We all took a deep breath as the advertisement went live. Homes wanted for six adorable pups. (Six, not seven, because we were still debating whether or not to keep a girl).
“What happens if we don’t sell them all?” Nathan said, a look of mild panic on his face.
“What happens if we do?” I said – cuddling one of them close. “How on earth are we going to say goodbye to these little guys?”
“Trust me – in eight weeks time, when they’re doing their business all over the place, you won’t be saying that!” Nathan chuckled.
I couldn’t imagine ever being tired of them. They were growing more adorable by the day.
By the end of week one, they had doubled in size (and cuteness), their features becoming increasingly more pup-like.
They still behaved in a mole-like manner, guided predominantly by their sense of smell. They were remarkably determined though, and had developed some stealthy ways of getting to mum for a feed, including burrowing beneath their litter-mates to get to the teats on the underside of her belly.
When full up with milk, they would often roll down mum’s sloping stomach, as though drunk, which was very amusing to watch. Who needs Christmas TV when you have a box full of pups to keep you entertained?
Enjoy this snippet of the pups feeding
Apart from the sleepless nights, the workload during those first two weeks was relatively straightforward. Amber was the real hero- feeding her hungry brood every two hours or so. We were mostly needed to keep an eye on things, and provide a pair of helping hands when Amber needed them. We were the night watchmen- keeping tabs on the whereabouts of all the pups and helping Amber in and out of the whelping box, making sure she didn’t accidentally step on any of the pups during her route in and out.
Caring for Amber was a top priority. Her voracious appetite was back with a vengeance. With seven hungry pups to feed, it was hardly surprising. It was also imperative to make sure she had sufficient time out of the whelping box, just to rest. Our normal ‘no sofa’ rule had suddenly gone right out of the window!
Daily duties also included keeping the whelping box and bedding as clean as possible. The constant rumbling of the washing machine became the soundtrack of our Christmas!
In some ways, this monumental disruption to our lives had come at the perfect time. We all had over two weeks annual leave. We had nowhere particular to be. There was an abundance of Christmas films to watch on TV and a fridge filled with leftover Turkey and other Christmas fair , which seemed to cater perfectly for our strange lack of routine. Rather than cause added complication to our Christmas, the pups forced us to slow down and fall into a simpler existence, a benefit none of us had anticipated.
And then, the enquiries began to trickle in, slowly at first, then increasing to a steady stream. Our daughter Grace was appointed Director of Enquiries . And an excellent job she did too.
And my worries about saying goodbye to the pups were quickly allayed …Reading messages from families who had recently lost beloved dogs; or sweet young couples who lived by the sea; or a hiking enthusiast, looking for a loyal, loving companion to walk with, began a shift in my thinking. Suddenly I felt as though I were part of something of immense value- helping to bring into the world not just a wonderful pet, but a friend. Suddenly it wasn’t such a bittersweet task – it was a wonderful privilege.
And by the beginning of week three, just as the puppies’ eyes were beginning to slowly blink open, we had six wonderful new homes lined up for each and every one of the pups. And life with seven pups that were now waddling about, was about to get even more interesting!
Leo- first pup to be photographed eyes open!
Hope you enjoyed this post. Join me next week for more of our puppy adventures and find out what happened when the pups started venturing out of the whelping box!
A year ago, I took part in an online writing competition called ‘#50PreciousWords’, hosted by the wonderful children’s writer, Vivian Kirkfield. The rules of the contest sounded relatively simple, but were actually pretty tricky to carry out: Write a complete story with a beginning, middle and end in 50 words or under. The point of the exercise was learning to make every word count – no wasted words allowed!
I was delighted to receive an honourable mention for my entry, entitled: ‘The Busy Blackbird’, which I managed to whittle down to 49 words! Phew!
I hope you enjoy it!
Stuck in bed, With a broken leg. Lonely. Bored. Then, I saw her, A bird! Flitting, Flapping, Food in her beak, Feeding her nestlings For over two weeks. Tireless provider, I watched her with wonder, ‘Till the time came to fly, For the fledglings and I,
In just under two weeks time, on 12th May, it’s National Limerick Day, where people post their favourite Limericks on Social Media, under the hashtag: #NationalLimerickDay!
