Today I am happy to have a very special guest here: Alarna Rose Gray. Alarna describes herself as an aunt, animal lover, and writer. To me she is also a new friend.
AND she has a brand new book!
Hello Pepi: A Toy Dog is for Real
There was a little puppy
With a coat of raven silk,
A lightning splash upon his chest
And paws of peppered milk…
Hello Pepi is the first book in a wonderful new series for children young and old. It is about the special friendship between a toy dog and his most important person. The verse is smart, sweet and wonderful to read aloud. The illustrations make me nostalgic for the picture books from my childhood. In short, the books made me smile.
Pepi is also based on a true story.
Here is that inspiration in Alarna’s words:
Hello Pepi is a collection of memories that form a fictional narrative of the life of one small dog.
But not just any dog.
Pepi was a dog that burst onto the scene of my life in a most unexpected way.
Pepi, Age 1
I had no intention of getting a dog. My flatmate at the time had suffered a terrible loss and wanted to get a puppy. Although between us we already had four cats!
We took a long drive across the city to the other side of town, and it was as we stood in the living room of a European lady that the magic happened.
He was a tiny black and white fella who made gentle cooing noises as I held him in my palm.
My flatmate had chosen his brother, the runt of the pack, and not wanting to separate the two, I made a snap decision to take the puppy home. Who can resist the cuteness of a little dog who quacks at the sight of you?
And this is where the reason for my writing the series came about.
It’s a common story. We fall in love with pets because we’ve bred them to be cute for us. But sometimes we don’t realise what that decision means.
At the age of eighteen / nineteen, having a dog, in particular, made me feel grown up and independent – that idea of being responsible for another living creature who you take out into the world with you.
Then the reality comes in. They need to be fed. Walked. Bathed. Cleaned up after. Trained. Not to mention all the very costly vet bills.
Little dogs, in particular, are quite high maintenance. They might be small, but they make up for it in energy, and (quite often) noise!
I’m a very quiet person, and can also be impatient. So the two together meant that I was in for some ride with Pepi!
Pepi, age 2
It really wasn’t until someone close to me pointed out how clever he was, that I truly began to appreciate his energy. And that’s the bittersweet tragedy of having pets. I don’t think we always appreciate how much they know, or what they give us… until it’s gone.
He suffered something similar to a stroke at fifteen. Even at that age, people in the street thought he was still a puppy, because he was so small, and full of energy. But he was never quite the same after that. He started slowing down. He got dementia. That’s when I decided to chronicle his life and spirit in verse.
He loved having the story read to him. He was a very musical dog, and the rhythm of the rhyme made him jump up in excitement. He knew it was about him, and he’d talk back as I read aloud.
And that’s it, really. I wanted to share the joy of the experiences I had with him, as well as the lessons that I learned. My puppy parenting was far from perfect. But he always knew he was loved, and never held that against me. Except when I forgot to give him treats. Then he held a grudge . 🙂
Little dogs are also much maligned. People think they are stupid, or blame them for provoking their bigger dogs into a fight. But there’s a lot more to them than that. It just requires us to see the world a little through their eyes…
Beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your story Alarna.
The first three ebooks are available on Amazon here. But in celebration of the launch of her new series and the wonderful spirit of Pepi and friendship, Alarna would like to gift the first book to YOU.
So if you’d like an ebook of Hello Pepi #1, simply leave your email in the comments before Monday, December 10th.
Have an amazing weekend!
Coleen Patrick 
So wonderful to commemorate your beloved pet in this way. I am sure it will be a huge hit!
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Aw, thanks Susie – Pepi would have loved for you to say that! 🙂
Thanks so much, Coleen, for hosting me on your beautiful blog! (And I love that quote you started with – wonderful) 🙂
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You are so welcome!! I love the story and the inspiration behind it. 🙂
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It sounds as if Pepi led a wonderful life, Alarna. Thank you for sharing him with us.
