An author’s view of pets in stories and in life.

Hello Friend, and Reader,

Today I want to talk with you about animals. If you have read the first chapters of Clean Sweep, you know that a couple of dogs – Lila and Terrance - play an important role in the story’s development. Why?

I like animals.

Animals are special. Pets are special, and pets have always been important to me and to my life. I grew up with cats. Lots of cats. My mother and father were both very soft-hearted, and our home became the repository for a good number of cats, which were abandoned or needed new homes for other Animals are special. Pets are special, and pets have always been important to me and to my life. I grew up with cats. Lots of cats. My mother and father were both very soft-hearted, and our home became the repository for a good number of cats, which were abandoned or needed new homes for other specific reasons. I learned a lot from them. I received a great deal of comfort from them and enjoyment from sharing a part of my life with them.

I now have no cats. Instead, I have one very interesting dog.

She’s a rescue and a hand-me-down. Actually, she has had a number of homes. But now she’s my constant companion, as in runs into me from behind when she is following too closely kind of constant companion. She was also a constant companion during my previous flower-farming days.

As a result of the impact these wonderful little beings have had on me, I created a Fur and Flowers initiative related to my flower farming, and donated partial profits from farming to local animal rescue and welfare organizations. I told you, I like animals.

Stay tuned! Dogs and Books!

The dog of my life is a little brown dog. She’s a mixed breed. It is because of this little dog’s coming into my life that Clean Sweep is to be published under the imprint of Little Brown Dog Press. It is also because of this little dog that I intend to write a very special blog on the LBDP website. To be called, “Quinnifer’s Book Club,” after my dog Quinnifer, who usually goes by “Quinn,” this blog will be a bi-monthly (every two months) musing and/or review of books somehow related to dogs. Some books might have a dog as a main character. Others, like Clean Sweep, might have a dog, or dogs, as ancillary characters. Some posts might cover adult books, and others might delve into those written for Young Adults or Children. I can’t wait! I will be sure to notify you of new posts. Feel free to hop on over to the Little Brown Dog Press website if you want to take a look at Quinnifer. She’s at www.littlebrowndogpress.com .

So, let’s talk for a moment about that human/dog- or human/cat- or human/hamster- or... other special human/animal-bond!

I have been through just about all the possible pets, except a bird, and I can live with that omission. How about you?

Have you had pets that taught you a thing or two about life? Or about yourself? Have they been masters of connectivity? Or Love? Caring and compassion? Responsibility? Need and giving? Unconditionality? Transparency in a relationship?

They don’t hide much, do they? They give a lot. Sure, they also take, and sometimes they are sneaky. Usually, though, they are pretty open about how they feel, what they are “thinking,” (open to our interpretation), what they want, what they want to give, and where the relationship stands.

I, for one, appreciate this open-natured sort of relationship. Emotional games aren’t exactly what I wish to navigate on a daily basis. Emotional games are great for books though. Great for stories. Human nature is mighty interesting, isn’t it? Complex and simple. Dog nature is mighty interesting too, but I find my relationship to “dog” to be relaxingly simple.

I suspect animals and pets will continue to play important roles in my future writing. In fact, I am certain they will.

If you have a pet, give it a hug for me. I am pretty certain you will get one back, unless of course, you have a very independent sort of feline, who decides when and where a pat is appropriate.

Enjoy your reading. Enjoy your personal story. Embrace life!

E. B. Lee is an author of fiction. Her novel Clean Sweep has a July 20, 2021 release date.