Why May 12th? It was the birthday of the English Poet, Edward Lear, who was the king of limericks, making them popular in the early 1800’s.
A limerick? What’s a Limerick? I hear you ask. How do I write one? And why should I bother?.
And here is my answer!
It’s fun to sit down with a brew, And come up with a limerick, or two, It’s a juggle of thoughts, A word-puzzle of sorts, It’s a word-nerdy thing you can do!
Hahaha! A slightly silly response, granted. But here’s my logic: The very best way to learn how to write a Limerick is by reading them!
But just to be clear, here are a few features of the Limerick:
Limericks are humerous, rhyming, five-line poems, with the pattern: AABBA
They often tell a little anecdote or story – which makes them really fun to write.
Like this:
There once was a kitty so smart, Stealing food was his devious art, He would pilfer your chicken, Next your ham, he’d be nickin’ Why, he’d even come back for your tart!
Our pets seem to feature quite regularly in my limericks – but, honestly, you can write a limerick about pretty much anything.
It could be educational:
Seeds are remarkable things, Some have spikes, some rotate, some have wings, Dandelion is cute, With its seed parachute 🪂 But the best one of all sorta' PINGS!
- you could even write a limerick about…writing limericks!
Writing lim'ricks is tricky, but fun, Make sure lines five and two rhyme with one, Add a killer last line, (If it helps, drink some wine!) Don't give up, you'll be glad when it's done!
So what are you waiting for? You've got just under two weeks to get scribbling!
Here are some tips to get you started!
Pick one subject to write about- it could be your pet, a silly situation, a favourite film or book or even about yourself;
Try and nail your last line early on – this is the line that ties everything together, and if done well, really gets the giggles;
Remember, lines one, two and five all have to rhyme – so pick a common sound for your word-ending. Be creative with it! In some instances, forced rhyme can work quite well! (See last line of the second example below)
If you’re stuck, try to avoid abandoning your subject idea altogether. Instead, walk away for a bit. There are more ways than one to say something. Limericks are like a puzzle. Often the answer comes when you’re busy doing something else, like walking the dog, or doing the washing up.
A rhyming thesaurus can be really useful for those word endings, especially if you’re missing a beat or syllable
Oh, a rhyming thesaurus is grand, It can help when your limericks are bland, It can give you word power At the e-leventh hour, With names like: Pituitary Gland
There once was a cute little kitty, Who would sit around looking so pretty, But this act was a lie, He was really a spy, No you should not believe cats one bitty.
Moses, looking like butter wouldn’t melt…
I hope this post has inspired you and that you’re running for your notebook and pencil as we speak! Perhaps you’ll be brave enough to post them on #NationalLimerickDay!
I love taking part in poetry events and online initiatives. One of these is #HaikuSaturday.
What’s a Haiku, you may well ask?
Well…it’s not a sneeze!
But it is a very short poem that follows these three rules:
A haiku consists of three lines (which don’t generally rhyme);
A haiku consists of (no more than) 17 syllables;
A haiku captures a brief, vivid moment or observation, or sudden realisation , often related to nature. The aim of a haiku is to say something big, profound, powerful or evocative, using only a few words.
If you’re new to writing Haiku – try starting with the 5-7-5 sequence:
5 syllables in line one
7 syllables in line two
5 syllables in line three
Like this:
God is a painter, The skies are His canvasses, Glory on display!
The whole poem should be about ONE thing. One moment. One observation. One striking thought or idea.
After the deluge, Rock pools flooded with bounty, Treasures in the storm
Now it’s Your Turn!
Here’s three reasons why you should try writing a Haiku today:
Haiku are a great way of celebrating those wonderful fleeting moments in nature, encouraging you to really stop, look and listen! I love the saying: – “you should spend one hour every day in nature. Except if you’re busy. Then you should spend two.”
Fed up with the Crossword? Haiku are a great way to exercise your brain, hone your word-skill and practice getting your thoughts on paper – and there’s no right or wrong way to write a haiku;
You know all those photos that are just hanging around on your phone? Why not use them as inspiration for a Haiku? And if you’re a writer or blogger, you’ll even have something fresh to post!
