KC Frantzen - May the K9 Spy 03 - May Leads the Way: Trouble Near Tofino (15 page)

Dear Special Agent,

Thanks for reading May’s story. We’d be FURever grateful if you’d write an honest review on the site where you acquired your confidential copy. Then plan a trip to
Tofino, British
Columbia
and enjoy the amazing forests and ocean, the bald eagles, otters, dolphins, whales… even wolves if you kayak to Vargas Island!

We fictionalize May’s involvement but most places and events are real, or could be. This is the time to prepare. To help, we’ve included a checklist for your own “Go Bag” so you will “
Be prepared for emergencies!
”

Now, you might be wondering how May could truly forgive Rukan. That scene is based on something real…

In 2012, my husband and I visited the home of
Corrie ten Boom
in Haarlem, the Netherlands. I’d wanted to visit since reading her book as a teen. It tells how Corrie and some of her family were imprisoned for hiding Jews from the Nazis during World War II. She was
terribly
abused in concentration camps, but survived.

After the war, she traveled the world with a message: “There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.”

One day she addressed a church in Germany about love and forgiveness.

Afterwards, a former guard, one who had treated her cruelly during imprisonment, approached. “How grateful I am for your message, Fraulein. To think that, as you say, Jesus has washed my sins away.” He extended his hand to Corrie.

She didn’t think she could forgive this man or shake his hand.

Corrie had a decision to make. Did she
truly
believe what she thought she believed? Find out what happened in her book,
The Hiding Place
.

Please join
May’s Facebook pack
if you haven’t already. We love to keep in touch!

Bye for now,

KC, and May too

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KC Frantzen learned to speak critter at a young age. As a veterinarian’s daughter, she was always surrounded by four-footed friends. Occasionally her dad would bring home patients needing care during the night. He’d put the pet carrier on the dryer, and KC would stand on tippy toes to comfort them as best she could.

She began writing in elementary school and even won the school-wide contest with a story on deep sea fishing. Though she kept writing here and there, it was mostly just for fun.

KC taught fifth grade, worked for an oilfield supply company, a pharmaceutical company, then embarked on several entrepreneurial endeavors. She volunteers with a variety of projects, including the Joni & Friends Wounded Warrior Getaway. She completed the Christian Writers Guild Apprentice course, which helped prepare her to tell May’s story.

KC and her husband enjoy traveling just about anywhere, which helps formulate ideas for her stories. The family lives in the Tennessee hills – two humans, two Arabian horses and several rescued dogs, including May.

May and KC are delighted to meet fans at libraries, schools and shows. She and May read each letter and email, and adore hearing comments and suggestions. Thank you for your support!

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

“It is God’s grace that he has the ability to draw and paint. Mr. Vanya says it is also God’s grace that he has a chance to make his living by selling what he draws and paints.”

Tim Vanya knew he wanted to be an artist when he won Mrs. Morgans’ Valentine coloring contest in first grade. He has worked the rest of his life doing just that.

When he was in Junior High he read Robert Louis Stevenson’s
Treasure Island
and
Kidnapped
. Both of the books had been illustrated by
N. C. Wyeth. Tim says he can still see these paintings in his
head and wanted to make paintings like Mr. Wyeth when he
grew up.

In High School he had the chance to draw for other people and himself. He did illustrations for the school’s year book and banners for the football team to run through.

While at the University of Houston, he was able to major in art and learned to make art to sell. He got to fulfill part of his dream by illustrating
May Finds a Way
and
May Leads the Way.

Tim now spends his days painting the men, women, and animals of today’s working West. He is director of Artists of the American West group and it’s affiliate The Western Associates. He is also a Judge for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Program.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

T
here are so many to thank, especially my husband, Steve, and my parents, Jay & Joyce Collins and Marcia Frantzen, as well as aunts & uncles, cousins, nephews & nieces. Once again,
Sandra Byrd’s
editing expertise and mentorship is truly valued. Illustrations by TW “Pops” Vanya add sparkle. Formatting and cover design by Deb Tremper at
Six Penny Graphics
is superb. Thanks to Perry Hartman for audio and web. Publicity assistance by
Amber Stokes
.

