A visit from Annalisa Crawford & her dog Artoo

I'm excited to welcome Annalisa Crawford to the blog today as part of her tour for her latest, You. I. Us. I had the good fortune to read an advanced copy of this collection and I can say without any reservation that it is fantastic. If you've ever read any of Annalisa's work you know how talented she is. I think she has outdone herself with this release. 

Annalisa asked each of her hosts to send her a question to answer. It's probably no surprise that I chose a question about animals. Specifically, Annalisa's adorable, and adorably naughty, dog. 

Artoo waiting for a walk

Even those of us who love dogs and puppies know they can be destructive little monsters if they get the chance. What's the worse thing Artoo has done since he became part of your family?

Aw, my lovely pup. As you know, Julie (because you read all my Facebook rants from when he was very small), Artoo was a handful, to say the least. But, looking back, there was nothing very bad he did—he was just relentless with the little things. Cabinet handles, a wooden chest, many cushions and several items of clothes were all chewed to destruction. And I’ve got a couple of scars on my arms that I didn’t used to have.

I remember many days, when I was trying to write, that I’d be chasing him around the house instead, because he had something he shouldn’t.

He’s still keen on getting into the bins when we’re out, though. And he’s recently started to bark at people who skateboard past the house. The other day I came home and he’d taken one of my t-shirts out of the laundry basket and was cuddling it in his bed—no, he didn’t get told off for that, I chose to believe he missed me.

However, I know you’re really just after some photos, so here they are. :)  

Two & a half months old

Umm, my cage fell over...

Help, the bin's attacking me!

I'm sure this is my bed...

Ten months old

You are too cute for words, Artoo! I hope that cat let you have your bed back. Thanks for being here with your mom! :)

You. I. Us.

Publication date: June 10, 2016
Genre: Short Stories (Single Author)

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In You. I. Us., Annalisa Crawford captures everyday people during  poignant defining moments in their lives: An artist puts his heart into his latest sketch, an elderly couple endures scrutiny by a fellow diner, an ex-student attempts to make amends with a girl she bullied at school, a teenager holds vigil at his friend’s hospital bedside, long distance lovers promise complete devotion, a broken-hearted widow stares into the sea from the edge of a cliff where her husband died, a grieving son contacts the only person he can rely on in a moment of crisis, a group of middle-aged friends inspire each other to live remarkable lives.

Day after day, we make the same choices. But after reading You. I. Us., you’ll ask yourself, “What if we didn’t?”

About the author

Annalisa Crawford lives in Cornwall UK, with a good supply of moorland and beaches to keep her inspired. She lives with her husband, two sons, a dog and a cat. Annalisa writes dark contemporary, character-driven stories. She has been winning competitions and publishing short stories in small press journals for many years, and is the author of Cat & The Dreamer and Our Beautiful Child.

www.annalisacrawford.com