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Franklin family’s dogs taken by animal officer, placed with new owners

FRANKLIN, Maine — Last fall, the Warren family had two Golden Retrievers, Bella and Jake, that were considered integral members of a household which includes four young children.

Now the dogs have been placed with a new owner somewhere in New England after they took off from the Warrens’ yard in early November and failed to return.

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Tips, Tricks and Tales for Success from America’s Smartest Working Dog, BELLA the BOXER!

Secrets of a Working Dog:

Unleash Your Potential and Create Success

Tips, Tricks and Tales for Success from America’s Smartest Working Dog

Written in the voice of a dog, Secrets of a Working Dog is a mix of good old-fashioned canine intuition with paws-on work experience and includes case studies and interviews with successful dogpreneurs and dog-friendly organizations across the country. This book is for anyone who loves animals and is looking for straightforward and simple advice on how to have fun balancing the responsibilities and challenges of modern life.

In this book, Bella and her co-authors will show you how to:

Slow down and connect with your “inner dog”
Discover what makes you zoom
Step up as leader of the pack
Live fully while balancing work and play

The idea is that by helping humans live up to their own definitions of success, they’ll be not only happier but also more productive—thereby leaving them with extra time to spend with their loyal, four-legged friends.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: BELLA

My name is Bella and I am a boxer. Technically, that makes me a member of the working dog category. Instead of herding sheep or guarding property, however, I'm the director of goodwill (D.O.G.) at Galvin Communications, a marketing firm run by my humans in Portland, Oregon. My job is to maintain a sense of energy, enthusiasm and creativity in the office…and to make sure that my two-legged co-workers don’t spend all day hiding behind their computer screens.

WATCH THE VIDEO TRAILER

"LIKE" BELLA ON FACEBOOK

VISIT BELLA'S BLOG

BUY THE BOOK HERE!

BELLA GIVES BACK!

Bella's mission is to help humans have fun and connect with their "inner dog" so they'll not only be happier but also more productive...and have lots of extra time to spend with their loyal, four-legged friends.

Because nothing makes Bella happier than using her book to help dogs in need, she has partnered with “paw-inspiring” non-profit groups around the country, including:

* If you represent a non-profit organization and would like to find out more, click here.

THE DETAILS

For every paperback book sold directly from her website* or at a participating event, Bella will give back $8, or 40%, to the designated non-profit. She’ll “pawtograph” each copy, too! The book makes an excellent gift and costs just $19.95 which includes free shipping via Media Mail (in the U.S.). * Note: Unfortunately, we can't track sales through 3rd parties so be sure to order directly from Bella's site!

HOW TO CHOSE THE NON-PROFIT YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT:

Enter the FULL NAME of the non-profit that you would like to support with your purchase in the box that says “Promotional Code" (FOLLOW THIS LINK). This will take you to a secure PayPal form where you can complete your order. (Note: The company name is Galvin Communications. Bella is our Director of Goodwill, or D.O.G.).

For questions, click here

What people are saying about Secrets of a Working Dog:

"...this charming guide to success offers valuable life lessons aimed at helping readers enjoy well-balanced lives."
Publishers Weekly (read the full review here)

"...an excellent and highly recommended resource for anyone who wants to succeed in life and in the business world."
Midwest Book Review (read the full review here)

"This husband and wife team have tapped on a fundamental lesson. Dogs are great teachers and can impart valuable wisdom in just about every part of our lives. By applying a dog's tactic to our own lives, we can take a journey of self-discovery that will propel us, compel us, and ultimately result in more successful encounters in work and in our personal path. As the book cover says, Bella the Boxer will indeed help you connect with your inner dog and step up as the leader of the pack. Those with dogs will immediately understand how they can use the dog as a teacher. Those without may be encouraged to get one - let this be your handbook."
Hal Abrams, Co-host of Animal Radio®

“Bella shares a unique perspective on life, work and the pursuit of success as only a dog could tell it. Secrets of a Working Dog contains practical, real-world wisdom to which every dog owner can relate and that every entrepreneur and business person should read.”
Cathy King DVM PhD, CEO of World Vets

