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Amy Shojai's Blog, page 140
December 23, 2011
Feline Friday: A Christmas Cat Story
It's Feline Friday, with tomorrow Christmas Eve. I've promised the Magical-Dawg and Seren-Kitty that I'll take all next week off so please check back after the New Year. I pray that your fur-kids will be safe throughout the holidays. You'll find lots of tips on this week's Woof Wednesday about giving pets as gifts (yes, it applies to cats, t0o). And I've just posted a cautionary article about pet electrocution, symptoms and how to prevent it that also affects cats. I hope you won't need it but just in case, you can find the first aid for electrocution article here. It includes a link for the how-to pet CPR article.
And finally for happier content, just for Christmas Eve, here's one of my favorite cat legends—an excerpt from Complete Kitten Care. Enjoy—and may your holidays be blessed.
Why Tabby Wears An M
One of the most touching legends tells the story of a simple Tabby cat, and her gift on the very first Christmas day to a special mother and child.
There was no snow that night in Bethlehem. Instead, the small cat watched a star-spangled sky from her perch in the window of a stable. She liked the stable, for it was a warm safe place to raise her furry babies, and the innkeeper sometimes left scraps out for her to nibble. Tabby wasn't particularly distinctive, and most humans didn't look at her twice. After all, her short gray/black fur was quite common. But Tabby's striped coat hid a heart bigger than cats twice her size.
This night, though, Tabby was out of sorts, for she'd not been able to hunt and catch dinner. Travelers had poured into town for days, so noisy they disturbed decent cat-folks' rest. Why, they'd even invaded Tabby‟s quiet stable, a place she had before shared only with other furry creatures. Tabby hadn't minded the human couple—they were calmer than most. She'd left that morning for her usual rounds, but when she returned, the stable was packed with people.
From her perch on the window, Tabby watched the last of the strangers leave. She slipped from the window, and padded silently inside—and froze!
"Meewwww, meewww, meewww," cried a tiny voice.
A kitten? Tabby's ears turn this way and that to find the sound of the kitten's voice. It came from the manger, the very place Tabby often made her own bed. A woman knelt beside the manger, intent on the small mewling that arose from within. Tabby was drawn by the kittenish sound, though she knew her own furry babies were grown to cat-hood. She tiptoed forward very slowly, and passed by a wooly burro, a warm cow, and all the other animals.
The woman looked up, and saw the striped cat. "Oh, little cat," she murmured, "my baby cannot sleep, and nothing calms him this night." She sighed, and turned back to the manger. "How grateful would I be to anyone able to bring him sweet dreams."
And, as Tabby watched, each stable animal stepped forward in turn and tried to soothe the woman's baby. But the kittenish sounds continued, and finally Tabby could contain herself no longer.
Quickly, she washed herself—paws, face, behind the ears, to the very tip of her tail (so as not to offend the child's mother)—and then shyly stepped forward. She leaped gracefully to the manger, and stared into the face of the most beautiful baby (human or kitten!) she'd ever seen. He cooed and smiled, waving his tiny hands at Tabby, and she very carefully drew in her claws and settled beside him. Forgotten was her empty tummy; she could only hear her heart calling out to this sweet human-kitten.
And Tabby began to purr.
The wondrous cat-song filled the stable with overwhelming emotion. The animals listened with awe, and the child's mother smiled as her baby quietly went to sleep.
The child's mother placed her hand gently on the purring Tabby's forehead. "Blessings upon you, Tabby-cat, for this sweet gift given to me and my child," she said. And where she'd touched Tabby's brow, there appeared an M—the sign of the Madonna's benediction.
From that day forward, all proper tabby cats are honored with an M on their brow for the great service they performed that first Christmas night. And Christmas nights often find Tabby cats staring into the night, purring as they recall a very special child their ancestor once sang to sleep.
#AskAmy Sweet Tweets
Folks who "follow" me on Twitter @amyshojai and @About_Puppies are the most awesome Sweet Tweets around–they love #cats and #dogs and #pets, many #amwriting. Just follow and include the #AskAmy in your tweets if'n you're interested in pithy links to articles, books, blogs, experts, fictioning and sparkle-icity!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? 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 with pet book give-aways!
Filed under: Feline Fridays Tagged: Amy Shojai, cat behavior, cat books, cats and love, Christmas cats, Complete Kitten Care, travel with cats
December 21, 2011
Woof Wednesday: How To Give Puppies As Gifts
"I fit in your Christmas stocking..." (Copr. RickieBPhotography)
I'm just home from a WONDERFUL and long-overdue visit with my parents–and got to see my brother and sis-in-law, too. I had a lovely visit and ate and talked way too much AND….(drum roll please)….I didn't do ANY work. Well, I read and answered a couple emails but that's it. So today's blog is brief but also has some important info especially around the holidays. If this is a re-run of some info previously shared, tough cupcakes…it bears repeating. I hope you'll share with others contemplating a "furry" Christmas morning.
Everyone who adores puppies wants to share the furry love affair and give puppy gifts, but not everyone is ready to receive puppies as gifts. Maybe the recipient will appreciate your thoughtfulness. But don't gamble with a puppy's life. Sure, Grandma is lonely and needs a wagging lap-warmer to keep her company. But she may have other plans, such as traveling to visit all the grandkids. A puppy that chews up Aunt Ethel's hat collection will cost you favorite nephew status. A busy new parent may want a pup for their kids, but have other demands that take priority.
