Are you an animal lover like me? I include dogs and other animals in the books I write. Fun fact: It’s estimated there are nearly 90 million dogs in the United States. When we look into the eyes of our dog, we both release the feel-good chemical oxytocin. No wonder dog ownership continues to rise. Dogs are the most commonly held pets in the U.S., a relationship that goes back nearly 30,000 years to when they were first domesticated.
Do you have a favorite dog book? There are so many good ones. My list would include books such as The Art of Racing in the Rain, Because of Winn Dixie, the beautifully illustrated Good Dog Carl books, the classics: Where the Red Fern Grows, and The Incredible Journey, which I’ve read over and over, tears streaming down my face.
Dogs are good for us; hanging out with them offers a variety of health benefits, gives us a way to connect with people outdoors, and even get us outside more often. Dogs help us. Service animals are trained for people with PTSD, seizures, diabetes, hearing loss, and probably the most well-known, guiding people who are blind, and other jobs.
Each of the Escape to Valencia Cove books features one or more dogs. You’ll find the black lab Grant gives Willow in Salt Bay Sunrise, Jennifer’s black lab, the guide dog Elton; the variety of rescued animals at South Paws Dog Rescue in Second Chance Rescue, the scruffy Jack Russell terrier owned by Hunter in Shell Point Secrets, and the rescued Beagle, Daisy, in the upcoming book Salt Bay Sanctuary, where more than one character has found sanctuary at Hidden Cove Marina. The fun-loving beagle is one of the most popular dogs, probably with help from the Peanuts comic strip.
September is Responsible Dog Ownership Month and National Service Dog Month. We pay special tribute to dogs on Sept 18th. (the third Saturday in September) with Responsible Dog Ownership Day, and on September 22nd, 2021, Walk and Roll Day, honoring dogs who help people in wheelchairs and with mobility challenges.
Let us celebrate dogs this month by taking extra loving care of our dogs, and if possible, donating to our favorite pet organization.