MontyandRosie

Steampunk Westie - (I've finally found out what steampunk is...)

2012-02-02T05:11:00.000-08:00

Obey the cats!!! Sit back and relax and have a fabulously wonderful birthday, Judy!

2012-01-27T01:57:00.000-08:00

She loved the breeze through her hair...

2012-01-27T01:36:00.000-08:00

Valentine, Be Mine, Til the end of Time. (But you're not allowed on the furniture.)

2012-01-20T08:31:00.000-08:00

Stay as sweet as you are...

Sweets for my Sweet

Sweetheart

Under the moon above

By the light of the moon

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All because the lady loves Milk Tray...

2012-01-06T04:51:00.000-08:00

All because the lady loves Milk Tray... (he's got a box of Happy Birthday chocs for you, Jenny, in his invisible pocket on his back) (although they're magic chocs and immediately change to dark choc chocs if you prefer)

Oh, yes, there is nothing beyond a Corgi!

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So, where's your BAD Christmas sweater??? (we want pics)

2011-12-20T14:23:00.000-08:00

Everydog's got a BAD Christmas sweater...

Right? Right???

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More Welsh Corgi dogs being all Christmasssy...

2011-12-20T13:54:00.000-08:00

Gingerbread Corgis were her specialty (she made herself eat all the broken ones - only the perfect ones made it to the tree - it was sheer self-sacrifice)


He had Christmas wrapped up early (wish he'd come round here and wrap up mine!)

It was her favorite colour scheme (she's a very patriotic pup)

Essential winter kit (Life was so much more comfortable with a dry undercarriage.)

We all have a Bah, Humbug! person. (don't we???)

And we have to do that conciliatory little smile in the background and hope that smooths things over...

The best seasonal window(Move over Bambi, Santa's little helpers and snowflakes - bring on the bones!!!)

They were hoping for doggy bags(They hated waste...)


He was fond of cracker jokes (Yeah - what's yellow and dangerous???)

Follow this blog - for regular artwork updates

Click here for eBay store

Click here for Etsy store

Click here for store on craftsUprint for designer cards to download and make up.

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Welsh Corgi dogs with Christmas on their minds

2011-12-20T13:29:00.000-08:00

She thought the wreath looked better on her than on the door (and I think she's right)

He was counting the sleeps til Christmas

Oh, howly night! (I'm wondering about this one to publish as a Christmas card next year - what do you think?)

All for one


She did like a seasonal centrepiece (as long as someone else dealt with the thorny holly bits)

Follow this blog - for regular artwork updates

Click here for eBay store

Click here for Etsy store

Click here for store on craftsUprint for designer cards to download and make up.

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...And a poo-dle in a pear tree...

2011-12-05T00:57:00.000-08:00

(These are the correct words for this song - the original words.) (Yeah, they are. Honest. Yeah.)

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A poo-dle in a pear tree....

On the second day of Christmas...

On the third day of Christmas...

.....................

............

.........................

On the 12th day of Xmas
my true love sent 2 me
12 Dachshunds digging,
11 Pit Bulls peeing,
10 Labs a-leaping,
9 Dalmatians dancing,
8 Mutts a-moulting,
7 Spaniels swimming,
6 Greyhounds Gazing,
5 Gordon Setters,
4 Border Collies,
3 Fox Hounds,
2 Cute Corgis,
And a poo-dle in a pear tree!

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Penny Grubb, crime writer and ALCS Chair

2011-11-09T09:11:00.000-08:00

Rosie and Monty are delighted to welcome Penny Grubb to their blog. They love reading crime novels (and the fact that Penny carries doc choc drops in her pocket is neither here nor there…)

Penny writes crime novels about a Private Investigator. It’s not that she writes what she knows, exactly, but she does write what she likes to read…

She is also Chair of the biggest writing-related organisation in the world - that is, the Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society - this means she has writers’ best interests at heart and works out what dosh they can get for secondary rights. (Which is pretty fab and also means writers can afford to give their dogs more bones.)

To get back to the books she writes, ‘The Doll Makers’ won the International Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger; and ‘Like False Money’ was nominated for the International John Creasey Dagger - both recognitions of the fabulousness of her work were, of course, accepted with becoming modesty.

Penny thoroughly researches the 21st century PI in order to provide the authenticity which is a trade mark of her novels.

Part of that research involves interviewing real people - real victims, real criminals…….

...and real law investigator type people, too, including forensic detectives and pathologists…

Being a novelist often results in reactions from these interviewees ranging from suspicion on the one paw, to camaraderie which often involves too much detail, and even offers of work!

It’s all valuable material to Penny, and you can find out how she’s used it in her three novels due to be released on November 12th in paperback. (Found in all good bookstores on- and off-line.)

They have fab covers:

Rosie reckons ‘The Dollmakers’ cover is dead scary…….

Penny will be out there with her special pen signing books in WH Smith’s…

- and there's a 3 for £15 offer going on - yay!

The signings:

19 November WHS Books Beverley 9.30 to 11.30
19 November WHS Prospect Centre Hull 12.00 to 2.00
26 November WHS Coney Street York 12.00 to 2.00
26 November WHS Monks Cross Shopping Park York 2.30 to 4.30
3 December WHS Westborough Scarborough 12.00 to 2.00
10 December WHS Victoria Shopping Centre Harrogate 12.00 to 2.00
17 December to be confirmed, maybe nowhere

Rosie: It’s been very interesting finding out how you work, Penny! Come back soon. *don’t forget to refill the dog choc drop pocket, though*

Monty: It’s been lovely getting to know you, Penny. You can come back anytime - even if your dog choc drop pocket IS empty. No. Really. I mean it. Honest. I do. Yeah.

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Competition for signed paperback copy of novel, 'All His Own Hair'

2011-11-07T04:34:00.000-08:00

My second novel - 'All His Own Hair' - is on Amazon for Kindle but I've discovered this fab person is running a competition for a signed copy of the (paperback) book.

The competition can be found here

The requirements are:

quote: "All you have to do is pop along to this Amazon page - and find the answer to this question ‘What is the name of Liz’s Border Collie?’

Then just email me at info@bridaldesignsweddingjewellery.co.uk with the answer to the question plus your name to enter. The winner will be drawn from all correct entries on the 14th November. Good Luck!"unquote

Even if you have a Kindle, this could be a Christmas present for someone who doesn't.

Miss Maddy Mouse puts on her special Christmas tree fairy outfit to wish Liz Fielding a specially Fab Morning!!!

2011-11-06T01:27:00.000-07:00

jus becos

Greyhound in trilby - peony patch skulk - Miss Maddy Mouse - Siamese Masterfulness - inseparable corgis

2011-11-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

She firmly believed there was a trilby for everyone

Skulking in the peony patch

Miss Maddy mouse in the pink

He was Master of the Universe

They were inseparable

Greyhound morning - Corgi topiary - Paparazzi boredom - Sarah Docbear's waiting room - patient Golden Retriever

2011-11-05T08:25:00.000-07:00

Into the morning

Herding was in her blood, but topiary was in her soul

The paparazzi bored her

Ever more bears came for Sarah Docbear's treatment

He was waiting very patiently

Flower kitten - corgis sharing bath - cat amongst harebells - bears on a first date - beagle thinking in the petunias

2011-11-05T08:15:00.000-07:00

Am trying to catch up with my blog postings - am sooooooo behind....