I used to say NEVER EVER give a puppy (or kitty) as a gift, especially around the holidays but new stats from a study by the ASPCA showed that holiday pets actually do stay in homes pretty well. So I've amended my recommendations. You can give pets as gifts–you just need to know how to do it. Here are 4 steps to giving a puppy — the right way.
You can also refer to these questions to ask before someone adopts a pet–and put yourself in the recipient's "paws." That helps you (and them) choose the best puppy match. Here are 7 questions to ask before you get that puppy.
Finally, how do you know what's a good puppy (or kitten) source? There are many folks this time of year advertising cute fuzzy pets available for Christmas morning. They're available from shelters, from breeders, from newspaper ads, and even in the WalMart parking lot (ew!). Some may become wonderful pets but having a good start in life can make a big difference in how they'll develop and become family members. Besides, you don't want to support "bad" establishments even if you feel like rescuing that needy waif. So here are 10 questions to ask that puppy source.
Did you ever give–or receive–a pet as a gift? Was it a good experience–what challenges did you face? Where did you find the dog of your dreams? What are some other tips to think about when "gifting" someone with a new pet? Please share!
#AskAmy Sweet Tweets
Folks who "follow" me on Twitter @amyshojai and @About_Puppies are the most awesome Sweet Tweets around–they love #cats and #dogs and #pets, many #amwriting. Just follow and include the #AskAmy in your tweets if'n you're interested in pithy links to articles, books, blogs, experts, fictioning and sparkle-icity!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? 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 with pet book give-aways!
Filed under: Wags & Purrs, Woof Wednesdays Tagged: Amy Shojai, cat books, Christmas pets, dog books, how to give puppies as gifts, http://www.amyshojai.com, http://www.shojai.com, kittens, puppies, puppies.About.com, questions to ask dog breeders
December 20, 2011
Tuesday Tips: Nonfiction Proposals, Passionate Picks & Bio-Building
Welcome to my new series on nonfiction book proposals. Over the next several Tuesday Tips I'll cover some of the meat-and-potatoes of choosing topics, researching ideas, and putting together a winning nonfiction book proposal. While I write primarily about pets, the same ingredients for your nonfiction book stew are the same–it's just the seasoning and presentation that may vary.
I've given this talk at any number of writers conferences over the years. After writing 23 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. The first week discussed the IDEA TREE and last week the blog covered topic choice including where to find ideas and decide if they're viable. Today's installment is relatively short–I'm still on the road–but covers a bit about market research and how to build your bio, both vital to your nonfiction proposal.
Test the waters before committing to your project.
MARKET RESEARCH
I can hear y'all already. "But I'm a writer, the PUBLISHER will market the book, I just want to sit in my cubby and type the keyboard."
Get over it. Suck it up, sweetheart–writing is a business. And unless you want to write only for yourself or immediate family (and nothing WRONG with that!), you need to put on your big girl panties and think about marketing. Think about this before you finalize your topic. Marketing research must be solid and included in the proposal to 1. get you a "yes" from an agent and/or editor 2. sell books to your audience.
Get passionate about your pick. You'd better care about the subject matter, or why should your audience? A "so what?" topic won't win you any book contract. Those folks with the energy and time and savvy to DIY and self publish can have the best written and formatted book in the world but without an audience it won't matter.
Know your market. That means research what's already out there in terms of books AND other resources. My pet care book sales dropped when the Internet exploded with gi-normous amounts of furry crappiocca info-dumps. Is your audience finding the information elsewhere–for free? why should they buy a book? Maybe the free stuff is worth all that and less–so make that part of your proposal
Figure out how to reach your target readership. Are they other bloggers? members of an select community–Knitters Anonymous–or another national or international club you can access (because YOU are a card-carrying member of Knitters Anonymous).
Nothing scarier than a NEKID bio! Put clothes on yours!
BUILD YOUR BIO
With nonfiction books, it's all about what you bring to the table as the author/expert. Yes, publishers want experts as authors. I've had books declined when the acquiring editor loved the concept, was sure it would sell, but I didn't have the right initials after my name (DVM). Hacked me up a hairball over that one, let me tell you!
When you're not an expert, you can build your experTISE while you prepare to sell the proposal. Since you've chosen a passionate pick, it stands to reason you've already immersed yourself in the topic and know quite a bit as a lay-expert, right? And you know many of the experts who want to interview for your book, correct? So build your big global idea by first thinking small–with articles, blogs, columns, and op-eds.
Become known as THE go-to person for a particular topic. It's not that you have to pull all those factoids outta your brain-pan, but you know where all the bodies info is buried and can point others the right direction. Don't stop at writing, either. Lecture–put together talks for your local Knitters Anonymous chapter, speak at libraries and schools, get on TV and the radio. Get out there. That bolsters your bio, gives you credentials that will sell your proposed project down the road.
Next week the blog covers query letters vs cover letters, and what goes in a nonfiction book submission package.
#AskAmy Sweet Tweets
Folks who "follow" me on Twitter @amyshojai and @About_Puppies are the most awesome Sweet Tweets around–they love #cats and #dogs and #pets, many #amwriting. Just follow and include the #AskAmy in your tweets if'n you're interested in pithy links to articles, books, blogs, experts, fictioning and sparkle-icity!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? 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 with pet book give-aways!
