Bitten by Books
Thank you, Bitten by Books, for inviting me to blog, I look forward to chatting with everyone.
Today, I’m going to discuss, Animal Abuse and Storytelling, something that is close to my heart.
A friend invited me to visit her horse stabled at a place not far from where I lived in Yorktown. As a child we had horses and I’ve missed them during my adult years, so I jumped at the chance to see a smart four-legged ride. During our visit the owner of the ranch showed me a couple of horses she’d rescued from their abusive and/or neglectful owners. Some beautiful dark horses and pretty ponies searching with bright eyes for a sweet or carrots, others just wanted to be pet-given a soft pat on the nose or a rub on their ears.
One white, black and gray pony drew my attention. Cruel whip lashes marred the sweet horse’s hide, making him resemble a patchwork quilt. His eyes reflected sadness beyond understanding. This mental image is something I’ll never forget.
Since I’m writing a Valkyrie series for The Wild Rose Press and Valkyries ride horses, I wrote abused equines into a plotline of a story. The first story, The Valkyrie and the Marine is currently available and the name of this tale based on some truth is Pippa’s Rescue. Although Valkyries and Marines are the central characters, the supporting cast members are horses.
In book one Kiara defines Odin, Norse God of wisdom, and swoops in on a winged horse to save her chosen Marine. She falls in love with his courage in the face of such odds, only to suffer the consequences of not following Odin’s protocol. In the second book, Pippa’s Rescue, Skogul, Kiara’s friend and a Valkyrie First Squad Leader, travels to Earth, not to claim a fallen warrior for Valhalla, but rather to offer a Marine eternal life. She tracks down her target at a horse rescue ranch.
Skogul is a diva who enjoys watching Sci-Fi-especially Star Wars and Star Trek, finds her Marine involved in a love/hate relationship with the woman who runs the equine rescue ranch. Our Valkyrie has a smart mouth and will do anything to protect the people she loves, but she always…always…follows protocol.
Her goal is to become the leader for all Valkyries, a coveted position directly under Odin, and this mission is paramount to giving her an advantage in the political run. Advised to keep her “appearance” to mortals a minimum she refuses to let an abused horse suffer and takes action. Dr. Aidan Hall is given credit for healing the horse, but he knows his veterinarian skills could not have made such a colossal difference in such a short time.
Valkyries depend on their horses to travel to battlegrounds, to guard their backs as they obtain their chosen Einherjars and fly the Valkyrie and fallen soldier back to Valhalla. Their mounts are regarded invaluable and given honor. To her, humans treating horses as punching bags, starving them, and whipping them until they fall to their knees is abhorrent- she wants justice.
How will this quirky, yet determined, Valkyrie save horses; secure her Marine; and fall in love without exposing herself to humans?
Have you ever rescued an animal? Do you belong to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)?
Recently I visited Shadarobah Horse Rescue Ranch (Their motto is May the Future be Better than the Past) in order to confirm some of my thoughts and validate the some of the plot. I find it amazing people dedicate their lives to assisting the less fortunate.
Committing to a cause can be financially and time-wise draining. In addition to taking care of the abused animals, the staff members attempt to change the sketchy laws.
What are your thoughts regarding animal rights? Do you believe the laws should be changed to have harsher sentences for people who abuse animals?
Author Bio:
jj Keller is a native Hoosier. A dreamer. A writer. A storyteller.
She’s married and has two sons. Traveling to exotic locations is something she can’t do enough of (even if it’s only in her mind) and puttering around in her herbal garden is her favorite pastime. She enjoys a good story, easy listening music and a fine glass of wine.
Urban fantasy, paranormal, romantic suspense and thrillers are her favorite genres.
jj is a PRO member of Romance Writers of America, and the Futuristic, Fantasy and Paranormal Chapter.
jj’s pen name is a result of her family name. She used lower case in her given name because of her fondness for ee cummings’ work.The man was a great poet and author. They both tend to be unconventional, his capitalization and her imagination and “fresh” attempt at writing. ee studied English, as jj did, he had a fondness for Greek and Latin and she loves to use Greek Mythology references in her work. His unique style of writing can be seen in Buffalo Bill’s/defunct and her only western to date, revolves around Buffalo Bill.
