%2B(320x240)%2B(2).jpg)
Sarah McNeal is a multi-published author of
several genres including time travel, paranormal, western and historical
fiction. She is a retired ER nurse who lives in North Carolina with her
four-legged children, Lily, the Golden Retriever and Liberty, the cat. Besides
her devotion to writing, she also has a great love of music and plays several
instruments including violin, bagpipes, guitar and harmonica. Her books and
short stories may be found at Publishing by Rebecca Vickery, Victory Tales
Press, Prairie Rose Publications and Painted Pony Books, and Fire Star Press,
imprints of Prairie Rose Publications. She welcomes you to her website at Website and
I am so excited to talk about the new anthology for
Halloween, COWBOYS, CREATURES, AND
CALICO, Vol. 1 from Prairie Rose Publications. There are 2 volumes with 12
authors, just in case you wanted to know—and I know you do. My contribution IN
VOLUME 1 is THE BEAST OF HAZARD.
Saving The Beasties
I care about animals, deeply, and I think I’ve
wanted to write a story about something I feel strongly about: private citizens
keeping exotic pets. The very idea of ordinary citizens who may not know
anything about the pets they keep, locking up these animals in their houses, or
on their property just scares and saddens me.
I don’t know if any of you remember the tragic event
in Ohio last year when a disgruntled man committed suicide after releasing his
collection of exotic pets, but I remember it vividly. Into a community of
unsuspecting citizens, this man released tigers, lions, bears, and other exotic
pets just when kids were out there waiting for school buses and grown-ups were
going outside to pick up the morning paper on their lawns and porches.
The animals were just doing what animals do, looking
for some food. I’m sure they were hungry and frightened as well. To protect the
people from becoming prey, the police and wild life service hunted down and
killed all the animals. The animals always pay for the indiscretions of their owners.
If you want to read about this incident, here is the link:
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/44970708/ns/us_news-life/t/ohio-owner-exotic-animals-was-deep-debt/#.VCmi7l_u1jo
If you want to read about this incident, here is the link:
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/44970708/ns/us_news-life/t/ohio-owner-exotic-animals-was-deep-debt/#.VCmi7l_u1jo
So, when the opportunity presented itself in the Halloween anthology, I decided to tell a story about a wild thing, starved and mistreated, released to fend for itself in my fictional town of Hazard, Wyoming. It will naturally look for food in all the wrong places. The ranchers are up in arms when they begin to lose livestock, and the children of Hazard are getting ready to go Trick-or-Treating. Joey Wilding, a veterinarian, and Clare Beau, an animal trainer, search for answers.
THE
BEAST OF HAZARD
A Terrorized Town…A
Killer Beast…And Deliverance
Joey Wilding
isn’t certain what’s killing the livestock in Hazard. Some believe it’s a
bewitched beast, others a wolf gone rabid. As the town veterinarian, he’s seen
mutilation before, but not like this, as if something enjoyed the killing.
When Clare
Beau asks Joey to help her injured wolf-dog, and begs his discretion, he begins
to suspect he has found the Beast of Hazard—and its beautiful mistress. But as
he walks through the woods after dark, something more ominous than any wolf
stalks him from the shadows.
Excerpt:
Joey
heard something rustling in the loft followed by a groan. The mother dog he was
treating seemed restless and growled as if to warn something lethal away from
her puppies. The horse with a healing wound from an abscess on its leg in the
next stall whinnied anxiously. The hair on the back of Joey’s neck prickled
with the sense that something dangerous was near. Whatever was up in the loft,
it was frightening his patients. Before he could go up and investigate, his
cousin, Hank Wilding, burst through the door into the veterinary clinic,
formerly his grandfather’s barn. Hank seemed breathless and agitated.
“Is that
heifer about to deliver, Hank? You seem upset. Is something wrong? You need
some help?” Joey asked as he approached Hank.
Hank
took the flat brimmed hat from his head and held it in his hand. Joey noticed
the serious expression on his face and the worry in his eyes once the hat no
longer shadowed his face. “Do you live in a cloud, Joey? I’ve lost another calf
and its mother to that damn Beast.
Surely, you’ve heard about the Beast of Hazard. Everyone in town is talking
about it. Two days ago, Sam lost his prize bull and now Jake has lost a cow and
her calf. It’s not exactly something to
laugh about.”