Filed under: Tuesday Tips, Writing Tips Tagged: Amy Shojai, Ask Amy, cat books, dog books, how to writing, http://www.amyshojai.com, http://www.shojai.com, nonfiction book proposals, writers conference, writing
December 19, 2011
Monday Mentions: Fractal Felines, Cats with Thumbs, Extreme Dawgs & HALLELUJIA!
Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo links and blogs and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. When this posts, I'll still be on the road (maybe away from the computer GASP!) so I put this list together late last week. To fill in the empty spaces, I left it up to Magical-Dawg and Seren-Kitty to pick out a couple of favorite videos.
WEIRD & FUNNY SCHTUFF
Excuses–You Want Excuses? a whole slew of laugh-out-loud insurance excuses from Colin Falconer (hey, you need to check out his BOOK too!)
Stacy Green's Glover for Lovers If you've got cold appendages, this blog has the answer for you. Stacy also writes a Thriller Thursday blog that's a must-read.
KEWL WRITER SCHTUFF
Guest Blogger Jodi Renner on Killer Thriller Tips from the awesome Doug Lyle's blog.
Pearson Wants MORE Rights, read about it in this Writer Beware post.
Jenny Hansen's Awesome Formatting Tips for Writers
Lessons From Attila/Designing From Bones Blog from the awesome Gene Lempp–writers can learn a lot from these strong characters
Pets for Kids Poetry Contest, great pastime for creative kids over the holiday vacation
On Being Vulnerable–great post by blogger Nissi
FURRY-TASTIC PET SCHTUFF
Baggage Handler Fired for Helping Dog She did the right thing. What would YOU do?
Ease Travel Angst with Travel Calm from Earth Heart Inc.
EXTREME DOG WALKING This man takes his 16 dogs out for a bike ride and swim in a river every day. Look how well trained they are and how much they love him. By the time they return home, they are exhausted and ready for a good rest.
Cat Inherits $13 Million, now that's the cat's meow!
PETSIDE.COM Holiday Sweeps, take a survey and get in line for $500
ProCATinator from the uber-evil Karyl Cunningham! cats doing CAT things to music–weirdly addictive.
Vir-Chew-Al Pet Gifts quite a variety and a really nice (truly!) gang of pet lovers run this show.
FRACTAL FELINES: This video is awesome–and IMO rates pretty high on the OOOK factor. What do you think? These Fractal Felines are enough to give Magical-Dawg nightmares but I think Seren sort of likes it.
CATS WITH THUMBS commercial just won an award! Awesome. Wonder if there's a movie in the making?
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HOMECOMING FOR THE HOWL-IDAYS: Here's another video and the Magical-Dawg chose this one. It's one of my favs, too. What about you?
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MR. BEAN'S NATIVITY GAMES Admit it, you've wanted to do this!
HALLELUJIA CHORUS: Right in time for the holidays, this came across my virtual desk and I just had to share. Feel free to sing along.
#AskAmy Sweet Tweets
Folks who "follow" me on Twitter @amyshojai and @About_Puppies are the most awesome Sweet Tweets around–they love #cats and #dogs and #pets, many #amwriting. Just follow and include the #AskAmy in your tweets if'n you're interested in pithy links to articles, books, blogs, experts, fictioning and sparkle-icity!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? 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 with pet book give-aways!
Filed under: Monday Mentions, Wags & Purrs, Writing Tips Tagged: Amy Shojai, fractal cats, http://www.amyshojai.com, http://www.shojai.com, military homecoming dogs, pet books, video, writing, writing tips
December 15, 2011
Feline Friday: Christmas Sparkles
Naked tummy--Seren(dipity) after her spay.
Crash-galumph-galumph-skiiiiiiid-thump!
"Amy! Will you please get your cat before she tears up the house?"
I sighed, and pushed away from the computer. My husband grew up cat-less. Mahmoud neither understood nor appreciated kitten antics, especially while he watched television sports.
Crash-galumph-galumph-skiiiiiiid-thump!
"Ameeeeeeee!"
By the sound of it, the eight-month-old delinquent had donned virtual racing stripes. She ran laps that traversed the carpeted living room and family room, slid across the oak floor entry, bumped down steps to the dining room, then finished with a claw-scrabbling turn around the slate-tiled kitchen.
Thumpa-thumpata-thumpa-THUMP!
Aha, a new path discovered . . . The sound grew louder as she raced toward me up the stairs and flew down the hallway to land tippy-toed on the guest bed across the hall from my office. I peeked inside.
Seren(dipity) stared back with blue-jean-colored eyes. Then she self-inflated in mock terror and began trampoline calisthenics (boing-boing-boing) on the mattress.
I quickly shut the door, confining the demon seed–my husband's name for her–to my upstairs domain.
Back in June, a friend discovered the dumped kitten napping in an empty flowerpot on the back porch and called me, her pet-writer buddy, for help. I had been pet-less for longer than I cared to admit. E-mail, phone and fax lines kept me connected to my clients and colleagues, but I figured the kitten would brighten the long, sometimes lonely workdays. Besides, as a pet writer I needed a pet. So it was Amy-to-the-rescue, and love at first sight.
My husband wasn't so easily smitten. He still missed our elderly and sedate German shepherd but cherished the freedom of being pet-less. I convinced him a lap-snuggling kitten would be no trouble. Besides, the cream-color carpet he'd chosen matched the color of Seren's fur. It had to be an omen.
The cat gods have a wicked sense of humor. They made me pay for that fib.
