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Sunday, March 9, 2014

Pawthor Showcase: Champ

 

    Champ: My Story of Survival by Fiona Ingram and Champ is the amazing story of Champ, a 7-year-old poodle mix, and how he survived brutal abuse and betrayal at the hands of people he only wanted to love, to become the beacon of hope for so many. This story had my emotions all over the place. The first 3 – 4 pages had me crying, then came the anger for the people that could do such a thing to a helpless animal like that, then came the anxiety as I read of his constant setbacks in treatment, and finally the hopeful smile as he finally got the right medication that would work for him.
    That smile got even bigger as Champ told me of his grand adventure while on a quest to save not only CoCo, a pretty Pekingese in his neighborhood, but other dogs missing from a nearby area. CoCo has been kidnapped and Champ is determined to find her. As he seeks the help of the Chicken Ladies, they're aghast, but not sure what to do. They decide to enlist the help of The Pigeon Ladies Flying Club. Surely they would know what to do; they seem to know everything. I won't spoil it by telling more, but I will say the Pigeon Ladies have Champ flying high - and low! - to get to CoCo, and Champ finds out that even a small dog like him can make a big difference.
     Ultimately, this story is a tribute to the love a dog can continue to feel for a species (humans) at whose hands he's only known pain and suffering, and his ability to so readily love and trust again. But it's also for the men and women who selflessly contribute their time, and often their own money, in rescue shelters like S.A.F.E. Rescue all across the country. The foster parents who take in animals like Champ, once they are well enough to leave the shelters, are to be equally applauded. For Champ, foster mom Suzy, and foster dad Robert were his angels in disguise. And once he was well enough to move around, he had a host of friends to welcome him: the Chicken Ladies, a hamster, a bunny, and three other rescue dogs. What a wonderful home to be in! I don't doubt they all played a big role in Champ's recovery - in body and spirit!
    There are semi-graphic pictures of Champ in this book. His injuries were bad, but seeing them will only heighten your amazement at his will and courage. You'll cheer through every teardrop at the tenacity of this little dog, and be deeply moved by his plight. The proceeds from this book and merchandise sales go to Champ's continued rehabilitation, and to help the many other dogs that S.A.F.E. Rescue takes in. Each sale of this book can make a difference, thank you for your support!
 



Q. Champ, thank you so much for being with me today. Your story is amazing. Please tell me how you've been doing these last few months.
 
A: Hi Chameleon, I’m so happy to be your guest today. I’ve done a few interviews and I love them. It’s a chance to tell people about saving animals. As you know, I’m the Ambassadog for S.A.F.E. Rescue, and I’ve been very busy since my biodography was published. I set up a Twitter account so I can Tweet about my book, but also happy ending stories about animals being saved. I have a Facebook page and website, and my foster mommy updates this. I also have a Pinterest page where I can share good news photos and videos as well. Then there’s my blog where I review animal books and interview other Pawthors. In between all this busy stuff, I spend time with my wonderful foster family, having fun, and especially snuggling up to foster mommy Suzy. My leg that was sore is getting better after I saw my special vet, Dogtor Slaton. So, I am in the pink!
 
Q. Champ, you have more friends on Facebook than I do! So many people have been cheering for you, did it make a difference in your recovery?

 A: You have no idea how much those messages meant to me. When I was still in the hospital, I was so weak, feeling so feeble, as if I could just close my eyes and slip away. I felt as if I didn’t have the strength to hang on, it was so hard to keep going. But my foster mommy came to visit me every day and she would read the Facebook messages to me. I began to realize that despite the bad things that had happened, so many people all over the world (that had never met me) just loved me, cared about me, and prayed for me. Foster mommy Suzy would post updates about me on Facebook, and that’s how my friends got to know how I was doing. She also gave me what humans call a ‘meme.’ NEVER GIVE UP! So I didn’t…
 
Q. I have to tell you, I was quite impressed with your story of saving CoCo and the other dogs. Though I know Fiona helped you write it, that was quite a tale. What inspired it?
 
A: Well, this is a secret, but I know I can tell you – it actually happened. I did fly with the Pigeon Ladies and it was reported on the TV news channel as well. But sometimes it’s better if people think it’s just a cute story.
 
Don't worry, you're secret is safe with me. All Super Heroes need to maintain a bit of anonymity.

