Well, the sun is shining down (in between spring showers), and the dogs are leaving their sofa far more often, and venturing out to the garden. As I may have mentioned before, Buster is not a real dog, but the dogs he is based upon certainly are real dogs. They piss and shit, dig and race around, just like all dogs do.
Three of our dogs are Pharaoh Hounds, one of them a Standard Schnauzer. So this means the three hounds add chasing things into their mix of daily doings. The Schnauzer, being an older lady, and a sensible dog, leaves the chasing up to the leaner, crazier dogs... Schnauzers were originally created by German farmers to use as general farming dogs. So they were obedient and useful helpers. They were also child-friendly, earning the term 'Kinderwatcher', meaning child minder.
Pharaoh Hounds were originally named something else entirely, in their nation of origin - Malta. The Pharaoh Hound, or Kelb tal Fenek is the National Dog of Malta. They were used by farmers too, but weren't required to be obedient - their role was to hunt rabbits. Having owned this breed for over 10 years, I certainly know about their love on hunting!
Our Pharaohs will hunt any creatures that are available, outside. They've caught and killed lizards, birds, mice and at least one snake. Inside, they tend to ignore the mice, which is soooooo annoying! I've seen our pharaoh hounds snapping at flies, grasshoppers, butterflies and other assorted insects. And I've seen our Pharaoh Hound girls watching Air Force planes as they zoom by overhead ... It makes me wonder what they'd do if one ever landed here!
So, Spring is here, and the birds are all coming down with a dose of Spring Fever. The birds are so busy gathering nest building material, and engaging in the mating game, that I fear they're not always paying adequate attention to their safety. I suspect our hounds have been getting the odd bit of home killed meat, complete with feathers, here and there. I love birds, I love watching them, and it always makes me sorry when one of them falls victim to our dogs.
I love our dogs too, though, and I know it's perfectly natural for them to hunt and kill. The Laws of Nature can seem cruel, but that's just me beeing silly. Nature has many Rules and Laws, and I'm just one person, who is also subject to the Laws of Nature. I can only hope Nature continues to be kind to me, as I endeavour to be kind to Nature ...
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Saturday, August 23, 2014
The Poll Results are In!
A little while ago, this site ran a poll, asking for votes on the subject on whether dogs or cats are the best. Not surprisingly, the result was 100% in favour of dogs being the best.
I write 'not surprisingly', but to be honest, with only two votes, one of them being from the creator of this book, and the blog set up to promote the book, it was always going to have a result like this. I don't know who the other vote was from, but it they've been on this blog, it's not surprising they like dogs, is it?
So this can be looked at as an experiment in social media, an example of how you need to be careful with statistics, or a failure I suppose. You could also look at it as a little game I was playing, experimenting with the tools easily available, and just looking into whether I had many people interacting with my site. Hmm, that is the same as the first-mentioned thing, just stated diferently I suppose.
But anyway, I think the question of which of something, whatever that 'something' is, will always depend on who is being asked the question. No-one can ask absolutely everyone a question, one can only ever go by the results obtained. And of course, as I've shown, the results obtained can depend on many things.
So the next time you read the results of a poll, please think about the results, and how they were obtained. If you agree with the result, you're more likely to believe in the poll, if you don't agree with the result, you're probably more likely to cast doubt on the poll.
We're curious things, aren't we, people?
I write 'not surprisingly', but to be honest, with only two votes, one of them being from the creator of this book, and the blog set up to promote the book, it was always going to have a result like this. I don't know who the other vote was from, but it they've been on this blog, it's not surprising they like dogs, is it?
So this can be looked at as an experiment in social media, an example of how you need to be careful with statistics, or a failure I suppose. You could also look at it as a little game I was playing, experimenting with the tools easily available, and just looking into whether I had many people interacting with my site. Hmm, that is the same as the first-mentioned thing, just stated diferently I suppose.
But anyway, I think the question of which of something, whatever that 'something' is, will always depend on who is being asked the question. No-one can ask absolutely everyone a question, one can only ever go by the results obtained. And of course, as I've shown, the results obtained can depend on many things.
So the next time you read the results of a poll, please think about the results, and how they were obtained. If you agree with the result, you're more likely to believe in the poll, if you don't agree with the result, you're probably more likely to cast doubt on the poll.
