Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Rock star pups
The dogs available for adoption at PAWS Chicago and The Anti-Cruelty Society are simply adorable. . .until I saw pictures of three little ones belonging to Duran Duran's singer, Simon Le Bon on Twitter. Follow Simon - @SimonJCLeBON - to see precious images of rock star pups.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Puppy Love Anniversary
Today's daily puppy is Jake the Golden Retriever. . .
These words began so many posts so long ago. I am shocked in only the most happiest of ways that this month marks Puppy Love's one year anniversary.
Puppy Love has come a long way since its first days. I have discussed the history of dog breeds. I matched daily puppy breeds with availabilities in Chicago area animal shelters. I shared my Chicago Dog Breeds Examiner articles and links. I posted inspiring puppy images for fiction work that is ongoing. I had down times, yes. These were reflected in oddly placed YouTube videos. I am better though. I see more light than dark. I see hope through dog gone determination.
Every blog I own reflects a side to me that I am proud and honored to share. My music blog, Set List, reflects my passion for rockin' to all genres of music. My "ordinary world" blog, Anything with Coffee, reflects my simple love for writing about anything, random or niche in topic.
Puppy Love. . .I melt with every daily puppy. I melt with every little face I see on local animal shelter websites. Puppy Love as a blog is my little one. I live vicariously through such smiles and electric eyes as Jake the Golden Retriever. I only hope to someday adopt a little one of my own to excitedly share here.
One year on Puppy Love. Wow. To be sure, I will keep barking (well, writing).
Pawfive to Puppy Love : )
These words began so many posts so long ago. I am shocked in only the most happiest of ways that this month marks Puppy Love's one year anniversary.
Puppy Love has come a long way since its first days. I have discussed the history of dog breeds. I matched daily puppy breeds with availabilities in Chicago area animal shelters. I shared my Chicago Dog Breeds Examiner articles and links. I posted inspiring puppy images for fiction work that is ongoing. I had down times, yes. These were reflected in oddly placed YouTube videos. I am better though. I see more light than dark. I see hope through dog gone determination.
Every blog I own reflects a side to me that I am proud and honored to share. My music blog, Set List, reflects my passion for rockin' to all genres of music. My "ordinary world" blog, Anything with Coffee, reflects my simple love for writing about anything, random or niche in topic.
Puppy Love. . .I melt with every daily puppy. I melt with every little face I see on local animal shelter websites. Puppy Love as a blog is my little one. I live vicariously through such smiles and electric eyes as Jake the Golden Retriever. I only hope to someday adopt a little one of my own to excitedly share here.
One year on Puppy Love. Wow. To be sure, I will keep barking (well, writing).
Pawfive to Puppy Love : )
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Benjamin's New Home
"Benjamin's New Home" is my first picture book story. I submitted the manuscript to the children's magazine, Highlights, in the hopes for publishing primarily and financial bonus secondarily. I received a form rejection in the mail yesterday. The silver lining in the rejection was that the editors on staff only said no to the present need for the story. They held high esteem for the writing, concept, and appropriate age audience. To have a national publication hold such esteem and only giving a pass because they do not need the work at this time means a great deal to me, a true validation for me as an author with potential.
"Benjamin's New Home" deserves publication in any format. And so I present to readers of Puppy Love my first picture book story.
Benjamin's New Home
By Lauren Hovis
Once upon a time in the small village of Rockaway Falls, there was a young puppy named Benjamin.
Benjamin was very special. His coat was light brown and smooth. His brothers and sisters had dark brown and even black coats that were wavy. Benjamin was shy and quiet. His brothers and sisters were loud and not shy at all.
Benjamin lived with his brothers and sisters at Chessie's House, the animal shelter in Rockaway Falls. This animal shelter was very popular. Parents from Rockaway Falls and nearby villages came to Chessie's House to adopt a dog or a cat. Children came to Chessie's House to look at the adorable puppies with their tiny bodies and floppy ears. Every young animal and every older animal got to go home with a new family, including Benjamin's brothers and sisters. . .but not Benjamin.