She hopes someday her work will be considered “mud-luscious” and “puddle-wonderful”.
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Learn More about jj Keller below:
To read reviews of this author’s work go here.
http://www.jj-keller.com/
http://twitter.com/jjKellerauthor
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jj-Keller/726141978
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I am a HUGE animal lover! Or a sucker for punishment depending on the day!:) I have zero tolerance for mis-treating animals. I won’t get too far into talking about all of this because otherwise my rant would know no bounds! But the laws regarding animal-abusers are ridiculous. Some places are trying to get better because of those people who care.
Now, I’ve never rescued any horses. Although I would in a heartbeat, if I had the space! I live near Kentucky, so seeing horses around are pretty common. I have over the years rescued many dogs, cats, too many birds to remember. The was even a pair of snakes once. But that was a unique situation and frankly just weirdness. I currently have few rescue cats in the house right now. I also have one dog who is currently laying down underneath the computer desk, snoring quite loudly.
Hi Rae,
Your heartfelt comment sent skitters along my skin. Thank you for giving of yourself and your home to animals. I agree with your about the laws. They must be changed!
Thank you!
Hi Jj
So good to see you here. I love the Valkyrie theme in your stories. I enjoyed the first and think the second will keep me reading late into the night too. Its also great to see you raising the profile of a place run to help injured horses. The folks there deserve all the help people can give them.
Daisy Banks
Hi Daisy,
Thank you for your comment and especially for being a fan of my work. I truly appreciate kind words about my stories. Your friendship is most welcome!
Thank you.
Huge animal lover here too! I cannot stand to see animals of any kind being tortured or hurt! Each one of my animals get attention, even the leopard gecko!
Hubby found a chih/pomerian puppy in his work’s parking lot one morning, in a box, with papers and dog food. That really ticked me off. Ticked off hubby too.
Heard of horses being abused… And in one of my WIP - my heroine who is a paladin empath saves a horse from being abused. And she has a hand in the abuser being banished and the horse becoming her mount.
Hi Raonaid,
Thank you for your comment. I’m so glad your husband helped the poor puppy abandoned in the parking lot. How cruel!
WTG, having an empath help an injured horse is awesome! You shared knowledge with others. Thank you.
Yeah I was highly ticked off with the person who put a poor puppy out like that. Now she’s apart of the family. We call her Nyxie.
When brainstorming for the story I thought “How would a horse be loyal to its rider”. And the heroine saving the horse from a brutal beating, with her empathy picking up on it, was the perfect way.
Question: If you had the silver tongue ability (Inkheart) what book would you read and who/what would you read out of a book?
Oh, my, what a loaded question. I love too many stories to “silver tongue” one of them. Inkheart was one of my favorite stories. What’s your book choice?
Okay, is there a literary world (including your own) that you wish you were born into? If you could live in that world what would you be and or what would your role be?
I would be a Valkyrie, as in The Valkyrie and the Marine, or an angel from Dark Sun. Excellent question!
What world would you want to exist?
I’m an animal lover too. I think people who mistreat animals should have the same actions taken upon them.
Here! Here! Viki! At the end of my writing desk is Riley, she is a rescue dog. Sweet and so appreciative of every little thing. What a hard life she must have led and what joy she brings to ours.
I love Valkyries. What about them interested you and thus write the book?
Hi Viki! Yeah! I’m glad to know you’re a fan of mythology. I love the “magic” involved with offering everlasting life to a fallen soldier. It warms my heart to think, in an alternative universe, all soldiers don’t die on the battlefield.
My husband and I are huge animal lovers, (my son too), and we’ve rescued many cats over the years, and lately a few dogs. We’ve taken in 2 pugs(from different places), 1 had severe dental disease, and had to have all her teeth out, the other ended up having bladder stones(like kidney stones), and had to be rushed into surgury when he couldn’t pee, I was told he had a bad bladder infection which caused the stones, and it had been ongoing for a while. Sometimes it seems a little overwhelming with the animals, most of mine are on many different vacations, I have heart conditions and epilepsy and thyroid conditions. Luckily I work a great paying job and can get overtime when I want it. The vet bills can get crazy.
