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| SMART PIGGY'S NEWSLETTER By Audrey Wood Compiled by Heath Uliasz October 1999 Issue #8 Dear Friends, It’s been twenty-six years since I’ve faced the challenge and delight of raising babies. My first baby, our son, (illustrator Bruce Robert Wood) was a "piece of cake" compared to the babies I am now dedicated to serving twenty-four hours per day. The two precocious, time-gobbling infants to which I am referring are our adopted pug puppies, Sumo and Duffy. Our lives have recently been thrown into a total chaos of frustration, worry, and sublime happiness. Here’s what happened, and the reason I missed sending you our September newsletter. Pugmania I researched the subject of acquiring a puppy thoroughly, and learned (through both books and breeders) that two puppies would be less trouble than one. They would "keep each other happily entertained and wear each other out." This, I thought, would allow me more time for my writing and illustrating. I could just imagine myself working intensely on a creative project for several hours, then taking a much needed "puppy break," complete with kisses, play and laughter. The puppies, of course, would be patiently waiting for me in their playpen -- fed, groomed and ready to fulfill their duties as trusty little lap dogs. That sounds good, but no one seemed to take into account that puppies are individuals and each has it’s own schedule dictated by their particular dispositions. I quickly discovered that our seven week old puppies slept at different times, awakened at different hours, and even wanted to be fed on different schedules. Our larger puppy, named Sumo (we sometimes call him Buddha Belly because his stomach is rather large and round) awakens at dawn convinced he should call the animal abuse hot line because he is going to die from imminent starvation. Duffy, on the other hand, prefers to languish in bed until nine or so and refuses to touch a morsel of food until he’s had a nice massage and our book The Napping House read to him. The Pug Diet In my first two weeks of being a pug mom I found myself becoming progressively more exhausted as I valiantly tried to keep up with their individual schedules. All of my writing and illustrating projects had to be put on hold. After getting one puppy groomed, fed, awakened or to bed, the other little darling was ready for his rightful turn. Eating became something I managed on the fly between puppy duties. Like a new mother with a baby, I found myself snatching naps when the puppies fell asleep. Exercise? I didn’t have time anymore, but that didn’t matter - I got plenty of exercise running up and down our stairs carrying twenty pounds of wiggling puppies in my arms! When my fourth pug week rolled around I had at least managed to get Sumo and Duffy’s schedules a bit closer together. This was accomplished by hiring an expensive puppy trainer, following her sage advice, and ignoring our puppy’s woeful sad looks. After five weeks of intense pug mothering the time had arrived, or so I thought, for the puppies to be left on their own -- to entertain themselves while I, at last, got back to my work. Unfortunately, our pugs found themselves much too entertaining. Like wound up toys they dashed madly about their penned up area, rolling, tumbling, nipping, scratching and loving each other to pieces until one eventually scratched the other’s eye. Sumo’s red, gooey barely open left eye required an expensive visit by the vet, on Sunday morning of course. The vet pronounced the weeping eye to be "a slight corneal abrasion" and required us to separate the pugs "until they are more mature and better behaved. That’s the best thing to do." Two Painful Decisions Sumo and Duffy did not agree with their doctor’s prescription. Mournful whines could be heard from their separate pens. Their once ravenous appetites were replaced with picky eating and even the Buddha Belly left food on his plate. I was desperate. Our puppies were unhappy. My doggy raising dreams had been shattered. Something had to be done for the pugs’ sake and for mine. Because they were still so young it occurred to me that perhaps the humane thing to do would be to return one to the breeder. I rationalized that they would be happier as single dogs in separate homes. As for myself, I had managed to raise one child successfully in my life; perhaps I was destined to raise one dog at a time. I called the breeder and she agreed to take one of the puppies back, as a matter of fact, she could even place it in another home immediately. Here’s where the plot thickens. Up to this point you have probably surmised who had taken complete responsibility for raising our pugs - me. Don and I had agreed on this course of action because -- (A) I wanted the puppies, and (B) Don is on a tight illustration deadline and didn’t have time to do anything but paint. So I made a painful decision -- we would keep Sumo. Duffy would be returned, to be sent to another home. Don’s reaction to my plan came as a total surprise. I guess I hadn’t taken into account the bonding that had occurred between my husband and our pugs. I should have known, after all it was Don’s suggestion to take the legs off our bed and lower it to the ground so the puppies could snuggle with us in our bed at night. It was Don who kept the cameras loaded, snapping endless rolls of film and documenting the pugs’ lives on video. Don was the one who delighted in creating all sorts of ingenious puppy games and toys for them to play with. And there was that night I awakened at 2 AM to find Don, a tape recorder in his hand, documenting the hilarious snoring, snuffling noises Sumo and Duffy make while they sleep! Faced with returning Duffy to the breeder and breaking up our happy, hectic home, Don made his own painful decision. If the puppies