MENTAL HEALTH WEEK and MAXDOG report...

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...

So much is happening in my life that I can hardly think straight at the moment...

My interview with the pretty, young reporter from the RANDBURG SUN, on Friday, went very well indeed (in my opinion).  'Karishma' seemed to enjoy our chat, but one never knows with these things.  Hopefully she will be able to put something nice together with all the information I have given her.  I also gave her a copy of MAXDOG and hope that she will enjoy my book.

  Thank you, Karishma, for taking the time to hear about MAXDOG...

(Karishma Thakurdin: RANDBURG SUN REPORTER)

 To my readers living in the Randburg area - look out for the article about MAXDOG in Thursday's edition of RANDBURG SUN ( 19th January 2011)

Well, Friday was a brilliant day in many respects. My heart skipped a beat when Porcupine Press (my publishers) phoned me to tell me that CNA (One of the largest chainstores of books and stationery in South Africa) have put in a bulk order of 100 books. This is fabulous news for both Porcupine Press and me!  This order will help greatly with the publicity of MAXDOG too and hopefully other companies/organisations will follow suite with future orders.  MAXDOG will be on CNA shelves in the next month or two.

---xXx---

The very important news, however,  is that this week, for me, is...

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AWARENESS WEEK!

It is time to acknowledge the many people around the world who suffer from this illness - including me.

I have received so many emails from friends, who have taken the time to share their own journeys with this sometimes debilitating illness.  More often than not, it is the loneliness and isolation of sufferers which hits the hardest. We sometimes feel so alone, but still have to face the horrible social stereotypes, judgement and taboo within our communities.  This must stop!  It is time to not only speak out, but to learn more about my illness.

One of the themes in MAXDOG is exactly this!

Not only is it a story about my amazing dog, but it is an account of my own journey to 'healing' and my management of this illness. 

My dream, through MAXDOG, is to create awareness about this condition and to play my part in ridding the world of these dangerous stereotypes...

(121 million people around the world suffer from this illness)

http://www.who.int/mental_health/management/depression/definition/en/

The good news is that there are many places to seek help.  A simple google search will enable you to find the help that you may need.  In South Africa, the people to contact are:

SOUTH AFRICAN DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY SUPPORT GROUP.

This site has a wealth of valuable information.

Don't delay, seek help!

---xXx---

Tomorrow night, I am sheduled to be interviewed about MAXDOG by Karen Key (SAFM presenter) as part of their radio programme on Mental Health.  Thanks to the vigilance of 'Fran' in New Zealand, I was alerted to the fact that my international followers will be able to

LISTEN TO ME, LIVE!!!
Please click HERE
Once you are on the above link, please select "SAFM"

If this link doesn't work, please try this one http://streema.com/radios/SAFM#

Yes, on Tuesday evening (17th January) at 21h30 (SOUTH AFRICAN TIME), you can go to this link on the Internet to listen to the interview, about MAXDOG, LIVE!  I believe it will be for about half an hour.  Please tune in to support me.  Please would you perhaps also take the time to drop me a note if you are going to be listening to the program.  You can do so either in the comments section - under this post - or via my email:

carylmoll AT yahoo DOT com.

(It would be so nice to know which of my blogging-buddies are on the other end of the airwaves when I go 'live'...kind of 'moral support', if you like.)

Other good news is that my publicist - Helen Holyoake, from HELCO PROMOTIONS, has managed to secure a number of book reviews for MAXDOG in the next few months. Publications include: Citizen, Daily News, Pretoria News, Sunday Times (read/write), Vets Life, Pets Health, Horses in Harness, Animal Talk, Marie-Claire, Essentials Mag, 'O' Mag, etc.

I must tell you,  I feel rather shell-shocked with this whole journey.  At this stage, I am still trying to comprehend the first little fact that MAXDOG is actually in print.  All this emerging publicity is very new to me and rather daunting to say the least.  What keeps me going is that I believe so strongly that MAXDOG's story really needs to get told.  I really want to give voice to the powerful relationships which exist between companion animals and their owners, as well as to throw light (via my personal story) on the hope which exists for people, for people like me, who battle with 'Depression and Anxiety'.

Further news is that MAXDOG is now listed on 'bookdepository.co.uk' - another channel for ordering your copy of MAXDOG.

Hopefully this week will also shed some light about what is happening regarding the 'Print-on-demand' version of MAXDOG (scheduled for Amazon.com.)  I've had a number of hiccups with this process, but hopefully I'll hear some good news soon.  

MAXDOG ebook,  too, will soon become available for purchase on a number of sites. 

Please watch this blog for updates.

On the homefront, 'Scotch' - Miss "R"s guinea-pig - went in for the 'big snip' on Friday.  I am happy to report that he has recovered from his ordeal.  He's also been deemed fit to 'socialise' with the other resident guinea-pigs at Onderstepoort Veterinary training facility (where Miss "R" is a student).  He is the cutest little bundle of fluff that I have seen in a long time and I have developed an affinity for his sweet little 'Guinea-pig-giggle'.

Sending lotsaluv to all my friends across the world and wishing you a wonderful, happy and fulfilling week.