Guest post by Giggles and Boots, proud owners of Cheryl Malandrinos

Please say hello to Giggles and Boots!

These two feline critters live with freelance writer and editor Cheryl Malandrinos. Cheryl's first children's book, The Little Shepherd, just came out by Guardian Angel Publishing. Be sure to check it out here. It's a Christmas book, people, so keep it in mind for gifts. It would make a great stocking filler! Woof! I LOVE stocking fillers!

Anyway, what was I saying??? Oh yes--Cheryl! She's also a tour coordinator for Pump Up Your Book, a book reviewer and a blogger. Talk about busy!

Meet Giggles and Boots!

Giggles: I have to admit, I like Cheryl. She pretty much feeds me whenever I cry long enough, she keeps my litter box clean, and she plays with me during the day.

Boots: Humph. That’s because you’re her favorite.

Giggles: I am not. I just don’t go after her feet when she’s sleeping or tear up the edges of the carpet the way you do, sister.

Boots: Whatever.

Giggles: Yeah, well if she has to replace the carpet in Sarah’s bedroom she’ll end up replacing you too.

Boots: Katherine wouldn’t let her do that.

Giggles: That girl has it for you bad. The way she carries you to bed with her each night, then brings you into the bathroom and sits you on the counter while she’s brushing her teeth, she’s teaching Sarah all kinds of bad tricks. Now she picks me up on the counter each morning and it is cold.

Boots: Well, at least she doesn’t paint your face with makeup like Katherine does.

Giggles: (Snickers) That touch of pink on your cheeks brings out the amber of your eyes.

Boots: Keep it up and I’ll make sure you get locked in the basement overnight.

Giggles: We’re supposed to be talking about Cheryl.

Boots: You’re the one who started talking about the girls.

Giggles: Fair enough. What do you think of those Giggles and Boots stories she makes up every night for bedtime?

Boots: Some are just plain silly. I mean, can you see us flying a hot air balloon or getting dressed up and going trick or treating? Why the kids love those crazy stories is beyond me.

Giggles: Lighten up, they’re kids.

Boots: Well, you and I are kids too, but you don’t see us acting all crazy.

Giggles: Uhem.

Boots: Okay, maybe a little crazy. But Cheryl is the craziest out of the bunch.

Giggles: I know. Can you believe she adopted us when she already had three other cats?

Boots: And her with those bad allergies.

Giggles: She must really love us.

Boots: Well, she loves you anyway.

Giggles: Stop it. Aren’t you the one she calls Bootie-rat?

Boots: She calls you Giggy-rat.

Giggles: Yeah, but she pets you more than she pets me.

Boots: That’s because I actually purr. You remember cats are supposed to do that, right?

Giggles: I like being different.

Boots: You’re different all right.

Giggles: What’s that supposed to mean?

Boots: (Looks around the room) Oh, nothing.

Giggles: So, what do you think about Cheryl’s writing?

Boots: Don’t you think she could have worked a cat into her first book, Little Shepherd? I mean, she’s got a cow, a donkey, and a sheep. Would it have been so hard to add a cat?

Giggles: I think you’re going to have to depend on Katherine for that. She’s the one who writes cat poetry and stories.

Boots: They say the apple doesn’t fall from the tree.

Giggles: I think you fell out of tree and onto your head.

Boots: You didn’t just say that.

Giggles: Yes, I did.

Boots: (Waves a paw in Giggles’ face) Oh, no you didn’t.

Giggles: Did….

Boots: Didn’t….

Interview with Sadie, Donna Shepherd's cool Labradoodle

Sadie is a big, loveable two-year old Labradoodle. She's always watchful over her owner, Donna Shepherd, author of children's and inspirational books. Visit Donna at http://www.donnajshepherd.com or http://www.topsyturvyland.com.

Sadie's friend, Angel, who also shares their household, has a book coming by Guardian Angel Publishing: Poodle & Doodle. Sounds like fun!

Sadie has her own blog (you rock, girl!) at

http://www.poodleanddoodle.blogspot.com

Welcome to my blog, Sadie! I love your picture at the computer, hard at work (or at least, pretending). So tell us what's it like living with Donna Shepherd.

My owner, Donna, tells me all the time how much she loves me. She kisses my nose and under my ears for some reason. Kinda tickles, but it still feels good. I don't know how well she writes, but she really knows how to take care of me, so I try to be a good dog. That picture she sent of me is when I was a puppy, but as you can tell, I was already trying to help.

The truth, Sadie. Are you the boss of her?

Of course, Mom would say 'no' but we all know better. All if have to do is nudge her with my wet brown nose and she goes all gooey. She tries to get me to talk to her, so sometimes I make growly noises. She thinks I'm talking so we're both happy.

What type of books does your human mom write?

My mom writes for children and grownups, so every day is different. I do know one thing, when she gets that faraway look in her eyes, I know she's headed to Topsy Turvy Land. No attention for me for a while.

