The Bandit Project

"Dear Jeanne, what Joy you've brought us all.."

2012-02-10T18:03:00.000-06:00

Haven't you heard it said, "This is everything known on the subject and that's that..."
In the case of Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylors extensive book, "All about Aussies: The Australian Shepherd from A to Z" that statement is really true.
Written by a lady who literally grew up with the breed and grew up with the foundation of popularity of this great dog and its followers, Mrs. Hartnagle-Taylor pours not only her knowledge but love into each and every page of this important book. Pictures of the early days with her father and the early pictures of the formation of his dog into one of America's most popular canines to modern times and the growth of the Australian Shepherd.
The scope of a book that is called " All about Aussies" must be just that, all about Aussies. In this case this beautifully bound book is not only a complete and thorough reference book, but a great keepsake that would look good on any coffee table or bookshelf.
Cathy, Falen and I got the chance to meet and visit with Jeanne Joy at Terri Carver's ranch in Brenham, Texas. Terri was hosting a seminar for herding dogs that was being put on by Jeanne Joy. I marveled over how kind and patient she was with each handler, and how each and every dog seemed to respond to her direction and touch. They all knew that she knew and each of the shepherd dogs loved her confidence and encouragement. The smiles on the faces of both dogs and handlers abounded that day. That kind of love and understanding is poured into every page of this wonderful book.
"The information in this book is vital to enjoying life with your Aussie." Well said by John Everett of La Plata, Maryland. If you visit Amazon to see first hand what I am extolling, you will read other reviews of this book and its usefulness in your love affair with Aussies.
Everything that my dear friends, Anne Shope, Stephanie Shope McDaniel, Judie Manuel, Barbara Moe and Shelly Hollen-Wood told me about Jeanne Joy was true. And as we like to say in Louisiana, lagniappe.

With a little help from your friends

2012-02-05T16:56:00.001-06:00

Many thanks....

I am so indebted to my friends who have assisted me in writing this series of books. Just today I received a email from Barb Moe in
Montana, a dear friend of Judie Manuals and Anne Shopes, who went to length about the questions I had about cattle ranching in Montana and the use of Aussies. Barb was a great help in the writing of Down from the Mountain and here she is again providing all of the technical help I need to make Falen's book as true to life as it can be. Judie, Anne, Stephanie and Shelly all have been such a wonderful help. I have to also mention Karen Fremuth who was so helpful on Bandits first book. Now Sgt. Bobbie Curtis, USMC has provided useful information and expertise in this new book that features a wounded Marine and his love and affection for an Aussie..thank not only to you all but the thousand's of people who have purchased the book. I am forever grateful...

First Three Chapters

2012-02-03T23:44:00.000-06:00

Go up to the tab marked "Falen's Story" and click on it then take a peek, and let me know your opinion. These first three chapters should give you a good taste of the flavor of "Falen, Semper Fi". I hope you like them and please, please let me know what you think. Thank you all so much for the success of the first novel, "Down from the Mountain" I hope this second book will be as well received.

Falen says, "Its all about me"

2012-01-29T16:57:00.000-06:00

If you will notice the tab at the top of this page that says Falen's Story and click on it, you will find that it contains and will continue to contain news about the new book "Falen, Semper Fi". I am going to post the first three chapters of this love story. A story about the love of a wounded warrior, his high school sweetheart and the Australian Shepherd that brings them together. I hope you will like it but I have another purpose in mind as well. I am going to let you comment on the story as we go along. Let me know what you like and don't like. Where you think this story should go and give me an idea of how you think its coming along. All of the tricks and bells and whistles are not added yet but they will be in the coming weeks. This blog site came of age because of the overwhelming response to "Down from the Mountain" on Amazon over the past few days. I can hardly wait until I get Falen's first book out for sale on Kindle. Again, if there is anything you think this story should say about Aussies and their love for their people please don't hesitate to let me know. I will answer each and every comment and email. I am depending on you so don't let me down...jmk

Home on the Range

2012-01-28T13:55:00.001-06:00

I've been day dreaming lately as I continue to write the story of Falen and Rick living on a ranch in Montana. I've had this dream before about any area that is rural and "close to the earth". I did however learn my lesson from a dear friend and one of the best horse trainers in the country, Bob Kellert.

Back when Cathy and I lived in southern California I owned some very fine Morgan horses, all show bred. One in particular was maybe the greatest thing I have ever been privileged to be a part of and that was the two timed Grand National Champion, Darien.

I dreamed of a place where he could run free over acres. A place where he was the master of all he surveyed. I told any one and every one about my dream of ranch living at its best. I talked about it so much that one day, Bob said to me," Jim, why don't you come up to the stable for a weekend and work with me. You'll get a good dose of what ranch life is all about. I jumped at the chance.

