Take Your Dog/Pet to Work

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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.

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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!

Create Winning Book Proposals!

Nonfiction 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.

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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!

 

Monday Mentions: Hearts & Flowers

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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.

MagicBugDo 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

Content Mills Insight

PET-CENTRIC SCHTUFF

Are Raw Diets Okay for Pets?

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!

Cat Litter-ary Choices

Teach kittens proper litter-ary manners from the beginning.

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!

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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!

Pet Tail Talk

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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.

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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!