But on top of all that, I feel that those animals have come into my life for a reason, they wouldn’t have received the medical attention they needed where they were, if I have saved one life, it’s all worth it. I love them all.
Joani, my hat is off to you and your family. You extended yourself to help those less fortunate. I agree, vet bills do add up. I’m sorry for your troubles with the pugs, but how lovely you provided a home for them.
I bought the book, it sounds really good. My TBR pile is so huge I’m ready to do an overhaul, and I think I’m putting this one close to the top, because I can’t wait to read it.
Thank you, Joani for the support. I hope you enjoy the story.
Opps, forgot to mention, I DO believe the laws need to be much harder!! My husband and I watch Animal Cops and we have both said we could not do that job without wanting to take those people (and I’m using that term loosely) out somewhere and putting a bullet in their heads. That might sound harsh to some, but after seeing what cruelty can be done to animals, and they stand there and act like they’ve done nothing, and can’t understand how animals are thinking, dreaming creatures… See, I’ll stop cuz I can rant very long about the subject!!
I agree with you, the laws need to be changed!
Had to by but as others have said TBR IS HUGE LOL
Thank you, Carrie. Please let me know what you think of the story!
I am not an animal lover, but I don’t like to see them abused. I think it takes a strong person to dedicate themselves to these animals. I commend them.
This sounds like an awesome series! Thank you for sharing, JJ.
How many books do you have planned for this series?
Hi Tina! Thank you for your comment. It is dreadful to see a mistreated animal. I hope, through broadcasting, more people will become aware.
Currently there are three books in the series. The Valkyrie and the Marine, Pippa’s Rescue (Pippa owns a horse rescue ranch) and The Wolf and the Valkyrie.
Mythology is a vast subject…so you never know.
Thank you for asking.
I started riding horses around age of 2 and rode in shows until I was 20. I love horses and my heart breaks hearing about their abuse. The horses my parents have are ones from 29 years ago. When they began to have health problems we decided not to show them and let them have a great and happy life in our pasture with daily love from grandkids and other family members. They have plenty of food, shelter, company with other horses and love. I wish all horses could have the same.
I love this comment, Angela. Horses are costly to maintain, so your parents supporting the older ones is admirable. I agree with you, I wish all horses could have safe and happy environments.
I love animals and we have always had some rescue animals, dogs and cats.
I love animals too, Lisa. My parents own a farm, and I’ve always been around domestic and wild animals. The circle of life is sometimes difficult to see-violent at times. We always had enough feed for any wounded (or not) creature wandering onto our land. Thank you for your comment and for rescuing dogs and cats.
“feed” If you go to a Tractor Supply, or like store, you can purchase various types of feed. Generally the product (food for animals) comes in bags; however, food probably would have been a better choice here. I’m sorry for any confusion.
Do you have a pet from rescued animals or have you ever considered taking one?
Hi Dovile,
Thank you for asking. We have a little rescued dog. Her name is Riley. She might be about five years old and according to our vet, part Lhasa apso. She is a treasure, and I love having her as a part of our family. If I had the space I’d adopt more rescued animals.
You woke up this morning and realized you had been reincarnated as a pair of shoes.
Describe yourself.
Hi Lisa,
I’d rather be a purse. Not large, not small, clean lines. Quality…with a little bling. Shoes to match.
LOL…thanks for asking.
jj
Do you have any unusual or special talents excluding your storytelling abilities?
What five characters from other authors would you NOT want to be trapped in an elevator with?
Lisa,
Talents? I’m an artist. I’ve been told I’m a horse whisperer. Robert Redford-look out.
5 Characters I would NOT want to be trapped in an elevator with?
Oh my. You do know how to ask interesting questions, Lisa.
I would not want to be with Avery Fleming, A Rose in the Winter, because I
I think it is great that you care so much about abused and suffering animals and have incorporated this message into your books.
Thank you, Vanessa. There are so many champions of abused animals, I’m but a small dot on the horizon.