Sheltie Gazette: Talking dogs and herding cats
Dec 04, 2025 4:51 pm
Guess what Malin likes to talk about, ?
This fall, Malin has figured out the magic of talking buttons, and we've been adding more buttons each week. Last I wrote you, he was asking for "chewy" a dozen times a day. Now that he has 18 buttons, guess what he wants to say?
I barely hear "chewy" any more. Yesterday morning I asked him if he wanted "breakfast, hm?" and he cocked his head and answered "go for a walk" instead. But he only requests walking once in the morning, maybe once in the evening if it's a slow day.
So what gets Malin going over to the buttons, multiple times a day, and starting a conversation?
He wants to discuss who is home and who is gone. He does ask for cuddles sometimes, but the buttons that get the most use are our names, "car," "bye-bye," and "home."
When my teen son hasn't been around in the morning, Malin goes to the buttons and pushes "Emerson bye-bye car" and looks a question at me. I either agree that Emerson got in the car and left, or we go down to his room, where Malin confirms that Emerson is safely working at his desk.
When I got back from my writing retreat, several times in the next couple days Malin went over to the buttons and pushed "Mama home," maybe adding a "cuddle." Sometimes, just in case we didn't understand the depth of his emotion, he pushed "Mama mama home home home." His actions were calm and ordinary, and some might think that a mere dog had forgotten about what happened the days before—but he was clearly still thinking about it. Now that I've been home again in the regular schedule, he doesn't push those buttons.
One morning, Malin went to the buttons and pushed "bye-bye."
"Who is bye-bye?" I asked, thinking through our family members. The normal ones had left for work and school, and the normal ones were working and schooling from home.
"Puppy," Malin pushed, and looked at me. "Bye-bye."
The puppy button is for all three of them. Malin was right there, and Adare was watching hopefully, but it appeared that Inish had wanted to stay outside and play. I went to the door and called Inish, who came running in.
Malin went back to the buttons and pushed "puppy home."
We know that herding dogs like their people to be together, but it's pretty incredible to see Malin's focus on the topic!
Speaking of which, I've spent the last year....
Herding authors together....into an anthology!
Herding authors is probably easier than herding cats, but it's still been a long and winding path.
I am delighted to announce that the new Feisty Deeds historical fiction anthology is ready!!
I not only have a story in this anthology, I'm also part of the committee who edits and publishes it. I'm proud to have worked with every one of these twenty-five stories. I've had to push an awful lot of buttons to get here (mostly the ones on my computer), but finally this volume is ready for your reading joy!
This is a collection of historical short stories, spanning four continents and two millennia. If you like historical tidbits, learning about different periods, and the power of women's subtle resistance, then this collection is for you!
Our theme this year is "Batches & Brews," a consideration of how women's power has so often been exercised in the kitchen, around the table, in the garden and the stillroom. In the call for submissions, we clarified that we weren't looking for yet another ode to fine olive oil...
...and this most definitely is not. In these stories, women mix gunshot, poison, chicory, martinis, herbal remedies, herbal poisons, magic, pigs, woad dye, tea ceremonies, delicious cake, soup — and poisonous soup. Someone has suggested a recipe book to go along with it, but I guess you've just got to take the chance on whether each recipe is going to be delicious or kill you. It's thrilling.
But seriously, the anthology is thrilling. It's full of adventure with a sprinkling of love.
Warning: not for you if...
I try to be honest with you, dear readers. If you're a pure fantasy reader, this might not be up your alley, because mine is the only story with clear fantasy elements. (Interestingly enough, there are several others with Celtic herbalists, all in different periods and regions, which I found an interesting theme woven through.) We only have a couple of romances.
Probably, you will like some of the stories and not others. However, other people will like different ones.
The stories are short, which means if you really like to sink into a book you might be disappointed. Someone told me that my character development is better in my longer works, which I agree is a natural consequence of having ten or twenty times the amount of space to build a story.
But Feisty Deeds Anthology is perfect for...
- testing out new styles and test-driving your next-favorite author
- reading when you're tired or only have a few minutes
- learning about new places and periods that you wouldn't read in a full-length novel
- giving as a gift, because the curious reader in your life is sure to like some of the stories!
Do you know what else makes a perfect gift?
The collected first three novellas in my Castle in Kilkenny series. Do you know someone curious about their Irish heritage, exhausted by motherhood, or who always loved fairy tales? These novellas are quick and easy to read (but not as bare-bones as a short story); full of adventure but free from gore, sex, and strong language (so safe for your Aunt Mildred); and guaranteed happy endings that are more than a sugar rush (a good balance for all the Christmas cookies).
And what about a gift for you?
Here's some free historical fiction to read by the fire. This batch leans heavily towards romance, which I know many of you enjoy, with a smattering of ancient history, some Christmas inspirational, and the genre staple of Women In Large Dresses Looking Concerned.
And for my fantasy readers, I have not forgotten you! This one also leans heavily towards romance, some Christmas inspirational, not to mention the genre staple of Glowing Purple Crowns.
Want a secret? Someone told me not to...
... include too many of these free promos, or readers (you) would just think of me as "that author with the promos," and I shouldn't be sending you to books other than mine.
Well, poo-pooh to that, because some of you tell me that the free stories are helpful to you. My goal is that you remember me as "that author who understands that I am always looking for something new to read and trying not to go broke in the process."
In that vein, here's another recommendation for no reason at all, except I genuinely absolutely adored it, and it was a perfect combination of emotional and sweet and picturesque and—did I mention sweet? It was the perfect pick-me-up at this stressful point in the year (and history), and I thought you might enjoy it too:
And for a final ta-ta for now...
Here is the "Happy Thanksgiving" picture I tried to take for you with the dogs, who were not very interested in posing for a picture...
... but moderately willing to have a discussion if I had turkey in my hand and my son snapped pictures really really fast.
And here's a meme about herding dogs and Thanksgiving that keeps making me giggle. Malin thoroughly agrees, no laughing necessary.
I would like to tell you that I have to get back to writing, but actually I have to put my kids to bed. There's a reason I write so much about tired mothers...and then I make the endings of the stories joyful to try and remind all of us why this life is worth everything after all. ❤️
Best wishes,
Christy & the Shelties
PS. But wait—what's your story in the anthology?
I'm so excited to tell you....!! And I've got another announcement related to that story too!! Give Malin a few days to chase down all the bits and pieces, and we'll have a bumper crop of exciting news for next newsletter.....
