Long Lost Dog Found!

I included in my blog a few weeks ago how sad I was when a local dog went missing. I don’t know its owner, so I’m unaware whether that pup returned home. How sad if it didn’t! And since I still see flyers here and there that were posted then, I suspect the poor thing is still gone.

What got my attention this week was a really wonderful story about a dog being returned to a child after being missing for five years. Rocco the beagle was microchipped, so I don’t know why he wasn’t returned home sooner--unless whoever took him in and moved him to another part of the country didn’t know, or care, that he might have had a home and people who loved and missed him.

The person who missed him most was only 5 years old when Rocco disappeared from his home in Queens, New York. He was found 850 miles away, in Georgia. The article I first read about him said that he didn’t seem to remember the little girl, Natalie, who’d been devastated when he disappeared. Meantime, her family had acquired another dog who apparently wasn’t pleased to have her territory muscled in on by this interloper.

But Natalie and Rocco appeared on The Today Show yesterday along with a couple of other human family members. Natalie is 11 now, and unsurprisingly seemed a bit overwhelmed with her sudden notoriety. Rocco was calm and seemed to be in good health, although they pointed out a scar over one ear.

I tried Googling microchips to find out how successful they have been in reuniting pets with owners. There are at least a couple of different systems. With both, once the chip is inserted into the pet, the owner has to keep information up to date with the tracking systems. Apparently, they’re fairly successful in getting owners and pets back together--although if someone picks up a wandering animal, and chooses not to try to find the owner, having the pet microchipped obviously won’t help. But if the lost pet is taken to a shelter or a vet, a scan is usually done so the pet can be reunited with his/her family.

Both of my Cavaliers are chipped, although I of course hope there will never be any reason for it. I don’t know whether I’ve ever addressed that Lexie, the Cavalier owned by Kendra Ballantyne, the protagonist of my pet-sitter mysteries, also is chipped. That’s something I should probably clarify in a future book. Kendra would have certainly done the right thing--everything to ensure her Lexie is cared for in the best way possible.

Sure, there are supposed downsides. It may hurt to get the chip injected. Maybe they move and are hard to find to scan. And, if enough tests are done, perhaps lab rats or mice develop problems.

But I think it’s a real kick to hear about a situation like Rocco--who’d been taken to a shelter and probably had his life in jeopardy--to finally, after so many years and miles, get home.

What do you think--are your pets chipped?


--Linda

Pet-People for President!

Okay, I know it’s not a great idea to talk politics on a blog devoted to mysteries, especially cozy mysteries involving hobbies.

But I happened to see some interesting commentary on how pet lovers are likely to vote for the presidential candidates. Supposedly, they will prefer John McCain over Barack Obama. McCain is said to own a couple of dogs, two turtles, a cat, a ferret, three parakeets and some saltwater fish. Obama supposedly has no pets.

On the other hand, I also saw an interview with Obama’s family. One of his daughters was asked what the big event in November would be. She said that they would be getting a dog. Sure, that’s not as many pets as the McCains have. But it also indicates to voters that the Obamas aren’t pet haters.

I’ve also seen that the American Kennel Club is giving Obama advice on the type of dog his family should adopt. The frontrunners? Bichon Frise, Chinese crested, poodle, soft coated Wheaten Terrier or miniature Schnauzer.

Why these breeds, you ask? So did I. I consequently went to the website where the American public can vote for one of these for the Obamas, by August 19 (although I’m not sure of the significance of the date, if no dog will be adopted by the family until November): www.presidentialpup.com
The criteria: hypoallergenic coat; child-friendly; a good travel companion (aboard Air Force One); moderate energy level; and a stable and social temperament - meaning, visitor-friendly.

I suspect that my older son’s Puli would have fit these criteria, too, since her coat is also hypoallergenic, and she’s an absolute sweetheart--although, as a Hungarian sheepdog, she might herd children and the press corps. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not hypoallergenic but would otherwise fit as well.

I don’t think I’ll base my vote on who appears to be the best pet-lover, although I’d most likely vote against anyone who clearly hated pets.

How about you? Are you going to vote for which dog the Obamas should adopt? Will you consider pet-affinity as a criterion about casting your presidential vote?

I suspect that Kendra Ballantyne, my pet-sitting, pet-loving mystery protagonist, would at least consider dog-friendliness as a consideration for the chief executive of our country...

--Linda

The Mystique of Series

I’ve been writing for a while. My first published novels were mostly time travel romances, all of them stand-alone stories that had no sequels. I soon started writing Harlequin Intrigues, and, again, each story mostly stood by itself--although in one instance I was asked to write a book in a miniseries in which other authors wrote the related books.

And then I began writing the Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mysteries. DOUBLE DOG DARE, which was published in June, is the sixth in the series, and Kendra will have at least three more adventures. I adore writing the Kendra books!

