Dearest Readers,

They have been a while in the making, but our little parka-clad pugs are almost here! I hope you find Pugs Wearing Parkas as much fun to read as it was to write. These comical, endearing little heroes of the story tickle me, and illustrator Morgan Spicer's rendition of the rascals is perfection. Try not to smile...I dare you ;)

I love to share a little about where the ideas for stories came from, and believe it or not, this one was inspired by two actual pugs, actually wearing parkas :) Once upon a time, I had a doberman pinscher. She was a rescue from a shelter, had been abused, but despite her rough start, she remained the gentlest, kindest soul. We live in a lake community and I liked to walk her around the lake for exercise and fresh air. One day, we heard some significant commotion, and from behind some trees emerged two pugs dressed in parkas, complete with hoods. They charged down their driveway, and proceeded to surround us, barking ferociously.

Something about those smooshed little faces sticking out from under their hoods sent me into fits of laughter. I was trying to protect Muzzy, my dear doberman, who did not have a ferocious bone in her body, and was mortified by these petite attackers, but I confess, I was doubled over laughing. The owner came bustling down the driveway after the "hood"lums, very apologetic, and managed to wrangle them back into their own yard. But I have never forgotten them...so full of themselves in their silly jackets...and thought they would make great characters for a children's book. And a decade later, I discovered they do!

Keep reading together!

Hugs and Pugs,

Deb