Saturday, July 30, 2011

COLD and BUSY TIMES!

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...

Hello there everybody!

Whew!

 What a cold week it's been, with snow blanketing large parts of the country, a shortage of gas (for our heaters),the lingering fuel crisis and an embarrassing defeat of our Rugby team by the mighty All Blacks today!
Congratulations, New Zealand, on your victory today in the Tri-Nations.

Most of these things have largely passed me by though.  I've had my nose solidly in my work.  In the past 48hours, I have been busy with one of the largest edits yet for MAXDOG's book.  That's finished now, thank goodness, and I feel a lot more satisfied.  The next step - a professional edit. Things are slowly moving forward towards publication and I now have a number of options on my plate. So everything is on track.
 (Unfortunately I can't tell you much more than that, but watch this space :))

The dogs have been snuggled up next to me for most of the week. They've had to settle for very short jaunts down the road - not the lengthy excursions which they usually enjoy.  I've just been too busy.  Today, however, I took a break, grabbed my camera and went outside into the garden.  The dogs followed me eagerly and took the opportunity for a fun game of bitey-face. 


Toby is growing in leaps and bounds.  He's a big dog now - 40 kgs, but he's such a sweety.  I know that he sometimes appears to look stern in the photographs, but I can assure you that he's still filled with the joys of puppyhood. 


He's such a sweet hooligan, and most of the time he's begging for a game from his faithful Aunt Tam'. Either that or he is lying on his back, waiting for someone to rub his tummy. 
Toby continues to be our 'Sweet Hooligan'.

Aunt Tam is beginning to exude the gracefulness of the elderly.  She's a little more sedate nowadays and tends to avoid the hooligan's boisterousness, but every now and again, she springs to life...

She's always loved being outside and relishes this cold weather.  We often find her under the Carob tree, staring into nothingness and simply enjoying the moment. 
"It's never too cold for a Golden Retriever!"  she seems to say.

As for "THE KING"....

Well, he's still happy on his comfortable throne - or should I say throneS?
He's established a number of them throughout the house - couches, chairs, beds, laps...
Everything depends on the moment - which lap is most inviting and which bed is the softest.
King Toffee still reigns from his lofty pedestals!

I'm sorry I've not been blogging much lately.  It's largely due to my distraction with the book. 
Please remember to keep an eye on the Twitter feed - you can look us up if you like. 
It's... 'MaxdogM'
(or simply follow the feed at the top of this blog.)

Wishing you all a very happy weekend and, if you are in South Africa...
KEEP WARM!
Sending lotsaluv


21 comments:

♥I am Holly♥ said...

Wonderful pictures!! We are looking forward to the book!!! We are staying warm here...its been about 95 to 100 plus degrees everyday here!! Lots of love, Debbie & Holly

rottrover said...

I love seeing the dogs' thick winter coats! They look so beautiful!! Stay warm! (It feels funny to be writing that!)

-Gizmo, Bart and Ruby

Two French Bulldogs said...

great to see all those adorable faces. We saw S. Africa on the news. The snow was nutty...We are staying to warm over here
Benny & Lily

Boondocks Love Shack Pack said...

Beautiful pictures and we can't wait to read the book!!

AROOOOF!
Boondocks & The Love Shack Pack

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Caryl, I have a couple of friends who are authors and I know the time it takes to edit a book and how daunting it can be. What a sense of accomplishment you must be feeling at having finished this task! We'll look forward to reading about 'the next chapter!'

I enjoyed reading about Toby too. I love the age he is now--caught between a puppy and a grown up. It's the best time!

Stay warm!!

My Dog Sam - Ruptured Disk said...

Hi Maxmom, it's sunny and warm up here for our long weekend (it's our provincial holiday). All of your kids look well and happy. Hope all the little issues down there get resolved soon.

NanaNor's said...

Hi dear friends, Sending warmth and sunshine to you. Loved seeing the photos of all three-especially your goofie Toby. How much does the King weigh? In your photos he looks bigger than a lot of Maltese I've seen-I sure hope I'm remembering he is Maltese.
Take deep breaths with the book-you're in my prayers.
Love Noreen & Reggie

Curt Rogers said...

I can't wait to hear more about the book. You keep teasing us. I'm so excited!

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Hello Everybuddy, you all look so relaxed. There is nothing like a good runaround to get warm. Its been a little warmer here in Oz but cold weather is coming back in the next few days. No worries, and love, Stella

Anonymous said...

Great pics MaxMom, thanks for sharin.

But most of us in the US don't need to keep warm cause we're burnin up here.

But we hope that you are able to stay warm and comfy.

woos, Tessa

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Hi Toby, Tammy and Toffee,,, you all are looking so beautiful!

Maxmom, we get so excited when you talk about your book.. that means it is getting closer , and soon we will be able to read the beautiful story.
love
tweedles

Angus said...

If only Toffee had been there to chee the team on !

Rob said...

Your three dogs sound much the same as our three. I hope things warm up for you soon.

WFT Nobby said...

Toffee, a dog can't have too many thrones!
Toby - wow you are a big guy now! (In my mind, I am 40 kg too, although the scales say only 8.)
Aunt Tam - grace in old age is something we will all strive for (says Gail).
MaxMom - best of luck with the book. When can we place an order (I have Gail's credit card at the ready).
Toodle pip!
Bertie.

Mrs. JP said...

Toby always has smiling eyes. He is such a big ole love and I bet he is a good snuggler. I understand the need for many thrones....Scrappy maintains that she is queen and has a pedestal in each room.
I hope the book edit goes well.

Becky Andrews said...

So exciting with your book endeavors. Wishing you well and what a lovely impact you are making on the world. We are so hot here right now. Much love.

Amy & the house of cats said...

Oh that is so exciting about the book! I understand about the business of life getting in the way of blogging - it happens to all of us in different ways! And oh, don't think of Toby's face as being stern, think of it as him being extremely serious about having as much puppy fun as he can! That can take a lot of concentration!

The Life of Riley said...

Great photos. I can't believe how grown up Toby looks, especially seeing him beside Tammy. Enzo's growing like a weed, and will probably end up larger than Riley!

Keep warm and have a good week.

Ayasha Kieth said...

wow, so exited with you book! wish you luck! and keep up the good work! ^_^

Dog Fence

Scout and Freyja said...

I always enjoy the photos of Toby and Tammy the most. It's such a pleasure to see the love they have for each other.

Good luck with all the 'book work'. Been missing you like crazy!

Suka said...

hey Toby,

Wonderful pictures of you and King Toffee and Aunt Tam! You are certainly maturing handsomely! Sorry you have had such cold weather but I am sure for you and Aunt Tam it has been perfect running and playing weather. I am on the opposite extreme with heat. I have not been able to walk or play outdoors in a month due to the high heat and humidity. I will live vicariously through you for now. BOL!

I didn't know your mom was writing a "Maxdog" book. That is awesome and I wish her tons of success! My human thinks it is very exciting and we can't wait to read more about it!

Suka