Amy Shojai's Blog, page 114
June 24, 2013
Monday Mentions: Savior Rats, Magic Words & Psycho-Paths to Success
Check out the RAT SAVIORS (not this one…he’s a baby). But ginormous cat-size clicker trained diagnosing sniffer rats!
It’s been quite a week–last week, not this one. Major accomplishments include getting the weed wacker wunning…I mean RUNNING, buying a new laptop, and logging about 15 hours on the desk treadmill. More time than that was spent writing, of course, but I’ve got more energy and feeling good about the exercise.
No, the laptop didn’t catch a virus. I just needed a new one with expanded capabilities. In fact, the last time I got a new computer I invested in Webroot software because it came with the Geek Squad service and the subscription is still good for 3+ more years. What kind of protection do you run on your computers? Before I had Norton but when I tried to update, the “old” version protected the computer from the “new” version (very odd). I’ve been very happy with the Webroot and one time had to call customer support and they had a REAL LIVE PERSON to talk to. Imagine that?! Yep, they just approved me as an affiliate too, so sharing one of the latest deals (above).
This past weekend was my Nonfiction Book Proposal Webinar, but that will be the last for a while. I’ve postponed “Niche Writing” Webinars originally scheduled for August until later in the year, so I can continue to concentrate on the fiction. Time continues to be my biggest challenge, what about you? Next month I get to travel a bit, first to Thrillerfest in New York and then to a writers retreat in Colorado, and so try to get the must-do-list done ahead of time!
Many of y’all know that I have several of my own books now available on Audible.com through the ACX.com publishing program. It’s AWESOME! That’s one reason the new laptop is needed–it houses my audio recording software. The next ComPETability-Dogs book was delayed in production but you can get any book FREE in a membership trial…maybe even one of mine (hint-hint *s*). I just finished reading the 3rd book in Simon Toyne’s thriller trilogy. The first book SANCTUS was terrific, the next THE KEY was just so-so but the last one THE TOWER resolved the story in a magnificent way. Highly recommended.
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 SQUEEE! cute pet-astic video at the bottom, too. Betcha all you dog owners can relate to that MAGIC WORD. 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
RIP Bestselling Thriller Author Vince Flynn He self-pub’d his first thriller after receiving 60 rejections…and it became a huge seller. Gone too soon…
Thrilling Openings for Thriller Writers words from master editor Jodie Renner
Stats & Info on Publishing Changes a long but very interesting post from The Business Rusch, basically traditionally pub’d authors in for some continued stress…better news for indies. What do YOU think?
Free & Quick Proofreading by Grammarly! I was contacted by GRAMMARLY recently and gifted with a 2-week trial premium account so I’ll let you know how I like it in a future blog. Since I have a tendency to make up words (hey, I’m a writer, I can DO THAT!) it may blow up on me, LOL! Meanwhile you can check it out at the links provided.
Psycho-Path to Success? something for writers to consider (I mean, in terms of characters!)
New Trends in Pricing (Free Ain’t Selling So Good…)
Hugh Howie–What Self-Pub’d Authors Need now THIS is an insightful idea (who will run with it???)
ALLi Calls on Trade to Open Up to Indies
Google Identifier you want to read this, from Gene Lempp (thanks Gene!)
Google Feedburner Alternatives a how-to series for MailChimp users, thanks to great writer Catie Rhodes
GoodReads How-To lots of great info in this slideshare presentation
Bookstore Firm Follett Launches $50 Million Fund The Knowledge Fund will enable us to identify and invest in early-stage technologies that will make educational materials more accessible and affordable to students and educators alike
Story Turning Points this is a great post from Jenny Hansen
How to Use Public Domain Images for Book Covers
6 Steps to Self Publish a nice breakdown with some $$ figures (no, self pub’ing the RIGHT way ain’t free!)
PET-CENTRIC SCHTUFF
Giant Rats Save Lives! In Tanzania, giant pouched rats clicker trained to sniff out land mines…and diagnose tuberculosis! Awesome story (and video)
the POWER of TWO a new weight loss program with your dog–from Jenny Craig and Purina. Looks like PAW-some fun!
