GETTING CAUGHT UP!

 Good morning!

I often get so caught up in writing my latest book, that I forget to update my blog. My days fly by as I rush to get my thoughts and ideas down on my computer and train my dog for his next competition, which is exciting but time consuming. 

Speaking of my dog, I was in two competitions lately and when reviewing the tapes, I was stunned at how happy he looked. Even the judge noted it. Asher was really into it, performing with joy and eagerness. It was wonderful to witness his joy. 

My recent book - I don't have a publishing date yet - is about a very kind, sweet woman who discovers her generosity is working against her. Curtailed by her boss, hurt by an ex boyfriend, she decides to go on strike - from being kind. She gathers her dog and heads to a park to camp for the summer, determined to figure out how she can be herself - which is kind - without getting hurt all the time. There she meets a veterinarian and a dog rescue center that changes her life forever. 

Just curious. Does anyone else ever feel like this? Does anyone else continue to give from the heart, only to find themselves hurt over and over? I'd love to hear your own stories. 

Oh, and here is Asher's Christmas photo. I'm a bit late with it but on the other hand, it serves as a reminder to keep Christmas with you all year round. 

Thanks for listening. 

NEW BEGINNINGS!!!!!

 Happy Easter! Happy Spring!

I love Easter! I love Spring! I love new beginnings! I love life!

I recently went through a health scare that lasted four months. Four months of trying to keep busy, to not worry, but always wondering what my results would be. Not knowing which road I'd be going down. Not knowing if my whole life would change. 

I was lucky. And very grateful. My results were good and I was and am fine. 

So I have a new beginning in my own life. And my heart is full of gratitude, especially when I walk my little pup Asher and take in the flowers, the river, all nature. Everything looks brighter, sunnier, happier, and joy is in the air. 

I am very grateful for good health, but I also want to remember those who are facing poor health. Whose results were not good. Who suffer, are sad, filled with tears, and in pain. You are the true warriors. The people I look up to. The people who try to smile in the midst of pain. The people who continue to love, when hurting. 

My hope is that everyone has a hand to hold - either figuratively or literally  - when in pain and hurting. May the hope of new beginnings fill your heart with love. Please know that I am always on your side. 

Thanks for listening.

And I leave you with a photo of Asher, in his Canada toque, with his brand new certificate. He now has three titles to his name and I'm so proud of him. 

Happy Spring! Thanks for listening!

THE ALWAYS PLACE!!!!

 Hello! 

I'm excited to announce that I have a new book coming out on January 1 - The Always Place. It was an interesting book to write because it kept veering off into unexpected twists and turns that I hadn't planned for. So, I just went with it. There is also a sweet dog in it and I used my real dog's name, Asher, for the first time in anything I've written. The name means happy and blessed and joyful and it fit the story. Here is a look at my covers, with of course a photo of my sweet Asher. Thanks for listening.

DOGS ROCK! (CATS, TOO)

 Good morning!!!

I love dogs. I love cats. I love all animals. 

Every single one of my books features a dog and a few even have a cat in them. 

I've only had two dogs in my life - Rico and my current pup Asher - and I have discovered what lifesavers they are. 

Rico was sick a lot of his life with heart disease and almost made it to age thirteen. He was my rock, my lifesaver, who saw me through many changes and was always by my side, wagging his tail, exploring many challenges with me, and always eager for a new adventure walk. When he passed away, I was heartbroken and never wanted another dog. I couldn't imagine ever finding one as beautiful as Rico.

Then along came Asher. I contacted a friend to ask her where she got her Havanese - thinking down the road another furry friend might enter my life after all. She informed me her dog was pregnant and I was welcomed to a pup. And so I accepted her gift - and Asher came home to live with me.

Asher, like Rico, is truly a gift of joy, happiness, and love.  He entered my life with eagerness to explore life, excitement, fun, and joy. 

I found myself smiling more, laughing more, waking up surrounded by joy. 

Yes, dogs do rock and I feature one, or several, in each book I write. 

Thanks for listening - just wanted to share my love of dogs.

A MOMENT OF PEACE!

 Hello everyone, 

I've been reflecting on Christmas lately, and all the many ways people arrive at this day. 

Many achieve the happy, joyful Christmases, filled with love and family and friends. Baking and shopping with their children, teaching them traditions and celebrating traditions. 

Many are experiencing a Christmas without loved ones - both human and pet - and are deeply sad. 

Many are working - especially medical staff - taking care of us. Some are covering shifts so others can be at their family Christmases. Many are working at restaurants, gas stations, drug stores, etc, providing for us, but spending Christmases alone. 

Some are estranged from their families, dealing with illnesses, abuse, and sadness. 

Some are all alone because they have no one, or covid has kept them away. 

Some face depression on this day, beyond any other day. 

My heart embraces everyone. 

My Christmas wish is that everyone experiences a moment of peace. A moment where they take a deep breath in and blow it out. A moment when time stands still, life stands still, and hope reigns. Where just for a moment we feel okay, we feel joy, we feel loved.

 In the words of Santa from the poem written by Clement C. Moore: "And to all, a good night."

May you all have 'a moment of peace'. 

NEW RELEASE - 'YOU ARE LOVED'

 

Hello!

My mother never missed a moment to perform an act of kindness for someone in need. I can still recall her saying, “If you are ever sad, do something for someone else and you’ll feel better.” Unfortunately, she passed away when I was a young teen, but her compassion and giving nature left a huge impact on my life. ‘You are Loved’, is a story rooted in an element of reality, before my imagination soared, and it took off in a whole new direction. I am my mother’s daughter and years ago, while out walking daily with my dog, I noticed a camper trailer parked in various spots throughout town. It was winter and cold, and I began to wonder if this person might be homeless and had nowhere else to go. I didn’t know for sure, but decided to leave the driver small gifts to remind him that people do care. I saw him one day from a distance, but never met him, and one day he disappeared. Months later, I ran into someone who I used to see parked in the same parking lot and I asked her if she knew where he was. It turned out she had met him and his story had a happy ending, for although he had lost everything due to a personal tragedy, and was indeed homeless, he had found a job and moved away. A few years later, a storyline hit me – I wondered what would happen if the driver returned to find out who gave him those special gifts. In his decision to seek her out and thank her, his life was changed for the second time. There are many ways of giving – directly, paying it forward, random acts of kindness – but one way has always been important to me – giving anonymously. It is recognizing a need and helping out in a way that the recipient never has to feel beholden to anyone. This story gave me the opportunity to wonder how the impact anonymous acts of giving can possibly have on someone. They can literally change your life. This book has a lot of my ‘mother’ in it and all the kindnesses she bestowed on people which impacted my own life. If I could be half as kind as my mother was, I would be happy. Thank you,

Suzanne

 

 

 

YOU ARE LOVED!!!!!

 Hello! I'm very excited to announce that my new book "You are Loved" will be coming out on August 1. Here are the covers and there will be more news to follow. Thank you.