About me

Hi Visitor!

My name is Colin Chappell and while originally from Peterborough (UK), I moved to Canada in 1975 and in neither country did I consider a dog for a pet. Dogs were in fact annoying; soiled areas that I traveled on; chased almost anything that moved; smelled a little when dry, and smelled a lot when wet. I was bitten by Sabre, a German Shepherd (Alsatian), who was probably protecting its owner from me. I was about 14 yrs old at that time and was only interested in trains so attacking big people was not a factor … but try explaining that to Sabre.

In a moment of weakness in November 2012, I started talking to our local Humane Society about dog ownership with the view to maybe, just maybe, I might like to adopt one. I was starting to believe that it could be possible to have a really rewarding relationship with a canine. History, and the resulting book “Who Said I was up for Adoption?” tells the rest of the story!

This Blog covers a number of Categories, which are intended  to make your life easier should you want to look for Posts with a specific interest. There is a search by Category box on the right side of the screen.

Three of the categories are for each of my three books, and are also noted in the Header area. Those links (in the header) will open to provide a quite detailed overview of the book selected. All three books are available direct from Friesen Press (book cover images in right column will link to them), and in eBook format.

Thank you so much for visiting, and taking the time to look around. Perhaps we’ll see you again eh!

133 thoughts on “About me”

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  6. So I realized today that I don’t think I had ever read your About page! I have only been following you for the past 3 years now, and what a journey it has been. LOL!
    I did have to laugh at your reply to a comment that I saw as I was scrolling down. Have you put your glasses in the refrigerator again lately? 🙂 What a great comment for me to find, eh!

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Hi Debbie, and thank you so much for dropping by. Please feel free to call again and kick of your shoes; find a comfortable chair … and browse Dog Stories, Just Thinking, Odessa Chronicles and any/all of the other categories. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • Colin…Hello! Loved reading your stuff here. Don’t know whether this will get to you, not up on too much tech’. This is Peter Read from King’s we in touch long time ago. If you wish do get in touch, if you on facebook you can find me there and, I have a group King’s School Peterborough Year of 1957/58. A few of us there my vintage and yours, we chat and remember, if that’s your thing.

      Liked by 2 people

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    • Hi Anisha and welcome. Whereas the Blog was started in Oct 2014 to tell stories about Ray, and share learning experiences, you have probably noticed that there are also a few other Categories of Posts, each of which can be selected as desired. I hope that you will feel free to wander around and comment as necessary. You may just like the pics, but then you may feel moved to Comment. Wherever your comfort level is… that’s fine. It is just a pleasure “meeting” you! 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    • Welcome to my Blog. I like the way you think! The beauty about this cute, understanding and lovable dog (I was using many different adjectives to describe him 3 years ago!), is that he also has a book available in which, unlike many dog books ….. he is still alive at the end! All profits from the book (“Who Said I was up for Adoption?”) are going to the Humane Society that rescued him, and whose trainers spent 4 months with him in order to give him adoption potential! If you like my style of writing, and the stories about Ray here in this Blog, then please consider treating yourself (and everybody you know who loves dogs!) a copy of his book! Again, welcome!

      Liked by 2 people

  25. Hello. You recently contributed a poem to the #PoetsforPeace collaboration. An online magazine liked the spirit of the collaboration, and asked to publish it. We need your permission to include your poem.
    To give permission, please email: mzanemcclellan@outlook.com your name, and general location (city/state/country) and the ok. You can also leave it in comments on my blog, or tweet me @InZanesBrain or comment on ForgottenMeadows.com where the collaboration was compiled
    https://forgottenmeadows.wordpress.com/2016/07/16/calling-all-poetscreative-minds-to-a-grand-collaboration-poets-for-peace
    Thank you. Peace,
    Michael

    Liked by 1 person

  31. I loved how you described your process of adopting Ray or say how Ray adopted you! I am blessed to have ALex with me in that matter, I still remember how she used to sleep in my lap as a month old pup! hehe.. Beautiful blog

