
Monday, February 18, 2013
I’m Joining Killer Characters

Hello. I’m Lauren Vancouver. I’m delighted to say that I’m joining Killer
Characters as a regular contributor. The
reason I’m happy about that is not because it because it means I keep finding
myself in situations where I have to solve murder mysteries. No, what I want is to publicize my wonderful
no-kill pet shelter in L.A. ’s San
Fernando Valley , HotRescues.
Even more, I want to ensure that as many pets as possible are saved
there.
But somehow, I’ve been
dragged into solving killings. The first
time was because I was a suspect. Since
then, I’ve wound up helping friends clear themselves.
I’ve guest blogged here on
Killer Characters a couple of times to discuss some of those adventures,
memorialized in BEAGLEMANIA, THE MORE THE TERRIER, and HOUNDS ABOUND. There’s another that was just released this
month, in February 2013: OODLES OF POODLES.
The main reason I’m willing
to talk about those situations is that, in case you haven’t guessed it, I will
do nearly anything to rescue pets. If
that involves solving murders, well, then, I’ll do so.
When I was here before, I
talked a little about my background. I’m
pretty proud of it. In addition to
running HotRescues, I have two college-age kids. I don’t see enough of them, but I’m always
delighted when they come home for a visit.
I’m not alone, though. I have a
wonderful dog, Zoey, a Border collie-Australian shepherd mix who also helps me
at HotRescues.
I’m happy to say that,
unlike most shelters, HotRescues has no financial issues since it was founded
by Dante DeFrancisco, the wealthy magnate who runs the large pet store chain
HotPets.
Oh, and maybe I shouldn’t
mention him, but I do have a wonderful guy in my life, Captain Matt Kingston of
L.A. Animal Services. He is the officer
in charge of SMART, the Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team. The only problem with our relationship is
that he isn’t pleased at all that I’m out there solving murders now and
then. He worries about me. That’s sweet, but I can take care of myself.
In case you’re wondering,
since I the time when I was a murder suspect in BEAGLEMANIA, I’ve helped my
former mentor who was accused of murder in THE MORE THE TERRIER, as well as the
head of a very special pet sanctuary in HOUNDS ABOUND.
And
in OODLES OF
POODLES? My good friend Dr. Carlie
Stellan, a veterinarian who also has her own TV show about saving pets,
was
accused of murdering a Hollywood director who
was shooting a movie about a small pack of rescue poodles. Of course I
had to help Carlie. More to come about that story in future posts
here.
Yes, I’ll be back. And I’m glad.
If reading about me here encourages you to go read my stories--and learn
more about how wonderful it is to run a shelter, even when things go
wrong--well, all the better.
And always feel free to go
rescue a dog or cat or other pet yourself!
Linda O. Johnston writes the Pet Rescue Mysteries, a
spinoff from her Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mysteries. She also writes for Harlequin Nocturne and
Harlequin Romantic Suspense. Visit her
at www.LindaOJohnston.com, and friend her on Facebook.
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Welcome Lauren! My BFF is deeply involved in rescuing dogs and cats. Thanks to her, I have my sweet Daisy, a mixed breed hound who has been known to help me out when murder falls in my path. So good to have you aboard!
ReplyDelete~Sophie
Welcome! It's good to have you here!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Lauren.
ReplyDeleteDaisy sounds adorable, Sophie. Thanks for your welcome. And thanks to you, too, Elaine and Dru. --
ReplyDelete--Lauren (And Linda and Lexie, too.)
Live with 2 rescued Boxers, my son has 1 rescued Boxer and my daughter has a rescued Springer, Clumber Spaniel and a Boston Terrier. We recommend rescues to anyone who asks.
ReplyDeleteLove your attitude--and your whole family's, Annette!
ReplyDeleteI adopted my two dogs, Sally-Forth and Tally-Ho, from a rescue facility, and they're the sweetest dogs imaginable. They never seem to forget that I brought them home with me, and they always seem grateful.
ReplyDeleteCute names, Willow. My dog Zoey accompanies me everywhere. Our pets are definitely family!
ReplyDelete--Lauren
Welcome to the blog Lauren, I am looking forward to reading about your rescues. I am too allergic to have pets with fur, so I have some (secondhand) birds.
ReplyDelete