Allen’s Comments (group member since Oct 22, 2012)

Allen’s comments from the A Dog Named Leaf group.

We took our cocker spaniel Leaf to the dog park over this autumn weekend. During our other visits to what we call "Dog Park Heaven" near the Mississippi River, we have always found our favorite spot to sit on the beach. Our spot is also next to a low-hanging, thick tree branch where Leaf likes to climb. He can lie down on his tree branch with his bouncy ball in his mouth.

This time though, Leaf didn't stay on his tree branch alone. Several small children looked at our little rescued dog and said, “There is a dog in the tree.” Then they immediately climbed Leaf’s tree. Leaf looked befuddled. Joining the children, their little black retriever climbed up after them.

Overwhelmed by this abundance of visitors, Leaf jumped off his branch on to the sand. Holding his ball tightly in his mouth, he walked over to us and glanced toward his tree. Then he looked at us again.

Linda threw the ball toward the edge of the river. Leaf gave chase to retrieve his ball but then was not sure what to do. He would normally have climbed back up into "his" tree with the ball. Finally, he decided that he could share his tree with the kids and their dog. He climbed next to one of the children and dropped down on to the branch. He was sweet and nice but still wanting his spot on the branch.

Yet he shared something that was very important to him. Leaf knew from experience with us humans that our attention spans are not the greatest. The kids would soon be off to other dog park adventures. He was right. Within a few minutes the children were exploring other trees and trails.

When have you had to be patient while waiting for others to release something?

A DOG TALKING IN HIS SLEEP?

Allen was sitting in our dog Leaf's favorite chair in our home office. He was catching up on some reading while Leaf sprawled out on the floor, sleeping.

Allen heard some noise from Leaf's location and looked down at him. Suddenly, our little cocker spaniel was talking in his sleep. Leaf made the same sounds as when he and Linda are talking about his day or something that might be bothering him. There was a mix of "ra ra" and grumbles coming from the back of his throat; short moans and then an "arf," as if he were giving his statements an exclamation point.

This dream conversation was longer than Leaf's regular talks with Linda when he is awake. Allen sensed there was a back-and-forth with someone in Leaf's dream talking back to him. Leaf would listen and then respond with a series of different noises.

After a few minutes Leaf stopped talking, took a big deep inward breath, and started snoring with gusto.

Do your pets talk in their sleep? What do you think they're saying? Who do you think they are talking to?

Visit to view Leaf on his favorite dreaming spot.

More often than not, we receive stories from people who write about their pets after the beloved companion has died. Although these stories are wonderful tributes, we wonder if the person might have written while their pet was still alive.

The process of writing causes the writer to become aware and observant. It brings the past and future together in the present. Although it has been cathartic for us, too, to write about pets who are no longer with us, there is something immensely satisfying when we take the time to be present to our pets right now.

In the present moment we can express our gratitude for the joy they are bringing to our lives. When Allen wrote his memoir A DOG NAMED LEAF, it was emotionally fulfilling to be able to take a walk with Leaf, photograph him playing at his favorite dog park, and tuning in to who he is to us today.

There is always a tinge of sadness in writing about animals, even while they are living. We know their life spans are shorter than ours. We know this immensely good thing will someday end. But writing and sharing stories about them, while we can still pet and play together, replaces fears of loss with admiration and gratitude for the blessings.

Take a look, right NOW, at the pets in your life. What do you want to say about them? What are the touching, funny, confusing, remarkable things they do? What are the gifts they are bringing to you and your home every day?



Allen and Linda Anderson, Angel Animals Network

www.angelanimals.net, www.adognamedleaf.com

WHEN A LOVE FOR ANIMALS ENTERS YOUR LIFE

When people love animals and are determined to express it, they can be invincible in their pursuit. A classic example is scientist, author, and inspirational speaker Jane Goodall. Her love for chimps in the forests of Gombe catapulted her into becoming a respected spokesperson for the protection of endangered species and animal welfare causes.

The pristine forests offered Jane an exquisite peace and tranquility. In a passage from her book Reason for Hope (Warner Books 1999), she writes about what close contact with animals means to her.