500 Goldens Lifetime Study from Morris Animal Foundation. 2500 more needed – If you have a qualifying Golden Retrievers, the two of you can join this groundbreaking effort to improve the health of dogs. Veterinarians can also register through the website.
If I Should Die Before My Dog... this is a great resource for all dog owners, a self published book I recently got to review.
Clicker Training DVD a terrific overview by the awesome trainer Dr. Deborah Jones (maybe you can use it to train your own RATS, too!)
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. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
June 21, 2013
HOT CAR WARNING!
We often think of DOGS having more problems with cars–maybe because they tend to ride more often than the kitties, too. Magical-Dawg thinks the car belongs to him!
But both dogs AND cats are at risk when temperatures soar. This infographic drives home the point for the kitties, but the same info applies to our canine friends. It’s best to PREVENT heatstroke, of course. But here in North Texas with temps already in the low 90s, it’s equally important to know the signs and how to provide pet first aid. Check out the infographic below and read about pet first aid for heat stroke here.
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. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
June 19, 2013
Take Your Dog/Pet to Work
Seren often “helps” me in my office. Image Copr. Amy Shojai, CABC
This week is Take Your Pet To Work Week, while Friday is designated specifically to “go to the dogs.” Take Your Dog To Work Day (TYDTWDay) has been around since 1999, started by Pet Sitters International.
I’m incredibly fortunate that I get to share my office space every day with my cat Seren(dipity) and Magic-dog. When I’m having a particularly hectic day, getting a purr fix, or doggy wag of encouragement does wonders. Surveys indicate that one in five companies allow pets in the workplace. People who bring their pets actually work longer hours! You can get started on this pet-revolution this Friday.
TYDTWDay was created to spotlight what terrific companions dogs are, and encourage adoptions. The annual event encourages employers to experience the benefits and value of pets in the workplace, and to support and celebrate the pet community. Pet Sitters, animal shelters, and business of all kinds join in this fur-tastic week long and dog-centric Friday event.
Is your boss reluctant? Your work will IMPROVE if you bring your dog! Read more about it here.
When he was younger and clueless Magic spent more time in my office, too–but now he KNOWS the office “belongs” to the cat! So he sneaks in for a quick treat and then beats it down the stairs. Image Copr. Amy Shojai, CABC
For more tips how to convince your boss, set up a program, and celebration ideas, go here. Now excuse me…I’ve got to go consult with my furry office mates.
What about you? do you get to take your fur-kids to work with you? Are there businesses in your local that include pets? I gotta say, it would be OH-so-much less stressful to have a cat in my lap when I visit the dentist, for instance.
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. 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!
June 18, 2013
Create Winning Book Proposals!
I’ve given this talk at any number of writers conferences over the years. After writing 26 nonfiction pet books, I’ve experimented with several ways of creating nonfiction proposals and some work better than others. Once I found something that worked, few of the basics have changed. It all begins with what I call THE IDEA TREE. I’ll break it down for you–and that’s just the beginning!
Join me SATURDAY JUNE 22 2-3:30 EASTERN TIME for my next Webinar JUST THE FACTS: CREATE WINNING BOOK PROPOSALS
(You can wear your bunny slippers…I won’t tell!) If you can’t make it Saturday, the session is recorded and available for you to watch/listen for two weeks.
The webinar is a 90-minute PowerPoint class designed to help beginning to experienced writers interested in submitting nonfiction books for publication to agents and/or “traditional” publishers. Unlike fiction projects that should be completed before submission, nonfiction books typically are sold based on a proposal along with samples.
I sold six nonfiction books with proposals to “traditional” publishers on my own, and more than a dozen more after landing a high-powered agent. Along the way I made every mistake possible–and also learned what worked, thanks to a nit-picky-cranky-ire-inspiring (and awesome!) editor or three. Although much of publishing remains in flux, the sales tool–the nonfiction proposal–remains a mainstay for “selling” both agent and editor on your idea.