We're curious things, aren't we, people?
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Print Run number three!
Yes the third print run of this book is done, and I now have copies of the book for sale. I love talking to people, and I love books, so the marketing of this book should go well!
If you'd like your own personally signed copy of "Dig It! Gardening Tips For Dogs" please send me a message either by sending an email to jeebers@aussiebb.com.au with "Dig It! Gardening Tips for Dogs" as the subject, or write a comment on this page.
The cost of the book is $10, and if you'd like a copy posted to you, there will bo no charge for postage if you live in Australia. If you live somewhere else, you will need to pay an extra amount for postage - $7 extra for one copy, $5 extra each for more than one copy. Or send me a message and we can talk about it - getting readers is more important than the money!
Gardens and dogs go together well, and this little book shows what dogs think about gardens! Buster, the dog in the book shares his wisdom about life in general, and gardening in particular, it's all good fun!
This is Buster, a dog who knows what's what, and who'll tell you all about what he thinks about it!
Buster regarding compost:
'There are a couple of interesting angles on compost heaps. Firstly, for the serious gardener, it does take some hard work. You have to collect together lots of prunings, grass and any other bits and pieces of organic matter, dead creatures or whatever, you can find. Cotton and woolen things from the clothes line work very well too if you shred them properly.'
If you'd like your own personally signed copy of "Dig It! Gardening Tips For Dogs" please send me a message either by sending an email to jeebers@aussiebb.com.au with "Dig It! Gardening Tips for Dogs" as the subject, or write a comment on this page.
The cost of the book is $10, and if you'd like a copy posted to you, there will bo no charge for postage if you live in Australia. If you live somewhere else, you will need to pay an extra amount for postage - $7 extra for one copy, $5 extra each for more than one copy. Or send me a message and we can talk about it - getting readers is more important than the money!
Gardens and dogs go together well, and this little book shows what dogs think about gardens! Buster, the dog in the book shares his wisdom about life in general, and gardening in particular, it's all good fun!
Buster regarding compost:
'There are a couple of interesting angles on compost heaps. Firstly, for the serious gardener, it does take some hard work. You have to collect together lots of prunings, grass and any other bits and pieces of organic matter, dead creatures or whatever, you can find. Cotton and woolen things from the clothes line work very well too if you shred them properly.'
Monday, August 11, 2014
Yes, Third Print Run, WooHoo!
Today I visited the printer who I've chosen to do the third print run of my book, Dig It! Gardening Tips For Dogs. Peter, from Bunyip Print gave me three copies of the book, for me to check and to get back to him if there were any changes needed, and to let him know if he could do the printing. (I'm a writer, a self-published one so I have to do all of these things myself. It's going well, and I'm enjoying myself with this!)
I had a quick look at it at Bunyip Print, and it all looked pretty good to me. I was advised by the woman who works there (sorry, I've forgotten your name), that I should take it home and give it a good look, to make sure it was all ready to go.
I didn't really think I'd need to actually do anything, but once I got home today, I fired up the computer and sat down with the book, and my copy of the manuscript that is on the computer. Imagine my horror when I discovered some paragraphs missing in the proof copy of the book!
On checking it back against an older copy, I was able to fill in the gaps, deleted an image that I'd used to fill in a gap, not realising there was a gap because I'd somehow deleted a paragraph of text. I hope I've fixed all of the errors. I changed the text in the caption of one of the illustrations, and in general checked everything.
After I did all of that, I sent the revised copy to Peter at Bunyip Print, with a list of the changes made. I've heard back from Peter, and I have to say, I am impressed by his promptness. I'm certainly going to talk up Bunyip Print - such attention to detail, and promptness is always impressive, and I feel they will do the best for my book, this one and any others I may produce in the future...
Dealing with the local businesses always feels good to me, and when they seem as good as this one, it makes me even happier to be doing business locally!
So Buster the Dog is going into the third print run of his book, and I launch back into promoting his book for him! I think my next move will be to produce some bookmarks, with words of Gardening Wisdom from Buster! Keep your eye out on this website, and please get in contact if you'd like a copy of the book - it will be $10.00 $AUD, with no charge for postage, unless the cost is huge...
I had a quick look at it at Bunyip Print, and it all looked pretty good to me. I was advised by the woman who works there (sorry, I've forgotten your name), that I should take it home and give it a good look, to make sure it was all ready to go.
