tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post4858373072400012294..comments2024-03-28T17:39:34.611-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: The Question We All Must FaceJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-4082484023185906212014-06-16T16:51:53.342-04:002014-06-16T16:51:53.342-04:00I know just what you're going through, Steve! ...I know just what you're going through, Steve! I was always a dog lover (had a poodle as a kid) but it wasn't until we adopted our first golden, Samwise, that I completely fell in love. Suddenly dogs (particularly goldens) were popping up in my books.<br /><br />The best news to me is that having incorporated so many of Sam's traits in Rochester, the star of my golden retriever mysteries, he lives on, though he's no longer curled around the back of my chair.Neil Plakcyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14790700248668484294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-16923736677102052712014-06-13T12:01:42.301-04:002014-06-13T12:01:42.301-04:00Of course they co-exist. Animals have personalitie...Of course they co-exist. Animals have personalities just like everything else. I do rescue and a variety of critters have come through the door. Some did well together, some did not. <br />My animal family does well and yes, other than having four legs, they are very different.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09777023455584879387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-88794042624902142762014-06-13T11:28:49.406-04:002014-06-13T11:28:49.406-04:00We have Lacey, a 16 year old, tiny grey cat and Pa...We have Lacey, a 16 year old, tiny grey cat and Patrick, who is a three year old pug, terrier. Lacey is sedate and Patrick is very energetic. Very! These two do not get along, sadly. We love them both. There'd be a lot of material in their antics for a writer. I'd be interested in reading about your cat/dog stories.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13253087981864526963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-67794900753590024692014-06-13T10:22:48.128-04:002014-06-13T10:22:48.128-04:00I will never not have a dog AND a cat! I have one ...I will never not have a dog AND a cat! I have one of each that I dote on (and they total 3 dogs and 4 cats in my household). My formerly feral black cat snuggles with me at night and follows me into the bathroom to jump on the counter and stop me from washing my face. My Bentley, a rescued English Shepherd, is the love of my life, too. He follows me everywhere and truly cries when I come home from work. He is the only dog EVER I trust occasionally off-leash to go to the car from the house. He's 11 (around) and I will miss him horribly when he's gone.Pamela Kramerhttp://www.examiner.com/book-in-national/pamela-kramernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-45497814703613748922014-06-12T22:49:02.827-04:002014-06-12T22:49:02.827-04:00This book sounds interesting, and one I'd defi...This book sounds interesting, and one I'd definitely enjoy reading. It's definitely going into my Amazon wish list! And what a great question!<br /><br />Growing up I had a giant gray cat named Flash who insisted on outdoor life in our rural neighborhood. When I moved out of my childhood home, Flash stayed behind. He later used up his ninth life crossing the road.<br /><br />My roommates always had cats. And while I tried dogs a few times, it never worked out. After I had my second son in 1998, I became allergic to fur-bearing animals. Even hamsters triggered attacks of sneezing and watery eyes. It seemed like my pet choices were limited to fish and reptiles -- and I wasn't a fan of reptiles!<br /><br />But then in March of 2008, Gingerbelle entered my life. She was a ball of golden fur with too many birth defects to list. I met her while taking photos of puppies that I planned to draw, but when I held her she put her head on my shoulder and sighed. It was a sound that felt like coming home. She was more than "special needs". She was special, period. She was the best dog ever. She came home with me and I began taking allergy medicine that same week.<br /><br />Just over a year ago we lost Gingerbelle to kidney disease. I now have three rescue dogs -- a Catahoula Leopard Dog / German Shepherd mix, a Corgi / Rottweiler Mix, and a Plott Hound / Yellow Lab mix. And while I love them dearly, they can't come close to Gingerbelle, the dog who turned me into a dog person.Becky M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12019253695981057768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-27435510371615944692014-06-12T22:33:37.766-04:002014-06-12T22:33:37.766-04:00Smitten by a kitten! That is so funny-love it.
