Congratulations on your win!  Non-writers/artists often ask this question.  Why did you start creating? 

I didn’t start writing this book until almost a decade after my dog Kaylee died from osteosarcoma. But all the while, I kept thinking, “I should write a book about my experiences with her.” At that time, I didn’t know of anyone who had put so much time, effort, love, and money into their dog’s care. People do a lot more these days than they did several decades ago.

While Kaylee was battling osteosarcoma, I kept remembering one post about a dog that lived two years with the disease, which was extremely rare at that time. But that post gave me hope - and Kaylee did live almost two years from the time she showed symptoms. So I thought if I could give even one person that hope, and provide some helpful tidbits, then this book would be worth it.

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

My book is a memoir.  It encompasses several dogs and why they were so important to me. I love reading true stories about people and their dogs.  That was my target audience.

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?

The Rio Award is about a dog that changed my life in a profoundly positive way. That definitely fit my experience with Kaylee. Not only did she affect my life as a dog owner, she influenced my career, helped patch up my relationship with my mother, and helped keep my husband and me together. She made me and my spouse better people.

How large 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 special dog, and/or the dogs in your contest entry.

I have always had a dog, but my most special dogs have been springer spaniels. Kaylee was not only my dog, she was also my whitewater canoeing partner as well as my cross country skiing companion. When my boss said I could bring her to work, I was so overjoyed that I never looked for another job! That greatly benefitted my next springer, Cassie, who came to work with me her entire life.

How large a part have people played in your association with dogs?  Family?  Friends?  Do you have any favorite writers/bloggers/media or graphic artists?  How have they influenced your career?

When I was growing up, the dog was the most important “person” in the house. He was the only one that we could openly show affection to. When I first started dating my husband, he said he wasn’t a dog person, but he knew that if he wanted to be with me, I would always have a dog.  I need one to be whole.

I have attended several BlogPaws conferences (when they still had them) and have talked to Carol Bryant several times since I had brought my cocker spaniels to the conference. Carol’s posts in Fidose of Reality have been very valuable to me.

When you consider both your personal and professional canine-related achievements, which one of each stands out the most?  And why? What is the driving force that sparks your work?

Both my personal and professional canine-related achievements were writing my memoir, “My Broken Dog: Living with a Handicapped Pet.” It took me about a dozen years to write it since I didn’t know how to write a memoir and I had no writing experience. I joined several writer’s groups, took classes, went to conferences, had a critique group, and finally hired a writing coach. It took a village to get the book in shape for publication.

What ongoing or future canine projects do you have planned?  Are they personal (cuddling your favorite pooch or volunteer work) or professional (selling articles and books, training, dog shows, or conducting medical research)?

Last July, I adopted a springer spaniel puppy after not having a springer for almost a decade. She has needed a LOT of training and exercise. Fortunately, unlike in my book, I am not doing it alone. My husband recently retired and is taking her for long walks in the forest preserve every day. I also am using a dog training/day care facility a few days a week. Plus, I have my 16 year-old blind cocker spaniel who needs a lot of care. So they both occupy much of my time as I still work part-time.

I have started to write a children’s book based on my cocker spaniel’s life and how I ended up owning her. But a children’s picture book is drastically different than a memoir and I am learning how to create one. I’m hoping to make it the first of a series of books.

What would you recommend to those peers who wish to enter your winning category in next year’s contest?  

They always say to write what you know, and writing a memoir is what I know. However, it had to be a good story following the hero’s journey. So I couldn’t just write about Kaylee, I had to add more about my personal life than I had planned.  Reviewers kept asking me why I did things and how I felt. I did a lot of thinking and soul searching.

I recommend following your gut, listen to the advice of others, but take it with a grain of salt. What helped me the most was a good critique group and a writing coach. Most of all…edit, edit, edit!

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

I loved editing my book since it made me re-live my canine experiences, both good and bad, with my dogs.  Hug your dog. Their time with us is way too short.

Thank you and congratulations on your win.