I didn't really think I'd need to actually do anything, but once I got home today, I fired up the computer and sat down with the book, and my copy of the manuscript that is on the computer. Imagine my horror when I discovered some paragraphs missing in the proof copy of the book!
On checking it back against an older copy, I was able to fill in the gaps, deleted an image that I'd used to fill in a gap, not realising there was a gap because I'd somehow deleted a paragraph of text. I hope I've fixed all of the errors. I changed the text in the caption of one of the illustrations, and in general checked everything.
After I did all of that, I sent the revised copy to Peter at Bunyip Print, with a list of the changes made. I've heard back from Peter, and I have to say, I am impressed by his promptness. I'm certainly going to talk up Bunyip Print - such attention to detail, and promptness is always impressive, and I feel they will do the best for my book, this one and any others I may produce in the future...
Dealing with the local businesses always feels good to me, and when they seem as good as this one, it makes me even happier to be doing business locally!
So Buster the Dog is going into the third print run of his book, and I launch back into promoting his book for him! I think my next move will be to produce some bookmarks, with words of Gardening Wisdom from Buster! Keep your eye out on this website, and please get in contact if you'd like a copy of the book - it will be $10.00 $AUD, with no charge for postage, unless the cost is huge...
Friday, August 8, 2014
Watch Out! Someone Let The Dog Out!
Well, they haven't let the dog out quite yet, but by this time next week, Buster will be out on the streets, and copies of his gardening book will be out there too!
Yes "Dig It! Gardening Tips For Dogs" is having its third print run, has been been reformatted and now has more pages! Yay, good times!
If you have a dog, have had a dog, know someone who has a dog, or know what a dog is, this is the book for you! It's all about dogs, and gardens, and life in general, really. There is much wisdom in this book, written by a dog that doesn't really exist. Or does he?
Buster and Carolyn Cordon produced the text for this lovely little book, Allyson Hean produced the illustrations, and you the reader will produce the huge laughter as you read it and see the pictures! There's no telling what Buster and Carolyn might come up with next, but rest assured, the X rated book some were waiting for is certainly never going to happen. Buster might be up for it, but Carolyn has a good reputation to uphold, and isn't interested in THAT project!
So, if you'd like to get yourself a copy of this great book, leave a message here, and we can discuss the details. The cost will be $15 AUD a copy, with no charge for postage (unless you want it sent to somewhere really expensive. Certainly no charge for postage in Australia.
If you have a dog, have had a dog, know someone who has a dog, or know what a dog is, this is the book for you! It's all about dogs, and gardens, and life in general, really. There is much wisdom in this book, written by a dog that doesn't really exist. Or does he?
Buster and Carolyn Cordon produced the text for this lovely little book, Allyson Hean produced the illustrations, and you the reader will produce the huge laughter as you read it and see the pictures! There's no telling what Buster and Carolyn might come up with next, but rest assured, the X rated book some were waiting for is certainly never going to happen. Buster might be up for it, but Carolyn has a good reputation to uphold, and isn't interested in THAT project!
So, if you'd like to get yourself a copy of this great book, leave a message here, and we can discuss the details. The cost will be $15 AUD a copy, with no charge for postage (unless you want it sent to somewhere really expensive. Certainly no charge for postage in Australia.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
This Time I Mean It!
I really am going to do that new print run for this book, that I've been promising for the past two years. Honestly I am. I have at least two people who will buy a copy of the book, and surely after those two people, there will be many more!
I'd really love to add a new, unseen by others picture to the book, but I seem to have put it away in that safe place where things go to, and disappear for days/months/years ...
Oh well, I've changed the format slightly, improving it, and making it a slightly longer book. And that's a good thing, more pages, more words, more fun! I'll look into putting the book online too, but not today, I'm not sure I'm up to doing that. I'll copy the doc to a memory stick though, and visit the printer tomorrow, to get the printing going.
So this means that very, very soon there will be more copies of this humourous little book wending their way around the world, sharing love of gardening, dogs and funny stuff. This is a good thing, in our world that seems to be going nuts about war and being horrible to people. When we pay attention to our pets and our gardens, life becomes something worth doing again.
