Please note that some posts contains affiliate links & I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links Find out More

Tuesday Trumpet! Music, Cat-astrophe & Thrilling News!

by | Mar 20, 2012 | Cat Behavior & Care | 18 comments

NEWS-ABOUT-KURVES!

First off, I’ve added audio files to the KURVES, THE MUSICAL page (above) so folks can finally hear some of the songs.

NEWS-ABOUT-CAT!

Seren-kitty had her vet visit yesterday. She’s not a youngster any more and I’ve  been worried about her health since she’s drinking/urinating more. I’ll have a full recap on Friday but wanted to thank everyone for the good wishes. It is NOT diabetes (whew!). It may be early kidney issues (her tests are ‘borderline’ and not yet in failure). We’re expecting Texas A & M results tomorrow or Thursday to let us know about thyroid function. Paws crossed that’s negative…

NEWS-ABOUT-FICTION!

Some of y’all know that I’ve long aspired to write thrillers. Last Thursday, just before I headed out for the KWA Scene Conference, I heard from my editor at Who Dares Wins Publishing that they will publish my thriller LOST AND FOUND probably this fall (date tba). SNOOPY-DANCE-O-JOY!

Animal behaviorist September Day has 24 hours to find her autistic nephew and his service dog before he–and hundreds of other children–become victims of a deadly experimental autism treatment. And yes, there is “dog voice” as well as a highly-trained kitty, along with assorted quirky two-legged characters in the book.

To say I’m thrilled is an understatement. But today I also learned that I’ve been accepted as an ITW Debut Author class of 2012/2013. When I got that email I bawled. With happiness, of course. But that really upset the Magical-Dawg. Any tears upset him. And yes, the hero dog in the fiction came about by channeling my inner dog/cat. *s*

Anyway, I had to let y’all know my news. It’s been an “on top of the world” to “worry-icity” to “floating-again” sort of week. Sometimes you reach for, grab, and actually catch the brass ring.

*humming* If I can do it, you can do it too…

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly PUPPY CARE must knows, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter with pet book give-aways!

18 Comments

  1. Rayya
    Rayya on March 26, 2012 at 7:48 am

    Hey Amy. I hope Seren’s thyroid results turn out to be normal, crossing my fingers for ya. If she is hyperthyroid, it is a disease you can reverse or manage very well.
    Great news about you have been accepted as an ITW Debut Author class of 2012/2013! Well done & well deserved 🙂

    Reply
    • amyshojai
      amyshojai on March 26, 2012 at 12:15 pm

      Thanks so much Rayya–her thyroid test was normal, yay!

      Reply
  2. Ali Dent
    Ali Dent on March 23, 2012 at 9:47 am

    I’m happy for you and looking forward to next week.

    Reply
  3. August McLaughlin
    August McLaughlin on March 21, 2012 at 4:55 pm

    Congratulations, Amy! I couldn’t be more thrilled for you. (Ha—pun! ;)) I can’t wait to see you on one of the panels at ThrillerFest or elsewhere…nor to read your book.

    Reply
    • amyshojai
      amyshojai on March 21, 2012 at 4:59 pm

      Thanks August! I’ve been on Thrillerfest panels the past two years but this year will feel a whole lot different. *s*

      Reply
  4. carol Shenold
    carol Shenold on March 21, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    That’s so exciting about thriller writers. I know you are jazzed. Carol

    Reply
    • amyshojai
      amyshojai on March 21, 2012 at 2:49 pm

      Hi Carol, yes I am MAJORLY JAZZED!

      Reply
  5. KM Huber
    KM Huber on March 20, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    Really great publishing and writing news. Sending energy for kitty’s highest good. I find your blog really helpful for my pets but your blogging style is inviting as well. Thanks!

    Karen

    Reply
    • amyshojai
      amyshojai on March 20, 2012 at 10:19 pm

      Awww Karen, thank you so much! That really means a lot, it’s hard to know sometimes what works and what doesn’t. Pet people (and writers) are THE BEST!

      Reply
  6. patriciasands
    patriciasands on March 20, 2012 at 8:12 pm

    Wow! It’s all good … er, no … GREAT! Congratulations all around and paws crossed for Seren.

    Reply
    • amyshojai
      amyshojai on March 20, 2012 at 10:18 pm

      Hey Patricia! I’m still floating. Had a Church Council meeting this evening and shared–and they want to have a book club read-aloud when it comes out. Cool beans!

      Reply
  7. Stacy Green
    Stacy Green on March 20, 2012 at 8:08 pm

    Big congrats, Amy! Love thrillers and this sounds very original. And keeping my fingers crossed for the kitty!

    Reply
    • amyshojai
      amyshojai on March 20, 2012 at 10:15 pm

      Hi Stacy, Hoping it’s “different” enough but also familiar for folks who love thrillers. I appreciate the kitty good wishes. She’s pestering me for head scritches as I type…

      Reply
  8. Charity Kountz
    Charity Kountz on March 20, 2012 at 7:49 pm

    Congrats Amy! So glad to here all is going well. I LOVE thrillers (just ask Steve Spencer, he can’t write them fast enough), can’t wait to read it!

    Reply
    • amyshojai
      amyshojai on March 20, 2012 at 10:14 pm

      Hi Charity, thanks for the comment. Just need to get through the edits. *s*

      Reply
  9. Jen Talty
    Jen Talty on March 20, 2012 at 6:15 pm

    Congratulations! That is totally awesome!