This session also includes (SQUEE!) CUTE PET PICTURES and shows you how to choose saleable topics, build an impressive bio, query (or not), and craft the proposal. There are many kinds of nonfiction, from memoir and biography to prescriptive advice and “creative nonfiction” stories. You’ll learn what components make up the proposal and how to compose them, how to format the proposal, and create your competition/market survey. You’ll also learn tips for finding expert sources, building your ‘brand’ and leveraging your platform.
What are you waiting for?! Get that book proposal DONE and out the door!
June 17, 2013
Monday Mentions: Hearts & Flowers
Last Friday was our anniversary. That’s Seren checking out the flowers I received–she assumes they’re for her, of course! And because we never want the Magical-Dawg to feel left out, he also got a new toy.
Do you share celebrations with your pets? Maybe we’re weird but the Seren-Kitty and Magical-Dawg are much more likely to have birthdays and anniversaries remembered (and celebrated) than the humans.
You’ll notice the blog has a few new tweaks. I’ve added some badges of my writer-ly and pet-astic organizations on the left sidebar you might want to check out. There also are a few select “affiliates” now listed that may offer products from time to time worthy of your attention. 
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 SQUEEE! cute pet-astic videos 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
Wanna Write A Sit-Com? Check Out Amazon StoryTeller yes they’re into THAT, too!
Photo Stock Images for Books here’s a great blog on the subject
Earthzine Seeks Science Writers
Great Fiction-ing Tips courtesy of Jenny Hansen’s great blog.
Why Book Publishers Still Drag Their ‘Digital’ Feet insightful article
Canada’s Writer Union Admits Indies
2 Moon Press Pay-to-Play Investigated
Difference Between Taglines & Loglines thanks to Diane Capri for point out this great post
PET-CENTRIC SCHTUFF
Sometimes puppies (or kittens) for whatever reason have trouble nursing. Maybe they get pushed away by furry siblings, or perhaps they’re orphaned. Bottle/syringe feeding or even the more invasive tube feeding (that requires more skill!) is the go-to method but this video offers an innovative alternative that works great!
…and because I love cello, love piano and love Les Mis…
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. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
June 14, 2013
Cat Litter-ary Choices
Kittens won’t care–so make your pick-of-the-litter early.
Cat litter choices can make or break a kitty-human relationship. What goes in your cat box? I’m not talking about Sheba’s “creative efforts” or the dog diving for those special kitty treats, but the substrate she likes to dig.
Did you know that indoor cat toilets are a relatively recent innovation? Most cats spent time outside and did their business in the dirt. The inside felines might be accommodated with a box of sand or perhaps ashes. Can you imagine the sooty footprints?
Litter-ary Hiss-tory
Back in the winter of 1947 in Cassopolis, Michigan, a cat owner’s sand pile froze, and she got tired of using ashes for her pet. She visited the local hardware that sold industrial absorbents including sawdust and filler’s earth (a type of clay). Edward Lowe suggested using clay instead of sand for the cat–and it turned into a multi-billion dollar industry after his introduction of the original Kitty Litter, and later Tidy Cats and Scamp. Purina bought the brands much later and expanded the market even further.
From humble beginnings at 65-cents per 5-pound bag, today cat owners find a smorgasbord of litter choices. But what you like and what Sheba prefers may not agree. We’re all about odor control and convenience. Cats just want something soft to dig in, that doesn’t offend their noses. Strong perfumes and dust can turn them off. And we all know what happens when Sheba shuns the box–we have to change the carpet!
There are 14 different kinds of litter–and I took that photo about 15 years ago, when writing a litter comparison article. Just imagine how many MORE kinds now!
You can still find plain clay litter. Cats love the clumping clay litters because of their fine texture. Humans love ‘em for their ease of scooping waste. But clay litters get dusty–they’re dirt, after all. The finer stuff tracks more, too, especially if it catches in very furry cat feet. The most common additive to make it clump, called sodium bentonite, can pose a risk to mouthy kittens that taste everything or to dogs intent on raiding the box.