I journeyed up US 101 from the San Fernando Valley north to Santa Barbara and a little ways further to Bob's majestic stable area overlooking the blue Pacific. Boots in hand and a couple of pairs of jeans and I was certainly ready for my "Home on the Ranch".

After a wonderful dinner prepared by his wife Lynn, Bob informed me that it was about time to hit the hay, so to speak, it would be an early day tomorrow. Saturday is the day most of the horses' owners come to visit. At a show horse barn, the weekend is almost hectic.

With a full belly and a wine clouded head I was lead into the guest room for a good night's sleep.

I just dropped off into dreamland when I was awakened by a pounding at the door. The old man in the
"night before Christmas" couldn't have jumped out of bed any faster than did I.

"What's the matter?" I yelled.

"Nothing," Bob said through the door, "Its just time to get up. Its 3:30 and time to go to work."

Oh my God. Work at 3am, a time I had been used to getting in, not up.

Needless to say, I joined Bob, raking stalls, walking horses, feeding and breathing hard and sweating all at about 5 am. Just as we finished our work, or so I thought, it was about 6:30 and the first of the clients began arriving. To make a long story short, we finished our day of work about 7:30 that night, just in time for another of Lynn's wonderful meals. Then a quick trip to bed, getting ready for another day's ranch work. By the way, Bob said, "Sundays were even busier.

I had learned my lesson and learned it well. Ranching is no job for the faint of heart and spirit. Monday morning I crept home a tired cowboy wondering how people like Bob could last seven day's a week.

This story proves one thing to me. The men and women who work on our farms and ranches are a different breed of people. Hard working doesn't even describe their efforts. I am adding to this list all of the professional Dog breeders, trainers and handlers. There is not a day that goes by that the animals can take a second place in our lives.

Writing the Bandit series is my way to "live on a ranch". Pay homage to the backbone of american workers. Shepherds who labor long days and nights with only their dogs and sheep to keep the company. Ranchers who search the pasture lands if one little calf is missing. And, the families that labor alongside making sure that each day is productive and pleasurable.

Now my ranch is one acre in Oak Ridge North, Texas. Falen and Rowdy keep me busy. I love every moment of it. But as a note to you ranchers and farmers who have joined my blog, " If you need me to work just don't wake me up at 3 am..." OK?

Its really a new day for our Books..

2012-01-27T19:13:00.004-06:00

I can hardly believe it myself, but after three days of a promotion with Amazon for "Down from the Mountain" over 7300 people chose to download a copy of the Bandit book to their Kindles. 73 hundred new people will be reading about the wonderful Bandit, Jenny, Falen and Javier Coronado's lives in Montana. I still find it hard to believe. Yet there are all of our friends on Face Book who have commented about the book and their love for its characters. Thanks to each and every one of you. I will continue this marvelous story with the next book, "Falen Semper Fi". This one is a love story, and an adventure story and the story of a man's love for his dog and the dog's involvement with his master’s well being. From time to time as the story progresses, I will post about it under the link at the top of the page marked "Falen's Story".

What makes all of this even more rewarding is the friendship this book has garnered for us with such outstanding Aussie Breeders, Judges, and Writers as Jeanne Joy Hartnagle Taylor, Anne Shope, Stephanie Shope McDaniel, Shelly Hollen-wood, and Judie Manuel. There are many others too numerous mention.

All of the coming stories about dogs and the people they own..(lol) have as a central theme the ancient bond between Man, Dog, and God the creator. I have such deep respect for all animals, and my love of dogs is heightened each day I spend with my Falen and Rowdy. Falen, if you do not know, was one of the stars of the original Bandit book. I can't read the Bandit story without remembering my conversation with Anne Shope, when the great sire, Bandit, passed over the bridge. In a way all of the Bandit Books are a testament to his greatness and the love his family and those of us who share his progeny have for him.

Another person who was deeply involved with these stories was Walt Manuel, Judie's beloved husband and our friend. Walt passed away last year after an exceedingly tough battle with cancer. Walt was a true American Cowboy and a rancher in the highest respect. It's my deepest belief that the spirit of the men and women who toil our great earth are the backbone of our nation. The famers and ranchers of America will always be foremost in the stories of the Bandit Project.

This is true also of the men and women who serve our country in the military. Rick Gonzales, the hero of the new Falen stories is a proud member of the United States Marine Corps. As a wounded trooper, Rick baths in the love of Falen as she tries to meet his every need.

All in all this is going to be a meaningful series and I hope you will join us along the way. Email me if you have any additions or questions. I will be glad to answer each and every one. Blessings on you all and blessings on the Animals that serve us daily...