"On an open grassy ridge the chimps climbed into a massive mbula tree, where Fifi, replete from the morning's feasting, made a large comfortable nest high above me. She dozed through a midday siesta, little Fanni asleep in her arms, Frodo and Freud playing nearby. How healing it was to be back at Gombe again, and by myself with the chimpanzees and their forest. I had left the busy, materialistic world so full of greed and selfishness and, for a little while, could feel myself, as in the early days, a part of nature."

We humans turn to animals for comfort, playtime, serenity, unconditional love, and a number of other spiritual qualities we can't find as readily from any other source. We nourish and rescue animals and receive similar blessings in return from them.

On this week of Thanksgiving (in the United States), what blessings are you grateful for that have come into your life because of your love for animals?

What if a man can have a near death out-of-body experience of a place most call heaven but be fully alive, not near death at all?

What if an individual began seeing in his mind’s eye his life, flash before his eyes while he was fully awake and going about his daily tasks? Like a deck of cards the visuals and memories tumble toward him with such power and force he has to stop whatever he was doing to tell himself, I was not that awful.

What if that person has dreams as real as any moment in his daily life that tell him he will soon die and no longer be part of the building of life?

That man is me. I have no doubt that I was having mystical and spiritual experiences telling me that my time in this life had come to a close. All roads lead to one final act before my end. Or at least that was what my inner and outer experiences were telling me.

It all changes with an adoption. My wife and I adopted a shelter dog who was dumped at the back door. He was left, emotionally shatters, fearful, and with little trust of people. From all I could see he had been treated badly, some might call is abusive.

A Dog Named Leaf (ISBN-10: 0762781654, ISBN-13: 978-0762781652), a 224-page paperback published by Lyons Press, an imprint of Globe Pequot, is available at major online book retailers, in bookstores, and at lyonspress.com. Visit the book’s Facebook page and view photos of Leaf at www.adognamedleaf.com or www.facebook.com/adognamedleaf

Allen and Linda Anderson are featured guests on ERSKINE OVERNIGHT on Saturday and Sunday, November 9th and 10th in the first hour of the show. The times are 9:00PM PST, 10:00PM MST, 11:00PM CST, and Midnight EST.

Visit Erskine Overnight at www.erskineonradio.com for more details.

A Dog Named Leaf (ISBN-10: 0762781654, ISBN-13: 978-0762781652), a 224-page paperback published by Lyons Press, an imprint of Globe Pequot, is available at major online book retailers, in bookstores, and at lyonspress.com. Visit the book’s Facebook page and view photos of Leaf at www.adognamedleaf.com or www.facebook.com/adognamedleaf

TODAY ONLY -- Discover secrets to having a spiritual bond with your dog. Listen to a short interview featuring Allen Anderson, author of "A Dog Named Leaf" by visiting "The Author Show" website at www.wnbnetworkwest.com/WnbAuthorsShow... . The interview will be available for listening anytime TODAY, Thursday, August 22 only. So don't miss it. Are you ready to hear the truth?

SPEAKING FOR RESCUED DOGS

We enjoyed our time at the 4th Annual Dog Days of Stockholm as guest speakers. The daylong dog adoption event was well attended with many dog lovers traveling to the beautiful riverside village of Stockholm, Wisconsin. Booths with rescue groups and animal shelter volunteers and the dogs who needed homes lined the perimeter of the event.

In addition there were pet related booths, dog demonstrations, stirring speakers, and a variety of activities such as a Blessing of the Animals by a local pastor and contests: Best Dressed, Best Trick, Looks Most Like Owner, Best Dog Name, and Best Dog Hairdo.

Pat Kessler from WCCO TV in Minneapolis was the MC. He had a lot of help from his pug Shelby. Pat did an incredible job of keeping the program's pace just right with his genuine love for dogs, great sense of humor, and spontaneity.

Our little cocker spaniel Leaf was sweet and adorable. We gave him our "be nice" talk before arriving at the event. Leaf tends to be a dog who has his own thoughts about who he wants and doesn't want to meet. We asked him to be nice to everybody -- people and dogs -- and promised to make sure everyone was nice to him.

