Quick update–when paperback, hardcover, and audiobooks become availble…
PLAY OR PAY: Quick Update
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Hero Pet Winners Announced: Your Winning Cat & Dog are…
After thousands of votes for dozens of furry nominees, the READERS HAVE SPOKEN. Here are your pick of the litter-ati for HERO CAT WINNER and HERO DOG WINNER for the next thriller PLAY OR PAY.
Opt for a Chocolate Easter Bunny Instead of Adopting One!
Easter bunny, anyone? Awwww…nothing sweeter than baby bunnies. Well, baby anything, right? Our “Cottontail Mountain” home already has rabbits everywhere, especially in our garden. Shadow-Pup, sadly, wants to hunt them so we must monitor him as the babies appear Easter bunnies appear.
Karma-Kat loves watching “bunny TV” out the back patio windows. I think he’d love to have one come inside to *ahem* cuddle and play. NOT! Just like other animal companions, it takes more than admiration to make bunny love positive for everyone.
Easter is not the time for a spur of the moment furry gift. People purchased chicks and ducklings and baby bunnies by the score each year, some dyed in ridiculous colors, almost as gag gifts although they are living creatures with very specific care needs. A rabbit is more than an Easter bunny joke. Here’s what you need to know when considering a bunny as a pet.
Gratitude & The Blessings We’re Counting This Year
I grew up in Northern Indiana where you recognized autumn by the rainbow-hued leaves painting the landscape. But I’ve lived in Texas longer than anywhere else. While I miss the colorful trees, one of my favorite autumn blessings in Texas brings in refreshing, cooler temps. After many weeks of triple-digits, a 70-80-degree day feels like bliss! Yes, that’s a blessing.
Gratitude meaning…gratitude definition…these may be different for individuals. But I felt inspired to share my take on gratitude.
Seussical the Musical at Theater for Hope
OH THE THINKS YOU CAN THINK! Seussical the Musical Opens Thursday July 6!
From the beloved kids books comes a musical for children of all ages–and those young at heart! I’ve played cello for Seussical the Musical for three other productions over the years, and this time…well, I decided to audtion and I won TWO ROLES…
How to Prepare for a Disaster: Pet Preparedness & Tips
With the latest awful weather and more on the way, it’s time to revisit your pet disaster plan. You do have one, right? Everyone should understand the importance of disaster preparation.
I posted this in June for National Pet Preparedness Month. September is Disaster Preparation Month. And today is National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day. Hurricane Ian drives home the importance of having a disaster plan not only for yourself when Mother Nature throws a tantrum but also to keep your pets safe. Whether you must deal with tornadoes, floods, landslides, typhoons, wildfires, or other emergencies, there’s a rule that we must always PLAN FOR THE WORST.
And then pray it doesn’t happen. Learn more in the post…
Author Audio Books: How to Self Publish Audio Books
Do you love audio books — and thrillers? Yep, I also self publish audio books, including my nonfiction and my thrillers. And since my latest thriller DARE OR DIE released yesterday on all Ebook platforms, plus paperback and hardcover, I’m now planning the audiobook version.
And, that’s MY voice reading the story. How (and why) am I the one reading the book? And for authors out there, how can you do it? What mic do you need, what software…and if you want to hire someone, where do you find the perfect person to “voice” your book?
Read on! Here are the highlights. And if you want or need more step-by-step details, you can check out my on-demand webinar on the subject.
Do Readers Care Why I Write
Do readers care why writers write? One time at a writer conference, that question was asked and an overwhelming response was, “I write because I HAVE to write, it’s compulsion, I must write…” And an agent on the panel responded, “They have medication for that now.”
Ba-da-boom. *rimshot*
My audience doesn’t read. Well, unless you count dogs and cats chewing up or (ahem) “being creative” on paper. And of course, cats “read” by sitting on top of the words and absorbing the text through their furry nether regions.
Yvonne DiVita tagged me years ago in the “Why I Write” blog hop. I know Yvonne through the terrific BlogPaws.com organization she co-founded, but today you’ll find Yvonne at NurturingBigIdeas. As I updated several out-of-date blog posts, I found this one as true today as when first written more than a decade ago. I talk more about my writer’s journey at my website, but here’s the crib notes. *s*
The 2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Cat Lovers
‘Tis the season, cat lovers! I already shared this on my dog lovers' gift guide but it bears repeating. I remember one year when my dad sent me a pastel portrait of my Siamese wannabe Seren (with Magical-Dawg). They'd NEVER get that close in real life! That painting...
Recent Posts
Why Cats Fight! What to Do About Cat Fighting
How do you stop a cat fight? And how do you know if the cat fighting turns serious—rather than just kitten play? Shadow-Pup thinks it’s great fun to chase and wrestle with Karma-Kat. We supervise, of course, and interrupt the play should one or the other object.
