What do your summer plans hold? by Joanne Jaytanie

Are you traveling to an exotic destination you've never visited before? Maybe you're taking a road-trip down the coast or visiting friends and family you haven't seen in ages. It could be your idea of a vacation is to hang out at home with your family and pets. Are you someone who enjoys sitting out on your porch, enjoying your morning coffee and soaking in the world around you?

Early this year I had the opportunity to spend nearly a week at Disney World and a week in Hawaii. 

Two places I’d never visited before. I shared tons of pictures and wrote a couple blogs about my explorations. You can find them here on my personal page. So, my vacation days are all used up for this year, except maybe a weekend away, here and there. Instead, I'm spending the summer at home and trying to stay focused on my writing. So far, I'm on target.

This past week I finished my final edits on Twice as Bad, Miss Demeanor, P.I., Book 2, and I can’t wait for it to be released. This is a fun series to write. It takes place in Seattle, where my P.I., River Nightingale owns a private investigation agency in Pioneer Square and her boyfriend, Gage Hamlin is a lead homicide detective. Here’s the book blurb:

For private investigator River Nightingale, the stakes are high, and her losses are twice as bad.

River has already lost a partner to a better job, and now a truck has mowed down another partner and a key informant. Her surviving crew is reeling and dead set on finding the killer. Working with them is a Seattle PD homicide detective, Gage Hamlin. Gage and River have been a volatile combination since day one, but now it’s twice as tense, as they both seek the killer and Gage struggles to keep River alive.

On the waterfront, Seattle is known for slinging fish, but River’s stakeout of a seafood plant reveals that fish aren’t the only thing being sold on the docks. And if River isn’t careful, fish aren’t the only thing that will end up dead on the docks.

I’m currently working on a story that will be part of the S.O.F. Soldiers of Fortune series. We are the authors of Romance Books 4 Us, and we're trying something different with this series. We’re writing in installments or as I like to refer to them as—episodes. Each of us is writing our own stories about one of the members of S.O.F. The Soldiers of Fortune, Volume 1, was released in June. Zane's story will begin with volume 2, which will be releasing on August 15. I hope you’ll read along. Here’s the setting: 

 They are the Soldiers of Fortune... and these are their stories.

Rhett Fortune settled on the small parcel of land he purchased in 1858 with his wife Clara and founded the beautiful landscape that surrounded his newly built home and what is now known as Fortune, TX. A veteran of the United States Army and as a Colonel who served with honor in the Mexican-American War, Rhett and Clara raised a large family. Sons and daughters, and grandchildren to follow, their clan grew throughout the decades. 

Now in the 21st Century, two of their descendants remain at the helm. Chance Fortune, a former member of the Army's Delta Force and co-founder of Soldiers of Fortune, has an innate duty to serve and protect. Working with his brother, R.J. Fortune, a former Navy SEAL and wounded warrior, they take the cases that their government won't. And vow to protect the civilians that no one else can. 

They have quietly put out the word, and now, after three years, other former brothers-in-arms have contacted them bringing situations that span not only the country but the globe. On Fortune family land they have built a facility out of the public eye for their office, a helicopter, a gun range, and whatever else they might need.

Next on my summer schedule is The Winters Sisters, Book 5. I can't wait to get back to their world. Life is never dull on the Winters campus, and it's about to get even crazier. Back to the world of genetic engineering, corporate corruption, psychics, and Dobermans. You never know what each new day will hold.

I hope you have a fantastic summer full of love, excitement, adventure, and memories that will last a lifetime. And if you feel like relaxing in your lounge chair and soaking in the day, why don't you pick up a book. You never know what adventure you’ll discover between the pages.

Click here for more information on Joanne's books and blogs

Until next time~

Joanne

It’s Just a Dog…And that’s what makes them so extraordinary, Part 6 ~ by Joanne Jaytanie

This series is about sharing a bit of my friend’s lives with their dogs. In conjunction with acquainting you with the role my dogs have played in my life, and how they have influenced my writing.