Reviews!

2012-01-27T00:42:00.002-06:00

Take a Trip to the Big Sky of Montana Through the Eyes of "Man's Best Friend and Working Partner", the Working Stock Dog. What a wonderful read. This book touches your heart. It gives you insight into the beautiful Big Sky Country of Montana as well as the life of a sheep rancher and his friend and partner the working stock dog. There is drama, peace, tears and kindness all wrapped up in a touching story of a man, his livelihood, and his dogs.
~ Barb Moe (Montana)

A beautifully written story set in Montana on a sheep ranch about a sheepherder and his beautiful working Australian Shepherds. Once you start reading the book, you will not put it down. One of the best books I have read. MacKrell has done a superb job capturing the love,loyalty and heart of the Australian Shepherd.
~ Judie Manuel (Montana)

A great read. This is the type of book you just can't put down. Put a log on the fire and enjoy a journey into Big Sky Country, friendship, and a dog's special companionship. Highly recommended.
~ Mike Deciutiis (California)

James MacKrell serves up an ace! Jim has displayed his talents on the silver screen and on the tennis courts but has found a new career as novelist extraordinaire. Enjoyed every page of the book and have made a list of family and friends who will receive their copies for Christmas!
~ Stephen Schlacks (Texas)

Inside view of a working dog and man's best friend! This is a wonderful story about man's best friend as a companion and working partner. The setting of Montana in which it takes place brings out the best about this part of the country. I recommend this book to anyone who loves animals and has a place in his/her heart where animals live. I volunteer at St. Francis wolf sanctuary in Texas and have found many special animals to share my life with. My friend Jean Lefevre who runs the sanctuary is a testament to what one person can do to change the lives of so many lost and abused animals. Anyone who reads 'Down from the Mountain' will find a heartwarming experience.
~ Linda K. Ross (Texas)

This is a journey through places and times most of us can never see. The author presents an emotionally charged storyline in memorable ways that will surely win awards. I enjoyed this novel immensely, and I recommend it to all age groups.
~ Bud Connell (Arkansas)

James MacKrell accurately portrays the Australian Shepherd breed as a working partner, a guardian, and a best bud. From page one to the last page, you are captivated by his many characters from dogs to sheep to wolves to mankind, his scenary in the gorgeous Big Skye ranching country of Montana, and his action-packed story that never lets you down. This book would make a terrific movie. It is definitely a story for the entire family to enjoy.
~Ann Shope (New Mexico)

All Dogs Go to Heaven, and that's that!

2009-03-06T16:05:00.000-06:00

James Herriot, the late British Veterinarian and beloved author, once replied in response to a dying woman’s inquiry about animals joining their masters in the afterlife…“If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.”

My family and I have shared in the lives of many canine, feline, and equine companions. I firmly believe that the human-animal connection is a powerful one, given to us as a celebration of the love of our creator, the Spirit of the Day and Night. Many of my friends would quarrel with me about this subject, insisting that only humans have souls and therefore God’s Blessing.

In doing a bit of research for this posting, I stumbled upon a funny visual display of this very argument and wanted to share it because it packs such a punch:
www.siliconvalleywatcher.com

What are YOUR thoughts? My guess is that if you’re visiting our blog, and happen to be a long-standing fan of books about dogs or even animals in general, then you share my sentiments and those of so many others like the immortal Will Rogers… “if there are no dogs in heaven, then I want to go where they went!”

A book with benefits!

2009-03-01T20:34:00.000-06:00

In the words of one of America’s bestselling novelist’s, Agnes Sligh Turnbull… “a dog’s life is very short, their only fault, really.”

I was saddened by the passing of Legends Aussies’ Shopes Goodnight Bandit. The dog for whom I’ve based the hero of the book. Bandit’s official registered name is: HOF VCH WTCH CH Shopes Goodnight Bandit CDX RTDsc HAs HXd.

If you know anything about dog titles there is very little that Bandit hadn’t done. As I began putting together the story of Bandit and the Wolf, I took great inspiration from my friends Judie and Walt Manual who own Bandit’s champion son, “Warner” who is also known as CKC CH Legends Be Forewarned CD STDc OTDds DNA-VP. Besides being a full fledged working dog, Warner has followed along in his father’s footsteps on the road to fame. And Warner’s daughter, Amistad’s Falen, is growing up to be ever as great as her ‘old men.’ In fact, because of her very special place in my heart and the hearts of my family, Falen plays a supporting role in Down from the Mountain as well.