"You'll find a home someday, Benjamin," said the owner of Chessie's House every night before leaving.
"No one is going to love me," Benjamin thought every night before falling to sleep.
One day, a new family - the Banks - moved to Rockaway Falls. Thomas Banks found work in the village's post office. Anne Banks stayed at home to care for their young children, 7-year-old Sarah and 9-year-old John.
Sarah and John were very special. They were shy, quiet, and very smart. They played only with each other because their old home was so deep into the countryside that no one their age was nearby to play and be their friend. On their first day of school at Forest Elementary in Rockaway Falls, no one asked to be their classroom buddy or playground buddy. Sarah and John were so shy when everyone at Forest Elementary already had friends. This made Sarah and John very sad.
"Why won't anyone like us, Mommy?" they asked every day when they came home from school.
"You are still new. Your classmates don't know you yet," their mom said every day. But Anne felt that Sarah and John were so shy and quiet, no one knew how to be their friend.
Thomas and Anne Banks did not like to see their children so sad. So for a special treat to make everyone happy, the Banks family visited Chessie's House.
Anne and Thomas spent time with the older animals. Sarah loved the kittens. But John was in love with only one the moment he walked in - Benjamin. John could tell that Benjamin was special because he was quiet and all of the other puppies were barking and getting attention. John knew how to be friends with special people. He petted Benjamin's soft, smooth coat and smiled as he looked into Benjamin's happy brown eyes.
At the end of their visit to Chessie's House, Benjamin got to go home with his new loving family - John, Sarah, Anne, and Thomas Banks.
The End
"Benjamin's New Home" deserves publication in any format. And so I present to readers of Puppy Love my first picture book story.
Benjamin's New Home
By Lauren Hovis
Once upon a time in the small village of Rockaway Falls, there was a young puppy named Benjamin.
Benjamin was very special. His coat was light brown and smooth. His brothers and sisters had dark brown and even black coats that were wavy. Benjamin was shy and quiet. His brothers and sisters were loud and not shy at all.
Benjamin lived with his brothers and sisters at Chessie's House, the animal shelter in Rockaway Falls. This animal shelter was very popular. Parents from Rockaway Falls and nearby villages came to Chessie's House to adopt a dog or a cat. Children came to Chessie's House to look at the adorable puppies with their tiny bodies and floppy ears. Every young animal and every older animal got to go home with a new family, including Benjamin's brothers and sisters. . .but not Benjamin.
"You'll find a home someday, Benjamin," said the owner of Chessie's House every night before leaving.
"No one is going to love me," Benjamin thought every night before falling to sleep.
One day, a new family - the Banks - moved to Rockaway Falls. Thomas Banks found work in the village's post office. Anne Banks stayed at home to care for their young children, 7-year-old Sarah and 9-year-old John.
Sarah and John were very special. They were shy, quiet, and very smart. They played only with each other because their old home was so deep into the countryside that no one their age was nearby to play and be their friend. On their first day of school at Forest Elementary in Rockaway Falls, no one asked to be their classroom buddy or playground buddy. Sarah and John were so shy when everyone at Forest Elementary already had friends. This made Sarah and John very sad.
"Why won't anyone like us, Mommy?" they asked every day when they came home from school.
"You are still new. Your classmates don't know you yet," their mom said every day. But Anne felt that Sarah and John were so shy and quiet, no one knew how to be their friend.
Thomas and Anne Banks did not like to see their children so sad. So for a special treat to make everyone happy, the Banks family visited Chessie's House.
Anne and Thomas spent time with the older animals. Sarah loved the kittens. But John was in love with only one the moment he walked in - Benjamin. John could tell that Benjamin was special because he was quiet and all of the other puppies were barking and getting attention. John knew how to be friends with special people. He petted Benjamin's soft, smooth coat and smiled as he looked into Benjamin's happy brown eyes.
At the end of their visit to Chessie's House, Benjamin got to go home with his new loving family - John, Sarah, Anne, and Thomas Banks.
The End
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Shock value
Who knew Puppy Love would be the place for rock music.