I want to introduce you to another of my international friends, Dr. Kris Fawcett and her beautiful girl, Helvi.









Kris:  I first ‘met’ Joanne through a Facebook Dobermann group. I distinctly remember upon seeing a photo of Maya for the first time, pondering if it was ‘real’ she looked so stunning. And later, reading Joanne’s so raw and anguished posts with the losses of Tristan and Maya, I felt she was a person who loved and connected with her Dobermanns in a way that spoke to my heart so precisely. 

ME:  Please share your history of the dogs in your life. 

Kris: The first dog I recall at three years old was a German shepherd called Acorn…my first real connection was with a later German shepherd, Nimbus - he was a wonderful combination of handsome, affectionate, and protective companion for an only child. The first dog I personally owned was a beagle when I was in my early 20s. However, I truly had no really deep connection with a dog until our first Dobermann. We had been broken into and I wanted a Dobermann, so off we went. I remember meeting the breeders and being horrified their seven or eight Dobermanns were all through the house, lounging on sofas. I rolled my eyes at my partner when they said ‘once you’ve had a Dobermann, you'll never have any other breed.' And here I am 21 years later with my fifth Dobermann.

Saba, Kris's first Doberman






ME:  What part do your dogs play in your life, and how important are the dogs in your life? 

Kris:  I can only maybe best answer this in context of my seven years with Helvi, who I lost on 19 September this year. Everything revolved around her, even before she became ill (dilated cardiomyopathy and chronic hepatitis) - the hours I worked, the car bought, what I ate, where and when I went out/met friends, holidays I took, where and when we walked, friends I made, where I shopped. I took her absolutely everywhere I could, spent as much time with her as I could. When she became ill, I felt it was my whole purpose to provide for her care - to keep her happy and healthy as long as I could and disprove the 12 months prognosis I was given. That was my motivation each and every day. It all pales into insignificance when I think of how much she gave me during her short seven years…from very dear friends I made through her - online (quite a number of whom I have met in person), and at parks to getting me out of bed on a ‘dark day'. Every year I took her birthday off work to give her an extra special, spoil day. My dogs have made every day of my life better. The best part of my day was coming home to their pure and uncomplicated happiness. Given without expectation. Every Day. That defines my relationship with my Dobermanns.

ME: I’m fascinated with my international friends and their lives with their dogs. 
  
Kris: Brisbane, Australia has become increasingly dog friendly so my dogs have had the benefit of many cafes, restaurants, bars, the Post office, my hairdresser, some retailers…..plus any dog ‘event’ from the Million Paws Walk for the RSPCA, to a Sunday ‘Bark n Brews' at a local bar! My last birthdays were deliberately held in dog-friendly bars just so Helvi could share in the celebrations. It was so wonderful to have strangers come up to pat and chat - Helvi was very social and loved all the attention she considered quite rightly her due!
  
I have also organised several Brisbane Dobermann meet ups for their dogs to play and ‘talk dobe'. This has also been a great support group. My dogs have all loved trips in the car - even if just to the pet shop - but especially loved the beach and high, unenclosed off-leash parks.

Hahn and Eva, Kris's 2nd & 3rd dobies

Me: Do you vacation or take trips with your dog?

Kris:  Not really actually though Helvi did enjoy a couple of flights to Sydney for Christmas with nan. I have to say I loved many a staycation with them just doing things we both enjoyed - parks, the beach, dining out, meeting up with friends…


Me: What is your definition of the love you have for your dog?

Kris:  At the end of my life I will say no other single thing in my life will have given me so much joy, calm, purpose, happiness, and finally, heartbreaking pain in my life. Worth every single tear.

~Helvi with Hette~
Helvi stayed in this world just long enough to teach her baby sister, Hette, the basics... 








I was very blessed to grow up in beautiful Christchurch New Zealand. As I mentioned, I grew up with some wonderful German shepherds there - this I think contributed to my love of large, intelligent breeds. They were perfect companions for an only child.

