Fincastle Mom was chosen randomly as the winner of “Dancing Dogs” by Jon Katz and Erin Hall was chosen as the winner of “The C-word”, a collection of kitty photos.

Thanks to everyone who commented on the blog entries last week.

Today’s book giveaway is, well, a little oddly named.

The book is titled “The C-word” and, as the title of this blog entry implies, it’s NOT what it seems.

The C-word, in this case, is CATS.

This little paperback is loaded with the most adorable photos of felines. And this would make a perfect gift for someone with just the right sense of humor and affection for kitties.

To claim this wee book as your own, post a comment about something amusing or otherwise cat-like that your kitty has done recently.

Winner will be chosen at random on Monday.

It’s that time of year when we all feel in a generous mood and remember that it feels so good to give to those we care about. And I can about you, my dear blog readers, for sticking with me this year through a long absence and making me feel so good about the decision to revive the Happy Wag blog.

So do I have some goodies for you.

First, I have a lovely book from prolific (and ironically named) dog author Jon Katz. “Dancing Dogs” is a collection of stories from the New York Times best-selling author, and I would love to send it to one reader.  Just post a comment about something funny your dog (or dogs) have done lately. It doesn’t have to be holiday-related but if it is, all the better.

A winner will be chosen at random next Monday.

And keep checking back the rest of this week for more book giveaways, some for dog lovers and some for kitty fans.

Let’s turn that Monday frown upside down with a book giveaway. I have a couple of new titles just begging for space on your reading list.

The first is “From Wags to Riches: How Dog Teach Us to Succeed in Life & Business” by Robert Vetere and Valerie Andrews.  I have always found that my dogs COST me money, so it’s an interesting thesis. Now, don’t get me wrong; my merry pack of freeloaders pay for their room, board and medical expenses in unconditional love and hours of family entertainment, so I am not hating. I’m just sayin’.

The second book is “Your Cat, The Owner’s Manual: Hundreds of Secrets, Surprises and Solutions for Raising a Happy, Healthy Cat” by Dr. Marty Becker. I came *thisclose* to keeping this one for myself, because you all know I have a lot of trouble figuring out my cat, Thai. Just the other day, as he was complaining about some unknown sleight, I reminded him that he has an abundance of food, clean water and hygienic bathroom facilities, which makes him more fortunate than HALF THE PEOPLE in the world.

He just turned up his nose and walked away. Whatever.

Since mine is a mixed household, I would like to give these books to another co-habituated home. Leave a comment about your cats and dogs and how well the do, or don’t, get along.

One random commenter will be selected as the winner on Friday at 9 a.m.

Dorothy Myrick!

Dorothy posted not once but twice (once was on the wrong blog entry so it did not double her chances in the random draw) about how she has a black Lab named Marley (after the late great Bob Marley) and it’s difficult for her to walk him in the dark.

This lighted leash should be a big help.

Congratulations to Dorothy and Marley and thanks to all the commented.

As spring draws closer and winter fades, the sun is peeking up over the Blue Ridge Mountains a wee bit early, and settling a wee bit later each day.

But if you walk your dog regularly in the un-street-lighted suburbs like the where one I live in, you need some reflective gear until summer’s glow lasts for 13+ hours a day.

Dog-e-Glow products may have the answer for those of you who like to stroll with your pooch in the waning and waxing hours of the day.

The company sent me two free samples of their LED powered leashes, one for me to try (review to follow, I promise) and one to give away to a lucky reader.

This looks like a pretty cool product that would greatly enhance the safety of walkers at both ends of the leash. The one the company sent me is 6-foot, (the one in the middle of this photo — red with black and white striped hearts)  and comes with two replacement batteries.

Besides the leads, Dog-e-Glow also sells collars in a fashion collection for the style conscious and a college collection for those with school spirit.

(Alas, Hokie fans, they have UVa but not Virginia Tech. Yet.)

I think these leads and collars are a great idea  because my neighborhood is populated with folks who exercise their dogs at all hours and I worry that my aging eyes may not spot a wayward walker.  And then there is just the fun factor. Who doesn’t like stuff that glows in the dark?

If you would like a chance to claim this light-up leash, write a comment about your favorite place to walk your dog and what your walking routine is like. One winner will be chosen at random from all the comments at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 29.

I have no idea why I think I am smarter than my cat.

