On Toby's Terms by Charmaine Hammond {Guest Book Review}

Check out Carly’s review below of On Toby’s term. You can read my review (I read this previously) here! Enjoy!

Celebrating ten years of On Toby’s Terms!

When Charmaine and her husband adopted Toby, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, they figured he might need some adjusting time, but they certainly didn’t think he’d be a holy terror, beset by severe anxiety and destructive behavior that would take a miracle to curb. Turns out, Toby routinely opened and emptied closets, turned on water taps, and pulled things from the bookshelves. Oddest of all was his penchant for locking himself in the bathroom, and then push the lid of the toilet tank onto the floor, smashing it to pieces. After a particularly disastrous encounter with the knife-block in the kitchen—and when the couple discovered Toby’s blood and paw prints on the phone—Charmaine decided Toby needed professional help.

Available to buy from…
Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Barnes and Noble Paperback Audible

“Simply a beautiful book about life, love, and purpose.“ — Jack Canfield, Chicken Soup for the Soul series

“This is a captivating, heartwarming story and it would be an incredible film.“ — Steve Hudis, Producer

“What a beautiful story about life with an extraordinary dog who was bound and determined to live his life on his own terms.“ — Miki’s Hope, Amazon reviewer

“His work with patients, as well as young students, bring joy, hope and unconditional love. I admire Charmaine and Chris for not giving up on Toby’s potential… For believing in new beginnings. A beautifully written story of love and devotion.“ — Debby Denny, Amazon reviewer

Also available in audio!

Guest book review by Carly Louise Wilson

The book is about Michelle, a young woman who works giving animals their angel wings when their time is up. She enjoyed learning about each of their lives, and how fond their relatives are, and writes eulogies and ensure they have a respectful and kind send-off.

Her job also provides Michelle with a lot of time to think, mulling over thoughts of her ex-boyfriend Matt, and her deceased cat Blackjack, and missing them. So when he best friend Nathan who is like a brother to her discusses a pet medium he has read about, Michelle is sceptically intrigued, wondering whether there is any truth in the stories. Reaching out to the spiritualist, Michelle takes a chance, learning that Blackjack is still very much present, and ensures that he is keeping a watchful eye over her.

Unfortunately despite how comforting the reading initially is, Michelle also receives some rather unsettling news, news that puts her on edge and takes her out of her comfort zone. And when Michelle’s family suffers an incredible loss, Michelle is very much reliant on those around her to help her through.

With the charming introduction of Bruce, a kind policeman who vows to bring their family justice, Michelle is determined to find answers.

This was a compelling read, and the first chapter reeled me in. I loved the originality of the story, and Cano wrote in a flow that enabled me to breeze through the story, dying to seek the answers for myself.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy suspense and intrigue, but also those looking to get a flavour of something different. This was a new to me author, but I look forward to enjoying more of Cano’s writing.

The Team Toby PAWsitively improved lives by teaching kindness, acceptance and respect. Team Toby accomplished the mission through professional speaking and corporate training, presentations to schools and organizations, through the Team Toby Global Speakers team, our books and products, philanthropy and causes projects, and philanthropy efforts.

2015 – A Million Acts of Kindness Tour across North America!
Charmaine and Toby Sr., and their new Toby, have presented to more than 30,000 students across North America, raised more than $10,000 for charities, and have donated books and presentations to schools and organizations to support healthy character development in children.

Other Toby Books!

Toby the Pet Therapy Dog and His Hospital Friends (A CHILDREN’S DOG STORY)
Toby is a big, brown, happy dog. Every week his owner takes him to visit and comfort children who are in the hospital. Follow Toby the service dog for a day and see how he makes friends, and makes others happy. Beautifully illustrated, this simple story sends a positive message about community and the importance of kindness and being helpful to others.

Available to buy from…
Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Paperback

Toby the Pet Therapy Dog says be a Buddy, not a Bully
When Toby steps into the path of a dog who bullies him, and shreds his beloved stuffed teddy-bear toy, we see the hurt feelings it creates. This beautifully illustrated book teaches children about the importance of kindness, acceptance, and being considerate of others, including pets. A wonderful story to start discussions in ages 3 to 10. Winner of the Gold in Global eBook Awards!

Available to buy from…
Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Paperback

About Charmaine Hammond
Charmaine Hammond is a 4x best selling author of 5 books and is featured in 8 others. She has written in the personal development genre (GPS Your Best Life), memoir (On Toby’s Terms), and has written two children’s books in the Toby the Pet Therapy Dog series. Charmaine was most recently featured in a collaboration book, 4x international bestseller: Voices of the 21st Century. She has also been featured in two Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

Charmaine Hammond, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) is a highly sought-after business keynote and workshop speaker, entrepreneur, author and educator who teaches and advocates the importance of developing trust, healthy relationships and collaboration in the workplace. She has helped clients in many industries build resilient and engaged workplaces, develop high trust/high accountability relationships, and solve workplace issues that get in the way of success and profitability. She is respected as a “no fluff” and “rich content” speaker who delivers tangible tools to step into action immediately.

This former Correctional Officer (yup! She worked in jails) and Corporate Dispute Resolution Expert now travels the world teaching the principles of collaboration, communication/conflict resolution and resilience. She also has an extensive background facilitating process to help collaborations when they go sideways. As a former mediator she has helped facilitate some of the most complex collaborations and partnership arrangements.

Her corporate clients have included all 3 levels of government, oil and gas sector, trade associations and companies (health, nursing, engineering, safety, and more), technology businesses, human resources, community partnership departments, educational institutions, police/fire and rescue, non profit organizations and everything in between. She has presented to more than 300,000 people worldwide. Her extensive background in the corporate, small business and non profit worlds, her past role as a contract negotiation specialist for government, and a business owner, she has an interesting perspective of being on all sides of the collaboration table. She has owned several businesses over the past 21 years.

She has a Master’s Degree in Conflict Management & Analysis is a bestselling author (of 5 books & featured in 6 others), and CSP™ Certified Speaking Professional. Charmaine has been featured in renowned publications such as Inc., Occupational Health & Safety Magazine, and many others, as well as having appeared as a guest on numerous TV and Radio Programs.

Find the Author on the following sites…
Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Goodreads Amazon Author Page

Meet Toby Snr

A. Wells Photography

In an effort to get Toby’s behaviour under control, a K9 behaviourist worked with Toby on his behavioural issues and stated that Toby was a dog who needed a job, a purpose. Christopher and Charmaine found Toby a job as an Animal Assisted Therapy dog. After training and testing, Toby was approved as a volunteer with Chimo Animal Assisted Therapy and received a volunteer placement at an adult mental health hospital.

Wednesdays with Toby were life changing for the patients he visited, as well as for Charmaine and Christopher. While Toby was bringing unconditional acceptance and happiness to those he visited at the hospital, he was also becoming a teacher for Charmaine and Christopher, teaching them powerful life lessons, about patience, purpose, persistence, the power of unconditional acceptance, and showing up as your authentic self.

The patients that Toby worked with at the hospital and all of the children that he met in schools experienced the benefits of a therapy dog’s whose mission in life was to leave pawprints on hearts everywhere he went x