FISHING FOR THE GOLDEN CATCH

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

MAXMOM here...

In the morning, I wake.  A fog of light-headedness surrounds me and I know not to open my eyes yet.  Instead, I dangle my arm over the edge of my bed and smile inwardly.  Fishing!


Oddly, this feels like old times. Years ago, my father and I would sit on the sandy bank of the dam, with our fishing rods in hand as we waited for that first nibble on our lines.  Wonderful, serene, bonding moments.

This time, however, I'm in bed, accompanied by my imagination. The 'Boss' had an early start this morning and I've not got the energy to do the same.  I'm alone and I flutter my fingers to bring me back to the present.  With my eyes closed, I wait...

I hear them rise ... then stretch.  I keep my eyes shut to take in all their sounds. Their gentle movements and yawns echo my own welcome to the new day. Then the soft padding of paws coming towards me.  Which one will be first, I wonder? I enjoy this guessing game.

An icy wet nose touches my warm palm and I shut my fingers briefly.  Then I open them again and run them along the hairy snout.  A silky tongue languidly traces the contour of my hand.  I hear a contented moan and a slow shuffle as my dog sits down next to my bed and nuzzles my hand.  It's Toby - my "Sweet Hooligan".  Only this morning he's anything but a hooligan.  Rather, his gentle demeanour fills my heart with tenderness.

He shuffles closer and I move my hand towards his soft ears.  I've still not opened my eyes.  I fondle the cool fur and then break the contact to adjust my pillow and move my head closer to the edge of the bed.  This time, and still with my eyes closed, I turn to my side and reach out with both hands.

Toby leans on the edge of the bed as I stroke his head with my left hand and rub his shoulders with my right.  He's so beautiful and I trace the contour of his solid frame.  He licks my face and I open my eyes briefly to see the first sunbeams dropping onto his golden coat.  I watch, in awe, and continue stroking him.  Then I shut my eyes again to preserve the image.

Weariness still hangs over me and I drop my hands.  The edge of the bed rests under my armpit.  I'm fishing again, I know.

There's another lazy shuffle and another snout touches my trailing fingers.  Now there's two dogs and I splay open my fingers to touch them at the same time.  

Tammy's fur is coarser and there's the distinctive wart on her snout.  My hand brushes the shoulders of both dogs and, in a gesture of understanding, they move closer to one another.  Now my hand is wedged between two warm, furry bodies.  I wait...

This time, the sound is a little different - a brisk scurry of little feet.  Toffee's cadence is always brisk and purposeful. Somehow he always gets the news last.  A tiny wet nose finally reaches upwards to also touch my palm and join the pack.  Three snouts touching one hand at the same time - an affirmation that we all start the day together.  This is "fishing with a difference" and I finally open up my eyes and reach for the biscuit tin.

Have a wonderful, happy day, with your pack.

Sending lotsaluv (and early-morning happy licks)

MAXDOG UPDATE: INTERNATIONAL 'PRINT-ON-DEMAND' version of MAXDOG

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA

MAXMOM here...

As most of you know, MAXDOG was recently launched in South Africa (December 2011). I have self-published the book with the endorsement of a production house. This basically means that I own all the rights to this book. The book was launched in December 2011 and, to date, has sold 500 copies and received some good publicity:

 Please see:
http://www.africanwhitechild.blogspot.com/p/maxdog-book.html
and
http://www.africanwhitechild.blogspot.com/p/maxdog-reader-feedback.html
I am currently in possession of my second print run of 1000 books.

---xXx---

Please can I say, emphatically, that I care about my readers and this is the reason for today's post!!!

In the past 3 months, I have been attempting to organise a cheaper option for my international readers to purchase MAXDOG. (other than purchasing the book directly from me with the additional postage charges). The option that my publishers were trying to organise was through 'Lightning Source', who in turn supply into 'Amazon.com' 

However, I was advised today by my publisher here in South Africa that they can no longer facilitate the international 'Print-on-demand 'option.  In addition, I don't personally have the cash  to sponsor this option myself

This new development basically means that my international audience cannot buy the book  UNLESS they buy it directly from me. 

Obviously the postage charges are high - effectively 39US (including postage), but judging from the responses I have received from my international customers, it isn't really such a bad option. It's expensive yes, but the good news is that my readers can receive their books timeously and autographed (10-14 days).

My sadness, at the moment is that it is now the ONLY option of purchase left for my readers.

My question is this, to you, dear friend... 

Do any of you perhaps know who is the best publisher/agent/company to approach in order to try and make Maxdog available on an international basis?

Or do you have any other suggestions for me? Do you perhaps know of anyone who may well be interested in taking over this project for an international audience? 

