How many times have you heard children squeal in joy at the sight of a dog or cat, spurring them to run at animals who may or may not be comfortable with strangers?

It’s never too early to teach our children that every living creature deserves kindness, and it’s important they also know the safe way to interact with dogs and cats.  Wendy Wahman is both the author and illustrator of two charming and practical books about how to make friends with dogs and cats.

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DON’T LICK THE DOG:  Making Friends with Dogs

Written and illustrated by Wendy Wahman

Meeting a new dog is exciting, but it can also be scary. This humorous how-to manual shows kids the best ways to interact with unfamiliar dogs, providing helpful tips about all sorts of dog behavior. Children often don’t understand what dogs’ actions mean and can misinterpret a threatening signal for a friendly one and vice versa. Kids and parents will return to Wendy Wahman’s playful illustrations again and again for useful reminders: Slow Down. Stay very still. And remember, don’t lick the dog!

“Dogs aren’t toys to hug and squeeze
or poke or chase or tug or tease.
Just like you and just like me,
dogs have personalities….
Good dog manners show you care….
when meeting new dogs everywhere.”

A CAT LIKE THAT

Written and Illustrated by Wendy Wahman

What does a cat want in a best friend? Someone who knows just where to scratch. Someone who can read the many moods of a cat’s tail. Someone who knows when to play and when to stay away.  Wendy Wahman shows readers what cats like and what they don’t. A Cat Like That is perfect for every child who meets a feline friend.

“Cat lovers will be instantly smitten, and even those who aren’t as immediately enthusiastic may well be won over by this…” Kirkus

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Meet Wendy Wahman

“WENDY WAHMAN lives in Washington State with big poodles, old cats, and a husband named Joe. She’s won many awards for illustration, but her greatest joy is loving the two-, three-, and four-legged animals she has known.”
Check out her website to see more of her dear books.
https://www.wendywahman.com/

I’d like to thank Wendy Wahman for supporting my efforts to create these lessons for families.  She urged me to consider creating a blog and has provided me with constructive feedback along the way.  Grateful.                              Kathy 

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EXPLORING CAT AND DOG QUILT PATTERNS

I don’t quilt or sew…..I just love quilts!  So, I decided to see if I could find some easy cat and dog designs for this project.

Here are some ideas for creating whimsical dogs and cats.  To find more, Google “Cat and Dog Quilt Blocks”. Cat and Dog patterns

 I created these from my scrap paper, but you can also draw and color yours.
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One more word of thanks……
Terry Runyan, thank you so much for allowing me to use your dear illustration at the top of this lesson.  I love your work!

Please take a look at Terry’s website:
www.terryrunyan.com

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