So if any of you have been wondering where previously social, always on Facebook and happy to chat, Linzi disappeared to? Well, several perfect storms of chaos landed in my world.
Storm One: Christmas – Well, we all know about that. Mine was cancelled this year.
Storm Two: My deadline with my editor for Code Yellow in Gretna Green. January 1st 2024.
Storm Three: This happened.
That poor little mite is my real Bichon, Lucy. Yes, she’s the one who inspired Tilly in the books. She ruptured a ligament in her leg (CCL) shortly before Christmas. After a week’s pre-surgical drugs to reduce the pre-op swelling, she had the surgery. The photo above was her two days before Christmas.
Merry. Freaking. Christmas.
By Christmas itself, she was feeling extremely sorry for herself. And all the pain-relieving drugs in the world didn’t replace the fact that she had to eat her Christmas dinner in a crate. Even her Santa jammies (To stop her chewing on her sutures) didn’t cheer her up.
But her Highland Coo plushie from Bryony did soothe her a lot. It’s her new best friend!
You can just about see it in the front left corner of her crate
Taking a small step sideways, let’s go back to Storm Two
That deadline with my editor …
Trying to work on a laptop next to Lucy’s crate for almost three weeks meant I was going to miss it. (Which would have delayed the book until autumn 2024!)
Happily, my lovely editor is a dog lover and owner herself. So the first 60% of Yellow went to her on January 1st. As she said, “It’s the length of any two normal books. It will keep me busy while you finish the final edit on the rest.”
So that’s what we did. Then my partner snagged some annual leave, and I got to work at a desk. Unless Lucy cried for her mum—Obviously!
The last 40% of Yellow will go to my wonderful editor in the next few days. But it seemed like posting this update might actually be quicker than answering all my unanswered email, messages and whathaveyou. I will get to it all … eventually, I promise.
But for now, I need a few more days to finalise Yellow before it goes off to be polished into something approaching a book.
Lucy has cheered up a bit and is even allowed out of her crate for short periods now.
But this is a long-haul injury.
4 weeks crate rest minimum.
4 weeks room rest with X-rays, physio and rehab
4 MORE weeks of short, well-controlled walks.
No jumping, no dancing, no being Lucy – sigh!
It’s all going to take a while and be a lot. But I adore her, so that’s what I’ll be doing with the first part of my year.
In astonishing news …
Code Yellow is still on track for a late spring release. And I’m so relieved about that because I didn’t personally ever like the idea of ending Red on a cliffhanger. I’ll do a post about that sometime. But for now, to answer all the people who keep asking, there will be a pre-order for Yellow once it’s back from my editor and is ready to go to my proofreaders.
However, I can’t pretend that this won’t affect Market Forces. I’m not someone who can be creative or write a warm, funny book when my furbaby is struggling. And book six, Market Forces is one of the ‘joining’ books like book three, Ties that Bond was.
My plans are for it to be a hilarious and light-hearted episode in the series. So for now it needs to wait until I get Lucy back to as close to 100% movement in her leg as we can. She’s such an active dog (see the main photo at the top of this post!) that anything less feels unfair.
I’m incredibly thankful that I’m in a position to prioritise my pup.
You can always find my current plans and the status of the books HERE on the State of the Author. I keep that up-to-date.
Heartfelt thank you
Lucy has received a wide selection of toys and treats from family, friends and even my beta reading friends and is currently doing well. But she’s still crate bound 14-16 hours a day for another couple of weeks and going crazy with boredom. We’re doing peanut butter kongs, toys, puzzles, and careful time out of the crate, but if any of you have been through this and have ANY tips, don’t hesitate to share them with me.
And such a big thank you to Wendy Mac who sent Lucy some of her favourite things in the world …
Handmade, woolly pom-poms. She’s literally sleeping on them Wendy ❤️
I need another week
Give me until about the 20th of January. The newsletter may be late but it will arrive and then once the rest of the book is with Krista, I’ll be at least partly back in the world.
Much love
Linzi
Linzi❤️🩹. Oh girly girly, what a tide of happenings! So glad Lucy had successful surgery! Recovery will be tough, but already in process- hope you get a boatload of tips!!!
Thrilled the new book is still moving along, but your personal life takes precedence! Sending hugs!!!!
Thanks Susie, yes honestly Lucy is always joint number one on my list 😂
My heart goes out to you and to Lucy 💝. Wishing you both a speedy recovery. Don’t sacrifice your wellbeing. The Voracious Readers are with you all the way – how ever long it takes xx
You are all stars – thanks so much Sandy 😍
Our Christmas with the whole family was cancelled when both of my wonderful DILs tested positive for Covid (a continent apart!). Quick stop, pivot, mailing packages (at exorbitant prices) so they would be at the right spot close to the right day. Thankfully, all the grandkids presents were in the right spot. We spent Christmas with our daughter in Colorado (gorgeous) and did video Christmas with the kids. Three days later, another video Christmas with adult exchanging presents. Several days later, everyone is fine (although grandson tested positive for a few days).
