Bark & Ride Video

Added motion and sound to some images from my third book "Bark & Ride." Be sure the sound is up on your computer!

Old Friend Video

A video I created using images from my first book, Old Friends. The song is also Old Friends by Simon & Garfunkel.

Economic Downturn Effects Pets

Sadly, many pet owners who have fallen on hard times are being forced to give up their pets. With all the bailout money and talk of even more government money coming forward, how about setting up a pet project to aid county animal shelters that are dealing with the massive overflow of abandoned pets. You can read the story here.

Dogs Help Disabled Vets

This is a great story in the New York Times on how service dogs are helping wounded vets from Iraq and Afghanistan at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Check out the story and also the photo gallery.

Hero dog risks life to save kittens

Cats and dogs may sometimes have a contemptuous relationship, but this story is just the opposite. In happened in Melbourne, Australia where a dog named Leo refused to leave a burning building to shelter and ultimately save a litter of newborn kittens. Having ingested thick smoke, Leo was revived by firefighters who said the dog refused to leave the building and was found alongside the kittens. Check out the story and definately watch the video on the right panel of the story.

Ratchet is coming home!

Awhile back Army Sgt. Gwen Beberg rescued a 4-week-old pup from a burning trash pile in Iraq. Ratchet had given her great comfort during her time in Iraq and she wanted to bring him back to her home in Minneapolis where she will soon be returning. The problem is Defense Department rules prohibit soldiers in the U.S. Central Command from adopting pets. Thankfully after 50,000 dog lovers signed an online petition and with the help of Operation Baghdad Pups, Ratchet is on his way home! Read the whole story.

Barking Up the Family Tree...in Chinese!

My second book, Barking Up the Family Tree, has now been published in China by Grimm Press. I'm awaiting my copy, but from the looks of this cover shot, it looks like they did a great job!

Outstanding Dog Photo '08!

The wonderful website, Pampered Puppy, is having a dog photo contest in which I'm honored to be one of the judges. So shoot and submit your best pup shots by November 15! Get all the details here.

New Business Venture!

I've just launched a new line of all-natural dog treats. They come in decorative cans that open to the sound of a barking dog! Inside they’re packed with scrumptious hand-baked treats with no wheat, corn, or preservatives. We use only simple, wholesome ingredients in each of our tail-wagging flavors. For Treats Sake, check out our website!

PupLife for Pet Supplies!

I just want to give a shout out to a great website I've found: PupLife. If you're looking for an online pet supply store with great selection and quick service, PupLife is the place. It's Payton and mine's favorite, so check it out... http://www.puplife.com/

A Dog For President!

You can go from the Doghouse to the White House and this fun poster proves it. So forget about Hillary, Obama, Rudy or Romney...order your In Dog We Trust poster today!

$10.95 + $3.95 shipping and handling.
Size: 11x14 in

Purchase at my website - http://www.markjasher.com/

For The Procrastinator On Your List

Back for its third year, my popular organizational calendar is designed for the professional procrastinator. Along with ample room to note appointments, each week’s calendar grid offers procrastinator wisdom and tips; wry quotes; an organizational section for prioritizing your delay tactics; and generous space for doodling. Sprinkled throughout are lists of things to do (or not), along with entertaining diversions, just-in-time survival tactics, and more.

Order from Amazon

Hallmark Book!

You can now find my second book, Barking Up the Family Tree, in Hallmark stores. Hallmark has published the work with a new title, Tails of Friendship. The book includes a nice gift page and on the newer printing you can even add your own picture and text. The only other differences from the original are this version is a bit smaller and a bit less expensive. Take a look next time you're in a Hallmark store or at their online store.

Pet Food Recall

The pet food recall that's making lots of news makes every pet owner nervous. Especially because it involves pet food sold under 95 brand names! The recall is for 60 million cans and pouches. Even though I feed Payton Nutro Lamb & Rice, a dry food, I was still a bit uneasy to see Nutro's name on the list. My heart goes out to the pet owners who have been affected.

Dog Food Being Recalled
Cat Food Being Recalled

Old Friends Notecards

If you enjoy my first book, Old Friends, check out the notecard set. It includes 20 assorted notecards and envelopes and features five dogs from the book: Mollie, Bailey, Bubba, Nacho, and Max.

The Old Friends Notecards are available Amazon.com.
Old Friends: 20 Assorted Notecards and Envelopes

Kitty Tickles the Ivories

I read about this on MSNBC and just had to post the video. Enjoy the music!