To answer the demands of eco-friendly owners, you can find edible and biodegradable litters made from corn, wheat, paper, cedar chips, and even citrus. I’m a bit perplexed, frankly, by the citrus litters since most cats hate the smell and I recommend citrus as a feline deterrent. *shrug* Some of the corn and wheat products cats accept pretty well. Next week I’ve got a post about a new kind that Seren’s testing…so far, so good.
Bottom line–the best litter in the world ain’t worth spit if your kitten or cat won’t use it. Cats love routine, so if your cat’s happy with the facilities and tends to be persnickity, don’t mess with success. Unless you want new carpets.
What kinds of litter does your cat prefer? Would you rather use something else–environmentally conscious paper, perhaps? How do you reconcile the cat’s needs with your own $$ or other concerns? Do tell!
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!
June 12, 2013
Pet Tail Talk
What’s that body language and tail talk saying to the uppy? Image Copr. TBones Green Acres/Flickr
Cats and dogs speak volumes with pet tail talk. A simple wag or twitch of the tail as well as the position of their furry nether regions signals your pet’s emotional state. It also communicates important information to other animals–and to you, if you can read tail talk.
There can also be some misunderstandings between pets because cat and dog tail talk doesn’t mean exactly the same thing. I suspect that’s one reason it took my Seren-kitty and Magical-dawg so long to come to an understanding! Cat “felinese” and canine “dog-erel” is compared more fully in ComPETability: Cats/Dogs.
Tails can either invite you to approach, or warn you to keep your distance. A relaxed pet’s tail curves down and back up in a gentle U. The more interest he feels, the higher the tail.
Image Copr. Amy Shojai, CABC
For example, the high-held cat’s tail pointed straight up is the feline equivalent of a “howdy!” and means Kitty welcomes attention and interaction. Dominant and confident dogs hold their tails high, and wag rapidly in tight sharp arcs. But aggressive dogs also hold their tails high, often tightly arched over their back with just the end jerking very quickly back and forth. And a dog’s high-held stiff tail signals imminent attack.
A dog shows his low standing relative to you (or another animal) with loose, wide low arcing wags that often include hip wags as well. While these “friendly” wags often invite your approach, a wagging feline tail expresses agitation. This increased kitty arousal may mean simple excitement, fear or even aggression warning you to “back off!”
Dogs hold their tail in a low position to show submission or fear. A tucked tail is the dog or cat equivalent of hiding their face because it covers the genitals, and interferes with the sniffing behavior that identifies them to other animals.
Remember that tail shape and display (conformation) also influences how and what dogs say. Northern breeds such as Alaskan Malamutes with curled tails automatically “signal” confidence to other canines, whether they truly feel that way or not. Tailless dogs literally have one avenue of communication cut off.
Of course, tails don’t tell the whole story. What your pet’s wagging or wiggling means must be taken within context of the rest of the body. Ear position, elevation of the fur, and vocalizations also offer clues about what your pet wants to communicate.
Educate yourself—and especially your children—to the many “faces” of doggy wags and cat tail semaphore. In almost every instance, pets very clearly tells us that they want petting, are afraid, or warn you to keep your distance. Problems arise when humans either don’t understand—or don’t listen.
I’m curious–do your dogs or cats ever act confused about the other species’ “tail talk” or other signals? How long did it take them to figure out the new language–or did they? I think Magic still isn’t real clear on everything Seren says to him (either that or he’s hard headed and doesn’t care, LOL!).
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. 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!
June 10, 2013
Monday Mentions: Webinars, ComPETability & Thriller-icity
FREE for the next 2 weeks!
The EBook version of ComPETability(Dogs) is FREE for the next couple of weeks, in exchange for an honest review. Feel free to share the link with all your pet loving friends.
