A SPRING MID-MORNING BREAK

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

MAXMOM here...

Hello there to all our friends around the world!

We are having such beautiful weather here in
Johannesburg, South Africa. 

Spring is upon us and all the trees are sprouting new little green buds.

  It really is such a pretty time of the year - invigorating, and filled with all the hope for a new beginning.

Our resident weaver bird is buzzing around his developing harem.  There is a lot to do in preparation for his productive months ahead.

Me?  I simply couldn't stay indoors today...The "outdoors" is calling!

So I abandoned my work surrounding MAXDOG and grabbed my car keys.

My friend Lorraine and I decided to make the most of the morning and pay a visit to a new venue for tea and cake.  They are one of my new followers on Twitter:

THE MANNA CAFE

 Lorraine and I decided to go and see if they were as good as they said they were.

We were in for a really pleasant surprise...It was lovely!

Their homely cafe is situated adjacent to a small nursery,  and it provides a warm, tranquil ambience for its patrons.

The decor inside the cafe is really inviting too...

...as were the delicious delectables: an array of mouth-watering cakes.

Lorraine ordered a slice of cheesecake with her tea...

 ...and I ordered a slice of carrot cake.

All I can say is...

"YUmmm...!!!"

Whilst we were drinking our tea and chatting, we both had a similar brainwave...

"Could this place possibly be suitable for a book launch..???"

mmmm....just saying!

What a lovely morning...

...with much food for thought.

...and the thinking will continue.

Our get-together for tea this morning was a welcome break from the all preparations surrounding

MAXDOG:

You can read more about my book

HERE!!!

Please don't forget to email me if you would like me to reserve a copy for you:

carylmoll@yahoo.com

Sending lotsaluv to all our friends across the world.

Seize the day!

 

FRIENDSHIP, ENCOURAGEMENT, SUPPORT - All deserve THANKS!

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

MAXMOM here...



Friendship - an unhailed gift?

Imagine a life without a witness.

 

Imagine accomplishing a great deed but with no one noticing. 

 Imagine sampling a confectioner's ultimate creation - alone. 

 Imagine having no one to watch you achieve your life's dream... 

 Imagine not being able to share your joy with someone who understands.

 Imagine not allowing yourself to dance in celebration.

If you can do this, then you can begin to appreciate the value of friendship and companionship, the merit of community, the advantage of caring, the dream of upliftment and the euphoria of celebration.

We all need someone with whom we can share our experiences, hold hands, take up our concerns and encourage us when the going gets tough.  We all need people to stand by us in times of trouble, times of success and ordinary times too. None of us want to be alone - to have our life drift past, without a second glance.

Today, I want to pause for a moment - to appreciate ALL my companions: -

...My family, my friends, my dogs, my blogging buddies and all my acquaintances!!!

Many of you are virtual strangers but you are equally important.   I will look forward, too, to the privilege of meeting you one day.

 We are all measured by the lives we have touched - positively!

 Today, I want to express my own gratitude to you...

I would like to take a moment, to thank you for sharing this incredible journey with me.  Thank you for supporting me and for encouraging me in my MAXDOG dream.  Your witness and comfort is crucial to MAXDOG finally being in print.  It's happening as we speak...

...only THREE MONTHS to go!!! 

 But they are three long, privotal months. 

 I simply can't do this without you...and I am grateful.

Sending lotsaluv

 

PLEASE NOTE:

If you would like to reserve your copy of MAXDOG from our initial printrun in late November, please email me at:

carylmoll@yahoo.com.

For more information about MAXDOG please click

HERE

You can also visit his

FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.

Have a wonderful, happy and fulfilling week!

WHAT'S LIFE IF YOU DON'T HAVE FREEDOM?

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

MAXMOM here...

As the sun dips into the horizon, I grab my keys and the dogs’ leads.  They don’t need a second invitation.  Their excitement is mixed up with jubilant barking and a desperate rush to see who will get to the car first.  For them, it’s not so much ‘Walkies time’, but rather

 ‘FREEDOM time’. 
 It’s something we all need.

Soon, we’re on the road – a short journey up the hill, to the doggie park. Toby and Tammy spend the journey staring expectantly out of the window, occasionally breaking into exuberant barking when they become aware of any motorcyclist who dares to venture too close to the back window.

A visit to the doggie-park is tantamount to granting the canines a free passport to wherever.  This is their opportunity to fly with the wind, search out the news and meet new friends – away from the constant obedience commands of their human owners. 

Their glee has no boundaries as they prance and gallop to their canine companions at the far end of the terrain.

Dogs teach us so much. Their unbridled enthusiasm for the freedom of their walk, reminds me that I, too, need to sometimes shake off the shackles of cultural protocol…

...and simply just be me…

Sending lotsaluv to everyone,

MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA

---xXx---

PLEASE NOTE

 If you wish to reserve a copy of my book

**MAXDOG **

before the initial print run in November, please email me at:

carylmoll@yahoo.com

For more information about the book

click HERE

MAXDOG: Is it the FINISH line, or the START line?

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

MAXMOM here...

Dear friends,

Have you ever ridden on a wave of purpose? Been thrown in a sea of resolve? Knew, with absolute certainty that you simply HAD to complete the task you’d set yourself?

Well, that is what it’s been like, over the past 19 months, with my book - MAXDOG. I can finally see that elusive finish line (although some wisely say, “It’s only the ‘start’ line!”).

In the beginning of December, just before Christmas, and if all goes well, MAXDOG will be on the shelves for purchase. It will also be available online. This will finally become my gift to the world – the frightening baring of my soul for anyone who might choose to hear Max’s story and to be part of my journey. Some of my followers may well be getting a little tired of my excitement. But I’ve be working on it for so long that I can hardly contain myself any more. For this, I don’t apologise.