Both
volumes of COWBOYS, CREATURES, AND CALICO will be available on October 2. You
can preorder COWBOYS, CREATURES, AND
CALICO, VOL.1 with my story, THE BEAST OF HAZARD by using the
link below.
Hi Sarah. I like this! Being an animal person myself, if something mentions animals (or 'beasties', you a Jack Sparrow fan too?) it is a draw straight away. I was totally amazed when I read about that man letting all his animals loose! It would be too upsetting to read, but I hope no-one was hurt (other than the selfish man himself!) His mind must have been in a terrible, awful place for him to do such a thing. Anyway, lighter things (well a little!) The excerpt here certainly had the hairs standing up. I live on my own now, don't scare me into thinking something might be waiting in my loft!! I like the sound of Joey. Oh well another on the TBR pile! Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteJill, I AM a Jack Sparrow fan. My favorite line from the first movie was, "Take all and give nothing back." We're on the same radio wave.
DeleteThe man who let loose all the animals was in financial difficulties and his wife left him. He committed suicide, but some of his hungry animals found him--and that's all you need to know about that. Jack Hannah did get a law passed in Ohio about the trade and sale of exotic, dangerous pets. God bless him, but that's just one state. What really scares me are people who own snakes like black mambas and cobras without any real expertise on how to handle them...and accidents do happen.
I'm so glad my excerpt creeped you out. That's what it's supposed to do. Joey is just a beautiful man inside and out. Eventually, I'll write about his protégé, his sister's adopted son, Dane.
I live alone, too, and I like it. My dog makes me feel safe. Luckily, I don't have a loft. Thank you so very much for coming by and commenting, Jill. If you do get this anthology, I think you'll really enjoy it. I've already started reading mine and am loving the stories from the other authors. There's a passel of good stories in both volumes.
Sarah, I always enjoy your Wilding stories, and now that I know a bit more about this one, I'm even more eager to read it.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you about keeping exotic animals as "pets." What makes people do that? Is there some need inside those people to be different? To show off? To prove their mastery over nature, their strength, their fearlessness?
Animal sanctuaries are one thing. I respect knowledgeable, trained folks who provide appropriate living conditions and care for abandoned circus animals and other exotics, but the average citizen "owning" such animals is just asking for trouble all around, IMO -- not because they don't wish the best for the creatures, but because it's cruel to remove magnificent beasts from their natural environment. Despite the "owner's" best intentions, wild animals can be dangerous, no matter how tame they may seem. In addition, the animals may not get the proper care.
You sound like me, Kathleen.
DeleteI watch too much animal planet. They have a series called "Fatal Attractions", about people who collect exotic pets and then can't take care of them. Many of them are killed by their "pets". Of course, it endangers all the people around them to have such pets when there are established and licensed sanctuaries that can do the right thing by these poor creatures. Anyway, on this series, they talk about the psychological aspect of these people. Most of them are loners, usually, with no friends who have difficulty relating to fellow human beings. They believe that these pets love them and would never hurt them. They believe they have absolute control over these powerful and dangerous animals.
Sometimes, it's all about money. Some people have roadside animal exhibits. The animals live in horrible conditions while the owners collect money. It's really sad. Can you tell how passionate I am about all this? I just get fired up. I'm going to simmer down now.
Thank you for always being such a great support for me and the other authors at PRP. You have so much heart. Thank you for everything.
Animals are such a big part of our lives. I have always tried to live by the concept that how we treat those who can't fend for themselves says something about the kind of person we are.
ReplyDeleteI personally am a cat person, although I do love dogs, they would not be happy with me, for I'm not home much. The cats are happy to have food and roof and a bit of petting. As much as I would love to have more animals in my personal life, I know I would not be able to care for them the way they should be.
I know this is shelter animal awareness month, a friend who works in dog rescue just wrote a lovely post about her work. Even when we can't take them into our homes, we can help out. As for exotics, they have special needs and really don't fit into the household. If you are going to have animals in your life, then they deserve the best or at the very least a bit more then you give yourself, for they, in their own way, give unselfishly.
