You do not have to live in S. FL to be interested in learning, with your kids, about iguanas. They are not natural to our area, yet they are taking over. Read this article from the Sun Sentinel today.

Just like pythons and other exotic creatures, iguanas were introduced into our subtropical terrain by uneducated pet owners, who could no longer care for their lizards and thus released them into the wild. They have reproduced in such astounding numbers, that they are causing problems here. When full grown, they can reach 5 feet in length, so they do not have many predators. They seem to enjoy life in well protected residential neighborhoods, and they are known to devour fruit trees, household plants and orchids and leave their poop (which can contain salmonella) all over the place.  The odor is atrocious! They also like to dig burrows, which can cause paved areas to collapse.

It is illegal to release iguanas into the wild here, but apparently that is not stopping many pet owners from doing so. I find them to be fascinating to watch and exotically beautiful (in a prehistoric sort of way), and I would be sad to hear they are being destroyed. If people would just leave exotic animals where they belong, we would not have this problem.  I am perfectly happy living with a standard poodle and not a lizard.

Photo courtesy of Free Digital Photos

Did you read about the Florida woman who sued another woman for refusing to return her parrot that flew away only to be adopted by the other woman who found him? Read the story here.

Even the parrot was called to court in this highly emotional case. But in the end the judge ordered that the original owner was the rightful owner, and that the parrot had to be returned to her. Both parties shed an awful lot of tears.

What does this prove? Pets are as important to people as people are important to people. I’d fight for my smart poodle if she ran away and someone else was claiming her. Do you blame me?

Want a great activity for you and your kids? Experiment with your camera to take fun pictures of your pet! Here’s out latest photos.

Gigi Getting her Teeth Brushed

Gigi rolling in the grass for some unknown reason

More rolling

Hanging Out Listening to Music

Sittin’ on the Arm of the Couch!

Liberty Park Elementary is a Haven for Readers

This gorgeous library is amazing!

Friendly Librarians Cindy Martinez and Renee Houck

Rachel plays piano for the 5th grade students, parents and teachers

A little fairy dances with Lilly Badilly

The best elementary music teacher ever! Mrs. Judy Christodoulides

Literacy Dog Mack gets a lot of attention!

Last night, I was the visiting author for the Liberty Park Elementary Literacy Night. We had a great time! It was a particularly special event because my daughter, Rachel was able to attend. She is normally at school when I do author visits, so this was a real treat for me and for the students! Rachel played piano for them, and the students got to hear about her involvement with the Lilly Badilly book and all about her love of reading.

We presented our program to 5th graders in the music room, which is an extremely impressive place. The large room is well equipped with a beautiful, well-tuned piano and risers for the choir. Music teacher, Mrs. Christodoulides, is the friendliest, most creative and inspiring music teacher! The students at Liberty Park are so lucky to have the performing arts opportunities they have here.

The students here seemed to know their US geography, which really impressed me. Actually, everything about the school impressed me.

Librarian Renee Houck, has a big beautiful, well-stocked library – one of the largest we have seen at any South Florida school. Kids and their parents were lined up to buy books and celebrate reading. Everything about this school makes children want to learn and read more.

One of the highlights of the event was Mack, the Literacy Dog. Children can read to Mack to help them improve their reading skills. He is specially trained for this program and is one of the most adorable, gentle, loving dogs on earth!

We’d like to thank Mrs. Houck and Mrs. Christodoulides for giving us this opportunity and for their genuine kindness and friendliness. Lilly Badilly loves friendly creatures of all kinds! Thank you Liberty Park Elementary!

To book Mack or one of his friends for your Literacy event

go to havedog.com

Smart Poodle Publishing obviously LOVES dogs. After all, we named the business after our own pooch. And today I visited my friend, Millie, who is a foster parent to needy puppies. Check out these tiny poodle-yorkie-mix puppies. They are 11 weeks old!

I remember when we first got our poodle, GIgi. Our daughter, Rachel was only years old. During the first week we had her, Rachel was upset that she had to go to bed at 9 pm, and Gigi got to stay up as late as she wanted. That was sibling rivalry in its purest form. My husband would tell Gigi she had to go to bed at 9 too, to please Rachel. We always got  good laugh out of that.

Often, Gigi will hop on the couch after my husband gets up, to take his place. She sort of looks around out of the corner of her eye to see if he realizes she took his space over. I swear she is human. (Until she licks filthy dirty puddle water).

Today I was working like a dog (pun intended) and looked over at the couch across from where I was sitting. There was Gigi, spread out, leaning on the pillow like a super model posing for the camera. She knows she is cute, and she uses that to get my attention. It works every time.

I have been so busy working, that my dog has been looking for some attention. How can I ignore her when she looks at me like this? She sure is one Smart Poodle.

Gigi napping on a Sunday afternoon

My friend, Patty, taking it easy with Indie.

A cool dog I met on a Humane Society Dog Walk

With all the chaos in my life this year, I have come to realize that my Smart Poodle, Gigi, knows how to relax better than anyone else I know. She can collapse on the wood floor and zone out so much that I can step over her or right in front of her, and she does not bat an eye.  I envy her ability to just let nothing bother her.

I have found that if I am at all stressed, and I just sit next to the dog and pet her for a while, I feel a whole lot better. So if you or your children are having trouble relaxing, hang out with your pet or a friend’s pet. You’ll be sure to get some calming inspiration that way.