We were happy to watch him let everyone pet him without any of his editorial comment. He squealed once when someone squeezed his long floppy ears -- something that must hurt a sensitive cocker spaniel. His only slip-up was backing off from a young woman dressed in a fairy costume with wings. She must have looked strangely non-human to a dog who thrives on everything being "normal."

Leaf wagged his tail with enthusiasm, when those who had read A DOG NAMED LEAF came over to admire him. We wondered if he is becoming accustomed to his new role as a doggy celebrity. He was a real trouper all day and slept soundly for hours after we came home.

The three of us (Leaf, Linda, and Allen) spoke onstage to the crowd. Leaf stood in the middle, receiving sliced apples (his favorite treat). At one point, we all seemed to be looking at someone in the audience with our heads pointed in the same direction.

Visit www.angelanimals.net/nlimage108.html to view photos of the event featuring Allen, Linda, and Leaf Anderson.

When have you asked your animal companion to go the extra mile and been rewarded with having your request filled?

TWO TO SHARE THE LOVE

With our crazy schedule, sometimes it takes planning to make sure interviews about our new book A DOG NAMED LEAF go smoothly. Last Sunday (March 31, 2013), Allen had to find a mini-office at the Philadelphia airport where he could have a quiet space for calling in for a radio interview. He was in-between flights and squeezing in the interview before boarding the next plane.

Meanwhile in Minneapolis, Linda sat in a comfortable chair at the WCCO Radio (local CBS affiliate) studio to also be part of the interview. Normally we can take visual cues from each other about which of us would be best to answer questions. This time, we relied on the host to ask questions directly to each of us.

Even with the obstacles, it was fun to talk about our relationship with the amazing and incredible dog Leaf who changed and healed our lives in so many ways. Host Roshini Rajkumar was wonderful and as Linda says, even more beautiful in person -- inside and outside.

If you would like to listen to the interview, visit WCCO's News and Views with to hear it. The website is http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/audio-o... Click on "3-31-13 - News and Views: 1PM Hour" to listen to our segment. The interview is about 19 minutes into the hour.

What would you say about your pet if you were doing a radio interview?

Allen and Linda Anderson
Angel Animals Network
Where Pets Are Family
www.angelanimals.net

A DOG NAMED LEAF
www.adognamedleaf.com

Subject: Good news from Allen & Linda about A DOG NAMED LEAF

The American Society of Journalist and Authors (ASJA) has selected A DOG NAMED LEAF by Minnesota authors Allen Anderson with Linda Anderson (Globe Pequot/Lyons Press) as one of the winners of the prestigious 2013 ASJA Awards in the Lifestyle/Memoir category. It’s the story of how one man and one dog came together at exactly the right time for miracles to occur. This award is like the Academy Awards for authors in that it is given by your peers. Some of the best writers in the country submitted books for consideration. The awards will be given out at the evening cocktail party in New York as part of the ASJA conference on Thursday, April 25. http://asja.org/for-writers/annual-wr...

Please share this announcement with your dog loving social media friends.

February 2nd
HAR-MAR MALL — BARNES AND NOBLE
Allen Anderson’s new book A DOG NAMED LEAF shares life-changing events that confirm the spiritual benefits of adopting a rescued dog who might be destined to rescue you. He’ll be signing books prior to Valentine’s Day at Barnes and Noble, Har-Mar Mall, 2100 North Snelling Avenue, Roseville, MN 55113 on Saturday, February 2, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Call 651-639-9256 for details.
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February 9th
WAYZATA — THE BOOKCASE
Allen Anderson’s new book A DOG NAMED LEAF shares life-changing events that confirm the reality of heaven and spiritual benefits of adopting a rescued dog who might be destined to rescue you. His book presentation and signing will be at The Bookcase, 607 East Lake Street, Wayzata, Minnesota on Saturday, February 9, 2:00-3:00 p.m., call The Bookcase at 952-473-8341 for details.
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February 21st
GALLERIA — BARNES AND NOBLE
Allen Anderson’s new book A DOG NAMED LEAF shares life-changing events that confirm the reality of heaven and spiritual benefits of adopting a rescued dog who might be destined to rescue you. His book presentation and signing will be at Barnes & Noble at the Galleria, 3225 West 69th Street, Edina, MN 55435 on Thursday, February 21, 7:00-8:00 p.m., Call B&N at 952-920-0633 for details.