What do you do for amusement while Donna pounds at the computer all day and ignores you?

When mom starts to ignore me too much, I bring my favorite ball and drop it at her feet. If that doesn't work, I start picking on one of the other dogs. When we get rambunctious, she sighs – really loud! – and gets up to let us out. Works every time.

Does Donna let you sit on her lap while working at the computer?

I'm way too big now to sit in Mom's lap. I heard her tell someone I weigh 75 pounds. Is that a lot? I've tried to get in her lap before though. I mean, the other dogs get to all the time. Angel, the poodle, really aggravates me. She and I don't get along. The Boston terrier, Ariel, can be fun. She snorts and head-butts Angel sometimes, so I think that's hilarious. But then Angel jumps up into Mom's lap for protection, so the game's over.

What is the best part of having an author as a mom? The worse part?

The best part is that I always know where to find her – at her desk pounding away on those keys. Sometimes she has snacks on the desk, and when she walks away, I managed to snag a few bites. She gets mad at me, but I can't help myself.

I can't think of a bad part. Mom keeps me supplied with rawhide bones. She's always at the house, so I get to be with her all the time. I like that.

Thanks for the interview, Sadie! Woof!

Interview with Shalalu, Eva Batonne's faithful companion

My guest today is sweet Shalalu, a border collie/labrador mix who shares her home with crime fiction author Eva Batonne. Eva is the author of Resurrection Diva, published by Zumaya Publications.

Eva is also an accomplished artist. Check out her stunning work at www.evamontealegre.com.

Bio: Shalalu is 38 pounds of black and white velvet love. She has the classic markings of the border collie with the sleekness of a Labrador. She can hang out with her head in your lap while you read a book and be perfectly contented or go on the longest walk ever. Shalalu was rescued from animal control (they were going to put her down for being too timid!) but in four months she has learned that life is beautiful. When she gets happy she likes to run and it is a gorgeous site to behold because she is built for speed.

Tell us, Shalalu. Are you the boss of Eva Batonne? Oh, don’t you know that while I won’t say that I’m the boss, I know how to get her on program with food, walks, pets and rides in the car-car.

What type of crime fiction books does Eva write? She writes these grisly murder stories, and that is completely ludicrous because she is such a scaredy-cat. She actually scares herself when she writes and I can feel the tension in the room and before you know it she’s making these weird high pitched noises which can only be described as a frightened whining. All this while click, click, tap, tap, she’s typing away, staring at the computer monitor. Quite a worrisome behavior in my opinion but I can’t break her of it.

I can relate to that! My mom wrote a horror novel but she's a scaredy-cat too! Funny, huh? Authors are creazy, if you ask me. So, Shalalu, I don't mean to be rude, but what’s with your name? Did Eva choose it? What has that done to your self esteem and what does that say about her? The animal control named me Cherry. I wasn’t much impressed with that because they were going to put me down. They said I was too timid and not adoptable. But Eva knew better. She sat with her back to me for forty-five minutes leaning against my cage and so I knew she was a woman who could teach me something. I’m a black Labrador/Border Collie mix with red tinge to my short fur. I have a white flair across my chest and white sox and I would have preferred to be named Lightning as I can run so fast it can take your breath away but Eva named me Sha-la-lu. I don’t know, I guess it is feminine and it does have a magical quality to it. She likes to call it out very loud and emphasize the last syllable which I do find a bit unnerving because she actually does it so it sounds like she is howling and I don’t know, it’s just… it’s a bit much. Doncha think?

Now that you mention it, it does have a magical quality. That's quite a story, Shalalu. I'm so glad Eva adopted you. I was admiring her photo earlier today. For sure she's a kind lady, but is she as stable as she looks? I have to say she is way more fun than those photos would suggest. She doesn’t take herself seriously at all and I like that. Okay, I would say she is a little plumper than those photos suggest but I like it because when we watch television I can lay my head on her tummy and it is very snuggly and comfortable. Who wants to cuddle with a bunch of bones and muscle, I mean, let’s just be honest, okay!

I agree! What does your mom do besides writing? Is she a hermit or does she actually set her foot outdoors? Eva is a bit of a madwoman I have to say, she paints, she dances around. She does this thing with a bunch of other humans called Medicine Dance. I went with her once and was able to watch what she was up to. For five hours she did this. Wow, it was unusual. It’s amazing the things human beings do to entertain themselves. In this regard, I find human beings the most admirable and clever if sometimes a little worrisome.

Leave us with some wise words, Shalalu. What advice would you give to those pets that have to live with irrational, egotistical authors? Bite them in the ass! Ooops, don’t tell my mom I said that. I never actually bit her. Or anyone. I did chase the cat once and caught hell for that so I don’t do that anymore. Jeez, I thought she was going to take me back to animal control. No, no. No! I’m a good girl.

Thanks for spilling the beans, Mademoiselle!