I’m also writing Silhouette Nocturnes. My first, ALPHA WOLF, will be a January 2009 release, and another one about a woman with Valkyrie powers will be published in June 2009 (the title isn’t certain yet). When I sold ALPHA WOLF, I had ideas for sequels, since the hero of the book is a werewolf who’s a member of a very Special Ops military unit, Alpha Force, composed largely of shapeshifters. At the time, I was told that sequels might not be in the cards, since there were already so many miniseries within Nocturne. That’s why I went to Valkyries instead of more shapeshifters. However, readers apparently like Nocturne miniseries. I’ll also have a Nocturne Bites e-published in January 2009--a novella, and my second e-story. (I did a short Kendra story for Amazon Shorts.) I haven’t written my Bites yet, but it will star a member of the Alpha Force. Perhaps there could be other Alpha Force stories to come. In any event, I’ve introduced some other Valkyrie sorts in my June 2009 book, and hope maybe to tell their stories, too. The possibility of one or more Nocturne series is a lot of fun, too.

So what’s a series? It’s more than one novel, where each follows in some way from the previous one(s). In a mystery series, there’s generally one primary protagonist who has a support cast appearing along with her (or him). In a romance series, though, each story focuses on the relationship between a different hero and heroine. There needs to be a satisfying ending regarding each relationship, in addition to whatever else happens in the plot, which also must be resolved. (I’m distinguishing a romance series from series romance here. Silhouette Nocturne, for example, is series, or category, romance. My Alpha Force novel and novella are potentially a romance miniseries which are Silhouette Nocturnes. Have I confused you enough?)

For someone who’s not the most organized person, I’ve found writing series a challenge. I have to keep track of people, pets, places, plots, time-lines, shapeshifters... lots of stuff! Thank heavens for computers. I’m able to keep lists of important details, and add to them as needed.

But I’ve always enjoyed reading other peoples’ series, and now I take great pleasure in writing them, too.

How about you--do you enjoy reading series? Writing series? What do you like most about them? Least?

--Linda

Personality Puppy

Yesterday was Mystie’s six-month birthday. Mystie (short for Mystique) is my younger Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. We adopted her about 4 months ago, and she has been an absolute delight--as well as a real canine character.

I’ve been owned by Cavaliers for many years, and I have to say that Mystie is definitely unique. She’s cute, but that’s a given for Cavaliers. She’s the Blenheim coloration--white and red--although her fur is still puppy-short. Even so, her ears are growing into fluffy and long Cavalier ears.

It’s her personality, though, that’s so winning. We got her partly because Lexie, who is five years old now, became very needy after we lost her dear Cavalier friend Sparquie last year. Mystie and Lexie get along famously. I don’t think Lexie has much choice. Mystie always goads her into playing by chewing on her ears and growling. Lexie retaliates by chasing Mystie, or stealing Mystie’s favorite toy of the moment and playing with it herself. They generally make every night a two dog night, curling up together no matter what the temperature is.

Mystie is the first Cavalier I’ve had who doesn’t immediately wolf down her food. I’m sure she’s not starving, since I do reward good behavior by treats, and she seems happiest with her evening meals when I give her a little canned food with her kibble. But she doesn’t like eating only dry food, which is, I believe, healthier for her. We’ve tried a couple of different puppy foods, and she’s more inclined to eat them if we put some pieces on the floor for her. And, no, it’s not the shape of her bowl that bothers her, since we’ve tried changing that, too. We have to keep Lexie away from Mystie at mealtime, since Lexie eats her own food fast and then goes after Mystie’s. And, yes, I occasionally put a couple of pieces of Lexie’s food into Mystie’s bowl, and they get gobbled first.

Mystie’s favorite pastime is playing Renfield (as in Dracula). She loves to chase flies. Not only that, but she also seems to think all reflections and shadows are kinds of insects to go after. She’s absolutely buggy over beams from a laser pointer, so much so that we’ve stopped using one around her since she’ll hunt for that “bug” for hours after it disappears, going into closets and under and behind furniture--anywhere a little creature could hang out, if it were real. Her housebreaking is not perfect, but she loves to go outside, especially into our dog run, to tear around after the insects buzzing there.

Then there’s her lovability. She leaps over furniture in a single bound. She jumps onto furniture occupied by me and stops, puts her paws around my neck, and starts kissing me.

