Sunday, August 9, 2009

Great Dane! And I don't mean Hamlet


Though the headline is a tad confounding, if you keep reading, all will become clear. Yes, this is an old trick to entice you to keep reading. I'm a former English teacher. Enough said.

It was like old home week today at Waco's Animal Birth Control Clinic monthly shot clinic, where I signed copies of my romantic comedy Dog Nanny, released in June.

First of all, a former student I hadn't seen or heard from in 31 years showed up. Then my friend Patty, former colleague from Abilene High, appeared with her friend Sunny from nearby China Spring. (Photo above: Sunny, Patty, me)

In between, several local dog lovers dropped by:

Cyndi McDonald, my favorite dental hygienist (is that an oxymoron?), whose name I finally learned to spell--though I had to look up "hygienist" just now and probably will again

Shirley Whitaker, my mother-in-law, who wanted me to know she "supports me" (gotta love a MIL like that)

Bruce Kabat, my former editor at Waco Today magazine


Betty Hall from the local Romance Writers of America group (thanks, Betty)

Sandy Sanchez (an author herself), wife of Waco Tribune-Herald editor Carlos--of the same last name--and mother to Alec, Armand, Avi, and a couple of rescue dogs.

And my husband Bill, who, among other things

--took pictures
--ran over to Target and bought chocolate Hugs and Kisses (which promptly melted in the 100-degree-plus temps)
--didn't flinch when I referred to him as my "manservant"

Meanwhile, several wonderful volunteers for the ABC efficiently herded a hundred or more dogs and their humans through the parking lot, under the awnings, and into rooms of the much-too-small clinic. It's a precision performance you have to see to believe.

In case you haven't been keeping up, the ABC really needs money so they can give the go-ahead to start work on their new building. And they really need a building of their own so they can move from their present cramped quarters.

So BEST OF ALL (see why below**), I sold 25 copies of Dog Nanny, which is a phenomenal amount considering I'm not Janet Evanovich (though as I mentioned in my previous blog, I wouldn't mind being her, but only after I've first lived as Cher through one Las Vegas concert).

**Proceeds from sales of Dog Nanny are going to the ABC for its MUCH-NEEDED BUILDING FUND.

A final note of trivia from my four hours as a Janet Evanovich wannabe:

A woman I mentioned earlier (whose name I promise never to reveal) made this comment. "I can't believe they can spay and neuter all those dogs so quickly!"

When I explained that today's clinic was only for injections, tags, and microchipping, she clasped hands to her bosom and drew a deep sigh of relief.

So did the (intact male) Great Dane who'd been eavesdropping.

6 comments:

Linda LaRoque said...

Fun post, Ann. I'm glad you had a great day!

Ann Whitaker said...

Thanks, Linda. I'm off to Abilene for a signing tomorrow evening. Just hope I have enough books left! I thought 50 more would have been plenty, but who would have guessed I sell 25 on Sunday?

Mary Ricksen said...

Sounds like you had the best of days!

Ann Whitaker said...

Yes, Mary. It was a great dane...uh, I mean "day"!

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Ruth Cox aka abitosunshine said...

Hahaha on the gasp of relief from the great dane! Bravo for you on the book sales, Ann!

Blessings & a bit o' sunshine!
Ruthi
http://ruthireads.blogspot.com