The Siamese wannabe had no off-switch. She talked nonstop and demanded the last word. She opened drawers and explored kitchen cabinets. She answered my office phone but never took messages. And she left legions of sparkle ball toys everywhere.
The colorful toys polka-dotted the stairs. You'd think a peacock exploded. The toys floated in the kitten's water bowl, swirled in the toilet, and bobbed in my coffee cup. And Seren hid sparkle balls everywhere to later stalk and paw-capture them from beneath household appliances.
Mahmoud quickly learned to check his shoes each morning before putting them on. He was not amused. I knew better than to suggest he should be grateful Seren only stuffed his shoes with sparkle balls and not–ahem–other items.
I'd managed to buffer the cat-shock-effect over the past months by keeping her in my office during the day and wearing Seren out with lots of games before Mahmoud came home from work. Weekends proved a challenge. By Monday morning, my husband reached his kitty threshold and welcomed a return to the cat-free-zone at work.
But now the holidays loomed. Mahmoud looked forward to two weeks at home, two weeks of relaxation, two weeks of napping on the couch in front of the TV.
Two weeks sharing the house with "the devil."
It would indeed be a Christmas miracle if we survived with sense of humor intact.
In the past we'd often visited my folks over the holidays where we enjoyed a traditional snowy Indiana Christmas morning, stocking stuffers, decorated tree, lots of relatives, and a sumptuous turkey dinner. This year we planned a quiet celebration at home in Texas, so snow wasn't an option. But I wanted to decorate with lots of holiday sparkles to make the season as festive as possible.
"A Christmas tree? Don't cats climb trees?" Mahmoud's you-must-be-insane expression spoke volumes. He'd already blamed Seren for dumping his coffee on the cream-colored carpet. Maybe matching fur color wasn't such a great omen after all.
But 'tis the season of peace on earth, and I wanted to keep the peace–and the cat. So I agreed. No tree.
Mahmoud didn't particularly care if we decorated at all since Christmas isn't a part of his cultural or religious tradition. But he knew I treasured everything about the holidays. So we compromised.
Gold garland with red velvet poinsettias festooned the curving staircase, wrapping around and around the banisters and handrail. Gold beads draped the fireplace mantel, with greeting cards propped above. A red cloth adorned the dining room table, while in the living room, the candelabra with twelve scented candles flickered brightly from inside the fireplace. Other candles in festive holders decorated the several end tables, countertops and the piano.
The centerpiece of Christmas décor was the large glass-top coffee table placed midway between the fireplace, TV and the leather sofa. The wooden table base carried puppy teeth marks, silent reminders of the dog Mahmoud and I still mourned. Since we had no tree, the table served to display brightly wrapped packages that fit underneath out of the way. And on top of the table I placed Grandma's lovely three-piece china nativity of Mary, Joseph and the Baby in the manger.
Grandma died several years before, right after the holidays. Each family member was encouraged to request something of hers to keep as a special remembrance, and I treasured Grandma's nativity. The simple figurines represented not only the Holy Family but evoked the very essence of Grandma and every happy family holiday memory.
Of course, Seren created her own memories and put her paw into everything. It became her purpose in life to un-festoon the house. She "disappeared" three of the faux poinsettias, risked singed whiskers by sniffing candles, and stole bows off packages.
She decided the red tablecloth set off her feline beauty. She lounged in the middle of the table beneath the Tiffany-style shade that doubled as a heat lamp, shedding tiny hairs onto the fabric. As every cat lover eventually learns, fur is a condiment. But Mahmoud had not yet joined the cat-lover ranks and was not amused.
"Off! Get off the table. Amy, she'll break your glass lampshade."
Crash-galumph-galumph-skiiiiiiid-thump!
Mahmoud had no sooner resettled onto the sofa to watch the TV when the whirling dervish hit again. The twinkling gold beads dangling from the mantel caught her predatory attention. Seren stalked them from below, quickly realized she couldn't leap that high, and settled for pouncing onto the top of the TV. From there, only a short hop separated her from the ferocious mantel quarry she'd targetted.
"Off! Get off the TV. Amy, will you come get your cat?"
Crash-galumph-galumph-skiiiiiiid-thump!
I arrived in time to see her complete a second Mario Andretti lap. I swear she grinned at us as she skidded past. With the next drive-by Seren stopped long enough to grab my ankle, execute a ten-second feline headstand while bunny-kicking my calves, then resumed her mad dash around the house.
Mahmoud glared. "I thought you said cats sleep sixteen hours a day."
I shrugged and hid a smile. Seren had already learned what buttons to push. Rattling the wooden window blinds worked extremely well, but now she need only eye the decorations to garner all the attention she craved.
Cute kitty. Smart kitty. Mahmoud wasn't amused, but I was.
She raced into the living room, leaped onto the glass top table, and belly-flopped alongside my treasured Holy Family . . .
"Off! Get off." Mahmoud shooed the kitten out of the danger zone before I could react in shock. This time, I was not amused.
Mahmoud knew what Grandma's nativity meant to me. "Decorating was your idea. Don't blame me if the devil breaks something," he warned.
Before he could suggest it, I caught the miscreant and gave her a time out in the laundry room to cool her jets. We'd relegated Seren's potty, food bowls and bed to this room and routinely confined her at night or when away. Otherwise, she set off motion detectors and the house alarm–or dismantled the house while we slept. Besides, Mahmoud complained Seren's purring kept him awake at night.