had to be separated for a period of time, he would take responsibility for Duffy, and Sumo would become my charge. A call to our puppy trainer confirmed the wisdom of the plan. "They will be better suited to obedience training later if each dog bonds with one of you, instead of to each other." The Country Pug and the City Pug Don’s small studio looks like a little cottage. It is situated in the very back of our property over a dry stream bed. The path to the studio winds past flower gardens, across a green lawn, and under beautiful spreading oak trees. When you walk out to his studio, even though it's in the city, you feel as though you are on a little country stroll. My studio is situated just behind our house. Although you cross a brick patio bordered with small flower gardens and potted plants, my studio feels like its in the city and is continually humming with the activity of communal projects. Our assistant and our web-master sometimes work there helping me create the newsletter, organizing correspondence and maintaining our two web sites (www.audreywood.com and www.woodstudios.com). Duffy now spends his days in Don’s studio. He plays outside in a large grassy area bordered by a little white picket fence. Because Don allows Duffy to run as free as Huckleberry Fin, we like to call him the "country pug." The country pug can choose to stay in the studio or doze in the daisies outside. He can also chew on sticks or anything that strikes his fancy. Most of the time Duffy can be seen lounging on Don’s back porch, with his signature leaf hanging out of the side of his mouth. With his square body and flat face he looks like a miniature Churchill chewing on a cigar. We like to call Sumo, my dog, the "city pug" because I am raising him completely opposite from the way in which Don is raising his dog. Sumo is never allowed to go outside my studio unless I give him permission to do so, and then he must be accompanied by me and trotting by my side, hopefully at the proper distance just behind my left foot. The city pug is not allowed to chew on any leaves, dig in my potted plants or scrounge for tasty bugs. Sumo can be often seen sitting on his satin pillow next to my desk chewing on his plush teddy bear. The city pug dotes on the two massages I give him each day and asks to be brushed every night. He adores the sweet oils I sprinkle on his coat and enjoys wearing his sailor T-shirt when it’s slightest bit chilly. Our son, Bruce Robert, calls him "the royal pug." Pug Ideas Throughout the day, both pug parents take breaks and allow their babies supervised playtimes together. During these times, like parents meetings at a park, Don and I compare notes and discuss our pug’s problems, achievements and progress. Although we are raising Sumo and Duffy differently, much to our delight, both are developing at the same speed into happy, healthy, little dogs. They have become better behaved, appreciate each other’s company, and can stay together for longer periods without getting too rowdy. I now have time to cook our dinners, work on my projects and get the newsletter out for October. Don is going to work earlier and working later – but he’s still confident he will make his quickly approaching deadline. Will there be stories and books based on our puppy experiences? Only time will tell, but I’ve already dropped a dozen ideas based on our puppies into my "idea box." I think it’s a safe bet that there will be a pug book on the future Don and Audrey Wood’s list. If so, someday you might say, "Yeah, I know just where she got that idea. I read all about it in Smart Piggy’s Newsletter, years ago!" -AW Find out what Sumo and Duffy look like: Enter the Clubhouse at www.audreywood.com and click on the "Fan Bag" link. Then click on the "Audrey’s Animal Friends" link. THE REAL DEAL! We are often asked if King Bidgood is based on a real, historical character. The truth is that King Bidgood was modeled after Don's old college friend, Harold Bidgood! To find out what the real King Bidgood looks like and what his real job is: Enter THE CLUBHOUSE at http://www.audreywood.com and click on the "Top Secret" link. Then click on the "More Secrets" link. Then click on the "Next" link on the wood paneled navigation bar at bottom. Then click on the "King Real" link. *********************************************************************** ENTER WOOD STUDIOS! Over the years we’ve had numerous requests from fans who would like to purchase art from our books. So, we’ve decided to open our own online art gallery. Wood Studios (Audrey, Don, and Bruce Wood) presents STORYBOOK FINE ART GALLERY which features fine art prints from our books such as, THE NAPPING HOUSE, KING BIDGOOD’S IN THE BATHTUB, SILLY SALLY, PIGGIES, HECKEDY PEG, and THE CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE OF SPACE ELF SAM. Our fine art prints can now be purchased directly from us online. Every print is personally proofed by the artist and autographed. Even if you aren’t a collector you can tour our online art gallery just for the fun of it, www.woodstudios.com. *********************************************************************** HOW TO ENCOURAGE AN ARTISTIC CHILD! When I travel, parents often ask me "What can I do to help bring out my child’s artistic side, besides providing her with art materials? I can’t draw a straight line and I know nothing about art." One of the most important things you can do to inspire a budding artist (two and up) is to show her the elements of art that can exist in the world around her. Wherever you go point out colors, textures, shapes and interesting lines. Encourage your little artist to be aware of the beauty, and visual drama around her. "Look at the pink in the sky. Doesn’t it remind you of cotton candy? Isn’t that field pretty? See how the dew shines like little diamonds on every