show by Resobox in New York. Whether it's through illustrations or capturing her crochet character's adventures with her camera, her work aims to make her audience smile and warm their hearts.

- A New Leash On Life by Kara Hamilton -

Reviews

Michael Krasny, NPR Host & Author
"I found it really charming, warm, tender and – perhaps most significant – a potential real boon to families with dogs. What I especially like about it is that we see things directly from Smokey’s point of view! It’s really quite imaginative."

Examiner
"Creative and entertaining, educating small kids the proper way to behave around dogs....and has an important message for sharing with young children: There's always enough love in all families for everyone and every dog. The rhyming prose is easy for wee ones to read and understand...and Alexandria Gold's illustrations are colorful and captivating."

San Francisco Book Review

Kids’ BookBuzz

Feathered Quill Book Reviews

Midwest Book Review

Critical Blast

The Culture News

MyShelf.com

- A New Leash On Life by Kara Hamilton -

The Hard Facts

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States seeks medical attention for a dog bite.

Unfortunately, children comprise 60% of the dog bite victims.

The vast majority of bites are by pet dogs and happen when people are engaged in social behavior in appropriate places.

They generally (61%) occur close to dog's home or home of the bitten person.

Typically (77%) injuries are by friendly dogs known to the bitten person.

Children aged 5 or younger are more likely to provoke animals.

Not all dogs are adaptable to children/especially those with a difficult past. Please trust your gut and involve the expertise of a professional trainer if there is any doubt for your child's safety.

Each year approximately 3.9 million dogs enter shelters in the U.S. Don't let your dog be one of them for unwanted behavior. It can be hard on a family when a new baby or new dog arrives. Let smokey make it easier.


About the Book

Little kids like dogs. Little kids like to poke dogs. Little kids like to pull their tails. Some dogs tolerate this; some dogs don’t. This book is for the dogs that don’t.

Smokey, the miniature apricot poodle has it all. But can it last? With the arrival of a new baby, he struggles to adjust to his new place in the family. After several failed tactics, he ingeniously teaches the baby how to properly behave around him so they may co-exist peacefully. He not only realizes that there's enough love for everyone in the family, he also gains a new best friend.



The author supports the work of The Humane Society of The United States and will donate 10% of the profits of this book to their cause.

About the Author

Kara Hamilton is a San Francisco-based actress and model with leading roles in films, commercials and advertising campaigns. She holds a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Florida State University where she regularly wrote for 'The Sunshine Network' (currently Fox Sun Sports) and Florida A&M's newspaper. She lives with one husband, two children, three chickens and four battery-operated fish. Before the children, came the dog - a dog she loved dearly and wanted to peacefully coexist with her then-new baby, not be one of the 1.4 million abandoned to shelters each year. Unimpressed with the current choices, she desired a creative and entertaining way to teach her child (as well as others) how to properly behave around dogs. Completely based on Kara's life story, the picture book "A New Leash on Life" was born.

About the Illustrator

Alexandria Gold grew up in Portland, Oregon where she loved being creative. Even now, everyday is an opportunity to be creative as she is working as an illustartor and crochet artist in San Francisco. She has exhibited around the Bay Area at places such as Trickster Gallery, The Stillwell and the AAU Spring Shows. Her miniature crochet characters have been featured in a show by Resobox in New York. Whether it's through illustrations or capturing her crochet character's adventures with her camera, her work aims to make her audience smile and warm their hearts.

Reviews

Midwest Book Review

Michael Krasny, NPR Host & Author
"I found it really charming, warm, tender and – perhaps most significant – a potential real boon to families with dogs. What I especially like about it is that we see things directly from Smokey’s point of view! It’s really quite imaginative."

Examiner
"Creative and entertaining, educating small kids the proper way to behave around dogs....and has an important message for sharing with young children: There's always enough love in all families for everyone and every dog. The rhyming prose is easy for wee ones to read and understand...and Alexandria Gold's illustrations are colorful and captivating."

San Francisco Book Review

Kids’ BookBuzz

Feathered Quill Book Reviews

Critical Blast

The Culture News span class="link icon-link">

MyShelf.com

The Hard Facts

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States seeks medical attention for a dog bite.

Unfortunately, children comprise 60% of the dog bite victims.

The vast majority of bites are by pet dogs and happen when people are engaged in social behavior in appropriate places.

They generally (61%) occur close to dog's home or home of the bitten person.

Typically (77%) injuries are by friendly dogs known to the bitten person.

Children aged 5 or younger are more likely to provoke animals.

Not all dogs are adaptable to children/especially those with a difficult past. Please trust your gut and involve the expertise of a professional trainer if there is any doubt for your child's safety.

Each year approximately 3.9 million dogs enter shelters in the U.S. Don't let your dog be one of them for unwanted behavior. It can be hard on a family when a new baby or new dog arrives. Let smokey make it easier.