Q. Tell me about your new friend, Joe, I hear he's lost his eyes.
 
A: Joe came to S.A.F.E. Rescue because his owners gave him up. Fiona did some research and we read that his eyes were bad because he inherited a defect and his eyes did not develop properly. It was best to take them out. But many people don’t know that dogs have fantastic smell and hearing, and Joe says it doesn’t make a difference not having eyes because he didn’t see anything anyway. He has a great nose and can sniff things out from miles away! He came to stay with us for a while and we had such fun, although I guess humans would say we were naughty. He is my Best Friend Forever!

Champ with best friend Joe

Q. I also hear that you and Joe have quite a tale to tell, as well, care to give me a sneak peek at that?
 
A: Yes, please tell everyone that I’m doing a second book. You know, it’s hard work being a Pawthor. I do lots of marketing (as you can see in my photos). I also realized you can’t just have one book. So, Joe and I teamed up with Fiona for the second book called Champ & Joe: Best Friends Forever. It’s Joe’s story of how he got saved, his eye operation, him getting better and finding a Fur-Ever Home. We also wrote an exciting short story called How Champ & Joe Saved Easter. I’ll give you a hint – there ARE baddies involved, and Miss Prudence from the Pigeon Ladies Flying Club helps, as well as Amber, one of my doggy foster siblings.
 
Oh my, sounds a little dangerous, Champ, but how exciting that you got to team up, once again, with the Pigeon Ladies- and with Joe at your side, no less! I look forward to reading this adventure!
Champ learns marketing is a big part of being an Indie Pawthor.
 
Q. I can't express how grateful I am to the people of S.A.F.E. Rescue for what they did for you, Champ, and for all the animals that come to them. So much so, in fact, that I'm taking steps to become a monthly contributor to them. Is there anything special you'd like to tell my readers about them?
 
A: Now I’m going to cry (sniff). Kelli and Suzy and the other Anjils that run S.A.F.E. Rescue are real Anjils for Aminals. They care about all animals; even the ones people think are ‘broken.’ They save animals that wouldn’t have a chance because there is something that needs to be fixed. And they fix them! I can’t even think of enough words to say how I feel. My heart gets all full, and I think I might cry a lot. My foster mommy cared so much for me that I knew it was safe to live again, and to love and trust people again. S.A.F.E. Rescue needs lots of support to save more animals. If anyone reading this can help them, please do.
 
Q. I know you have so many people you wish you could thank in person, but I think I can speak for everyone when I say that your happy little face is thanks enough. To see you smile again is priceless. Your efforts in helping your fellow animals through your stories will mean a lot to so many, Champ, I hope you'll give me the opportunity to preview your next adventure and share it with my readers.
 
A: I would love to share all my good news with you again. Book 2 will be happening soon because Fiona says she is nearly finished. Oops! I almost forgot. My third book is going to be Champ’s Book of Short Stories & Poems for Children. It’s going to be lots of fun stories and poetry, and I’m going to invite everyone I know to contribute to make it a fantastic book!
 
Well, I hope you have a very big mailbox, because I bet you'll be flooded with letters for that!
Thanks for your time, Champ, I hope to speak with you again, soon!

Woof! Woof!

 
S.A.F.E. Rescue: www.SAFEanimalrescue.com

Champ's Website: http://champsstory.com/home




 

Champ: My Story of Survival   Click here to purchase for Kindle just 2.99

Click here to purchase for Nook, Sony, Apple, Kobo, and other Epub readers Just 2.99

The proceeds from your purchase of Champ's book goes to the support and medical treatment of animals just like Champ. Thank you for your support and kindness! Please share this with all your friends and family.

More from me at www.chameleon-author.com
Chameleon Author

3 comments:

  1. Champ says: "Dear Chameleon, thank you a million times for such a lovely interview, and for sharing the message of love and hope for all abused and rescued animals. Thanks to all the people who love animals, the world will become a better place!"

    Fiona says: "Many, many thanks for taking the time to put together this adorable interview, and for a beautiful book review!"

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    Replies
    1. Champ: you are welcome a million times :) Your story was such an inspiration, and I loved your tale of adventure. You are the best super hero I know!

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    2. Fiona, the pleasure was all mine. I can only hope that everyone will share this with all their friends and family. Such a heartwarming story!

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