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Blog postWhen I chose the name, Who Will Let the Dogs Out it wasn’t just because it’s a clever twist on the title of the popular song, Who Let the Dogs Out. It was because that’s exactly what I want to know— WHO will let the dogs out? My belief is that everyone can do something. You, me, pretty much anyone with a heart to help.
Too often we let the enormity of a problem stop us from doing anything about it, believing we don’t have the power to have an impact. And yet no big change happens in t -
Blog postI’ve been sitting on some great news — and dying to tell you but practicing patience.
I’ve held off because you know me and jinxes, and if ever a dog was jinxed it was Mia. A series of bad luck and bad management had created a perfect storm that led to her being with us for over a year as our foster dog.
When dogs linger with us, I always tell myself to trust in the ‘adoption magic.’ The right family and the right home will appear at the right time. I’ve seen it happen countl -
Blog postI’ve been sitting on some great news — and dying to tell you but practicing patience.
I’ve held off because you know me and jinxes, and if ever a dog was jinxed it was Mia. A series of bad luck and bad management had created a perfect storm that led to her being with us for over a year as our foster dog.
When dogs linger with us, I always tell myself to trust in the ‘adoption magic.’ The right family and the right home will appear at the right time. I’ve seen it happen countl -
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Blog postThis past year has felt a bit surreal. As if the world was unplugged and we are collectively holding our breath, waiting for it to be plugged back in and spring to life like my laptop after a hard shut down.
Some writers I know have been absolutely unable to write. Their worlds disrupted understandably.
I was not one of those writers.
But for all the writing I’ve done, very little of it has been anything published or publishable. Instead, I’ve stayed still and listened -
Blog postLife in this foster house is getting quieter and quieter.
Two weeks ago, a mink got into our chicken house and killed all our chickens. It took a while for us to figure out what could possibly have gotten into the secured coop, but the only possible hole was so small it could have only been a mink. Plus, Mink kill for sport, which is evidently what was happening as all the chickens were dead and none were eaten (much).
We’ve kept chickens for fourteen years and this was the fi -
Blog postLife in this foster house is getting quieter and quieter.
Two weeks ago, a mink got into our chicken house and killed all our chickens. It took a while for us to figure out what could possibly have gotten into the secured coop, but the only possible hole was so small it could have only been a mink. Plus, Mink kill for sport, which is evidently what was happening as all the chickens were dead and none were eaten (much).
We’ve kept chickens for fourteen years and this was the fi -
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Blog postMelissa Chan wrote in an article for Time magazine last week, “a surge in pandemic pet adoptions offers opportunities for criminals to seize on nationwide demand and shelter shortages…”
People are so desperate for French bulldogs, one small private investigator in Nebraska who specializes in missing pets says calls have increased 60-70% in the past 18 months, averaging 3-5 requests a week.
Reading the article, I could only shake my head. It seemed to me Chan was writing about -
Blog postMelissa Chan wrote in an article for Time magazine last week, “a surge in pandemic pet adoptions offers opportunities for criminals to seize on nationwide demand and shelter shortages…”
People are so desperate for French bulldogs, one small private investigator in Nebraska who specializes in missing pets says calls have increased 60-70% in the past 18 months, averaging 3-5 requests a week.
Reading the article, I could only shake my head. It seemed to me Chan was writing about -
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Blog postI don’t remember if it was Michelle or Liz who told me, “You are the drop in the pond, and we are the ripples.”
It was maybe the biggest compliment I’ve ever gotten. I’ve never actually met Michelle or Liz, two women who have become rescue sisters to me. Michelle lives in New Jersey and Liz lives in Florida.
I met both women as a result of my work advocating for shelter dogs. Both read my books and reached out wanting to be involved somehow. I had hoped to meet them in our tra -
Blog postHey, it’s been a minute since I last wrote, hasn’t it? Lately I’ve been distracted by a HUGE project that is exciting and scary and so, so important to me. It’s a dream I’ve had ever since the first time I stepped into a southern animal shelter and saw what was happening, and thought, “How … Continue reading "How Can You Raise 20K Really Quick When It Really Matters?"
