GUELPH,ON, Nov. 6, 2014 /CNW/ - A love of pets and caring about research to help animals have brought together dozens of famous Canadians from varied political stripes, careers and backgrounds in a book released today.
Live-Love! Famous Canadians and the Pets They Love features pet stories by 30 notables, including Chris Hadfield, Don Cherry, Bob Rae, Margaret Atwood, Rick Hansen and Valerie Pringle.
The book launch at Purina PawsWay in downtown Toronto at 7 p.m. tonight involves celebrity contributors and OVC researchers.
Book sale proceeds will support OVC Pet Trust at the University of Guelph's Ontario Veterinary College. Pet Trust funds innovative research to improve the health and well-being of pets.
Author Nancy Silcox spent a year travelling across Canada to gather stories for the book.
"It was a labour of love for me to write Canada's first-ever book featuring the beloved pets of these celebrities," said Silcox, a Waterloo-based writer.
"Readers will get an unparalleled peek into the lives and loves of Canadian celebrities and the pets with whom they share their lives."
Silcox approached OVC dean Elizabeth Stone with the book idea in 2012 as a way to support Pet Trust.
"This book was a delight for me to read and we are grateful for Nancy's dedication and commitment to OVC's important work," Stone said.
"We see the important role pets play in the passion of those who contributed stories. The funds raised will lead to important advancements in the care of animals."
Established in 1986, Pet Trust has funded studies that improved anesthesia and pain control for pets, developed new treatments and monitoring techniques for heart patients and improved methods for repairing bone fractures.
Hansen, a Paralympian medalist and CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation, said, "Our family pets have brought us much joy, laughter and love over the years."
"They are true members of the family and always have a way of knowing when you need a boost, a friendly nudge or a reminder that love comes in all forms."
Canadian figure skater Kurt Browning said, "They say to always aim for the weak spot, and Nancy Silcox sure found mine. It was fun to share pet stories. We all love to talk about our kids, right?"
Live-Love! can be purchased the week of Nov. 10 on Amazon.ca or ordered through bookstores (ISBN 9780889556201).
Image with caption: "The book cover for Live-Love! Famous Canadians and the Pets They Love, which features pet stories by 30 notable Canadians, including Chris Hadfield, Don Cherry, Bob Rae, Shaun Majumder, Joannie Rochette, Margaret Atwood, Rick Hansen and Valerie Pringle. (CNW Group/University of Guelph)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141106_C7312_PHOTO_EN_7654.jpg
SOURCE: University of Guelph
Kevin Gonsalves, 519-824-4120, Ext. 56982, [email protected]
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