PK...Smitten by a kitten! That is so funny-love it.<br /><br />PK! So great to see you!<br />And Lynn in Texas, too! xoo<br /><br />And Katherine Hyde-you have the last word--and you are SO right!. <br /><br />See you all tomorrow=--and Steve, hugs from us to Bonnie! <br />xxooxoHank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-41679956739388996002014-06-12T19:53:59.273-04:002014-06-12T19:53:59.273-04:00I know a lot of people who love both cats and dogs...I know a lot of people who love both cats and dogs, so I see no reason they can't coexist in a novel. Should make for some interesting comic relief as they get to know each other.Katherine Hydehttp://kbhyde.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-7485637266924594872014-06-12T18:38:06.629-04:002014-06-12T18:38:06.629-04:00Great blog post today--who doesn't like talkin...Great blog post today--who doesn't like talking about the pets who own us? We've always had both cats and dogs, sometimes they co-existed peacefully, sometimes not so much. Love them both, but think I'm really more of a dog person now, even though they are much bigger responsibilities to care for than felines. I'm a sucker for unconditional love from dogs.<br /><br />Steve, I got Purgatory Chasm for my husband to read, since he's a NASCAR and racing fan, and ended up reading and enjoying it too! Look forward to reading more in the series.<br /><br />Lynn in Texashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16624333137637840905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-19692179052497802862014-06-12T18:35:53.843-04:002014-06-12T18:35:53.843-04:00We are dog people, the bigger the better. Our two ...We are dog people, the bigger the better. Our two boys are left at home during the day, but here at work there's a dog shelter two doors down that walks their residents daily. Bonus!PK the Bookeemonsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03478996122841311684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-28747320639185512612014-06-12T17:28:28.547-04:002014-06-12T17:28:28.547-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-52436318789509994602014-06-12T17:28:14.731-04:002014-06-12T17:28:14.731-04:00Not a pet person, but I love STEVE (& Conway) ...Not a pet person, but I love STEVE (& Conway) -- lucky enough to take a class with Steve at the Cape Cod Writers Conf).<br /><br />I have lived with pets, but never a cat. Dogs in my life have included a wire haired terrier (Digger O'Dell), a black toy cocker (Miss Boo), an Irish setter (Mahogany of Killarney -- we called her MAHA), and then a few more dogs after I left for college.<br /><br />Raising the girls we had a Black Lab/Golden Retriever mix (Rascal) and an English Springer Spaniel (Lucy).<br /><br />The only animals I have ever owned personally were a parakeet (Bo Bo) and a cow (Nill).Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-30159046121093851512014-06-12T17:26:20.276-04:002014-06-12T17:26:20.276-04:00I was born a cat person. I will always be a cat pe...I was born a cat person. I will always be a cat person. My husband, formerly a dog person, is now a cat person. He was "smitten by a kitten". He and that kitten spent about 8 years snuggling on the sofa. Sadly, that cat has passed away, but that adoption led to 2 others, and those cats are still with us.<br /><br />JaneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-34755166790829538572014-06-12T16:13:38.123-04:002014-06-12T16:13:38.123-04:00Yep, they can - but it can be a real zoo sometimes...Yep, they can - but it can be a real zoo sometimes! For a long time now, we have had 2 Labs and 2 cats (one being a Siamese who, I believe, thinks he is a dog) - but we lost our second cat last July. They co-exist, but it can be quite interesting at times - makes for a lively household!<br /><br />So, I can easily see the greyhounds and the cats! I don't know about the need for a kennel - but perhaps a good veterinarian!Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06495937280335984726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-20174741051441398632014-06-12T16:11:20.356-04:002014-06-12T16:11:20.356-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06495937280335984726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-44981982178476866992014-06-12T14:57:17.734-04:002014-06-12T14:57:17.734-04:00Steve, my cats, Buffalo Thunder-Paws and She-She M...Steve, my cats, Buffalo Thunder-Paws and She-She Marie-Rie, love the Joe Gray mysteries, but we have gone through them all very quickly, so I must get your books immediately! They would not take to a doggy book, although a dog could coexist, much like they share space with Kendall, my assistance dog, who is just as aloof with them.Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-24999875462918172742014-06-12T14:46:15.979-04:002014-06-12T14:46:15.979-04:00Since I live in NYC I am able to rent a cat when I...Since I live in NYC I am able to rent a cat when I need to pet something small and furry. Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-73015201927348014192014-06-12T12:38:01.516-04:002014-06-12T12:38:01.516-04:00Dogs can be walked/fed by a neighbor who stops by,...Dogs can be walked/fed by a neighbor who stops by, which gives you someone to bounce info off of, instead of internal dialog. Or there are those automatic feeders, and a doggie door (I've never used either of these, but I'm told they work. I use the neighbor or neighbor kid, and at one time, I had a handyman who was replacing the bathroom floor while I was out of town and he walked/fed the dog for me.)Ellen Kozaknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-3644696637410499422014-06-12T12:05:42.705-04:002014-06-12T12:05:42.705-04:00I love the idea of a character transitioning from ...I love the idea of a character transitioning from cat lover to dog lover. We started with cats and when we brought home our lovable, goofy black lab mix, both cats hid in the basement for a month. Then one day we heard a hiss from one of the cats followed by a yip from the dog who had cornered her. One piece of cat claw was sticking out of the dog's snout and they were besties ever after. The other cat came around (or had a similar confrontation we didn't witness) not long after. Congrats on the Edgar nomination!KarenShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03077289621647909115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-42267421867331392172014-06-12T11:58:20.431-04:002014-06-12T11:58:20.431-04:00I have always known I'm a cat person, until I ...I have always known I'm a cat person, until I adopted a Shih Tzu (which is a little like a cat in a Halloween Costume). The first few days were dicey: puppy was fascinated by cat and chased her everywhere. She spent one solid day under the bed! They eventually learned to coexist, though not without the occasional swat on the nose. <br /><br />I think adding in the greyhound will give you much material to play with!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07754229648422848542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-7797712610553206342014-06-12T11:37:32.579-04:002014-06-12T11:37:32.579-04:00Cats and dogs will be fine together, speaking as o...Cats and dogs will be fine together, speaking as one who once woke up sharing a bed with a wife, two kids, five cats, and three dogs. <br />For your character, dogs won't work. A dog has to be walked at least twice a day, or you have to find a new way to make arrangements every time your character is out of the house for more than 10 hours. <br />The litter box takes care of all that for cats.<br />As the kids say, shit gets real. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07878144734102447815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-18760664398312151342014-06-12T11:30:01.227-04:002014-06-12T11:30:01.227-04:00New books to read!! Yay! Seriously, nothing hooks...New books to read!! Yay! Seriously, nothing hooks me faster than a character with animals--no matter how comfortable/uneasy the alliance, it reveals much about the character in question.<br /><br />And Ellen, oh yes! When a cat leaps into your arms, wraps its paws about your neck and lays its head on your heart? I'm a goner; Murphy's been a joy to have. But grew up with both cats and dogs. Would have multiples of both if I could. Dog-sit two mini dachs and two Australian shepherds to get my dog fix.<br /><br />Favorite animal characters? I enjoy the foxes and dogs especially in Rita Mae Brown's books.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-31465848358245944992014-06-12T11:25:28.086-04:002014-06-12T11:25:28.086-04:00Hank/Leslie - too funny. I just realized I'm c...Hank/Leslie - too funny. I just realized I'm constantly having my character phone the neighbor to take care of the dog when he gets derailed from his schedule. Yes, WHERE'S THE DOG?Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-59579585635826679282014-06-12T11:15:28.548-04:002014-06-12T11:15:28.548-04:00James, you have a Leon, too! Yay.James, you have a Leon, too! Yay.Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-88617910707525236742014-06-12T11:14:54.541-04:002014-06-12T11:14:54.541-04:00OH, I agree, Leslie! WHERE'S THE DOG can beco...OH, I agree, Leslie! WHERE'S THE DOG can become a real manuscript snag. My detective Jake Brogan has golden retriever, Diva. I finally had to move the darn dog to Jake's mother's house to prevent her (the dog) from starving.Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-42409724942055284262014-06-12T11:04:21.183-04:002014-06-12T11:04:21.183-04:00For 16 years, we had both dogs and cats. Now, just...For 16 years, we had both dogs and cats. Now, just the one little Burmese. It's -- weird. Love him to pieces, but I often miss dog energy. Cats are a lot easier to leave home alone, though!<br /><br />Which is proving a challenge on the page. In my first series, my protag inherits a cat, Mr. Sandburg, from an elderly retired English teacher. Just starting my second series, and my protag acquires an Airedale terrier named Arf. He's great, but I've had to sprinkle this reminder into my outline, so I don't lose track of him: WHERE'S THE DOG?Leslie Budewitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11942314846112875042noreply@blogger.com