Just as I had an explanation for Depeche Mode's "Precious," I have another for Duran Duran's "What Happens Tomorrow."
Out of the countless highly personal rejections I have received thus far for my chapter book, Bedtime Tails, today found itself as a deafening blow and true shock value to my emotions. I received my first form rejection, an unexpected rejection to say the least. My query to this agent was exclusive, meaning I could not send my work to others until I got a response from this agent. The sender name in the email was the agency, so I should have figured as much. There was no salutation (Dear Author, Dear Lauren Hovis). The rejection was so raw and impersonal, I am still in shock.
So how does this rejection relate to Duran Duran's live rendition of "What Happens Tomorrow?"
There are a few lyrics I relate to as a pick-me-up anthem - those needed most based on my previous text post. I punish my emotions and mental strength too often, when I really need them the most. I have come so far with my submissions - where major agencies strongly believe in the concept potential of Bedtime Tails and believe even more that my one agent is out there.
Bedtime Tails is worthwhile in publishing. My name is worthwhile in publishing, solely based on my all but one personal responses. I should not let one harsh rejection bring me down. I figured this agent would say no, but I gave them a chance. So I move on in my dog determined mindset. You never know, after all, what will happen tomorrow.
And one last thing - my page impressions so far have reached 666. I hope this post gets me out of such a sinful number.
Just as I had an explanation for Depeche Mode's "Precious," I have another for Duran Duran's "What Happens Tomorrow."
Out of the countless highly personal rejections I have received thus far for my chapter book, Bedtime Tails, today found itself as a deafening blow and true shock value to my emotions. I received my first form rejection, an unexpected rejection to say the least. My query to this agent was exclusive, meaning I could not send my work to others until I got a response from this agent. The sender name in the email was the agency, so I should have figured as much. There was no salutation (Dear Author, Dear Lauren Hovis). The rejection was so raw and impersonal, I am still in shock.
So how does this rejection relate to Duran Duran's live rendition of "What Happens Tomorrow?"
There are a few lyrics I relate to as a pick-me-up anthem - those needed most based on my previous text post. I punish my emotions and mental strength too often, when I really need them the most. I have come so far with my submissions - where major agencies strongly believe in the concept potential of Bedtime Tails and believe even more that my one agent is out there.
Bedtime Tails is worthwhile in publishing. My name is worthwhile in publishing, solely based on my all but one personal responses. I should not let one harsh rejection bring me down. I figured this agent would say no, but I gave them a chance. So I move on in my dog determined mindset. You never know, after all, what will happen tomorrow.
And one last thing - my page impressions so far have reached 666. I hope this post gets me out of such a sinful number.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Depression hurts, if only puppy love could help
I imagine readers are wondering why a rock song from You Tube is posted on Puppy Love. I imagine more so why I posted a rock song from You Tube after such a long absence on Puppy Love. Here's the thing.
The whole of September has been an emotional wash out for me. I have experienced swings of emotions that should not exist, mainly depression. There are so many events highlighting my life that I no longer can compartmentalize.
I have permanent involuntary muscle spasms caused by a medication I took several years ago. I call these spasms ticks. My ticks started in my legs, which I initially dismissed. Until they moved to both shoulders, causing severe muscle pulls in one or both shoulders at least once a week for a full month. Then they moved to my back. In July of this year, I pulled a muscle in my back twice in two weeks. The pulls were on top of a scoliosis scar from surgery I had at age 11. The pain was equivalent to fresh out of the operating room. At present, as I write this post, the ticks are severe in my lower back, both legs, and my forehead. My lower back ticks cause debilitation in concentration. My leg ticks have left me with chronic pain. If I do not move around every hour (if I am in a seated position for too long), I feel the beginning of a muscle pull or severe stretch in both legs. My leg ticks likewise cause debilitation in concentration. My forehead ticks are just annoying and cause me to constantly squeeze my eyes shut. Constant emotional and physical pain and debilitation in concentration once left me insane. A part of my rational mind has now just checked out for permanent.
