This Weekend I Met ...

[Karen]

Dave Barry
Helen Thomas (whitehouse press pool veteran)
Duke the Bush Beans Spokesdog
John Grogan (Marley & Me author)
Ted Kennedy (my senator)
William Cohen
Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket Author)
Eoin Cowfer (Artemis Fowl author)
Marian Wright Edelman
Temple Grandin
Emily_the_Spolied (Well, her human Cheryl, anyway)
and
Laurie (lbaker, whom we of course have met before.)

We were in Washington DC for Book Expo America, and Laurie and Cheryl met us for dinner. I have no pictures of the humans, sorry, but when I get to downloading my photos, I did get one of Duke, and 2 other dogs who had books about them. I promise to post those this week.

I didn't even know Temple Grandin was going to be there, somehow I missed her name on the list, but I was in line for Eoin Cowfer, and as got closer to the front, I excitedly said - "I think that's Temple Grandin!" to the people around me. I don't think any of them knew who she was, but as we got a few places closer, I said "It is! That's Temple Grandin!"

And Temple Grandin heard me, and as no one was in her line (lots of people couldn't get to it because of the crowds at the other end, and she was almost done her alloted time, anyway) she said "Climb over the rail and come on over!"

"I'm afraid I'm not coordinated enough," I said.

But then the dozen-or-so people in line in front of me who had witnessed this exchange smushed over to one side, and let me scoot past them to get Temple's autograph. I told her we run a website for pets, so she signed her book "Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior" for me, was nice, was friendly and down to earth, and even wrote her phone number in the book for me! She said that was a better way to reach her than email, she gets so much junk in her email that she doesn't use it much. Isn't that nice of her? She is such an amazing person.

We had a lovely dinner with Laurie and Cheryl at German restaurant, and spent time chatting as well as eating and enjoying the pianist.

Duke, by the way, is a leaner!

Just wanted to share that with everyone.

[captain]

Oh Karen,
How fantastic!!!!!

What a lovely thing for Temple to do - although I must admit I don't know who she is, so going to "google" her .....

Can't wait for pics .....

[Karen]

Temple is an autistic woman who persevered and not only didn't get institutionalized, but became an amazing advocate for animals, saying that because of the way her brain works, she finds animals are often easier to understand than people. She is a college professor, and has done incredible work for both autistic children and animals.

[Cookiebaker]

Wow, Karen, that sounds like an amazing weekend! And you got to meet John Grogan?? I have his book "Marley & Me" and love it. I haven't finished it yet, but that is due to too many deadlines! I would so love to meet Marle, too

[Karen]

Yes, I now own a signed copy of Marley and Me! Marley has since gone to the Rainbow Bridge, so was unable to attend the show.

[chocolatepuppy]

Wow, I'd like to meet John Grogan, I'm almost through with the book. And of course Duke.

[flamepony12]

Wow! I agree, what an exciting weekend! ^____^

John Grogan (Marley & Me author)

I just finished reading that book, it was wonderful