"A dog-author who deeply understands the power of ‘pawsitive’ thinking, Bella (with a little help from her humans) has written a charming, fun, and thoughtful book that can help us all live better."
Rick Foster, co-author of How We Choose to Be Happy and Happiness & Health

“I've been writing about workplace issues for nearly a decade and I haven't run into many humans who are as smart about working habits as Bella.”
Marci Alboher, author of One Person/Multiple Careers

"Two paws up! Bella the Boxer has crafted a fun and creative look at what it takes to be successful in today's business climate. Like any dog who wants off the leash, Bella holds nothing back—the stories, examples, and unique perspective make this book an easy but powerful read."
Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz, authors of Go for No!

“Bella is a savvy dogpreneur worthy of our attention. Her book conveys essential truths about success in life and business via a fun, enjoyable and woofy read.”
Mike Faith, president and CEO of Headsets.com

“Since dogs have been interacting with humans for thousands of years, it was just a matter of time before an entrepreneurial one decided to offer observations on how we humans work and live. I’m glad it was Bella since her effective storytelling and savvy ideas take people looking to better themselves on an interesting walk of self-discovery.”
Paul Witkay, founder and CEO of the Alliance of Chief Executives

“Bella has great ideas for building relationships and motivating people. I especially like her views on happiness—she’s sort of the Doggie Dalai Lama.”
Dyana King, CEO of Thinknicity Inc.

“Bella delivers the goods. Her wise and witty observations and personal glimpse into the lives of dogs gives us a window to peek through and a door to enter. Cheers, woofs, and wags to the irrepressible Bella and to the people with whom she shares her life. Through them, an utterly charming and thought-provoking book has been born.”
Corinne Dowling, founder of Give a Dog a Bone

“You don't need a dog to appreciate the business message in this book. The lessons in each chapter are compelling and will help anyone interested in improving their ability to relate to other people. What a mixture of humor and wisdom: I couldn't put the book down!”
Pat Murphy, president of Reid Industries

“I'm a cat lover but Bella is one smart dogpreneur. I wish I had Bella on the end of my leash when I started my business. This is a fresh, fun and enlightening business book. The stories illustrate sound business advice and emphasize how each person's idea of success is different.”
Susan Urquhart-Brown, business coach and author of The Accidental Entrepreneur: 50 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Starting a Business

“Bella teaches people how to create successful, meaningful lives. She packs a lifetime of experience into a few short human years and we would be wise to pay attention.”
Anthony Sandberg, founder and president of OCSC SAILING

“Bella has a direct and unabashed perspective on everything from work to play. Those of us lucky enough to share our time with dogs will appreciate Bella’s simple and genuine suggestions for living an authentic life, from the time we wake up to the time we cuddle up. She’ll change your perspective, your attitude, and your confidence. Bravo, Bella!”
Bob Stonhaus, inventor of the STORViNO wine storage system

AN INTERVIEW

Robyn M Fritz MA MBA shown right

Robyn: One of the best things at Alchemy West in 2010 was working with Bella the Boxer and her staff, Ellen Galvin and Patrick Galvin, on Bella’s book.

Yes, Bella is a dogpreneur and wrote Secrets of a Working Dog: Unleash Your Potential and Create Success. Bella has upped the ante on the self-help genre, showing humans how they can create successful lives with the vigor, wisdom, and with that only a working dog like a boxer can provide.

I loved helping Bella shape her book. And we also helped her publish it, teaming up with Robert Lanphear, the artistic director who is the creative and technical expert at Lanphear Design in Seattle.

Bella writes a blog, too, blog.bellatheboxer.com, and has a regular column, Working Dog Wednesday, where she ‘interviews cool working dogs.’ In our case she graciously agreed to include me and Grace the Cat in her interview with Alchemy West’s Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Murphy and Alki.

