Hi again, folks! Zuzu here.
It’s been a while since I’ve chatted with you, but that’s because Mom has been glued to the computer lately and I haven’t had any time to take over borrow it.
But today, I’m back!
And I get to talk with Janet Ferguson’s beautiful dog Remi.
Remi is a Labra-Labra-doodle. Several parts black lab and some poodle makes for a very smart dog who (after a brief stint at PetSmart training school) is well behaved. She performs tricks, like dancing, for the right treat! She’s sweet to other pets and people, but squirrels best run fast!
Author Janet Ferguson has a series of books published just in time for the Mississippi Book Festival.Her mom, Janet W. Ferguson, grew up in Mississippi and received a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi. She has served as a children’s minister and a church youth volunteer. An avid reader, she worked as a librarian at a large public high school. She writes humorous inspirational fiction for people with real lives and real problems. Janet and her husband have two grown children, one really smart dog (that would be Remi), and a few cats that allow them to share the space.
Mom and I love Janet’s books – in fact, I think Mom talked about them just yesterday in her Quirky Animals post. A post, by the way, she let me have NO SAY in. Whatever. I’ll just take over some Top Ten Tuesday and show her how it’s done. (Hint: Dogs. All dogs. None of this naked cat business. Good grief.)
She loves to hear from readers! You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads, Pinterest, use the contact page on her website, or subscribe to her newsletter on the Under the Southern Sun page for exclusive book news and giveaways.
Janet’s latest book, Blown Together, released last fall!
When love storms in…
Wealth manager Sam Conrad is accustomed to his domineering father ordering him around, especially at the bank where they both work. But when his father demands that Sam manage the inheritance of his bossy ex-fiancée, Sam has finally had enough. He leaves in search of a new life, and attorney Big Roy Bosarge from Mobile, Alabama, agrees to mentor Sam on his quest for direction. Sam didn’t expect to be thrown together with Big Roy’s eccentric and opinionated daughter.
Storm damage forces lonely romance writer Elinor Bosarge and her hairless cat, Mr. Darcy, out of her Fort Morgan Beach cottage. She plans to take refuge in the boathouse on her parents’ estate, but finds the place already occupied by one of her father’s “projects.” She’s shocked her father would allow another young man onto the property after his last mentee robbed her family and broke her heart. And from the moment she meets Sam Conrad, they disagree about everything from her cat to how to best renovate a local nursing home.
Between her mother’s health issues and the hurricane brewing in the Gulf, Elinor feels like her life is being ripped apart. It doesn’t help that she’s falling for the man she’s determined not to trust. Sam finds himself drawn to Elinor, wanting to help her and this new family he’s grown to love. But can he overcome the barrier she’s built to keep him out? When the storm rages and the two of them are blown together, can Elinor find the faith to open her heart again?
Hi, Remi! Welcome to my blog! Or my Mom’s blog… (I’m only saying that in case she checks this before posting it. We all know it’s really my little section of the internet. I just humor her.)
Bones or Chew toys?
Remi: Bones. Chew toys are for pups. I’m an older generation dog, and I prefer Dentastix for the health of my teeth. Well, actually I prefer to ride to the store with Dad and get a beef jerky, but, sadly, that doesn’t happen every day. They still humiliate me occasionally and make me dance for my treats.
Zuzu: I know, right? Why do they do that? Would THEY want to dance for their favorite snacks? Or wear antlers? I think not.
Frisbees or Tennis Balls?
Remi: If I had to pick, I’d say tennis ball, but I’m not much into retrieving. It is fun to watch the humans retrieve them, though.
Zuzu: I’m a pointer, not a retriever. Yet they still keep throwing that ball…
Squirrels or birds?
Remi: Squirrels. The pesky things are everywhere, just taunting me. I give them a good run for their money, though.
Zuzu: <hides favorite squirrel toy>
Behind-the-ear scratches or Belly Rubs?
Remi: Oh glorious belly rubs. Nothing better.
Zuzu: Agreed. In fact, I wouldn’t mind one right now!
Mom says that reading is her superpower and sleeping is mine. If YOU and YOUR MOM had superpowers, what would they be?
Remi: Walking every day and noticing God’s glorious creation is our superpower. Just hearing a bird song, spotting and sniffing flowers, and enjoying the sunshine is such a blessing!
Zuzu: I love to do that too! Mom doesn’t ‘do’ the outdoors though, so Dad and I go exploring without her.
I recently heard this Colonial American Proverb – You will always be lucky if you know how to make friends with strange cats. What are your thoughts on this controversial statement?
Remi: Like I have a choice? I could speak for hours on this controversy, but my fate is sealed. The strange creatures have been a part of my existence since my adoption as a young pup. Up to five of the felines have lived here at once, but some have gone, and we’re down to still two. One oddball tried to suck my toes, until she moved in with my human sister. Another swishes her fur against mine, begging to be licked. It’s so creepy and awkward to be caught in that situation. The other prima donna here hisses and swats at me every time I casually pass her on the way to the kitchen. I often have to break up fights between those two. As you can see, I have much to say on the issue, but I best end here.