Last Friday I had a lovely conversation with my editor about the future plans for my fiction. It’s all very exciting! But none of it will happen–until I get MORE BOOKS WRITTEN! Most of y’all know that the sequel to LOST AND FOUND is in the works. Readers asked for it so HIDE AND SEEK will have more dog-viewpoint (yay Shadow!), more September (including more explanation about her mysterious PTSD), and more Macy-the-Cat. . . and a few others to-be-named dogs and cats, as well. Stay tuned, maybe YOU will get to name ‘em.
The third book in the series, tentatively titled SEARCH AND DESTROY is now officially in the lineup, too. SQUEEEE! YIKES, now I gotta get on the schtick and speed up the writer-icity to meet those deadlines. Do you work better when you have deadlines? I sure do…never mind that they create more gray hairs. Because of the schedule (two books in about six months) the blogging schedule may get a weeee bit erratic at times, but I’ll do my best to keep up. Please forgive me in advance, should the wheels fall off…and I hope you’ll stick around for all the thriller-icity to come!
Meanwhile, I’m also offering a few more Webinars on writer-ly subjects over the next two weeks that cover Media Training for Authors, one on Writing Nonfiction Book Proposals, and a two-day session in August on Niche Writing. These are available on the web with your headset or telephone line, and recorded for you to watch/listen after the fact as well. Hope some of my hard-won experience and tips will help you achieve yoru writer-ly dreams, too.
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. 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
Lights! Cameras! Action! Media Training for Writers (and Others)this is the next Webinar I’m presenting June 15, that’s THIS SATURDAY!
WANA Learn About Facebook? another Webinar available with the awesome Lisa Hall-Wilson also June 15
Re-Pin That Pin…What Gets The Most Attention color, apparently
Publishing on Kobo with Kobo’s Mark Lefebvre Audio interview
BEA Recap Here and yet another one Here
BEA Fail with Power Readers …and the book sellers don’t get it, either. (read the comments, too)
Amazon In London a new headquarters to come
New Ingram SPARK PUBLISHING PROGRAM and more info from an Indie Author perspective
15 Ways Amazon KDP Could Improve
ALLi & Changing Attitudes About Indies
Free Listing for Freelance Editors & Agents
Ebook Antitrust Case Against Apple to Begin
DNA in Minutes fiction-ready technology (and reality soon!)
Going Viral…A Reality Check for Writers
Going Twitter-verse Viral…In A Bad Way! this is hilarious! #truth
PET-CENTRIC SCHTUFF
Purina to Buy PetFinder oh-my-doG what d’ya think of that???
Alley Cat Allies Conference Architects of Change for Cats
Dolphin Surgery Amazing story…first time ever performed on a dolphin and saved her life!
ER for Mice? Really? what do you think?
Cutting Edge Pet Care nice article on new frontiers
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. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
June 7, 2013
National Adopt A (Shelter) Cat Month
Now’s the time to adopt! Image Copr. JT Siemer/Flickr
It’s National Adopt A Cat Month and whether you adopt a shelter cat or find a furry waif on the doorstep, they’re all worthy of love. Right?
Hey, I know that I’m preaching to the choir. But area shelters overflow especially with kittens this time of year—and so do back yards and alleys. June is the purr-fect time to celebrate Adopt-A-Cat Month (sponsored by American Humane Association) and National Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month (sponsored by ASPCA).
PURR-FECT PICKS–WHAT’S YOUR FURRY PLEASURE?
Today there are cats available to suit every taste and circumstance. Boy or girl? Fluffy longhaired or short-and-svelte coat? Does color matter? We’ve been discussing coat color/pattern and purr-sonality here. Do you care what they look like, or is the c’attitude more important? Short fur sheds just as much as the long fluffy kind, but won’t tangle or require as much care on your part. Those longhaired beauties like Persians need combing every single day.
While kittens can be non-stop fun, they’re also works-in-progress–and you cannot accurately predict adult temperament. Most kittens love to lap-sit, but many outgrow this behavior. Despite that fact, there must be a boatload of kittens being adopted–the past 3 weeks my Complete Kitten Care book has virtually pounced off the shelves!
