I had a lot of fun in Santa Fe, NM and I was also happy to come home. While I love being on the road, I also love sleeping next to Mommy’s bed at night and the familiar routine I have at home. You’ll get to read more about this in Book 6.

I also love it when I run into my friends in the neighborhood. Today on my way to do “my rounds” at Denver Health, I ran into my long-time friend Tobee Mac. I realized that we’ve been friends for over ten years!

I talked about friends in Book 3, my adventure to Texas. Good friends are friends forever even if we don’t see each other often. I really had fun walking with Tobee Mac this morning.

Lovingly,

Grace

Mommy and I haven’t been on a road trip in a while so I asked Mommy if we could go back to Santa Fe, New Mexico.  I thought it was a good idea because the drive is only six hours and I wanted to explore the great sniffs I talked about in Book 2.

It’s been fun being here and I remember so many of the sniffs.  The other day, we walked around the Santa Fe Courthouse and sat under a tree and enjoyed the breeze.  While we were there, I got to meet a special woman named Ida who is 91 years old.  She was so happy to spend time with me!

Then the other night, Mommy asked if I wanted to lead our walk.  I took Mommy along the Santa Fe River, around the Santa Fe Plaza and by the Loretto Chapel and Cathedral of Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.  I remembered what fun we had when I visited last year.

Mommy and I walked for a long time and came across a music festival going on in the town square.  We sat under a tree and listened to a woman sing beautiful songs while she played her guitar. There was a young boy from Texas listening to the music and he stopped to pet me. He couldn’t believe my breed, Finnish Lapphund, herds reindeer!

I wish you could be here with me.  It’s been fun to be on the road again.

Lovingly, Grace

Grace is the heart of each book in the Everybody Loves Grace series. You can now have your very own Grace as a super-soft, cuddly, plush toy with soft black fur, brown eyes, little black nose, and her trademark tan eyebrows and red heart collar!

Just one word of warning. The new Grace plush is snuggly and soft just like the real Grace. Once you start holding her, you may never let go!

Thank you to our friends who have patiently waited for the Grace plush to become available. We are super excited to have them available for purchase. Don’t miss our special promotion with free shipping now through August 15, 2021.

Grace Plush Dog

Mommy and I started a new project and I want to tell you a little bit about it. With the help of some friends, we created an enrichment program for seniors, it’s called Living with Grace.

We tested out our new program at two senior assisted living facilities and it was well received. I think I had as much fun as the people who were there with us. Mommy read Everybody Loves Grace Book One while I visited with the people who attended. I heard Mommy ask questions that really got people talking. The fun and lively discussions involved people talking about dogs they grew up with or the farms where they lived, and what life is like living in a senior community.

I think it’s amazing that my stories have as much of an impact on seniors as they do children. I hope you’ll stay tuned for more details about our new program.

Lovingly, Grace

Grace’s Adventure to Pennsylvania was recently featured along with other Nautilus Award winners in the American Library Association’s 2021 Conference. The Conference brings together bestselling authors; experts; political luminaries; and thought-leaders and influencers in the library field from around the world. 

This year’s guest speakers included President Barack Obama and Amanda Gorman. Important updates were shared, relevant legislation and policy were addressed that majorly impact libraries and their ongoing transformation.

The library industry is changing and we are grateful to be a part of it in our small way.

Lovingly, Katy and Grace

2020 Silver Winners

I never get tired of talking (or writing) about Grace and her stories. Especially because she continues to inspire me and the people we meet on our daily walks.

I want to share with you my recent interview with Holly Connors of the Feathered Quill. The interview brought up some sweet stories and reminders of Grace and her journey to Denver and meeting her big brother, Tinto.

https://featheredquill.com/author-interview-katy-mcquaid/

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In case you are interested, The Nautilus Awards represent “Better Books for a Better World.”

Now in its 20th year, this international book award program honors, awards and promotes print books that inspire and connect our lives as individuals, communities and global citizens.

The Nautilus Awards recognize, “well-written and -produced books with messages about caring for, understanding, and improving every aspect of our lives and relationships….responsible leadership and positive social change as well as to the worlds of art, creativity and inspirational reading for children, teens and young adults.”

Everybody Loves Grace, Books 1 and 5, were awarded the Nautilus Silver for Children’s Illustrated Fiction. I say it’s all because of Grace, Amazing Grace. We are honored to be in company with some incredible authors whose books have made a “Better World.”

With Gratitude, Katy

I asked Mommy why she forgot to attach the full review of our Book 1 in her last blog. She said, “Grace, I forgot to.” So here it is. I thought you might enjoy reading the full review from Book Viral.