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Blog postThis weekend we bleached the puppy fences, the crate, and the baby gate that we used with our ‘parvo pups’ last fall one last time and finally stowed them in the attic of the garage. They’d been wiped down with bleach last fall and then left stacked in the corner of our stone porch all winter. Even though they’d been bleached once, I was still wary of them. So afraid that in a crevice or a hinge, parvo virus still lingered.
Last December after the puppies were gone, we threw out the t -
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Blog postThis weekend we bleached the puppy fences, the crate, and the baby gate that we used with our ‘parvo pups’ last fall one last time and finally stowed them in the attic of the garage. They’d been wiped down with bleach last fall and then left stacked in the corner of our stone porch all winter. Even though they’d been bleached once, I was still wary of them. So afraid that in a crevice or a hinge, parvo virus still lingered.
Last December after the puppies were gone, we threw out the t -
Blog postI’ve come to realize that pictures are more powerful than words. And video is even more powerful than pictures. I can write and write and write about a subject, but seeing it in action always has a bigger impact.
This month marks one year since Mia entered our lives. It astounds me that she is still here. I remember watching her with her puppies and with the people she met and thinking, “It will be so easy to get this dog adopted.”
Of course, at that moment in her life she was -
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Blog postI’ve come to realize that pictures are more powerful than words. And video is even more powerful than pictures. I can write and write and write about a subject, but seeing it in action always has a bigger impact.
This month marks one year since Mia entered our lives. It astounds me that she is still here. I remember watching her with her puppies and with the people she met and thinking, “It will be so easy to get this dog adopted.”
Of course, at that moment in her life she was -
Blog postHow would you like to be a part of changing the world?
Okay, maybe that’s a bit grand. How about being a part of changing the world for dogs in the south?
Here’s your chance.
After traveling to nearly 50 shelters and rescues and dog pounds, photographer, Nancy Slattery and I created Who Will Let the Dogs Out (WaLDO, as we affectionately call it) to raise awareness and resources for shelter dogs and the people who fight for them.
In Tennessee, where my dogs Fann -
Blog postHow would you like to be a part of changing the world?
Okay, maybe that’s a bit grand. How about being a part of changing the world for dogs in the south?
Here’s your chance.
After traveling to nearly 50 shelters and rescues and dog pounds, photographer, Nancy Slattery and I created Who Will Let the Dogs Out (WaLDO, as we affectionately call it) to raise awareness and resources for shelter dogs and the people who fight for them.
In Tennessee, where my dogs Fann -
Blog postSomeone told me I jinxed Mia by writing about her last week in such a celebratory way.
Sad to say, she is back and not because I jinxed her but because she was set up to fail. I’ve agonized over how to explain what happened. I don’t want to throw Mia, the adopter, or the rescue under the bus, but I’d say that we all deserve to be runover on this one.
When a dog is newly adopted, the rescue has a process called a 2-week shut down that we tell adopters to follow if they want to -
Blog postSomeone told me I jinxed Mia by writing about her last week in such a celebratory way.
Sad to say, she is back and not because I jinxed her but because she was set up to fail. I’ve agonized over how to explain what happened. I don’t want to throw Mia, the adopter, or the rescue under the bus, but I’d say that we all deserve to be runover on this one.
When a dog is newly adopted, the rescue has a process called a 2-week shut down that we tell adopters to follow if they want to -
Blog postIt finally happened.
Mama Mia left for her forever home after 11 months in foster care. I still find it so hard to believe it took so long to get this amazing dog adopted.
Her adopter is a determined and patient woman, who was certain all along that Mia was her girl. It took three meet and greets, this last one happening with the help of trainer, Geraldine Peace, who you’ll recall was such a huge help with Billie Jean.
Every time I spend time with Geraldine I learn mor -
Blog postIt finally happened.
Mama Mia left for her forever home after 11 months in foster care. I still find it so hard to believe it took so long to get this amazing dog adopted.
Her adopter is a determined and patient woman, who was certain all along that Mia was her girl. It took three meet and greets, this last one happening with the help of trainer, Geraldine Peace, who you’ll recall was such a huge help with Billie Jean.
Every time I spend time with Geraldine I learn mor -
Blog postThere are a lot of wagging tails in this household, and Otis has just upped the ante.