I used a wooden yardstick to fish toys from beneath the washer/dryer to provide necessary feline entertainment during the incarceration. Several dozen sparkle balls–red, orange, yellow, green, blue, pink, purple–and the three missing faux poinsettias emerged, along with an assortment of dust bunnies and dryer lint.
I sighed. The kitten's age meant several more months of madcap activity and I wasn't sure how much more Mahmoud could take. He only saw Seren at full throttle. He also suffered from "Saint Spot Syndrome" which meant he recalled only the happy memories of our beloved dog, and overlooked potty accidents, chewed shoes and other normal canine misbehavior of the past.
Seren suffered mightily in the comparison.
I felt exhausted after the first week of running vacation interference between my husband and the kitten. Whenever possible I kept Seren confined with me in my upstairs office but that backfired. She slept in my office, but once downstairs she turned into a dynamo intent on pick-pick-picking at Mahmoud especially when he ignored her.
The second week began, and as Christmas drew near I found more and more errands that required my attention outside of the house. Mahmoud came with me for some, but other times he preferred TV.
"Just lock up the devil before you leave so she doesn't bother me," he said. "I don't want to watch her."
It made me nervous to leave them alone together in the house. I worried that Seren might commit some last straw infraction and I'd be unable to salvage any potential relationship. I loved her, heaven help me; she'd hooked her claws deep into my heart. And I loved Mahmoud. I wanted my two loves to at least put up with each other.
But as I prepared to leave I couldn't find her. At less than five pounds, Seren could hide in the tiniest spaces. One time I found her inside the box springs of the guest bed, but that day–December 23rd–she disappeared and refused to come out of hiding.
I think she planned it. Maybe the spirit of the holidays inspired her. Or perhaps some other loving canine (or grandmotherly) influence worked its Christmas magic. Whatever the motivation, when I returned home that rainy December evening, my unspoken holiday wish had been granted.
I found my husband napping on the sofa. On the glass top table beside him the Holy Family nested in a radiance of sparkle balls–an inspired feline gift of toys for a very special Child.
And atop Mahmoud's chest, quiet at last, rested a very happy kitten.
Mahmoud roused enough to open one eye. "Fafnir–I mean Seren still purrs too loud," he grumbled.
Fafnir had been the name of our dog.
With a nod toward the overcast day Mahmoud added, "At least our cat won't need to be walked in the rain."
Seren blinked blue-jean-colored eyes and purred louder.
Note: HOLIDAY SPARKLES first appeared in a short story collection titled Christmas Cats: A Literary Companion (Chamberlain Bros. Publishing). May your Christmas be joyous, bright, and filled with loving woofs and purrs. ads
AskAmy Sweet Tweets
Folks who "follow" me on Twitter @amyshojai and @About_Puppies are the most awesome Sweet Tweets around–they love #cats and #dogs and #pets, many #amwriting. Just follow and include the #AskAmy in your tweets if'n you're interested in pithy links to articles, books, blogs, experts, fictioning and sparkle-icity!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? 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 with pet book give-aways!
Filed under: Furry Fridays Tagged: Amy Shojai, cat behavior, cats, Christmas cats, Complete Kitten Care, http://www.amyshojai.com, http://www.shojai.com, short story, writing
December 14, 2011
Woof Wednesday: Pet Proof Christmas & Broken Memories
Holiday homes become pet playgrounds at this time of year. Cats delight in un-decking the halls and climbing the tree. Dogs eat decorations and baptize the tree. The result is a holiday that's anything but merry. My latest Paw Nation article addresses some of the most common holiday safety issues for pets with how to pet proof your holiday.
Dogs and especially puppies chew nearly anything, including plants. Cats rarely eat plants, but they do claw them and then lick/groom away the residue. Fireplaces offer extra warmth and atmosphere to holiday gatherings, but can prompt singed whiskers or burned paws.
Gobbling any sort of candy may cause vomiting and/or diarrhea. But some food items can actually kill your pet.
Holiday trees pose additional challenges for pet families. Refer to these tips to keep your pets safe and your holiday happy.
If you're planning to board your dogs over the holidays, I urge you to keep him safe with proper vaccinations for kennel cough. You can learn more here about this highly contagious disease in my latest puppy-licious article here.
The holidays is an awful time of year to run short of funds for pet care. For those wanting to make a big difference in the lives of needy pet owners–and their pets–perhaps you'd like to donate to a Good Samaritan fund for vet care help. Or maybe you need a little extra help this year. Here's a list of several organizations that will help you with vet bills.
MENDED TEARS
Holidays mean memories and damage to "things" may matter more at this time of year than others. My grandmother always displayed a gorgeous white porcelain nativity each year. That nativity symbolized for me all-good-things about Grandma's house and Christmas–good food, happy reunions, presents, and love shared by our close-nit family. So when Grandma died, I was blessed to keep her Nativity and continue to display it in my own home.
When Seren-kitty arrived, I was nervous about her rambunctious behavior around the Holy Family. But it wasn't until a decade later that the worst happened while my husband played his nightly fetch game with the dog–it could have been me, so there's no blame here. The Magical-Dawg's ball ricocheted off of the delicate nativity and managed to behead Joseph and lop off Mary's hand.Sounds funny, right?
I had a melt down. You probably could hear my scream for miles and the sobs lasted days. It wasn't just china, a THING damaged. It was my personal Christmas, my Grandma, childhood happy times–shattered.