Age matters. While space concerns force shelters to adopt out kittens as early as possible, a cat will have far fewer behavior problems if he stays with mom-cat and siblings until at least twelve weeks old. If you adopt a kitten younger than this, you should either have a friendly adult cat in the house prepared to teach Junior how to be a proper cat–or you yourself must attempt to give these lessons. Cats learn from watching other cats how to groom themselves, use the litter box, scratch the right object, and inhibit clawing and biting during play. Humans fall short as teachers. You can get some tips in the ComPETability: Cats book for introductions and more.
But if you want a lifelong feline lap-snuggler, choose an adult cat with an established personality so you know what you’re getting. You’ll already know that the cat likes or dislikes dogs, other cats, children, lap-sitting, and playing. Besides, healthy adult cats live into their late teens (or beyond) so adopting a four-year-old lovely feline can mean a decade or longer of furry love!
Cute kitties make more cute kitties when left to their own instincts. Image Copr. Elise Laura Feinstein/Flickr
YOU SEXY CAT!
Boy cats tend to grow bigger than girl cats, but as long as they’re spayed or neutered (you’ll want to do this!), the behaviors tend to be similar. Intact males want to baptize everything with sprays of urine, and intact girl cats bring more furry babies into this world after yowling and pestering owners to death. How many of y’all have adopted kittens that were the results of a WHOOPS litter? Hey, you know what I mean…:) Every good intention in the world can get thwarted by a determined girl-kitty when she picks the locks with her rabies tag and trysts with that yummy-boy-cat-Romeo.
Lovely adult cats often get overlooked, but they’ve already learned these basic lessons and make outstanding pets. Due to the overload of animals, too many shelters have arbitrary age limits for euthanasia. Cats aged five and above may be euthanized automatically, even though they could be expected to provide a decade or more of companionship to a loving human owner. Adopt one of these kitties and you’ll save a life–adopt a bonded pair and you’ll truly be blessed.
Older cats tend to be more sedate than kittens, and less inclined to climb curtains, attack toes, or conduct gravity experiments by knocking breakables off high spots. At the shelter, don’t expect adult cats to “sell themselves” the way a kitten would. Remember that they’ve likely just lost their home, are scared and sad, and wondering what they did to make a beloved human go away. They need people to take a second look.
You don’t need to wait for a special adoption month. Wonderful candidates of all shapes, ages, and sizes–even some pedigree kitties!–wait for you at area shelters all year long.
Sixteen years ago my Siamese wannabe Seren(dipity) showed up on a friend’s back porch–a dumped kitten–and purred her way into my heart. May you be so lucky as to find the cat of your dreams!
What’s your cat’s “gotcha-day” story? Did you find the kitty of your dreams as a retired show cat? Feral rescue? Inherit her from an ailing in-law? What’s your best advice for those wanting to adopt during National Adopt A (Shelter) Cat Month?
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. 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!
June 5, 2013
Dog Breed Personalities & Magic Stacks Frisbees
What is the personality of the Irish Water Spaniel? Do tell!
This is an experiment–I’ll be creating a database for my puppies.about.com site with some basics about the various breeds. My colleague at the dogs.about.com site already has wonderful breed profiles and I don’t want to duplicate her work. So instead, I’d love to get your input–and please SHARE SHARE SHARE this over the blog-osphere and Facebook and Twitterverse to get pet people’s input.
In the comments section, I’d love for you to state your dog’s breed — if s/he’s a mix, and you know the combo, include that. And then please describe your dog’s personality. Finally, say whether this an expected personality for the breed.
So for Magic, I’d say he’s a German Shepherd. He’s confident, cautious of strangers, incredibly devoted/bonded to my husband and me, and driven to fetch and sniff. I’d say that all but the last (fetch and sniff) are considered German Shepherd traits. For an example of Magic’s single-minded focus on fetch (and STACK) check out the video, below.
Your turn! Oh, and if I end up using your quote I’ll include your pet’s name (and yours if you like) in the article!
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. 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!