There are many kinds of cat aggression, and many are perfectly normal behaviors. Certainly, it’s not fair to you or the cats to allow cats to fight. Learn how to recognize the potential and reasons behind cat aggression and fighting cats, and what you can do.
How to Make Pets Vomit
A dog vomits more easily than nearly any other creature. So why in the world would a pet parent want to make pets vomit? When dogs or cats eat the wrong thing that could cause harm, you can save your pets’ lives by inducing vomiting.
Pets vomit for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes it’s because of illness, while other times the dog vomiting or cat hairball upchuck is more innocuous. Some pets eat grass to induce vomiting, or they get into dangerous candy that makes them sick. However, sometimes making pets vomit means life or death. That means you need to know how to make pets vomit.
Dog Training & Cat Training: How to Clicker Train Pets
People often ask when to start puppy training, and training a kitten or cat training is no different. Pets can learn at any age. January is “Train Your Dog Month” so it’s a great time to revisit clicker training. Clicker training pets offers a great way to teach pets to learn, think, and please you. Pets—and people—will repeat behaviors that reward them and naturally avoid behaviors that offer no benefit. Owners don’t have to be master dog trainers to use this technique, and dogs and cats learn quickly how to behave. You can even trick train cats! Read on to learn how.
Feline Urinary Tract Disorders & The “Stoned” Cat
Do you know the signs of a cat urinary blockage? Do you know about FLUTD? Maybe you’re puzzled why your cat suddenly pees outside the box? Or maybe he strains and strains but can’t elminate. Is it constipation? Or does he have a cat urinary blockage? How can I stop my cat from peeing on the carpet?
If you’re asking these questions, you’ve come to the right place. Feline lower urinary tract disorders (FLUTD) can cause deadly cat urinary blockage. It frustrates cat owners—and also the cats! A cat urinary blockage can be deadly, so it’s vital to recognize the signs of a feline urinary tract disorder. This post is dedicated to my friend Susan Richardson-Cripps and the memory of Heathcliff, her fun-loving orange kitty boy.
Hot Weather Safety for Dogs & Cats: A Roundup
Here we go again…Every summer, earlier and earlier, we deal with hot weather concerns. With the temperatures rising, and Texas power grid in a precarious situation, please prioritize hot weather safety for dogs and cats as well as yourself. We’ve already had our upstairs air conditioner go out. And what’s uncomfortable for people could become downright dangerous or deadly for pets. I write about hot weather safety for pets each year. This time, I figured a roundup of articles offered the best resource to keep hot dogs chilly, and cool cats safe.
Cat Colds & Curing Kitty Congestion
Karma-Kat started sneezing a couple of years ago. When cats have the sniffles, you worry about curing kitty congestion. Cat colds are one of the most common health problems of kittens and adult cats. Feline upper respiratory diseases, sometimes called cat flu, often affect shelter and rescue cats. My cat Seren-Kitty also had a couple of severe bouts with kitty snorkles.
For more information about cat colds and dog coughs, see this post.
Submissive Wetting and Why Dogs Pee When You Come Home
Does your dog whine, wiggle, and pee when you return home after a long day? Or does your dog pee when you pet him? Ever wonder why dogs pee when you come home? What’s a caring pet parent to do?
How to Travel With Pets: Vacationing with Cats & Dogs
Whether you enjoy vacationing with cats and dogs, travel with pets on business, or go camping with pets, it’s important to gauge how well your individual pets will react. Plan ahead for any pet travel, and you and your pets will be happier.
Hunting Gifts: Why Do Cats Bring You Dead Animals
Here in Texas, the warm weather continues to bring big-bug-migrations from outside to the living room. The cats are thrilled with cricket carcasses and the occasional disoriented field mouse that takes a deadly detour. But why do cats bring you dead animals?
Thank goodness, both Karma-Kat and Trinity-Kitten haven’t presented me with anything beyond a cricket drumstick. But it’s not unusual for cats to share their bounty. Mousey morsels end up on the front porch or (Ew!) a beloved owner’s pillow. Why do cats bring us critter gifts?
How to Keep Your Cat Safe with Outdoor Cat Enclosures
It’s vitally important that you keep outdoor cats safe with outdoor cat enclosures. In the best of all possible worlds, cats could roam back gardens and chase butterflies, enjoy sniffing the roses and have a wonderful time being cats–as they were meant to be. But the reality of the situation is that dangers lurk even in the back garden. Here are some things to consider.
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Amy Shojai CACB is an award winning author. You can find all her publications and book her to speak via her website.
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Awards
CWA Muse Medallion Award
Dog Writers Association of America Maxwell Award
Fear Free Certified
CWA Muse Medallion Award
Cat Writers Muse Medallion Awards
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