Eventually I stopped crying. There was no question of replacing the pieces–they're hard to find and besides, it was THAT nativity that meant everything to me. We did find a restoration expert able to give Mary back her hand and replace Joseph's head right in time for the next Christmas. So this weekend, Grandma's Nativity once again will add to our personal traditions and holiday happiness.
And the Magical-Dawg's games of fetch are suspended until after New Year's, at least inside the house! Hey, it wasn't the dog's fault. But it's up to us humans to protect what's important to us–not just our pets but our memories.
What do you do to keep your Christmas memories safe from doggy damage? Does the baby-gate-of-despair keep the tree and poochie free from harm? Have you ever "lost your head" over holiday damage?
#AskAmy Sweet Tweets
Folks who "follow" me on Twitter @amyshojai and @About_Puppies are the most awesome Sweet Tweets around–they love #cats and #dogs and #pets, many #amwriting. Just follow and include the #AskAmy in your tweets if'n you're interested in pithy links to articles, books, blogs, experts, fictioning and sparkle-icity!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? 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 with pet book give-aways!
Filed under: Howls & Hisses, Woof Wednesdays Tagged: Amy Shojai, Ask Amy, cat books, Christmas trees, dog books, dogs, holiday safety, http://www.amyshojai.com, http://www.shojai.com, Paw Nation, puppies.About.com
December 13, 2011
Tuesday Tips: Timely Themes, Hot Topics & Global Concepts
Welcome to my new series on nonfiction book proposals. Over the next several Tuesday Tips I'll cover some of the meat-and-potatoes of choosing topics, researching ideas, and putting together a winning nonfiction book proposal. While I write primarily about pets, the same ingredients for your nonfiction book stew are the same–it's just the seasoning and presentation that may vary. I've given this talk at any number of writers conferences over the years. After writing 23 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.
Last week discussed the IDEA TREE. Today we're covering topic choice.
Can't...keep...the secret...any longer!
TIMELY THEMES, HOT TOPICS
"Where do you get your ideas?" That's a question every author I know gets asked time after time. Because all of you bling-followers are such fantastic folks and know how to KEEP A SECRET (shhhhhhhhh!), I'll share with you how every successful author gets their ideas. Lean close to the computer now, and read quietly and pinky-promise you won't spill the beans. Because we authors are stingy about who we let into the club and not even bribes (CHOCOLATE) with spectacular benefits (BLING-ICITY) and good taste (CHEETOS and SPARKLY CAT SOCKS) will get you this info anywhere else. Are you ready? Here's the secret.
Successful authors get book ideas from the IDEA BOOK, and you only get a copy and key to the inner sanctum by joining the club and paying dues (chocolate, bling, cheetos et al).
Okay, I'm a sick, twisted puppy and had my little fun. Now on to the real answer.
Authors get ideas anywhere and everywhere. Ideas trip you up crossing the street or falling asleep or arguing with your kid/pet or watching a sunset. Ideas gob-smack you when least expected. When looking for nonfiction topics there are three prime fishing holes for me:
1. Newspapers, Magazines, Media
What's in the news? Read headlines, not just the first page but the back of the book. Often the best ideas are those buried deep in the magazine or in some esoteric blog link or online article. Several years ago, cloning pets was the biggest NO-SH*T??? concept around. With the Missyplicity Project and CopyCat Program in my own back yard in Texas, it had to go in a book. Oh, and on the Pet Peeves radio show Cloning Around.
"And then he said...and then I said...and are you LISTENING?!"
2. Eavesdrop
Hey, fiction writers do this all the time. They listen for dialogue, emotional tags, quirks of conversation and more that offer texture and realism to a made-up-story. Nonfiction authors should do this, too. But rather than just listen for the dialogue or how X's eyebrow caterpillars his brow when excited (okay, that's a bit much…), listen to WHAT they talk about. Water cooler conversations are rich in what interests the masses. Is it a topic that could be a book? or part of a book? If people are talking, you should listen.
3. Fairy Gifts
I'm talking serendipity–not my cat's name but those "happy accidents" that just happen. Watch out for unexpected opportunities. How many people shared funny cat (or dog) pictures and created silly captions for holiday or other events? ICANHAZCheezburger took that concept to the next level with website, blog, and books galore.
Big ideas mean a larger readership.
THE GLOBAL CONCEPT
Once you have your idea (from your own persona IDEA BOOK or whatever) ask yourself these questions:
Is it "Big Enough" for a book?
My pet cloning idea was great but seriously, could I write a whole book about the subject? No. It became a part of a larger work that encompassed a variety of "cutting edge" care for pets. But that cloning concept still made for a great hook and marketing bullet that got some attention when Pet Care in the New Century appeared.
Competition
Are other books on the topic available? That's actually a GOOD THING because it means an audience exists. When existing books already do a good job of covering the topic, you'll need a "fresh take" on this proven subject.
Beware book ideas that have never been done–there's usually a very good reason why. Perhaps the topic is too narrow to interest a large readership. Or perhaps there have never before been experts able to bring the topic to public attention. Are you that expert? If not, are experts available that you can access?
Where do you find your book ideas? If you write articles, are there topics that stick in your brain and won't let you go–is that a potential starting point for a book? For columnists and bloggers, do your followers clamor for more and more? Would a compilation of your work make a great book? Remember, "Marley & Me" evolved from previously published newspaper columns.
