Amy Shojai's Blog, page 107

Ask Amy: What To Do With Sniff-A-Holic Dogs

I’m traveling today and may not be able to reply as quickly. But I wanted to share this fun new ASK AMY and find out how y’all handle your “nosy” dogs.

Dogs are lead around by the nose throughout life, and it starts early–as in this Ask Amy “rude” puppy behavior! What about your furry wonder? Has your dog’s nosy behavior ever gotten him or her in trouble? Created embarrassing moments? (Once our Magical-Dawg puppy stole underwear from the laundry basket and brought it out to show guests…sigh). Your turn, do tell!

In my forthcoming thriller HIDE AND SEEK, the dog hero character has been trained to track lost pets. So Shadow’s nose actually saves the day–with the help of Macy the Maine Coon cat. In these cases, savvy dogs may detect very important info that humans miss, and it’s up to the person to trust the dog’s nose. Shadow even laments the fact that scent-blind humans should pay closer attention to good-dogs able to smell important stuff. What do you think?

Here’s an article about a dog’s nose structure and sense of smell that explains a lot of what’s going on. What have I missed?

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter.

Name That Dog-Cat Results & CWA Thanks!

Exciting news (below) about my HIDE AND SEEK dog viewpoint thriller and the results of the Name That Dog and Name That Cat contest. But first…

I was honored to win a Muse Medallion award for my cat behavior book in the most recent CWA Contest, but my feline furry muse was less than enthused about the award. Instead, she snubbed the book to investigate the PAW-some bounty provided in our World’s Best Cat Litter bag–and yes, everyone who attended received one of these over-flowing goody bags we put together at the bag-stuffing party (see video here). We also had the chance to win one-of-a-kind door prizes that included art and cat furniture and more.

THANK YOU to all the sponsors who provided a wide assortment cat-centric and dog-matic products. I have to share the bounty with all my pet-loving readers, since it’s nearly time to start stuffing those cat and dog holiday stockings (check ‘em out!):

Fun-tastic cat and dog toys and products from Hauspanther, Kong Company,  Nylabone, PetStages, Pioneer Pet Products & Sticky Paws
Coastal Pet Products cat collars, pencil cases from ASPCA
Catpod sleepers and Wall Waves cat furniture, DJ Cat Scratcher
Evercare lint rollers, Febreze carpet deoderizer
Artwork from Wall Words Wall Cats, Carruth Studio and Cori’s Pawtraits
VetraCare first aid products
CFA magazines and calendars and Dogwise book discounts and Through A Cat’s Ear Calming Music
And Seren-Kitty’s favorites of all: FOOD & TREETZ (which the Magical-Dawg insists on swiping–he steals cat toys, too): Bravo, Pawbreakers, Emerald Pet, Kitty Kottage, N-Bone, Pet-N-Shape, PetCo, PetSafe, Stella And Chewys, The Honest Kitchen, Vital Essentials, and Ziwi Peak

Cat Writers Association has been fortunate to be supported by dozens of pet-savvy products companies over the years, not only with “furry swag” but also funds to throw our annual conference and awards celebrations–and just doing good works for the cats (and dogs) that rule our hearts. We don’t recognize them often enough for all their wonderful support. As a pet writer, I couldn’t do what I do without the people behind these great companies. So here’s a Paws For Applause for these sponsors of the conference and awards program (some already named above):

American Association of Feline Practitioners, ASPCA, AdoptAShelter, Cat Fancers Association, Cat Fancy 1-5 Publishing, Ceva Animal Health, Cornell Feline Health Center, Dog Writer’s Association of America, Jacat Cattery, PioneerPet/Sticky Paws, Hartz Mountain Corporation, Morris Animal Foundation, Petco Foundation, Pet Sitters International, Precious Cat, Inc., PetSafe, Purina PetCare Company, Sergeant’s Pet Products, Quaker Pet Group, Sturdi Products, The International Cat Association (TICA), and World’s Best Cat Litter

In particular, my actor cronies and I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to present STRAYS, THE MUSICAL at this 20th anniversary event, so I’m purr-sonally grateful for the Friday night ASPCA reception and Cat Fancy Dinner Sponsorship. (A short video sample of the performance has been posted here.)