He had a lot to think about

First date awkwardbearness

The harebell stalk

Save water - bath with your pals (and - no - it's not bathe - it's 'bath' according to the original 60s - or was it 70s - slogan)

The flower kitten was on her best behaviour (for the time being, anyway)

Hoping Giselle will spoil herself on her birthday!

2011-10-28T00:59:00.000-07:00

Oh, go on - knock yourself out! Have a fab day.

Every Sunday this Corgi dog took his hoomun for a nice drive...

2011-10-24T12:56:00.000-07:00

Lesley Cookman, cosy crime writer extraordinaire, pays Monty and Rosie a visit on their blog!

2011-10-07T02:12:00.000-07:00

Lesley Cookman:

First of all, thank you to Susan for allowing me on to her blog - a great honour.

Susan illustrated me (at least, that’s what I tell her):

However - although she has shown me as a slim, smoking, wine-drinking young thing with exquisite taste in scarves, writing with pen on paper in an attic - not ALL of that is quite true - no - I actually write directly onto a computer, more like this:

My heroine, Libby, lives in Steeple Martin where my books are set:

This map, especially created for me by Susan, appears in all the books and on my website.

Susan and I have been known to do joint book signings - here’s one at the Cotswold Bookstore with - from left to right: Susan Alison (map creator and co-signer of books) Gilli Allan (author of 'Torn' for Kindle), Adrian Magson (crime writer), Katie Fforde (romantic comedy writer and President of the Romantic Novelists' Association), her sister Jane Gordon-Cumming, and publisher Hazel Cushion of Accent Press (feisty, independent publishing):

Rosie: *snort-woof* Look - Susan’s taking a quick nap while all the lovely people are looking at the camera!

Monty: Quite right too! It’s the most noble of pastimes… zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz


Lesley: My latest book is called Murder At The Manor and comes out on November 7th in paperback and for Kindle so it's in everyone's favorite format.

Murder at the Manor is the ninth in the Libby Sarjeant series, and features nearly all the regular characters, including Sidney, Libby’s grumpy silver tabby cat, and her friend Fran’s Balzac, a long haired black and white. The books are 'Cosy Mysteries', which means they’re more Rosemary and Thyme

than Spooks.

Libby and Fran are both former actors, and keep their association with the stage by being involved with the Oast Theatre in Steeple Martin.

It’s all very jolly and quite good fun - apart from the odd body - but I do try and keep the stories relevant to today, so have some very serious underlying themes.

I do hope fans of Susan’s art will like the books, and thank you once again, Susan, for all the pictures.

Rosie: *woof-cough* - actually, it's our blog! But, you’re very welcome, Lesley, and you can come back anytime. Well… for as long as you keep bringing the gravy-soaked biscuits, that is...

Monty: It’s been lovely getting to know you, Lesley. Am wide awake now and I’ll be sure to be there with my Kindle on November 7th ready to do the one-claw-clickety-click dance.

Yay for Lesley Cookman, cosy crime writer extraordinaire - Yayyyyy!!!!!!!!!!bark!!!!!!!!!

Moocher, Border Collie dog extraordinaire - co-star of White Lies and Custard Creams - romantic comedy with a dash of mystery

2011-09-27T13:53:00.000-07:00

I’ve received many emails from readers asking about Moocher, the Border Collie who co-stars with Liz Houston in my first novel, ‘White Lies and Custard Creams’. So I thought I’d write a blog post and try to convey what my old Mooch the Pooch meant to me. He’d always had a way with woofs and I know he will be happy to be on Monty and Rosie’s blog like this.

He was a stray. He just turned up one day and stayed. He knew he’d come to the right place, and I knew he’d come to the right place, too. This is a limerick I wrote after he rather inconsiderately popped his clogs and left me with nothing but an empty basket:

Into my life one day a Border Collie strolled

He smelt sweetly of that in which he’d rolled

He’d come to share his life with me

And now I’ll never be free

Of fox poo aroma, and love worth more than gold

He had such a sense of joy about him. He was exactly the sort of dog who would leap up and catch snowflakes on his tongue:

And he always made a point of rolling in autumn leaves - one of life’s greatest pleasures (especially if there was fox poo underneath them, of course):

He was a very clever dog. It’s no wonder my paperwork’s in such a mess since he’s been gone. He'd be shocked...

There was always a hug waiting if I needed one:

And his live and let-live philosophy definitely taught me a thing or two!

He was a very generous dog in every way. He would have distributed bones and gravy to the world if he could:

No one could stay cross with him for long. He could wrap the most dog-hating person around his little claw in no time at all. He was such a charmer!

He was always ready for a game and would play for hours and hours just to keep me entertained:

He is always with me, just out of the corner of my eye; always there peering over my shoulder, checking I’m not making too much of a hash of things. He is the extra weight in Jeff-Dog’s head as he pushes it into my hands. He makes me watch out for myself more than I previously might, and he bolsters my courage when I need it.

He was the most extraordinary dog and taught me so much about so many things. This is why Liz, my heroine in ‘White Lies and Custard Creams’ has to have her dog with her all the time, or at least know he’s around and she can see him if she needs to. She needs him to keep going through life, no matter what, trying to make sense of it. And together they will make it through, even if not wildly successfully, at least always with a laugh!

And then he left me and life really was just an empty basket, and I felt as though I’d been punched with a big spike that took all my breath and gave nothing back.

This was when I was first introduced to the Rainbow Bridge. Someone sent me the poem which I shall paste in below for anyone who’s not read it. It is comforting. I’d always known Moocher would be there for me, wherever I was, in whatever plane, but with the Rainbow Bridge there is a ‘real’ picture in my mind which makes it so much more certain.

So - I know that Moocher is waiting for me at Rainbow Bridge (along with quite a few others).

In the meantime, I and others often howl tributes to absent friends and I could swear I can hear Moocher joining in:

If you have any more questions do feel free to get in touch and I shall answer them when I’m not bawling my eyes out like I am now. Jeff-Dog is pressing his head heavily into my leg as I sit at my desk, and Moocher watches us, grinning his furry face off, knowing we know he’s there.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

This corgi dog just feels like hiding away a bit at the moment...

2011-09-25T00:27:00.000-07:00

And I know how he feels...

A literary birthday wish: The Cat in the Rye wishes Elizabeth a fabulously wonderful birthday!

2011-09-14T00:50:00.000-07:00

Wanna hug? We have Border Collie hugs, Whippet hugs, Corgi hugs and Cat hugs. Come & get your hug here!

2011-09-04T03:51:00.000-07:00

This is the 'You're so fab' hug.