A Dog Named Leaf: The Hero from Heaven Who Saved My Life

Allen says, “Thanks to a loving, intuitive, paper-chewing pup, I am alive and well today.”

--National Examiner, as told to L.A. Justice, December 17, 2012A Dog Named Leaf: The Hero from Heaven Who Saved My Life

"A Dog Named Leaf is a beautiful story told with honesty and depth. You'll be changed by Allen and Leaf's journey. This book will fill you with hope."
--Peggy Frezon, Brooks Books, Peggy's Pet Place

The true story of a paradigm shift. We "crazy" dog lovers (you know who you are) have waited for someone to reveal what happens in our homes every day. One reviewer wrote, "This is about how a dog with great love actually entered the inner reality of his friend to help save him and was able to succeed where human explanations and efforts failed."

http://www.adognamedleaf.com

Garrison Keillor visited Common Good Books, the bookstore he owns in St. Paul, Minnesota, on the night of a very successful book event for A DOG NAMED LEAF. Thank you, Garrison, and all the people who launched this new book with us.

http://www.angelanimals.net/nlimage98...

Allen Anderson and his new book A DOG NAMED LEAF is featured on the cover of Awareness Magazine for the November/December 2012 issue. Included in the magazine is an article about Allen and his work sharing stories about the bond between animals and their people.

http://www.adognamedleaf.com

"It is a compelling, engaging, mesmerizing true story. ... This book is packed with day-to-day, moment-to-moment experiences between Allen, Linda, and Leaf, demonstrating the animal-human spiritual bond. The similarities between the challenges both Leaf and Allen face are astounding...The Andersons are on to something. The bond is real. My husband is now reading my copy of the book. Well written. Highly recommended."
--Dorothy Weiss

"If you've ever doubted animals have souls, this book will open your heart and mind to truly believing we are all connected. You will never doubt again. Your life will be enriched far beyond what you could have ever imagined and you will have author Allen Anderson to thank for it." A DOG NAMED LEAF is a great gift idea for the dog loving friends and family in your life!
--Barbara Techel, Joyful Paws

"A DOG NAMED LEAF is a beautiful story told with honesty and depth. You'll be changed by Allen and Leaf's journey. This book will fill you with hope."
--Peggy Frezon, Peggy's Pet Place

"Part 'Marley and Me' and part Jon Katz... the story is endearing, and the many photographs of Leaf running, swimming, and chasing a tennis ball in south Minneapolis are adorable."
--Laurie Hertzel, "The Browser" MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE

"Allen's writing is able to draw the reader into some peak moments of challenge and choice in the life of both Leaf and himself, as a family. It is a rare glimpse into the deep workings of spirit through our animal human love bonds. It is one of the best examples of how we need one another to heal and that the commitment to love through all things brings forth the magic of miracles."
--Donna Strong, AWARENESS MAGAZINE

"...The authorial voice is distinctly Allen's. In 2006, Allen learns that he has an unruptured brain aneurysm, seven months after the family adopts a black cocker spaniel, Leaf, from a shelter. Throughout, he clearly conveys the affection that he and his dog have for each other and how that affection proved crucial to his recovery from brain surgery..."
--PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, September 24, 2012

LEAF, ALLEN, AND GARRISON KEILLOR

This weekend we had conversations about the oddity of Allen, normally a private person, writing a memoir for the public to read about Leaf, an instinctively shy rescued dog. Leaf doesn't ever approach strangers and beg for them to pet him. People typically have to earn his trust. Allen is a still-waters-run-deep kind of man. They're a team that understands each other.

In A DOG NAMED LEAF Allen shares details about his life now as well as the incredible experiences that happened while he and Leaf healed and rescued each other. He also reveals dramatic events that occurred prior to our starting Angel Animals Network when he was a big city police officer.

