mental illness

Giving Paws–Book Review and Recommendation

Kathryn McClatchy

Giving Paws, Martha L. Thompson, Self-Help: Personal Growth/Happiness
Stars: 4.5

I must confess at the outset that this book was sent to me by the author. She discovered my website a number of months before her book was released. As we both write about experiences with invisible/chronic illnesses and our service dogs, we quickly connected. Our online comments moved offline, and an email friendship was born. When Giving Paws was released in October, Martha asked if I would like a copy. I happily accepted her gift, complete with little Henry’s paw print as part of the author’s autograph. Please understand that even though this book was a gift, it was in no way in exchange for a review of any kind. Being a writer myself, I know how important reviews are. Martha won awards for her previous book, The Oxygen Mask Rule*, so I was eager to read…

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US Review of Books for Giving Paws

  http://www.theUSreview.com/reviews/Giving-Paws-by-Martha-L-Thompson.html Giving Paws: Having a Service Dog for a Hidden Disability by Martha L. Thompson Koehler Books reviewed by Dylan Ward "What I did not anticipate were all the other challenges that came with having a four-footed assistant by my side." After her father’s death in a car crash, Martha sinks into a dark…Read more US Review of Books for Giving Paws

Goodreads Book Giveaway

I'm a little late announcing this since I was hospitalized,  but since I'm still here(ugh!), I have time to do it. I've never done a book giveaway,  but if you visit this link, they'll walk you through it. https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/260132-giving-paws-having-a-service-dog-for-a-hidden-disability Giveaway dates:Oct 22 - Oct 30, 2017   Thanks from Martha and Henry!!

“Pins and needles” and yarn and felt. My favorite anti-anxiety “meds.”

With all the excitement from my book coming out, I should be dancing little jigs and feeling content, right? Don't get me wrong, I'm ultra grateful for all the positive feedback from my kind readers, and I do feel a sense of accomplishment, but my brain chemistry has two settings: 1) totally elated - "manicky,"…Read more “Pins and needles” and yarn and felt. My favorite anti-anxiety “meds.”

Processing the week’s events

So much has happened in the past week. It was very exciting last Sunday when my book became available. Thank you to all my friends and family members for placing your orders! And thank you to all my new online friends, who, without even knowing me, bought the book and expressed their congratulations. How cool…Read more Processing the week’s events

Book News!!

Henry and I are happy to say that as of today, the paperback version of Giving Paws: Having a Service Dog for a Hidden Disability, is available on Amazon. It will be available in hardcover and on Kindle and Nook in the next few days as well. In the mood to shop? https://www.amazon.com/Giving-Paws-Having-Service-Disability/dp/1633934993 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/giving-paws-martha-l-thompson/1126889845 https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/giving-paws   We…Read more Book News!!

Volunteer Work: the Best Medicine

When my illness forced me to stop working the first time, in 1999, I felt lost and useless. Not having somewhere to go every day was really depressing. I had to find something to distract me from self-pity, but my weak body and fragile mind limited my choices. I explored volunteer options and discovered a class offered by…Read more Volunteer Work: the Best Medicine

The Blossoming of My Tiny Emotional Support Animals

When Bobbie White hatched on June 25, and Berry followed on June 26, I was delighted. Watching each of them briefly stumble around, then get on their little feet and start pecking demonstrated an undeniable will to live. Within an hour of hatching, Bobbie started chirping at the top of her(?) lungs, and I prayed…Read more The Blossoming of My Tiny Emotional Support Animals

A Chick Named Bob

  As I lay awake early this morning, thinking worrying about Henry’s appointment with the surgeon, I heard a little “chirp.” My radar is on high these days, listening for strange noises that Steve the Norway rat might make, but this little chirp didn’t sound like a rat. Steve is more likely to squeak, I…Read more A Chick Named Bob

An Unwelcome Visitor

My eyes are always scanning the floors of our little home, mostly because we have three dogs who make all kinds of messes. A couple of days ago, in the early morning light, I noticed a spot near the front door that looked like a puddle of something. When I looked closer, I found it was…Read more An Unwelcome Visitor