Category Archives: Writing about animals

Assured Attention- (to animals!)

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The attentive reader will have noted that the first book in this series: ‘Our Best Attention’ featured a variety of animals: an embarrassing dog, a quiet cat, some cheeky monkeys (always the best!), chinchillas, quail and a Mynah bird. The little monkey draped over the title was a clue to the inclusion of animals.

In Book 2 ‘Assured Attention’, there are cats again, one, Bluebell, is Miss Murray’s own pet but a new visitor to Murrays ‘Department Store of Distinction’ has a chapter of her own.  This time it is she who adorns the title of the new book. Look out for the little Birman. Not all the staff at Murrays will have only two legs by the end of the book.

A dog features too. This time a rather depressed collie. Sad you might think,  however, he has a starring and unexpected role in a staff selection dilemma. Warning- its not what you might expect!

‘Assured Attention’ is available for pre order on Amazon Kindle and will be released to coincide with the official launch on 31st July.

Animal Crackers?

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Crackers about animals? Well yes I am. Just as I can’t imagine life without them, I couldn’t imagine not writing some animal characters into the book: “Our Best Attention.”

In Chapter 1 Bluebell, Miss Murray’s cat, already displays behaviour familiar to all cat lovers: affection and dignity, as well as a determination to outwit Mrs Glen the housekeeper (not a cat fan!)

Sabre, the diminutive security dog , written about in Chapter 8 is a particular favourite.He’s an uneasy mixture of Dachshund and Corgi who happily accompanies his timid master through the dark of night at Murray’s. He doesn’t mind Stan having to sing hymns loudly to stave off terrors. Undoubtedly he’s that poor man’s best friend.

Meanwhile in Chapter 15, Henry the Mynah bird, while not strictly speaking an animal, is a big personality. He delights in whistling and singing “Scotland the Brave” while also terrifying pensioners by his extremely accurate impressions of an elderly person swearing floridly. A bird in a million.

Of the other animals I’ll say no more but will leave them for readers to discover for themselves.

Already in Book 2 currently in production, I have included several animals: a little Birman cat called Yum Yum and a black and white collie with depression. More will undoubtedly follow.