#AskAmy Sweet Tweets
Folks who "follow" me on Twitter @amyshojai and @About_Puppies are the most awesome Sweet Tweets around–they love #cats and #dogs and #pets, many #amwriting. Just follow and include the #AskAmy in your tweets if'n you're interested in pithy links to articles, books, blogs, experts, fictioning and sparkle-icity!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? 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 with pet book give-aways!
Filed under: Pet Peeves Radio, Tuesday Tips, Writing Tips Tagged: Amy Shojai, Ask Amy, books, cat books, cloning pets, dog books, how to write proposals, http://www.amyshojai.com, http://www.shojai.com, nonfiction books, pet books, Pet Peeves radio, pets, writing
December 12, 2011
Monday Mentions: Severed Heads, Writing Fines & Star Trek Cats
What every kitty wants in her Catmas stocking...
Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo links and blogs and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. My little cat Seren(dipity) slipped this picture under my pillow as a heavy handed…I mean, pawed, hint. I'm sure all the fur-kids have their own personal wish list. I think the Magical-Dawg has something stinky in mind.
As for me, I'm climbing aboard a plane and traveling to visit my parents and siblings in Northern Indiana, yay! It's been way too long since I've seen everyone. That means, though, that I must meet my deadlines earlier rather than later. The blogs–well, I have plans to get them done in advance but who knows if that'll happen? Santa's Elves may have their own plans.
PET SCHTUFF
Help With Vet Bills Yes, there are organizations that help fund pet care. They rely on donations–wouldn't it be a great holiday gift to be a Good Samaritan and fund helping someone's needy pet? *s*
Dog People vs Cat People some interesting differences revealed in this survey.
Vegan Cat Food? Oh no! Check out this post from my colleague JaneA Kelley.
Demon Dawg–I wouldn't want to be a vet on THIS critter! Gene Lempp once more offers great plot idea starters in his Designing From the Bones blog post.
3-D Doggy Anatomy, this is wild and awesome technology! For those writing about canine issues, not to be missed. And fun for anyone.
WRITING SCHTUFF
Conflict In Novels an awesome post from Bob Mayer
Using Track Changes from Jenny Hansen, priceless tips for editing
Jan Morrill's Blog with some great writerly links in her mashup
Do's & Don'ts About Email Marketing from the always awesome Lorie Huston
SEO Mistakes are you committing any of these?
Bloggers Get No Respect–or Protection! This blogger was fined $2.5 MILLION, don't let it happen to you.
10 Rules of Writing–Best Checklist EVER for novelists posted by Heather Webb with kind permission from Janis Hubschman
KDP Select Program–read the fine print, from Writer Beware, and more about it from Kait Nolan and yet another from David Gaughran.
Left Coast Crime Convention Left Coast Crime mystery convention will be in Sacramento, CA March 2013. Prices go up at the end of this year, so register before the deadline for the best deal. Author John Lescroart is our Guest of Honor, and James Rollins will also be in attendance, along
with some other great authors.
WEIRD-ASS-TERICK SCHTUFF
Myths About Introverts Are you an extrovert, an introvert or–well, how is YOUR brain wired?
Olympic Pole Dancing ain't for sissies or introverts…wait, maybe it is! Hilarious post and videos from Piper Bayard
#AskAmy Sweet Tweets
Folks who "follow" me on Twitter @amyshojai and @About_Puppies are the most awesome Sweet Tweets around–they love #cats and #dogs and #pets, many #amwriting. Just follow and include the #AskAmy in your tweets if'n you're interested in pithy links to articles, books, blogs, experts, fictioning and sparkle-icity!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? 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 with pet book give-aways!
Filed under: Kindle, Monday Mentions, Video, Writing Tips Tagged: Amy Shojai, cat books, cats, dog books, dogs, help with vet bills, how to writing, http://www.amyshojai.com, http://www.shojai.com, severed heads, star trek cats, vegan cat food, writers conference, writing, writing fines
December 9, 2011
Feline Friday: 12 Weird Cat Behaviors Explained
Yes, this is a repeat of a previous blog post but I've many more followers since it first appeared. And frankly, I'm at deadline on a number of projects so–DO-OVER TIME! Enjoy!
We love them but cat behavior can puzzle and frustrate owners, making us think we have a weird cat. Does your cat eat weird things? Seren-kitty (above) can't get enough of roses. Some cats act like battering rams, and pummel their special humans with head butts and body rubs. It's called bunting behavior, and is one way cats communicate with each other, and their humans.
Why do cats pose in a quirky front-end bow with their nether regions raised? I call it elevator butt, although there's a more polite technical name for the display. And what's up with presenting his tail to your face? Actually, your cat's action is a backhanded compliment and kitty-correct.
Do your cats cover their–ahem–creative efforts? Not all cats do this, and some try to cover their food bowl. How weird is that? Especially when they seem to prefer eating plastic.
Does your cat want to phone home? Is kitty jealous of your time with the telephone? or maybe they want attention when you're on the computer? This quirky behavior also has a logical explanation. Learn about 12 weird cat behaviors, why cats do them, and how you can learn to live with them – or even enjoy your quirky kitty's antics.
What are your cats' foibles? Every cat is different, of course. My Seren-kitty, for instance, adores Philly cream cheese and has learned how to get the Magical-Dawg in trouble. She just "meow-meow-meows" so he comes running, and then her head spins around and she throws a hissy fit and chases the 90-pound lug across the room. How do your cats express their "inner creative kitty?"
