Congratulations on your win! Tell us about your experience and expertise, and how this relates to your entry. What target audience did you write for, and why?

I have been writing about dogs for 40 years, ever since I was hired as an editorial assistant at Fancy Publications in 1985. I eventually became editor of Dog Fancy, a position I held until 1996, when I resigned to write full time. I had written my first book—about cats—and at the time there was lots of writing work available.

What prompted you to submit this specific entry? Why do you think it struck a special chord with the public and the judges—and with you?

At the time I wrote this, my primary work—a weekly syndicated feature—limited me to 650 words per column. I was delighted to get back to writing something that was longer than that.  I knew from the various Facebook groups I was on that there was a lot of interest in taking dogs overseas, either by people who were vacationing and didn’t want to leave their dogs behind, or who were moving overseas for jobs or were retiring.

How big a part have dogs played in your personal and professional life? Was there a particular dog that sparked your interest in interacting with the public? Tell us about this dog[s] in your contest entry.

Dogs have been my entire career. It wasn’t until I acquired a dog—a retired racing Greyhound named Savanna—that I was promoted from managing editor to editor of Dog Fancy. I have always enjoyed taking my dogs places with me. It began with errands to the dry cleaners and the bank and then to road trips and, finally, to traveling to nose work trials around the western United States.

I have taken two dogs overseas: Harper, who went to France to receive life-saving open-heart surgery in 2017, and Sparkles, who went to Europe with us for three months in 2024. She’s the star of the winning article. At the time she was 12 years old and quite active. Now, at almost 14, she sleeps a lot more but is always up for a walk at the park or at nearby Laguna Beach, where she enjoys going in shops and getting treats. I think she misses her European adventures, which involved planes, trains, automobiles, trams, buses, subways and even a traghetto (a type of gondola).

What role have people played in your association with dogs? Family? Friends? Peers? Do you have any favorite writers or graphic artists? How have they influenced your career?

My parents and stepparents were all dog lovers, but it never occurred to me that one could have a career writing about dogs. I was lucky to fall into it and have made many friends among my colleagues over the years. I’ve also been fortunate to get to know and interview many veterinary, training, and behavior experts who have graciously and generously given their time to inform my work.

When you consider both your personal and professional canine-related achievements, which one stands out the most? And why?

I have been fortunate to win several Maxwells and a number of special award categories in the DWAA Writing Competition. One favorite was a win for a photograph taken with my iPhone of a Mongolian herder with his dog and horse, simply because that was the one category I never expected to win, not being as devoted to photography as I am to writing. Another favorite was for an essay I wrote about the surgery that repaired Harper’s heart. I think all my dogs have each been the subject of at least one winning work.

What is the driving force that sparks your work?

I was an animal lover from an early age. Although there are times it has been a slog, overall it has been a thrill for me to have a career devoted to writing about domestic dogs and cats, occasionally horses, birds, bunnies, and reptiles, as well as wildlife and marine life. I’ve had all of them in my life at one time or another, either as pets or viewing them on safaris or dive trips. Helping people and pets by getting out the word about life-saving medications or surgeries, preventive care, ways to communicate with and live more happily with animals, and participation in fun canine sports and travel has always been the underlying goal in my work.

What ongoing or future canine projects do you have planned? Are they personal or professional or both?

I’m semi-retired now but still writing about one article per month. We are currently shepherding Sparkles through old age, but I imagine we will eventually have another puppy or young dog. Whether they will be a Silken Windhound, a longhaired Chihuahua, or a seventh Cavalier remains to be seen.

What would you recommend to those who wish to enter the Any Other Topic Category in next year’s contest?

For any category, my advice is to enter more articles than you think you should. Frequently, it has been that article I threw in at the last minute, just for the heck of it, that won its category.

To conclude this interview, what thoughts would you like to add?

I’d like to thank those involved in running this contest, and the judges, and I look forward to next year’s contest.