MAXDOG has already proved itself on our local market and my publicity here in South Africa has been excellent.  If you want to have a look at what readers are saying, read 

HERE

I just know that there may well be someone in the USA/UK who may be interested in the Maxdog story and taking this project further.

Please let me know if you have any advice.

carylmoll@yahoo.com
sending lotsaluv
Caryl 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR ANGEL-MAXDOG

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

MAXMOM here..

Max would have been 12 years old today.

I am so grateful for the all the wonderful memories that his short life provided us: 

that his legacy lives on...

that his healing aura has prevailed...

that his story still continues to do good...

"WHEREVER MAXDOG GOES, LET IT DO GOOD!"

Sending lotsaluv to all our friends and to everyone that made Maxdog's dream possible:

I HAVE A DREAM

I have a dream...

Of friends far and wide

I have a dream...

They will be at my side...

Where I can show my country: its bountiful delights:

The animals, the plants and so many sites!

To take in its cultures, it’s food, it’s sun,

To show my guests that Africa is fun!

I dream of laughter, of happiness, of care

I dream my joy in my country – they can share.

I dream of dancing, music and good

Of one big family... One big brood.

They came, they saw, they shared my dream

A dream that was all of ours... or so it would seem.

So THANK YOU, my guests, for just being you

My dream for Africa... has just came true!

16 September 2009

Our charitable day at "WALKHAVEN"

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

As I watched the sun rise earlier this morning, I knew that we were going to have yet another beautiful day in paradise.  The doves are cooing, the skies are cloudless and the gathering heat is spreading across our city. It is a 'Sunday' in all the senses of the word. At least the trickling sound of our water-feature offers the promise of a cool-off later. A quick dip into our swimming pool is guaranteed to erase any sense of discomfort.

Yesterday was equally sweltering but equally beautiful too.  I got quite sunburnt despite smoothing a liberal film of sunblock over my exposed arms and neck. It was so hot, but still a wonderful opportunity to host a stall for the sale of my MAXDOG books - at 'Walkhaven'; a doggie park not far from us.  

The event was organised as part of the launch of  the South African version of 'Cesar's Way' magazine.  The proceeds for the entire event were donated to various animal charities and shelters.  There was a strong presence of 'Animals in Distress', 'Claw', 'Ark', 'Wag' and a number of other charitable shelters. 

Despite polarised viewpoints in the dog-training fraternity of Cesar and his ways. I was happy to support this event.  My book, MAXDOG is about sharing, caring, love, compassion and tolerance.  In my mind, I want my book to be a "bridge builder" - its message needs to reach out to everybody.  I would hope that it washes over some of these emotive issues in dog-training -  and addresses the real, raw reason for our relationships with our animals.  I was also glad to be associated with so many wonderful causes and happy that my money would make a difference to some very needy animals. I was happy too that 10 more copies of MAXDOG also made their way into their 'forever homes'. To the readers who bought my book - thank you.  I hope it touches you the way my special dog touched me.

 "Wherever MAXDOG goes, let it do good!". 

Thank you, so much, to my husband - Les -- and to my special friend - Lorraine - for helping with the stall and the sales yesterday. Thank you too to the Humphris family for bringing Hoby (guide dog in training) to visit the stall too. It was lovely to see you and  I really appreciated your visit.

There were a number of fun events organised during the day and plenty of stalls to visit too. 

Unfortunately Toby had to stay home (he still has his stitches in) but Aunt Tam made a guest appearance at our stall during the afternoon.  It is so wonderful to have a dog, like her, who is happy and well socialised, and can be left off lead to mingle with people.  She doesn't venture far from us nowadays - probably because she is ageing - but it was heart-warming to see her so happy and having fun.

Toby is much, much better and much happier too.  The cone is off - although we put it back on last night (while we were sleeping) just to make sure that he didn't lick the surgery site.  The swelling is right down and its looking good. He has resumed dancing his jig for me and wrapping me up in his blankets when I get home.  My Sweet Hooligan has returned. Hopefully his stitches will be removed on Tuesday.


I want to say thank you to everyone who came around to visit the stall yesterday.  Thank you to those who took the time to sit down and share their own story with me too.  It is always a unique privilege to meet my readers and hear how MAXDOG has affected their lives. 


If you would like to read a blogpost that has really touched me yesterday, please click HERE. This is a UK blogger (and new MAXDOG follower)  that I've not come across before.  She puchased the ebook on Friday and is singing its praises.  I happened to stumble upon her special post and was quite teared-up when I read it.  Thank you to CHARLENE AND STORM, for your heart-felt review of my book.  It's great to know where MAXDOG is making its journey. 


Sending lotsaluv to all my friends around the world (and to all the new readers of this blog too).  Enjoy your weekend and remember always to: "Live life to the Max!"

Caryl.

a.k.a