What kind of dog is that?

A new company is taking the mystery out of being a mutt. For $50 and a swab inside of your dog's mouth, Metamorphix can identify 38 different breeds of dogs. People have seen many breeds in my dog, Payton, including: German Shepherd, Lab, Husky, and even Ridgeback. I think his mix will remain a mystery for now, but those interested in learning more about this test can read about it here.

Pampered Puppy Praises New Book

The wonderful website, Pampered Puppy, has written a nice article on my book, Bark & Ride. Scroll down to the second book review to find it.

Holiday Shopping on Amazon

For those interested in purchasing any of my works on Amazon, below are the links.

Old Friends
Old Friends Notecards
Barking Up the Family Tree
Bark & Ride
Do It Later - 2007 Planner for Procrastinators

Procrastinators Unite!

Procrastination is serious business. That's why I've created the Do It Later Planner. Published by Pomegranate, this innovative organizational calendar for the secret slacker and the chronically inert provides tools to facilitate a hands-off (but effective) approach to work. It's perfect for the procrastinator on your holiday gift list.

The Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval!

Margo Hammond and Ellen Heltzel are known as "The Book Babes." They write a column for Good Housekeeping's website and they've included Bark & Ride in a column entitled "Our Picks for Dog and Cat Books." They say Bark & Ride along with Patti Davis' new cat book are great gift ideas for pet lovers. Check it out!

Sweet Home Chicago!

I'll be going back to my hometown for three book signings and an appearance on the ABC Morning News in Chicago (October 15th, 8:15 AM). If you live in the Windy City, please stop by.

October 10th, 7:30 PM
Barnes & Noble in Skokie
55 Old Orchard Center
(847) 676-2230

October 14th, 1:00-2:30 PM
Barbara's Bookstore in Oak Park
1100 Lake St.
(708) 848-9140

October 15th, 1:00-3:00 PM
Dog-A-Holics
904 W. Armitage
(773) 857-5787

Northwest Book Signings

Payton and I are heading north for an exciting appearance on NorthWest Cable News and a few book signings, which are listed below. This will be my second TV appearance. Payton and I were on the ABC morning show Sacramento & Company a month ago. I have it on VHS and I hope to post it soon.

September 19th, 6:30-8:30 PM
Borders Books @ Redmond Town Center
16549 NE 74th St.
Redmond, WA 98052

September 20th, 12:30-2:00 PM
Barnes & Noble in Downtown Seattle
600 Pine St, Suite 107
Seattle, WA 98101

Bark & Ride arrives in Australia!

Urban Animal, a pet magazine down under, has done a nice spread on Bark & Ride. Check it out. Note that the PDF page takes a moment to appear.

Road Trippin' in The Bark Magazine

The Bark Magazine has featured the cover image of my book, Bark & Ride, in their July/Aug issue (page 19).

My books on Amazon.com

If you're interested in purchasing my books from Amazon.com, you can find them at the following links:

Old Friends
Barking Up the Family Tree
Bark & Ride

SF/SPCA Authors' Night

This Thursday evening at Maddie's Pet Adoption Center a group of authors will be signing their books, talking dogs, and having a good time. A percentage of the book sales will benefit the SF/SPCA. There's a great lineup of authors, so if you're in the area stop by!

Link to event.

Finding my roots and feeling the love

I am a proud Chicago native, originally from Wilmette. I haven't been back for awhile but my Dad and I still are die-hard sports fans of all the Windy City teams. This despite a near heart attack watching the Cubs lose to the Marlins in the 2003 NLCS playoffs. Anyway, I'm thrilled that Chicagoland Tails, a pet magazine, has an interview with me about my new book, Bark & Ride, in their new issue. Tails, Inc. who publishes the magazine has four other Midwest publications. Check them out here.

Dogs down under

Awhile back I was approached by Urban Animal, a quarterly pet magazine out of Sydney, Australia. Lisa Treen, the editor, had spotted my first book, Old Friends, in the States and wanted to do a story on it. Check out the piece here. To check out the rest of the issue and some of Urban Animal's back issues go here.

"A perfect gift for the dog nut in your life."

Urban Dog Magazine, a quarterly which celebrates the magic of the canine spirit, has given Bark & Ride a paws-up review in their latest issue. If you haven't checked out Urban Dog Magazine you should definately do so. Get in touch with your inner dog!