The comfy hug

The 'I can always rely on you' hug

And the: 'I will always love you' hug. (and the 'I will always worry about you' hug, too)

Happy Birthday, Pia! This Corgi celebrates with a somersault (backwards - natch)

2011-08-19T23:34:00.000-07:00

More head/neckgear/bling - no out-and-out hats, though. Got loads of hats as well....

2011-08-15T07:24:00.000-07:00

Some (canine) neck/headwear/bling fancies

2011-08-15T07:09:00.000-07:00

The Judy Adamson - Susan Alison interview - artist to artist

2011-08-07T05:20:00.000-07:00

Last month, wonderful artist, Judy Adamson, ‘interviewed’ me for her blog (And actually posted the result too – what a fab hostess she is!)

I am reproducing that post here in roughly the same format. (‘roughly’ because I can’t pass a piece of writing without tweaking it…) (my own writing, that is – I wouldn’t tweak someone else’s…)

Susan Alison, watercolour artist and author (who lives under the paw)

Links on the www if you wish to see more of Susan’s work:

Follow her on her Border Collies, Monty and Rosie's blog - for regular artwork updates

Click here for her eBay store

Click here for her Etsy store

Click here for her store on craftsUprint for designer cards to download and make up.

Judy asked Susan:

When did you begin painting?

I took up painting as a serious endeavour twenty years ago when I needed to earn a living from home. I lived in the Forest of Dean at the time, so it was no hardship studying all those trees and expanses of water and trying to get them down on paper. It was incredibly naive to think I could earn a living from it just like that though! And, I couldn't - but I gave it a pretty good go, and my first painting sold from an exhibition in Monmouth Museum (ie a 'proper' venue) so I was pretty chuffed about that. I painted that particular picture twenty-three times before I was happy with it, and it is still engraved on my mind...

Most of my paintings back then were landscapes - I still paint some vistas but nowadays there'll be a dog in them eg 'Good Morning, Morning' in which a Border Collie says hello to a new day.

My circumstances changed and I stopped painting, taking it up again five years ago when I decided that surely there was a way through the internet to make it work.

The most valuable thing I've learned from my current experience is that you simply can't tell upfront what is going to sell.

This means that, if you have to sell your work in order to keep doing it, your most important characteristic is persistence. I paint to sell. It's my job. All kinds of artists succeed and all kinds fail, and I fancy the main difference between the two is persistence - the presence or the absence of it. You just have to keep pounding away at the keyboard if you wish to succeed online.

Did you go to Art College or have any formal art training?

My art training has been a do-it-yourself learning curve.

I've had no formal art training. I believe there are some things (for me) that are better learnt on the job, and painting is one of them. I could spend a long time learning about how to do it instead of just doing it. Not only that, but I learn something new from every painting I do, so the training goes on for ever, although I've never again painted a picture twenty-three times...

What is the most valuable thing you've learned about painting and who taught you that?

The most valuable thing I've learned about painting is to fight the fear that comes with a nice, new, clean, expensive piece of watercolour paper - just splash the paint on, and then resist the urge to fiddle with it. I learnt this from Edward Seago (see below). I also used very big brushes when I started out, which gave me lots more confidence.

What is your favourite medium and why?

My favourite medium is watercolour. It doesn't smell; it's quick to apply, quick to dry; easy to wash out of your hair and off the furniture. What I really love about it, though, is its translucence. Some very skilled oil painters can get close to that effect by painting it, but watercolour owns that effect and doesn't have to put it on. Its very nature is translucence and it only gives it up if one insists on messing with it.

Who is your favourite artist/illustrator etc? Have you been particularly influenced/inspired by any other artists?

When I started out I was fascinated by people like Whistler, Sargent and Edward Seago because of the luminous quality of their work. I don't look so much now because I don't want to be influenced by anyone else and I don't want to subconsciously pick up other people's ideas. Mind you, I do sometimes watch the changing parade of cards on the front of GCU and marvel at the varieties of artistic expression. There will always be something new. That's how I feel, too - no matter how long I live I'll never live long enough to paint all my ideas. My inspiration comes to me now from my surroundings, wherever I am, in everyday life, but especially from nature and animals, particularly dogs. They can find joy where no one else can.

Where do you sell your paintings?

I sell my original paintings, mainly ACEOs, (Art Cards, Editions and Originals, sometimes called Artist Trading Cards or ATCs), but bigger sizes too, on eBay, along with prints, greeting cards, coasters and books.

My eBay store is here.

There is also a SusanAlisonArt store on Etsy

but my images can also be found on several print-on-demand websites:

click here for my Greeting Card Universe store

and here for my Zazzle store

here for SusanAlisonArt on Cafepress

and click here for craftsUprint designer cards to download and make up.

Which came first - writing or painting?

Writing came first, but then I felt compelled to illustrate what I'd written, so it’s a close run thing. My very first book was called 'The Cat' and was illustrated in wax crayons. This cat had many more than the usual nine lives and firmly believed that raspberry ripple icecream cured seasickness. I still paint cats now, so maybe the original one was a foretelling of what was to come...

These days, my cats are into so much more than just icecream though, whether they're stalking harebells...

...or line dancing to soothe 'their achy breaky hearts'.

I would love to write and illustrate my own children's books but so far I haven't managed to fit that ambition into my life.

The closest I've got to that is writing my own grown-up book and doing the cover art for that:

White Lies and Custard Creams is a romantic comedy with a dash of mystery - and, yes - there's a dog in it... (Well, there was bound to be...)

It's on Amazon for Kindle for $1.57 here

And it's on Amazon for Kindle for 97p here

Which is your best-selling/favourite greeting card?

I'm quite fond of my whippet and greyhound painting of an egg and spoon race which has made a successful greeting card and print.

Although my cool surfing Labrador dudes comes a very close second...

People seem to appreciate my less frivolous paintings too:

‘Forget me not’ ,

‘Wistful’

and ‘To Sleep, Perchance to Dream’.

What is your next project or your plans and hopes for the future?

I have my second romantic comedy novel, 'Out from under the Tiger', finished but for a final polish, and I have to paint the cover art. That will be uploaded to Kindle before Christmas and I want to upload a new book every year from now on.

The painting of pictures will go on as usual. I really need to get more organised about using the images though, so maybe 'getting organised' should be my main ambition for the forseeable future...

In the meantime, everyone's support is much appreciated.

I have a dog and cat artwork blog: click here for regular artwork updates and I’m on Twitter @bordercollies for more chat than links, or @SusanAlisonArt for more links than chat.

There is also a Facebook fan page here - it would be fab if you 'liked' it!

I love to hear from people and there is nothing more encouraging than when I get a response from someone telling me how cheered they are to see my pictures.

You keep me going and I thank you very much!

Whippets and greyhounds - cocktail waitress - orange seller - gardener and doing a Picasso

2011-08-03T09:23:00.000-07:00

Pam - I have put "whippet in hammock with rabbit waiter offering her a cocktail" on my to-paint list. In the meantime, the closest I've already got a whippet to a cocktail is this cocktail waitress - she's pretty chuffed with how it's going because she's saving her tips up for a new sofa.

