In 2006, my dog and I had just about been on every television talk show there was, including the Oprah Winfrey Show. We had been on Ricki Lake, Maury, Montel, and others you wouldn't know if you were American. I don't remember all their names; the one I do remember that stands out is Tesuwan Dash; it was a Japanese show. I can't remember exactly when it happened; we were in the middle of being filmed, booked for shows, speaking engagements, and more. Life was a blur for a while. The one thing I really needed -- and do mean NEEDED, was a booking agent.
We found one sometime after Oprah and before some of the international shows. I can't remember exactly how we met, but I think he reached out to me and asked me if I had an agent. I knew I needed one, but the only people interested in working with us wanted to change Faith's story to make it seem out of this world outrageous, and they wanted me to say and do things that were absolutely out of the question. I may do many things that upset folks, but I don't compromise my ethics or integrity; I answer to God, not to man.
Well, there he was...my agent. His name is Mike Maguire, and he had made himself a place in the world of being an agent by representing a great number of older baseball players, some football, some soccer, and some other types of athletes, all of which, (or most of which) had retired and he was able to get them gigs closer to home, where they could feel comfortable telling folks about their exciting careers; he had them going to cons and signings. He had them meeting fans and doing shows to promote whatever it was that they wanted to showcase, and he did a GREAT job.
When he took on Faith, he stepped way out of his wheelhouse, so to speak; it's not every day someone like Faith comes along. She wasn't retired; she was at the peak of her career. She wasn't athletic, but she was a crowd-pleaser. To say she was a great draw would be an understatement. The dog ruled!
Let's get honest about that. No matter where the room was, she was the center of attention, even if two people were just trying to get married! (Mike and I got stiffed in King of Prussia when Faith decided to leave our side, run down the aisle of the event conference room where we were, and she made EVERYONE'S day, including the bride and groom who invited her to their nuptials and to their reception afterward.) When she heard applause, she believed it was for her!
Well, Faith passed. She did such an amazing thing for the world, but it came to an end. I went this way, Mike went that way. Time went by, over ten years actually, and now, well...I found him. I asked him to be my book agent, to structure the promotion of the books, and to get people interested in reading what I write. I'm sure he'll have quite a time wrangling the gigs, but we'll make it happen. I'm about to stop the writing of the other books and focus on writing the children's stories about Faith and her life. We'll see where it goes - I'm thinking to the Moon!
Mike hasn't said yes yet, but I think he will. He was optimistic about it, and just as soon as the new year cruises into shape, we'll talk about the future. Something tells me he's gonna love the opportunity. I know I will. I believe in the man's powers of persuasion! He's an awesome asset, not to mention a really good friend. I'll give him time to think about it. It will mean moving things around, and then we'll have to make decisions about the new books as well as the ones I've already written. The children's books will be about 60 pages long and illustrated, and they'll tell the life story of one of the most famous animals ever to walk on the planet- upright.
Pray for us! We'll need that for sure. It's easy to talk about Faithy; tomorrow is her birthday. She would be 22...such a nut. I love her, and I will never stop loving her. Being with Mike again is like a dream come true -- he's really that good, and when he and Faith worked together, the world responded. Thanking God now, and hoping to hear back with the official word -- very soon.
Photo Credit: Carol Guzy -- Mike Maguire and Faith the Dog.
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