Bella is Director of Goodwill (D.O.G.) at Galvin Communications in Portland, Oregon. Ellen Galvin is the company’s chief wordsmith. Patrick Galvin is a professional speaker who galvanizes audiences to achieve greater levels of success in work and life.

Match Bella’s spunkiness with a couple of Cavaliers and a cat and you end up laughing a lot as you chat about working and living in the 21st century. Here’s the complete interview, before editing (not even an intuitive communicator like me can keep three dogs and a cat from goofing off on the job and just gabbing). It also had to be edited for things that might not meet FCC standards, like a cat saying the word ‘naked.’ It would come from a cat, wouldn’t it?

You can also find us at Bella’s blog, Bella the Boxer!

Here’s the complete interview.

Bella: Well, this is a first … I’m interviewing a whole team! Murphy, Alki and Grace the Cat make up the powerful board of directors at Alchemy West Inc., a Seattle-based company led by Robyn M Fritz. Robyn also happens to be the editor of my book, which is one reason that I’m so proud of it! Welcome!

Robyn: Hi, Bella! I’m glad you liked my help with your book. You have wonderful things to tell all of us about leading balanced lives, with the emphasis on fun! And you were fabulous to work with! I can’t wait to see what you write next!

Grace the Cat: What, a dog writing a book? How does that happen?

Murphy and Alki: Bella’s talented. And we helped by keeping the office in order while Robyn worked with her.

Grace the Cat: Well, there was a lot of laughing.

Murphy and Alki: Bella’s funny!

Bella: And smart.

Murphy and Alki: And wise! We have to admit, boxers are cool, especially Bella. But we’re Cavaliers, known for exceptional clarity of thought and devotion to duty, well, okay, cookies and fun times. We could write a book.

Robyn and Grace the Cat: What?

Murphy and Alki (giggling): Well, there is that thing about Bella being a working dog!

Bella: Wait, why are you guys laughing?

Murphy and Alki: We’re toy dogs! We get paid to play and look cute!

Grace the Cat: Sheesh, dogs. You don’t say that kind of thing around humans!

Robyn: Really. I see a lock on the cookie jar coming.

Murphy, Alki, and Bella: Oh, no!

Grace the Cat: Like I said …

Bella: Tell us a bit about yourselves and Alchemy West, Inc.

Robyn: It’s all about storytelling. I believe that telling stories creates good will, good humor, and great communities, so I tell my stories and help visionary writers tell theirs. I go out and talk with groups about storytelling, especially telling stories about their animals. And because I’m also an intuitive communicator, I help people speak with the beings in their life. It’s all connected because a healthy, balanced world starts with an intuitive, heart-based connection between humans and the beings they most treasure, from their writing projects to their animal companions, homes, businesses, and the land around them.

I love working with writers who are eager to jump into an intuitive, gut-level approach to find and shape their books, whether it’s through individual book development services or group writing seminars.

And it’s inspiring and deeply fulfilling to see how intuitive communication enriches people’s family and business lives by simply helping them talk with the beings who are waiting to talk with them.

Bella: I understand that Robyn wrote a book about you, Bridging Species: Thoughts and Tales About Our Lives with Dogs. The Dog Writers Association of America has nominated it as 2010 Best Book – Humor. It was also nominated for the 2010 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award, given to the work that best highlights the unique relationship between a dog and its owner and best brings to life the concept of the human-animal bond. Very big deal for you guys. So, what does it feel like to be famous?!

Grace the Cat: We’re famous?

Murphy and Alki: Well, we are! We get all the attention at book signings and public events because we’re the cover dogs. People actually stop when they drive by and see us on the street (even when Robyn is outside in her pajamas).

Grace the Cat: I’m the only one here with fashion sense. Those are NOT pajamas. And the dogs—they wear raincoats outside! I’m for the natural look: naked!

Murphy and Alki and Robyn: We noticed.

Robyn: Grace, you just said …

Bella: Robyn, why do you write about the human-animal bond?

I worked in Cavalier rescue for a few years, helping dogs find new homes. I realized that I could help a few dogs that way or help a lot more by writing about how and why we create families with animals, and what that means from a mystical, cultural, practical, and even comic aspect.

