Jean Rugg of Saxonburg wrote "Blackie the Cow" as a memorial to her bovine friend.

Jean Rugg of Saxonburg snapped all the photos in her book "The Life and Travels of Blackie the Cow," but didn't take them with the intention of publishing them.

"If I'd have known they'd be put in a book, I'd have done a better job with them," Rugg said, laughing.

The idea to write this book started at her retirement dinner. "You know how people stand up and make comments (at the dinner)," Rugg said. "Well someone stood up at mine and said, 'Most people have cats and dogs as pets. Jean has a cow.'"

Blackie the cow had been a summer visitor to Rugg's Butler home, traveling from winter quarters at the Rugg family's farm in Somerset County.

"Everyone knew Blackie came to Butler every summer," Rugg said. "I started thinking how that was unusual and so I wrote some things down. It's really a tribute to my mom and the farming way of life."

Rugg had 200 copies printed originally, published by Word Association of Tarentum.

"Blackie the Cow" is available by sending e-mail to jeanrugg@connectime.net, for $9.95 plus $2 shipping. The softcover book is also available through the Web site, www.amazon.com.

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Elizabeth Boyd Henry Tennies, who once taught at Butler High School and other schools in Western Pennsylvania, has compiled a book called "1,000 Years of History — The Boyds — Scots-Irish Unsung Heroes."

This book is both a history and genealogy of the Boyds, covering a time when most of the surrounding area was Westmoreland County.

The book cost $25 for the paperback version or $35 for a bound book. Shipping is included. To order, send a check to the author at P.O. Box 462, Ellicott City, MD 21041, or visit the Web site, mysite.verizon.net/fetennies.

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"Right Side Up" by Valencia resident Dennis E. Johnston, a book designed for 6- to 9-year-olds, seeks to teach readers how to achieve a positive mental attitude.

The author, a father of four and grandfather of 10, is a retiree from the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons. Among other awards, he was named Volunteer of the Year from the Department of Justice.

The paperback book costs $10 and is available by calling the publisher, RoseDog Books, at 800-834-1803.