tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post5786418388206903537..comments2024-03-28T23:05:51.705-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: A Lady and a Princess: a guest blog by Linda RodriguezJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-20236716962214088322012-03-24T20:04:07.120-04:002012-03-24T20:04:07.120-04:00I have been eagerly awaiting your book, and this e...I have been eagerly awaiting your book, and this entry made me pre-order it for my kindle. We had a wonderful dog named Puff who might have been part collie. She looked like a huge wire hair fox terrier. I used to worry about making sure she felt loved, never thinking about the unconditional love she was showing us.Trishanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-34817448172446666592012-03-22T22:12:55.145-04:002012-03-22T22:12:55.145-04:00Deb, yes, I thought that was fascinating about dog...Deb, yes, I thought that was fascinating about dogs smelling the onset of illness, especially cancer. There's so much fascinating new information being learned all the time.<br /><br />We have had a good crop of dog stories, haven't we?<br /><br />As for your neighbor's dog, well, dogs do know who loves them. They respond to love with love--always. There are no bad dogs, just dogs who've had bad or ignorant owners.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-53138473489851220442012-03-22T22:08:49.008-04:002012-03-22T22:08:49.008-04:00Thanks for your concern, Judy, and your support. B...Thanks for your concern, Judy, and your support. Bless you and all the others who work in the field trying to help children!<br /><br />I'll bet you do love to read a good mystery where disorder and crime are fought and (usually) order and tranquility. And you've certainly come to the right place for good mysteries here at Jungle Reds.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-19662179812945236422012-03-22T20:58:41.998-04:002012-03-22T20:58:41.998-04:00Linda,
What a fascinating fact about dogs detectin...Linda,<br />What a fascinating fact about dogs detecting cancer! I had a cousin who died of cancer as a teenager. The family dog stuck to her like glue whenever she returned home from chemo -he seemed to sense that she did not feel well and needed comforting - and barked loudly for help when she would get sick to her stomach. My aunt felt that he was their own built in Home Care nurse.<br /><br /> I am impressed with all the dog stories today! I love dogs and would love to have one but I just don't see that it would be feasible financially. Former neighbors used to joke that they should ask me to stay inside when they needed to walk their dog -whenever he saw me outside, he would drag his human over to me,and flip over on his back so I could rub his stomach, and then he would not want to leave!Deb Romanonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-5148489510463743212012-03-22T19:00:31.014-04:002012-03-22T19:00:31.014-04:00Linda, thanks for sharing your story; I'm glad...Linda, thanks for sharing your story; I'm glad you made it through the other side. I would take care of yourself in terms of writing that memoir. People seem to have an insatiable appetite for these stories, but may not realize what it literally takes to put all that down on paper. <br /><br />I'm a social worker and hear these stories nearly every day, so I love to delve into a good mystery! I am glad I'm on Jungle Reds' list so that I heard about you, and look forward to reading your debut.<br /><br />Wishing you peace and strength,<br /><br />JodiJudybusyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12932570621441908178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-14937826576764953692012-03-22T18:37:49.271-04:002012-03-22T18:37:49.271-04:00Hi, Hallie! I don't know about the memoir. You...Hi, Hallie! I don't know about the memoir. You guys may make me change my mind there. Just not sure I want to relive those days every day for the time it would take to write it.<br /><br />What a bummer to learn that you were allergic after you were finally able to get your cat! I'd hate to have to give up my animals (though my doc would like me to since I have asthma). On the plus side, once your kids are grown, you can pick up and go traveling without a problem. No arranging kennel stays, etc.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-91407788021055814792012-03-22T18:08:32.685-04:002012-03-22T18:08:32.685-04:00Wow - what a childhood. Talk about making lemonade...Wow - what a childhood. Talk about making lemonade... The rule in our house was NO DOGS. when I got my own place I immediately got cats, and then found out I was severely allergic. <br /><br />So seriously: when's the memoir? Not many of us have had the kind of experiences you have.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-91202403123772405332012-03-22T16:49:03.741-04:002012-03-22T16:49:03.741-04:00Also, a big shout-out to Red Rhys, whose HUSH NOW,...Also, a big shout-out to Red Rhys, whose HUSH NOW, DON'T YOU CRY made NYT bestseller list! Hurray, Rhys!Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-66060994460039704082012-03-22T16:37:16.610-04:002012-03-22T16:37:16.610-04:00Lucy, so glad you also loved THE ODDS. It's su...Lucy, so glad you also loved THE ODDS. It's such a great book!<br /><br />I love those names, Bondo and Tigger. A devilish cat--I've had my share of them! Cats are "a whole nother story," as my Gran used to say. They're such complicated little beings. I've always had cats, and such a variety of personalities they had! Sometimes what a variety of personalities just one of them would have!<br /><br />It is hard to imagine loving one of your pets more than the one you currently adore, I know. Though I must say, my last dog, the Husky-Sharpei, Mina, was so very special. And that doesn't take anything away from Dyson, who's young and loving and smart and eager to please, but doesn't have the senior wisdom Mina had.<br /><br />And Malice, yessss! We'll have a JungleReds meet-up!Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-68131778474388906732012-03-22T16:27:42.508-04:002012-03-22T16:27:42.508-04:00Deb, thanks so much for your kind words.