He has a big, loose, 180-degree+, constant wag. His tail can make circles or figure eights. I’m fascinated by its repetoire.
Mia’s tail is also constant, and mostly back and forth, with her hips going just as fast.
Fanny’s tail is hesitant before becoming a windshield wiper, but it will freeze at the slightest alarm. Gracie’s is slow, strong, upright, over-her-back motion. What does i -
Blog postThere are a lot of wagging tails in this household, and Otis has just upped the ante.
He has a big, loose, 180-degree+, constant wag. His tail can make circles or figure eights. I’m fascinated by its repetoire.
Mia’s tail is also constant, and mostly back and forth, with her hips going just as fast.
Fanny’s tail is hesitant before becoming a windshield wiper, but it will freeze at the slightest alarm. Gracie’s is slow, strong, upright, over-her-back motion. What does i -
Blog postHi blog friends, I have a special treat for you today! I’ve invited a long-time friend, who also happens to be a writer and a dog-hearted soul, to tell you about adopting one of my foster dogs. I’ve known Tracy since she was a little kid bouncing around a riding ring on a pony. It’s been a treat to also get to know her as an adult, a mom, and a friend. She’s a talented writer, a great mom, and a smart dog person. I just know you’ll enjoy what she has to say:
I’ve been listening to Car -
Blog postHi blog friends, I have a special treat for you today! I’ve invited a long-time friend, who also happens to be a writer and a dog-hearted soul, to tell you about adopting one of my foster dogs. I’ve known Tracy since she was a little kid bouncing around a riding ring on a pony. It’s been a treat to also get to know her as an adult, a mom, and a friend. She’s a talented writer, a great mom, and a smart dog person. I just know you’ll enjoy what she has to say:
I’ve been listening to Car -
Blog post[This week’s blog post, take two.]
My original post I spent the past forty minutes writing laid out all the ways the publishing world is lined up against me.
But then I simply got tired of my own drivel.
Enough whining, I told myself.
I knew the odds were steeply against me before I signed Blind Turn with an independent press.
I did it anyway, so I don’t get to whine now about the unfairness of the publication world and how the big five (soon to be four -
Blog postBLIND TURN is officially out in the world today.
Thanks to the pandemic, though, it feels like any other day. There is no launch party, no celebratory signing, no champagne with friends even.
I’m planning a Facebook LIVE at lunchtime on my writer page, but I’m certain it will feel as lonely as every other LIVE I’ve done—talking into the abyss and wondering when I finish if I’ve connected with anyone.
Releasing a second book during this ‘unprecedented time’ feels like t -
Blog postJust so you know, I’m privately panicking, occasionally wandering around my house muttering and distracting myself with dogs and wine.
My next novel is less than a month from its drop date. This one comes out with a small press that leaves all the marketing to me.
Have I mentioned that I didn’t study marketing in school? I was a music major. (In other words, my parents donated a lot of money to a small private college in VA.)
A year ago, when I signed my book deal (whi -
Blog postFinding the time to write isn’t always as hard as finding the focus to write.
My house is full of distractions—animals, chores, deliveries, laundry, phone calls, the list goes on and on especially since this has become as much our bunker as our home.
And then there’s the other inhabitants who are currently working from here instead of where they have always worked for most of my writing career. I am never alone at my house. And even if these people are on a different floor, do -
Blog postToday writing seems like a better option than watching the news. But then again, that’s probably the better option most days. And yet, the news informs our writing. It’s hard not to let political opinions and party affiliations slip into our prose. I consciously censor myself. Never wanting a snap judgment of my politics to … Continue reading "No Matter the Results, We’re Stuck with Each Other"
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Blog postAnd I’m off!
Where to, you ask?
Why, success and fame, of course.
(success and fame are relative terms.)
It’s less than three months until my novel, Blind Turn will be released. Which means I am in the midst of the ‘launch’.
This is the real work of being published. And here you thought it was the writing of the book!
The writing, my friends, was the easy part.
And it’s the part I miss desperately. I’d love to go back to those rosy days -
Blog postLet’s be honest—the publishing world is rigged.
