Do your children love dogs? I wrote Lucy the Talented Toy Terrier in memory of my dog, Lucy. She was my constant companion for sixteen years. Lucy was sweet, intelligent and loving. She is no longer with me and I miss her every day!

Children will love Lucy. They will learn important life lessons – be kind to animals, and love your pets as they love you unconditionally.

The cover and illustrations were created by my husband who used a different medium to create this book – drawn illustrations superimposed onto photos of backgrounds. By doing this it was as if Lucy was actually here in body not just in spirit in the present time.

Here is the limerick I wrote for Lucy:

LIMERICK

LUCY THE TALENTED TOY TERRIER

There once was a dog named Lucy

Who loved spaghetti and treats so juicy.

She enjoyed watching animals on TV

And was always as friendly as can be

Unless you took away her cherished rag or ball.

You were then no longer a friend at all.

Here is a poem I wrote many years ago in Lucy’s memory.

POEM

There once was a dog named Lucy,

Who’s only claim to fame

Was her curled up tail and her cute little name.

She loved spaghetti and doggy treats.

These were her favorite things to eat.

She loved watching TV

And late did she stay up.

She was a special kind of pup.

She made me smile and feel full of glee

But now that she is gone I’ve lost a part of me.

This book is also available on Barnes & Noble or by clicking the covers to the right of this post.

Blurb:

This book is based on my dog, Lucy, who I had for 16 years. She was quite a character and did all the things that are in this book. 

She loved my spaghetti with homemade sauce, watched TV shows featuring animals, hated baths, “sang” when music was played, and had two cherished possessions, a knotted rag and a ball. 

I hope you will enjoy reading about Lucy. She is no longer with us and can never be replaced.

Here are some reviews on Amazon:

SM5.0 out of 5 stars Heart-warming tale about a dog named LucyReviewed in the United States on June 23, 2018Format: PaperbackAnyone who owns or had to say goodbye to a beloved pet would appreciate this tribute to a beloved four-legged family member who warmed everyone’s heart. The prolific, award-winning author Janice Spina (who has penned books for kids, young adults, and adults) pays homage to “Lucy, the Talented Toy Terrier,” her beloved dog, in this sweet tale about a dog whose funny and endearing habits are described in rhyme. Ms. Spina brings the reader inside that circle of warmth by sharing her treasured memories of a dog who was part of the family for sixteen years; a dog known to all as Lucy. Just wonderful.
Kudos to John Spina for cleverly mixing media, embedding drawn pictures of Lucy on a realistic background of home photos

Clark Slomin5.0 out of 5 stars Lively and detailed rhymes…Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2018Format: Kindle EditionJanice Spina is an award-winning children’s, and YA book author, with over 15 titles under her belt.

“Lucy the Talented Toy Terrier” is Spina’s latest effort, and based on the beloved pet she once had. Spina takes the reader on a typical day… moments in Lucy’s active (and often funny) life, through lively and detailed rhymes. Accompanying the text are simple illustrations of Lucy within photographed background scenes, care of the author’s husband, illustrator John Spina.

As a previous dog owner, I adored this rhyming tail… er, tale! I’m sure your kids will too.

Deanie Humphrys-Dunne5.0 out of 5 stars Another cute book by Janice SpinaReviewed in the United States on March 27, 2018Format: Kindle EditionI thoroughly enjoyed reading Janice Spina’s new story about Lucy. It was great fun to learn about Lucy’s personality and how she liked to spend her day. For example, Lucy loved taking walks with her owners, but she hated bath time.Guess what Lucy’s favorite meal was? She loved spaghetti, with or without meatballs. But it needed homemade sauce. Parents and children will love learning about Lucy and her endearing traits. It’s another remarkable story by Janice Spina. I highly recommend that you add it to your collection of books by this talented author such as Louey the Lazy Elephant and Lamby the Lonely Lamb. You’re sure to enjoy them.
Reviewed by children’s author, Deanie Humphrys-Dunne
*I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it without compensation

I hope you will check out this book and all Jemsbooks for fun adventures, books in rhyme with life lessons for children ages PS-Grade 3.

Blessings & Hugs!

Janice