Do you get the impression I love this pup. You’re right! Even so, my intention has always been for Lexie to be the alpha of their pack, and I encourage it. I also make sure that Lexie gets a whole lot of individual attention, since part of the point of getting Mystie was as a companion for Lexie, not to usurp her place in our household. I couldn’t possibly ignore Mystie, even if I wanted to, but Lexie is much more sensitive and will go off by herself if she thinks she’s being ignored--or if she thinks our scolding of Mystie for her sometimes inappropriate puppy ways is directed at Lexie. I make sure that Lexie is treated like the royalty she is, the primary pup of our family. She gets a whole lot of lap time, as much as she wants and sometimes when she doesn’t want it! Like right now, as I’m writing this. Of course she’s the first puppy love of this household.

Mystie knows some of the rudiments of doggy commands, but I hope to take her to puppy kindergarten soon. I don’t want to do anything that will change her cute personality, but she needs more limits, just like a child.

Lexie has always been inspirational in my Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mysteries. She’s absolutely the star of my series, since Kendra’s owned by a Lexie, too. But don’t be surprised if Kendra happens to meet a Mystie sometime in the future...

What’s your favorite puppy or kitty story? And how inspirational are your pets to your writing... or reading?

--Linda

Working Dogs

The American Kennel Club identifies dog breeds by group. One is the Working Group. But that’s not what I’m blogging about today. No, I want to cheer on the actual working dogs, dogs who fulfill a function that helps people, which people can’t necessarily do for themselves.

Some working dogs are companion dogs. There is at least one organization that provides canine assistance to people with emotional issues, such as post-traumatic stress syndrome. I can easily believe that people in difficult emotional situations are helped at least a little by hugging a non-judgmental canine companion who’s always delighted to be with them. Other dogs visit hospitals or hospices to help cheer up the patients, if only temporarily. I’ve also saved articles about local senior citizen homes where the seniors aren’t the only residents. Sometimes they’re permitted to bring their own pets, and other times the pets are there thanks to the homes’ management who understand that older folks who may have lost friends and family can be cheered tremendously by a happy pup.

Then there are the dogs who use their noses for people’s sake. Just this week, the news reported that a cadaver dog located the remains of a woman who had been missing for eight years. It was definitely not a good situation, but at least her poor family might reach closure now. Authorities brought the well-trained dog to the Mojave Desert, where he indicated interest in a particular spot. Sure enough, when the people dug, they found what the dog had scented.

Especially poignant these days are stories I read of military dogs who bond with their handlers in overseas assignments. Sometimes the soldiers ask to be buried with their dogs should they be killed while on duty. I’ve read that the dogs are sometimes given military ranks higher than their handlers’, both as an honor to the dogs for their devoted duty, and to ensure there would be some consequence to the handler should he or she mistreat his comrade in paws. Sometimes, the soldiers even work out a way to bring their canine partners home to the U.S. with them when their tour is over.

I write occasionally about working dogs in my Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series. Kendra’s pet-sitting assistant Rachel sometimes takes her dog Beggar to a senior citizens’ home to help cheer the residents. Others compete in reality shows. But I have more working canines in some of my upcoming Silhouette Nocturnes. ALPHA WOLF, the first one, which will be published in January 2009, includes military canines along with their human shapeshifting counterparts. The second one, to be published in June 2009, with the working title MORTAL OPTIONS, stars a lady cop who happens to have Valkyrie powers--and a K-9 partner.

Okay, so I love writing about dogs as much as I enjoy reading about them. But nothing compares with having them in the family!

What’s your favorite working dog story?

--Linda

Chicago and More

I had a fantastic time last weekend, in Chicago.

First, I was there for the bridal shower for my older son’s fiancée. The event was in Indiana, in a cute party room connected with a lounge. I had concerns about everyone’s safety going and coming because of all the tornadoes and thunderstorms in the area. Yes, there were showers on the shower. From what I heard, flooding occurred near the home of one of the attendees, but despite the power going off there wasn’t much effect on the party. Fortunately, the place was equipped with a generator, so the lights just blinked off, then on again.

I got to meet some of my son’s future in-laws (including a delightful dinner the night before with his fiancée’s parents) as well as family friends, and they were all delightful! Looks as if my son chose well in many ways.

I also had an opportunity to bond with my grand-puppy, my son’s Puli named Piper. She’s adorable and nearly as cuddly as my Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Most of all, I got to spend some time with my son and his fiancée. That’s what made it most worthwhile!

Coincidentally, the bridal shower was the same weekend as the Printers Row Book Fair sponsored by the Chicago Tribune. I was fortunate enough to be able to sign with lots of other nice mystery authors, first at the Big Sleep Books booth, and then at the Midwest Chapter of Mystery Writers of America booth. The hosts of both booths were fun and charming, and I sold and signed lots of books--including quite a few copies of my June release, DOUBLE DOG DARE, Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter’s sixth mystery! And, yes, it also rained on Printer’s Row, although at first I was scorched by the sun and drenched by the humidity. I grew up in a similar climate, in Pittsburgh, but I’ve lived in L.A. long enough not to be used to such unwieldy weather. I didn’t even remember my umbrella that day.