Davina - herewith 'Nell Whippet, orange seller':

Buddy - thair is, of cors, nuffink rong wiv der whippy jus bein der whippy wiv der big appy whippy grwin... and here he is...

Rose - you were right - I couldn't get him to stand still long enough to paint him - in fact, he snatched the brush out of my hand and proceeded to do his Picasso act...

This Welsh Corgi dog had an affinity with water...

2011-08-01T00:39:00.000-07:00

He had an affinity with water

...but while his pals were all jumping into puddles, splashing about and then leaping into the back of their hoomuns' cars, he was out there with his spanners and other plumber-type-tools, thinking how much he was going to increase his call-out rate this time...

This is a miniature painting (ACEO or ATC) for auction on eBay here

click here for my eBay store

click here for my Etsy store

Follow me on Twitter @bordercollies or @SusanAlisonArt for artwork sales links, and/or follow me on this blog - - for regular artwork updates

There is also a Facebook fan page here - it would be fab if you 'liked' it!

Hoppety Birthday to You! (Sue)

2011-07-23T00:46:00.000-07:00

Hoppety Birthday to You!
Hoppety Birthday to You!
Hoppety Scotchety Birthday Deeeeeeeeearrrrrrrrrrrrrr Suuuuuuuuuuuuooooooooooo
Hoppety Birthday to You!

Kitten O'Hara and Catt Butler frankly wish you a damn fine birthday, Henri!!!

2011-07-20T01:15:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Jules (said in low, husky, thrilling, corgi - heroish tone of woof)

2011-07-15T04:39:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Marion!!!

2011-07-12T04:21:00.000-07:00

Maybe 'urbane' not a word to describe Border Collie... However - they're still high fliers...

2011-06-30T09:39:00.000-07:00

Urbane Corgis. What a great word - urbane. Urrrrbainnnnnnn... Anyway - herewith - four urbane corgi dogs...

2011-06-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

It was a black tie affair...

He always needed help with his cufflinks.

This is an original, miniature painting in watercolour click here for eBay auction

The following three pics aren't up yet - they are scheduled to automatically appear next week while I'm away at the RNA Conference in Caerleon (yayyyyy!!!)

Shaken, not stirred

(Ooh, look - it's oh, oh, Corgi!)

Come up and see me sometime

(said in a low, husky, thrilling tone of woof)

Dog about town

(He was always on the go, always doing deals, always on the ball... (arf)...)

(that was a little MontyandRosie joke - nothing to do with me)

Urbane or wot!!!!????

Ooh, and have I mentioned that my first Kindle book, 'White Lies and Custard Creams' (see blog post further down page) is today 84th Bestseller in Contemporary Romance!!! http://t.co/cKOGrHc *leaps about some more*

click here for my eBay store

click here for my Etsy store

Follow me on Twitter @bordercollies or @SusanAlisonArt for artwork sales links, and/or follow me on this blog - - for regular artwork updates

There is also a Facebook fan page here - it would be fab if you 'liked' it!

6 assorted dog cards donated for a #PawParty

2011-06-25T14:19:00.000-07:00

There are six assorted dog greeting cards of exceptional quality, professionally printed on heavy card stock, left blank inside for your own personal greeting.

The images are taken from the original watercolour painting. They are (from top left to right and bottom left to right): Shy flower; Snowfall; Just for You; Forget me not; Last year's outfit was a little tight; and She was dreaming of a White Poodle. (Click on the image to enlarge.)

All six are packed separately with good quality white envelopes in polypropylene sleeves. The cards measure approximately 6x4 inches or 10.5x14.5 cm closed ie they are A6 size.

Copyright remains with me.

click here for my eBay store

click here for my Etsy store

Follow me on Twitter @bordercollies or @SusanAlisonArt for artwork sales links, and/or follow me on this blog - - for regular artwork updates

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6 assorted kittie cards donated for a #PawParty

2011-06-25T13:01:00.000-07:00

There are six assorted kittie greeting cards of exceptional quality, professionally printed on heavy card stock, left blank inside for your own personal greeting.

The images are taken from the original watercolour painting. They are (from top left to right and bottom left to right): Meowy Christmas; Her Holiday Hat (she was chuffed with it); Grace in the Morning; She so loved a Happy Ending; Furever friends; and Romeow and Julicat.

All six are packed separately with good quality white envelopes in polypropylene sleeves. The cards measure approximately 6x4 inches or 10.5x14.5 cm closed ie they are A6 size.

Copyright remains with me.

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Woohoo - there are three fab reviews now!!!

2011-06-23T14:28:00.001-07:00

White Lies and Custard Creams - A Romantic Comedy (with a dash of mystery) is for sale here on Amazon UK for 97p and here on Amazon.com for $1.59.

Product Description (light-hearted entertainment)

All Liz Houston wants is to keep her head above the financial white waters of her life. Somehow, though, other people, including ex-husband Hugh, repeatedly get in the way.

Hugh just wants a quiet life and to be there for the people he cares about. Caring for Liz does not lead to a quiet life.

Moocher, Liz's Border Collie, wants to be where all the crumbs are, he wants to keep all his paws, but most of all he wants to keep Liz company as she rides the rapids of her life.

Add in odd-shoe-wearing lodger Simon, Git-next-door, a lost brother, an illicit fortune stashed away decades ago, a trio of part-time thugs, kidnappings, a tree-climbing tortoise and a dog-flap with a story of its own, and it becomes apparent that a few white lies (and custard creams) between friends are the least of Liz's problems.

Jill Mansell (internationally best-selling author) said of this book: "Susan Alison has written a lovely, quirky romp packed with off-the-wall characters - original, intriguing and great fun!"

Susan Alison is the Katie Fforde Bursary Award winner for 2011. She has won competition awards for short fiction and sold numerous stories to commercial publications. Her fiction concentrates on the relationships humans forge with each other (and quite often with their dogs). She is a freelance artist. Her artwork - mainly dogs and cats - can be seen on her blog but she's too afraid to put the blog address in here in case that's a Very Bad Thing to do and she gets thrown out...

(This is the back cover which you don't get on Kindle - just putting it in here for completeness sake to show you what you're missing. After all, it isn't every book that has a half eaten custard cream on the back of it. Oh, wait...)

This greyhound had her neck lace made especially ; Cool dude Goldicat and the three Corgis

2011-06-23T14:05:00.001-07:00

She had her neck lace made especially

(and was justifiably proud of the picture she made with it on)

Cool dude Goldicat and the three Corgis

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Red roses and butterfly on pink and cream scallop design for Craftsuprint.com

2011-06-23T13:49:00.000-07:00

This is a craftsUprint.com design for those who enjoy making up their own greeting cards. Click here for my craftsUprint store

There's no biz like Corgi biz ; teddy bear saga conts ; dog & teddy bear friends furever ; corgi practises what he preaches ; cats on safari

2011-06-22T05:42:00.000-07:00

There's no business like Corgi business...