Be like a dog, or a tree perhaps. Be in the moment, whatever that moment is - eating, resting, playing, waving in the breeze. Just be in the moment, and the moment will be with you. This way lies serenity.
I'd really love to add a new, unseen by others picture to the book, but I seem to have put it away in that safe place where things go to, and disappear for days/months/years ...
Oh well, I've changed the format slightly, improving it, and making it a slightly longer book. And that's a good thing, more pages, more words, more fun! I'll look into putting the book online too, but not today, I'm not sure I'm up to doing that. I'll copy the doc to a memory stick though, and visit the printer tomorrow, to get the printing going.
So this means that very, very soon there will be more copies of this humourous little book wending their way around the world, sharing love of gardening, dogs and funny stuff. This is a good thing, in our world that seems to be going nuts about war and being horrible to people. When we pay attention to our pets and our gardens, life becomes something worth doing again.
Be like a dog, or a tree perhaps. Be in the moment, whatever that moment is - eating, resting, playing, waving in the breeze. Just be in the moment, and the moment will be with you. This way lies serenity.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Time For A New Print Run?
When a person self-publishes a book, it's up to them to decide when and whether it's time for a new print run. My book, 'Dig It, Gardening Tips for Dogs' had its first print run in late 2009/early 2010. I've sold or given away almost all of those books, and now that my name is out there, I feel it could be time to have more of this lovely funny little books for people to have.
I'm a writer, covering a range of genre, from this book of humour, to my first poetry collection that is serious and sad/to positive, and my current work in progress which is a memoir in verse, about my new life with my new chronic illness of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
I've written a lot about dogs, and have various articles online at this site, some serious, some funny. I also have another blog, focussed on dogs and family here.
Having this broad range of books, will give something for everyone, at least that's the way I'm thinking. If someone has suffered as a child, I have the poetry book to help them to find hope. If someone thinks dogs are hilarious or if they're being driven mad by their own digging dog, I have the book to help them find the funny side. And if they have MS, or know someone who has it, I have a book that tells them how living with MS has been for me.
So, decision time - obviously, I need to get the money for another print run, these things aren't free. I need to suss out the market for such a book - I know a couple of people who would probably buy a copy of the book, but I need more than just a couple of buyers to make it worthwhile.
So this post is to see if anyone out there thinks they's like to have a copy of my little book. I think it's funny, and the pictures done by my talented artist friend Ally Hean are wonderful, and well worth looking at. The cover picture on this website gives you an idea of her talent, and the illustrations inside the book are terrific. This book would appeal to anyone who's ever known a dog, or had a garden.
Dogs don't do gardening the way people do gardening, and the chapters in the book should give you a giggle! And if you'd like to know more about me and my writing, click on the links and read what I've written!
If you think this book is one you might like to see, let me know! If I get enough of a response, I'll get the second print run happening. It's all up to my readers!
I'm a writer, covering a range of genre, from this book of humour, to my first poetry collection that is serious and sad/to positive, and my current work in progress which is a memoir in verse, about my new life with my new chronic illness of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
I've written a lot about dogs, and have various articles online at this site, some serious, some funny. I also have another blog, focussed on dogs and family here.
Having this broad range of books, will give something for everyone, at least that's the way I'm thinking. If someone has suffered as a child, I have the poetry book to help them to find hope. If someone thinks dogs are hilarious or if they're being driven mad by their own digging dog, I have the book to help them find the funny side. And if they have MS, or know someone who has it, I have a book that tells them how living with MS has been for me.
So, decision time - obviously, I need to get the money for another print run, these things aren't free. I need to suss out the market for such a book - I know a couple of people who would probably buy a copy of the book, but I need more than just a couple of buyers to make it worthwhile.
So this post is to see if anyone out there thinks they's like to have a copy of my little book. I think it's funny, and the pictures done by my talented artist friend Ally Hean are wonderful, and well worth looking at. The cover picture on this website gives you an idea of her talent, and the illustrations inside the book are terrific. This book would appeal to anyone who's ever known a dog, or had a garden.
Dogs don't do gardening the way people do gardening, and the chapters in the book should give you a giggle! And if you'd like to know more about me and my writing, click on the links and read what I've written!
If you think this book is one you might like to see, let me know! If I get enough of a response, I'll get the second print run happening. It's all up to my readers!
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