My father, stepmother and I migrated to Brisbane, Australia in 1986. Though at the time I was miserable about it, I feel very lucky to live in this amazing country. At heart I am still a kiwi though!

Encouraged greatly by my father I started medical school in 1988 and completed my MBBS in 1994. Without his motivation and support, I wouldn't be a doctor today. He himself had wanted to be a vet - he was a big animal lover.

Very sadly I lost the most influential figure in my life to suicide; this has however made me a better doctor in that it enabled me to better grasp the enormity of grief. My dear Dobermann Eva was my saving grace through that time - another reason for my huge gratitude for having these amazing creatures in my life. ♥️ Today, I live with my fifth Dobermann, Hette, now six months old. Having not had two-legged children, my dobes are my kids. I enjoy working four days a week in skin cancer medicine which is really busy as I live in the melanoma capital of the world! My non-vocational interests include architecture and design, reading (a lot!), wine and food events. And Dobermanns! 

Having a dog has been very very social for me - I have made some very wonderful, close friends through my local dog parks. And it’s such a joy when I’m out walking and see someone looking miserable then they see my dobe and their whole face just lights up. Dogs are just pure happiness and love!

Kris, thank you so much for sharing a part of your life. I can’t begin to count the number of conversations via text messaging we have shared. We’ve talked at lengths about life with our dogs and consoled each other over the devastating grief of losing our girls. I’m grateful for all of your support and sincerely honored to call you my friend.  

Kris’s interview sparks memories of my sweet Kes. In my book, Payton’s Pursuit, Kes is Payton’s dog. When Payton's not busy managing The Winters Corporation, she loves to spend her free time loading up her dogs and heading to the dog show. I’ve had book reviewers say they are surprised at how much detail I know about the dog shows - from dog show people, no doubt. I should. I spent years packing up our van and trailer and heading off to shows. When we weren’t working, you could find us at a dog show. And while all my Dobermans were active in some compacity, whether it was obedience, rally, agility, or breed/conformation, Kes is the dog I’m writing about today. She was the mother of Anya and Captain and the grandmother of Maya and Tristan. Being Payton’s dog, Kes is the Doberman on the cover of Payton’s Pursuit, and I wrote her true to life. 

As far as showing dogs is concerned, Kes was my once in a lifetime Doberman. Kes and I were also a team in agility and trained in obedience. The Doberman ring is extremely competitive, and even so, I showed and finished Kes to her American Kennel Club (AKC) Championship on my own. Kes was a dream in the ring. That girl could strike a pose every time, and I was in awe of her — another perfect memory that is seared in my heart.

So you see, even though The Winters Sisters is a fictional series, it also has roots in real life, past experiences, and treasured memories…

My Kessie girl…

So full of life…too shortly lived.

Until next time…

Joanne  

It’s Just a dog…And that’s what makes them so extraordinary, Part 3 ~ by Joanne Jaytanie

This series is about sharing a bit of my friend’s lives with their dogs. In conjunction with sharing with you the role my dogs have played in my life, and how they influenced my decision to become an author.

Mariko's boy Jet

I'd like to introduce you to one of my international friends, Mariko Kudo. While Mariko and I have yet to meet in person, our love of Dobermans created a friendship which has grown over the years. 

Mariko: We first met I think way back in 2011 through a Doberman group on Facebook! Before this, I had no idea that such communities of die-hard Doberman lovers even existed! I quickly became addicted to sharing my dobie experiences with other like-minded Doberman owners, and it has been wonderful to meet so many lovely people who share my passion for this amazing breed! Later, in 2012 I was a co-founder of a much smaller Doberman group called Dobie Family Forum, and this has been a wonderful way to connect with dobie friends in a more intimate, family style setting! I know each and every member of this group and they are truly like family! 

Me: Please share your history of the dogs in your life. 