Like no business I know

They became great friends

After the initial confusion, the Princess Serenity (who called herself Sarah) and Private Detectbear Dougal (known simply as Doug) became very comfortable in each other’s company. They didn’t tell each other their main secrets, though. Of course, Doug knew Sarah was actually the Princess Serenity, but she didn’t know he was a detectbear sent to keep her safe and to find out if she had any sibbearlings. Apart from that, they found that their regular meetings in the park provided them with the only chance they had of talking of their dreams. Doug told her all about his family. Sarah told him all about her studies (she was becoming a doctor of note) and the bear she’d met who made her happy but yet confused at the same time. His name was Beau. She wasn’t too sure where that relationship would lead, but she was sure her family wouldn’t approve. Beau came from a long line of honey gatherers, which, although a worthy (and essential) vocation, was not the ‘right’ company for a royal princess. At the same time, Beau had told her that his family wouldn’t approve of her because they didn’t want him going into medicine and if she continued to encourage him to do so, then she would be bear non grata with them, too. And, of course, he didn’t know that she was really the Princess Serenity either. The world was SUCH a complicated place!

Friends furever (I've got actual cards in this design in my eBay and Etsy stores - as against the image being on a print-on-demand site - which, of course, it should be as well. So much to do, so little time...)

Practising for summer

(he believed that practice made perfect)(and he believed he should practice what he preached...)

Elephant-back safari holiday

(they were hoping to catch up with some of their bigger relatives and get the gossip)

Oh, for a life on the Ocean Wave... this corgi is thinking...

2011-06-19T14:21:00.000-07:00

Like an eagle caged I pine, on this dull unchanging shore.
Oh give me the flashing brine! The spray and the tempest roar!
(...at least until that cold and wet old rain does pour...)
A life on the ocean wave! A home on the rolling deep!
Where the scattered waters rave, and the winds their revels keep!
(...which is all well and fine until they disturb my sleep...)
(Jus' sayin')

Pet romance is not a new genre - Romeow and Julicat

2011-06-15T04:46:00.000-07:00

By the way - you're getting this image as a greeting card in this year's RNA conference goodie bag.

Just sayin.

This beagle pup left some of the petunias intact especially for Jill's birthday - Happy Birthday Jill!!!

2011-06-14T23:57:00.000-07:00

To sleep, perchance to dream. Comfy Beagle puppies.

2011-06-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

This is a miniature painting (ACEO) for auction on eBay here

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Cat thinking of fish and greyhound dog days of summer

2011-06-10T01:59:00.000-07:00

This whippet greyhound dog spent all her time in the garden during the summer, just lazing around, smelling the breeze.

This cat was hanging around amongst the blossoms in the tree because it was a great place to have signficant thoughts about life, the universe and fish.

These are miniature paintings (ACEOs) for auction on eBay here

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This Beagle pup had a lot to think about...

2011-06-09T13:54:00.000-07:00

(and he liked to be alone with his thoughts in the petunia bed)

This is a miniature painting (ACEO) for auction on eBay here

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This Corgi dog was SO ready for a day at the beach

2011-06-09T13:39:00.000-07:00

(all she needed now was her bucket and spade and some icecream money)

This - as they mostly are - is a miniature painting (ACEO) for auction on eBay

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This Border Collie dog ALWAYS separated her colours on wash day

2011-06-09T12:52:00.001-07:00

(Bet SHE doesn't end up with pink shirts that are supposed to be white...)

Tap, tap, tappy, happy, tappety, happety birthday, ANNIE!!!

2011-06-09T01:48:00.001-07:00

Happy chocolate enrobed birthday, Jo!

2011-05-27T03:26:00.000-07:00

(yes, it's dog choc - no dogs were made ill in the painting of this pic)

As Per Jan Jones's (award-winning author and organiser supremo) request - Miss Miaowple (played by Moggie Rutherbeacat)

2011-05-24T12:19:00.000-07:00

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Non-smoking Border Collie takes to the keyboard... (We try to please)

2011-05-23T06:58:00.001-07:00

As per Lesley Cookman's (cosy crime writer extraordinaire) request - It's a Writer's Life

2011-05-23T06:15:00.000-07:00

Some dogs are very, very serious about their head gear...

2011-05-19T08:26:00.000-07:00

Her best fascinator

Her best crocheted bonnet

Her best baker boy hat

This greyhound dog firmly believed there was a trilby for everyone

2011-05-19T06:48:00.000-07:00

So don't despair - somewhere in the world your trilby will be waiting for you...

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All my followers have disappeared...

2011-05-18T09:54:00.001-07:00

...where have they gone?

It's a mystery...

Border Collies takes family for a row (not the argument kind)

2011-05-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

Family outing

(He was hoping the sea air would tire them out.) (Fat chance!)

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Whippet gives fans chance to buy her everything she wants ; teddy bears respect for nature ; cats starting a journal

2011-05-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

She liked to start her Christmas list early

(and give people enough of a chance to get everything on it)

A respect for nature

The couple who had charge of Sam and Rose carried out the Black Bear Wizard’s instructions to the letter, and the two royal cubs learnt the ways of the earth and all life, all the things that grew and the creatures that breathed. That is, they grew up with a natural respect for the world they lived in, and they learnt from it and it shaped them.

They were starting a journal

Corgi's indoor swimming pool, greyhound jam nicker, corgi basketball

2011-05-18T08:45:00.000-07:00

It was their very own indoor swimming pool

(They were the envy of the neighbourhood. All they needed now was a whippy icecream machine.)

SOMEONE had nicked the jam...

Corgi basketball never really caught on...

This Springer spaniel couldn't understand why his owner didn't want a walk - after all, it was five in the morning already!

2011-05-10T04:49:00.000-07:00

Spreading the catnip joy - window shopping cat; and window shopping Border Collies

2011-05-07T10:20:00.000-07:00

Window shopping for Border Collies

(Most Border Collies were window shopping at the throwing-things shop, but some were round the corner staring into the flock-of-sheep shop.)

Window shopping for cats - or cats window shopping - there's nothing quite like spreading a bit of catnip joy

Window shopping whippets, greyhounds and teddy bears - and corgis...

2011-05-05T05:18:00.000-07:00

Window shopping for whippets and greyhounds

(well - if you've got a lovely long, slim neck - might as well show it off)

Window shopping for teddy bears

(Because teddy bears need teddy bears, too.)

(Although some teddy bears were round the corner staring into the picnic hamper shop window instead - they probably already had their own teddy bears.)

Welsh Corgi dogs woof and howl about inappropriate use of apostrophe in sausage shop

2011-05-04T10:01:00.001-07:00

Corgis window shopping - you might think these corgi dogs are drooling over the sausages, but actually, I have inside information that says they're there howling and woofing about the inappropriate use of the apostrophe. (Honest!)