Now then–after seeing all that, doesn’t it make you want to join the furry fun? NEXT YEAR in Atlanta where we partner with BarkWorld with MeowWorld Presented by the Cat Writers’ Association!

WINNERS OF “NAME THAT PET” CONTEST!

The and contests garnered an outpouring of furry interest. Thanks for your votes for the pet characters to appear in HIDE AND SEEK dog-viewpoint thriller coming soon (sequel to LOST AND FOUND). The winner’s names and why they chose their selection will also be included in the book, and winners will receive an advance E-copy of the book and a paw-tographed book as soon as I get the physical copies.

The cat names received more than 926 votes in total, while the dog names totaled 3203 votes! Just who ARE these kitty and doggy characters?

HOPE is a mother barn cat befriended by a young girl whose cat-allergic mother won’t let her have a cat. When the cat’s “real” owner disappears, the little girl’s desperate need to rescue this “momma kitty” puts them in the bad guy’s path–will it be a happy ending for the pair? The name HOPE received 300 votes and was suggested by PATRICIA (she also suggested one of the winning cat names!).
PINKERTON is a sick cat that Shadow (the hero dog) tracks and saves after the kitty escapes from a car accident. The cat’s illness holds the key to the mystery plaguing area animals–and their people. What a legacy! BELL won the NAME THAT CAT prize with 123 votes and was suggested by MARCI DeLISLE. She wrote, “Pinkerton was one of my favorite feral kitties. I was never able to tame him but he got to where he’d approach me when I’d be outside feeding. He was a big long hair tabby probably with some Maine Coon in him as he was very large with really big feet. Two things played into his name. One was his very bright pink nose on a white nose. And he was the resident security guard for the feral kitties. Thus Pinkerton. (think Pinkerton Security) I’d watch him walking around the property (5 acre small farm) making sure no interlopers came into the feral colony. He was so funny. And had a slight permanent frown on his face. He took his job very seriously.”


TRIXIE is therapy dog that lives at an Alzheimer’s unit. The dog belongs to the administrator but prefers to spend all her time with one of the patients, Molly Williams (Teddy’s wife, for those who read LOST AND FOUND). The dog stays by Molly’s side when she “wanders” and disappears from the facility. The name TRIXIE received 805 votes and was suggested by KRISTI BRASHIER. She wrote: Trixie – a very dark red golden retriever diva dog. Her goal in life is to have everyone pet her and tell her she’s pretty. She’s also known as the neighborhood thief because she goes around retrieving things from the neighbors which we then have to throw back into their yards the next morning. (Perfect for a therapy dog who could tote things from one room to another in the Alzheimer’s unit if you need moments of comic relief)
ROCKY is a dog that Teddy Williams and his wife Molly had years ago, and is the reason why the therapy dog strikes such a chord with Molly. The name ROCKY received 623 votes and was suggested by PATRICIA.

Thanks to EVERYONE for making this a fun contest–and it was a stiff race right up to the end. We’ll do it again with the third book, okay? Congratulations to the winners. I’ll be in touch shortly with any follow up that’s needed. I hope once the book is released you’ll share your starring role in helping name these furry characters!

Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo writer links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Check out the fun videos including the great THRILLERFEST video at the bottom, too.  For new followers to the blog, welcome! and you can expect more cat and dog specific schtuff later in the week on Wednesday and Friday.

WRITER-ICITY SCHTUFF

 Author Beware: Blogging Books a vanity outfit based in German that is said to be worse than PublishAmerica! Oh, and here’s an update on 2 Moon Press

Copyright & Public Fair Use a great overview helps you decide can you use that image on Facebook? Your blog? Elsewhere? Thanks to Bobbi Florio Graham for the link

 Social Karma and paying it forward helps pay you today!