#AskAmy Sweet Tweets
Folks who "follow" me on Twitter @amyshojai and @About_Puppies are the most awesome Sweet Tweets around–they love #cats and #dogs and #pets, many #amwriting. Just follow and include the #AskAmy in your tweets if'n you're interested in pithy links to articles, books, blogs, experts, fictioning and sparkle-icity!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? 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 with pet book give-aways!
Filed under: Feline Fridays, Wags & Purrs Tagged: Amy Shojai, Ask Amy, behavior problems, cat behavior, cat health, cats, dog health, http://www.amyshojai.com, http://www.shojai.com, kittens
December 8, 2011
KURVES, the MUSICAL CAST
L-R, back row: Joe Maglio, Cheri Anderson, Craig Sturm, Johnny Flowers, Frank Steele; Middle L-R, Amy Shojai, Theresa Littlefield; Front: Leah Martin
Local playwrights, co-authors Amy Shojai and Frank Steele, have cast KURVES, THE MUSICAL with eight popular local performers. The original show features twelve catchy songs, an ensemble cast, and laugh out loud dialogue. KURVES, THE MUSICAL will be performed for three nights only, February 2, 3, 4, 2012 at The Rialto Theater in Denison, Texas.
Frank Steele directs the show. He has appeared in many TV and radio commercials, movies and TV shows including DALLAS. He taught drama for twenty-seven years and has appeared in over fifty plays as an actor or professional musician. "I've co-written several benefit shows," says Steele, "including the sold-out Star-Struck Night musical benefit with Amy Shojai, produced for Theatricks some years ago."
Shojai directs the music. She is best known as a local author with 23 published pet books. "But I have a degree in music and love composing and performing," she says. "Frank Steele and I have acted and written together, so we decided to combine forces to write fun and poignant characters that we'd like to perform." She has acted in several dozen plays in six states, and made countless TV and radio appearances both locally and nationally, including Animal Planet appearances as an expert. KURVES is her third co-written show.
Eight quirky characters, misfits all, become trapped inside Kurves, a woman's gym. The cast remains onstage the entire show. Despite failed attempts to find happiness and true love, they finally succeed—but in unexpected ways.
THE CAST
Steele plays the cross-dressing Maxine/Max who owns the women's gym and sings the title song "Kurves."
Shojai plays Celia, the sequin-wearing visitor to Kurves who sings "Dreams For Sale."
Cheri Anderson is cast as the many-times-married Mabel, director of a soup kitchen, and sings the rousing gospel number "Suck It Up, Sweetheart." She has performed in many local theater productions, including all three Smoke On The Mountain shows and the recent Ring Of Fire music review. She has performed gospel, bluegrass, country and classic rock-n-roll and performs with a number of country musicians in the area. She works as a Paralegal at Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Joplin P.C. in McKinney.
Theresa Littlefield is cast as mousy poetry teacher Jane who transforms from plain-to-sparkling in the duet "Poetry & Jazz." Theresa has been in numerous college, church, and community productions. She is an active member of the First United Methodist Church choir and handbell choir. She often plays saxophone for high school plays and church programs. She is a counselor at Fairview Elementary in Sherman.
Leah Martin is cast as newlywed Ronnie, and sings about her insecurities in the plaintive song, "The Picture." Leah has logged countless hours working backstage with Sherman Community Players and has performed leading roles in The Mousetrap and The Miracle Worker. She most recently appeared in The Big Friendly Giant, and has appeared in the City of Sherman "Can the Trash" commercial. She works as a Nanny for Dr. Clint Hayes and his wife Sunni's children.
Johnny Flowers is the inept but lovable movie-quoting robber Fingers who laments his lack of finesse in the song, "Silver Screen Blues." Johnny has been active in community theater for the past 30 years. Most recently he delighted audiences in productions of The Odd Couple, Arsenic & Old Lace, and Smoke On the Mountain III. Johnny is also involved in the Music Ministry at Parkside Baptist Church in Denison. He is a graduate of Grayson County College and works in the produce department for the Sherman Kroger's Store.
Joe Maglio plays ladies' man Boots and sings, "You're The Chick For Me." He was one of the original dancers on American Bandstand and will show off smooth moves in Kurves. He attended Lon Morris School of Drama and worked for eleven years as technical director at Finley Playhouse. He graduated from Southeaster School of Theatre in 1988, moved to Hollywood and was active with Group Repertory Theatre in North Hollywood. Joe is a member of the Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, and this year serves on the nominating committee for the SAG awards. KURVES marks his return to performance after a 19-year retirement.
Craig Sturm plays Ronnie's husband, Troy Chadwick Noonan IV, who literally holds the key to Kurves and ties up all loose ends in the song, "Life Happens." Craig has seen over 80 Broadway musicals, and has performed in many musicals both in the orchestra pit as a percussionist, and on stage. Craig brought the butler character to life in the Finley's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2003. He is a gifted arranger and composer, often sharing original compositions at Trinity Lutheran Church where he serves as pastor.
KURVES begins rehearsals on January 2, 2012. Mickie Martin serves as stage manager, Trinity Lutheran Church offers rehearsal space, and Garrett Guymon and The Rialto provides the performance venue. Further information about tickets will be available soon.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: acting, Amy Shojai, musical theater, songwriting, theater, writing
