Hello. My name is Dandy. I’m one third of an act called “Deidre and her Dancing Doggies.” I’m the cute one. My brother Dondi and I are Scottish terriers, otherwise known as Scotties. Deidre is our human.
When we were puppies, Deidre chose us to be her pupils. She taught us to dance to all kinds of music. We’re quite famous. We’ve even been on television. We won a competition on a show called Variety Live and now we’ve been invited back for their “champion of champions” season. So far we’re miles ahead of the competition, or so the MC keeps saying.
For the duration of the taping, we’re staying in a condominium at a luxury ski resort in Maine. It’s a pretty neat place, complete with a fireplace and big picture windows that look out on the ski slopes. I don’t think dogs can learn to ski, but I’d like to get outside more than we do. Deidre doesn’t like to take us for walkies. She puts down something she calls pee pads instead. They feel funny under my paws—not like the ground at all. Still, they’ll do in a pinch.
As a rule, our days don’t vary much. Dondi and I sleep a lot. We don’t curl up together the way cats do, but we do like to touch paws. We have regular feeding times and regular rehearsal times, too. Right now we’re rehearsing in the condo, but Deidre says that next week we’ll be going over the hotel ballroom every day for rehearsals and recording sessions.
We already know all the other acts. The first half of the season was recorded at another location. Some of our competitors are very nice. Others are mean. One or two have something “wrong” about them. The person we like best is the lady who took pictures of us for this year’s Fabulous Dogs calendar. She’s photographing another calendar featuring acts from Variety Live. Her name is Valentine and she lives in something called an RV. When Deidre has to go somewhere and can’t take us along, Valentine takes care of us. She doesn’t make us stay in our carriers or on our leashes. We like her a lot.
So that’s pretty much what a typical day is like—sleep, eat, pee, poop, rehearse, play with Dondi, and visit Valentine. Today was different.
Someone came into the condo while we were all taking an afternoon nap. Whoever it was wrapped me up in a blanket and carried me outside. The next thing I knew, I had a seatbelt holding me in place and an engine was revving. We drove for what seemed like hours. I tried to chew my way out, but all I got for my trouble was a mouthful of wool. Finally we stopped. The driver hauled me out of the passenger seat and dumped me on the ground. I heard a door slam and then the sound of my dognapper driving away. By the time I fought my way out from under the blanket, I was all alone in the middle of nowhere in the middle of winter.
I walked for what seemed like miles over snow and slush. My paws felt like icicles. Then I almost got run over by a car, but that turned out to be a lucky break. The driver, a very nice woman named Liss, rescued me and promised to find my owner. I really like her a lot. Although I’d miss Dondi, I wouldn’t mind staying with her forever. There’s a problem with that, though—I don’t think her cats like me much and the one named Lumpkin is bigger than I am.
You can read more about Dandy’s adventures in The Scottie Barked at Midnight, the 9th book in the “Liss MacCrimmon” mystery series, published by Kensington. The first book in the series is Kilt Dead.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on Thursday, November 5 for your chance to win a signed copy of The Scottie Barked at Midnight. (US entries only, please.) Good luck everyone!
About the author
Kathy Lynn Emerson/Kaitlyn Dunnett is the author of over fifty Liss MacCrimmon books written under several names. She won the Agatha Award in 2008 for best mystery nonfiction for How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries and was an Agatha Award finalist in 2014 in the best mystery short story category for “The Blessing Witch.” Currently she writes the contemporary Liss MacCrimmon Mysteries (The Scottie Barked at Midnight) as Kaitlyn and the historical Mistress Jaffrey Mysteries as Kathy (Murder in the Merchant’s Hall). The latter series is a spin-off from her earlier “Face Down” series and is set in Elizabethan England. Her websites are www.KaitlynDunnett.com and www.KathyLynnEmerson.com
Sounds like a great series that I need to add to reading list.
I love Scotties so this will be put on the I need to read list…thank you for the contest…Also love the cover…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
The Scottie Barked at Midnight sounds like a delightful read, and the cover art is lovely. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of the book.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
This series with Scotties I must read. Thanks for the giveaway.
Brenda rango1971@yahoo.com
Love Scotties! + Westies too. Anyway thanks you for the chance. Can’t.wait to start this series.
Terrific series!
Aw, love the scottie dog…thanks for the chance to win 🙂
I really enjoy this series so I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the opportunity!
Ah, this story sounds like a fun read. I have never read anything by this author and am always hoping to find someone new to follow.
Sounds like a great series!
Looks like a great book to read while curled up with your dog!
I’m not familiar with this series, but since I love dogs and mysteries, it will go on my TBR list. Winning this would be great!
I am not familiar with this author but the book sounds great . I wanted to pick up the little dog and hug him.
Wonderful cover and book which is special. Thanks.
Love dogs so this should be fun.
this is a new series for me and one I’d like to try.
thanks for the chance.
I like your other series. This one sounds like one I would also enjoy.
To cute and another new author for me to look up, book sounds really cute and a good read. thank you for the chance to win
I was sold just from the cover. Your review makes it even more inviting. Thanks for the opportunity. robeader53@yahoo.com
I love dogs and the cover is so adorable. Thanks for the giveaway. scarletbegonia5858@gmail.com
Sounds like Dandy’s in for an adventure. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of his story.
New author to me and looks like a great series. Thank you for the contest!
Ooo, a nasty dog napper!
Thanks for the great post and chance to win. I’ve read all of this series and can’t wait to read this one.
I’m so glad Dandy found a rescuer — can’t wait to read the book — thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds like a fun book thank you for sharing
Dancing dogs? This has to be a great book!
Fun!! Sounds like a winner to me!
A series I need to binge-read!!!!
Thank you for the giveaway!!!!
Great post … this is a new author for me and I’m looking forward to reading her books!! Thank you for the chance to win a signed copy of The Scottie Barked at Midnight.
I have been enjoying this series since the beginning. Happy to see new one.
Thanks
Would love a chance to win this! Enjoyed the point of view from a Scottie!
Thanks!
I wonder if he ever makes it home and why was he kidnapped? I’d love to win this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Sounds like an enjoyable read! Thanks
I love this series, even though I’m a cat person–and who can resist dancing dogs?
contest is closed.