"Hills Pet Nutrition": MAXDOG says Thank you!

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

MAXMOM here...

("Maxdog" talking...)

Sometimes you just have to believe in your dream...

Sometimes you are simply compelled to reach for it...

And you know, in your heart, that you have no choice in the matter...

You just have to do it!

You have to take the chance!

You have to 'bite the bullet'!

...and sometimes it can be a lonely journey too.

Well that is how it has been throughout the journey with my book,

MAXDOG.

My reasons for self-publication are numerous and I'd like to take a moment to share them with you.

Reason 1:

 Since I felt so strongly about the MAXDOG story, I also felt that I had to retain control over its rollout. You see, MAXDOG is dedicated to my blogging friends around the world and, for this reason, I wanted to ensure that I did them justice.  I needed to protect the manuscript and the story from the ruthlessness that I had heard about in the publishing industry.  My blogging-buddies had become my cyber-support group at a time when I needed it most  -  MAXDOG's '107 Days of Grace'.  The intention of this book is to attempt to give a gift back to them: i.e. the affirmation of the strong emotional bonds between companion animals and their owners. I couldn't do this, if I passed control over to another party.

Reason 2:

*Secondly, why would I want to hand over to my book to a mainstream publisher when I have absolute confidence as to its success? Wouldn't this be non-sensical?

Reason 3:

* Thirdly, I would have a far better chance at my secondary dream - of engaging in some form of charitable venture at a later stage - if I retained control over MAXDOG.

It is these three reasons that affirmed my decision to self-publish. 

This choice, however, does not come without hurdles...

* How was I to finance my book?

* Who would help me with the production, editing, layout, etc?

*How would I get publicity for my book?

The biggest problem in all of this was the 'financing' part. So I sat down and gave it some careful thought. In the end, I decided to use the inheritance I received from my mother - at the time of Maxdog's diagnosis.  In some way, this would also serve to bring tribute to her, my special mother's, memory.

There have been many incredible people who have encouraged me along this journey to publication.  I am so grateful to them all and I have paid tribute to them in my book. 

But there are some whom I still have to acknowledge...

Yesterday, I received an email from

HILLS PET NUTRITION

- a premium pet food company, here in South Africa

These kind people have agreed to assist me to try and make up my costs by purchasing a bulk order of my books.

They have also offered to sponsor my own dogs with dog food for the next six months.

I am so grateful for their small partnership and I cannot begin to tell you how important the words...

"MAXDOG endorsed by HILLS PET NUTRITION"

are to me.

This company has always generously involved itself in many pet-related ventures around the country.

Their activities include the sponsoring of a number of the dogshows.

But it's not only the championshipshows which they sponsor...

They also sponsor some of the all-important 'OPEN' shows.  I feel that this is significant, particularly because it gives some of us dog owners - who have been unsuccessful in the championship rings -  a chance in the show ring anyway. 

(TOBY: BEST JUNIOR: GOLDEN RETREIVER "OPEN" SHOW, Gauteng 2011)

We all love our dogs!

We all think our dogs are the best!

Every dog is important! ...show dogs AND non-show dogs alike! 

and I think HILLS PET NUTRITION understand this.

 In addition, they also sponsor some of our 'junior handler' competitions - much to our 'little ones' delight!

  This company is always visible!...and I have no hesitation in giving them a 'shout out'!

Yes, I accept that this is publicity, but HILLS PET NUTRITION are always extremely generous with their prizes and are working towards ultimate nutrition for our faithful companions.

And here's a thing...

they are now are also helping to give my little book a push too...and I am very grateful indeed!

Thank you so much, Michelle, for believing in the MAXDOG story!

I hope my blogging friends around the world will therefore allow me to say:

THANK YOU, HILLS PET NUTRITION!!!

THANK YOU for your confidence - even though you've not read my book yet. 

Thank you for your encouragement and your support. 

I hope that your purchase of my MAXDOG books will bring credit to your company.

Credit, which you well deserve... for taking a chance on me and many others!

"Wherever MAXDOG goes, let it do good."

Finally...

here's my own 'vital' dog, TOBY...

'LIVING LIFE TO THE MAX!"

Sending lotsaluv to all my blogging friends around the world,