Rescuing Dogs

In my adult life, I have been blessed with adopting four dogs that the ASPCA rescued. Two of those dogs, Dakota and Stout, have long since passed, and after them, we had two Shiloh Shepherds that we purchased from breeders, but it’s our last two dogs, Ursula and Miracle, that are part of my blog today.

In 2020 we invited Ursula into our home. She had a fascinating story. Ursula was rescued from a meat farm in South Korea. She was one of over a hundred dogs rescued and shipped to the United States to find forever homes. Ursula is, of course, the scared one in the front, and the big dog is my boy Garda.

Ursula lived almost three years in a small, filthy cage crammed full of many other dogs. They said she was a Jindo Mix and was about three and a half years old when we adopted her in December of 2020. She had no idea what a toy was or how to be loved by a human. To her, we were dangerous.

When we first got her, she was scared to death of us, although she never showed any violence toward us. She only bared her teeth when we picked her up to put her in the car, but never bit us. She cowered when we were near and paced relentlessly. Especially if a stranger was in the house with us.

When we adopted her, one of Shiloh’s was still alive. Garda did his best to show her that she could trust us, but because he was older and not as active, she didn’t truly get the experience. She slowly warmed up to us and wouldn’t jump up and run if we came near. After about a year, we introduced her to a canine behavioral therapist who has since helped us adjust medication for her, giving her a completely new life.

On December 24, 2021, Miracle, or Mira as we usually call her, joined our family. She had been rescued from Virginia, and we believe that she received her name because she had survived an extreme situation that allowed her to live. Pictured below is Ursula, not quite sure what to think of this, along with Mira and Garda out.

Mira and Ursula have become fast friends, and since Mira joined our family, Ursula has learned what life is like to be a doggy. She plays with toys, wags her tail when she sees us, barks excitedly when we get up, and loves, loves, loves pets now. She also loves treats and will lay her chin on our leg while we eat in hopes of getting a tasty treat.

We also learned through DNA tests that Ursula is 29% West Siberian Laika, 22% Russian-European Laika, 12% American Pit Bull Terrier, 11% Kishu Ken, 7% Belgian Malinois, 4% German Shepherd, and 4% Jindo. She has a few other strands, which are lower than 4%.

We also learned that Mira, who they called a shepherd mix, is 46% Great Pyrenees, 43% German Shepherd Dog, 6% Anatolian Shepherd Dog, 3% White Swiss Shepherd, 2% Bohemian Shepherd Dog.

Our puppies are now well acquainted, happy and active doggies, and true blessings to our family. We were lucky to be able to give them both good, safe homes where they will get years of love.

In the season where we should be thankful for everything, we are especially thankful for all the doggies we have had. Happy Holidays to you all.

Happy Holidays from Authors’ Billboard

All of us at Authors’ Billboard wish you HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Happy Holidays

 

Celebrating the Season

What is your favorite holiday to celebrate? Is it Christmas, when everything around us is sparkling lights, mistletoe, and evergreen? Or is it New Year, where you get to toast to new beginnings? What about Memorial Day, where everyone is ready for the sun and sand of the summer?

Personally, I’m a Memorial Day and 4th of July kind of girl. Celebrating freedom and spending time remembering those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for that freedom. Plus, I’m totally a summer sun person!

Several years ago, I wrote a book called, Tangled in Tinsel. It was a sweet little Christmas romance, and one of my readers told me that she loved the little town of Celebration that it was set in. She said it would be so awesome to have a series there.

I thought that was a great idea too, and thanks to her, Tangled in Tinsel became the first of a thirteen books series!!

Celebration Township is made for family, friends, falling in love, and don’t forget celebrating the holidays. The first twelve books bring two people onto center stage as they overcome odds and figure out what their futures may hold. There is laughter, love, romance, and even suspense when you join these couples as they each find a happily ever after over a holiday. The thirteenth book brings all twelve couples, and even a few special guests, into final focus as the first couple in Tangled in Tinsel prepares for their wedding one year after they met.


Tangled in Tinsel, Book 1 (Christmas) – Download this one for FREE!
Tears to Cheers, Book 2 (New Year’s)
Heathens to Hearts, Book 3 (Valentines)
Rainbows bring Riches, Book 4 (St. Patrick’s Day)
Sweet as Sugar, Book 5 (Easter)
Making Mom Mad, Book 6 (Mother’s Day)
Sparklers or Spankings, Book 7 (Memorial Day)
Raffles to Rattles, Book 8 (Father’s Day)
Flirting with Fireworks, Book 9 (4th of July)
Working with Wheels, Book 10 (Labor Day)
Masquerading at Midnight, Book 11 (Halloween)
Blessings & Beans, Book 12 (Thanksgiving)
Velvet & Vows, Book 13 (Christmas one year later)

A Christmas of Memories

T’is the Season to be jolly. Not really. Not this season, as we wonder collectively: “What will happen this year?” Christmas 2020 will be different for many people. For us, it will mean no family gathering. As I set my few Christmas decorations, I can’t help smiling at the incredible work and fun previous Christmas family reunions meant.

I used to cook for days and set a lovely table. The place would turn into a happy mess a few minutes after my young guests arrived, and the kids would insist on cleaning.

My Christmas decorations are cheering the place and reminding me that true happiness come from the heart. A two-foot tree is standing on a side table and decorated with a string of tiny lights, colored bulbs, and tiny Santas. I remove it and store it in its box every year. A Santa Claus that a friend of my mother gave me for my daughter’s birth, and a Nativity in Lenox, a Christmas gift from my mother many years ago, complete my decorations.

I count my blessings every day. The vaccines are coming and we have something to celebrate.

Over the past two months I published more books than in the past two years and contributed novels to several Authors’ Billboard anthologies.

So yes, it’s the Season to be Jolly. 

Love You, Doc series:
A Complete Family: Nurse Melody is continuously late at work. Determined to find out the reason for her tardiness, Dr. Aidan visits her house, unintentionally scares her little daughter, and is attacked by her vicious German shepherd. But attraction sizzles…
Love in the ER: Despite a traumatic experience, a young doctor with a four-year-old daughter returns to work in the ER. Will the charming Chief of ER make her job easier or more difficult?
Love on the Slopes: A victim of mockery, Gabriella hides her pain and limp. After saving her from a ski accident, can Dr. Nathan win her love and rebuild her knee?
Secret Kisses: Three friends have the misfortune of falling in love with men of different religions. Will they manage to convince their families to let them marry for love or will tradition tear the lovers apart?
The Senator’s Family Series, Part 2:
Sunshine Over Snow: When his children manage to ruin his second wedding, Brad is caught between a furious fiancée and an offended ex-wife, both determined to keep him and make him pay for his mistakes.
His Son, Her Daughter: High school sweethearts reunited after twenty years by their small children. Their conflicting baggage prevents them from fully trusting each other. Yet what wouldn’t Daniel do for his son and her daughter?
Between Babies and Girlfriends: Abandoned baby twins, a former girlfriend, an almost fiancée complicate Dr. Brian Dutton’s life to no end.
Half a Dozen with Love: At twenty, Tammy is left with the responsibility of five brothers and sisters. Dr. Jack Conan stops the Foster Care system from separating the children, but his unorthodox solution may complicate Tammy’s problems—or bring her into his arms?