Cat's timeout from partying ; corgi's dream job marauding ; teddy bear saga instalment ; poodle with problem hair ; another shattered cat

2011-04-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

Timeout from partying - all that carousing was hard work - he needed his rest

Marauders

(It was their dream job.)

BigBear Science and BigBear Magic were in disagreement

Way above the everyday world of beardom, the BigBears dwelled on Mount Olympbear. They were so far above the ways of bears that they didn’t give much thought to the effect they had over the world below, but their whims and arguments were what affected everyday life for everybear else. And now, after millennia of relative peace, apart from a few bursts of bad temper resulting in storms and the odd bit of earth shifting and quite a few ruined picnics, they were in turmoil, and suddenly all of beardom on the earth below had become aware once again of the influence of those above. BigBear Science and BigBear Magic were in disagreement.

She'd washed her hair and now she couldn't do a thing with it

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (another one who's had a late night)

Corgi speed pup ; dogs on hols ; the other Royal cubs ; cats sharing memories ; dachshund in a bag

2011-04-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

They were off on their holidays

(and it was all high excitement - "are we nearly there yet?" )

Speed dog

(he was a pup racer when no one was looking)

Sam and Rose

Byron, the Black Bear Wizard, took the two other cubs, leaving the one – Princess Serenity – behind, and he wiped the memory of them from bears’ minds. He went straight to a cubless couple who lived in the woods on the edge of the Endless Night Forest and he gave the two royal cubs into their care. His instructions were simple: “You are never to ask who these cubs are. You will regard them as your own, and convince others they are yours. You are to call them Sam and Rose. You are to bring them up so they learn the ways of the earth and all life, all the things that grow and the creatures that breathe. You are to let them absorb knowledge of nature at their own pace and encourage them in every way. You are warned that I will always know how they feel no matter where I may be, and I will come back for them some day. You are to guard them with your lives.” And he left.

Sharing memories

They went everywhere together

(This is Dinah. I met her in the Post Office this morning. Her owner said she had taken her into Morrison's (a food supermarket near us) for six months before anyone realised she had a dog in her bag... This dog has been in restaurants, hospitals, the Post Office, beauty salons and the doctor's waiting room with no one being the wiser. She was a fab little dog!)

Romeow and Juliecat - I'm considering whether this pic is completely finished or not...

2011-04-23T13:14:00.000-07:00

After a very brief acquaintance with the spade, these Border Collies decided that gardening is fun! (They're quick learners!) and Whippet in hiding

2011-04-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

In hiding (What a great idea if you want to just chill out. Or if they're looking for you to do the washing up.)

This Corgi sees herself as just another wild flower; the closest this whippet gets to cooking is her microwave...

2011-04-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

I'm just another wild, wild flower

It was the closest she got to cooking

(she usually ate out or got takeaways)

Butterfly-eating Corgi; romantic, wine-drinking cats...

2011-04-22T02:53:00.000-07:00

Drink to me only with thine eyes

Yep - they 'look' pretty - but they taste AWFUL!!!

(take it from me...)

Overtures - pup to fairy; fairy to pup; Byron the Black Bear Wizard from the Endless Night Forest

2011-04-21T05:06:00.000-07:00

Overtures

Byron - the Black Bear Wizard from the Endless Night Forest(on the night of the cubs' birth)

Unbeknown to everyone - or rather, known to everyone, but wiped from their memories - on the night of the cubs' birth there had indeed been more than one cub born. The teddy bear responsible for the disappearance of the others, and for everyone having their minds wiped of the memory - (except it would seem that of Fairy Bearmother Serendipity) - was none other than the notorious Black Bear Wizard from the vast darkness of the Endless Night Forest. No one quite believed in him because he'd not been seen in many, many years, but tales were told around camp fires about him when older cubs wanted to scare the stuffing out of the younger ones. The Black Bear Wizard's name was Byron.

Happy Birthday, Jenny H!!!

2011-04-20T01:30:00.000-07:00

The elusive Jungle Corgi and his family have ventured out just to wish you a fab birthday, Jenny!!!!

It's a rare sighting.

Happy Birthday, Liz F!!!

2011-04-10T01:52:00.000-07:00

And may we be forgiven for coming in a day late...

And, although have jumped up and down excitedly elsewhere - am doing it again - many, many congrats!!!

Whippet and teddy bear soap addicts

2011-04-06T13:50:00.000-07:00

They were soap addicts

(they were transfixed by the brilliant one liners and the realistic story lines)

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Corgi Pooh sticks, baby, Mr Cool cat, football training whippets, and fairy bearmother Serendipity

2011-04-06T13:30:00.000-07:00

Pooh sticks

The 2011 World Pooh Sticks Championships take place on Sunday 27 March, 2011.

Of course, as we know, Tiggers don't like Pooh sticks - but we do.

I know I'm cute

(when I'm sleepy, anyway)

Mr Cool

(he was the cat's whiskers) (and he knew it)

They took their training very seriously

Fairy Bearmother Serendipity

She had many other names, too, coming from an ancient line of fairy bearmothers like she did, but she always shortened them all to Serendipity. She was Princess Serenity's fairy bearmother, which is partly why their names were quite similar. Sadly, Princess Serenity had never seen her bearmother because she didn't believe in magic. She was a cub of the modern age and only believed in science. This resulted in Serendipity being unable to do her job properly with regard to Serenity and so she'd had to hire Detectbear Dougal to keep an eye on her charge, and to find out about the other cub Serendipity had seen at the birth with her own eyes but which had disappeared without trace. No one believed in the other cub's existence and Serendipity sometimes found herself doubting her own eyes, too, and wondering whether it was time to lay down her wand and retire. She was a bit sad but tried to stay cheerful, nevertheless.

Corgis having a meercat moment; cat golf lessons; corgis throwing a fancy fur party; private detectbear and his family

2011-04-06T12:37:00.000-07:00

They were having a meercat moment

She was taking swing lessons

(- although she didn't hold out much hope for her game - she was inclined to agree with Mark Twain who reckoned 'golf was a good walk spoiled' - but she was happy to look willing until snooze-time.)

They were throwing a fancy fur party

(and now they were waiting for pups to turn up - it's horrible when you're waiting and not knowing whether anydog will turn up or not and your bash might be a flop - but of course they always do in the end. (And then you have to wash all that colour out of your fur the following day...)

His Secret - He was a Private Detectbear called Dougal

He knew she was really the Princess Serenity in disguise as a medical student. He had two tasks he had to carry out - he had to make sure she came to no harm, and he also had to find out if she'd really been the only cub at her birth as the entire family at the castle thought. He didn't know who his employer was. He'd received his instructions in a very covert manner, but he was being paid enough for this one job to retire and spend more time with his family which is what he really wanted to do. He'd had such a hard time trying to get anywhere near the Princess, though, that he'd finally donned a disguise and offered her a flower, knowing she was too kind-hearted to simply turn him down. Really, he just wanted to be at home, but when he took on a job, he always did it thoroughly. He was a bear who always saw things through.

