It’s been a BIG change since we started social distancing because of the Corona Virus. Since dogs don’t get the virus, I don’t have to be quite as stringent following the distancing guidelines of 6 feet. People seem so happy to pet me.

Just in case you need them, here are a few ideas for fun things to do with your children and pets:

1. Pamper yourself and your pets: Nothing feels better than a warm bath, brushing your hair, and getting ready for bed early.
2. Cook dinner and do the dishes together: Who says your pets can’t join the fun?
3. Play a game of follow-the-leader through the living room: Kids, parents, and pets are encouraged to participate.
4. Work on a puzzle together: It’s a great way to collaborate and work as a team.
5. Snuggle up with a pile of books: Whether reading alone or with your pet, it is special. (Research shows that kids who read in the presence of a dog may experience increased motivation towards mastering their reading skills.)

Lovingly, Grace

I know it’s a tough time with social distancing and so I thought I’d share with you my 5 Tips for Practicing Presence as featured in the Houston Family Magazine.

You know I talk alot about kindness in my books. My mommy talks about it too, she doesn’t just write children’s books; she trains and motivates adults to find success by living and leading with #Kindness as well. Read more here: http://ow.ly/AYYN50ypKrX

Lovingly,
Grace

True friendship is a priceless gift to give and receive… New friends become old friends, and can even be like a second family! #NationalMakeAFriendDay

A mother shared a sweet story of her two young children who fell in love with Grace and the Everybody Loves Grace books. While research shows that dogs can help kids learn to read, there’s nothing like a first hand story to reinforce the message. Thank you Independent Mami for inspiring me to continue writing about the adventures of Grace. I’m also inspired to get out there and read with more with kids.

Readers, would you do me a favor and leave a comment in the Independent Mami blog post?

http://www.independentmami.net/2020/02/everyone-loves-grace.html

My mommy knows how important it is to get kids reading. So every chance she gets, she takes me on the road to read with kids and have fun.

Recent research has shown that it helps kids read when there is a dog around. I try my very best to help kids read when I get the chance to be with them. It’s one of my favorite things to do. You can read more about it in this article in Yahoo.com.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/dogs-help-kids-read-author-221837588.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=fb

Lovingly, Grace

1. Be Kind – Open doors for the elderly and anyone who has their hands full. Share your toys with others.
2. Be Brave – Don’t be afraid to bark when you want to tell the truth and have something to say.
3. Cuddle Up – When the weather is cold or rainy, take the opportunity to take deep breaths and cuddle up with your special person.
4. Have Fun – Jump in the car and be ready for adventure! Who knows where the ride will lead?
5. Slow Down – it’s okay to slow down and say no when you need to.
6. Naps are the best – Get lots of sleep and eat healthy food.
7. Let Go – Sometimes you need to let go of a bone or toy – letting go doesn’t mean you quit.
8. Smile – Show kindness to someone who has a frown on their face. You will likely turn that frown upside down.
9. Friends are important – friends made on a walk can be friends for life.
10. Ask for help – if you need help getting into the car, just ask, there will always be someone to help.

Lovingly, Grace

I’m pleased to share an article published on December 23rd in The Epoch Times.

Through the grace of Grace, all things are possible.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/everyone-loves-grace-a-dogs-life-advice-for-the-new-year_3170547.html

The Epoch Times is the fastest-growing independent news media in America. 

May your day be Merry and Kind.

Love, Grace

I recently had a wonderful opportunity to talk with Ken D Foster  on the Voices of Courage Radio Show.  We talked about how Grace’s life lessons give children and parents the Courage to Adapt and Evolve. What a fun conversation, thanks Ken!

To listen to my interview with Ken, just click here: http://voicesofcourage.us/

I’d also encourage you to read Ken’s newest book available at www.couragetochange.us

Thanks for listening, Katy

I have so much to be grateful for this year, and mostly it’s for all the friends and family who have helped me in so many ways…from helping me with my books, to taking care of me when Mommy travels to those who stop and say hello to me. I just want to say thank you and I hope you are having a Happy Thanksgiving.

Lovingly, Grace

I love to go for coffee with my mommy because I love the smell of coffee and we always make new friends on these adventures. Mommy was interviewed about one of our coffee dates recently and I thought you’d enjoy hearing what she had to say.

https://coffeecanine.blogspot.com/2019/10/katy-mcquaid-grace.html

I hope each of you have the opportunity to have coffee with a canine!

Lovingly, Grace

I just learned that Everybody Loves Grace books are being read in some schools in China. It’s nice to know the books are helping Chinese students with their study of the English language.

It’s also fun to have the kids join me on my adventures.

Lovingly, Grace

I had a wonderful opportunity to be interviewed by Medium.com as a part of their Women in Wellness series.

The interview provides insights on how dogs, stress and leadership relate. I hope you enjoy the read.

https://medium.com/authority-magazine/women-in-wellness-intentional-deep-breathing-is-a-very-powerful-and-easy-way-to-reduce-stress-and-f340d7490bb7

With Love, Katy

As a follow-on to our trip to Texas, I received word that a family of young cowboys is reading Grace’s books on their ranch. I’m so grateful that her stories are making it to “hard to reach” places like this one in West Texas.

Rumor has it the boys want to have Grace come visit so she can help them herd their cattle. Grace is already asking me when can she go!

With Joy, Katy

I had so much fun visiting the kids at the Boys and Girls Club in Comfort, Texas. They listened carefully as Mommy read parts of my story, Everybody Loves Grace an Amazing True Story of Grace’s Adventure to Texas.

The kids were so well mannered, and they raised their hands before asking questions about my stories and me. One boy asked Mommy when the movie about my adventures is going to come out. His question made me smile and I hope someday that will happen.

Lovingly, Grace

I’ve been wanting to tell you about meeting Dave Rios during his morning show at KONO 101.1. He is very active with the Feature Teacher Literacy program in San Antonio.

It was so fun to be a part of his morning show. San Antonio is filled with many military families and Dave encouraged his listeners to read my stories.

Dave and I have a common belief. I heard him say a few times during the interview, “Yesterday’s history…Tomorrow’s a mystery…And, Today is the gift…That’s why it’s called the present.” Dave Rios

Lovingly, Grace

I’ve been remiss about getting posts to you with stories from our fun road trip to Texas in September. There’s so much to share about the trip, I don’t know where to begin.

Grace met lots and lots of children through events at schools, Boys and Girls Clubs and coffee shops. Grace was her amazing self as she connected with so many kids. There was one sweet boy who really wanted to pet her and he kindly asked permission to pet Grace. His name is Nolan and Grace thinks he is very special.

Grace wants to tell you about our visit with Dave Rios and his morning show at KONO 101.1 in San Antonio. I’ll be sure to get her blog to you very soon.

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Grace and I had a wonderful time at our Book 3 launch party in Boerne, Texas. We are SO grateful for the support of friends and friends of friends who joined us.

A special shout out to Frank and Jennifer Ramirez and the wonderful staff at the Bevy Hotel. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Lovingly,

Katy and Grace

We are leaving for road trip to San Antonio and Grace is very excited because Texas is at the top of her list of places to visit.

We will be launching Everybody Loves Grace Book 3 at the Bevy Hotel in the lovely town of Boerne, Texas on Sunday. It will be a great time to connect with good friends and we also know we will make new ones while we are there.

Lovingly,

Katy and Grace