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I try to keep these newsletters upbeat, but today I have some un-cheery news.  

Nana (11/26/2010 – 12/8/2023)

Born in Abilene to Captain and Willow in the home of Annette Chambers, Nana started her life as an exuberant, spirited puppy, nicknamed The Princess of Pandemonium. Her antics inspired the children’s book, Naughty Nana, told from her point of view. Fortunately, with some training and love from Grammy and Papa, Jason and Gabby, and several others, Nana learned it was better to be nice.

Meanwhile, Nana was making friends all over town. Wherever she went, people stopped to admire her fluffiness and receive sloppy kisses in return. Once the book was published in 2013, Nana became an instant celebrity, and she began a whirlwind tour that took her to hundreds of schools, libraries, museums, bookstores, parades, festivals, theaters, amusement parks, artwalks, birthday parties, play groups, toy stores—anywhere that people gathered, Nana wanted to go. The annual Barkus and Meow Mardi Gras parades and monthly visits to the Children’s Museum were among some of her favorite outings.

Nana’s public appearances led to her being named as a Galveston Tourism Ambassador dog, and that role took her to many attractions, like the submarine on Pelican Island and the stage of The Grand 1894 Opera House.

Nana was featured many times in the Galveston Daily News, particularly in Frances Powell’s social column, where she was nicknamed The DivaPup. She also appeared in Galveston Monthly, Coast Magazine, and the international Dogster magazine. She won a beauty contest sponsored by Tom Thumb Nursery, among others. She also made a TV appearance with KPRC weatherman, Frank Billingsley at the start of Covid lockdown.

Nana’s story, Naughty Nana, sold out of two printings and into the third, reached children in seven countries. Some of her young readers insisted that their parents drive them across the country to meet Nana. Through social media, Nana’s reach expanded, and she became Facebook friends with numerous other sheepdogs and their owners.

Most importantly, Nana grew into a magnificent person-in-a-dog-suit. Immaculately groomed, she was a photogenic head-turner to the very end, and her affection displayed for people was extraordinary. Nana was smart, and during Covid, spending so much time at home with her people, she expanded her vocabulary.

Nana was preceded at the rainbow bridge by Bogey, the Scotty with perfect manners. Left to remember her amazing life are the people she owned, Saralyn and Ed Richard; Archie, the Bichon; their family and friends; and thousands upon thousands of people who adored her.

The family wants to express special thanks to Dr. Richard Henderson for thirteen years of loving medical care and advice; JaNa’ Maupin for being Nana’s other mama; John Andrew (Berry) for keeping Nana meticulously groomed and caring for her recently; and Cheryl Jenkines of Hendley Market for countless bowls of water and invitations to greet people in the store at Christmas and Fourth of July.

If you have a story about Nana or Naughty Nana, the family would love to hear it, and it would bring them comfort at this heart-breaking time.

P.S. If you’re interested in purchasing a new copy of Naughty Nana, it’s available and comes personalized, autographed, pawtographed, and with literacy lessons if requested, on the bookstore page at http://palmcirclepress.com.

P.P.S. If you think someone you know would be interested in this newsletter, feel free to forward it.