It’s not the challenges, but how we meet them that matters most.
I did have a lot of loving time with the catahoula leopard that is my granddog!
Now that right there is truth! 😀
I had to google Catahoula Leopard – s/he looks completely adorable. Hope all the family is recovered now and you guys are back in the warm?
Lucy I am glad you like your Pom Poms it’s lovely seeing you using them as a I enjoyed making them for you, hope you are soon fully recovered, won’t be long now and you will be able to have some time out of the crate.
Linzi looking after Lucy is more important than the books, try and get some rest yourself when you can
Will do Wendy – and thank you again. Those pom-poms really broke her day up. If I can get a video of her trying to roll on three of them, it will crack you up!
I will look forward to seeing the video if you are able to take it.
I will make some more for her in few weeks time
Oh no poor Lucy, it’s impossible to explain to them that they can’t dance and need to be still!
Are you using any natural calmers at all? Valerian is pretty good as is CBD oil, I’m thinking the Valerian would be useful for the times when she is allowed out of her crate as it might help keep her energy down – I’m a dog groomer and a few of my customers use this to help the very anxious or very hyper dogs get through a groom. We also used it when my Mum’s little dog damaged his cruciate – nit to the point of needing surgery but he was on crate rest and then limited excercise at walk only, strictly no hooning. I can also really vouch for hydrotherapy as part of rehab if she will swim – I know that Bichons aren’t always water friendly though 😁
I hope she makes a speedy recovery ❤️
Thanks Tracey – yes I’ve got her on CBD, she’s never done well on Valerian – but I’m using one of those plug in calmers too. Pretty sure it’s working on me too! And exactly as you guessed she’s a water-hating Bichon! That said the vet’s really pleased with her progress so far she’s placing it properly when she is standing. So we might be able to avoid hydro.
Lucy and Linzi, please be gentle with yourselves. Being happy and well is the most important thing for both of you.
Thanks Jan. I couldn’t agree more 🥰
Best wishes to you and your pup. I have a Bichon Maltese mix who is ten years old and I love her and can’t stand when she has an “off” day so I can’t imagine dealing with long term like you are dealing with. I’m looking forward to your next book but the dog comes first on my life. Stay strong ☺️
How wonderful Linda, a friend has a Bichon Malti mix she’s adorable and Lucy is ten too. Thanks so much for the support ❤
I knew I liked you for some reason, other than you are a really good author. Your dog/child is your priority. Tilly is a favorite in the books and I am guessing that she gets her personality traits from Lucy. I enjoyed reading your books and will wait, however long it takes, for Yellow to be published.
Thank you Gail, yes Tilly is ALL Lucy! Yellow will be fine it was mostly done before this happened. It will be the next one that is delayed and like you, I’m fine with that 💝
Your girl is more important than anything. Thank you for letting us know. I’m so glad she is doing well and that you have someone to share the care tasks. Lucy, Linzi, THEN fans!
Thanks so much 🌟
So glad that Lucy is getting better. You do have to put your fur baby first. They sure mean alot to us. We will just have to happily wait in anticipation of the new book. And enjoy it so much more after the wait. I know i will. Take care of both of you
Hey Bunny, thank you. You’re all so kind.
Awwww.. poor Lucy, I bet she hates that crate with a vengeance but it’ll be all the sweeter when she’ll be able to spend her days outside of it..
Can’t have been easy for you either..
In other news, my kindle keeps suggesting that I read “Red”, which makes me chuckle every time 😊
I’ve never been more grateful that we crate trained when she was a puppy so actually the crate doesn’t stress her, but the boredom does. She’s secretly convinced she can fly, so why do we care about a leg. 😂
Good old Amazon! You should definitely read Red … again! Third times the charm you know.
Sending lots of calming and healing dragon energy ( Yes this is possible!!!) to you and Lucy. xxx
I do not doubt it. (Although Rhiannon might 😂)
Thank you 🥰
Really feel for you both, but coming out the cage to be with mum is helping her so much. I think most of us just want the best for you both. Full recovery. Am I missing something? How did it happen? Too excited??? Big hugs, Lynn xx
Hi Lynn,
Thanks, It was just a stupid accident. She slipped on the stone floor in the hall chasing towards some roasted chicken in the kitchen.