The only passion I will ever truly know is writing - blogging, fiction writing. Successful writing does not come overnight. The best bloggers wait years to see financial gain. The most well-known authors, names readers take for granted, wait for the longest time to get a yes and in the mean time get brutalized with dozens or more in form and dare say personal rejections. I have had my share of let downs, the only highlight of receiving a no being that the rejections have all been extremely personal and hopeful that someone else will be the one. I must wait to find that someone. But the wait is driving me into the ground.
I want so desperately to find my one agent for Bedtime Tails and perhaps for my picture book stories. A yes would validate my worth as a writer. A yes would validate my desired career as an author. A yes would finally bring any income, which I need sorely.
I am 28 years old and have never lived on my own. I have ideals for my first time out. But in the end, I just want to be independent.
My life is mundane. I have no friends. I have nothing to look forward to each day. I do the same things each day. I have no job prospects to keep me occupied while I wait for my one agent. I am not sure that I want to look for a job because I would have to face the hell I went through for a year after college graduation, and I am already doing what I love - writing. But writing is not bringing in an income worth considering from month to month.
I am, quite simply, depressed.
I look at each day's daily puppy. They seem so happy. I no longer melt with puppy love. I melt with sadness.
I need to take a break from Puppy Love, just until I can sort out my emotions enough to heal. I am emotionally fragile right now, hence the Depeche Mode "Precious" post. I will return someday, when I can melt once more with puppy love.
Pawfive not today.
The whole of September has been an emotional wash out for me. I have experienced swings of emotions that should not exist, mainly depression. There are so many events highlighting my life that I no longer can compartmentalize.
I have permanent involuntary muscle spasms caused by a medication I took several years ago. I call these spasms ticks. My ticks started in my legs, which I initially dismissed. Until they moved to both shoulders, causing severe muscle pulls in one or both shoulders at least once a week for a full month. Then they moved to my back. In July of this year, I pulled a muscle in my back twice in two weeks. The pulls were on top of a scoliosis scar from surgery I had at age 11. The pain was equivalent to fresh out of the operating room. At present, as I write this post, the ticks are severe in my lower back, both legs, and my forehead. My lower back ticks cause debilitation in concentration. My leg ticks have left me with chronic pain. If I do not move around every hour (if I am in a seated position for too long), I feel the beginning of a muscle pull or severe stretch in both legs. My leg ticks likewise cause debilitation in concentration. My forehead ticks are just annoying and cause me to constantly squeeze my eyes shut. Constant emotional and physical pain and debilitation in concentration once left me insane. A part of my rational mind has now just checked out for permanent.
The only passion I will ever truly know is writing - blogging, fiction writing. Successful writing does not come overnight. The best bloggers wait years to see financial gain. The most well-known authors, names readers take for granted, wait for the longest time to get a yes and in the mean time get brutalized with dozens or more in form and dare say personal rejections. I have had my share of let downs, the only highlight of receiving a no being that the rejections have all been extremely personal and hopeful that someone else will be the one. I must wait to find that someone. But the wait is driving me into the ground.
I want so desperately to find my one agent for Bedtime Tails and perhaps for my picture book stories. A yes would validate my worth as a writer. A yes would validate my desired career as an author. A yes would finally bring any income, which I need sorely.
I am 28 years old and have never lived on my own. I have ideals for my first time out. But in the end, I just want to be independent.
My life is mundane. I have no friends. I have nothing to look forward to each day. I do the same things each day. I have no job prospects to keep me occupied while I wait for my one agent. I am not sure that I want to look for a job because I would have to face the hell I went through for a year after college graduation, and I am already doing what I love - writing. But writing is not bringing in an income worth considering from month to month.
I am, quite simply, depressed.
I look at each day's daily puppy. They seem so happy. I no longer melt with puppy love. I melt with sadness.
I need to take a break from Puppy Love, just until I can sort out my emotions enough to heal. I am emotionally fragile right now, hence the Depeche Mode "Precious" post. I will return someday, when I can melt once more with puppy love.
Pawfive not today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)