After twenty years wrestling with words, agents, editors, publishers, and social media, I’m not saying this in a bitter way. Just as a matter of fact.
Much like high school, the popular, most beautiful, well-connected people are in control of what is ‘in’ or ‘out.’ It used to be that Oprah could make a book a bestseller overnight (you’re right, she still can) but now you can add Emma Roberts, Florence Welch, Emma Watson, Re -
Blog postThe hardest part of writing is the first line—it’s just summoning up the gumption to start.
Some days I sit for minutes that drag on and on, finger poised over the keyboard, unmoving. When nothing comes to me, I distract myself with e-mail or Instagram, talk to the dogs, or scroll through Facebook, anything to delay those first words.
According to popular writing advice, those first sentences are critical. Publishing blogs quote agents who advise writers to conc -
Blog postNorth Carolina has been named one of the top five states killing animals by Best Friends.
I’ve been to North Carolina. I’ve visited shelters and rescues, know animal advocates in the state, and fostered plenty of dogs from North Carolina (including the nine pups I’m fostering right now).
I’ve also traveled and visited shelters in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. I can tell you with all certainty, that there are more dogs dying in each of those states than North Carolina. < -
Blog postAs we walked through several municipal pounds in Tennessee, I kept thinking, “Thank God for Amber.”
Truly.
She and her husband Brandon and their rescue Halfway Home are the only hope for too many animals whose lives could so easily be snuffed out, unknown and uncounted.
As far as I can tell, ‘animal control’ in Tennessee is a patchwork of public shelters, private rescues, and too many municipal pounds.
The pounds are leftover from an era when that was the only -
Blog postThe first time I talked to Dave Hollingshead, the street supervisor and defacto dogcatcher for Hayti, Missouri, I learned two things—
1)You pronounce Hayti, not like the Caribbean country, but Hay-tie, as in a bale of hay and a tie that goes with your shirt.
2) the dogs of Hayti are incredibly lucky to have Dave on their side.
Hayti is the county in the boot heel of Missouri (or what I think looks more like the tail of Missouri that pokes down into Tennessee). It felt -
Blog postIt was late afternoon on a Thursday when we reached Gibson County dog pound and the kennels were filled with dogs. The pound is tucked into a corner of the fairgrounds and you really have to be looking for it to find it.
Mike, the ACO for the dog pound, explained that the pound was completely full.
“What happens if you get another dog in?” I asked, knowing that more dogs turn up on the weekends.
He shook his head. “I’ll have to make a decision.”
I asked how he -
Blog postIn 2017, the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society was killing as many as 90% of the animals it took in.
When I heard those numbers and that date, I had to ask Diana, the president of Paws To Care, to tell me again. That was only a few years ago—the year my daughter graduated from high school.
Today, thanks to a group of remarkable women, Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society would qualify as a ‘no-kill’ shelter.
How did these women who knew little about each other excep -
Blog postAfter our day with All 4s in Memphis, we were dirty and tired but we still had one more stop—Horn Lake Animal Shelter.
We were headed there because of a woman named Julia who had contacted me shortly before we left on this trip asking if we had time to squeeze in a visit to Horn Lake. We didn’t, but Julia was compelling, so at 4:30pm on Wednesday, we found them just past the dump, sharing space with the public works department.
The first thing we noticed was a new solid tall f -
Blog post“I wouldn’t do that to myself, so why would I do that to him? ‘Caint take his manhood.”
“She was born to do it; I just want one litter.”
If the team at All 4s Rescue League had a dollar for every time they heard those excuses, and the many others for why someone didn’t want to spay or neuter their dog, they wouldn’t need to do any fundraising.
On Wednesday, Nancy and I spent a day on the streets of Memphis with Suzy, Blair, and Denise from All 4s. It was an exciting da -
Blog postOkay, the first thing I need you to do before you read this post is park your anger somewhere. You’ll need to set it aside and listen with an open mind and heart. And remember that anger won’t solve this problem. Hate won’t help you either.
When we finally exited off the beautiful Natchez Trace Parkway and followed the interstate towards Jackson, I was already bracing myself. As we drove past the municipal facilities and a steel factory and finally pulled into the driveway of MARL (Mi
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