    Liked by 3 people

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    • There certainly are similarities although I am not sure that Ray would be quite as devoted as Hachiko. If you have not already done so, you may be interested in the Post “Hachiko Syndrome” – March 12, 2015 🙂

      Like

  36. Hi Colin and Ray! (or Hello whichever you prefer 😉 ) First, I’d like to say thanks for the Follow and while I was repaying by a visit here, I was intrigued to at the very least follow your Dog Stories. I am and always have been – a dogperson, which has resulted in many different dogs throughout my life, In 2014 I sadly lost both of my 2 senior dogs to old age, but just a week ago we (me and hubby) rescued a German Shepherd from SPCA Sweden. We are still getting to know each other but we already love him! He is estimated to be 2 years of age and rather smallgrown due to lack of food, but he’s been given a clean bill of health by the vet, so I’m convinced he’ll thrive in time. Looking forward to getting to know you and Ray! Greetings, Carina from Sweden

    Liked by 3 people

    • Hi Carina – Welcome to our little part of a seemingly small world! I am so pleased that you decided to offer an SPCA resident your home, and a 2 yr old Shepherd at that ………… memories of our Ray who was estimated at 2yrs old when picked up by our local Humane Society. I hope you get as much pleasure out of reading our Posts, as we get out of writing them. Please feel free to comment, or simply join in some of the chit-chat as you feel so inclined. I have a core of very friendly and “sharing” Followers from around the world, many of whom are like good friends now. We always, however, have room for new friends……….. and everybody plays really well together!!!! 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  38. “While I was planning on possibly adopting a dog, Ray was planning on adopting me. His strategy was clearly better than mine because he moved in with us in March 2013”.

    I loved this line Colin… Indeed, Ray has adopted your lovely family 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    • Well hello to you as well! WordPress just advised that you are our latest Follower so thank you very much (Woof! from Ray!). I hope you get as much pleasure out of reading our “stuff”, as we get out of writing it. Actually I (Colin) do the writing while he (Ray) comes up with the ideas! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  43. My Rocky was a Rottie/Shepherd mix and was a rescue. He was the sweetest, silliest, lovable oaf I ever met. In a sort of cosmic joke, I’ve switched gears and have gone from a giant goofball of a dog to a Westie. (shaking head) LOL He’s a good boy though.

    I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and wish you and Ray many, many years of happiness!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Given that we only have one Tilley hat between us, we both can’t wear it! The reason that I am not prominent in the pics is simply because this Blog has Ray as its reason for its existence so I suddenly become an “extra”! Hoping you are enjoying our stories enough to stay with us in which case I will sneak into the odd pic! Be assured it has nothing to with privacy, keeping a low profile, or similar reasons! 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

          • We too adopted a “challenging dog” with a troubled past. Sydney dubbed A.K.A. Sid Vicious by shelter staff & volunteers got labelled for “experienced dog adopters only.” At the age of one, he regularly bit and chewed the hand that fed him. His paperwork recorded having bit Vets and groomers. Plus he’d never been house trained. Of all the five adopted dogs I raised, Sydney came with the worst problems and habits. Yes, he bit us and groomers too. I muzzle, crate and house trained,etc. He’s one fun Snoopy happy dancer with a poodle brain!

            Liked by 2 people

    • Yup! Life-changing is a good way of describing it! An education is also another good expression to use, not only in the areas of understanding him, but also in the experience of being groomed by him. Being groomed with the teeth of a Shepherd/Rotti is quite the experience! 🙂

      Like

  46. Definitely a blog after my own heart–and an owner with very much the same mindset to boot. I’ve owned a bucketload of animals in my life, some as pets and many as decorative lawn ornaments that required attention twice a day. But the hound I share oxygen with currently is the best animal I have ever met. I would give this guy a kidney. I adore him.
    I will look forward to reading your adventures with Ray. He must be a pretty special fellow to have turned your heart around as he did. I wish him a long and healthy life.
    Cheers

    Liked by 4 people

  47. I’m off to read “big brown eyes” now. I know I did read this page and usually comment when I follow someone. .. Anyway! Love your stories about Ray. He is so handsome.

    Liked by 3 people

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