Using Lyrics in Books Hey, that’s why I write my own *vbg*

 Gene Lempp’s Weekly Writing Resources he does this every Saturday…BOOK MARK for great writerly schtuff!

PET-CENTRIC SCHTUFF

Riverfront Cats Blog has something for cat lovers everywhere–highly recommended! And check out the Paw-some post from Christine Michaels on her purr-sonal blog, too (hint: pix from CWA conference and STRAYS).

Check out Brian Lowney’s book (above), from a pet journalist come stories you won’t want to miss!

Adopt-A-Pet.com Features Justin Bieber Pet Look-Alikes

Thanks to Romeo The Cat for pointing out this next video, LOL!

2012 Thrillerfest Debut Author Breakfast

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my  THRILLERS WITH BITE!

Paws for The Philippines

People around the world love their pets. The Philippines struggles with a devastating catastrophe that needs your help. Thank you to BlogPaws.com for pointing me to this PAW-some info-graphic that can help–will you help? PLEASE SHARE…like, forward, pinterest, FaceBook, whatever you can do…

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter.

 

#HillsPet Makes Cats Friendlier!

Image Copr. Amy Shojai, CABC

What does cat food and cat treats have to do with making your house cat more friendly? One the most common questions I get as a cat behavior consultant deals with the evolving c’attitude of maturing kitties. Pretty much all kittens are in-your-face clueless (and confident!) spit-fires that never met a stranger. They gallop and pounce through life, love to play until they collapse–and then snuggle and purr themselves to sleep on your lap.

But the baby cat grows up and then OH NO! What happened to the snuggle-puss? Well, sometimes they stay cuddly throughout life. But very often, the baby grows up to be a bit more selective in how he or she wishes to interact. That can put the human’s nose out of joint when suddenly Junior-Cat disses the person who brought them into the house. So–what can you do?

TREATS & TIPS FOR TABBIES

The Ask Amy video, below, was created prior to me being asked to write this post. But it’s a purr-fect fit! People readily think about treats with dogs, but not so often with cats–and in fact, cats relish not only the tastiness but also the special interaction that comes with any food “extras.”

The key to treating cats, though, is to remember they are “grazers.” A full meal for a cat tends to be 4-8 individual kibbles. That’s all! They’re not going to belly up to the smorgasbord and gulp mouthfuls or handfuls the way my Magical-Dawg does. So a teeeeeny tiny amount is enough–the smell as much as the taste and the attention–that associates something positive for the cat with your presence.

Choice in treats typically is decided by the human with the pocketbook, but ultimately it’s in the cat’s paws whether or not s/he will indulge. Of course, we don’t want over-nutrition to create tubby Tabbies so it’s best to choose a treat that compliments the cat’s existing diet. Most pet food companies offer a “family” of products that go well together, and Hill’s Pet Nutrition is no different.

Treats that make kitty sit up and purr tend to be very different than what s/he eats on a regular basis. Reserving a very unique tasting/smelling food–a canned ration, for example–can be a great way to make your cat feel special without potentially upsetting the nutrition.

POSITIVE TREATING

How should you treat to help your cat be friendlier? Establish a routine. That could be every morning while you’re eating breakfast, or while you brush your teeth–or perhaps every evening while watching the evening news. Cats love routine, and once Kitty figures out the time and place that TREATS get delivered, you won’t have to remember–she’ll remind YOU!

Image courtesy of Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Tiny bits are enough. Maybe dip your finger in the canned food like Hill’s Gourmet Turkey Entree. My cat Seren now will come when called, sit up, wave and (we’re working on) speak! with just me holding up my finger–she EXPECTS there will be something tasty awaiting her.