Zuzu: You’re a true hero, Remi. Not many dogs would be as accommodating. Including yours truly.
Your mom writes books. My mom reads books. If you were going to write a book, what would you call it & what would it be about?
Remi: That’s easy: Dogs Should Be Fed from the Human Table. The end.
Zuzu: oooo! Could I get an autographed copy? To leave around the house. Like in Mom’s ‘read ASAP’ bin.
Speaking of writing books, tell us about your mom’s Southern Hearts series. Which character is your favorite across all four books?
Remi: Judiciously, these books all have animal appearances. Of course, I will not be picking a feline, especially that hairless cat in Blown Together, talk about prima donna. So I will chose between the three canines. Gingie from Leaving Oxford is a rather clumsy animal. Dashwood’s part in Blown Together is rather small. But Mimi from Going Up South has true class, so I’d go with her. She’s a standard poodle, and I do have poodle blood in my heritage along with a good bit of black Lab.
Zuzu: Yeah. What is up with that hairless cat?? Gingie is my fave 🙂 Bless her heart.
What does a typical day look like for you as an author’s dog?
Remi: Never the same. Some days we are moving from room to room around the house while my master wanders haphazardly from one unfinished project to another. Some days I lay for hours while she edits. Until that glorious hour each evening when we walk. It’s a good life.
Zuzu: It sounds like a good life … even with the cats 😉
Remi, thanks for taking time out from cat wrangling and Mom-following to talk with me! Before we say goodbye for today, tell us what‘s coming up next for you and your mom.
Remi: Thank you for having me, Zuzu! I hear Mom is working on a novel called Magnolia Storms, set in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, that will come out later this year. I reminded her to add a dog to this novel just in time. The story deals with the emotional aftermath of Hurricane Katrina after over a decade. It’s an emotional journey. Did you know many pets were lost in that natural disaster? I think it’s an important story.
Zuzu: Those statistics always break my heart. I stick a little closer to Mom and Dad when I’m reminded about it. Which is why I’m currently trying to convince Mom that there’s room in that recliner for me too!
Winner’s Choice of one!
Remi’s mom is giving away an ecopy of any ONE of the books in her Southern Hearts Series – winner’s choice between Leaving Oxford, Going Up South, Tackling the Fields, or Blown Together. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below. Open internationally. Void where prohibited. Giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies.
What about you? What kind of dog do you think Janet Ferguson should write about next? (Hint: if you’re stuck, ‘Zuzu’ is always a good answer.) 😉
a canine that somehow saves the lives of her humans. letting them know that only Jesus can save them spiritually
oh that would be interesting!
Hi Lori! That sounds fun and poignant!
Blessings 🙂
Zuzu, you’re a very talented dog! Not many dogs know how to interview and type and do blogs. Remi sounds very talented and awesome, too! Thanks for the fun interview!
Zuzu here. I don’t like to brag, but …. thanks 😀
Hi Winnie! They are a couple of talents pups!! I’ll pass on the compliment! Thanks for saying hello 🙂
Blessings
Zuzu, I loved reading your blog post. You are one smart dog and so lucky to have Janet as your Mommy even if you do have to put up with a few cats :)I can’t wait to read your Mommy’s books!
I think you should write about a Boxer. That is the type of dog we have. He is seven and a real sweet heart.
Zuzu here – I’m part Boxer so I think that’s an excellent idea! 🙂
Oh, I’ve had neighbors with sweet boxers, Deanne. One named Sassy used to come over and play with the collie we had before Remi. That was the sweetest dog!
Thank you, Deanne! Yes, Remi’s a good one to put with us, and of course, Zuzu is awesome. I hope you like the stories 🙂
Blessings!
A great interview, Zuzu! I don’t know a lot about dogs but writing Zuzu into the next novel would be fun!
Zuzu here – I am available for any character consultation Janet might need 😉
Oh what a fun novel that would be! I’ll keep it in mind 🙂
She should write about a dog who realizes how loving, fun and amazing his/her cat friends are.
DeAnna, That’s a wonderful idea! I do love my kitties!
Blessings,
Janet
I have only cats now, but I grew up with just about everything, cats, dogs, birds, fish, hamsters, gerbils, turtles, rabbits, you name it. They all got along great, and we loved all of them. But there are so many stories (and pictures) of cats and dogs being friends and taking care of each other (especially fostering babies of the other species), I think it would be really cute. I make sure and include a cat in all of my books. 😀
That must’ve been a blast growing up with all those animals! I love watching animal videos with different animals taking care of each other! I do have cats in several books, for sure :). Actually Ginger, a dog, saves a kitty in Going Up South, now that I think about it! Sometimes i forget things…
It was great! And before I was born, my brother and sister even had a prairie dog and a lion cub (not for long).