The Star-Ledger praises Bark & Ride

The Star-Ledger, a New Jersey newspaper, has given Bark & Ride a nice review in their Mother's Day issue of the paper. It's the second story down and is entitled "The Eyes Have It." Take a look.

People Magazine picks my new book for Mother's Day Gift Guide!

I was overjoyed to find out today that People Magazine has featured my new book, Bark & Ride, in their Mother's Day Gift Guide. It's the May 15th issue and it just hit the newsstands and mailboxes today. My book is on page 66, so check it out if you get a chance.

To buy Bark & Ride at Amazon.com go to the following link:
Bark & Ride

My books on Amazon.com

For those of you interested in purchasing any of my books from Amazon.com, please use the following links:

Old Friends
Barking Up the Family Tree
Bark & Ride

"Soulful photography and gentle wit"

That's what The Oregonian newspaper had to say about my new book, Bark & Ride! I am flattered by the wonderful review from Deborah Wood, the pet columnist, in today's paper. Please check out the full review here. Note that the headline leads into the story, which makes the beginning a bit confusing.

Spring Book Signings!

I'll be signing copies of my books at the following places. I'd love for you to stop by and say hello.

Barnes & Noble in Medford, OR
Saturday, April 22nd, 1-3 pm
1400 Biddle Road, Medford, Oregon 97501

Borders in Elk Grove, CA
Thursday, May 4th, 7-9 pm
7415 Laguna Blvd., Elk Grove, CA 95758

Barnes & Noble in Calabasas, CA
Saturday, May 6th, 1-5 pm
4735 Commons Way, Calabasas, CA 91302

Borders in Pasadena, CA
Sunday, May 7th, 1-3 pm
475 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101

Borders in Thousand Oaks, CA
Wednesday, May 10th, 7-9pm
125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Borders in West Hollywood, CA
Saturday, May 13th, 11AM-2PM
330 S. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Barnes & Noble in Santa Monica, CA (Santa Monica Promenade)
Saturday, May 13th, 3-6 pm
1201 Third Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Barnes & Noble in Sacramento (Arden Faire)
Thursday, May 18th, 7-9 pm
1725 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA 95815

Enter a world where dogs can drive!

My new book, Bark & Ride, has just been released. A tail-wagging adventure for sure, it features dogs taking to the road with a license to drool and go where they want to go. You can find sample pages from the book and purchase signed copies on my website.

It has always brought a big smile to my face when I'm going about my day and I turn and see a dog behind the steering wheel of a car, waiting for his or her owner to return. Just that split second when your mind expects to see a human being and instead there is an incredible dog sitting there with a great expression. I hope you feel the same and enjoy the book!

HSUS Spotlights Old Friends

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has a review of Old Friends at the following link. Within the piece there is a link directly to Amazon.com. When you purchase the book there, the HSUS will receive a portion of the proceeds from your order.

In addition, HSUS featured a story on Old Friends in their "Pets for Life" email newsletter. The article first appeared in their magazine Animal Sheltering. You can read it here.

My Pooch, Payton

Through emails and at book signings, I'm often asked about what type of dog I have. My four-legged pal is Payton. He is a 2 year old German Shepherd/Lab mix (best guess, although some see husky in him). I adopted him from a wonderful organization in Southern California called Pet Orphans. I recently created a page for Payton on Dogster. You can check it out here.

Pampered Puppy Praises New Book

Nicole Feliciano of the website Pampered Puppy has just posted a review of Barking Up the Family Tree. To read the article go here, and then take some time to explore this website, as it's a great source for pets and the people who love to spoil them. The website also reviewed Old Friends awhile back and there is a link within the piece to access that article.

Happy New Year!

From me and my four-legged companion to you and yours, here's to a fantastic 2006! That's my pooch, Payton, on the back porch eagerly awaiting fun and frolic in the year ahead.

People Magazine lists my new book in Holiday Gift Guide

In incredibly good news, I just found out that People Magazine has featured Barking Up the Family Tree in its Holiday Gift Guide. In the page from the magazine to the left, my book is on the right inside the dog bowl. The magazine decided to photograph the actual book cover without the dust jacket. I'm super-psyched about the press, but, I must admit, a little bummed that they didn't photograph the book with the dust jacket, which is how the book is seen in bookstores and online. Gayle Chin, the book's designer, suggested that perhaps the dust jacket didn't stand out well against the red backdrop they used. My thought was perhaps when they put the book on an angle in the dog bowl, the dust jacket was bowing out. In any case, I'm thrilled to have made the People Magazine Holiday Gift Guide! The issue date is December 5th if anyone wants to pick up a copy.

