Review of Dog Nanny, by Ann Whitaker

Hey, pets and humans... my mom just reviewed Ann Whitaker's romantic comedy, DOG NANNY. I thought I'd post it here for your reading pleasure. The book kept my mom smiling so it must have been fun!

Ann's doggies, Joli and Mardi, were my guests here last week. Don't miss the interview!

Woof! Woof!

No more delays! Here's the review:

When Julie Shields temporarily loses her job as a vet technician, Fate throws in her way an opportunity to make some good money training two poodles living with a rich couple in a mansion in Waco, Texas.

What does she have to lose? Julie loves dogs and, after all, she has a lot of experience in dog training. Besides, training those two poodles, Nacho and Blanco, appears to be the only way to save the rich couple's marriage. To add to this, Julie is in search of a husband... so who knows what else Fate could bring her way?

Indeed, when pilot Nick Worthington arrives at the airport to fly her to Waco, Julie is instantly taken by him, even though he's a little too infuriating for her taste. He has a great sense of humor, but he's also too sure of his good looks. Soon, however, Nick becomes a suspect in illegal trafficking. Being pulled into a vortex of mystery and trying to train two delinquent poodles in only one month isn't an easy job, even for a feisty, born-again virgin like Julie.

This romantic comedy will be especially enjoyed by dog lovers. Talented author Ann Whitaker has created a delightful story featuring two sympathetic protagonists and a couple of adorable, uncontrollable doggies that will keep readers laughing along the way. The dialogue is witty, the situations humorous, and the events move at an agreeable pace. A fun, hearty read!

--Reviewed by Mayra Calvani

Interview with Jolie and Mardi, owners of author Ann Whitaker

Today I have two canine guests, Joli and Mardi, owners of human author Ann Whitaker. Anne has one romantic comedy out, DOG NANNY, currently being read by my own reviewer mom, Mayra Calvani.

Check out Ann Whitaker's cool links and be sure to check out her book!

www.AnnWhitaker.com
www.AnnWhitaker.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/AnnWhitaker1
http://myspace.com/AnnWhitaker


Welcome to my blog! It's a treat having you here. Let's start with Jolie. Tell me, how did you come to live with Ann?

Jolie Blon: I’m the love child, their “bestest girl in the world.” I’ve lived with my mom and dad since I was seven weeks old. Their whole world revolved around me until I was two. I even had my own puppy book.

Then, it all fell apart. One day they brought home this pound dog named Mardi Gras. I don’t know what they saw in him. He was really wild and dumb and made this “oogly face” where he bared his teeth for no reason. I quickly broke him of that. Then Mom took him to school so he could learn how to act around civilized people, but if you ask me, it just gave him the big head. He later worked as a pet therapy dog. He really thought he was special when he got to go to the hospital and the nursing home, while I stayed home.

Hmm. Have you ever heard of 'jealousy' therapy, Joli? Oh, never mind. I don't know what I would do if Mom brought home another dog... Like, could I handle it? Nooooooo! So, let's switch to Mardi. Your mom writes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and even songs! How does she have any time left for you?

Mardi: Not to brag, but I learned at a very early age how to handle women. One look at my little black eyes and ladies swoon. I’m also a very good kisser. So if my mom gets too wrapped up in her work, I jump on her lap and nudge her hands off the keyboard. She can’t resist petting my soft white fur.

About a year ago, I developed diabetes. So now I’m on a special diet and get shots twice a day, in addition to having my blood glucose tested. Because of my special needs, my mom has to pay a lot more attention to me than she does Jolie. Ha. I even get to sleep in the bed.

Sorry to hear about the diabetes. That must be hard! So I hear your mom has a romantic comedy just published by The Wild Rose Press, Dog Nanny. Tell us about it! It sounds like quite a riot! (my mom keeps laughing while reading it)

Jolie: I don’t understand why our mom wanted to write about those make-believe poodles when she has me. I’m smaller and lots cuter.

The dogs in Mom’s book, Dog Nanny, are named Noche and Blanco because one is black and the other white. They’re clipped like giant bichons—real Texas big-hair—and they’re very bad dogs. Why, they’ve failed so many obedience classes that their dad threatens to get rid of them. They use the furniture for doggy trampolines and jump in people’s laps without permission.

Not only that, they’re interfering with their owners’ love life, if you get my meaning. So their mom hires a nanny who has one month to train them. If that doesn’t work, they’ll be doggies of divorce or maybe out on the street where they won’t know where their next bone is coming from.

Mardi: It’s also a love story (gag). The trainer girl falls for this pilot, and they kiss with their lips. Jolie liked that part (cause she’s a girl), but my favorite scene was where the dogs went bye-bye in the car and got stopped by the cops. The nanny also tell the owners it’s important to neutral your pets. We got neutraled before we were a year old, so we think that’s probably good advice.

Jolie (rolling her eyes): I told you he was a dumbo. He means “neutered.”

Please, guys, show some control... I hear your mom plays the guitar. Between you and me, is she any good? My mom sounds like she's killing a cat when she plays the violin (not that I don't relish the sound).

Jolie: Amigo, you crack me up. Why don’t you come live with us? And I’ll send Mardi to your house. Can you believe Mardi likes cats? He once had a cat friend!

Our mom used to have a mutt dog who howled when she played the harmonica, but she doesn’t play that or the violin these days, thank goodness. And she’s not so hot on the guitar either.

We do like it when she sings and dances with us. She named me after a song. “Jolie Blon” is the name of a Cajun waltz and means “pretty blonde.” The name fits me well, since I’m a natural blonde with big brown eyes, and very pretty. Did I mention I’m a miniature poodle with papers? And highly educated. Since Mardi was a street dog, his lineage is questionable, though he looks like a poodle. I call him “dirty white boy.”

You're also very modest, Joli. So tell me, Mardi, is Ann as stable as she looks in her photo?

Mardi: Stable? You must be kidding. She taught high school English for 30 years! No one who does that can be stable.

Good point! When my mom does school visits, she comes back home looking like a grenade truck her. I keep telling her that dogs are better than children... So, what do you do to attract your mom's attention when she's pounding away on the computer? Share with other canines your most sadistic tactics.

Jolie: When I was younger I liked to shred tissue and chew on her shoes. Nowadays, I perch on the back of the couch where I can look out the big window and bark at nothing, just to irritate her. When the mailman drives up, I go ballistic. Sometimes Mom yells at me to be quiet or hisses at me like she’s the Dog Whisperer. Hah! I just bark louder. I also like to knock the pillows off the couch.

Mardi: My favorite trick is to stare at her and growl really low so she thinks I need something. If I stare at her long enough, she’ll sometimes give me what she calls a non-glycemic treat, like a piece of asparagus.

We both love to ring the bell to go outside, just to see how many times we can make her get up. She’s very well trained.

(With horror) Asparagus?! You must be joking! I pity you. Tells us something about Ann nobody else knows.

Jolie: She used to be a real party animal (snort).

Mardi: Yeah, and she once ran six miles dressed as a lobster. She says she was really hot.

Well, Amigo, we’re really are happy you gave us this chance to talk about our mom. We’d like to close with a reminder to all of you who have writer-moms and dads to train them well and be sure they have enough to drink. They have a rough life. Imagine sitting at a computer all day when you could be sleeping, barking, chasing cats, or rolling in dead stuff.

Gotta run now. We’re late for our naps!

Thanks for stopping by, Jolie and Mardi! You're quite an adorable duo!!!