We spoke with Merrie Meyers, sponsor of the “Second Chance Award” in the 2025 DWAA Writers Contest. This award goes to the best article, book, blog, TV segment, radio spot, video, column, or other creative media format that reflects the lives of older dogs that receive a chance for a new fur-ever home. This may include stories about programs that enable older dogs to retain their homes or find new homes; dogs who are retired from a life of work in law enforcement, rehomed from shelters or rescues, show animals placed in pet homes, medical victories, hospice care for homeless dogs or other ways in which communities and/or individuals are helping to make sure no old dog dies alone or afraid.

Thank you for your sponsorship, which is very special to DWAA members.  What prompted you to offer this award to other writers?

I’m the person who adopts the older dog; dogs looking for their fur-ever home. I’ve adopted shelter dogs, received dogs from friends when an owner passed away and even added a dog or two to my pack when a breeder friend of mine was looking to place a dog in a pet home after a successful career in the show or breeding world. One of my current dogs is in his fifth, and thankfully forever, home. Sure, older dogs might bring behavioral baggage or health issues, but I’ve been very lucky that the dogs I adopt seem to have the ability to become accustomed to me and I to them.

What features of this year’s winner made it stand out among all the other submissions?

As the contest chair (and Ruff Drafts editor), I get to see many entries when they are submitted for publication in RD or when they are entered in the competition. Although I didn’t judge this category (sponsors aren’t allowed to judge their own categories) I remember when the winner Anne Marie Duquette submitted the story to Ruff Drafts, and I thought how great that Oscar was “the little dog who could”- and did - when he was needed most.

What would you recommend to those who wish to apply for your award in next year’s contest?

Just do it! There are so many great tales (and tails) that need to be shared. People need to know that you can find a terrific dog at your local shelter or through friends of friends. But, most importantly, these are stories that need to be told and shared so that we can clear the shelters and find a home for every dog that needs one.

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

It’s wonderful to see the breadth of material that is submitted to the contest. Before I joined DWAA in 2000, I had no idea that there were people whose entire career focused on telling these stories in print, online and visual arts.

When I was studying Journalism in college, every speaker told us to write about what we loved. Clearly the entrants in our contest do just that.

Once again, thank you for your sponsorship.