Dog Breed Personalities & Magic Stacks Frisbees

irish water spaniel

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!

Monday Mentions: Thrillerfest, Debuts & Dreams-Come-True

Lost_Found-Shojai-lorez

I’m a DEBUT THRILLER AUTHOR!

Late last week I got the notice from ITW that the Thrillerfest Schedule has been posted here. I missed the very first Phoenix event in 2006, but have attended every one since. If you read thrillers/mysteries/suspense or write them–THIS is the conference for you!

I’d just about decided to quit writing altogether, because of changes to publishing, when ITW started making some noise. So I took a chance and invested the $$ (it’s not inexpensive!) and traveled to NYC.

July 13, 2007 I was in the audience at the Debut Author’s Breakfast and was incredibly moved and awestruck by the talented group who today are household names in the thriller lexicon. And I wondered…what would it be like, to someday sit up there on the dais as a debut thriller author? Pipe dream, right? Well you gotta dream it before it can happen!

At that first Thrillerfest in 2007, I met my future editor Jen Talty (we were strangers but became roommates!), met my future publisher Bob Mayer, met MANY of my writing heroes including James Rollins and Doug Lyle who offered this debut author incredibly generous cover endorsements.

On July 13, 2013 exactly SIX YEARS after my first Thrillerfest experience, I will be on that dais, one of nearly 30 authors in the Debut Thriller Class of 2012-2013.

This would not have happened without International Thriller Writers, Thrillerfest, my publisher Cool Gus Publishing and dozens of generous established authors (too many to mention!) as well as my “bunny slippers” debut gang who inspired me, offered insight, and mentorship along the way. And it would not have happened without YOU, the readers, who took a chance on this nonfiction writer’s dream of exploring fiction-icity through dog viewpoint.

ITW and Thrillerfest showed me the possibilities. But readers made it a reality. Because of my PAW-some readers, my debut thriller LOST AND FOUND is the beginning of a new career and adventure.

Thank you! And now–please please PLEASE take a chance and follow your OWN furry dreams!

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 ROSES VIDEO at the bottom–a glimpse around my house (please forgive the weeds!) 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

Agents & Editors Conference in TEXAS

Craftfest & ThrillerFest in NYC

Lights! Cameras! Action! Media Training for Writers (and Others)this is the next Webinar I’m presenting June 15

Interesting Blogger Survey what bloggers want in brand relationships…do you agree?

89 Awesome Book Marketing Ideas wowzer…lots to ponder and incorporate!

Hybrid Author Sylvia Day…on Ebooks & Writing Careers this is a must-read, folks

6 Reasons Writers See No Value in Facebook …and ways to overcome the perception

10 Reasons NOT to Be A Writer dare ya NOT to laugh!

Techie Helps & Hinders for Modern Sleuths

National Book Awards Submissions Due June 3

Laws Governing Give-Aways BLOGGERS THIS MEANS YOU!

Novel Writing Master Class from former senior editor (Random House)

5 Ways to Market (While You Write More)

Poetry Contest…just sharing, I know nothing more about this *s*

7 Deadly Myths of Digital Publishing

All About ISBNs

PET-CENTRIC SCHTUFF

What If All Cats Disappeared?

Compounded Meds for Pets AT RISK! check this out

Morris Animal Foundation CAPTION THIS! Contest, what fun!

What’s He Feeling? Dog Photos & Human Interpretation Spot-On

Dog Bite Statistic Infograph some very important issues YOU need to know!

Weird Wonderful Pet Fanatics another fun info-graphic

Morris Animal Foundation Wildlife Research Grants including the Betty White Wildlife Project that includes research into sea lion pup deaths, wow!

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 Breed Traits

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What’s the typical breed personality of a Toyger?

Many folks think ALL CATS ARE ALIKE…*hisssssss* and of course we know better. There may not be as many cat breeds, but they are just as unique and interesting as the dogs. And not everyone is aware that there are a few breed tendencies when it comes to kitty personality and temperament.

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 cat’s breed — if s/he’s a mix, and you know the combo, include that. Or for fun (let’s get REALLY creative) include the color and/or coat pattern and maybe we’ll get some trends of personality linked to coat color/type. And then please describe your cat’s personality. Finally, say whether this an expected personality for the breed.

So for Seren, I’d say she’s a mix (Domestic Shorthair), and a “seal point” wannabe Siamese pattern. She’s confident, dislikes strangers, incredibly devoted/bonded to my husband and me, and talks constantly both with meows and tail-semaphore. The talky bit and pushing cat behavior are a trait of Siamese.

Oh, and she currently has singed whiskers because she got too close to candles a couple nights ago when a storm blew out our electricity. Guess that means she’s “hot stuff,” right?

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 updated book (if I can ever get the sucker finished)!

Oh, and on another note…maybe you noticed I’ve updated the blog? What do you think? :) The old theme didn’t play nice with a new plugin (check out the BOOK TABLE page). Hope to get all my books added soon–AND include some “recommended” books from colleagues. Feel free to list in the comments some of your favs you think that I should include.

Final note–check out details about the Ebooks For Writers Webinar (tomorrow) plus a free online class here.

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!

Ebooks For Writers & FREE Blogging Class!

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SUCK IT UP! Publish Your E-book!

Yes, I’m updating my blog design–mostly to accommodate the nifty new plugin BOOK TABLE to spotlight my own and (hopefully) other folks’ books that I recommend. This all happened because I took the Ebook plunge–and you can, too!

Two weeks ago I presented EBOOKS FOR BLOGGERS at the awesome BlogPaws.com conference, but I only had 20 minutes to share 90+ minutes of info. So I promised folks to repeat the FULL session as a Webinar (use the code BLOGPAWS to get a discount!).

