This summer my family visited the central coast of California. One of our day trips was to the palatial Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Built by newspaper magnate, William Randolph Hearst, this lavish estate not only accommodates a pastiche of historic architectural styles and priceless antiquities, but as we learned on our tour, at one time, was home to more than 30 exotic species of animals. Tigers, bears, apes, ostriches, buffalo, yaks, emus, kangaroos, llamas, giraffes, and zebras were part of the menagerie that were housed either in private zoo enclosures or allowed to roam the more than 250,000 acres freely.

During Hearst’s financial troubles in the late 1930′s, he could no longer afford to maintain the zoo and the animals were sold or donated to zoos around the state. As we toured the expansive estate, we were told that when the zoo was closed, some of the zebras escaped and if we watched closely we might get a glimpse of some of the descendants of the original zebra inhabitants, grazing among the present day cattle herd.

Upon hearing this, I was determined to see this unusual sight. All morning during the drive up and down the hillside and around the estate, I scoured the range to glimpse the distinctive striped markings among the sea of typical brown cows. But I saw nothing.

As we began to drive back down the highway after our visit, I lamented to my husband and son that “I really wanted to see a zebra!”

My husband motioned to the herd of brown cows, grazing in the field next to the road, “There are zebras,” he said.

“Those are cows!” I protested.

My husband, trying not to disappoint me, said, “They’re just dirty!”

We laughed and I looked away to sulk privately, when my son piped up from the backseat, “No, Mom, they really ARE zebras. Look!”

We had driven just a few more hundred feet which had revealed the backside of a slope. There on the other side of the rise among the brown cows were six zebras. It was such a magical moment that none of us really thought to take pictures, savoring the moment in our minds instead.

Later as I reflected on this event, I realized that had I continued to pout and give up hope in finding what I sought, I might have missed the very magical moment I so wanted to experience. It was a good reminder that there is always something magical in the things around us every day-in our interactions with our families, friends, co-workers and even our dogs. We just have to be aware, patient and never give up hope that they will be revealed to us when the time is right.

So today when you look at something that you see every day, look a little closer. You may just see there’s magic in the Aire!

Recently, I was interviewed by Author’s Roost Joe Carroccio about my book, Life to the Max, Maxims for a Great Life by a Dog named Max. Author’s Roost is a community site for authors, speakers, coaches, consultants, corporate trainers, educators, seminar leaders and workshop producers. It is a also a resource for the print, broadcast and internet media and for local, regional and national event planners for are looking for speakers and industry expert sources. You can listen to my interview with Joe here:

In addition, to the speaking engagements I do about my book, I also have developed a book marketing presentation called Marketing to the Max,  What My Dogs Taught Me About Marketing My Books. You can visit my listing on Author’s Roost to find out more about my presentation.  Here are just a few of comments I’ve received from audience members:

“Your information was very helpful especially for those of us who are just getting started.”

“You are the personification of marketing! Wow!”

“Your presentation had a profound impact on me.  It was very creative and provided a lot of valuable information.  Great job!”

Let me know if you have a group or event who needs a presenter!

We are très excited to announce that we have just signed a deal with Mariposa Press to handle distribution of our book throughout France. With the publication of the Mariposa Press Fall/Winter children’s catalogue, they will be introducing and distributing Life to the Max to English-language bookstores and bookstores with large English language sections. In addition, they will represent our title at the France’s main book expo, Salon des Livres and France’s children’s book fair, Salon du Livre et de la Presse Jeunesse.

According to Mariposa Press President, Laurie Blum Guest, dog titles do very well In France. “The French, it seems, often love their dogs, more than their spouses;” said Guest.

In addition Ms Guest told us that the French government recently decreed that all French schoolchildren must learn English. “Therefore, there is an urgent need for English-language children and young adult books,” she said.

Mariposa represents publishers and authors such as Jane Fonda’s company, Tinwood Press, Wally Amos (Famous Amos cookies), Maribeth Clemente’s books at St. Martin’s Press, “fatale” from Bridgewood Press–a best-selling title at Bretano’s in Paris for which Mariposa has also sold French language rights. In addition, Mariposa has published two new children’s titles under their Mariposa imprint, “A Ladybug Adventure” and a YA novel, “A Summer Lost.”

Mariposa Press has been in business for more 29 years. Prior to taking over as its President, Ms. Guest, worked as both a book packager and editor with industry leaders such as Harper Collins, Simon and Schuster, and Henry Holt. Ms. Guest has more than 63 titles to her credit and has sold millions of copies of her books.

We are thrilled to be chosen to join such elite company and touch the lives of French schoolchildren with our story! C’est magnifique!

As some of you know, this summer our book won the Parent-Tested, Parent-Approved Seal of Approval from PTPA Media.

Recently Life to the Max was featured on the 10! show in Philadelphia along with other PTPA winners.  If you want to see video from the show, you can watch it at the following link:

Life to the Max on on the NBC 10! show in Philadelphia

It seems appropriate that Max would be featured in the city of brotherly love since that was the underpinning of his personality. Did we have any fans in Philly who saw this clip?

It’s been a while since I wrote my blog and I apologize to my faithful followers for my absence. Like most of you, I have had a lot on my mind and by the time I left for a short vacation this summer, I was simply exhausted by trying to do too much in too little time. I needed some time to decide what ideas I was going to pursue and which projects I would need to let go.

