A Dog’s View

What do our dogs think, as we go through our daily routines and family growth and contractions and changes?  I wonder it often,  as Zoe follows me around the house, wanting to go on every car ride, every walk, giving loving kisses when her family is sad.  And Annie, as she ages (17 in two months!) does she still want to be here, with her creaking bones and slips on the stairs, but always the most gentle of creatures I know?

Zoe and fave toy

 

Annie and the snow

I just read an interesting novel called The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein,  the entire story told from the dog’s point of view.  Do they really have human thoughts as they watch TV with us, go on our physical and spiritual journeys, become part of our worlds as we age together?

The story itself is hopeful, heartbreaking, and honest.  No spoilers here, you will have to indulge yourself in the story. It will be worth the journey. Can a dog tell a story that isn’t true, without embellishments?  I doubt it.  I have no interest in auto racing, but I found the parallels in the driver stories and life to be fitting, and they kept my interest throughout. 

Some of the quotes made me think about my life, and how I need to step up to more challenges:

“There is no dishoner in losing the race,” Don said. “There is only dishonor in not racing because you are afraid to lose.”

Wow–how many times do we NOT take the chance because we are afraid to lose? Or become complacent in what we know.  We can only grow and learn and experience by trying.

And from Enzo, the dog,

“Inside each of us resides the truth,” I began, “the absolute truth.  But sometimes we believe we are viewing the real thing, when in fact we are viewing a facsimile, a distortion….”

The post dedicated to my friend Kerry and her Lab friend Gracie, who just left us.

C

 

Writing Inspirations

Had a fabulous time at the Printer’s Row Book Fair in Chicago yesterday! There were many types of people  buying books and memorabelia and food and listening to authors speak.  My friend Theresa and I bought several books all signed by the authors, which my kids think are totally cool.

It was so inspiring for we aspiring writers to see so many authors taking with their customers and listen to them speak individually or in panel discussions .

Hopefully we will both try to write more.  As a bonus, I have a whole new list of books to read.

Here is a sampling of thoughts from several authors:

“Fiction tells truth of the heart that non-fiction histories cannot tell.”  Nancy Horan, author of Loving Frank.

Nancy Horan again, talking about how she writes historical fiction:”You go respectfully into the past and try to walk empathetically in their shoes.”

She also said to get the voice of the times she is writing in she reads newspapers from the period, books, letters, and tries to remove all of today’s sayings from her writings.  I loved hearing her talk about the immense amount of research she did for her book, the unexpected journeys those searches took her on, along with the people she met who helped bring her story alive.

Finally, a thought from first-time author John Otterbacher, about why he writes:  “I have always had an eye for the horizon.  I’ve always been curious.”

Take their inspiring words and pick up your pen or your computer, and let the writing begin.  Just know that Otterbacher said he wrote 8 drafts of his book Sailing Grace, and Nancy Horan threw out her first draft of Loving Frank and started from scratch.  Daunting thoughts! C