Ooooh, okay, I’ll have to check Ginger out. 😀
Thank you!
Oh wow! That is something! Amazing!
Hope you like Ginger! She often gets called by her nickname Gingie 🙂
A prairie dog?!? That’s one dog Zuzu’ s not too sure about lol!
Cute! 😀
We had an armadillo, but only overnight.
When I was about four, my mom saw just a tail sticking out of the ground, so she stuck the water hose in next to it, and the armadillo ran straight up her dress and then took off down the alley. I don’t remember who caught it or how, but they put it in our rabbit hutch, and it clawed its way out overnight and was gone. Hee hee.
I don’t know if Zuzu and the prairie dog would have been friends. 😉
That, my friend, needs to go in a book! Let me know if you don’t use!
Hahahaha!
If I don’t put it in one of my books, it’s all yours. 🙂
🙂
I’d love for her to write about a smart, lovable chihuahua like our furbaby Snickerdoodle. He’s tons of fun to be around and loves to ride in his custom made sidecar on the family Honda Goldwing trike – helmet and goggles for safety of course. He never meets a stranger and isn’t the yappy little thing most thing of when you say chihuahua. I think a character in a book like that could get into and solve lots of problems don’t you think? 😉
Awww! Snickerdoodle sounds precious! He sounds like the perfect hero, Kay!
Blessings 🙂
Snickerdoodle is such a great name!
What a fun interview, Zuzu and Remi!!!! Zuzu, I so appreciate your dog book recommendations. I recently read Sanctuary Cove by Kate James based on your interview with her dogs — um — Harley and Logan, if I remember correctly. So thanks for shining a light on great stories that also feature man’s (and woman’s) best friend!
Remi, I love all the pictures you included. I can tell you are a kind and gentle soul based on the way you let that kitty sleep on your bed while you sleep on the floor! Now that’s compassion!
I’d be interested in reading about a hairless cat…not my first choice for a ‘fur’ buddy but….I wonder if it needs sweaters for the winter? And sun block in the summer?
Oh — and a dog that absolutely must be featured in a book is a Shetland Sheepdog. I’ve belonged to four and they are exceptional dogs — once you get used to their need to herd everything in sight. Shelties rule!!!! (no offense to Zuzu and Remi.)
Hi Kav! Remi is a kind and gentle soul 🙂
I do think hairless cats need sunscreen and sweater if they were out in the weather. Mr. Darcy stays indoors, except for a few dangerous adventures.
I love Shelties because they remind me of our first beloved dog Matsie who was a Collie. Another blessed sweet and smart pup. Miss her.
Remi says have a great day!
Zuzu says no offense taken because you, Kav, are one of her favorite people 🙂
Zuzu! I love your posts and your comments are always so much fun. This was great to be introduced to Remi. Someday, you all will have to meet my Golden Retriever, Beau, from my Indian Lake series.
With your moms story set in Mobile, Alabama where my mother was born and raised, Remi, I have to get the book!
I look forward to reading it!
Hi Catherine! Isn’t Zuzu amazing?
We’d love to meet Beau! That sounds like a nice, Southern name.
Mobile is a lovely place. I hope you enjoy the story 🙂
Yes, Zuzu and Beau must chat sometime, Catherine!
I loved this post!!! Zuzu is quite talented. 😉 I think a Corgi should be Janet’s next featured dog.
A Corgi would be fun! And Zuzu thanks you, Elizabeth 🙂
Aww, Corgi’s are cute! Do you have one, Elizabeth?
Sadly, no. Just a cat. 🙂
A Black lab That is very hyper
Hi Linda! They are hyper that first year. Most of them need a bit of training and then they are as good as gold!
Blessings
I love reading books that include a dog in them a lot more than cats but that is because I don’t care for cats much but LOVE dogs! Another breed of dog that is smart is a beagle. I had one several years ago and raised him from a puppy until he passed at over 14 years old. I’ve also had a blue heeler who was quite a character. I rescued him as a puppy.
Hi Donna! Such great ideas!! Beagles are adorable and they have that distinctive bark! A friend had a blue heeler, and it was a cool dog!
Blessings,
A Husky.
They’re so pretty!
Love their eyes! Great idea, Martha!
Blessings
Hello ZuZu and Remi! ZuZu, I have missed your interviews!
Remi’s mom should write about a warrior dog, one that serves in our military.
OH, that sounds exciting, Caryl! I’ll have to think! 🙂
Blessings
Oooo I like that! (Zuzu says hi, Caryl)
My daughter LOVES pugs, so I’ll have to say a pug in her honor. 🙂
Oh pugs would be adorable! They look so sweet!
Our friend had an invisible dog who got into all kinds of mischief!
Oh, Janice! That would be hilarious! I need an invisible dog to blame a lot of stuff on! Thanks for the idea!
Our friend had an invisible dog, Bismark, who got into all kinds of mischief!