And most of all, Haiku are a great way to experiment with phrases, forget about trying to rhyme and just have fun with words! (see, that’s four reasons! Now go on – grab your note-book and pen!)
Magnificent tree, How many winters have you Stood against the wind?
If you’re new to writing poetry, why not jump on board today? You could even post your Haiku in the comments section below ! I’d love to read them!
There was no denying it, Amber, was acting strange.
“I think she’s close!” I said, googling the tell-tale signs of a pregnant dog, about to give birth.
Off her food? – Tick
Unsettled? – Up and down like a yo-yo!
Panting – Intermittently
Nesting – Obsessively
Clingy? – Like Velcro!
“But she’s still got five days to go!” objected Nathan, “It won’t happen just yet – surely?”
All the same, I slept downstairs on the sofa that night, just in case. All through the night, I kept a keen eye on Amber, curled up in the whelping box that we’d just managed to assemble in the nick of time. I don’t know who was more restless – Amber or I?
The next morning, just as I was about to go grocery shopping, at around 8:45am, I noticed a mucus-stained puddle on the lounge floor. Amber’s water’s had broken.
It just happened to be a Tuesday. My day off. Thank you Lord!
I went and collected our youngest from school – there was no way she could miss this! There are some lessons in life that simply can’t be learned at school.
As circumstance would have it, our two eldest daughters were also able to be present. It was five days earlier than expected – but it felt like the planets had aligned.
At 9:55am, the first puppy appeared, it’s tiny little mouth gaping open and shut, as it drew in its first few breaths in the outside world.
We’d seen YouTube videos of live births, and read up on every detail – from counting placentas, to cutting cords. We had all the equipment ready. The clamp. The surgical scissors. A pile of towels . A weighing scale. Even a heat lamp akin to those you see in a chicken coop! But up to now, it had all been theory. Now – this was it! Without any dress rehearsal, we suddenly had to rise to the occasion. There were no official Vetinary Surgeons present. Just us. My husband, our three daughters and me.
And of course, our star girl – Amber! This was her first time too. Nobody had briefed her on what to do. She hadn’t watched any videos. But instinctively, she knew. Licking, nudging, feeding – such a clever Mumma!
The first three pups came fairly quickly. And so we soon found our stride too. We all assumed different roles at different times. One of us clamping, another cutting the cord, one of us weighing, the other recording the details, such as gender, weight and time of delivery and assigning each pup a little colour-coded temporary collar. It was all hands on deck. It was mucky, raw, earthy. It was one of the most vivid and incredible experiences we’ve ever shared. Nothing can quite prepare you for the sight of that first pup in it’s sac – and for the sounds and the earthy smell of new life.
Fortunately, there was a gap of around 90 minutes between the birth of pups number three and four and so we were able to stop for a well-earned cuppa! I’m sure Amber needed a breather too!
And by four o’clock that afternoon – there were seven! Three girls and four boys, eyes and ears as yet unopen, rooting around like little moles – and squeaking!
We weren’t supposed to name them – (we mustn’t get too attached) – but of course, it felt clunky and impersonal, referring to them as a colour. So an off the cuff ‘nick-name’ was assigned as soon as each puppy was born. Steve, James, Rosette (Rosie for short), Holly, Leo, Sadie and Ralph.
We spent the evening happily helping them latch on, marveling at the seven little heads and tails suckling all in a row. By now, their fur had gone from newborn-slime to buffed velvet!
Amber seemed relaxed and settled – sleeping softly while her babies suckled.
We positioned a single mattress next to the whelping box and took turns on nightly puppy-patrol. It was 10th December. Instead of a Christmas Tree, we had a box full of puppies to marvel at. We sensed that we were in for an unusual Christmas.
And little did we know that the fun had only just begun!
(Hope you enjoyed this post! Look out for the next instalment, coming very soon!)
I draw round a glass Then cut out the circle Fold it three times Til it looks like a cone, Then comes the tricky bit, Ever so carefully, Snippety-snip round the edges I go! Cutting out ovals And tiny white triangles, Tumbling down to the table Like snow And now for the magic, Unfolding the paper, Quite how it happens I really don't know SNOWFLAKE!