Now that I have 'vented', I can't wait you read your story. (Smile) Doris
Doris, I have a cat, too. Her name is Liberty. She's tiny, only 6 pounds. Liberty was hit by a car when she was just a kitten on September 11, 2001 when the whole world went wonky. I was at the vet's getting my dog's shots and saw Liberty in the lobby up for adoption. I loved her instantly.
DeleteI can only afford 2 animals, but I look after my sister's dog when she's off on a travel nurse gig--usually 8-9 months out of the year. Her dog and my dog are buddies, so that's great. As payment, my sister buys my dog's food and vitamins, and so on. An easy gig for me.
I agree with you, even if we can't rescue every animal, we can donate time, money and energy to a group to help them. My North Carolina representatives are probably sick of my letters to them about animals and the environment--but I'm not going to stop, not even when it seems hopeless sometimes.
Thank you so much for coming by and commenting. And thank you for being an animal advocate.
Sounds like a great story Sarah. I remember the animal release in Ohio. Such a tragedy!! I love the cover with the eyes. Did you do that?
ReplyDeleteOh Connie, thank you for that compliment about the special cover for The Beast of Hazard. Kathleen made it for me. I think it's so cool. I wish I knew how to do that stuff. I've tried, but I suck at it.
DeleteThank you so much for dropping by and commenting. That's very sweet of you.
Sarah, how did I guess we were in love with the same man! I like that quote about giving nothing back too. But I love it when he asks 'where has all the rum gone! ALL animals can be dangerous, All of them, not just the 'wild' ones. Every animal is just one step from the wild, even our own little loveable doggies! I have heard terrible stories about dogs taking their revenge on their owners! Okay too much information just got stopped from posting!!!!! People shouldn't take on any animal without a solid knowledge of that animal's needs and care. (Stepping down off soapbox now you will be pleased to know ladies!) Not got either anthology yet but will be adding them to the TBR list as well! Thanks for this Sarah.
ReplyDeleteOh Jill, you make me laugh. You're right about regular pets getting out of hand because of their owners. A good dog usually has a good owner. Some breeds require special attention. My sister's dog is a Sheba Innu, (I think I spelled that wrong) with an innate loyalty to just one person. Since she's with me most of the time, she does get confused about who her real person is. She's also a scared dog and has to have a Thunder Shirt when it storms or she goes to the vet. Remember the story made into a movie about the dog in Japan that waited ten years at the railroad station for his owner to return, not knowing his owner had died at work? (NIKATO?) That was a Sheba Innu--loyal to the end.
DeleteAnyhow, I do hope you check out these anthologies. They're a little scary, but they also have ROMANCE. I love anthologies. They're like a box of chocolate surprises.
Sarah, I can't wait to read your story in the anthology! I've always thought it was crazy and cruel to keep exotic pets. I remember news stories about people who kept apes being mauled. A wild animal is always a wild animal. I've rarely heard of the situation turning out well for the animal or human.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your story!
Kirsten, I agree, keeping exotic pets usually turns out bad for humans, and almost always, pain, mistreatment, starvation and death for the animal.
DeleteI hope you get a chance to read vol. 1 in the anthology. I just saw both volumes are now for sale on Amazon. Yea!!
Thank you so much for coming by and commenting. I do appreciate it.
Your story is terrific, Sarah, and I love the cover graphics! I'm so excited about Cowboys, Creatures & Calico! THE BEAST OF HAZARD is not just a spooky story, but an important one. Animals have no say in their treatment at the hands of humans. I used to commute to work through a rural canyon. People routinely dumped their unwanted pets there, deluding themselves that they were "freeing" their pets to "go back to nature." (Which often meant becoming roadkill.) If only that man in Ohio have made a phone call to the Humane Society – or any other animal assistance/rescue organization – those beautiful, tragic animals might have been saved. His own might have been saved as well. Truly heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteLorrie, I loved your story, too. I have a great liking for time travel and you handled it very well.
DeleteI will never understand the cruelty some humans possess. I believe, if they can do such horrible things to animals, they can do it to another human being. They're scary people.
Thank you so much for coming. BTW, your post tomorrow has the buy links in them. I added them to everyone who already has a post scheduled. I'm really excited about the release of the anthology.
Thanks again for coming by.
COWBOYS, CREATURES, and CALICO volumes 1&2 are now on sale at Amazon.
