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ME AND MY MUTTS by Jayne Ormerod

We're frantically spinning the hamster wheel of marketing as we talk up our new book, To Fetch a Villain, For Fun "Tails" of Miscreants and Murder. I'm excited to talk a lot about my pooches, and a little bit about my story, "Ruff Day." 


Tell us about the furry members of your family?
I have two rescue dogs, Tiller and Scout. Tiller came to us as a twelve-pound puppy of undetermined breed but possibly Carolina Dog. Without a DNA test I can tell you this dog has Great Dane in him. He’s now a big boy, 100+ pounds. Scout is a little rascal, scooped up off the streets of Puerto Rico. He came to us with no human interaction, and didn’t speak English. He has adapted well to his life of Riley. At a mere forty pounds, he rules the roost. No doubt about that.

What do you do to you spoil your pets? Um, I bought them a king-sized bed, complete with coil/foam hybrid mattress so they can sleep with us at night. That includes frame, box spring, headboard, and of course new sheets and comforter, which required a decorating overhaul. (Not sure if that is considering spoiling them, or me, but we are all happy.)

What treat will your pet practically knock you over to get? That’s easy. Food. Any kind. Or a new chew toy. Or a new ball. Even an old ball if you are heading for the backyard to play.

What food item will your pet turn up his/her nose to? Lettuce. When I drop a piece on the floor, they race to grab it like it’s a piece of prime Angus beef or something, then look at me like, “What the heck?”

What is your pet’s favorite thing to do? Play ball (Tiller). Nap in the sun (Scout).

What is your pet’s LEAST favorite thing to do? Go out for a before-bed pee-pee break. Scout literally has to be carried out. He is only two years old! He is capable of walking.

Do you talk to your pets? And if so, do they answer? Of course I talk to them. Little Scout answers. He’s a chatty little dude. We carry on stimulating conversations. Tiller is more of a sass-back dog.

Is the dog in your story in To Fetch a Villain based on your dogs? Mr. Belvedere, a silver Great Dane, is based on a dog my sister walked many many many moons ago. But his elegance and chillax attitude made a huge impression on me. But if he decided to run, be prepared to hold on and enjoy the ride!

Where did you get your idea for your story? We attended a Bark-itecture event at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, and it sparked the idea. Upscale dog houses, what a brilliant concept (and fundraiser!) Just add a dead body, and voila!

How long did it take you to write your story? I am a slow writer, so it took me almost six months. But when I write slowly, there isn’t a whole lot of editing to do, so that part goes quickly.

What makes your pet’s tail wag? Nouns, as in people, places, and food.

What makes your tail wag? Watching them sleep! (Two two-year-old high-energy dogs can be exhausting! They are so sweet when they sleep.)

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JAYNE ORMEROD grew up in a small Ohio town then attended a small-town Ohio college. Upon earning her degree in accountancy, she became a CIA (that’s not a sexy spy thing, but a Certified Internal Auditor.) She married a naval officer and off they sailed to see the world. After nineteen moves, they, along with their two rescue dogs Tiller and Scout, have settled into a cozy cottage by the sea. Jayne’s publishing credits include two novels, five novellas, and eight short mysteries. A complete list can be found on her website.

Website: www.JayneOrmerod.com

Blog: www.JayneOrmerod.blogspot.com 

Comments

  1. Jayne Ormerod's stories are always entertaining! Thanks for the background on your pooches, Jayne.

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