Good morning, Fillies!
I’m delighted to return to talk about cowboys, dogs, and my new book. Last time I was here, I introduced you to Aspen Creek, Colorado, a small Western town in the Rocky Mountains, located in the San Luis Valley.
I’m back with A K-9 Christmas Blessing book #2 in the Aspen Creek Cowboys series. It also has the distinction of being book #50 in the K-9 Companions series.
What is the K-9 Companion series? It’s described this way: “A multi-author collection with themes of faith, forgiveness, and healing with the loyalty and life-changing impact of service dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, or companion animals.”
I present to you my contribution to the series, A K-9 Christmas Blessing. You can read the first chapter here.
Can a sweet Christmas K-9 make this sudden reunion bright?
After rescuing an injured beagle, therapy dog trainer Jo Webster reluctantly turns to the new veterinarian in town, who’s also her former fiancé. But when Nate Morris suggests a prosthetic leg for the wounded dog, there’s no way Jo can afford it. Reluctantly, she agrees to a part-time job at his clinic during the Christmas season to pay for the treatment. Soon, Jo learns Nate is not the same man she broke off her engagement to years ago. If they can learn to forgive each other for past hurts, they might build something new and beautiful together for the holidays—and forever.
My heroine Jo is not only a therapy dog trainer but also rescues abandoned and displaced dogs. Years ago, she fell in love with rodeo cowboy Nate. They’re reunited in Aspen Creek thanks to a dog.
What kinds of dogs do we associate with cowboys and ranchers? That’s the question I researched while writing this book.
Obviously, not every breed is suitable as a cattle or ranch dog. A tiny Chihuahua or a terrier would be a hazard around horses or cattle. But which dogs are the ideal cowboy companion?
The best cattle or ranch dogs are high-energy matched with high intelligence. They are born with a strong instinct to gather or drive. Many of these tough ranch dogs also serve as livestock guardians.
My sources say these are the top K-9s for herding.
- Australian Shepherd
- Australian Cattle Dog (Heeler)
- Australian Kelpie
- Border Collie
These are the top dogs for both handling livestock and protection
- Anatolian Shepherd
- Great Pyrenees
- Maremma Sheepdog
- Bernese Mountain Dog
Do share your thoughts on the best dogs for herding and protection.
Sign up for my newsletter to find out about cattle dog Gunnar, who appears in the next Aspen Creek Cowboys release, Rocky Mountain Rancher. Because, really, dogs make any book better, right?
I’m celebrating the October 27th release of A K-9 Christmas Blessing with a giveaway. One reader will take home A K-9 Christmas Blessing (print or eBook) and a Dogs Make Everything Better Tote. (US)
Two other readers will take home a copy of A K-9 Christmas Blessing -print or eBook for US, and eBook only for Canada.
Simply comment to be entered. My questions for you. Have you read any of the K-9 Companion series books? Is there a K-9 in your life?
Publishers Weekly bestselling author Tina Radcliffe is an American Christian Fiction Writers Honor Roll member. She is also a five-time nominee for the ACFW Carol Award and a four-time ACFW Mentor of the Year finalist. Besides her novel-length fiction for Love Inspired, Tina has sold over three dozen short stories to Woman’s World Magazine. A former registered nurse and library cataloger, Tina is a frequent workshop presenter. She currently resides in Arizona, where she writes fun, heartwarming romance. Visit her on the web at http://www.tinaradcliffe.com.