By rewarding your cat for a natural behavior, you also reinforce the interaction and teach the kitty there’s a benefit to paying attention to you. If the cat still won’t come near…use dry treats you can toss to him. And the next time toss it closer to you…and the next, closer still. Do this in cat-size steps, not all at once, and your cat will become friendlier without even realizing it!

FEEDING DIFFERENT FOODS?

Well, yes. Some cats do very well on the same old food all the time, but others relish variety. And let’s face it, PEOPLE love variety even if cats could eat MOUSE every single day, so it makes us feel good to offer variety to our beloved cats, too. For instance, you could choose to provide a dry kibble for all day “grazing,” and then give a bonus wet food for the evening or morning meal.

Image courtesy of Hill’s Pet Nutrition

I received some of the Hill’s Crunchy Creations grain free treats last May when I attended the BlogPaws conference, and Seren-kitty LOVES them! Of course, she’ll just about do back flips for Philly cream cheese, too (shhhh, don’t tell the Hill’s folks, I know that’s not on the cat nutrition best-practices list). Seren is only 5 pounds so she could do with gaining a bit of weight–but if your cat is a bit tubby, try putting treats in a cat puzzle toy for added feline enjoyment (and exercise).

THE LEGAL STUFF: This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s Science Diet for Cats, but I only shares information I feel is relevant to my readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.

Win a boatload of kitty tasties–Image courtesy of Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Here’s your chance to try out the notion of complementary food. Hill’s is giving way a tasty basket of kitty goodies that includes a “trifecta” of cat nutrition–dry, wet and treats–all formulated to be easily mixed and matched to provide the same precise Hill’s nutrition you’ve come to expect.

HILL’S IS GIVING AWAY 20 GIFT BAGS!

(Give-away is limited to the USA and Canada)

Here’s how to enter. Leave a COMMENT below saying why your cat deserves special treats (hey, they ALL do!). I will figure out a way for my SEREN-KITTY to choose the winner on THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21 and will announce the 20 winners on the next day, Friday, November 22. Now that should give the kitties a true and proper Thanksgiving to celebrate! Go tell all your shelter and foster pet parents and get them to enter, too–SHARE the bounty, let’s spread some tasty love!

Be sure to check out the video, below. What are some other tips you have for helping cats act “friendlier?”

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter.

Magic Markers & Seren Spots: Treasure Senior Pets

He’s got some gray fur on his muzzle now…

November is National Adopt A Senior Pet Month. It’s a great time to choose a wonderful “mature” pet as your new best friend–and all the must-knows for caring for them are available in my Aging Cat and my Aging Dog books.

Now that both of my “fur-kids” are mature pets, it’s put me in a philosophical mood.

Yes, I can’t believe it—Magical-Dawg is seven! It seems only yesterday that he came into our lives and wagged his way into our hearts (and onto the pillow). Magic weighed only eleven pounds when he arrived at eight weeks. Before long he’d left marks not only on our lives, but also the walls, the baseboard, the windowsills…

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Seren “owns” this old chair.

Seren-kitty is sixteen. She was a dumped kitten found asleep in an empty flower pot on the back of a friend’s porch. I got the call to help out because my friend had a toddler who WANTED THE KITTY! but Mom was allergic. So it was Amy-to-the-rescue, and I fully intended to advertise for a lost kitten or take to the shelter. Seren had other ideas, and climbed up my pant leg and wrapped her paws around my neck. Not a single piece of paper for my columns, articles, books or blogs has ever escaped Seren’s claws before being sent on to its publishing home. She’s been my office partner and editor ever since.

Seren was nine when Magic arrived, and he already outweighed her. She quickly took control of his schooling and I do believe part of Seren’s youthful c’attitude is directly due to the fun she gets from getting Magic in trouble.

Seren’s gotten a weee bit gray, too! Haven’t we all.

This morning my husband mentioned something that took me aback. “With our next cat, let’s…”

See, we’ve already decided we’ll have a next cat, and a next dog, but not yet. Not now, not while Magic and Seren still rule. But the time will come. I’m a bit superstitious, though, and don’t want to tempt fate by talking about that eventuality.