ReplyDeleteVolume 1 BUY LINKS:
KINDLE:
http://www.amazon.com/Cowboys-Creatures-Calico-Lorrie-Farrelly-ebook/dp/B00NVX5Y2C/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412190134&sr=1-2&keywords=cowboys+creatures+and+calico
PAPERBACK:
http://www.amazon.com/Cowboys-Creatures-Calico-Lorrie-Farrelly/dp/150254279X/ref=sr_1_3_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412190134&sr=1-3&keywords=cowboys+creatures+and+calico
VOLUME 2:
KINDLE:
http://www.amazon.com/Cowboys-Creatures-Calico-Cheryl-Pierson-ebook/dp/B00NVXNT5G/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412190134&sr=1-1&keywords=cowboys+creatures+and+calico
PAPERBACK:
http://www.amazon.com/Cowboys-Creatures-Calico-Cheryl-Pierson/dp/1502543893/ref=sr_1_4_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412190134&sr=1-4&keywords=cowboys+creatures+and+calico
I have no use for people who own animals they don't understand. This goes for domestic livestock as well. I look forward to reading your story!
ReplyDeleteYeah Jacquie, I've seen how some people treat their dogs and cats, and I've also seen how some despicable people neglect and mistreat their cows, horses, and other livestock. I don't understand why someone owns such animals, but doesn't care about them. I know pigs and horses are smart. That just makes it even worse.
DeleteThanks for coming by, Jacquie.
Yes I certainly do remember the man who released his exotic animals. I cant wait to read the book.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do find a chance to read the anthology, JoAnne. I think you would like these stories. Of course, I hope you like The Beast of Hazard and get acquainted with one of my Wildings.
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming.
Sara, sorry I'm late to the blog. I remember the story well. And for the life of me I could not understand why they killed all of the animals. Surely there must have been a better more humane way to capture the animals. Your story sounds intriguing. I look foreword to reading it.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I'm happy to see you. The whole Ohio fiasco really saddened me.
DeleteI hope you do get a chance to read my story in the anthology. There are 5 other very talented authors in it. The anthology just released today.
Sarah, I have been without a computer for three days, so I'm catching up. I love this post. Thank you for making people aware of the plight of animals--especially these exotic animals. Here in OK, there is a "wildlife park" where a guy has all these exotic animals. There is some discrepancy as to if what he does is treating the animals right, saving them--or exploiting them and mistreating them. One of his workers lost her arm a few months ago, by reaching into the cage to feed one of the tigers. She totally took the blame for it and said she knew better. She still loved the tiger. She came back to work when she was able.
ReplyDeleteAs Chris Rock says in his routine: "People say that tiger went crazy in Siegfried and Roy's act. Bit 'em. Wouldn't turn loose. That tiger didn't go crazy! That tiger went TIGER!" SO TRUE!
Thanks for all your work on behalf of animals, Sarah. The only way to combat a lot of the cruelty and neglect out there is through awareness. It takes all of us to help make others aware.
I loved The Beast of Hazard.
Cheryl
I know what it's like to be without a computer. It really sucks. I thought your corner of the world seemed mighty quiet.
ReplyDeleteI thought about Siegfried and Roy's tiger that went all wild and tigerish on stage. Boy, that must have been horrible. I saw their tigers when I was in Las Vegas with my weird family. At least Roy's tiger didn't have to die over all that.
Well, I'm certain you're a busy little bee right now getting all the edits done for the Christmas anthology. It never ends...success has its price.
Thank you for taking the time out of that busy schedule to come over here and support me. I really do appreciate it.
Chilling excerpt, Sarah. I know this will be a riviting story. I admire your stand for this cause to protect innocent animals. And I love the cover for this book. I wish you great success.
ReplyDeleteI'm very happy you found my excerpt chilling, Linda. That's just what it's supposed to do. Livia Washburn Reasoner created the covers for both volumes. She's really talented.
DeleteI fear that my soap box might be too serious for a blog about a story, but I do care so much about our planet and the creatures on it.
Thank you so much for taking the time to come by and read my blog. I so appreciate it.
It was terrible to see these animals put down, but they should never have been in this person's possession. There was no way to release them to the wild, an most zoos have full populations. Very few people can take proper care of wild animals and these species will never be anything else. It is dangerous for the animals, the owners, and those around them.
ReplyDelete