(The picture of his family that he always carried in his wallet will be listed soon.)

Detectbear Dougal's family

This is the picture of his family that he always carried in his wallet. He tried very hard not to bore people with stories about his cubs, but somehow the picture never stayed in his wallet for very long... His cubs were his favorite topic of conversation.

Kitten nursery school w poster paints; corgi ballet lesson; bowls; whippet quiet evening; teddy bear Princess Serenity's secret

2011-04-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

Nursery school

(with lashings of glorious poster paint to splash around)

Ballet lesson

An afternoon on the green

In the quiet of evening

Her secret

She was really the Princess Serenity in disguise as a medical student. She didn't want to be a princess; she wanted to be a doctor, and she knew she couldn't be both. After years of arguing with her family, she ran away from the castle to start her studies. But she often sat in the park and thought about her family. She knew they'd be worried about her, and she would worry about them worrying about her because she loved them, but she couldn't think how to let them know she was all right without losing the one chance she'd given herself to fulfil her dreams of becoming a doctor.

(The next installment of the teddy bear saga ('His Secret') will be coming soon...)

Happy Birthday, Mandy! Here's wishing you lots of cake...

2011-04-04T07:51:00.000-07:00

Cats gone fishing; the kitty kite; karate cat; fairy's mud pies and a corgi's vintage car

2011-03-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

Gone fishing

Learning to fly the kitty kite

(It was a bonding process.)

Karate Cat

(he was ready for anything)

Her mud pies were in a class of their own

It was his pride and joy

(He spent more time lying on it than polishing it, though.)

Happy Birthday Susan H!!! - hope it's a Pooh sticks day

2011-03-24T02:29:00.000-07:00

Pooh sticks

The 2011 World Pooh Sticks Championships take place on Sunday 27 March, 2011.

Of course, as we know, Tiggers don't like Pooh sticks - but we do.

One step forward - and two steps back - that's me at the moment...

2011-03-18T03:38:00.001-07:00

Dance like no one is watching - Happy Birthday, Elaine!!!

2011-03-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

Mermaid and seahorse chat; Corgis playing bingo; teddy bear mystery; cat steed; dog owns hoomun

2011-03-15T06:11:00.000-07:00

Chat

Eyes down

(I'm not going to make any jokes about 'Two Fat Corgis' or anything like that. Oh, no I'm not!)

"For you, My Sweet," he said.

(She took it because she was a very polite bear - but she didn't really want it - she had a secret of her own. Little did she know that so did he...)

(further installments to the teddy bear saga will be coming soon...)

He was her trusty steed

(for long journeys - she used her wings for short ones)

Yep. This is MY hoomun.

(Dogs have a quiet air of ownership about them. Make no mistake - you don't own them. They own you.)

Corgi holding pattern; whippet looks for Spring; cat posers; Border Collie gymdogs; Swing, baby, swing Corgis

2011-03-12T04:24:00.000-08:00

Swing, baby, swing

(Dance like no one is watching.)

They were dedicated gymdogs

The Posers

(although they were pretending to be on lookout duty)

Is this Spring I see before me?

(And if it isn't, then where is it???)

They'd been in a holding pattern for hours

(They didn't mind, though - they were in good company.)

Doggone sales calls - scottie; cat and girl conspiring; woman and whippet communing; corgi wishes to be heavier to get seesaw down; teddy bears.......

2011-03-11T04:26:00.000-08:00

Doggone sales calls!!!

Conspiring

(Heaven knows what they're planning now. That kittie is such a bad influence!!!)

A quiet moment

(they understood each other perfectly)

How he wished he was heavier

They met by chance in the park

(and that was the start of something good)

Spring promise

2011-03-08T05:34:00.000-08:00

Corgi wanted to play with big pups; dodgem cats; whippet fancied self as pointer

2011-03-08T05:26:00.000-08:00

She so wanted to play with the big pups

(but was too shy to ask)

Dodgem Cats

(Otherwise known as: 'Early lessons in competitiveness from your dad')

He fancied himself as an English Pointer

(and often put on the pose)

Whippet's dreams-of-summer-hat; Cats maypole dancing practice; and Border Collie inventor

2011-03-07T05:41:00.000-08:00

It was her 'dreams-of-summer' hat

(she only had to put it on, whatever the time of year, and she felt sunnier)

By May, they'd be step-perfect

(and very fit)

February 11th is National Inventors' Day

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Corgi dog chess; a cat's quiet time; and a camera-shy Border Collie pup

2011-03-05T05:20:00.000-08:00

Corgi chess

(It had seemed like a good idea at the time, but they couldn't agree on the rules...)

Quiet time

She was camera-shy

(but they weren't going to let her get away with it)

Swing, baby, swing (the 1940's meaning) - Happy Birthday Lesley!!!

2011-03-03T01:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Ground-dog Day; Too much to do, too little time; Cat learning the Charleston;

2011-03-03T01:39:00.000-08:00

Dance lessons (she was learning the Charleston)

Too much to do; too little time...

Happy Ground-dog Day!

Cat's Easter bonnet; Border Collie pups egg hunt, and the Leprechaugi

2011-02-25T06:28:00.000-08:00

Leprechaugi

(Happy St Patrick's Day!)

The egg hunt had begun

It was her Easter bonnet entry (and this year she'd win the prize)

Starry night - gazehound; Border Collie pancake champ; Corgi paints Easter eggs; and It's the Easter Whippet!!!

2011-02-24T14:29:00.000-08:00

It's the Easter whippet!!!

Pancake champ

His talents were much sought after

Starry, starry night - gazehound

Greyhound mesmerised by snow; whippet cocktail waitress; cats skipping, on picnic and ring o roses

2011-02-20T00:22:00.000-08:00

Snowfall

Skippety skip

Ring o roses

She'd rather be at home reading

(but she'd keep quiet and eat her chicken drumstick like a good kitten)

She was saving her tips for a new sofa

Trampolining corgis; ballerina whippet; hibernating cat; barkeeper Border Collie

2011-02-15T07:11:00.000-08:00

A bounce a day

(keeps the doctor away)

Bardog

(it was only a part time job, but he enjoyed it after a day of herding sheep - and the extra bones came in handy)

I'm staying right in here until spring arrives

(and I ain't moving for nuffink - unless you offer me a roaring fire and a fishcake)

She practised every chance she got

Whippet afternoon tea; cats and cake; Border Collies punting on the river; No one (even Corgis) like spam sandwiches

2011-02-14T04:43:00.000-08:00

No one liked spam sandwiches

Messing about on the river

(rather than IN it!)

They met every Tuesday for tea

(and they ALWAYS ate the cake...)

(Drat! now I fancy cake...)

She always took afternoon tea

(but she never ate the cake)

Woohoo to shortlisters!!!!

2011-02-12T02:44:00.000-08:00

How totally fab!

Corgis at the seaside... (and more)

2011-02-12T01:33:00.000-08:00

Icecream break

(Because everyone needs a break from all that playing sometimes. It can be hard work.)