With all their greatness and acclaim, just as Ms. Turnbull said “A dog’s life is short,” which is too true and too sad, actually. Just when they get us nearly fully trained, they’re called home again to be fully reunited with the 'Spirit of the Day and Night.'

Many of our beloved family pets’ lives are shortened by cancer. It runs as rampant in dogs as it is does among humans, and that’s why we are planning to donate a portion of the profits from the sale of the books to TWO very worthwhile organizations. One is dedicated to researching and eradicating cancer in animals...the National Canine Cancer Foundation. And the other organization, Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute, dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge of genetics in the Australian Shepherd, and the inherited diseases to which it sometimes suffers.

I wish a single book’s profits could eradicate cancer and other inherited diseases in animals, but I am reminded, that nothing can be done overnight. But every little effort takes us forward. Slow and steady wins the race, isn’t that right?

A note from the author...

2009-02-14T11:26:00.001-06:00

Oh, the power of dreams! Without dreams nothing gets done.

As John Lennon once said, "A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality."

And so I want to share with you a dream I had last year as I was napping with the warm Texas sunshine filtering through my bedroom window and my Australian Shepherd across the foot of my bed. Nice music was playing on my XM player, and I was totally relaxed in that quasi-slumber only experienced by us "Pro Nappers."

A movie of my own making started running through my sub- conscious. A wonderful story beautifully unfolded in my head about an Australian Shepherd who lived in the mountainous sheep country of Montana. Suffice it to say, I’ve spent my entire career in Television and Movies, as an actor, writer, and producer, so having an extremely active imagination is just something for which I’ve been both blessed and cursed.

As the movie in my mind came to a close, obviously no longer drowsy, I jumped up and ran down the stairs to relate the entire story to my wife, Cathy. With loving encouragement, and a sassy wink of her eye, she suggested that I go to the computer and write the story down before it “faded to black."

The Bandit Project is not only a complete account of how my original movie-dream became the novel, “Down from the Mountain: the Story of Bandit and the Wolf,” it is an exercise in integrated publishing by design. In other words, it is the practice of a community of people coming together to bring a story to life in every conceivable form for every relevant function.

Subscribe today to keep up with The Bandit Project. Learn more about Bandit and our community of friends who have played such an important part in the making of his story. And then Join us in the many opportunities we will be providing through this blog to contribute to the manifestation of 'Down from the Mountain: the Story of Bandit and the Wolf.'

If it's going to be....

2009-02-13T11:33:00.000-06:00

I have been greatly impressed by a book title I remember from years back. Robert Schuller’s “If It’s Going To Be, It’s Up To Me” speaks even more loudly today than when it was first published. I am not surprised by the crisis and turmoil in the world of Publishing yet I’ve discovered there are still books coming to market and innovative ways to bring them to the reading public.

Today’s literary agents are really in a bind. They are trying to sell material to a tapped out publishing market whose ‘bottom line’ is shrinking faster than skirt lengths. This is either the worst of times, or the best of times to bring a book to market.

The Bandit project has received great encouragement from the Book Publishing world. I am currently in negotiations with not only Publishing experts but related industry officals who see the great potential in this simple story of life and death, trust and fear and the faith to depend on a ‘higher power’ to get through the ‘tough times’

Bandit is lost in the vast mountains of the Absaroka Mountains, alone with no hope of living. The Spirit of the Day and Night sends a most unlikely benefactor to not only save him, but guide the first year of his life through some lessons that will serve our hero for the rest of his life. It ties back into Dr. Schuller’s book, “If It’s Going To Be, It’s Up To Me”. This is true, but faith builds the strength for us to be able to survive.

And it's off!

2009-02-12T18:27:00.000-06:00

I don’t know what was a bigger thrill for me: when I first stepped onto the lot of 20th Century Fox Studios, had makeup put on my face and then actually become a paid actor; or watching The Bandit Project take off like a rocket over the Internet from our established little neighborhood in north Houston, Texas.

I spoke today with several of Bandit’s fans and the book’s contributors. Each person has personally shared an electronic copy of the book, and with each report the enthusiasm for Bandit’s story grows.

If you have never met an Australian Shepherd, I encourage you to visit one of the links included in our navigation to the left to see and learn more about these magnificent animals. Bandit, the hero of the story, is greatly patterned after one of the most successful and decorated sires in all of Aussie-dom. (To see the “real” Bandit, be sure to hyperlink to Legends Aussies.)

I have a great list of folks without whom this book would have never been written. I thank them all. From time to time on this blog you will meet each and every one. If you have any questions about what we are doing, why we’re doing it, or about Aussie’s, Montana, Sheep, Wolf-Hybrids, or me, then please do not hesitate to contact me. I will answer as many query’s as I can.