Lovingly, Grace

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Adopting a dog is like finding hidden treasure.  It’s not until we bring them home and look inside that we come to know the true gift they are.  – Katy McQuaid

In honor of National Adopt-a-Dog Day I share the following. As you know from Grace’s stories, she came to live with me in Denver, CO when she was four years old.

Treasure, trea·​sure | \ ˈtre-zhər

Definition: a person (or dog) who is greatly loved or valued especially because of being very helpful.  Merriam Webster

It warms my heart to know that Grace’s life lessons are helping to make a better world. Everybody Loves Grace: A True Story of Grace’s Adventure to Pennsylvania was awarded the 2020 Nautilus Book’s Silver Award for Children’s Illustrated Fiction.

Through Grace’s eyes we learn about the importance of doing what we want to do in life and not putting off the things on our bucket list. In addition, Grace shares about the importance of preparing for life’s special events and also being flexible when changes are necessary.

Of course, this special recognition is only possible because of our amazing team. Thank you to illustrator Susan Lavalley Weaver, graphic layout Megan Leid, editors Mel Cohen, Tracy Johnson, Linda Hartley, Dean Bernard and Maryann Hrichak. Website and social media experts Robert Staddon and Lindsey Kotik.

We celebrate this wonderful news together.

We are so grateful. Lovingly, Katy and Grace

Today was a fun day for Mommy and me! Did you know that we reached over 2000 page likes on Facebook today? We are are so grateful for all our wonderful friends and family who follow my adventures and life lessons on Facebook and Instagram.

It makes me smile when I think of all the friends I’ve made since the Everybody Loves Grace book series began.

Much Love, Grace

I don’t often take the time to mention how amazing Grace is on our road trips. Well, she is truly, very special.

We just got home from our most recent road trip adventure to Washington, DC that began from our home in Denver on November 9, 2020. We didn’t plan to be gone for four months but there were many twists and turns to our schedule and through it all, Grace was simply amazing. I think she earned the title of Road Warrior.

No matter how long we drove in the car, or how many homes and hotels we stayed in, Grace was always ready to smile and let people know they are loved. We set all kinds of personal records on this trip: 3800 miles, four months of travel and stayed in 10 different locations.

I know I am happy to be home and I think Grace is too. We are so grateful for all the friends and family we got to see on our trip. Also, we never take it for granted that the journey is a safe one. We are grateful to be home safely.

We look forward to sharing the life lessons in our next book, Everybody Loves Grace: A True Story of Grace’s Adventure to Washington, DC.

Take Care, Katy

Some days I feel like the luckiest dog on earth. Today as I was walking with Mommy in the sleet and freezing rain, one of the neighbors opened her garage door to say hello to me. She was worried that I was cold, and she wanted to be sure Mommy and I were okay.

Eleanor lives down the street from Grandma Joan and she used to help care for Tinto when he visited a long time ago. It’s nice to meet some of the people who knew and remember Tinto. I think he loved the snow as much as I do.

Lovingly, Grace

February is filled with special days such as Ground Hog’s and Valentine’s Day, Children’s Illustrator and Authors Week, and Literacy Awareness. I think every day is special and I do my best to share love with everyone I meet.  I want people to feel loved even during these difficult days with Covid-19 social distancing restrictions. I’ve come to realize many people are very tired of being alone. My mommy tells me every day how lucky she is I am with her. I feel the same way about being with Mommy. February is here and I just wanted to take a moment to remind you how much you are loved. Lovingly, Grace

Or maybe I should call this blog “what I learned in 2020.” In a year that brought many changes, challenges and uncertainty, there was opportunity for growth, resilience and kindness. You know, kindness really matters to me.

I sat by the fire last night with Mommy and asked her to share my tips for 2021. I hope you enjoy them.

1. The time is now – just do it
2. Appreciate everything and don’t take things for granted
3. Have compassion for everyone…even for people who see things differently
4. Staying home more keeps the hearth warm
5. I know even if I don’t hear well

Lovingly,
Grace

It’s hard to believe Christmas is here. Where did the year go? As we finish a year unlike any other, we wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Much like when baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem under a bright star, we think about hope. When Christ was born, so was our hope. That’s why we love Christmas and we love you.

Katy and Grace

We want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and let you know how grateful we are for each of you. Thank you for supporting the Everybody Loves Grace series and spreading Grace’s messages of love and kindness.

We look forward to every new day and more adventures.

Lovingly, Katy & Grace