Greetings from Kauai - one of the most beautiful places on earth. And, one that embraces that special people-pet bond. Stop No. 22 on my national book tour - Kauai Humane Society. Here, I served as featured speaker and contest judge for the shelter’s fourth annual “Love a Dog Day” event. What fun! We judged fastest dog, best-costumed dog (a cool wiener dog decked out in a hot dog bun complete with faux mustard), best trick (a dog who catches speedy tosses in his mouth) and a hot-dog eating contest. Special thanks to my friend and shelter director, Dr. Becky Rhoades, DVM. She runs a great event. Learn more about this shelter by visiting its website: www.kauaihumane.org

I have a time share here and am spending the week on this island to spread the word about how to help people and pets get happy and healthy from the tips in my books, “Happy Dog, Happy You” and “Happy Cat, Happy You.” So, at the event, I tried to practice my Hawaiian. Tip: the Hawaiian language only uses the five vowels and seven consonants: h, k, l, m, n, p, w.

Before the Love a Dog Event, Dr. Becky escorted me to be a guest on Ron Wiley’s radio show on Kong (93.5 FM) and I bravely did my best to speak Hawaiian: hau-oli lilo, hau-oli ‘oe (translation: Happy Dog, Happy You). With all these vowels in the language, it’s surprising that Vanna White, the ultimate vowel master, has not been named an honorary queen of Kauai.

At the shelter, we toured the dog and cat areas - there are lots of wonderful pets here looking for home. If you do plan a trip to Kauai, please stop by the shelter, make a donation and if the time is right - and you find the right match - bring home a Kauai pet from the shelter. Sure beats typical Hawaiian souvenirs - coconuts or macadamia nuts. Ma halo!