I love my wiener ...

Wiener dog that is (what were you thinking?!).


My dog Luna, or "Lil Black Dog" as I affectionately refer to her as, is my almost two-year-old black and tan dachshund x staffy, and the best money I ever spent!

She's a funny looking little thing ... well she is half sausage dog, half staffy - but despite the funny mix, she's beautiful and people always talk to me and giggle and remark at how cute she is when they see her. She took after her father, the sausage dog, in terms of colouring and while she's not as long as a dachshund, she's definitely longer than other dogs. The staffy in her means that she's a little taller than and "thicker" in the body than a purebred dachshund - and she's strong. Very strong. She has the sweetest, most softest floppy ears too.

Despite her looks, she's also a complete and utter sook, and the most beautiful little soul you will ever meet. Now, warning, I do tend to talk about Luna quite a bit ... people often wonder why I am so smitten by this little dog, but upon meeting her they all say that yes, they can totally see why I am so completely smitten by her. She really is a gentle and sweet little thing. And happy. So very happy, and fat. Well not fat, fat, but plump. She's well fed and loved. Yes, I gush about her a lot.

I took her to the dog park at New Farm Park today, and we were the only ones there. She had a whole dog park to roam around in, all to herself, yet she hovered around me most of the time. She eventually started to chase birds and run around on her own, but I have to say, I was a bit disappointed that there were no other dogs in the park for her to play with. Oh, well. I'll just have to take her back again!

Because I am always "going to" ...

Another reason I am committing myself to my New Year's resolution of reading one to two novels per month, is because I have many books sitting in my book shelf that I haven't actually read, despite owning them for some time now. I am one of those "I am going to" type of girls, and then I get distracted by something else that's bright and shiney, often things get put to the way-side. But not anymore! It's all about to change, especially considering that upon inspecting my bookshelves tonight, I discovered 10 books I have never read.

I have MANY more books I want to buy and read, so if I want to buy, I need to actually read these 10 "new" books I have already purchased in the past 12 months. I have:

• Jayne Ayre by Charlotte Bronte : I am yet to read a classic ... did I just admit that in type?
• Tell Me Where It Hurts by Dr. Nick Trout : again, a book with a dog on the front cover. I said it before, and I'll say it again ... sucker!
• Eva Luna by Isabel Allende : I purchased this book based on the fact that my dog's name is Luna and my brother's dog's name is Eva. Dog related!
• White Gardenia by Belinda Alexandra : have no idea what this book is actually about - a gift I purchased a while back for my husband's sister, that didn't end up going to her for some reason.
• Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice : I am addicted to anything relating to fantasy, magic and the supernatural (and don't say I didn't warn you!).
• The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman : loved the movie, must read this!
• Atonement by Ian McEwen : I refuse to see the movie before reading.
• Vampire Academy: Frostbite by Richelle Mead : the second book in the Vampire Academy series. Love!
• Dexter; An Omnibus by Jeff Lindsay : Dexter is one of my favourite TV shows ever!
• Trueblood Omnibus by Charlaine Harris : what did I say about the supernatural?

Got a LOT of reading to do by the looks of it, and with my wishlist growing daily: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold; Marley & Me by John Grogan; and Fallen by Lauren Kate; along with series books (got to LOVE a series) such as His Dark Materials; Vampire Academy; Trueblood; and Evernight by Claudia Grey; I have my work cut out for me!

Maybe I should make this "resolution" last a lifetime! Put it this way, my husband would forever be happy cos with a lifetime of reading I am not going to have time to go shopping!

I'm a sucker for anything dog related ...

So, I have decided that one of my New Year's resolutions for 2010 is to read at least one to two novels per month (and thus one of the reasons for starting this blog!).

This resolution came to me last night, after I finished reading the most amazing novel I just happened to pick up, randomly, in Borders on Boxing Day when I was spending the vouchers I received on Christmas Day (if you ever want to buy me a present, book store vouchers are accepted with open arms).

Now, they say you should never judge a book by its cover, but the cover is what made me pick this book up. I admit, I was actually looking for The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (which, by the way is sold out everywhere at the moment - dying to read it), when I happened to come across a novel with a picture of a dog on the front cover - a picture of a dog sporting the most beautiful puppy dog eyes. The cover art grabbed my attention straight away (yes, Mr Graphic Designer, from one designer to another you did your job VERY well!) as I am a sucker for anything dog related (in case you don't know me, heads up, I am obsessed with my little dachshundXstaffy - but more about her later), so I picked up the book and read the blurb. I knew I just had to buy it and read it.

The book I am talking about is called The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. I won't give the story away, but it's simply a book about life from a dog's point of view. It may sound childish, but I can tell you now, it's anything but. This book is amazing, a complete work of art. I have never cried and laughed so much while reading a book in my life. I thought Marley & Me (the movie - haven't had a chance to read the book as yet), made me bawl my eyes out while laughing simultaneously, but this book, it's something else. A great piece of writing that tugs on the heart strings and leaves you wanting more, and wondering whether or not your pet dog is like the story's dog, Enzo.

And to think I may have never picked this book up unless the cover art called to me! So here I am passing the love on ... I urge you to read it!