Mariko: I am actually fairly new to dog ownership. Growing up in the UK and in Japan, the only pets I ever had were birds and fish! In fact, my ambition when I was younger was to become a vet who specialized solely on birds. I loved my parakeets! However, my father grew up with dogs so on visits to his home in Northern Japan over the holidays, I was always greeted by an Irish Setter or two plus several wonderful Yorkies! My parents promised my older sister a dog when she turned 11, but said dog never materialized! It was only in April 2004 when I was 29 that my partner Andrew and I welcomed a dog into our home! Even then, it was a spur of the moment decision!

Andrew had just bought a house in a beautiful but very rough part of Bradford, West Yorkshire. As soon as we moved in, we had a spate of thefts from the garden. The theft of a brand new lawnmower was the last straw and he decided he needed a guard dog! So he called the local shelter and asked if they had any dobies or rotties available! And lo and behold, they had a young red dobie called Max. Andrew drove there and got him! With hindsight, I know now that we got him for all the wrong reasons – a dobie is NOT an outside dog with the sole purpose of guarding property, and as a breed, they are definitely a challenge for first time dog owners like me! Andrew was more confident as he grew up with boxers, but I truly felt out of my depth in the first few months! 

On the first night with us, we were all out in the garden, when suddenly, Max went back into the house and stood in the patio doorway, growling and snapping his teeth and refusing to allow us back inside! Andrew finally managed to grab him and pull him outside, after which we were able to flee to the safety of the house! Max went back to the shelter that day, but over the next few days, we were wracked with guilt for not giving this beautiful boy a chance. So Andrew went back to the shelter and got him back – he tells me even today that the joy on Max’s face and in his little tail was wonderful to see! He was extremely hard work for a while, and constantly tested his boundaries, but he developed into a wonderful, gentle and loyal friend who worshipped Andrew! We were devastated when we lost him to a freak infection at just 7 and a half years, but he was my introduction to dogs and to the Doberman breed, and I have not looked back! 5 weeks after we lost Max, we welcomed 7-week-old Jet into our home and he has been my constant companion for over 8 years! 

Me: What part do your dogs play in your life, and how important is the dog in your life?

Mariko: My dog is my life! He is the reason I get up in the morning regardless of the weather, time or my general state of health! When things get too much at work or my three human boys are driving me insane, a Jet cuddle always makes things much better! He truly saved me in those dark days after we lost Max – and so I always refer to him as my saviour. I know for a sad fact that Jet will not go on forever, but I also know that I will always have a dobie in my life for as long as I am able!

Me: I’m fascinated with my international friends and their lives with their dogs. 

Here in the UK, dogs are allowed in most pubs, and on public transport. An afternoon spent at the pub with a beer and one’s best friend is a wonderful occasion, although you have to be prepared for lots of attention from other customers. A dobie never fails to impress in the looks department and so many people want to pet him and ask questions! Many mention how they never realised how sweet dobies can be! Max was far better at this PR business than Jet though – he had a wonderful gift with humans and loved to be petted, whereas Jet is more wary of strangers and extremely protective of me! 

When he was little, I used to carry him around on the buses and trains in London in a bag! It used to make me laugh as everyone who saw him thought he was a dachshund! 

There are also quite a few hotels that allow pets, although we have never stayed in one. There was a particularly beautiful one in London that I always wanted to stay in with Jet, but we never got around to it – I guess it didn’t make much sense as we lived in London at the time anyway! 

Me: Do you vacation or take trips with your dog?

Mariko: Sadly, I have to admit we have not gone on holiday with Jet. A part of this is due to me hating going anywhere on vacation! I love most of all to remain in the comfort of home! However, my sister recently bought a holiday cottage in Suffolk on the East coast, so we may consider taking a family holiday there as she has mentioned to me that the dog is welcome! I also have not gone anywhere on vacation ever since we got Jet, as I cannot bear the thought of leaving him! The only times I have been separated from him were for a few nights when I was in hospital having each of my three human boys, Lewis, 4, William, 2 and Guy, 4 months. Even then, I was terribly worried about my Number 1 Boy, as I call Jet! 

Me: Do you have any stories you’d like to share?