    Reply
  10. Tiffany A White
    Tiffany A White on March 20, 2012 at 6:14 pm

    Congrats on all the great news, Amy! The kitty. The publishing deal. Yay!! *hugs*

    Reply
    • amyshojai
      amyshojai on March 20, 2012 at 10:12 pm

      Thanks so much Tiffany! Seren sends gentle head bonks, too. *s*

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories:

Recent Posts

Dog Digging Disasters: Why Do Dogs Dig Holes & How to Stop Excavations

Dogs excavate for a variety of reasons. Dog digging is a natural canine behavior that developed as a means of survival. With spring coming soon, and digging gardens in my future, my Shadow-Pup wants to help digging and kicking up dirt. Some dog breeds dig holes more than others do, so read on for more details if you have a digging dog.

Learn more about why dogs dig, and how you can manage this normal canine behavior.

How to Adopt Kittens: 10 Kitten Adoption Do’s & Don’ts

Kittens are rarely in short supply. With the current rash of kittens, summer break on the horizon, and the pandemic easing, kitten adoption may be in your future. But there’s more to kitten adoption than bringing home your baby cat. Maybe you’ll want to foster a needy kitten (tips here). Learn about what to do–and what NOT to do–in this kitten adoption guide.

Weather Watch, Tornadoes and Pets

It’s that time of year here in N. Texas for storms, rain, hail and (eeek!) tornadoes. Today we’re under a weather alert with forecast for lots of rain and possible hail and wind. That could turn into a might big wind that could cause Dorothy to shake in her ruby slippers.

When I grew up in North Indiana, we also had tornadoes, and those events were exciting times for us kids. It meant camping out in the basement…with our parents! How fun is that?

Well… maybe fun for clueless kids. But don’t be clueless. Protect yourself and your pets. Here’s how.

How to Keep Cats & Dogs Cool in Hot Weather

Yikes! It’s hot-hot-hot here in Texas. Shadow-Pup is NOT happy. He misses his ZOOMIES in the back garden, but I’m afraid to let him overdo too much. It’s time for hot weather games for pets and keeping cats and dogs cool in hot weather.

How to Keep Pets Safe in Hot Weather

Hot weather pet safety around here is a matter of life and death for cats and dogs. I live in N. Texas where it’s not unusual for weather to have everyone hot under the collar. Just imagine how pets feel with a fur coat. Older dogs have more sense and aren’t as prone to overdo. But our rescue pup Shadow acts clueless, and we have to physically confine him or he’d never stop playing even in 100-degree weather.

These tips can help you prevent problems, or even save your pet’s life.

Pets And Snakebite First Aid

Snakebites are common in pets, especially dogs, because dogs are often curious and try to play with moving critters. In fact, about 150,000 dogs and cats are bitten by poisonous snakes each year in the United States alone. Learn about the top villains and what to do in this post.

9 Bucket List Activities to Do With Your Aging Pet

I adore the golden oldie pets. My Seren-Kitty lived to nearly 22 years old, my first shepherd made it to just over 13 years old, and Magical-Dawg lived large and loud until 11 years old. Seren just wouldn’t give up, despite her arthritic clawed paws click-click-clicking as she tottered along. When Karma arrived, he acted like the fountain of youth and gave her a boost. Here are some tips for fun things to do with your golden oldie…

Why Dogs Chew Your Best Stuff

Dogs use their mouths like people use our hands. That means nearly everything goes into the puppy’s mouth as he explores the world, and teething pups chew to relieve the discomfort. Dogs never outgrow the gnawing habit, though, and that can get them in trouble.

Here’s why they target your favorite things…and what you can do to reduce the risk.

Pet Dehydration? Causes, Symptoms & First Aid for Dog Dehydration and Cat Dehydration

Cat and dog dehydration refers to the excessive loss of body water. Pets are prone to dehydration when the weather gets very hot, and they don’t have access to enough water. As a result, they can develop heatstroke. More often, though, dog and cat dehydration happens from vomiting and diarrhea.

Here in Texas, we’ve had weeks of triple-digit temperatures. I worry about the outside pets, but even indoor cats and dogs can suffer from dehydration. Normal water loss occurs in the pet’s bathroom deposits, through moisture exhaled with the breath, and through sweat. These fluids get replaced when the cat and dog eat and drink.

Any illness may prompt pets to stop eating and drinking, and prolonged fever increases the loss of body fluid. Specific disease conditions or injuries like diabetes or kidney disease may cause excessive urination that also causes of dehydration.

Cats evolved as desert creatures and have an amazing ability to conserve water, but cat dehydration can still kill. Even though cats seem to prefer to drink water in the weirdest places (the sink? your glass? the TOILET?!) they most often just don’t drink enough water. Here’s what you need to know.

Visit Amy's Website

Amy Shojai CACB is an award winning author.  You can find all her publications and book her to speak via her website. 

Visit the website

On Demand Writer Coaching

AmyShojai.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com http://amazon.com/.

Awards

CWA Muse Medallion Award

CWA Muse Medallion Award

Dog Writers Association of America Maxwell Award

Dog Writers Association of America Maxwell Award

Fear Free Certified

Fear Free Certified

CWA Muse Medallion Award

CWA Muse Medallion Award

Cat Writers Muse Medallion Awards

Cat Writers Muse Medallion Awards

Memberships