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"The Most Powerful Woman in Publishing"

Do you know who the most powerful woman in publishing is? Or, for that matter. the most powerful person?

Well, according to tonight's Evening Standard, it's Amanda Ross, sister-in-law to Jonathan Ross and wife to Simon, co-owner of Cactus TV, producers of Richard and Judy and Saturday Kitchen and founder of the Richard and Judy Book Club.

Lucy Cavendish outlines just how influential Mrs Ross really is:

"...one in four books are bought based on her recommendation; 10 of her chosen authors are now millionaires; Labyrinth by Kate Mosse, an Amanda Ross-chosen book, was number one in the list of overall books in 2006. The Island, a summer read by Victoria Hislop, was number two in 2006. And, famously, Cecelia Ahern's cover for the best-selling PS.I Love You was changed from pink to blue on the advice of Ross."

Blimey!

But guess what? I know the real reason Amanda Ross is the publishing powerhouse; it's not the fact she's from Essex (the best girls are, though - I should know!), it's not the fact that she has a house in Italy (the Mistress was SO jealous when she saw that), it's not the fact that she bagged the best Ross (according to her sister-in-laws). No. I reckon it's because Mrs Ross has two great loves in her life - her dogs! Yes, her Tibetan Terriers, Poppet and Bella, clearly have the run of the Cactus office and I really wouldn't be surprised if THEY were the real power behind the publishing and broadcasting throne.

Mark my words, never, never doubt the dogs!

Woof Woof

Shh...What IS "The Secret"?

The Mistress is a great fan of Oprah Winfrey because.... because she's a self-made woman, loves dogs and has come clean about the skeletons in her cupboard and is doing her best to change US law to ensure other children don't go through what she went through. Oprah is the living embodiment of triumph over adversity.

I like Oprah because she battles with her weight - in spite of the billions in her bank - so she understands where I am coming from!

Of course, Oprah has her cynics! It didn't help that she got into a fight about James Frey's book, A Million Little Pieces.

And now, it seems, she's in hot water again because she's recommended The Secret by Rhonda Byrne - a book, DVD and website (www.thesecret.tv) - that's all about...the laws of attraction. It's topped the New York Bestseller List and ... can't be bought for love OR money!! Ha ha

The Secret’s basic premise is - with some quantum physics thrown in (string theory!) - that what you think about comes about and if you want good things in your life, you must think about them and magnetise them to you. Seems ok to me. I like the bit where it says having a pet in your life is fantastic because they bring pure joy into your life. Of course, we do!!!

Anyway, I am going to do a bit of manifesting myself (magnetising stuff to me) - I'm going to start with tasty snacks on tap (Mistress, are you listening)? A weekly massage (dogs LOVE massage), a regular pampering session at a doggy spa and ...well, I would manifest that it was just back to being just the Mistress and me but I don't think she would like that!

So, with my positive thoughts, I am magnetising a big fat juicy steak. I'll let you know how I get on.

Woof Woof

CSI for dogs. Sort of.

CSI is a great programme; formulaic yes but also crime-solving television at its best. And the soundtrack is pretty fabulous, too.

Clearly some environmental officers from Scotland have been seeing how they can apply some CSI-style detective work to their own jobs. And now they have come up with a winner. So what is it, you ask?

Well, it's everybody's favourite subject...dog mess. Everyone blames us, the so-called dirty dogs but surely everyone knows by now it's the owners who don't pick up!

Anyway, apparently dog mess is a "robust DNA source" so councillors have decided to build up a DNA database of the offending material and trace it back to the owners, who are, after all, repeat offenders. The local authority will then fine them for being too lazy to pick up. Well quite right too, I say.

The Mistress has reproached people in the past (who don't pick up) by offering them a plastic bag to clear up but her other half has asked her not to be so confrontational. He is worried someone is going to respond a bit more aggressively than grunting at her. He keeps saying, "you'll be decked, if you carry on like that". But someone's got to be vigilant, haven't they?

The Scotsman reports that this approach to fouling has far-reaching consequences; it's not just about identifying the culprits in this doggy drama. It's also about solving much more serious crimes. Apparently, a man was charged and found guild of murder in Indiana, USA because the dog mess on his trainers linked him to the crime scene.

Perhaps Scottish author Ian Rankin will weave this latest crime-solving development into his next book. Who knows?

Woof Woof

Picasso – Artistic Genius and…Dog Lover

Many experts consider Pablo Picasso to be the greatest artist of the twentieth century. I don’t know enough about art to comment but, guess what? He was also a dog lover! Cool or what?

Apparently, during the happiest period of his life, he shared his space with a menagerie of animals, not least the unfortunately-named Lump, a dachshund.

Orginally owned by photographer Davd Douglas Duncan, Lump captured Picasso’s imagination. Or should that read heart? And the dog became a permanent fixture and the artist's muse.

Thames & Hudson have published a new book about these halcyon days, Lump: The Dog Who Ate a Picasso www.thameshudson.co.uk, which depict painter and pooch having a fabulous time.

Picasso knew a thing or two about life, about art and about creative genius. Yes, he knew, full well, that for the inner genius to come out, a dog must be part of the picture! Whoops, I meant plan!

If you like dogs, you’ll like the book. If you like Picasso, you’ll like the book. And, if you like those ultra-cute sausage dogs with some serious culture thrown in, you’ll love it!

Pablo, we salute you!

Woof Woof