A miscellany of thoughts about dogs, cats, writing, life in the Ozarks, & occasional book reviews
It's been more years than I care to count since I raised a puppy. That's why I relied on research, trainers, and dog-loving friends to help me navigate life with the three-month-old mixed-breed pup I adopted from the animal shelter in late 2024, four months after we lost our beloved Sasha. I confess those first …
Continue reading The Adolescent Dog
Our Sheltie, Sasha, wouldn't pick up food that had fallen to the floor without permission first. At the other end of the behavior spectrum, we have Penny Puppy (who probably thinks her name is No Leave-it Drop-it Off Down and variations thereof since joining the family last week). Penny believes anything on the floor is …
Continue reading Holiday Foods & Pets
Today's post comes from Kathleen Donnelly, who writes the National Forest K-9 series. *** For nearly twenty years, I've had the honor of partnering with the best co-workers in the world—my dogs. I worked for and co-owned a great company called Sherlock Hounds Detection Canines. My first dog, Sammy, was a high-energy, fun-loving black Lab. …
Continue reading Guest Post: A Dog is the Best Partner
In the four months since losing our beloved Sasha, I haven't wanted to think about bringing another dog into the family. That hasn't stopped folks from sharing photos and stories about dogs they're confident would be "perfect" for us--from Chihuahuas to Golden Retrievers and just about every breed and size in between. As much as …
Continue reading Adding to the Family
I write from experience, from observation, from research. The characters living in the worlds I create are good, bad, and sometimes both. They're not shy about voicing their opinions and fighting for what they think is right. That includes characters who are military veterans. In Dangerous Deeds (forthcoming), you’ll find multiple characters with the common …
Continue reading Veterans in Fact and Fiction