Mariko: I can’t really think if any specific story about Jet and me, but there are certain things about him that I love. For example, when he was a puppy, we took him to training classes. The lady who ran them was against Jet from the start because of his breed, and constantly set him up for failure. She had her class “pets” and Jet was certainly not one of them! However, this did not faze him, and he was able to complete all the tasks she set out for him with very little effort! He was miles ahead of his classmates in no time at all and in the end we stopped going to them as she was so against him and rarely praised him for doing anything right! She kept getting his name and my name wrong too, much to our frustration! He might not be the cleverest dobie around (his lines are known for being beautiful but dim!) but even then, he was the cleverest dog in the class! Typical dobie!

Another thing that comes to mind is an encounter that happened when we were in London. I was taking Jet out for a walk when we got stopped by a man walking past. I never really like people stopping to talk to me when I am out with Jet, as he is very protective of me and will bark at strangers. However, with this man, Jet behaved beautifully and allowed him to pet him and even hug him. It turned out that this man had recently lost his old dobie Jude and was missing him terribly. He had tears in his eyes as he stroked Jet. And Jet could sense that this man was a kindred spirit, and for once did not go into his usual protection mode! I was very proud of him that day! 

Me: What is your definition of the love you have for your dog?

Mariko: When things get tough, Jet makes me smile and everything seems so much better! I call him my Number 1 Boy and my Saviour, and I feel so blessed to have him in my life and to have the privilege of watching him grow old.

I was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1974 but moved to the United Kingdom when I was just 4 years old. My elder sister and I spent some of the most wonderful years of our childhood in a little coastal town called Dawlish in Devon, SW England. We returned to Japan several years later and apart from a year spent in England when I was 15, most of my education took place in an English-speaking international school in Tokyo. I moved back to the UK permanently after I graduated high school and over the following years, gained qualifications in natural sciences, forensic science and eventually a PhD in Forensic Toxicology. I also trained as a Police Officer with the Metropolitan Police and patrolled the streets of London in my spare time! I now work as a lecturer and course leader in forensic science at a university in London, although currently I am off for a year on my third maternity leave, having had my third son, Guy, in July. My days are now spent looking after Lewis (almost 5), William (2), Guy (4 months), and of course, Jet!

One person in particular played a pivotal role in bringing my first heroine, Victory Winters to life. If not for my friendship with Cindy Geisler, DVM, The Winters Sisters series would never have come to fruition. 

Cindy was an extraordinary individual, with a second sight when it came to animals. She could identify any issues they had just by her touch. She was the driving force behind providing my dogs with the best quality of life when they were young and later as health problems developed. Not only was her specialty acupuncture and chiropractic therapies, she practiced them like no other.

We would sit on the floor and discuss anything and everything about dogs and people. I remember like it was only yesterday, telling her about the book I was writing—Chasing Victory. As I watched her sitting with Tristan, I explained how I couldn’t develop the depth of character I wanted for Victory. It was that moment Victory came to life, through Cindy. Victory is not Cindy...but Victory's understanding of animals, the way she can communicate with them, the depth of her love and care for them in her unique and special way—that’s all Cindy.

If Cindy was in your life you could count yourself a blessed person. The night I lost Anya, I was home alone, and I called Cindy. She came over and she sat on the floor next to Anya and me for hours, until Ralph got home. 

Cindy was always joyful. She was an old soul. Giving of herself. But life can be brutally unfair at times and Cindy passed away much too soon.

I lost Tristan a month prior to Cindy’s passing. She loved all my dogs, but Tristan held a special place in her heart. She called the day he died and left me a voice message full of grief and love…I still have that message.

It's said the eyes are the windows

to the soul. 

Cindy's eyes were able to see to the very depths of others' souls. 

When she laid her hands on dogs, her touch was nothing less than magic. 

Being in her presence would lift you up even on your darkest days.

Cindy's heart overflowed with love. Her spirit will soar in the heavens eternally. There will never be another like her...

Until next time….

Joanne 

It’s Just a dog…And that’s what makes them so extraordinary, Part 2 ~ by Joanne Jaytanie

This series is about sharing my friend’s thoughts, a bit of their lives, and the impressions they’ve made along the way. In conjunction with telling you a little something about the role my dogs have played in my life and how they influenced my decision in becoming an author.