Meanwhile, our house is the same age as Seren-kitty and in need of some spiffing up. Every time I finish a deadline (during which I’m blind to most of what goes on in the outside world!), I come up for air and am appalled at how I’ve let the yard, the house, my office, “real life” fall into shambles. The past two days I spent shoveling out my office and now I can see the top of my desk again!

In particular, yard work is overdue. And inside, maybe fresh paint, new carpet, spackle away teeth marks, reupholster or refinish some furniture. Or, maybe not.

MAGIC MARKERS & SEREN SPOTS

The base of the glass top table in the living room has teeth marks from our first dog. Oh, how angry we felt when he turned it into his personal chew toy! But now, the sight prompts smiles and happy memories. I wouldn’t be a writer today if it weren’t for his inspiration.

You see, those Magic teeth marks on the windowsill, the here-and-there pulled thread on a Seren clawed chair, a small carpet stain, scrapes on the hard wood floor, for me are no different than the wall marks my parents used to chart their kid’s growth. Those are memories, a tangible reminder of a fleeting furry presence that shares laughs and loves for an all too short span of time.

I don’t have a perfect house. The off-white carpet matches Seren’s fur, but Magic’s drifts of black shedding turn it into a Dalmatian pattern. And furniture and baseboards have their share of puppy teeth or kitten claw marks. And that’s okay, I can live with that. I’d even put up with more claw and teeth marks if Seren and Magic would promise to stay with me for at least another dozen years each. Please.

Meanwhile, maybe I’ll enlist the dog to help dig up defunct rose bushes. I think he’d enjoy that, he’s already a champion at watering the grass (ahem). And Seren-kitty loves to supervise anything that will get the dog (spit!) in trouble.

What about your house? Are there any “pet marks” you treasure? Please share in the comments–don’t let me feel like the only awful housekeeper out there!

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Don’t forget to vote for your and character choice in the forthcoming HIDE AND SEEK!

Monday Mentions: Hummingbirds, Dobies & Dreaming Big

Cats In Hats–really?! Image courtesy of http://imgur.com/a/Kzft4

It’s a week into NaNoWriMo and I’ve not written a single WORD on the next thriller, SHOW AND TELL. Yikes! Well, I have been percolating in my head, and working on the basic outline. For me it’s a waste of time to do anything until I have a better grasp of where it’s going. Oh, I know the premise, but need more than that.

Meanwhile, awaiting editorial feedback on HIDE AND SEEK, and that may give me more ideas for the newest story. As a reminder–you still have time until this Friday to VOTE on your picks for dog heroes and cat heroes. I posted the polls last week, and the contest heats up the closer we get to the deadline. You can choose up to three names for cat characters and three for dog characters, and the top two picks will be included in HIDE AND SEEK. Check out the details

, and for

Now–tell all your friends to vote as often as they like!

Writing Like Cats & Dogs! Turn Niche Writing Into A “Brand-New” Career

Niche Writing is designed for beginning to intermediate writers who wish to leverage special interest(s) to build author brand, generate content for blogs, articles, columns and books, (or use blogs for book content!) and more.

Last Saturday November 9 I held the first installment of a 2-part WEBINAR, and the second part is this Saturday November 16, 2013, 2:00-4:00 PM EST

You can still register! Attend this upcoming Saturday in person, or wait for your convenience–you’ll get both days/recordings/powerpoint presentations as on-demand events if you can’t be there in person. I love these Webinar events cuz I can wear my grungy clothes, don’t need to put on makeup, and the cat and dog can woof and meow along side me. Hope to see you there.

USE THE DREAM-BIG CODE FOR $30 OFF THE PRICE AT CHECK-OUT!

Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo writer links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. There are some fun videos in today’s post. For new followers to the blog, welcome! and you can expect more cat and dog specific schtuff later in the week on Wednesday and Friday.

