Redemption? Daniel and Military Working Dog Bony
Falsely accused, judgment passed on him without proof, Sergeant Daniel Sandoval had been sentenced to K9 death–a career without a dog. But Sandoval is determined to come back to redeem his good name and set the record straight.
His guide to the road back? The Grey Wolf, Military Working Dog Bony.
“You failed certification on purpose, Sergeant. You don’t want to deploy, do you?”
Sergeant Daniel Sandoval’s skin began to tingle and his head to spin, but he couldn’t find the words to respond.
Avoid a deployment? Why would he do that? He had heard of handlers doing this, but that wasn’t in his nature. He knew that his fellow handlers were beginning to get fatigued with constant deployments. He had already deployed to Kosovo and Cuba, but Daniel was ready to head to combat. The problem was his Military … Read More »
Life After Being Rejected by Literary Agents
Gut Check Time!
Resiliency? Check
Determination? Check.
Work ethic? Check.
Unwilling to accept the answer “no”? Check.
Will to succeed? How could I not?
These are all personality attributes that I’ve developed, nurtured, and harnessed in my leadership style as an Army officer. I figured that the publishing world was no different than the Army when it comes to how to become successful.
Talent is the other piece of the puzzle. As much as I loathe using this word to describe myself…..Check.
I may have lost the first battle, but I determined to come back stronger, smarter and with all guns firing. Down but not defeated—I went back to work.
I called independent editor Patrick Lobrutto the very same day agent XXXX recommended him to me. Pat is an independent editor but also a scout for Trident Media.
I described in great detail the journey of my manuscripts. … Read More »
Military Dog Picture of the Week. (June 27th, 2012)
The captions on these photos were incomplete. I couldn’t resist posting these photos though. This Marine Military Working Dog is beautiful. Her name is Sakal
Lance Cpl. Steven Lilley, a Provost Marshal’s Office working dog handler, rewards his dog with a Kong and affection after he hit his scent. (Photo by Cpl. R.J. Driver)
In case you missed or want to revisit prior weeks. Here are the links.
Military Dog Picture of the Week. (June 20th, 2012) Video footage directly from Afghanistan!
Military Dog Picture of the Week. (June 13th, 2012) Anax Retires!
Military Dog Picture of the Week. (June 6th, 2012) Guardians of the Night.
Also check out my new Video Page!
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Help a Veteran get a Dog
I’ve explained my deep connection to the power of the pooch to you all in a prior post. Here is an organization that I urge you to support. They are donating service dogs to veterans. It will cost you nothing to support their efforts. Here is their press release:
Dog Bless You Launches Social Media Challenge Grant to Pair Service Dogs with Military Vets in Need
Philanthropic Dog Community to Donate a Service Dog for Every 1,000 Follows to its Facebook, Tumblr or Pinterest Pages through the end of July;
Offers People a Way to Support Troops without Opening Wallet
Santa Monica, CA- Dog Bless You, a philanthropic community created to champion the selfless acts of dogs and celebrate the unique role they play in improving the human condition, issued a challenge grant today that will pair service and … Read More »
Breaking News!
Hi. As a subscriber to my site I wanted you to be one of the first persons to hear my great news. This week I signed an agency agreement with the Levine Greenberg Literary Agency. I am now represented by literary agent Victoria Skurnick.
I am super excited to finally land an agent. It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this point. I know there is much hard work to come before Paws on the Ground sees the book shelves. With your support I know I am ready for the challenge.
There were some dark days for me as I went through this process of landing an agent. One of the main things that helped me through this process was you. Whether it was funny or kind comments to one of my posts, just the very act of subscribing … Read More »
What Do You Do When You’re Rejected by Literary Agents?
When I last left you I had just left the James River Writing Conference with a full head of steam.
I sent out an email to all seven agents who had my novel. I updated them on my wonderful Pitchapalooza news, commitment of a blurb from a New York Times Best Selling author, all the while not asking for an update.
What was the response? Silence. Yep, nothing. My insecurities rose and I began to stress.
Two days later I received an email from the agent at the conference who requested my manuscript—rejection. Crap! I told myself this wasn’t her type of book anyway, but my confidence was beginning to dwindle.
A day later I received this email from agent Jeff XXXXXX:
“So I’ve given this a look and was disappointed to find that the first 150 pages on my e-reader … Read More »
Military Dog Picture of the Week. (June 20th, 2012) Video footage directly from Afghanistan!
Sgt. Anouska a Tactical Explosive Detection Dog has just found detonation cord under a T-wall and now stands at attention to let his handler know that he has found some explosives. This was a demonstration showcasing different types of military dogs and their capabilities at International Security Assistance Force Regional Command-South headquarters on Kandahar Air Field.
(Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jimmie Crockett)
As promised-actually footage of Working Dog Diego “sniffing it” Khandahar style!
Renco, a military working dog with the Provost Marshall’s Office, takes a well earned break after running a circuit obedience course. Renco and Lance Cpl. Sky T. Bryson, have worked together for almost ten months.
In case you missed or want to revisit prior weeks. Here are the links.
Military Dog Picture of the Week. (June 13th, 2012) Anax Retires!
Coba: The Army’s Newest Sensation
Story by Sgt. Christopher Gaylord
FORT IRWIN, Calif. – Her tail wagging uncontrollably as passersby brush their hands across her fur, Coba, a 3-year-old chocolate lab, often stands for a lot of things.
She’s the dog troops leave at home before deploying; the one they grew up with. She’s a fond memory, a beacon of happiness – temporarily, if nothing else – in a place far from home.
“I just have to ask. Can I pet her?” a soldier asked Coba’s trainer, who brought Coba to the National Training Center, where soldiers with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division are making final preparations for a fall deployment to Afghanistan, to demonstrate her capabilities as a bomb-sniffing dog.
“I miss my dog,” the soldier said, kneeling down to stroke Coba’s coat of thick, brown fur, his gentler side clearly getting … Read More »
Warning: The Bear Has Been Poked
You may wish to read Part I, John and the Lumbering “Honza Bear” or Part II, Honza Bear Roars and Then Sputters, of this series first before reading Part III below.
The steady cool breeze sends shivers down John’s back, but he isn’t cold. He can feel his chest pounding. He draws a mouthful of moist air into his lungs and then blows it out. He watches the big cloud of air form inches from his face.
“Woof. Woof.”
John turns and looks into the military police truck. He sees the yellow square shape head of Honza Bear and sighs. He knows this is their last chance to certify as a working dog team. They are supposed to be deploying to Afghanistan in two weeks. They had already failed once. If they fail today then he isn’t … Read More »
Military Dog Picture of the Week. (June 13th, 2012) Anax Retires!
Breaking news! Our hero, Military Working Dog Anax, has officially retired from the Army. You may remember that Anax lost his hind leg in Afghanistan.
His handler, best pal and now owner, Army Specialist Marc Whittaker has delivered Anax to his family in Texas. Anax will remain with Marc’s family until Marc returns permanently from Germany next fall.
Even though Anax lost his leg fighting for the United States in Afghanistan he currently receives no medical benefits. Marc is financially responsible for all costs to include any bills incurred related to his injury on active duty. Imagine if our nation had a similar policy for our 2-legged service members. The Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act will change this injustice.
Currently the Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act has passed the House of Representatives. Use this Read More »
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