Canine Cardz are Doggone Fun with Zazzy Pals

By Emmi Kern

Board games rarely get as much exposure as they did in the days before electronic entertainment became the default, but there are still some great board games being created and marketed, and kids can still find pleasure in playing these fun, mentally-stimulating games. One of the selling points of board games is that they’re usually fairly easy to play and are appropriate across a wide range of ages, so they bring the generations together and encourage healthy competition. Adults can usually enjoy games that are meant for kids as well, if everyone goes in with the goal of having a laid-back good time.

Zazzy Pals is the creator of a new multi-use pet-themed game set called Canine Cardz. The set comes with a 54-card deck in a snap case, 4 large colored dog bones, 12 colored pencils, sketch pad, and instructions for 8 different dog-themed games, including Mutt Match, Pass That Pooch, Woof, Stay, Go Fetch, Dog Catcher, Zazzy 3’s and Bones. The cards feature artfully drawn portraits of real dogs, many of which are adopted or rescued. The games help build skills, including reading comprehension, matching, recognition and memory. It can also help children learn about various breeds of dogs and encourage them to take an interest in animal welfare. The game set also includes a sketch book with instructions on how to draw several types of dogs, enabling budding artists to develop their skills.

Randy Bieniek, founder of Zazzy Pals, developed her business out of a love for both children and pets. The Atlanta native didn’t set out to be a game inventor, but her life circumstances, talents and passion led her in an unexpected direction. A school psychologist for 20 years, Randy retired and began working from home as an artist when she became a mom to triplets 13 years ago. She had always been an animal lover and had many pets of her own over the years, so when people began requesting portraits of their pets, she was happy to oblige. Not only did she get to paint these animals, she also got to hear their unique and often amazing stories. She went on to create a line of greeting cards that feature over 100 pets and their biographies; some of these animals are also featured on Canine Cardz for young players to enjoy.

See what all the tongues are wagging about at www.zazzypals.com