The Bark Magazine Features New Book

I'm thrilled to write that the prestigious Bark Magazine has featured Barking Up the Family Tree in it's latest issue. Two images from the book are showcased as well as a blurb on the book. It's a moving issue, which has incredible coverage of the plight of dogs and their owners in the Katrina disaster. Check it out.

Courier News Review

Paul Grzella of the Courier News in New Jersey has reviewed Barking Up the Family Tree in the Life & Leisure section of this morning's paper. Check it out here.

Along with the story the paper ran a contest calling for people to write in what they've learned from their pets. Ten copies of my book will be given to the best responses. Here's some of the responses.

Book Signings

I'll be signing copies of both of my books, Barking Up the Family Tree and Old Friends, at the following places:

Oregon

Barnes & Noble in Bend, November 12th, 2-4 pm
2690 NE Highway 20, Bend, OR 97701

Barnes & Noble in Beaverton, November 13th, 2-4 pm
18300 NW Evergreen Pkwy, Beaverton, OR 97006

Barnes & Noble in Medford, December 3rd, 1-3 pm
1400 Biddle Road, Medford, OR 97501

California

Barnes & Noble in Stockton, December 8th, 6-8 pm
4950 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95207

Borders Books in Carlsbad, December 11, 6-8 pm
1905 Calle Barcelona
The Forum Shopping Center, Suite 120
Carlsbad, CA 92009

Borders Books in Thousand Oaks, December 17, 12:30-2:30 pm
125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

An Oregonian Review

Deborah Wood, the pet columnist for the Oregonian newspaper, has reviewed my new book. She was gracious with her comments about my first book, and I'm happy that she enjoyed Barking Up the Family Tree as well. The article appeared in the October 25th issue of the paper. Take a look at the online version here.

Get a FREE COPY of my new book!

Yes, you read right. As part of my efforts to promote Barking Up the Family Tree, I'm looking for veterinary clinics to display a copy of the book. I'll provide them with the display copy, a book easel, and a stack of postcards. And for referring me to a willing veterinarian, I'll send you a signed copy of one of my books. If interested, please email me at mark@markjasher.com.

It's official...Barking Up the Tree is available!

Three years after Mark began work on his second book, Barking Up the Family Tree: Kids and Their Animal Kinships, has finally arrived on bookstore shelves. The book features priceless portraits of kids with their pets and includes a question and answer segment for each pairing. Take a peek at a few sample spreads and order your signed copy today!

Mark is named as one of the most noted dog photographers!

In a book due to hit stores this fall, entitled Planet Dog, Mark is named as one of 10 noted dog photographers. He is included among such greats as William Wegman and Elliot Erwitt! In addition, Old Friends was named among "irresistible photo books for dog lovers."

Welcome!

Welcome to our updated website! We hope you enjoy this newly added section as well as our online store, which offers signed copies of Mark's books. Speaking of which, Mark's latest work, Barking Up the Family Tree, featuring kids and their pets, is due to hit the stores in August! Take a peek and pre-order a signed copy here.

Old Friends

Mark is grateful to have received many kind notes from dog lovers near and far about his first book, Old Friends. Here's what the press has had to say:

"With an unerring eye and flawless technique, Asher captures the autumnal dignity of senior dogs without lapsing into easy sentimentality. For canine-photography buffs, this hardcover collection from a master portraitist is highly recommended."
~ AKC Gazette

"These animals jump from the pages, warm the heart, and inspire the soul."
~ The Humane Society of the United States

"Old Friends: Great Dogs on the Good Life is sure to bring a smile to your face that will grow with every turn of the page."
~ Chicagoland Tails

To order a signed copy of Old Friends, click here.

Old Friends Notecard Set

Chronicle Books has issued an Old Friends notecard set. It includes 20 assorted notecards and envelopes and features five dogs from the book: Mollie, Bailey, Bubba, Nacho, and Max.

Fun Stuff

For a diversion from your workday, check out Mark's first calendar project: Do It Later! A 2006 Planner (or Non-Planner) for the Creative Procrastinator. It's a great gift for the procrastinator in your life! Take a look.

Old Friends in German

Old Friends has been published in German by VGS Egmont! If you are interested in a signed copy of Freunde: Geheimnisse eines langen und glucklichen Lebens, please email us at: service@markjasher.com. Quantities are limited!