grass blade! Look! There’s a rainbow in the water on the sidewalk! Look at the city. Doesn’t it seem like it’s made from your building blocks?" An artist essentially records what she sees in the world around her and expresses it in her art. Teach your little artist to have "art eyes" and you will give her the tools she needs to grow into a mature artist. *********************************************************************** THAT SPECIAL TOUCH! We have had such a great response from fans who want us to personalize and autograph bookplates for their books. I thought I’d share a few with you. Hi Audrey, Just wanted to let you know your bookplates were a great addition to our library shelf. The children love to read your books and they really enjoy seeing your signature plus the cute drawing you put on each bookplate. I’m working on getting a complete collection of Wood books. Would you please sign ten more bookplates with my name and classroom on each one? Thank you. Bessy Hendrix (First grade teacher) E-mail Dear Audrey, I was thrilled to find out that you are willing to take the time to autograph bookplates and even include the names. My children have a huge library of books and there is not a night that goes by that they don’t include one of your books during our reading time. I have two books that you autographed for me at a bookstore in Dallas, Texas. Our kids feel very special when they read their names included in their book written in Audrey Wood’s hand! I think they like to believe that you wrote the book just for them. Please autograph the three bookplates I am sending you with their names…. Marian Rush (mother of four) Texas Dear Audrey, I’m sending you twenty bookplates (please just autograph them) because I love to make gift baskets for my friends who are having baby showers, or kids in my family who are having birthdays or special occasions. It’s really fun. I stand one or two of your books up in a basket (the autographed bookplate is inside the book). Depending on the occasion, I add some fruit, candy, and some small inexpensive little toys. I then cover the basket with colored saran wrap. My baskets are huge hits. I wish you could hear all the squeals of delight! Marjorie McCombes (Early education major) E-mail *********************************************************************** MATCH MAKER! MATCH MAKER! Have you ever wondered how and why an illustrator gets assigned to work with a particular author? Audrey Wood’s editor, Bonnie Verburg, created a winning team when she brought Audrey and David Shannon together to create their book THE BUNYANS. To find out more: Enter THE CLUBHOUSE at http://www.audreywood.com and click on the "Meet The Artists" link. Then click on the "David Shannon" link. Then click on the "Work Together" link. *********************************************************************** A THOUGHTFUL PRESENT! Christmas and Hanukah are just around the corner and it’s time to start making out your list. Would you like to give a beloved child a present that shows thought and effort? A gift that is as unique as your loved one? After years of touring in the Fall and speaking with those parents and teachers who were purchasing multiple books, we have learned a holiday season truism. Yes – the heavily hyped, bright plastic toys get most of the attention when the presents are unwrapped, but in 30 days, their novelty has worn off, or they are broken. It is not unusual, on the other hand, for a signed book to last a decade. Many times a child presented with a signed book will treasure it, and end up reading it years later to their own children. Now that’s a gift. With this in mind, we are offering to personalize and autograph bookplates for Audrey and Don and Bruce Wood books. The bookplate(s) will be dedicated to the recipient, autographed by the artist(s), and will have a hand-drawn illustration. All you need to do is send the bookplate(s) and a S.A.S.E. (self addressed stamped envelope) to us at: Audrey Wood PO Box 92239 Santa Barbara, CA 93190-2239 This will be a Christmas present they will cherish and remember forever! Don Wood *********************************************************************** WHEW! I ALMOST MISSED THAT! The last time you visited THE CLUBHOUSE did you leave with the unsettling feeling that you may have missed something important? There is a way to make sure you have visited all areas of interest to you while you were at THE CLUBHOUSE. To do this: Enter THE CLUBHOUSE at http://www.audreywood.com and click on the "Lost and Found" link. *********************************************************************** AND THE WINNER IS... Congratulations to Barbara Wright of Cary, North Carolina! Barbara won a free autographed copy of THE RED RACER from Audrey and Don Wood! AUGUST CONTEST QUESTION WAS: In the book THE RED RACER, who fished Nona’s old bicycle from the pond? ANSWER: Mr. Carp! Thanks for all of your entries. Enter our October contest and you could win an autographed copy of the book, HECKEDY PEG. Have a Happy Halloween! *********************************************************************** NEW SUBSCRIBERS! Would you like to check out past Smart Piggy's Newsletters? Enter the CLUBHOUSE at http://www.audreywood.com and click on the "Parents and Teachers" link or the "Fun Bag" link, then click on "Smart Piggy's Newsletter Past Issues" link. Don’t forget to use our free, book related, activity pages. Each one can be printed out for hours of fun and learning. Enter the CLUBHOUSE at http://www.audreywood.com and click on the "Activity Pages" link. *********************************************************************** Keep your questions and suggestions coming! Warmest Regards, Audrey Wood Info@audreywood.com http://www.audreywood.com http://www.woodstudios.com |
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