SUNDAY's CHATTY POST and PACK CATCH-UP

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

MAXMOM here...

Our city has been washed clean with all the recent rain we've had. The local park looks green and lush, if not a little slushy.  It's perfect weather for hadedah ibises, who systematically scout around in search of half-drowing crickets and, once satiated, settle for a few hours on the neighbour's roof to dry their large and cumbersome feathers. 

 "Tweety", our resident weaver bird and his harem are also doing well. As a diligent provider to his ever-growing feathered family, he happily spends his whole life collecting seeds on our front lawn. What a simply beautiful, feisty and determined little feathered friend he is.  Aint he sweet?

The past two weeks have been absolutely incredible! 

Sometimes I have to pinch myself and ask is this really happening? 

 Is MAXDOG really in print? 

I feel so blessed. My original goal of simply trying to make my story available to my blogging-buddies who may have wanted to read it, has gained an unknown momentum.  Things seem to be moving beyond all my expectations. I am still struggling to comprehend that I have actually written a book, let alone all this publicity which is going along with it. It feels rather like being encased in a bubble.  When is it going to pop?

To give you an idea, these are the main events which have happened over the past two weeks:

*  MAXDOG's first book review in "THE WITNESS",

* An article about MAXDOG in the "RANDBURG SUN"

*A MAXDOG 'give-away' in "PETS HEALTH" (A magazine which is distributed to Veterinary practices around the country.

 * My appearance as a guest on SAFM radio  last week and the subsequent response to the photographic and audio presentation on youtube.

*Being given the opportunity to write PORCUPINE PRESS's blog for them.

*Making the decision to order another 1000 copies of MAXDOG because we are going to run out soon (and the real publicity hasn't yet hit the market).

*The wonderful news that MAXDOG will soon be available as a 'Print-on-demand' book via Amazon.com (in about one month's time) and will therefore become freely available to my international audience. It is already listed on the UK's 'BOOK DEPOSITORY'

****MAXDOG as an "eBOOK" is now available!!!  ... from the

UK BOOK DEPOSITORY

*The news that CNA (a large book and stationary store chain in SA has ordered a bulk-order of MAXDOG.

*An invitation from our local pet store (P.E.T.S) in Rock Cottage shopping centre to do a book signing soon.

*The news that MAXDOG sales in the large bookstores are going very well indeed.

*The many emails and feedback from people who have read the book and are singing it's praises. Here is one 'snippet' from Gail in Scotland:

"The next time I get a blank look when I try explaining to someone the appeal of writing a dog blog, I shall direct them to Maxdog, as in it you have put into words many of the things I have tried to tell people, and you have expressed them all so vividly and so much better than I ever could. "

(Thank you, Gail!)

I feel totally humbled by all this...and enormously blessed too.

Many thanks to everyone for your continued encouragement and support.  I could never have embarked on this journey without your love and faithful presence in my life.

Thank you!

---xXx---

Home life chugs on.  My daughters are living elsewhere nowadays and are reaching for their dreams.  Our pack of canines has been left to deal with a quieter house, with only 'The Boss' and me to keep them company during the week.  This quiet reverie is disrupted again when the weekends arrive.  Nobody receives a bigger welcome than my two daughters when they open the front door on a Friday.

Toby remains a "Sweet hooligan", while Tammy continues her role as the regal Matriarch. 

She is slowly, but surely, aging and struggles somewhat with her arthritis. We give her glucosamine regularly as well as her eye-drops and she is enjoying the HILLS J/D Diet too.  Her arthritis doesn't deter her however from  a happy game of 'bitey-face' with the large 40kg goofball named 'Toby'.

King Toffee has gained great benefit from his deafness in recent months.  To him, the world is no longer a threat and he has adopted a very 'chilled' demeanour. 

Walks, too, are very pleasant with "The King" around.  His history of a 'lack of social skills' is no longer a problem.  So long as he's near our feet and other dogs don't crowd him, he's fine and happy to run along; enjoying his new-found freedom in his old age.

King Toffee has recently been blessed with a wonderful donation of dog food - a whole case of tinned HILLS K/D diet to help him with his ailing kidneys. (from 'Carole' at P.E.T.S store at Rock Cottage)  Toffee is in doggie heaven with this food and always arrives at my side, post meal, smugly satisfied.  To him, it's lip-smacking stuff!  Thank you so much, Carole, for your generosity!

Well, that's all the news for now.  Once again, please accept my sincere apologies for not visiting many blogs.  Also accept my love and thanks for the role you all play in my life.

Sending lotsaluv