As I have in the past, I looked to my dogs for inspiration. In their world, their priorities are simple, driven by single-minded needs: “Let’s play!” “Give me a belly rub!” “Feed me!” They are not preoccupied by complex emotions, family dynamics or office politics. Their purpose is pure and singular.  Still, they too have their occasional distractions—“Squirrel!”—but they are quick to refocus on their original intent. Of course, we humans will always experience more drama in our lives. It is simply our nature. But if we follow the wisdom that comes from the end of the leash, we also will realize that whatever challenges we are facing at the moment are just a “Squirrel!” and we can either choose to get caught up in analyzing the chase or simply let it pass and then return to what really gives our lives joy and meaning.

Besides my family, what gives me joy and meaning is when I can help others celebrate life’s everyday moments, promote healthy grieving and help animal rescue. The way I have done that is through the creation of my book Life to the Max: Maxims for a Great Life by a Dog named Max.

Since we launched our book at the end of 2007, we have been trying to raise awareness and funds for animal rescue and in particular, Airedale Terrier rescue. We donate 25% of our sales on our website to help rescue and we have done well.  But because we are small, we have had an uphill battle for awareness and distribution. What’s more, I’ve come to understand that in the book industry, a book has the life of a gnat and it is totally up to the author to keep its promotion alive.

That’s why this holiday season we are rolling out a national advertising campaign; rededicating ourselves to be more active in social media and holding more contests for some great prizes on our blog. But we need your help. If you have read and enjoyed our book and want to help animal rescue, please join the fun on our blog, retweet our posts and/or send emails to your family and friends to let them know about Max’s Store.  The more books we sell, the more we promote healthy grieving and the more we help rescue. I know it will take some of your time and we all have “Squirrels!” to interrupt our lives, but the other thing I’ve learned from my dogs is they don’t do it alone. They need us to throw the ball. They depend on us to fill their water bowls. And they want us to find that perfect place to scratch that makes them bicycle their legs. We know you’re busy and we’re wagging our tails in appreciation. Now here’s the ball, let’s have some fun. Go fetch!

We are thrilled to announce that our family gift book, Life to the Max: Maxims for a Great Life by a Dog named Max, was among the select award recipients that were revealed today in the Parent Tested Parent Approved^TM Latest & Greatest Summer 2010 campaign. The book was honored with the influential PTPA Media Inc’s Seal of Approval for excellence in family products.

All PTPA products are tested and evaluated by independent parent volunteers throughout North America in their own homes. As a result, the Parent Tested Parent Approved^TM Seal has quickly gained recognition as an international leader in certifying consumer products for quality, effectiveness and value.

To celebrate our award, we are offering another 10% off our already reduced price for the whole month of July. There’s no better time to stock up on holiday gifts and support rescue. That’s because the charity you choose on our website receives 25% of the price of the book.

Thanks to all our loyal readers and followers who continue to make Life to the Max a success!

Tomorrow, many will celebrate “Take Your Dog to Work Day” with a day at the office. For my dogs, Amber and Krissy, however, the day holds no particular distinction since they come to work with me every day. True, I own my own business and our workplace is small, so it is easy to accommodate them. Still, as an employer, I find that having my dogs in the workplace is beneficial for everyone for a number of reasons:

1. Dogs teach us to give every task our best effort. Whether my dogs are chewing a bone, chasing a ball or pulling apart a new toy to get the squeaker, they go after it with gusto. It’s just another way of demonstrating that old adage: “Any job worth doing is a job worth doing well.” Maybe that’s where they get the phrase “Work like a dog!”

2. Dogs reduce stress. A lot of stress is relieved just by taking a moment to scratch the ears or belly of a canine co-worker. Even if you’re having a tough time solving a problem, your dog will tell you you’re the greatest person in the world every time you look at her. In fact, studies have proven that petting a dog can help lower blood pressure-though I don’t know who gets more benefit you or the dog.

3. Dogs can help us look at things in an unusual way. When we’re trying to solve a problem, it is easy to fall into similar patterns. This is where it is comfortable for us as humans. Yet, we only have to glance at Krissy who has undoubtedly fallen asleep in some unusually contorted position that reminds us that there are many ways to look at a problem and comfort is just a matter of interpretation.

4. Dogs motivate us to stretch. In this computer age of information overload, it is easy to sit staring at the computer for hours without moving. Prolonged periods of time writing, reading or researching can put stress on the lumbar region of the back as well as the neck and shoulders. Dogs don’t remain in one position for too long and whenever they get up from a resting position, they stretch first. Daily stretching can provide a lot of physical and mental health benefits including keeping us younger.

5. Dogs remind us that work is more fun when we do it together. Sure there are vendors to bark at, issues to lick and client demands gnawing at us, but all seems doable when we collaborate. In the company of dogs, all things are possible.

6. Dogs encourage laughter. Dogs are naturally spontaneous and playful and they do smile and laugh. (Really!) Whenever Amber or Krissy hears one of us laughing, they love to be a part of it. Amber will throw her bone in the air and Krissy will roll on her back and grin. They don’t let us get too serious, prompt us to take play breaks and generally just make the workplace a more joyful place to be.

7. Dogs make us feel safe. Whether or not we actually are safer .is beside the point. The reality is that my dogs would rather lick someone to death than to bite their butts, but to the unwelcome solicitor we do nothing to discourage their image as ferocious beasts. “NO, WE DO NOT WANT YOUR BULK CANDY, SPA DISCOUNTS, OR YOUR COPIER, CLEANING OR INSURANCE COST COMPARISONS. GRRRR!!!!

8. Dogs can help us stay in the moment. Oil in the Gulf, job layoffs down the street, assistant out with the flu on day of the big presentation-there are plenty of things to worry about in business-but dogs will keep you grounded. There’s nothing to worry about except what’s right in front of you. All you have to do is take some time to chew it over.

Let’s face it—when you’re in business, there are some days we feel like the dog and sometimes we feel like the hydrant. We’re just glad we have always have the benefit of the doubt from our canine companions.