And baby makes three (well, five, actually)

Dennis and I never had kids. When we met we were nearing 40, addressed the subject, then decided to devote any excess love into kids of the four-legged variety. Since 2004, there have always been multiple dogs in our household (and one very special cat for 16 of those years).

Always rescues.

We started with Rocko (Treeing Walker) in 2004, followed by Lola (Pit-Terrier mix) in 2005, and Mugsy (Tabby cat) in 2006.

In those early years, we were not only living in Georgia. Dennis’s job required a separate household in Maryland as well. So, for three years, we relocated our sizeable dogs and small cat for one week every month via a ten-hour drive. Those were fun times, not too unlike being in a traveling circus. I don't regret a minute of it, but I can't imagine ever trying to do it again. Back then, we were young, had much more energy, and were ambitious, to say the least.

We lost Rocko in 2016 at the age of 12. But when we adopted Buddy (Shepher-hound mix) in 2018 and Lilly Belle (Pit-Lab mix) in 2019, Lola and Mugs were old, but still with us. So, for the most part, our kids have overlapped. I do wish Rocko could have known Buddy and Lilly, though. They would have had a grand time together.

We lost Lola in 2021 at the distinguished age of 17. Mugsy followed in 2022. He was 16.

All of these losses were hard. HARD. I’ve always heard that you should never outlive your kids. Dennis and I have never really had that option.

Having Buddy and Lilly overlap helped. They’re both still relatively young and, though I’ve always wanted another cat, we held off on having more.

Until now.

Dennis casually monitors a local shelter’s Facebook page. One day in January this picture showed up.

Her name is Piper and, though Dennis teased me about going to get her, we resisted.

Weeks later, the picture reappeared. She had been returned to foster care after a failed adoption. Again, Dennis shared the photo with me on Facebook, hinting that maybe we should consider adopting her. Many of our friends encouraged us with comments.

Still, we didn’t.

The third time the picture above came across our Facebook feeds, I filled out the adoption application. We were notified that she had been placed in yet another home and they would let us know if things didn’t work out.

We both breathed a sigh of relief.

One week later, the agency texted me, saying she’s yours if you want her.

On our way to pick her up for a trial run, we speculated as to just what kind of a problem child we would soon be bringing home.

We fell in love with Piper instantly. She’s a year old, 22 lbs. (the smallest we’ve ever had), and still brimming with a lot of puppy energy. It turns out, the people she had previously been paired with had older dogs that simply couldn’t keep up with her. As I mentioned, Buddy and Lilly are both larger, middle-aged, and still fairly energetic. We have a big, fenced-in backyard where they play, and play, and play.

We officially adopted her last week. She is now our baby. And the cycle continues...

NSFW

I mentioned in my last newsletter that one day my Facebook group, Timothy's Tavern, may vanish due to circumstances beyond my control.  The powers-that-be at FB occasionally threaten and pluck posts of mine that they deem too naughty for your consumption. That really irks me. I mean, isn't that the whole point of having a private group?

In response, it's now my goal to incorporate some of that fun stuff here in the newsletter. There was a tremendous response from subscribers to please include hot guy pics, the naughtier the better. I'm trying my best to deliver without going into the land of pornography. Let me know what you think. Remember it's a work in progress. 

FYI: For those of you who haven't caught on, my FB group is largely themed to my books. It's a tavern with Happy Hours because a bar figures prominently in both series. I tend to write about beefier guys, hence the Bear Bombs. Tuesday Tunes is a recurring event in the Circle books (it's show tunes, but in the group I expand it to all music). I know a lot about movies, as does one Demarco Alford, thus Friday Films. I'm a Foodie and wrote about a chef named George. I love dogs and men, hence Cute Critters. And so on, and so on... 

Peachy PA Spring Giveaway

I’ve joined forces with 3 Peachy PAs and a crew of fabulous contemporary MM romance authors, and we want you to have a chance at more than $200 in goodies, including a Kindle e-reader, paperbacks, and books, books, books!

Just head to https://tinyurl.com/peachyspring1 to get started, and good luck!

Reading, Writing, Watching...

Other than the occasional mm romance for variety, I am still re-reading the Mayfair Witch saga by Anne Rice and, yes, still struggling with the television adaptation (now 2 seasons). Contrarily, I rewatched both seasons of Interview with the Vampire and I am still blown away by how great it is. Not sure where the wires got crossed, but I’m grateful that both properties are getting the attention they deserve.

We’re also watching lots of favorites in new seasons, too, including The Floor, Survivor, and RuPaul’s Drag Race. We finished our binge of The New Adventures of Old Christine and I am in the final season of a rewatch of Moonlighting (IMO, no one was ever sexier than Bruce Willis when he was on that show!).

I am working through a draft of a Circle novella currently titled Cherry Blossom Notes.

That’s it for this one. Stop watching the news! Read, enjoy the weather, and love those near you. That’s what I do.

xo,

Tim

It's 5 o'clock somewhere!

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