Well friends, it’s happening as we speak. By early next week, I will be presented with some cover design options for MAXDOG. The choices will begin: Which design? Which pictures? Which layouts? Which fonts? As well as the long discussions about editing. I can hardly believe that it’s all finally happening. I’m already internalising the emotion I will feel when I finally see his incredible face looking up at me from the cover of the book…

MAXDOG, immortalised!

But then again…this has become my life’s dream. I suppose it’s natural to be overwhelmed with excitement and apprehension – all mixed up with a bit of fear. What if it works? What if people really like MAXDOG? What if I’ve been right all along?

 Sometimes our biggest fear is the fear of success…or fear itself.

 But Maxdog taught me humility and that I will always cherish.

It’s a stange place to be – like a bird, ready to stretch out its wings, bracing itself for the wind. Perhaps it’s also bittersweet because once MAXDOG goes into print, it’s as if I’m saying "Goodbye" all over again. But this time, I know that the “Goodbye” has a purpose – to touch the hearts of others around the world who may also need to be uplifted by this incredible Angel dog. It’s therefore not surprising that my prayer continues:

“Wherever MAXDOG goes, let it do good”

MAXDOG will be available from the beginning of December this year. My initial print run will only be 400 books. Should you wish to secure a copy of this book, please would you email me: carylmoll@yahoo.com. I would love to do this for my friends and will put a book aside for you with absolute pleasure. Prices are yet to be determined and I will notify you the minute I know for certain. It appears that the book will be priced around R160. Obviously, I will have to add on the postage for my international readers. The book will also be available for purchase from a number of alternative sources – including local South African book stores and online sources.  International readers will also be able to purchase it from Amazon.com, as a ‘Print on demand’ book and an e-book. But if you want more personalised attention, then I will be delighted to be part of your purchase.

In the meantime, here is the ‘BOOK BLURB” for MAXDOG…

---xXx---

"MAXDOG"

AUTHOR: Caryl Moll

PUBLISHED BY: Porcupine Press

(Available from: early December 2011)

---xXx---

MAXDOG is the story of a Golden Retriever who becomes a rock of emotional support for his owner after she faces a series of devastating life events that plunge her into deep depression. Years later, the tables are turned and roles are reversed, when Max is diagnosed with a cancer that will soon take his life.

In her journey to personal healing, Max's owner rediscovers her love of writing and begins an inspirational internet blog sharing Max’s final months with her readers. MAXDOG of South Africa, the blog, captures a world-wide audience giving Max's owner new purpose and direction in her life.

MAXDOG is filled with laughter, tears and bittersweet moments that will pull the reader into its pages. This heartwarming tale is testimony to the enduring power of the human spirit and the unconditional love shared between a Golden Retriever and its owner

“This is my dog;

Nothing he lacks.

My faithful companion,

This is my Max.”

---xXx---

Remember, please email me if you want to secure a copy.

carylmoll@yahoo.com

Sending lotsaluv and thanks for your continued support.

---xXx---

MAXDOG's GRACE

MAXDOG’s GRACE

62 Precious, Perfect days

Tended carefully in mysterious ways;

Chosen with heart to heal my soul;

Angel pup – to make me whole.

Now he prances in unbridled glee

The Golden Dog for all to see.

His manner, his ways, we all did know

Now in this pup, will smilingly show.

We can question, did the dog really die

Tis just an illusion, an earthly lie.

Beneath that golden, shimmering face

Lies all the glory of MAXDOG’s Grace.

(Caryl Moll 22 August 2011)

There are many mysteries in life...

TOBY is one... but I don't question..

Sending lotsaluv

THE LIGHTER SIDE..Another dog show.

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

TOBY, da 'Sweet Hooligan' here...

Hey guys,

They say I's still a

SWEET HOOLIGAN!

Yep, they put me in another dog show today - and I thinks I's sick of dog shows now!
Dog shows all weekend!

...and I'm often confined to my crate:

So, I try and creep out of the door.

Today's show was the

ROODEPOORT and DISTRICTS

CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW

Mista Donovan was my handler. 

He's cool, hey?!

I like Mista Donovan!

Mista Donovan is always my handler. 

 Maxmom watches from the sidelines. 

Today, I was an extra-sweet Hooligan!

Maxmom says she felt sorry for Mista Donovan

The Peeps say I did well: Both days I was the

"Best Junior in my breed"

and then went on to compete with the other breeds

Both days I came 4th in that competition.

But yesterday they also gave me a certificate which says

"Reserve Best in Breed"

and another which says

"RCC"

I think my 'SWEET HOOLIGANISM" is paying off!

What do my furry-friends think?

I'd love to know.

Sending lotsalicks

TOBY: SHOW PHOTOGRAPHS

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

MAXMOM here...

Hello there everybody!

Show results:
GOLDFIELDS KENNEL CLUB

CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW

Toby received his first RCC (Reserve Champion Certificate).

Also got BEST JUNIOR GOLDEN RETRIEVER

4th BEST JUNIOR IN GUNDOG GROUP

Congratulations to TOBY's breeder:

 (Zena Butler - RUFFITWOOD GOLDEN RETRIEVERS)

Below: "RUDI", Toby's grandfather...

I would like to say 'Thank you', again, to TOBY's handler

DONOVAN McCABE

For those of you who may be interested:
Donovan owns 'Flannigan' - Toby's father - and has graciously agreed to be Toby's handler in all the shows which he will be entering. I am really grateful to Don'.  Thank you for being such a wonderful handler, Donovan. Toby really adores you!

 Congratulations on an awesome result too!

Well, we're off to another show tomorrow... It's a really full weekend.

Sending lotsaluv and wishing you a happy weekend too.