I wrote a Cornershot about how well my latest behavior modification technique was working on Thai. Every time he jumped on the dining room table, we put him in his Christmas sweater, which he HATES. The sweater seemed to inhibit his ability to make the leap to the tabletop, plus it embarrassed him to no end and he would just sulk away for a good long pout.

Sure, we sounded like the serial killer in the movie “Silence of the Lambs” (“It jumps on the table, it gets the sweater!”) but we were hoping it would get to the point that just seeing the sweater would motivate him away from the table. Psychological conditioning, you know, like the flags for the invisible fencing is often enough to keep a dog from crossing the invisible boundary.

We wanted that sweater to be his invisible fence.

Well, he’s become quite agile in the sweater now, and if even one chair is slightly pushed away from the table, he can easily make his way to the top. He’s just not a spirit that is easily broken.

So I give up. From now on, I’m just going to pretend he’s part of the table’s decor and wash the tablecloth more often.

You win this one, cat. Well, you win them all, if my score keeping is correct.

Speaking of winners, all three folks that commented on Monday’s post are winners of a prize from The Happy Wag Goody Bag. I will send each of you an email with a list and you can choose what you like from it.

Have a great weekend, readers!

I have no idea what’s wrong with Thai these days. He seems extra grumpy for some reason. Even a merry holiday sweater can’t seem to perk him up.

HA! He really hates this sweater.

But I love it and he puts up with it because he loves me and it makes me happy. While he is perfectly mobile in his Cosby-like Christmas garb, it does seem to impede his ability to select winners. So once the sweater came off Wednesday night, he batted the paper ballots and chose LIZ as the next winner.

This is something I would have posted yesterday, but as you can imagine things became very tense and very busy here in the newsroom yesterday as the tragic events at Virginia Tech unfolded. I regret the delay, and if Thai were not a cat who has no idea about the terrible things that happen in the real world, he would regret it too.

Come to think of it, I wish I had no idea about the terrible things that happen in the real world. I wish the worst problem in the world was having to wear an ugly sweater.

Liz, I will be sending you an email so you can have your pick of prizes.

Happy Hopa can claim a prize from the swag inventory for correctly answering last week’s question about the residents of the zoo I call home.

I should have announced the winner yesterday, but the mode of random selection (Thai) just wasn’t feelin’ it until last night, when he batted the Happy Hopa name out of the pile.

What can I say other than he’s a cat and he does what he wants when he wants it.

Speaking of Thai, look at this awesome ornament I found in a gift shop. We already had ornaments on our tree that resembled our other permanent resort residents, and while this isn’t a true doppleganger, it’s pretty close. It definitely captures the attitude of the real cat.

I still have gifts to give, so here’s another question– this one is a multiple and will require some very easy Internet detective work to answer (OK,  many of you may know it off the top of your head.)

Angels of Assisi is one the Wag’s favorite local rescue groups and has been the subject of many of this blogs newspaper columns over the years. Name the volunteer who takes all the photos of the adoptable pets for the organization, and its two programs designed to help place cats in local farms and businesses.

Everyone with all three correct answer will earn a wadded up piece of paper and Thai the Wonder Cat will choose the winner — which will be announced when he’s darn good and ready. As always, the previous winners will just have to send their best wishes to other readers.

Just hangin' at the Chez Nelson Resort and Spa for Pampered Pets.

First let me congratulate Eric for correctly answering yesterday’s question and for being chosen at random by my cat Thai. I wrote the names of all the commenters with correct answer on separate sheets of paper, wadded the papers into balls, and the one he batted first was the winner.

It’s a brilliant method, if I do say so myself.

I am working from home today, which means my pets have the run of the house and it’s pretty much like working from a day care center. The dogs have toys scattered all over the place, and the Thai is fulfilling his role as the schoolyard bully.

Melissa was innocently lapping up water from the community bowl this morning while I was folding laundry. Suddenly she yipped like she’d been electrocuted. Upon investigation, I found Thai lurking behind a nearby chair. Something tells me Melissa was the victim of a drive-by swatting.

So today’s question is super-duper easy for all of you who regularly read this blog. Since it is pretty much a slam dunk, we will once again use the “the winner is chosen by random batting” method and will be swatted, er, chosen on Sunday night at 6 p.m.

How many critters currently reside here at the Chez Nelson Resort and Spa for Pampered Pets and what are their names?

Winners from the other questions this week can cheer others from the sidelines.

Everyone have a great weekend.