Yesterday, I had the best dream about Alfie, ever.
We were out for a walk, Alfie and I. He was running off lead, just up ahead of me like he always does. Then suddenly another dog ran past, woofing an invitation to a game of chase. They both took off chasing after a horse that just showed up. Of course, I called for Alfie and tried to get him back, but no matter how I shouted, begged or threatened the dog he didn’t come back.
That evening I walked home alone for the first time ever and decided I needed a drink to drown my sorrows. I popped down to our local pub and teary-eyed I started telling the first person who’d listen that my dog had disappeared, taking off after a horse.
The lady I was talking to looked sympathetic, but also oddly curious. “What does your dog look like?” she asked and switched on the TV. Is it him? A full face shot of Alfie covered the screen and quickly flicked into a widescreen video of a tri-coloured dog herding a horse and hundreds of people chasing after them.
The smartest dog in the world
The TV presenter appeared, and he sat in the cosy, chatty interview sofa they use for celebrities. Beside him was none other than Alfie, and a celebrity vet I recognised. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” the vet laughed. “This dog dodged us all, He’s the smartest dog I’ve ever met. He pointed at Alfie, who lolled his tongue out in an agreeing smile. Just look, he understands every word I say!”
He continued to give Alfie a series of commands, which my traitorous dog happily obeyed, showing off his skills. Alfie got a cookie and sat there grinning all pleased with himself on the evening news.
For some reason, that’s when I remembered that our phone number was on Alfie’s collar and I picked up my phone to screen through hundreds of notifications. That’s when the real phone, next to my bed started ringing. It was my morning alarm, and it was time to get up.
This dream that made me wake up with a big smile on my face! Usually, if I dream about Alfie, I’m just trying to chase him or save him from some dreadful situation, but this dream was awesome, action-packed and with a happy ending. And needless to say, our dog was so cool!
Book award nominations and author dreams
Speaking of dreams, I’ve dreamed of writing a book, and being an author ever since I was little. Of course university, work and life got in the way as is usually the way of things but last year something changed.
I was home with our then baby boy, so the timing was dreadful really. I was sleep deprived, busy and we’d just moved back to the UK from the US – but something compelled me to pick up my laptop and start writing. I wanted to share Alfie’s story and what it’d been like to raise this super cool dog.
Every time my little boy went down for a nap I picked up my laptop and started typing. Fast forward a few months and I published the finished book in February 2018.
Then, this morning, I just found out that my book has been nominated for the Dog Writers Association of America’s Annual Award in the category Books: Single, Related, or All-Breed along with two other nominees.
And as if that wasn’t exciting enough- an article I wrote for NEMDA (National Entlebucher Association) is nominated for their Newsletter category along with three other nominees. The article is called Five Ways to Make Your Entle’s Walk Extra Special on “Walking the Dog Day” February 22nd.
We find out who wins at their awards ceremony in February, but until then I’m just going to soak up the incredibly good feeling of being one of the nominated authors, as the standard of the entries is incredibly high including this year’s crop of the best dog books. Honestly, just being nominated is a big enough award for me as it’s helped me to finally realise I can start calling myself an author.
A big thank you to you, the readers of this blog – my book wouldn’t exist without you. Also huge thanks to Kristin who turned my photos and ideas into a beautiful layout and book cover and Leonora, who edited my words into something readable. And not to forget everyone who let me use their photos, and my lovely beta readers who corrected my mistakes and suggested ideas along the way.
Oh, and Alfie. You continue to inspire me on a daily basis – the nomination’s not quite as cool as chasing a horse on TV but perhaps now the fame is enough attention that you can stop counter-surfing and stealing all our food? Please?
In case you haven’t picked up a copy of the book yet, then you can find it in the following formats from Amazon worldwide.
Paperback (full colour) – 211 pages, beautifully laid out with vivid full-colour photos and a soft cover. Click here to find it on Amazon’s US store.
Paperback (black/white edition) – same 211 pages, layout and photos but the interior of the book is printed in budget-friendly black and white. Click here to find it on Amazon’s US store.
Hardback (full colour) – 211 pages, beautifully laid out with vivid full-colour photos and a hardcover. Click here to find it on Amazon’s US store
Kindle – same 211 pages and colour photos. Can be read on your Kindle, smartphone or computer using Amazon’s free Kindle app. You can also read it for free if you’re an Amazon Kindle unlimited subscriber. Click here to find it on Amazon’s US store.
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