WRITER-ICITY SCHTUFF

 Benefits to Researching Locales

 Writer Beware–Going Out of Business Nigerian-Scammer-Spammer Style if it wasn’t so sad it’d be hilarious!

Interesting Take on CWA Conference

PET-CENTRIC SCHTUFF

Adopt A Cat Token & Help Pets! Petfinder has partnered with Hasbro creating a new Monopoly cat token…with a way to win big for pet shelters, check it out!

 Does Your Dog Really Like You?

UC Davis Linear Accelerator for Pet Cancer this is very cool!

 Cats In Hats one of my friends sent this fun photo collection!

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my  THRILLERS WITH BITE!

Vote for Name That Cat!

Image Copr. Florence Ivy/Flickr

Yes, the day has come. I am delighted at the outpouring of interest in naming cats who appear in HIDE AND SEEK, the sequel to my thriller LOST AND FOUND. There were 35 total suggestions for feline character names, me-WOW! I ended up choosing four or five of my favorites from your suggestions and then drawing the remainder out of a fish bowl. Two feline characters will be named based on your votes. (Check out ).

The winner’s names and why they chose their selection will also be included in the book, and winners will receive an advance copy of the book.

Just who ARE these kitty characters?

A sick cat that Shadow (the hero dog) tracks and saves after the kitty escapes from a car accident. The cat’s illness holds the key to the mystery plaguing area animals–and their people. What a legacy!
A mother barn cat befriended by a young girl whose cat-allergic mother won’t let her have a cat. When the cat’s “real” owner disappears, the little girl’s desperate need to rescue this “momma kitty” puts them in the bad guy’s path–will it be a happy ending for the pair?

Does your cat’s name embody the essence of these kitty characters? Love, devotion, fearlessness, stoic in the face of despair and smart as only a cat can be? Looks don’t matter, neither does breed or age or even sex–everyone knows that all cats are heroes at heart when they snuggle with us or bring smiles to our faces when we are at our lowest, so make your choice and follow your heart!

The poll below allows you to choose THREE (3) of your favorites. You can come back and vote again as many times as you’d like–and I hope you’ll encourage family and friends to champion your kitty cause and also vote.

DEADLINE FRIDAY NOVEMBER 15TH!

 


Take Our Poll

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Don’t forget to vote for your NAME THAT DOG/CAT character choice in the forthcoming THRILLER, LOST & FOUND!

Writing Like Cats & Dogs! Turn Niche Writing Into A “Brand-New” Career

A TWO-DAY WORKSHOP JUST FOR YOU!

Where: WANA Virtual Classroom

Dates:   November 9, 2013, 2:00-4:00 PM EST

November 16, 2013, 2:00-4:00 PM EST

USE THE DREAM-BIG CODE FOR $30 OFF THE PRICE AT CHECK-OUT!

Class Description:

Niche Writing is designed for beginning to intermediate writers who wish to leverage special interest(s) to build author brand, generate content for blogs, articles, columns and books, (or use blogs for book content!) and more.

This fun PowerPoint two-part workshop (with SQUEE! cute pet pictures!) is structured in 2-hour lectures with time included for questions and answers, as well as brain-storming to figure out your individual writer-ly map for success. Students learn why niche writing is more important today than ever before. This workshop teaches writers how to create credibility as the go-to “expert” in their field, including:

Finding “it” topics
Writing columns, articles, essays, blogs and books
Finding markets and who to “pitch”
Research tips and finding experts
How and when to query
Are you a professional?
How to become an “expert”
Building your bio, focusing your brand
Marketing for writers

GO HERE to Register. Attend in your PJs, get the recording and listen later!

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Don’t forget to vote for your NAME THAT DOG/CAT character choice in the forthcoming HIDE AND SEEK!

Vote for Name That Dog!

Image Copr. Yulia Schoeman

Yes, the day has come. I am delighted at the outpouring of interest in naming dogs who appear in the forthcoming dog viewpoint thriller HIDE AND SEEK, the sequel to LOST AND FOUND.

