Vicious Rottweiler Mauls Puppy

...or maybe it was the other way around. Both combatants came out of this unscathed but there was a lot of flashing teeth and name-calling. I think Nana might've implied Iko's parents were not lawfully wed.

Oddly enough, the bystanders in this film refused to get involved. Smart dogs.

If you're reading this off a feed, it looks like you'll have to come to the blog to view the video. 




Despite Nana's over exuberance, everybody likes her; even Maggie who generally shows disdain for anyone on four paws. 

Potty training continues with only random accidents. I hate to say this out loud, but she's been accident-free for two days. I'm not going to rest easy until I can get a whole week like this. As soon as she proves herself dependable, we can dispense with doggy jail when I go out.

I so didn't want a puppy, but the extra work has been worth it. She's been a character and a half.

***

Back to Business

Getting your name out: What works and what doesn't? I think it boils down to two things. 

• Tweets and posts must offer something of value.

• And it has to be delivered to the right audience. Click to retweet this quote.

This leaves me in a bit of a quandary because I write both fiction and nonfiction, plus Book Cover Diva is strictly for authors. 

What to do? 

Then a brainstorm.

What if I stick to my general topic posts here and do publishing-related posts as guest posts? These won't have anything to do with book releases or blog tours. The only thing I'm interested in is meeting new people and perhaps future blog followers.

If you have a good-sized audience (300+ followers), or a lively comment stream, and you think your following would body-slam their own brothers-in-law off the computer just to read the latest article on book cover design or marketing topics, email me and we can plan something for the future.

In the meantime, I have a guest post coming up at Jackie Burris's blog the first week in March where I talk about a good friend of mine--Tank--and the day that changed us both forever. I'll let you know when it goes live.

***

Libraries: I have to admit, I don't have a clue how to get my books in a library, but somebody must because they recommended Mistress of the Stone to the Austin Public Library. Whoever you are, thank you!

***

I've got a crit, a book cover, and some blog posts to write this week. If I get  a chance, I also have a new contemporary fantasy novel to finish. A recent house guest has been bugging me to finish it.

LD Masterson and Angela Brown stayed with me a few days so we could attend ConDFW together

Brown was cool. As long as you kept her fed and let her molest the avocado I gave her to mash, she was fine. Masterson just wanted to work. Sheesh!

What's on your to-do list this week? 


***No brothers-in-law were harmed in the making of this post.***




Comments

Jennifer Shirk said…
Wow, you've got a lot going on.

The video still wouldn't pull up for me. :( BUt it sounds like the puppy training is going better than my guinea pig training. LOL
Angela Brown said…
LOL!! @ both the video and the avocado.

Hey, the avocado LIKED it :-) Now I'm interested in slicing, scooping and mashing some more. Va Voom!

Nana is a darling and Maggie just loves to be loved. Tank is SUCH a sage and Iko is...well, Iko. What can I say lol!!

Cool that Mistress of the Stone got recommended for the Austin library. That is Awesome!!
Maria Zannini said…
Jennifer: Sorry the video didn't work for you. I wonder why...

You've got your hands full potty training a guinea pig. I didn't even know that was possible.
Maria Zannini said…
Angela: You were enjoying that avocado mashing too much. LOL!

I told you Iko was crazy. Nobody ever believes me. He's not dangerous crazy, just a little crazy like artists, actors, and those people in Congress.

I so enjoyed having you over!
My Rott can't play without sounding like she is truly mauling someone or something.

When we fostered another Rott...the two would lay on the floor facing each other with that biting-thing going at lightning speed, and the roar vibrated the windows.
(and deafened people across town)

I think you wrote other stuff...but I've forgotten. ADHD

Oh. btw. Have a rott in the novel I just finished. His name: Baby Boy. (he's 200 lbs)

- Mac
Sarah Ahiers said…
Aww boo! I can't watch the video on this PC. I'll have to check it out later
Maria Zannini said…
Mac: I've seen Iko and Tank play like that and it's kind of scary but they never touch each other. They're not even slobbering. It's all show and noise.
Maria Zannini said…
Sarah: Sorry the video won't play for you. I wonder if some computers have firewalls on them for some videos.

But catch it if you can. They are really cute. Nana is like a little mongoose, she's so fast.
Unknown said…
The puppy is quite a character. I love how she taunts the large dog. I hope the pup is fully potty trained soon. I know it's hard work to clean up after a pup.
Rula Sinara said…
Very cute video. My two dogs play like their fighting to the death, but no actual blood is shed and they end it all with a snuggle.
Melissa McClone said…
Nana is so cute. I think it's easier to potty train girls. Cato is doing better but still haven't some accidents. Sometimes he just goes while he's walking. I'm told that's what boys often do. LOL!

