About the Author

Donna Chicone is an award-winning author, animal advocate, entertainer, and pet parent-a joy and responsibility she takes very seriously. After leaving a twenty-three-year career in corporate America, Donna began her quest to help make life better for dogs and the humans who love them. This led to the creation and hosting of the TV show, The Dog Show with Jazz, which ran for forty-eight episodes with her then sole Portuguese water dog as co-host. During the last year of the show, her second Portuguese water dog, Jive, joined them. Committed to ensuring Jazz and Jive have a purpose, both are trained as Animal Assisted Therapy dogs and currently work with children aged two and a half to five in a trauma preschool setting, as well as in a facility for adults with developmental disabilities. To keep them mentally and physically challenged, both dogs also attend ongoing K9 Nose Work classes and compete in the sport as well. Donna's advocacy for all animals is expressed in her lifestyle of eating a vegetarian diet and supporting efforts to end cruelty to farm and wild animals. Her passion for the welfare of dogs, as well as her desire to educate others that all animals are sentient beings who feel pain, fear, joy, and love, motivated her to write Being a Super Pet Parent, which won the 2016 National Indie Excellence Award. Her sincere wish is for every dog to be loved by a human who understands and embraces the commitment of having a dog in his or her life. When humans make this relatable connection with animals, they achieve a mutual respect for each other, whereby cruelty to animals has less opportunity to exist. Donna lives with her husband in Minnesota where they enjoy spending time with their one son, his wife, and two grandsons. jazzandjive.com

Reviews

"Ms. Chicone has done an excellent job assembling a very practical and useful guide for people who are contemplating getting or have already adopted a new dog, and her delivery of information is easy to understand. This book has the potential to generate an increase the number of people who responsibly care for their dogs. I highly recommend it." -Dr. Nancy Kay, author of Speaking for Spot "I stumbled on Donna's site and her book as I was researching my own book, Modern Dog Parenting. I was so happy when Donna quickly returned an email and embraced our shared outlook. Reading her book by the fire with my own dogs gathered round, I literally swallowed it whole-finishing in one sitting! Her tone is comforting and engaging; after sharing so many of her stories, you'll end up feeling she is a friend and wishing she were a neighbor. Her insights inspire her readers to not only become better dog parents, but better people in general!" -Sarah Hodgson, associate certified dog behavior consultant with IAABC; author of Puppy Perfect, Dog Perfect, and a series of Dummies guides for dog parents "Donna Chicone is a dog person's best friend! She has a passion for dogs and embraces the joy of the human-animal bond. With incredible energy, she works to educate others on all aspects of not just having dogs, but of sharing our lives with them. She brings together people from all areas of the dog world-from dog shows and breeders to trainers and veterinarians-to offer complete information for the serious dog lover." -Kate An Hunter, D.V.M., Carver Lake Veterinary Center "If you have a dog, or are considering bringing a dog into your home, Being a Super Pet Parent will transform your approach and bring you and your dog a lifetime of rich rewards. Donna's storytelling and personal sharing of not only her experiences, but her passion for elevating our relationships with our canine companions, is a game-changer for individuals and families who want a life filled with the love of dog." -Nancy Herbst, M.Ed.; certified Healing Touch practitioner; certified spiritual director; loving pet parent "Having been a pet parent in my adult life-first for fourteen years and then for fifteen-I found reassurance that I gave the best I knew at the time. Since selecting another puppy and reading your book, I feel like there is so much more to being a pet parent than I originally thought. I have always loved dogs, but I did not view their needs in the same way as I do now." -Pat Wall, BSN, RN; 30-year pet parent "Wait a second while I hug and kiss my dog, wipe away a few tears, and take my dog for a little adventure in nature so she can explore, smell, and run-that is the impact this book had on me ... not to mention I could not put it down! The book is very informative, easy to follow and read, makes a great deal of sense, follows sound logic, and is nicely sequential. This will be my gift of the season for all my dog-loving friends!" -Kristin Muyskens, M.A., L.P.; psychologist "Donna Chicone's Being a Super Pet Parent is a fun and informative read that will leave you reflecting on how you can be the best pet parent you can be! Whether you are a new or experienced pet parent, Donna shares many 'hot tips' on a variety of topics you can try with your dog immediately. Ike, Eliza, and Kirby (three Portuguese water dogs) love Donna's ideas too!" -Christine Peper, PhD