Once upon a time...

(...there were five teddy bears and a picnic hamper...)

It was family photo time again

(it was always a palaver getting everyone to sit together for long enough)

He thought of it as his Picasso phase

(other anipals thought of it as little as possible, but would never say so, being nice dogs and cats)

Happy Birthday, Liz!!!

2011-02-01T12:37:00.001-08:00

Leprechaugi's playing you a happy birthday jig.

Happy Birthday!!!

MontyandRosie

Steampunk Westie - (I've finally found out what steampunk is...)

Obey the cats!!! Sit back and relax and have a fabulously wonderful birthday, Judy!

She loved the breeze through her hair...

Valentine, Be Mine, Til the end of Time. (But you're not allowed on the furniture.)

All because the lady loves Milk Tray...

So, where's your BAD Christmas sweater??? (we want pics)

More Welsh Corgi dogs being all Christmasssy...

Welsh Corgi dogs with Christmas on their minds

...And a poo-dle in a pear tree...

On the first day of Christmas,my true love sent to meA poo-dle in a pear tree....

On the second day of Christmas...

On the third day of Christmas...

.....................

............

On the 12th day of Xmasmy true love sent 2 me12 Dachshunds digging,11 Pit Bulls peeing,10 Labs a-leaping,9 Dalmatians dancing,8 Mutts a-moulting,7 Spaniels swimming,6 Greyhounds Gazing,5 Gordon Setters,4 Border Collies,3 Fox Hounds,2 Cute Corgis,And a poo-dle in a pear tree!

Penny Grubb, crime writer and ALCS Chair

Competition for signed paperback copy of novel, 'All His Own Hair'

Miss Maddy Mouse puts on her special Christmas tree fairy outfit to wish Liz Fielding a specially Fab Morning!!!

Greyhound in trilby - peony patch skulk - Miss Maddy Mouse - Siamese Masterfulness - inseparable corgis

Greyhound morning - Corgi topiary - Paparazzi boredom - Sarah Docbear's waiting room - patient Golden Retriever

Flower kitten - corgis sharing bath - cat amongst harebells - bears on a first date - beagle thinking in the petunias

Hoping Giselle will spoil herself on her birthday!

Every Sunday this Corgi dog took his hoomun for a nice drive...

Lesley Cookman, cosy crime writer extraordinaire, pays Monty and Rosie a visit on their blog!

Moocher, Border Collie dog extraordinaire - co-star of White Lies and Custard Creams - romantic comedy with a dash of mystery

This corgi dog just feels like hiding away a bit at the moment...

A literary birthday wish: The Cat in the Rye wishes Elizabeth a fabulously wonderful birthday!

Wanna hug? We have Border Collie hugs, Whippet hugs, Corgi hugs and Cat hugs. Come & get your hug here!

Happy Birthday, Pia! This Corgi celebrates with a somersault (backwards - natch)

More head/neckgear/bling - no out-and-out hats, though. Got loads of hats as well....

Some (canine) neck/headwear/bling fancies

The Judy Adamson - Susan Alison interview - artist to artist

Whippets and greyhounds - cocktail waitress - orange seller - gardener and doing a Picasso

This Welsh Corgi dog had an affinity with water...

Hoppety Birthday to You! (Sue)

Kitten O'Hara and Catt Butler frankly wish you a damn fine birthday, Henri!!!

Happy Birthday, Jules (said in low, husky, thrilling, corgi - heroish tone of woof)

Happy Birthday Marion!!!

Maybe 'urbane' not a word to describe Border Collie... However - they're still high fliers...

Urbane Corgis. What a great word - urbane. Urrrrbainnnnnnn... Anyway - herewith - four urbane corgi dogs...

6 assorted dog cards donated for a #PawParty

6 assorted kittie cards donated for a #PawParty

Woohoo - there are three fab reviews now!!!

This greyhound had her neck lace made especially ; Cool dude Goldicat and the three Corgis

Red roses and butterfly on pink and cream scallop design for Craftsuprint.com

There's no biz like Corgi biz ; teddy bear saga conts ; dog & teddy bear friends furever ; corgi practises what he preaches ; cats on safari

Oh, for a life on the Ocean Wave... this corgi is thinking...

Pet romance is not a new genre - Romeow and Julicat

This beagle pup left some of the petunias intact especially for Jill's birthday - Happy Birthday Jill!!!

To sleep, perchance to dream. Comfy Beagle puppies.

Cat thinking of fish and greyhound dog days of summer

This Beagle pup had a lot to think about...

This Corgi dog was SO ready for a day at the beach

This Border Collie dog ALWAYS separated her colours on wash day

Tap, tap, tappy, happy, tappety, happety birthday, ANNIE!!!

Happy chocolate enrobed birthday, Jo!

As Per Jan Jones's (award-winning author and organiser supremo) request - Miss Miaowple (played by Moggie Rutherbeacat)

Non-smoking Border Collie takes to the keyboard... (We try to please)

As per Lesley Cookman's (cosy crime writer extraordinaire) request - It's a Writer's Life

Some dogs are very, very serious about their head gear...

This greyhound dog firmly believed there was a trilby for everyone

All my followers have disappeared...

Border Collies takes family for a row (not the argument kind)

Whippet gives fans chance to buy her everything she wants ; teddy bears respect for nature ; cats starting a journal

Corgi's indoor swimming pool, greyhound jam nicker, corgi basketball

This Springer spaniel couldn't understand why his owner didn't want a walk - after all, it was five in the morning already!

Spreading the catnip joy - window shopping cat; and window shopping Border Collies

Window shopping whippets, greyhounds and teddy bears - and corgis...

Welsh Corgi dogs woof and howl about inappropriate use of apostrophe in sausage shop

Cat's timeout from partying ; corgi's dream job marauding ; teddy bear saga instalment ; poodle with problem hair ; another shattered cat

Corgi speed pup ; dogs on hols ; the other Royal cubs ; cats sharing memories ; dachshund in a bag

Romeow and Juliecat - I'm considering whether this pic is completely finished or not...

After a very brief acquaintance with the spade, these Border Collies decided that gardening is fun! (They're quick learners!) and Whippet in hiding

This Corgi sees herself as just another wild flower; the closest this whippet gets to cooking is her microwave...

Butterfly-eating Corgi; romantic, wine-drinking cats...

Overtures - pup to fairy; fairy to pup; Byron the Black Bear Wizard from the Endless Night Forest

Happy Birthday, Jenny H!!!

Happy Birthday, Liz F!!!

Whippet and teddy bear soap addicts

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A poo-dle in a pear tree....

On the 12th day of Xmas
my true love sent 2 me
12 Dachshunds digging,
11 Pit Bulls peeing,
10 Labs a-leaping,
9 Dalmatians dancing,
8 Mutts a-moulting,
7 Spaniels swimming,
6 Greyhounds Gazing,
5 Gordon Setters,
4 Border Collies,
3 Fox Hounds,
2 Cute Corgis,
And a poo-dle in a pear tree!