Much love – Linzi
I might actually do that myself! Slippers on 😉
You could try a lickimat to relieve boredom. Spread with a little peanut butter( dog friendly type) keeps them occupied. One of my Frenchies had a persistent ear infection last year and I got 1 to distract her. You can get one that attaches to the side of the crate or a flat one that lies on the floor. Snuffle mats are useful too but with little dry treats hidden in them.
That’s a great idea – thanks Bev. She has a snuffle mat – but a licky mat sounds a fab addition to the anti-boredom arsenal especially if I can find one that attaches to the side of the crate. I’m off to look 🥰
Poor Lucy,
I am getting ready to go through the same thing with my 3.6 lb yorkie and am not looking forward to it or to having to keep her in a crate since I have 2 and one will not be in a crate. My vet said 8 weeks of confinement which will be very hard I hope your Lucy is doing well and back on her feet soon.
I’m so sorry to hear that. If it’s any consolation our vet told me the exact same thing but after almost four weeks Lucy had healed so well she’s now allowed out (on a lead in the house walking very slowly) a few times a day and honestly she’s getting tired so quickly she actually asked to go back in her crate for a nap. A friend of mine who has two said her healthy girl climbed in the crate to snuggle with her sister.
Very best wishes for your little one’s recovery.
Oh Linzi,
It has to be so hard on both of you. Glad to hear she’s healing well. Will just keep re-reading the series until Yellow comes out (when I will reread again with Yellow added.). I have a friend to whom I gift your non-digital books as soon as they are available. Have you and your publisher thought of putting your “between” novellas into their own book to come out between Yellow and Market Forces to give you and Lucy a little more together healing space? (Even though I’m one of those greedy readers that wants the next book as soon as I’ve read the last one.). Hang in there and best of luck to both you and Lucy.
Betsy
Hi Betsy,
She’s healing, but she’s supposed to be starting very short controlled, five-minute walks and of course we’ve got snow and ice here. So that’s been delayed. If I remember rightly? (AZ?) I bet you’re even warm aren’t you?
Oh and no, not yet, on the free bonuses – but there are plans for a book of short stories … probably not a for a year or two though.
Thanks so much for the luck – we’ll take all we can get
Much love
Linzi
I’ll be sending good thoughts every day from New Hampshire, I am so happy that your precious girl is on the mend. You are the best dog mom! I spent two years nursing my own precious. She was a schipperke named Coven (born in October). That two years was two years longer than she was supposed to live, and I managed to keep her happy and active until the very end. It was a gift for both of us. She left for the Summerlands on the winter solstice in 2022 at age 14.. I will always be grateful for that time., hard as it was. Your books, especially Tilly/Lucy, helped me keep going through the sorrow and the loss. Thanks so much to both of you for that. I wish you many more years with your beautiful girl. You are both very lucky.
Thanks so much Deb. Oh schipperkes are the most fantastic dogs. A friend of mine when I lived in Antwerp, Belgium had two, a brother and sister, very protective but soft as marshmallows with her. And Coven is the best name!
So sorry she’s gone and so happy you had her 💜
Much love
Linzi
Poor Lucy! Glad her recovery is on track. It is so hard to be strict with them in those circumstances. We have a toy poodle who broke both bones in his lower leg three days after we got him when he jumped off the bed (How did he get up there?!). He was only 6 months old and had the most beautiful stride you have ever seen. Try telling a growing puppy he can’t play with his buddy or run around for 6 weeks after surgery with all the plates and screws in that tiny leg. We were less than perfect about the 24 hour crating and he has a slight defect now where he turns his ankle outward. He doesn’t care at all but I am a little sorry when I see it.
Hang in there for the time you vet says. Has your vet given her Gabapentin? It really helps with pain and makes them sleepy so it is easier to get through the long boring hours confined to a tiny space….For a while the entire family was on it!…Not all because of the puppy injury!
Hi and thank you.
Not gapapentin no, although that really made me laugh because it really shows you all went through it – it’s a flipping nightmare isn’t it?
Lucy is on Onsior (an NSAID) and liquid paracetamol/acetaminophen) she really isn’t in pain and someone suggested a lickimat that attaches to the crate – I must remember who that was thank them because it was the BEST idea. A teaspoon of peanut butter warmed and spread in with a silicone pastry brush = an hour of devoted, soothing licking 😂
Much love
Linzi
Happy and relaxed life…happy and relaxed book for us to read. Fact. A few of my favorite authors went so dark with certain books in their series due to their own dark stressful personal experiences (illnesses, deaths, job losses or breakups) that those that love their books say the same thing “I love all her books except (book name)”. Don’t try to write!! No one should be able to write humorous and loving scenes when they are unhappy themselves.
We will wait.
Love on your baby. Believe they will heal. Forgive your delays. It’s what we love about your characters…they give of themselves. So focus on your Lucy, Mom.