dog

The Zelda and Peach Photoshoot

IMG_1170
IMG_1200

I had a grand idea for a photoshoot with Zelda and Peach to help promote the release of the third book in the Zelda series The Adventures of Zelda: Pug and PeachI grabbed my camera, the dogs, and my husband and off we went to get some good pictures. I thought it would be a piece of cake. Last week, we went canoeing and managed to get some great shots of them while in a canoe with doggy life jackets!We jumped in the jetta and took a short ride to a nearby park. This was the first shot. As you can see, Peach and Zelda were not cooperating–double snaggleteeth and a tongue. We tried a few more times with no luck, so we switched locations, out of the sunlight.

At this point, Zelda's photogenic powers returned. She jumped onto this ledge on her own and was a champ while we snapped some pics.

IMG_1207

Peach, on the other hand, was still not cooperating. In fact, I think she wanted to kill us for putting her on this pedestal.

IMG_1212

We left the park and returned to our neighborhood and familiar territory. Peach was much happier here and we were finally able to get some good pictures. Well, almost.

IMG_1216

Peach refused to display her best feature–her ears. This was the closest we could get to a picture with Peach's ears standing up in all of their magnificence.

IMG_1225

Here's the shot I like the best. No Peach ears, but no weird sunlight or shade and more importantly, two happy dogs!

Don't forget to join in the launch week fun for your chance to win some Zelda books! Check out this post to learn how you can win some books or where you can buy the latest book in the Zelda series.

Happy Birthday Zelda Pug

IMG_0621 One winter night in February of 2012, my husband Brian and I received an email from his mother about a pug named Tucker who needed a home. We were thinking about adopting a dog, but we hadn’t started looking for a canine companion yet. My husband and I were thinking of adopting a Boston Terrier, but we both had a soft spot for pugs. After a couple days of deliberation, we called the owners about Tucker. Unfortunately, Tucker already found a new home. They did have another pug named Princess who needed a new home. We found out she was about 2 years old. The family had four pugs and four children and not enough space for everyone.

We arranged a time to meet Princess and hopefully take her home. Princess was about three hours away so we hit the road. When we arrived at the address, the owner carried Princess outside and placed her in my arms. I fell in love instantly. She was small for a pug (only 11 pounds) and her head was tiny. I knew she was coming home with us. We talked with the owner for a few minutes and knew Princess needed a good home. It was clear the conditions in the home weren’t great. The owner handed us the papers and Princess came home that day.

Brian and I decided to rename Princess. We wanted to keep the princess theme, so we went through the list of Disney princesses and video game princesses until we settled on Zelda. Zelda was the perfect name for this pug.

Today we celebrate Zelda's fourth birthday and just over two years since we rescued her! It's been quite an adventure with Zelda, but we love that she is a part of our family. 

Happy Birthday Zelda!

If you want to learn more about Zelda or her adventures, you can read the first chapter of the Adventures of Zelda series here or visit my books page to purchase a copy.

An Interview with Peach

Zelda gets much of the attention in our house since she is the star of own book series. She has many #pugchat friends and her cute little wrinkly face has been plastered over the internet. I think all this pug attention is giving Peach a bit of complex. She asked if she could be on the blog today so the world can get to know her. I thought it was a great idea, especially since the third book of the Zelda series is The Adventures of Zelda and Peach. 

Can you tell us a little about your life before Brian and Kristen adopted you?

I don't really like talking about my life before Brian and Kristen. I was stuck in a cage. I had lots of puppies and they were taken away from me.

Okay. Let's switch gears then. What is your favorite toy?

I have a hard time picking which toy is my favorite. I like the owl, the duck, the skunk tail, the angry bird. Oooooh and I love my blue nylabone too. They are all great. Sometimes I gather all the toys together and lie on top of them!

IMG_0508

What do you think is your best quality as a Boston Terrier?

The obvious answer is the ears. My ears are pointy and tall and they can forecast the weather. My ears signal if I am in a good mood or if I am on the prowl for squirrels. I also love my tongue because it gives kisses to people. I love giving kisses!

IMG_0532

What is something you like to do with your sister Zelda?

I love chasing Zelda and stealing her toys. We have tons of fun in our new home running in circles. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlqVnAC_Yr4]

Can you give any hints or information about the storyline in The Adventures of Zelda and Peach?

All I can say is the book has a polar vortex, a squirrel chase, an Easter Bunny and lots of snoring.

Thanks so much to Peach aka PDoodle for taking the time to share with us today. Look for her in the upcoming book The Adventures of Zelda and Peach.

Launch Day for the Second Saga of Zelda Pug!

IMG_0377 Zelda and I are super excited for the launch of  The Adventures of Zelda: The Second Saga. The second book of Zelda adventures centers on a big move and a search for a new friend. She has an encounter with a goose, meets Norman, steals some Thanksgiving turkey, and many  more adventures. If you like the first book, I know you will like the second!

If you are new to the series, read about the books here or read the first chapter of The Adventures of Zelda: A Pug Tale for free

Much like the first book, Zelda's Second Saga is available on all major e-book platforms and in paperback. For the first weekend, the e-book is only $2.99 so pick it up now and save a couple bucks.

If you are planning to pick up the book, I'd love for you to buy it today or this weekend and maybe the critical mass can send a curly tailed pug up the best seller charts!

Finally, if you read the first Zelda book or the second, the best way to support me is to spread the word. Please leave an honest review at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, or Goodreads. Or simply recommend the book to a fellow parent or pug lover. Thanks Friends!

The Adventures of Zelda: The Second Saga

Have you ever wondered what your dog is thinking?

Zelda the pug is back for a second round of adventures including a big move, new friends, and another encounter with Vacuum. The Adventures of Zelda is an exciting chapter book for young readers, providing a glimpse into the mind of a curious canine. But no matter your age, pug fanatics and dog lovers will enjoy the adventures of this enchanting pug who grabs life like a bone and won't let go.

BUY NOW:

Amazon (Kindle & Paperback)

Barnes & Noble (Nook Book & Paperback)

Kobo

Apple iBooks

Smashwords

The Adventures of Zelda: The Second Saga

Kristen_Otte_Book2-Front_Cover Have you ever wondered what your dog is thinking?

Zelda the pug is back for a second round of adventures including a big move, new friends, and another encounter with Vacuum. The Adventures of Zelda is an exciting chapter book for young readers, providing a glimpse into the mind of a curious canine. But no matter your age, pug fanatics and dog lovers will enjoy the adventures of this enchanting pug who grabs life like a bone and won't let go.

The Adventures of Zelda: The Second Saga will be released on January 2, 2014. I am super excited about the second book in the Zelda series and can't wait to share her adventures with you.

In preparation for release, I am giving away a limited number of advance review copies.  If you would like an early (free!) copy, in exchange for leaving an honest review at Amazon, Goodreads, Nook, or iBooks, send me a message by email ( kristenotte1 at gmail.com).

The first book in the series, The Adventures of Zelda: A Pug Talehas 14 positive reviews on Amazon and is available on all major ebook platforms (Amazon, Smashwords, Kobo, NookiBooks) or you can pick up a paperback copy from Amazon. Here's a few excerpts from the reviews:

"The Adventures Of Zelda is a wonderful, imaginative chapter book that captures your heart the first moment you meet Zelda.”

"My nine year old niece is a huge animal lover. She is having fun with this book, wondering about what happens next, curious about the other dogs in the stories, and now looking at her own dogs a little differently.”

"I’ve always wondered what dogs were thinking and this book captured it in a funny and touching way. Filled with lovable characters, this book invites you in and leaves you wanting more from Zelda! I can’t wait to share the stories with the kids in my life."