As I mentioned in part one of this series, each of my Dobermans represents different times in my life. Today, I’m focusing on my first male, Dax.

In late 1994, my husband, Ralph, and I decided we wanted a red male. I’d been training and showing in obedience and Ralph wanted a dog he could train. We searched the state for a breeder and found, Elaine Hopper of Starlaine Kennels. Dax came into our lives in 1995 and opened the door to the world of conformation, otherwise known as the breed ring. He was a truly amazing dog and gave his entire heart and soul to us.

~ DAX ~

American/International Champion Starlaine's Virtual Reality, CD, NA, NAJ, ROM

1995 ~ 2000

Over the last fifty years, I have owned and trained many dogs, including labs, malamutes, spaniels, setters, and boxers. However, until I found Dax, I had never had a dog touch my soul in the way he did.  

We spent nearly every day together. When I was at my desk he would push his way around my chair to lay under my desk until I was finished. He would do anything for a Frisbee and a stick.  For one of our games, I would put him on a sit-stay on one side of the house, walk around to the other side and hide a stick with my scent on it, then call him to “find it.” It was amazing to watch him find the “scent cone” and zero in on the stick.

On the few occasions that I would leave the house without him, when I returned I would call out for “my big boy” as I opened the door. I had better be ready, ‘cause he was’a comin’.

Dax was my best friend and true companion.  ~ Ralph Duncan

******************

Not only did Dax come into our lives at that time, but so did Elaine. Elaine is a dear friend and is always willing to help and support us. She taught me many things about the showing, like how to groom a Doberman for the show ring – yes, they do need to be groomed. I’ve traveled with her to many shows and have tons of cherished memories. Today’s guest is Elaine Hopper.

Me:  Elaine, please tell us about your history in dogs?

Elaine:  Since I was small I have always had a dog in my life, but I fell in love with the Doberman breed in particular. A friend of my mother's had a Doberman when I was about 12 and I really loved that dog. Since that time, I always wanted one of my own. I got my first Doberman in my 20’s when I shared a house with a friend. I didn’t have a lot of money then, so I got her from the paper. From there, I started taking obedience classes and decided to join the local Doberman club where I learned a lot more about the breed, dogs in general and met many of the local show folks. 

I got a second Doberman from a local breeder and showed him to his championship and several obedience titles. I became hooked on not only the breed but also conformation training and showing as well as the thought of having a litter one day. 

My first litter became a reality in 1995.  I started showing my own dogs as well as those belonging to others. Over the years I have had many successes and have traveled all over the country competing. I have continued to serve the local Doberman club in many ways, including holding numerous board positions. I also serve on the board of the national breed club, the Doberman Pinscher Club of America. To date, I have handled many dogs of all breeds to championship titles and I have bred 30 Doberman champions under my kennel prefix of Starlaine. In addition to Dobermans, I have also become involved with whippets. I have owned several and bred three litters that produced multi-titled puppies. 

Me:  You’re involved in numerous clubs and activities. You donate a large amount of your time to shepherding/supporting our breed. Please tell us about this.

Elaine:  I have held every officer and board position in the local club, the Puget Sound Doberman Pinscher Club, and I have been a member for 30 plus years. I have held numerous committee positions as well, and currently, I am in charge of heart testing equipment owned by the club that members can use to health screen their dogs. I have also involved our club in community service activities. Most recently, we donated pet resuscitation and training equipment to two local fire departments. This, in particular, I find extremely rewarding, giving back to the community and highlighting the activities of our club and representing the breed as a whole. 

I started the same health screening holter program at the national level and I currently serve as the Second Vice President of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America, which not only aims to protect the breed but is also involved in public education and donations to health research. 

Me:  You have been involved in holtering for as long as I can remember. Could you please explain why this is an important health practice and what it could contribute to our Dobermans in the future?