PS: I also hold a grudge when I don’t get treats.
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Me too Pat!! 🙂
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LOL – thanks Pat! That’s fair enough, too 🙂
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Lovely story Ladies. I am a small dog person always. I love them all.
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Thanks Louise. 🙂
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They are certainly special – each with their own personalities. 🙂
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Wow, he looks like a canine superhero in the picture on the front of the book, with the lightning bolt on his costume and all — and the lightning represented not just his speed, but also his ability to strike affection into the hearts of all who beheld him. 🙂
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Oh, I so love how you describe what you see in that picture. You couldn’t have said it more perfectly 🙂
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I almost skipped this blog post today because we lost our dog, Midas, last winter — and I still tear up about it.
He was a big old lab — more golden than yellow, so the name “Midas” fit him.
Now we have a puppy, Jo, who is going to be mid-size, and we’re falling in love all over again, but we still miss Midas. You get another dog not to replace the one you lost … but because, well, you’re a dog person
I enjoyed reading about Pepi. Thanks for today’s post.
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So glad you did stop by, Beth. And so very sorry to hear of your loss. They leave such a mark on you – and no, they can never be replaced. Pepi only passed away in September, so I can relate to what you’re going through. May you have many happy years with your new puppy, Jo.
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Pepi is gorgeous! And the book cover is so appealing! And the poetry is wonderful – “paws of peppered milk” – such a perfect description! I am a shameless dog lover – have 2 rescue pups myself – and one of them has a nose and paws of cinnamoned milk 🙂 Anyway, loved the post Coleen and Alarna, and can completely relate to all the joys those little four-leggeds bring to our lives 🙂
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Glad to meet another shameless lover of dogs – especially those with milky paws! There’s kind of no middle ground when it comes to these furry beings, is there? Thanks so much for the compliments, Susanna 🙂
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Pepi was so cute! I love dogs, big and small. Congrats to Alarna on the new book release, and thanks Coleen for sharing it with us!
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I’m pretty sure Pepi thought he was cute – as did many of the big dogs who wondered if he were a dog at all! They are all so lovable. Thanks Jennette 🙂
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This is so exciting, Alarna! Congrats!
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Aw, thanks so much Nina, *hugs*.
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What a wonderful story! I love to hear the background for stories, and this one is especially poignant.
Shannon at Writing From the Peak
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Thanks Shannon – glad you enjoyed it as much as I did sharing 🙂
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I am really happy that your series seems to be taking off, Alarna. This definitely sounds like a series to treasure.
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Appreciate your encouraging comment, Kate – thank you! 🙂
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What a beautiful little series. Our pets really do become part of our family and can inspire us in so many ways. I picked up your book for my daughter. I’m sure she will enjoy exploring it on her new Christmas gift. 😉 Good look with Pepi’s running story.
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Oh, how lovely of you Debra! I really hope your daughter enjoys his little tale 🙂
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What a wonderful story. I, too am partial to small dogs. We lost our wonderful miniature schnauzer this year and still mourn him. My other two dogs offer a lot of comfort, though. I am confident your series of Pepi will do well. Best of luck with it
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Oh, the mini schnauzer is a beautiful little dog – so sorry for your loss. I’m sure the other dogs must also be sad, but at least you have each other. Thanks Lynette 🙂
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Your story with Pepi is so touching Alarna. I told you this before but I loved your first book, so well written and the pictures are very nice.
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Rita! I didn’t catch this comment. Thank you so much, I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the read! 🙂
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Sorry I’m so late in reading this post. I love Alarna, such an amazing friend and talented writer. I bought all three books and am so impressed with them. I’m looking forward to the rest of the Hello Pepi series and wish Alarna great success with her books. I think it’s wonderful that this series is based on her real dog. Such an awesome tribute to Pepi!
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Lynn, thank you so much for your support. It means the world to me! Hope you are well and heading into an enjoyable and restful holiday… Much love to you xx
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