I wrote this poem for a Valentine’s Poetry Competition, hosted by The Little Thoughts Press back in February. The brief was to write a silly sonnet about something you really love! Mine was based on Shakespeare’s Sonnet Number 30
I didn’t win the overall prize, but was delighted to be voted Kid’s Choice Winner!
THE WORLD'S BEST DOG
My puppy's eyes are nothing like the sun, His ears , they stick up like a sail, His paws get so muddy whenever he runs, That he's constantly leaving a trail.
I've seen clever puppies that jump and roll over, But my dog would rather chase sticks, And as for his breath, well it smells like a drain, And he's constantly giving me licks!
He isn't too likely to win any prizes, For hounds who are handsome and smart, But so loyal a friend, you never did meet, And he holds the first place in my heart.
Three cheers for my dog- so loyal and true, Who shreds up your slippers and runs off with your shoe!
Why don’t you have a go at writing a silly sonnet?
Being a dog owner, sometimes means dragging yourself out on a Saturday, when you’re feeling a tad lazy. Amber, our Labrador, NEVER feels like this. Even the mere mention of the ‘W-A-L-K’ word sends her whizzing around the kitchen like a spinning-top. It’s such a blessing to have an enthusiastic dog to drag me out of that front door, reminding me to lay aside my busy-ness for a fraction of the day – and just be! It can be hard to get going at times. There are often a-hundred-and-one things I feel I ought to be doing instead, but I never ever regret it! And sometimes it even leads to little poems – like this one.
WOODLAND WALK
The wildness of the wood, It always does me good. The dappled light, The green, The gold that slips between, The fresh and earthy smell, The feeling all is well.
A calmness in my mind, As aching limbs unwind, Enveloped in the green, No chores, no crowds, no screen. A pause within my day, A chance to think and pray.
Away from city rush, A place that whispers: 'hush! It's good to stroll and talk." This wondrous woodland walk.
I’m absolutely delighted to host a very special Q&A here on my blog today. We’ve got tons of treats in store, including a a video all about the book, plus Elizabeth’s wonderful art-work, AND a free download of the first chapter for you to enjoy – so do keep reading!
But firstly, a very warm welcome to Elizabeth James, creator of a new and exciting series of stories aimed at 8-12 year olds, featuring the very loveable ‘Pippa Potter.’ Elizabeth and I met via Twitter (yes, I still call it that) and have previously buddied up to read and critique each others Picture Book Manuscripts.
Elizabeth James is the author and illustrator behind the groundbreaking “Pippa Potter, President’s Daughter” chapter-book series, which champions children’s mental-health and wellbeing through a captivating narrative set in the White House. With two decades of experience in the publishing industry, Elizabeth has previously worked as a magazine editor, freelance writer and publicist for New York Times bestselling authors and books. She also is the author of Trivia To-Go Family Challenge: Holiday Edition, a children’s Q&A trivia book, and has multiple devotions published in Guideposts’ Pray a Word a Day, vol. 2 devotional.
Elizabeth very kindly agreed to answer some questions all about the first book in the series, entitled: Pippa Speaks Up! How exciting!
Q. Hi Elizabeth! Where did you get the idea for this story? What inspired you?
I was inspired to write this story after my daughter began therapy for her anxiety when she was 7 years old. As someone who has also suffered from anxiety since I was a kid, I became really enamored with the idea of taking some of the things we were both learning about emotions (and anxiety, in particular) and weaving them into a story so that other kids could learn them from a young age, without having to necessarily enter into therapy themselves. (This is especially important because stats show that there’s a dire shortage of therapists, and anxiety only continues to rise among kids!)
Q. Can you tell us a little bit more about Pippa, your Main Character?
Pippa Potter is an endearingly anxious girl who has just moved into the White House, after her Mom was elected President. As someone who shuns the spotlight, the move has been hard for her, especially given there are two kids at her new school who won’t let anyone forget who her mom is…as if anyone could forget, since she’s the only child followed around by a Secret Service agent! Instead of basking in the glow of being the President’s daughter, Pippa instead takes refuge in her hobby of collecting crystals and visiting the Smithsonian Museum’s world-renowned gem collection.
Q. Pippa is an ordinary kid in many ways (but she lives quite an extraordinary life, doesn’t she?) When did the idea of her being the ‘First Kid’ come in? Right from the start? Or was this an idea that came later?
