I am Colin Chappell and was bitten by a German Shepherd at 14, which established a strong dislike of dogs for the next 40 years or so. Then I met a dog lover and we eventually became a couple, but without dogs!
In late 2012, I decided that perhaps I could find a place in my life for a dog and so started talking to our local Humane Society. I decided that yes, I would adopt a dog, and I wanted a large, very self assured, cuddly, openly affectionate and domesticated dog!
However, while I was planning on adopting a dog, there was a dog (Ray) planning on adopting me… and his plans were clearly better than mine as he moved in with us in March 2013!
Ray is a German Shepherd / Rottweiler. He was very insecure; was afraid of anything that moved and would lung and bark to resolve the situation. He did not like to be touched; was very distant, and had no concept of living in a home. He was however quite large at 75lbs!
The following 18 months were a roller coaster of emotions and a huge learning curve for me. Living with Ray has been a joy, and a worry. He has been the cause of laughter, and tears. Most importantly, he has carved for himself a niche in my heart, and I now have one very precious canine as a dear friend.
Those first 18 months are covered in a book Who Said I was up for Adoption?”, and in October 2014, I started a Blog which is heavily focused towards stories about Ray.
Blog – Ray Facebook – Colin Facebook
Amazon:
Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog 
Fabulous Story Share ..and I am positive our animal friends find us and adopt us… Two of my Cats found me this way.. 🙂
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This looks good.
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I have to stress that, unlike most books about dogs, Ray is still alive in the final chapter (and is still alive as at this minute. He is snoring away on his bed!). 🙂
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Reblogged this on TINA FRISCO and commented:
Now here’s a dog after my own heart . . . Ray Chappell, beloved canine companion of Colin Chappell, charmed his way into Colin’s heart and home, despite being insecure. Colin tells us the tail-wagging tale in his guest post on The Story Reading Ape 🙂
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Thanks for sharing Tina 😀 XXX
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Welcome, Chris ❤
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What a delightful story. I had to search our my Kleenex. Love the pictures. Be still my heart. 🙂
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If that reaction was from my bio, then you had better not get the book (although please do!). 🙂
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Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog and commented:
Check out guest author, Colin Chappell, on The Story Reading Ape blog
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Hi Don, and many thanks for the re-blog. As all profits from the book will go to the Humane Society that rescued our beloved Ray, all publicity is really appreciated. 🙂
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That’s great. Glad I could help.
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Many thanks for sharing Don 😃
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You’re welcome
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Reblogged this on The Owl Lady.
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Thanks for reblogging Viv ❤🦉❤
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With your name I just could not resist! First, many thanks for the re-blog. Second, I have just finished writing a mini-epic (fiction) about a “life journey” taken by Odessa, a Barn Owl! It is part of a collaboration with Carolyn Shelton to produce a book of young/older children’s stories. “Odessa’s Journey” is in 12 parts (each part takes only a few minutes to read), and the link below will take you to Part 1. Having said that, I don’t want to take anything away from my book about my beloved Ray, so I hope that you will consider reading that also. Reviewers of “Who Said I was up for Adoption?” have suggested having a box of kleenex close by for certain parts however, be assured that he is still very much alive and healthy!
https://joyroses13.wordpress.com/2017/01/28/odessas-journey-part-1/
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Hi Annette. I hope that you will consider reading my book about him as I suspect that you will be able to relate in so many areas… from laughter to tears, and everywhere in between!
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great post, enjoyable details
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So pleased that you enjoyed it. My sincere thanks to Chris for giving me some “public space”.
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Very warm and fuzzy. I’ve been the mother of four-legged kids all my life but every now and then, a very, very special one comes along. I’m so glad you and Ray found each other. -hugs-
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He is certainly one very special dog. He’s not perfect, but then, are any of us?
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lol – no, and we’d be pretty boring if we were. 😀
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My feelings exactly! 🙂
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🙂
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As a “rescue mom”myself, this just touches my heart!
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