Murphy: I’m very funny. And Alki, you can’t help but laugh with him!

Grace: You’re dogs, goes without saying.

Robyn: It’s like that all day around here. The cat and dog wisecracking! I sometimes wonder how we get any work done.

Bella: What other projects do you have in store for Robyn in 2011?

Murphy and Alki and Grace: Robyn is busy writing Murphy’s Tales. It tells how Murphy’s chronic illness as a young dog inspired our family’s journey to wellness and sparked Robyn’s intuitive abilities. And how Murphy taught Robyn street smarts—

Robyn: Sad, but true, and she was only six months old.

Alki and Grace: And saved them both from an earthquake—before it happened!

Robyn: Yes, all things that made me wonder what was going on in animal minds, and how I could find out. This year I’m also doing a lot of writing coaching and teaching events, to help people focus and tell their stories efficiently and well and get them out into the world. And speaking about how we deepen relationships with all life, from animals to the world around us.

Murphy and Alki and Grace: We’re also writing an online magazine, Bridging the Paradigms, full of stories about creating community with all life. And Robyn is doing all kinds of intuitive work with our newest family member: the crystal, Fallon. It’s intense, but we’re never too busy to play, eat, and power nap!

Bella: So, Robyn, are Murphy and Alki and Grace the Cat your creative muses?

Robyn: In many ways, yes. They help me explore a new normal for a family: that multi-species families are families first, and species second, and what matters is that we’ve chosen to live our lives together. When I look at my family I see thinking, intelligent, resourceful, loving, intriguing souls who just happen to be in animal bodies. Their lives are worthwhile, and ours are together. They accept my limitations with far more diplomacy and patience than I do theirs.

Grace: Yes, dogs can be a trial. That’s why I trained mine well.

Murphy and Alki: What?

Robyn: Grace, that’s a secret of a working cat.… Seriously, my family makes me think about what the world can be like if we accept the diversity of all life. If we can create loving relationships within a multi-species family, how hard can it really be for humans to get along?

Murphy and Alki and Grace: We’re the inspiration—and the comic relief! We’re not just pets, we’re family. We help Robyn see what families look like when we don’t take each other for granted, when we don’t set limits on how they should look but explore what they can and do look like when everybody’s equal.

Robyn: That’s right. I pay attention to what bores, entertains, intrigues, annoys, or puzzles them, and I write about how we try to mesh that into a multi-species family, where we all have attitudes.

Grace: What’s an attitude?

Bella and Murphy and Alki: A cat.

Murphy and Alki and Grace: We joke around, but we’re creatives, just like Robyn. We helped her realize that families come in all shapes and sizes and manner of beings, and learning how to adapt to each other is how we come together to make the world a better place.

Bella: What are your roles? How do you avoid stepping on each other’s fuzzy little toes?

Grace: Alki snoozes all day on his dog bed and Murphy holds down the recliner, so I clearly have to supervise them and watch for intruders from my windowsill perch. When I decide the work day is done, I sit by the keyboard, push all the pens off the desk, and, if that doesn’t work, I climb on Robyn’s shoulder and put my tail in her face.

Murphy and Alki: We taught Grace how to shut the laptop.

Robyn: That trick I could do without.

Murphy and Alki: Plus we take Robyn for walks, fetch sticks, lobby for cookie breaks, make people laugh at our cute grins, run errands, greet visiting writers, take Grace for car rides, and feed Robyn one-liners. We’re on duty all day unless a sunspot shows up or we need to snoop on the neighborhood.

Bella: Any advice for other working dogs (er, cats, too!)?

Murphy and Alki and Grace: We like being part of the new families people are creating with us. Teach your humans how to laugh, take breaks, and play and exercise with us, and keep imagining new ways for all of us to be together in one big community. Take your jobs as family members and office mates seriously. The pay is great.

Robyn: The pay? Well… thanks, Bella, for chatting with us. And keep writing!