FAMILY FUN--AND DUKE, TOO!

Here's our doxie Duke with Daddy (my hubby Clark) yesterday, enjoying the hammock at our daughter's home for a Memorial Day cookout.  It was a beautiful and sunny day, and all of us had a great family time.

The grandkids also visited a family who had puppies and horses--what could be better?

Asher with 5-wk. old Rottweiler puppy

Alexa on horseback

Annika making friends with the horses

Being with family is the BEST!!

A SPECIAL "INVITE" FOR DOXIE LOVERS

I'll send you two free chapters from I AM SARGE, Book 1 of THE DACHSHUND ESCAPADES, if you sign up for my free author newsletter/email list (simply click on the link below and fill out the brief form):

http://eepurl.com/biq2s5

My books in THE DACHSHUND ESCAPADES series are "written by" Sarge the doxie, and his comical views on family, friends, and life in general will bring smiles to dog lovers of all ages.

The titles of the two chapters are: Chapter 5, "Meeting Papa's Old Friend," and Chapter 6, "A Fishing Story."

I enjoy connecting with dachshund-loving readers to share news about my latest releases, what's in the works, photos of doxies, and more (even delicious recipes from foods mentioned in my books). Looking forward to sending you the chapters!

Blessings, Mavis Duke Hinton

PRESCHOOL GRADUATION

Our five-year-old grandson Asher graduated from preschool last week.  It's so hard to believe that he's arrived at this milestone already in his young life.

The graduation ceremony was all one would expect:  the "grads" marched in wearing their little red caps and gowns to the strains of POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE.  They were seated down front and called up to the platform one at a time to receive their diplomas.

The main difference between this graduation ceremony and others was the question that the preschool director asked each graduate as they received their diplomas:  "___________, what do you want to be when you grow up?"  As you can imagine, there were some interesting answers!

Asher said that he wanted to be Batman when he grows up, several of the boys wanted to be other superheroes, little girls wanted to be Mommy or a ballerina, etc.  So cute all around.

We are so proud of Asher, a cute and sweet young man.  It's a joy to be his grandmother.

FRIENDLY REMINDER: FREE E-BOOK, I AM DACHSHUND!

I AM DACHSHUND is free on Amazon starting tomorrow - Friday, May 15, through Saturday, May 16!

 www.amazon.com/dp/B00XF99BDU

ALSO: I AM SARGE, Book 1, is 99 cents for a limited time:

www.amazon.com/dp/B00UNQSSDM

Feel free to share this information with others!  THANK YOU.

EXCERPT FROM MY FREE E-BOOK

Here's an excerpt from I AM DACHSHUND, Book 2 of THE DACHSHUND ESCAPADES.  
Remember it will be free on Amazon from Friday, May 15 through Saturday, May 16.  Save this link and click on it then to get your free copy:  www.amazon.com/dp/B00XF99BDU

NOTE:  The bold text in red are Sarge the doxie's thoughts

From Chapter 6 - Tate and Joey, a.k.a. The Fuzz Brothers

Tate, "Fuzz Ball"

Joey, "Mr. Slick"

Tate was in fact swiping at my ear, watching it flap back and forth. Hey, Fuzz Ball, leave the ears alone—they’re sensitive, and I’m kinda partial to ’em. He had a playful glint in his eye, so I returned the favor by lightly nipping on one of his front paws. Taken by surprise, he squeaked out a meow and fell back against Bethany’s arm, blinking those big kitty eyes. I know—you simply cannot believe that I would do such a thing, right? Since they want us to be buddies, we might as well start now!

I gave a sociable bark, and Bethany put Tate and me down on the floor. We just stared at each other for a while, although I did display my best doggie smile, wag my tail, and make some friendly moves toward him.  He is pretty small and just a baby, so I won’t hurt him—unless, of course, he gets too rambunctious—then I’ll have to show him who’s boss.

“Oh, I hope they don’t get into a fight,” said Bethany. “Look how Sarge is jumping at him—but Tate’s just standing there and staring!”

