Please welcome, author Nancy Mehl and Watson!

Le: What is your favorite kind of a pet? Dog, cat, guinea pig? And why?

NM: I love all kinds of animals, but I’m probably drawn more to dogs than anything else. They are so loyal and unique. Every dog I’ve owned has had a different personality.

Le: How many pets do you have today?

NM: Just one now. Last year was tough. We lost two dogs that had been with us for many years. Rosie was fourteen, and Eddie was only nine. He had cancer. He was my best bud.

Le: Oh, I am so sorry. I know how hard it is to lose our beloved pets. I lost a cat two years ago and I still miss her. She was our rescue kitty. Have you ever rescued an animal?

NM: Every pet we’ve ever had except one was a rescue animal. Our current dog was rescued from the Humane Society.

Le: That’s terrific! Do you ever incorporate animals into your novels?

NM: Yes. In fact, I can’t think of a novel that hasn’t had an animal! LOL! I have two new series debuting this year. In my Harmony series, there is a cat named Snicklefritz and a dog named Buddy. Buddy is fashioned after Eddie. And in my Curl Up and Dye series, there is a dog named…Watson! Funny thing is, I wrote the book before we got “our” Watson. And I’d totally forgotten about the fictional Watson since publication of the book was delayed for a while due to changes with the publisher. It was quite a surprise when I remembered the connection!

Le: Oh, how fun! What was your favorite character animal?

NM: Oh, my. When I was a child, I’d have to say it was Black Beauty. Now, it would be hard to pick one, although I adored Eddie, the dog in Frasier.

Le: I love Eddie! Has one of your own pets been the inspiration for a pet/character in a novel?

NM: Yes, Eddie is Buddy in my Harmony series. And although the Watson in the Curl Up and Dye mysteries is an eight-year old pug, and my Watson is a one-year old puggle, they are definitely connected.

Le: What is the funniest thing you’ve seen one of your animals do?

NM: They’ve all been rather funny, but Watson is really hysterical. He’s the first dog we’ve had who watches TV. If any kind of animal comes on, he runs to the TV, stands up on his back legs and stares at them. Many times he barks too. (One day he put his paw up to touch a dog and changed the channel!) Oh, just thought of something else. We have a fireplace stove with a glass door. One day he saw himself in the door. He stared at the image for a while, and then he peeked behind the stove, trying to find the dog he saw looking back at him from the glass! LOL!

Le: That’s funny! Is there a secret that only our pet knows?

NM: Too many to mention.

Le: Not fair! What is your pet’s pet peeve about you?

NM: Well, he doesn’t like it when I won’t play “tug the rope” with him. He keeps tapping my leg with his rope until I give in.

Le: What is your pet peeve about your pet?

NM: We’re still trying to convince him that he doesn’t have to protect me when my husband wants to hug or kiss me! LOL!

Le: Ah, how sweet…and uh…well, not so sweet. Funny though. Thank you so much for taking the time to be with us, Nancy! Now, I’d love to ask Watson a few questions. Don’t forget to give your sweet pet a treat afterwards. ☺

Hi, Watson! You are sooo cute! What would be the title of your autobiography?

W: The Long Walk by Watson Mehl. (Yes, I know Stephen King wrote a book with the same title, but walks are my very favorite thing! Besides, I don’t think he wrote about the same kind of walk. Although I wouldn’t know because I can’t actually read.)

Le: If you were to write a novel, would your friend inspire one of the characters?

W: Yes, the main character. I love her sooooooo much. She’s my best friend.

Le: That’s so sweet! What’s your favorite movie?

W: I’ve only seen one movie. My owners checked it out just for me. It was called “Hotel for Dogs.” I loved it. I barked a whole lot. Even though it’s not a movie, my favorite TV show is “The Dog Whisperer!”

Le: That is a good show! I haven’t seen the movie but I’ll have to rent it for my doggies. What musical instrument would you like to play?

W: Hmmmm. Well, I toot a lot so I guess a trumpet. But I’m not really talking about that kind of “tooting.”

Le: LOL! What do you think about cats? Dogs?

W: I love all of ‘em, but cats are a little different. There’s a cat in our neighborhood that comes right up to visit with me. I like him, but if I get too close, he makes a funny hissing noise. I don’t like that.

Le: Where do you sleep at night?

W: In bed with my owners. Where else would I sleep????

Le: That sounds like the perfect spot. What do you do when your friend is writing?

W: Sometimes I like to sit on a special seat she put in her office just for me. I can look outside while she works. Sometimes I take a nap on the seat, and sometimes I take a nap by her feet. But other times I get bored and go downstairs. Then I take a nap in her special chair.

Le: What is your idea of bliss?

W: Hmmmm. A walk with my owners. And cuddling up with my best friend while she snoozes in her favorite chair.

Le: That sounds lovely. What is your friend’s idea of bliss?

W: Cuddling up with me in her favorite chair – after her writing is done for the day!

Le: Now that does sound perfect! Thank you so much for being with us today! You take care of your friend now, ya hear?

W: I will. I promise. One other thing – my friend typed all these answers for me because I don’t know how to use a computer and I don’t have fingers. Just wanted to be honest about it…
Le: Well, I appreciate that Watson. And your friend is a professional at the typing thing. ;)

Labels: christian author, interview, Nancy Mehl, pets