First readers Jim Barr, Mary Holyer-Black, Dottie Mackenzie, Nancy Simpson, Thom & Cheryl Teeters and the Proofer Sisters, Mary & Nancy; special encouragement from Linda Betz, Rita Monette, Vicki Moss, Bev Schwind, and friends with Write Touch Inspirational Writers; each of the Seekers especially Mary Connealy, Ruth Logan Herne, Sandra Leesmith and Tina Russo Radcliffe, and
Seekervillagers
including Pepper Basham, Virginia Carmichael, Melanie Dickerson, Jan Drexler, and Vince Mooney at Seekerville; Carol Moncado and the great writers at 1K1H on Facebook; and many others.

Our dear FURiends and Festival buddies Tim, Lois & Josh Davis and Janet McGhee with
Joshua’s Pet Treat Bakery
. Critter-sitters Andy & Norma Munns, Fred & Karen Diehl and Pat Bugg.

Additional story ideas from John Dean “Jeff” Cooper, Glen Doherty & Tyrone Woods, Jon Jaques, Earl Long, “Mark from U.N.C.L.E.”, Tony Mendez, Rylee, Robert B. Thieme, Jr., and Sam Wills.

Bloggers
Rebeka Borshevsky
,
Virginia Carmichael
,
Serena & Ellerie Chase
,
Meagan Davenport
,
Diane Estrella
,
Gaea Planet Books
,
Kav
,
Tammy Shelnut
,
Sherida Stewart
,
Amber Stokes
,
Cindy Vincent
,
Roseanna White
. Lovely bookmarks from
Swagmaster Designs
.

A big May the K9 Spy barkout to all our FURiends in May’s Facebook pack; principals, teachers and librarians who entrust your students to us; book and gift shops, the Shanks Center; fans we’ve met “in dog” at festivals and fairs… Thanks for your encouraging emails, gifts, letters, and posts! We love you!

We especially thank those in the Silent Service, SEALs and others in our wonderful US Military, their families, and finally to Jesus Christ, the greatest leader of all.

Bonus Info!

Wonder where I get my ideas?

May’s stories are based on our life together, plus rampant curiosity about current events, on location research (Tofino, B.C. is worth visiting!), interviews with interesting people, plus lots and lots of imagination.

Want to know more?

Look at your local library or on the Internet for: EMP, Micro drones, USS Tennessee and Ohio Class submarines, Underground Railroad, Drydeck Shelter, Cathedral Grove, Killer Commando Dolphins and Mossad.

Or, check out our website for links!

www.MaytheK9Spy.com

Be prepared for emergencies!

Here are some
Go Bag basics, as compiled by the City of San Francisco, and a few ideas from me.

What other items will you include?

A component of your disaster kit is your Go bag. Put the following items together in a backpack or another easy to carry container in case you must evacuate quickly. Prepare one Go bag for each family member and make sure each has an ID tag. You may not be at home when an emergency strikes so keep some additional supplies in your car and at work, considering what you would need for your immediate safety.

• Flashlight
  
• Radio – battery operated
  
• Batteries
  
• Whistle
  
• Dust mask
  

• Pocket knife
  
• Emergency cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls
  
• Sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, and a warm hat
  
• Local map
  
• Some water and food
  
• Permanent marker, paper and tape
  
• Photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes
  
• List of emergency point-of-contact phone numbers
  
• List of allergies to any drug (especially antibiotics) or food
  

• Copy of health insurance and identification cards
  
• Extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items
  
• Prescription medications and first aid supplies
  
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
  
• Extra keys to your house and vehicle
  
• Any special-needs items for
  children
  ,
  seniors or people with disabilities
  . Remember, prepare a Go Bag for your pets.