In previous books we included glimpses into our personal lives, but a memoir is different. To be honest and get its messages and themes across, the author must sacrifice a certain amount of privacy. Memoirists have to enter a "no whining zone" about surrendering their privacy. They believe the rewards of allowing themselves to show vulnerability will outweigh the risks. When people tell an author that something he wrote gave them hope or even changed their lives, the writer knows his sacrifices were worth it.

For a brief idea of personal details in the book, here's a description from the University of Minnesota's bookstore:

"Anderson's memoir proves a scientific study that dogs are empathic and really do feel their owner's pain. Leaf, an emotionally scarred rescue dog adopted by Anderson, helped the author through two life-threatening medical conditions on their joint journey of healing, love, loyalty, and hope. A Dog Named Leaf illustrates the unique and mutually healing bond that can sometimes form between humans and animals. In addition to the emotional story, this book offers advice to readers on what to expect when adopting a rescue dog, helping a fearful dog deal with veterinarians, groomers, and strangers, as well as tips for visiting hospital wards and essential things to do when a spouse is incapacitated."

Last week, an announcement about the book was picked up on the Associated Press and Reuter's wire services worldwide and on HuffPostTV's Oprah Winfrey News. Word is spreading fast that this is a must-read book which, as Dr. Marc Bekoff, author of THE EMOTIONAL LIVES OF ANIMALS said, is "Impossible to put down. Read and share widely."

Oh, and did we mention? Parts of the book are laugh-out-loud funny. Especially if you've noticed how men and women can have totally different ways of handling emotional situations and communicating with each other (or not) about their feelings.

As if to punctuate that there is enjoyable male-female, human-foible humor in the book, on Sunday we met Garrison Keillor, the world-renowned humorist of PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION fame. He owns
Common Good Books in St. Paul, Minnesota. We had driven to the store to drop off some postcards about the event Allen is doing there on Tuesday, November 13.

To our surprise, Garrison was walking right past our car as we drove off the lot. Allen lowered the window, and the scene went like this:

Allen: Hi, Garrison!

Garrison, who surrendered much of his privacy long ago to become an international celebrity, turned around and looked at Allen. He might have been wondering: Who is this guy calling me while I'm walking along, minding my own business on a Sunday afternoon?

Allen: Your bookstore is having an event next week for the book I wrote. Thank you!

Garrison: No problem.

The book is available now at bookstores and online. More information at www.adognamedleaf.com.

A DOG NAMED LEAF UPCOMING BOOK EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS:

NOTE: At "book presentations" Allen will speak, read passages of the book, and have a question and answer session. At a "book signing" Allen will be signing books only but he'll look forward to meeting and talking individually with fellow dog lovers. (You know who you are!)

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 4:00 - 5:00 P.M.
Book Presentation
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BOOKSTORES
G054 Coffman Memorial Union
300 Washington Avenue S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
PH: 612-625-6000

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1:00 TO 4:00 P.M.
Leaf's Diva Dog Book Party, a fundraiser for Helping Paws
(www.helpingpaws.org)
Book Signing (Meet Leaf here.)
BUBBLY PAWS DOG WASH & GROOMING
3730 Grand Way (Grand & Excelsior)
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
PH: 952-657-5300

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 7:00 - 8:30 P.M.
Book Presentation; 10% of book sales that night will be donated to
Animal Ark, a no-kill animal shelter in Hastings, Minnesota.
COMMON GOOD BOOKS, G. KEILLOR, PROPRIETOR
38 So. Snelling (Snelling & Grand)
St. Paul, MN 55105
PH: 651-225-8989, Email: info@commongoodbooks.com

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 10:30 - 11:30 AM.
Allen Anderson is featured speaker; Carolyn Walsh is featured
singer/musician. This is not a book event but is a nondenominational
gathering and meeting for spiritually minded people.
LAKE HARRIET SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY
4401 Upton Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55410
PH: 612-922-4272

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 6:00 - 8:00 P.M.
Book Signing
BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSELLERS
1 East Towne Mall
Madison, WI 53704
PH: 608-241-4695

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 7:00 - 8:00 P.M., BARNES & NOBLE
Book Presentation
BARNES & NOBLE IN DEER PARK (Chicago Area)
20600 North Rand Road
Deer Park, IL 60010
PH: 847-438-7444