Elaine:  The holter is a heart monitor that is attached to the dog for a 24-hour period. The holter records heartbeat activity; in particular any irregularities, something that is a problem in the Doberman breed.

I first started doing this test back in the early 90s through a university program. Since then, the use of holters has increased significantly as more owners and breeders have realized the benefit of screening their animals so issues can be detected and treated early, or breeding animals with indications of disease can be removed from the breeding pool before they can pass on problems to their offspring. 

I believe very strongly that as breeders, owners, and custodians of the breed we need to do everything we can to eliminate disease or at the very least make sure our breeding animals are completely healthy to give the next generation the best possible life. 

Me:  What are your goals with regards to breeding?

Elaine:  My goal always has been to produce not only beautiful animals, but animals that are healthy and live as long of a life as possible. I also want to make sure I carefully select for temperament so that dogs I breed are good ambassadors for the Doberman breed as well as loving, stable companions. 

Me:  What part do your dogs play in your life?

Elaine:  They pretty much are my life. I spend countless hours working with them and doing training. I also attend many shows a year showing my own dogs, dogs I bred, or those of clients that have contracted for my handling services. I have met so many wonderful people throughout the years that are as involved as I am with Dobermans, or dogs in general, and I am happy to say I have dear friends all over the US as well as outside the states because of my involvement with dogs. I would not trade these experiences or friendships for anything. 

Me:  Do you ever picture yourself without a dog?

Elaine:  No, I really don’t. They play such an integral part of my life and are such wonderful companions. I really do not ever foresee being without one.

Me:  Without using the word, love, please describe what your dogs mean to you.  In other words, what you are describing is your definition of Love.

Elaine:  My dogs represent companionship, security and unconditional devotion. 

To find out more about Elaine, her dogs, and the breeds in general,

visit her website

Starlaine Dobermans and Whippets

As I mentioned in part one, my dogs played a major role in the turning point between which of the two career paths I would choose to follow. 

When we were showing Dax, we spent at least two weekends a month at a dog show. We purchased a travel-trailer, packed it up, loaded the dogs into the van, and traveled the west coast. We made lots of new friends and had a great time submerged in the world of dog shows. So much so, that I was thinking about working towards becoming a judge.

I’d been working as the administrator with Ralph in our forensic engineering, accident reconstruction company. We decided to shut down that business when he was offered a position back into marine engineering. 

I was at a turning point. I always wanted to write. I’d written in journals for years. But part of me still wanted to become a conformation judge. Dogs were my life and I wanted them included in whatever I chose to do. Then, I realized this was my opportunity to do what I'd always wanted to do – write. And, if I didn’t start immediately, I would never have the chance again. I started jotting down ideas for my first book that same day.

A few days later, I was sitting in the living room, Captain, my second red male, was by my side. I had the bits and pieces of the book I wanted to write, but something was missing, and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what. I was petting Captain and talking to him about my problem, having long conversations with my dogs was an everyday occurrence. Captain laid his head on my leg and it came to me – I needed to include my dogs in this book. It was at that moment the words finally started to flow, and The Winters Sisters began to take shape. I had my idea and it came in the form of the love of my dogs. 

But even with this idea, I didn’t feel like my heroine was complete. She needed something to make her special…In part three of this series, I will share with you how my heroine, Victory came to life. 

As I mentioned before the Dobermans on my book covers are my own dogs. It felt right to put Dax on my first book.

I have my written memories of Dax, over three pages of words and not nearly enough. But here are the ones that stand out when I think of my beautiful red boy, my Dax Man, my Daxeroo…

Dax loved his Frisbee, but he lived for his dad. 

The last picture of Dax I will always hold in my mind is of him and Ralph playing tug across the lawn on the waterfront. It was mid-morning. From the distance I was standing, they were both just silhouettes. Dax trotted across the grass and he looked like the young dog I remembered just two short years ago.

He was a special dog and the pain we feel from his loss is almost unbearable. There will never be another DAX. My only regret was that he was here with us for all too short a time….

Until next time….

Joanne 
Joanne's past blog posts