Have fun!
Maria Zannini said…
Clarissa: She is fearless. Even on the first day, I expected her to show some healthy respect to the humungous dogs that towered over her, but no. She jumped up on each one all kisses and wagging tail.
Maria Zannini said…
Rula: It always amazes me how they can make so much noise yet not even touch each other. It's like watching thunder.
Maria Zannini said…
Melissa: I seem to recall Iko learned within a month. I'm coming up on two weeks with Nana.

And she proved me a liar just now and piddled on the floor. Oy!
Jackie said…
Maria this entire post was worth many smiles but the video just put the icing on the cake, what a couple of crazies who are having so much fun that it should be illegal! :-)

Congrats on Mistress hitting Austin Library, no idea who got it there but glad for you they did.

Unknown said…
For me this week, the key word is; FOCUS. It should be my mantra for the rest of the year, actually. Focus on my para. series, focus on marketing for said para. series, focus on blog mini series, focus on...wait, what was I talking about? Oh SHINY!
Love the video. My little dog and my rottie used to do that all the time.
LD Masterson said…
Vicious? VICIOUS?!?! Iko? Now, Nana maybe. I did come home bearing scars on my throat from her savage attack.

Now about this "Masterson just wanted to work"...
Maria Zannini said…
Jackie: I'm so glad they get along so well. Iko needed someone his own speed. Tank and Maggie are too old for his shenanigans.
Maria Zannini said…
Darke: LOL. I get shiny-itis too. Too bad they don't bottle 'focus'.
Maria Zannini said…
Susan: It always startles me because they can get so loud. You'd think they were killing each other. But it's all noise.
Maria Zannini said…
Linda: Nana said she was sorry. She didn't know her own strength. :)

Re: work
Yes. Wasn't it you who was constantly telling me you had to work. The next thing I knew you were playing with Nana.
LD Masterson said…
Oh, telling you I had to work and actually wanting to are very different things. Hence, the playing with Nana. :-)
Mike Keyton said…
thank you for that video clip, Maria. Loved it.

Ref the indie bit you might find this link interesting. It's from a friend's blog http://www.nightspore.co.uk/

Ref your latest WIP yup, I'm intrigued

Ref my to do list for the week: stuff as normal but a little slower. It's not lumbago apparently, it's Shingles. Who'd-a-thought : )
Maria Zannini said…
Linda: I saw through your evil plan. :wink:
Maria Zannini said…
Mike: Damn, Mike. Lumbago would've been far better than shingles. I am so sorry.

I've had other friends who've had shingles and it sounds like a miserable experience.

I hope your doc prescribed some strong meds.

Take care.
Jayne said…
Oh that little Nana! She is very plucky, and cute! :)

Good luck with all your other business doings. Your question about blog readership made me wonder who mine really is. I'd say most of my readers have a connection to writing, but it's hard to tell what they'd body-slam their b-i-l's for. (Hee!) Maybe I need to think more upon this. Thanks for the thoughts!
Maria Zannini said…
Jayne: Some people would body-slam their b-i-l for no reason at all. :P

At least I'd give them a good reason.
Unknown said…
you gotta love puppies, Maria. They are so damned adorable! And yes, I like your idea about the different blogs. I'll be sure to check out Jackie's when Tank visits.
Angelina Rain said…
Oh, how cute! Your new puppy is giving Iko a run for his money, lol. Adorable.
Maria Zannini said…
Jim: I can't believe how much she's changed in only two weeks. It only makes me sad that Greg is missing both of this. She'll be off to college by the time Greg gets back. :)
Maria Zannini said…
Angelina: I was really afraid for her in the beginning. Iko's a lot bigger than her original littermates, but he seems to know to hold back now.
I'm going to Palm Springs and I've been all over the internet about that. Glad you and the dogs are having fun. I'm going to miss mine. To get a book in the library, I think you can have someone call and request that they get it or just donate a copy. Someone told me they got mine in a library, and I didn't have anything to do about that. I saw just call the local library, pretend to be someone else and ask if they can get it. ^_^
Maria Zannini said…
Barbara: Who's taking care of your pooches? Hubby?

Have fun in Palm Springs--like I could stop you. LOL.
Anonymous said…
Beastie Girl wanted to jump in on the fun :)
Maria Zannini said…
Raelyn: LOL! Tank gets like that too. I have to be careful what I watch on tv. He went berserk with Hollywood Chihuahua.