Animals

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Meet Stella the French Bulldog

Although Mission: Impossible to Forget is a contemporary romantic suspense, there are still details I research. I’ve had great fun learning about French bulldogs since this book features one of these adorable canines.

Stella, Emily’s dog in Mission: Impossible to Forget, isn’t based on Stella in the TV show Modern Family but a real dog I “met” during my time performing for the Seattle ballet. Her owner used to bring Stella backstage to help calm the children before their performance.

In Mission: Impossible to Forget, Stella is companion to professional cellist Emily Hewitt. If you aren’t acquainted with this breed of dog, here are a few characteristics that make them one of the most popular breeds.

With large bat ears, French bulldogs are small enough to be suitable for city dwellers. They stand 11-13 inches and weigh under 28 pounds.

The breed has an even disposition, is playful, alert, entertaining, and adaptable.

Frenchies aren’t excessive barkers, but they are territorial, making them good watchdogs.

French bulldogs are “talkative”. They snore, grunt, yip, and make other odd noises.

Watch this video to learn more about French bulldogs.

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Mission: Impossible to Forget releases April 1. Preorder your copy today to fall in love with Stella, Emily, and Nick.

 

 

Working Dogs on Duty

I’m always amazed and impressed by the jobs canines can be trained to perform. When I was researching and writing An Inner Fire, I met Henny, a Lab who worked as an Accelerant Detection K9.

Many of the tasks dogs assist with are well-known because of media coverage or simply because we encounter them in every day life.

Pet Therapy Dogs

Military K9s

Search and Rescue Dogs

There are other jobs dogs help with that are less commonly known but just as important.

Airport Wildlife Control – These dogs keep airport runways and taxiways free of animals and birds.

Acting and Entertainment – Toto (real name Terry, the Cairn Terrier) is probably the most famous canine actor, but it’s not uncommon for these furry showbiz pets to become jut as popular as two-legged celebrities.

Pest Control Dogs – Exterminators sometimes use dogs to detect pests such as bed bugs, termites and mosquitoes. After all, the nose knows!

What other canine occupations are you familiar with?

A Special Touch ~ Excerpt from 'An Inner Fire'

Grayce’s morning passed quickly—a few minor behavior problems, adjustment to a new relationship, and hairballs.

Hollie appeared at her door. “Your new client’s here.” With her pierced eyebrow arched in contempt, Hollie emphasized new like it was infected.

Grayce nodded, trying to decipher Hollie’s odd behavior. Always loving with the animals, Hollie kept a safe, cool distance from two-legged clients. Hollie didn’t look cool.

Grayce scanned her schedule. “Mr. Davis with Mitzi, a standard poodle.”

Hollie returned with the new client. Grayce stared. She blinked twice. Mr. Davis was Lieutenant Davis. Bewildered to see the fire investigator in her office after last night’s nightmare, she blurted, “Has there been another fire?”

“No, I’m a patient. I mean my dog’s a patient.”

Grayce rechecked her patient list. “Mitzi?”

His face flushed when she used Mitzi’s name. Had she gotten the name wrong? She seldom did. The black poodle’s ears perked at the mention of her name.

“Yes, Mitzi.” His face remained red as he led his dog into the room. Grayce focused on the haughty poodle, limping protectively next to her owner. There was something about the spunky dog she couldn’t grasp.

Grayce couldn’t envision the lieutenant comfortable in the overstuffed chintz treatment chair. She gestured to the chair across from her desk. “Please be seated. How can I help you…and Mitzi?”

“Mitzi was injured at the fireground,” he said.

Grayce bent on one knee, not touching the stressed dog. “Mitzi, what an amazing protector.”

She never knew where the words came from when she spoke to animals, but she knew they came from a deep part of her. She offered the words while observing the effect of her voice. Mitzi outwardly appeared calm but her eyes remained alert, watchful.

Grayce gently touched Mitzi’s head, needing to comfort, connect with the injured dog. Showers of blue sparks danced in her peripheral vision like those from an overloaded circuit. The charge flowing from the dog to her hand topped any ampere scale. Lightheaded from the power surge, Grayce forced herself upright and stepped toward the old pine table that served as her desk.

Looking across the table, she saw Davis’ concern.

“I’m fine, just got up too quickly.” She knew he didn’t buy it, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say.

Read more contemporary romantic suspense: An Inner Fire

No Dog Left Behind - A network of heroes

Animal rescue efforts have grown from local shelters that take in strays and abandoned pets to sophisticated networks that transport animals to new homes and bright futures aboard airplanes.

Talk about inspiration for an author!

I recently read an article on ConsumersAdvocate about one such organization. Pittsburgh Aviation Animal Rescue Team (PAART) works to transport at-risk animals by networking with other rescue groups, shelters and adoption organizations. To maximize efficiency of their efforts, PAART fills their planes with food and supplies, often providing desperately needed supplies for shelters that are over-crowded, which often leads to euthanizing healthy animals.

Transporting pets and animals via airplanes may seem extreme, but consider a geographic area that has been hit with a major disaster such as a hurricane or flood. In a case like this, the region is not able to provide resources for the sudden increase in lost or abandoned animals. Relocating these animals to a region not impacted by disaster offers more resources and individuals who are able to rehome and/or care for them.

I’m sure my readers would fall for a strong, alpha hero in a contemporary romantic suspense novel, like my Grayce Walters series, who showed a soft spot for animals. A pilot who volunteers with a fictional organization based on PAART sounds good to me!

Summer Safety Tips for Pets

Keep your Fourth festive (and your summer sunny) by implementing these strategies to keep pets safe and healthy. It is especially important to consider the welfare of your pets during Fourth of July celebrations because many are terrified of fireworks and loud noises.

  • Keep pets indoors.
  • Use only pet-specific products such as bug repellant and sunscreen.
  • Prevent pets from drinking alcohol, which can poison them.
  • Outfit pets with ID tags and/or microchip. Keep a clear, current picture of your pet in case they get lost.
  • Do not use fireworks around pets.
  • Keep harmful chemicals such as lighter fluid and citronella products away from pets.
  • Don’t give pets table food. Many human foods are hazardous to animals.
  • Supervise children around pets who may be agitated or frightened by loud noises. Additionally, make sure children do not inadvertently leave behind toys, such as glow sticks, which dogs may chew and ingest.
  • Secure your pet in a safe, quiet, comfortable area at home while you enjoy fireworks and celebrations.

  • If traveling with your pet, bring health/vaccination certificates. Check any requirements if you are traveling internationally or flying.
  • Plan ahead to find pet-friendly hotels.
  • Install pet restraints, pet barriers or use a travel crate in your vehicle to avoid your pet being injured in an accident or distracting the driver.
  • Pack pet gear for your road trip: water bowl, toys, dog food, leash, grooming supplies and pet first-aid kit.
  • Never leave pets alone in an unattended vehicle, especially in hot weather.
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  • Learn water safety tips to keep dogs safe around pools and at the beach.
  • Know the signs of heat stroke (rapid panting, bright red tongue, thick sticky saliva, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea) and proper treatment.

Share your pet safety tip!

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