Dogs are...Deb, thanks so much for your kind words.<br /><br />Dogs are very sensitive and can often tell when their owner is sick. They can predict seizures, vertigo episodes (I notice you gave that to your PTSD search and rescue guy!), and other sudden onset conditions, often allowing their owners warning to take medicine or find a safe place. Then, they stay close to offer support, emotional and physical.<br /><br />Your cocker was a born service dog! <br /><br />Researchers now believe that some highly trained dogs can smell the changes cancer makes in our bodies before the cancer would show up on any other tests! If they can replicate and breed & train more of these dogs, they could become the ultimate early warning systems for humans.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-68598221619244830172012-03-22T16:25:09.692-04:002012-03-22T16:25:09.692-04:00Oh Linda, yes, I highly recommend Kathleen George&...Oh Linda, yes, I highly recommend Kathleen George's book THE ODDS. Loved the book, loved the characters.<br /><br />I totally forgot that my first family dog was a collie, Bondo. But my childhood angel was really a devilish cat named Tigger:).<br /><br />Probably Tonka, my current Aussie, is my adult soul dog. But then it's always hard to imagine loving an animal more than the current one in residence. Except for Chuck the cat, who was crabby all his life....<br /><br />And yay! will see you at Malice!Lucy Burdettehttp://www.lucyburdette.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-67784664079301542232012-03-22T16:14:37.306-04:002012-03-22T16:14:37.306-04:00Linda, I loved your story, and if I hadn't alr...Linda, I loved your story, and if I hadn't already been sold on the book because of you, you'd have sold me today because I want to read about Lady. You know what a softie I am for a dog story.<br /><br />As much as I dearly love our shepherds, the first dog of my heart was a cocker spaniel, Taffy. My ex brought him home as a tiny puppy when our daughter was seven. He had all the bad over-bred cocker spaniel traits, both in health and temperament, but there was a bond between us I'm not sure I've every experienced with any other dog. I was suffering from very severe sudden-onset vertigo at the time. Taffy always knew when episodes were coming, and once I'd fallen, he'd stayed plastered against my side until I could get up again, which was sometimes hours. He died of cancer at nine and it broke my heart. But if anyone has ever wondered why Gemma has a cocker spaniel rather than a German shepherd, now you know.<br /><br />Linda, I've put your release date on my calendar, and will be there--at least virtually--with bells on!Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519514786198185277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-65571815153029879142012-03-22T16:14:17.561-04:002012-03-22T16:14:17.561-04:00Congrats on your success Linda, the book sounds te...Congrats on your success Linda, the book sounds terrific!Jan Broganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11323983086318138814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-52856469321503195182012-03-22T15:39:21.771-04:002012-03-22T15:39:21.771-04:00Oh yes, the dog is the best friend of the child wh...Oh yes, the dog is the best friend of the child who's constantly the new kid in class. When you're having to prove yourself to everyone else and worry about what they're thinking of you, your dog is there giving you all that love just because you exist. If I could, I'd give every kid a good dog.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-65592355936441866842012-03-22T15:33:22.057-04:002012-03-22T15:33:22.057-04:00What a touching story, Linda! I'm so glad you ...What a touching story, Linda! I'm so glad you had Princess in your life. <br /><br />My family moved to eleven different places by the time I was just 13 years old. My dog, Bingo, was a wonderful and faithful friend through all the turmoil.Kara Cerisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16484336785514235707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-63022865052619084492012-03-22T14:19:32.078-04:002012-03-22T14:19:32.078-04:00Oh, Gloria, yes. Those puppy-mill dogs often don&#...Oh, Gloria, yes. Those puppy-mill dogs often don't live very long, and it's so hard to tell that they're coming from that kind of environment sometimes. All you can do is love them and grieve when you lose them. So sorry you had to go through that with Molly and so happy you have healthy Maggie to love now!Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-43009173763809726092012-03-22T14:06:28.901-04:002012-03-22T14:06:28.901-04:00Most of my collies came as strays or were give awa...Most of my collies came as strays or were give aways. I bought a collie puppy darn cheap in 2005 from a rather poor environment. When I had to have her put to sleep before she was quite five years old because grand mal seizures couldn't be controlled and she became paralyzed, I grieved so much that my youngest daughter ended up finding another collie on line and paid for half of her. I'd tried to locate one through collie rescues, but all of them were senior dogs, and I didn't want to go through what I'd gone through with my Molly so soon.