Review: Animal Behaviorist Shares Comedy of Her Work!

The Chimp Who Loved Me

And Other Slightly Naughty Tales Of a life with Animals


By Annie Greer and Tim Vandehey


Warning: Book Contains Mature Language


Thinking that this book would be a fun break from my normal drama selections, I was somewhat disappointed when I first chose what I assumed would be my favorite—The Crazy Cat Lady. True to the title, it was indeed about a “crazy lady” rather than some story about my favorite animals—cats...

But, I went on to the title story and was happily entertained, and I am sure that without saying a word, you know essentially what happened between Annie and the Chimp! Fortunately, she was able to distract him...shall we say...talking him down?

However, chimp assault is very real! What I was surprised to see was the underlying story of how dangerous many of these animals are! So if you have ever thought about taking a wild animal into your home, this is a must read for you! Me, I have enough trouble with my house cats! Although the beauty of our larger feline animals is tremendous and exciting to watch—from afar...

For those who love cats, I recommend “Panther Bait” Now might be the time to point out that Annie and her husband are professional animal caretakers—the former is an animal chiropractioner, healer and behaviorist; the latter a vet. Now the author is quite direct about the differences between their responsibilities. But when necessary, it is both of them that take off running to capture and treat the animal.

This book is, simply, a diary of what animal caretakers have gotten into—the ones that are funny to think about after the fact, while not necessarily while it are happening! Tim Vandehey is a ghostwriter and first had to hear the stories, not believing them as they were told! It’s a shame he didn’t have a camera going and travel with them as they were “on the job.” Maybe next time, Tim!

Here’s a few facts I found interesting:

Tiger babies don’t go to the bathroom on their own (neither do house cats) and the mother has to help take care of that. Absent mother? You guessed it--somebody has to help! But Annie didn't have the tongue for it!

Bear cubs need lots of mothering; in the wild they are with their mother for 2 years. And they want food—NOW!

If you tickle Mr. Piggy behind the ear, he will flop over his 250-pound body for more!

If your hamster is missing, check your liquor...and be prepared. A hammered hamster is vicious!

And then there was the flying squirrel that a visitor tried to steal by shoving him down his pants...

There is more fun than wisdom in this book...but who cares? If somebody you know loves animals, his makes a nice gift in my opinion. And if they are considering exotic animal acquisition...please, get this book and let them find out the realities of it all!

And, if you just want to laugh from Annie’s favorite animal tales, you enjoy The Chimp Who Loved Me...and will be giving 20% of the sales to the ASPCA as well! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Book Received from Ghostwriter
Tim Vandehey

Published by Diva Publishing and Broadcasting
800 Miami Springs Drive
Longwood, Florida 32779

BRH note: Both authors are on Facebook...I will be checking to see how to purchase this book, or contact them directly if interested...

Review: I Celebrated "Read An EBook Week" with Las Vegas Chew Toy!

Las Vegas Chew Toy

By Laura L. Alton
Fireside Mysteries
An Imprint of Cyberwizard
ISBN: 9780982135266
179 Pages

Did you know that we just completed "Read an Ebook Week"? Did you read one? I did--and thoroughly enjoyed it! Laura Alton's new cozy mystery, Las Vegas Chew Toy, was not only suspenseful but it was also fun to read.

Kayla Ann Dailee is a local veterinarian who not only has a practice, but also provides support for the local police when needed, and has recently taken additional training to qualify as an animal behavioral expert. What that means, in this mystery, is that she somehow managed to be in the right place at the right time, or should I say, the wrong place, because she also became obsessed with proving the innocence of, and saving Amy!

Amy is the accused in the case of not one, but two murders!

Perhaps I should say that Amy is a beautiful puma, who was saved when she was young, even though she lost one of her forelegs, and was provided a loving home with, supposedly, her first victim.

In fact, Kayla and the police really didn't believe Amy was involved, even though those who had been killed had claw marks at their throats.

But figuring out who did the murders was not so easy. For an animal activist had helped Amy escape, yet she was the one who was later killed in the same manner! And local people really weren't concerned whether or not she was guilty--only that she was on the loose and could possibly be dangerous...

Sure, there were other people involved--two were local police Detective Kelly as well as the Animal Control Director, who both just happened to be handsome men who were interested in getting to know Kayla better. Somehow that resulted in their helping her rather than the other way around!

Why is it women tend to think they can solve a problem, but they don't take the time to worry about their own safety? For when Kayla was getting close to solving everything, she just drove out to meet the man she thought was guilty! Duh! I have a feeling she's going to be another Angela Lansbury in this series!

Las Vegas Chew Toy has got a little bit for everybody. Teens will enjoy the animals and the work to find and save Amy as well as the behavioral sessions with several dogs who have a very indulgent owner. Those looking for a little romance will enjoy the exchanges between Kayla and the two men involved in the mystery. Quilters will enjoy the quick trip to a quilt show and how it helped Kayla solve the mystery!

Mystery lovers will enjoy the manner in which Laura Alton put all the clues together so that readers could sit back with a cup of tea and slowly help solve the case! This is a great story and highly recommended to cozy mystery lovers, like myself!



G. A. Bixler