Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Safeway Continental Book Signing!

Hello Doggers,

I hope you enjoyed the story of the Interstate coyote! It says more about the survival skills of this animal than any myth or legend could extol!

My next appearance will be at the Safeway Continental, Green Valley, AZ. on Friday, December 24, 2010, from 12 noon until 2:00 p.m. Come and join me with your dog and coyote stories! I will have books for sale, and ready to sign!

Gift of the Desert Dog is a great story, and worthy of your reading time and comments.

See you on Friday!

Ahooooooooo

Top Dog

Monday, December 20, 2010

Another Coyote Tale

Merry Christmas, Doggers,

Are you looking for a little inspiration; a warm and happy feeling inside just in time for the holidays? Well, how's this for an amazing coyote tale?!

On October 12, 2010, Daniel and Tevyn East were driving at night along Interstate 80 near the Nevada-Utah border when they encountered a pack of coyotes crossing the road. They swerved to avoid the animals, but hit one coyote directly at high speed. They estimated that on impact they were traveling at more than 70 mph! A terrible and tragic ending to the life of our beloved Coyote? Well...not so fast.

Since the impact sounded fatal, the brother and sister saw no point in stopping, and drove on...and on...for SIX HUNDRED MILES that night, including two stops for gas. It was only when they reached their final destination at 9 am the following morning that they took time to examine the front of the mini van and the possible damage caused by the collision with Coyote.

Daniel saw the fur and body of the animal wedged inside the plastic grill, below the front bumper and up against the radiator housing. It didn't look good...in fact, it looked to be a gruesome scene. "I assumed it was part of the animal--it didn't register that it was the WHOLE COYOTE. I took a broom and tried to pry the remains out of the bumper." He got the shock of his life. "It flinched...it started to struggle to get free. The coyote was alive!

They immediately phoned Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release. When authorities arrived, they immediately went to work to free the trapped animal. Coyote had been embedded between the front fender and the radiator. It had amazingly survived the long journey without any broken bones or internal injuries. A wildlife rescue worker managed to get a loop snare around Coyote's neck and muzzle the animal so that it would not bite them as they carefully worked to free its body.

Coyote was taken to a private kennel for observation, but three days after arriving inside the security cage, it ESCAPED by wriggling beneath the bottom bar of the cage! Coyote disappeared, back into the wild to run free once more!

Aaaahooooooooooooo!

Top Dog

Thursday, December 2, 2010

A Coyote Tale

Doggers,

Did you know that coyotes are members of the dog family? Well, now you do...and that's the reason why we're 'doggers!' They eat almost anything...rabbits, rodents, fish, frogs...even deer. They happily dine on insects, snakes, fruit, grass, and 'road kill.' Yum! They have extremely keen senses of sight and smell, and can hit speeds of 40 mph! Amazin'!

Got your copy of Gift of the Desert Dog yet? I'm only asking 'cause I'm dying to hear from you about the character of Danny Rivas and the trouble he gets himself into. I mean, Mr. Delgado's chihuahua is the least of his worries! I don't want to give away too much, but what would you do if you came face-to-face with an armed drug smuggler? Not to mention, Jake Boyle, the friendly rez bully.

Okay, okay, no more 'spilling the story beans.' But hey, get reading. And when you've finished Gift, and you're feeling all motivated to grab another good story, but you just can't wait for Secrets of the Medicine Pouch: Adventure in the Borderlands, try one of these great mystery/adventures from other middle grade/YA authors: Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen, The Winter People by Joseph Bruchac, or Crossing the Wire by Will Hobbs.

Well, it's lunch time and I'm famished. Lets see...I've got my taco shell (found it in a box someone tossed at the land fill), salsa (prefer the homemade green variety--I sort of process it myself by filling my mouth with sage leaves, grass, and poblano chiles I borrow from ristras people hang), cheese (found it on top of a half-eaten burger in a dumpstar behind Mickey-D's), and my favorite ingrediant of all, fresh meadow mouse (have one left over from last night's raid on the football field at Tanque Verde High School). Now, where did I put the sour cream I picked up in the trash at Dairy Queen?

Aahhhhooooooooooooo...

Top Dog

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving reminder

Desert Doggers, remember to say THANK YOU to the people you love in your life today...and every day, for that matter. Especially, say thanks to those who helped put the meal for all to enjoy on your table. And hey, if one of those responsible for the meal is YOU, then look in the mirror and say thanks!

Also keep in mind that there are many Americans far from home defending our nation who can't be with their families right now--keep each of them in your prayers.

I hope each of you has a terrific day with your family and friends! Stay safe...and eat LOTS of cranberries (they're an excellent oxidizer)!

I'm headed down to Mr. Delgado's hen house to keep an eye on those laying hens of his!



Aaahoooooooooooo...



Top Dog

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

November 12, 2010 Release of 'Gift of the Desert Dog'

Whoa, Doggers! Gift of the Desert Dog has just been released by Open Books Press! That means Danny Rivas and 'Digs' Ramirez are headed your way! The book is available now at Amazon.Com, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and all independent bookstores nationwide.

We are tremendously excited about the cover illustration...it is COOL, beyond even Top Dog's wildest dreams. In addition, the interior pages are loaded with surprise images and designs. You won't believe it until you see for yourself!

As always, Top Dog is interested in hearing from you. While you're reading the story, and when you finish too, send me your comments. I wanna know! If you liked the book a lot, I'm interested in what made it work for you.

Now here's the latest good news for all doggers: Secrets of the Medicine Pouch and Coyote-meeter's Abyss, the second and third books in the Borderlands Trilogy, will be released by Open Books Press in 2011 and 2012! So, set your sights on more mystery and adventure from Danny, Digs, and Joseph.

For all of you in the Tucson, AZ area, I will be appearing on Saturday, November 27, 2010, at MOSTLY BOOKS, 6208 E. Speedway Blvd. from 1-3:30 p.m. Stop by to meet Top Dog and get your signed copy of Gift of the Desert Dog.

I have a number of appearance dates set for the months of December and January, 2011. Return here to desert dog blog for continuous updates. I look forward to meeting you!

Your favorite coyote,

Top Dog