“I think Tate is just sizing up the dawg,” said Kurt. “And Sarge is wagging his tail, so that’s a good sign. I don’t  think Tate really knows what to make of him, so he’s evaluating what Sarge is actually up to.”

If you are just gonna stand there and stare, I believe I’ll go over to the sliding glass doors and see what’s outside. Maybe I can get a glimpse of those geese Aunt Bethany was telling me about. I whirled around to trot over to the doors when I heard a “Meeeoowww!” just as that pesky cat had the nerve to jump onto my back!

FREE E-BOOK ON FRIDAY, MAY 15 - SATURDAY, MAY 16

DOXIE LOVERS: FREE E-BOOK!

WHAT: I AM DACHSHUND, Book 2 of THE DACHSHUND ESCAPADES series*

WHEN: Begins Friday, May 15, and ends Saturday, May 16
WHERE: On Amazon.com
WHY: I want readers to enjoy Sarge the doxie's comical tales!

Click on this link during the promo to get your free ebook:  www.amazon.com/dp/B00XF99BDU

NOTE: If the book isn't free when you first visit the site, just come back a little later--Amazon runs promotions via Pacific time.

AND THAT'S NOT ALL! 

I AM SARGE, Book 1, is now only 99 cents for a limited time (e-book). Click on the link to snap up this bargain:
www.amazon.com/dp/B00UNQSSDM

*Both books are available in paperback version as well, but not included in this promotion.

MY MOTHER'S DAY, 2015

I had a fabulous Mother's Day yesterday!  Holly, Philip, and the grandchildren visited:  we had burgers on the grill, the grands played in the backyard, our doxies ran around barking, and we all did just what we wanted.

I am blessed!

With the grandchildren

Our daughter Holly and family

The grands enjoying our little creek in the backyard

Two mamas and the children

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, DOXIE MOMS

Our fur babies depend on their doxie moms AND their human moms!

So, this post is a shout out to ALL moms out there, mine included, who will celebrate this Mother's Day in heaven.  She loved flowers--can you imagine the beautiful flowers she's seeing in God's garden?

May your day be extra special!

My mother at age 26 in La Rochelle, France

BIG AND LITTLE: FRIENDS, ANYWAY!

The photos below show large and small dogs who are obviously close friends.  Some are doxies, some are larger breeds.  I find them very sweet and touching.  Of course, dogs touch my heart in so many ways, but their unconditional love is at the top of my list!  God made dogs as companions, and they truly are man's best friend!

Dachshunds . . . you gotta love 'em.

PRAY FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS

This post is quite a departure from my usual posts, but the topic is something all of us should be concerned about and must pray for!  Christians in the Middle East are being tortured and slaughtered for no reason other than being Christians.  Please join me in praying for them.  Mr. George Thomas recently spoke with CBS News on this very topic.  To learn more, click on the link at the bottom of this post.

CBN News

WARNING: "ISIS aims to make a Christ-less world, a world without any Christians....They are playing America...ISIS is taking their playbook from Hitler."

***This interview is disturbing but it's a clear warning to Americans and a plea for our prayers. Author Johnnie Moore says ISIS is crouching at our door, and he warns that God requires us to do more for our fellow persecuted brothers and sisters in the East.

"We need to pray for these people the way we'd hope someone would pray for us. Rescue these people they way we'd hope someone would rescue us. We need to get involved in this crisis... This is the time that every time the church doors are open, we need to pray for these people."

"We need to pray a specific prayer, the way that Paul told us to pray for the church of Thessaloniki: 'Pray that we might be delivered from wicked and evil men."

Please join us in praying Proverbs 24: 11-12 today:

Lord, Please rescue those being taken off to death; and from those staggering to the slaughter,

MORE: http://go.cbn.com/85 -- George Thomas CBN News

GRANDKIDS AT IT AGAIN!

The grandkids love to dress up their animals, and Shadow, their doxie, is no exception.  Here he's depicted as Shadow the Super Dawg.  He's handsome, isn't he--at least, the small part of him you can see.

He's a tolerant sport, however, and that's fortunate.  They're bigger than he is!

Dachshunds . . . you gotta love 'em!