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Tales Of An African Dog In Alaska

by Jean E. Straatmeyer

22 pages; Saddle stitched; catalogue #07-1926; ISBN 1-4251-2586-7; US$12.00, C$13.80, EUR9.36, £6.20

Imagine a puppy from Africa, suddenly introduced into a life half a world away. In Alaska, "Malawi" discovers moose, rabbits, snow, a wilderness cabin and much more.

About the Book

"Alaska Malawi," who grew up in Africa, (see Tales of an African Dog) tells his own story of adoption by an American couple who arranged to have him fly to Alaska, their home. 11,000 miles later, he wagged and wiggled all over to be reunited with them.

His new home was extraordinarily different from Africa, but he was eager to get acquainted with all of it, including the rabbits in the yard. Getting lost while chasing one got him in trouble, but nothing could dampen the spirits of a young dog taking in new sights and smells.

It was during a trip to North Pole, Alaska that "Malawi" had many more new adventures. He saw the big "ice cream cone" that was Mt. McKinley. He saw his first moose, got dressed up like an Iditarod sled dog and braved the very cold temperatures of winter. The short days in the North Country made his adventures even more thrilling because his people were racing with the sun, trying to find the trail to the cabin before dark. Malawi enjoyed his first snow machine ride, loved running free to play in the snow and curled up on his pillow by the old cook stove at night.

After a Thanksgiving dinner with friends and a ride back to town, Malawi curls up in the back seat of the truck for another long trip - this time, to Texas. Look for his next great adventure, Tales of an African Dog in Texas.

About the Author

Jean Straatmeyer has loved reading stories to her children and grandchildren throughout the years - in a variety of places from Minnesota to Iowa to Arizona and Alaska. When she and her husband volunteered in Malawi, Africa for a year, they were robbed shortly after arriving. What was needed was a dog - for security. They adopted "Alaska Malawi," a puppy who became much more than just a security system for them. He became part of the family and made the long trip to Alaska to be with them.

Back home in Alaska, which had been home for some 20 years, Jean began thinking about how many changes and new experiences her dog had gone through in his short life. She was encouraged to write his story from his own viewpoint. Her first book about his first year in Africa (Tales of an African Dog) was published in 2006. Soon thereafter, she began writing her second book, (Tales of an African Dog in Alaska).

Jean's career has encompassed a variety of positions, foremost as a pastor's wife, as she made her way across America and beyond with her husband of 50 years. She administered social, community and economic development programs in Alaska, Iowa and Arizona, ending with administering child care assistance programs in south central Alaska. She moved to the Gulf Coast in 2004 and now enjoys walking the beach, sewing, reading, writing, singing and playing with her grandchildren.

Excerpts