There were 15 total suggestions for canine character names–and I’ve included them all for you to choose. Two canine characters, both “hero dogs,” will be named based on your votes. (Watch for Friday for the kitty poll picks!).

The winner’s names and why they chose their selection will also be included in the book, and winners will receive an advance copy of the book.

Just who ARE these canine heroes?

A therapy dog that lives at an Alzheimer’s unit. The dog belongs to the administrator but prefers to spend all his/her time with one of the patients, Molly Williams (Teddy’s wife, for those who read LOST AND FOUND). The dog stays by Molly’s side when she “wanders” and disappears from the facility.
A dog that Teddy Williams and his wife Molly had years ago, and is the reason why the therapy dog strikes such a chord with Molly.

Does your dog’s name embody the essence of these doggy characters? Love, devotion, fearlessness, great heart? Looks don’t matter, neither does breed or age or even sex–everyone knows that all dogs have the heart and soul and devotion of heroes, so make your choice and follow your heart!

DEADLINE IS FRIDAY NOVEMBER 15th!

The poll below allows you to choose THREE (3) of your favorites. You can come back and vote again as many times as you’d like–and I hope you’ll encourage family and friends to champion your cause and also vote.

Name That Dog! (Choose 3 Names)
Name That Dog! (Choose 3 Names)

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Don’t forget to vote for your NAME THAT DOG/CAT character choice in the forthcoming HIDE AND SEEK!

Monday Mentions: Cat Writers Edition

After the bag stuffing, we gather round and share who we are and what we do…and all about our pets, too!

We had a PAW-some time at the Cat Writers Association 20th Anniversary Conference! These are just a few of the pictures I managed to take–more surely to come. Next year join us in Atlanta with our new partner in furry fun: BarkWorld and MeowWorld Presented by the Cat Writers Association. You’ll get all the must knows about writing, publishing, blogging and social marketing (maybe with a dog or cat by your side!). Be sure and scroll down for a very short but fun video of the Halloween costumes at the Bag Stuffy Party.

Give away info–editorial guidelines, magazine samples and more.

Yep, my husband Mahmoud actually attended!

CWA VP Dusty Rainbolt with Zeki the kitty first aid assistant.

Arden Moore (owned by Zeki the amazing kitty!) presents a great session on succeeding on either side of the interview mic.

The always stunning Carole Nelson Douglas…all of us unwinding in an “after” party.

New CWA Council member (and official conference photographer) BJ Bangs…I caught her without her camera!

Past President Su Ewing enjoys a well deserved beverage and toast to a job well done!

MUSE MEDALLION WINNER! for the best Cat Behavior Book of the Year, meeee-WOW!

Honored to present the Shojai Mentor Award to longtime CWA member and incredible writer/journalist…and mentor…Darlene Arden, nominated by Layla Morgan Wilde

Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo writer links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. There’s a new SIMON’S CAT video below and don’t forget to check out the THRILLERFEST video at the bottom, too.  For new followers to the blog, welcome! and you can expect more cat and dog specific schtuff later in the week on Wednesday and Friday. Stay tuned for the voting on NAME THAT DOG and NAME THAT CAT contest for the Hide And Seek thriller pet characters, too!

 

WRITER-ICITY SCHTUFF

 Kindles New CountDown Deals

 10 Common Fiction Forensics Mistakes

Amy’s Ebooks Talk Did you miss the CWA event? Attend the Webinar on Dec. 7 (after NaNoWriMo!) and use discount code GO-INDIE for $10 off

Further Info Here:  http://wanaintl.com/event-registratio...

PET-CENTRIC SCHTUFF

 Cat Cured of Chronic Oral Disease…With Kitty Stem Cells!

It’s Adopt A Senior Pet Month–Great Article from Catalyst Council

2012 Thrillerfest Panel

I  love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my  THRILLERS WITH BITE!