Okay, enough about that fun trip. Two other things I wanted to mention here.

First, I know most of you reading this are far from the Los Angeles area, but I wanted to mention a dog lost by one of my neighbors in the Hollywood Hills. She’s a little shih-tzu terrier mix named Moxie. We don’t know these neighbors but saw them searching for their baby, and since then have seen their posters and flyers all over the place. They’re even offering a reward. So, if any of you happen to see Moxie, please let me know and I’ll tell them. I’m just hoping she’s in the arms of a puppy-napper who is kind, if not honest, and not up in the hills here as coyote food. I’ve been watching for her for over a week, wishing I could help.

Also--I was also enthralled by a news story this week, especially after being in the tornado-prone Midwest. It was about a Rottweiler named Chase who was seen by a bunch of neighbors being lifted and twisted around in a twister--and lived to bark about it. Yay, Chase!

So... what’s the most exciting thing you’ve done this week? I’ll bet it can’t top mine! And have you seen poor Moxie...?

--Linda

Kendra’s--and My--New Adventure

Tuesday was the official availability date of Kendra’s latest adventure, DOUBLE DOG DARE. It’s my twentieth published novel. Do you imagine that, after so many, I’d get blasé about the whole thing?

Not!

I love writing, and I love being published. Nothing brought that home more to me recently than first seeing DOUBLE DOG DARE on a bookstore shelf. Plus, I attended part of BookExpo America last weekend and loved every exciting moment of it!

I spent much of Saturday helping to staff the Mystery Writers of America booth, where I ran into quite a few other mystery writers, local and not, who were there to give away books to people in the publishing industry and, hopefully, create hype for their creations. Me, too! My wonderful mystery publisher, Berkley, sent a box of DOUBLE DOG DARE books for me to autograph and give away. I felt almost giddy when I saw a line form, mostly people who knew the series and wanted the latest one. Wow!

I had the opportunity to visit other booths, too. Did I collect autographed books for myself? You bet! Plus, I met some delightful attendees at the booths of both of my current publishers: Berkley and Harlequin. I visited the Dorchester booth several times and talked with one of the nice people I’d met years ago when I wrote time travel and fairy tale romances published by them. I popped over to the nearby Romance Writers of America booth, too, to talk to the folks there.

I’m currently working on my second Silhouette Nocturne, so I was really glad that I visited the Harlequin booth in time to see a couple of Nocturne authors. I’m already excited about the series, but they helped to spur me to even greater enthusiasm!

Among the great people I met at the booth for the Penguin Group (USA), parent company to Berkley, were some folks who are involved with paperback sales. They even wanted me to send along some bookmarks for Kendra’s books for them to distribute. Of course I did!

DOUBLE DOG DARE is my only book being published this year, and I love it. I’ll also love next year when I’ll have at least one more Kendra book out--NEVER SAY STY--plus two Nocturnes and a Nocturne Bites (an e-novella!).

From some of the commentary I read after BEA, the book industry is feeling today’s economic crunch. Attendance may have been lower than at other BEAs. But in my humble opinion, books rule, and readers, too!


--Linda

Collecting Useful Junk... Er, Information

Too bad I didn’t save my tag for today’s blog. Maybe I wouldn’t be subjecting you to one of my pet peeves and pleasures about myself.

I’m a pack rat--except that, despite my enjoyment of pets, I’m not fond at all of rats, even of the pet kind. But when I think I may need something, sometime in the future, I have to collect it now. Even if I can’t find it again when I do need it. Or even if I forget that I have it.

I started thinking about my bad--or, perhaps, good--habit this week, when I was organizing the stuff I always save on pets. Maybe I can use some of it for research for my Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series, and maybe not. But I collect articles and even entire magazines that have interesting information about pets. A number of the actual magazines have Cavalier King Charles Spaniels on the cover--which is enough of an explanation of why I save them. Others have articles on things I’ve either addressed or want to address in my mysteries, like separation anxiety. Some articles are on people who take their pets to cheer up sick kids or seniors. Some are on soldiers who bond with their service dogs while at war. Some are on interesting people and their more interesting pets. Some are... well, I could go on for a while about this.

And how much of this stuff do I have? TOO much! I go through it now and then and weed out a few odds and ends that don’t seem as interesting any longer, but I’ll never be able to use it all in my mysteries, or even in this blog! Even so, I’m not sure what will eventually come in handy, so I keep it. Sometimes organize it. Sometimes not.

I didn’t mention some of the other research materials I happen to save... like travel books.

How about the rest of you? I realize those of you who do different kinds of needlework must have a lot of your supplies in reserve, but do you also collect articles about them? Books? What else do you collect? Surely I’m not alone in this....


--Linda