EBOOKS FOR WRITERS, Saturday, June 1st from 2-3:30 Eastern Time

Ebooks for Writers is designed for beginning or experienced writers who are new to”indie” publishing, scared to take the plunge but frustrated by the state of publishing. This seminar is a live 90-minute class with Power Point (and lots of SQUEEE! cute animal picture illustrations!). It answers your questions and gives you a life-preserver to keep you afloat as you dive off the self-publishing cliff. You will learn:

  • Pros & Cons of Ebook Publishing compared to “Tradititional”
  • Options Available from DIY platforms to for-hire services
  • Costs involved (including free options)
  • Resources for helpful self publishing software, editorial assistance and cover design help
  • Practical step-by-step how-to “Kindle-ize” your manuscript
  • Formatting tips for illustrations, covers, sidebars and table of contents
  • Promotional must-knows including DO’s and DON’TS!
  • Further information, available as a down-load/handout.

Learn how to monetize your work–I’m earning more royalties now than I ever did pub’d by “New York.”

FREE! FREE! FREE! for BLOGGER-ICITY!

{FREE} 4-Week Profitable Blogging For Beginners Class


FREE BLOGGING FOR BEGINNERS

Some of y’all remember when I transferred my wordpress.com site to a self-hosted one — courtesy of Blogelina (she also specializes in changing from Blogger to WordPress). I just got a notice that she’s offering a FREE beginners course on blogging, woot! Who doesn’t like free? I like her services so much that I just joined her Affiliate Program (yes, I do get a referral fee). But when it’s a FREE course, I love sharing the info! Just “click” on the image over there <——- to learn more. :)

Just a reminder: This offer ends this weekend!

Blogelina is once again offering her very popular 4-week blogging class — for FREE!

If you sign up for this free class, here’s what you’ll get:

  • A class manual – packed with 60 pages of information that will help take the overwhelming out of starting your own blog
  • 4 weekly online class sessions where you can ask your questions and get personalized feedback
  • A FREE year of web hosting.
  • Blueprints, step-by-step tutorials, networking with other bloggers - Everything you need to grow your blog.
  • Save yourself a lot of time, trouble, and money – learn from my own experiences what to do and not to do.

Go here to sign up for the FREE 4-week blogging class. 

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!

Maddie’s Fund Hosts Mega-Adoption Events June 1-2

5779021289_13c34db739_zAre you looking for a new furry-best-friend? Now’s your chance to give a needy pet that forever-home you both yearn for.

They’re always there, ready to join your family and seek out that just-right-sleeping-spot on your lap…and make themselves at home in your heart. Each and every one is a missing puzzle piece that will make some special human whole again. Betcha didn’t know you had that hole in your heart…the solution is near. So what are you waiting for?

“Black and white, brindle or tabby,
Merle or brown, sable, Abby
Persian, Collie, whole or fixed,
Rainbow pets…your perfect picks…” *

Maddie’s Fund calls the upcoming June 1-2 adoption event a “Super Bowl for Second Chances.” If you’re like many of us in the pet community, you know that spring brings boatloads of kittens and puppies that fill area shelters to bursting. Prepping for this furry bounty means making room for the newcomers. To do that, the current cat and dog residents need new homes.

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The two-day adopt-athon aims to match-make pet-people connections for 5,000 cats and dogs in eight communities in five states. WOW! More than 150 pet shelters and rescues are taking part, and Maddie’s Fund ® is dedicating $4 million to this “free adoption” effort. Find participating shelter locations here.

“Whoops or planned, shown or banned,
Shelter, rescue, foster, pound,
Bottle babies, purebred ladies,
Perfect, damaged, all are found.” *

“Human nature is to procrastinate and the free adoption weekends, with all their high-energy and media attention, encourage people to do what they’ve been planning on doing for a long time—adopt a pet,” says Richard Avanzino, Maddie’s Fund president. Check out some of the purr-sonal face to furry-face stories here! I encourage all my pet blogger friends to pick up and RUN with this story…or just re-blog this. Go ahead…I double dog (and cat) dare ya!

You still need to meet the shelters’ adoption requirements, of course, to make sure the match-made-in-heaven lasts. Maddie’s Fund gives organizations from $500 to $2,000 per adoption to help defray the cost of having cared for these needy animals–and the more care involved (sick, older, injured) the bigger the gift. But that also means the greater your PAW-some feeling of saving a life!

“Blond or blue, calico, curly,
Pointed, smooth, wirehair, surly,
Sweetheart, bold, or shy thereof,
Rainbow pets–they’re yours to love.” *

As Avanzino says, “Maddie’s Fund wants to give all healthy, senior, and treatable shelter dogs and cats loving homes.”

Free pet adoption events have a proven track record of making that happen. My colleague and friend, nationally known pet expert Gina Spadafori, points out that the University of Florida Shelter Medicine study revealed that people care JUST AS MUCH about pets they “pay for” as pets they get for free.

Amen!

More information on participating shelters can be found at Maddie’s Fund website.

Even if your local shelter isn’t on the list, don’t let that stop you. There are needy pets waiting for you in your own neck of the woods all year long. Don’t let them wait too long . . .

***

Maddie’s Fund (www.maddiesfund.org) is a family foundation endowed by the founder of Workday® and PeopleSoft, Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl. Maddie’s Fund is helping to achieve and sustain a no-kill nation by providing solutions to the most challenging issues facing the animal welfare community through Maddie’sGrant Giving and Maddie’s InstituteSM . Maddie’s Fund is named after the family’s beloved Miniature Schnauzer who passed away in 1997.

*(Lyrics from Rainbow Pets, Copr. Amy Shojai/Frank Steele, all rights reserved)

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!