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-49111385742230574372012-03-22T14:02:54.749-04:002012-03-22T14:02:54.749-04:00Reine, glad you're okay. Yes, that writing exe...Reine, glad you're okay. Yes, that writing exercise I sent you would help you channel some of your emotion about your childhood onto paper. I use it a lot when I do workshops with kids who come from pretty desperate backgrounds, and they write some incredibly powerful poems. xoxoLinda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-51646322078755580802012-03-22T14:00:09.720-04:002012-03-22T14:00:09.720-04:00Well, I bragged about beating captcha, so of cours...Well, I bragged about beating captcha, so of course, captcha had to beat me. Will I never learn to keep my mouth shut? That last reply took my FIVE tries. *lowers head in shame*Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-74626809449204034792012-03-22T13:58:23.490-04:002012-03-22T13:58:23.490-04:00Gloria, no, the photos (other than my book cover) ...Gloria, no, the photos (other than my book cover) are Julia's finds. I thought they did a wonderful job of illustration, though, didn't you?<br /><br />I envy you all those collies. When I lose a dog to old age, I look for doges who face imminent euthanasia if they're not given a home. I've never found a collie in those circumstances, but I've found a lot of great dogs. But I do adore the collie.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-82406109349333093582012-03-22T13:53:38.817-04:002012-03-22T13:53:38.817-04:00Oh, Linda, I am okay. I am excited about your book...Oh, Linda, I am okay. I am excited about your book. This might be a good time to do that writing exercise. Don't worry for me. I have the bear my friend on White Earth gave me to remind me who I am. xoxoxoMaureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-64500129770282454492012-03-22T13:34:06.684-04:002012-03-22T13:34:06.684-04:00Linda, what a touching story. I see several more t...Linda, what a touching story. I see several more things we have in common. I am also the oldest of six although my baby brother wasn't born until after I was married. Fortunately, I had a stay at home mom and two parents, who took good care of us.<br /><br />The other thing is our love of collies. The picture of the collie sleeping on the bed with a child(you?) looks like my current collie, Maggie. I've had collies most of my life. They are truly the most lovable and caring type of dog and so good with children.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-54563966499735941752012-03-22T13:15:52.266-04:002012-03-22T13:15:52.266-04:00Deb, I'm so glad that your grandparents could ...Deb, I'm so glad that your grandparents could take Flippy so you didn't have to lose him entirely. Yes, Princess was like that. She would let the little ones ride her or sit on her or tug on her ears and tail without so much as a growl.<br /><br />I think a good dog gives a child a true experience of unconditional love, no matter what his home conditions.<br /><br />You're so sweet to want to know how to support my book launch. EVERY LAST SECRET is available for pre-order as hardcover and ebook through independent bookstores and online sources. Pre-orders help writers tremendously because that first week of sales is so important and publishers want to see lots of "buzz" leading up to that week. Reviews, pre-orders, etc.<br /><br />If you'd like an autographed copy, the indie bookstore that's handling the book launch, Rainy Day Books, will take a pre-order, have me sign the book for you at the launch, then ship it to you. We're lucky in KC. They're one of the US's great bookstores.<br />(913) 384-3126<br /><br />Thank you for showing such great support. I love all the Jungle Red writers dearly, but I love the backbloggers just as much. This is such a great community!Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-4597040137374657272012-03-22T13:04:46.866-04:002012-03-22T13:04:46.866-04:00Oh, Reine, no desire to cause flashbacks. I know h...Oh, Reine, no desire to cause flashbacks. I know how bad that can get! Breathe deeply into the present when you're a grown woman with control of your own life and safety.<br /><br />I love Ga'qaquj! Crow the messenger and teacher.<br /><br />xoxoxoLinda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-21901750558874235852012-03-22T13:00:42.470-04:002012-03-22T13:00:42.470-04:00EB, everyone in that small town knew the situation...EB, everyone in that small town knew the situation, but in those days things were very hands off. Today, many kids go through similar or worse experiences, and often no one hears about it until some huge disaster, such as death, happens. Even now, many people don't want to get involved.<br /><br />Kathleen George, wonderful mystery writer, wrote a book about a similar situation called THE ODDS. <br /><br />Pets are like kids--wonderful, expensive to maintain properly, at times a huge mess, and not necessarily right for everyone. However, I wouldn't want to be without any of the ones I've had, pets or kids.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.com