That’s a great compliment! I always wanted Pippa to feel very relatable to kids, especially those who struggle with anxieties. Originally, she was not the President’s daughter, but after writing the first iteration and querying it to no interest, I realized I needed a “hook.” I honestly cannot remember when the idea hit me to make her the President’s daughter. At some point, I typed it up, filed it in a folder, and then forgot about it until I picked it back up 2 years later! But then I loved it. It did take me a few versions to really get into the head of being the President’s daughter, through which I read interviews, watched Michelle Obama’s documentary and did a lot of research. But eventually, I hope I struck the balance of a kid we can all relate to while still getting the feel of living in a “fantasy” world, albeit the White House.
Q. The book is packed with tons of fun facts, not only about the Whitehouse, but also about Geology, (or should I say Petrology – I had to look that up!) as Pippa collects rocks and gemstones. Was it fun researching all the facts for this story?
It was a TON of fun! As I mentioned before, I checked out a lot of books and watched videos but also reached out to the White House Historical Association, who were kind enough to answer a bunch of questions I had about really specific things, like, “Which bedroom would my character live in at the White House?” I couldn’t find the answer anywhere, but the kind curators there were able to tell me which room most First Kids usually lived in while in the White House!
Q. The rock collecting idea was a neat way of drawing out Pippa’s character! Where did this idea come from?
When I was young (about Pippa’s age), I had a rock collection that I kept in an old fishing tackle box and always loved. I have no idea where it went, but I’ve always held a soft spot for beautiful rocks. And when I was thinking about Pippa and her anxiousness, giving her a love of collecting rocks (especially crystals) just seemed a perfect fit!
Q. Your story features a visit to the Smithsonian Museum. Have you ever visited Washington DC?
I’ve been to Washington DC twice, both times as an adult, and, yes, I was able to go to many of the Smithsonian Museums, including the one of Natural History featured in Pippa’s story! Though I definitely had to refresh my memory, but fortunately you can take “virtual field trips” inside so that was a huge help when it came to research!
Q. You illustrated and Self-Published the book – wow! This must have been both a challenging and fun process. Can you tell us a little bit about how this went? What new skills did you learn along the way?
Yes! It’s funny, because when I was in first grade, I actually wanted to be an artist. But by second grade, I was bitten by the writing bug. I always maintained an appreciation for art (my first full-time job out of college was being an editor for a graphic-design magazine), but my own skills suffered.
But chapter book illustrations are usually in black-and-white and much more simple than in picture books. Time and again I thought to myself, “I bet I could do that.” Finally, I committed myself to trying, and I’m super proud of how it turned out!
Q. How long would you say it took to write Pippa Speaks Up?
I wrote and edited Pippa Speaks Up! over about five months. I did the illustrations for the first three chapters at this time, and then finished the remaining chapters’ illustrations over about two additional months.
Q. Pippa Speaks Up is the first book in the Pippa series. Does this mean there are more Pippa books in the pipeline?
Yes! I am currently writing #2 right now, but have brainstormed storylines for at least half a dozen others! In the future, we will look at more emotions kids face, including anger, perfectionism, conflict, and other specific anxieties (such as the all-too-real fear of intruders). They will all incorporate kid-friendly mental-health concepts and tools/techniques they can incorporate into their own lives. My husband is a licensed counselor, so that’s been a big help ensuring that the information I’m providing is accurate and evidence-based.
Q. And finally…have you ever been scared to speak in front of people like Pippa was in the story? Do you have to speak in front of people now you’re an author? Is it scary? If so, how do you rise above the fear?
Yes, I very much still feel the fear Pippa does about speaking up about a variety of things! It’s one of the ways I’m trying to stretch myself, just like Pippa does. In fact, I just reached out to a school about doing an author visit. Does the idea terrify me? Yes. But just like Pippa tells herself, “I can be brave!”
YES! INDEED!
I do hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed putting it together. I’m sure you’ll all join me in extending huge congratulations to Elizabeth on the release of her book and for seeing this idea through from start to finish! Inspiring stuff!
And as a special treat, Elizabeth has very kindly offered to send us a free download of the first chapter of the book! Simply click on the link below. Enjoy!
Angela Jelf 