| When I was asked to do a guest blog post I wasn't | | | | think what started out as a little Christmas gift would |
| sure what I wanted to write about. So many topics | | | | become a nationally published book, let alone the first |
| to choose from, so little time to flush out a coherent | | | | memoir written by a dog ever published in non-fiction. |
| thought. So I sat and pondered, and pondered and | | | | Not bad for a writer in a fur suit. |
| sat, waiting for divine intervention. A moment later | | | | So when I received the e-mail from 'M' I was truly |
| the ding of my computer alerted me to a new e-mail, | | | | humbled. I never considered that my writing efforts |
| and to my topic for today. | | | | would ever be able to help folks get through a tough |
| The message came from a woman I'll call 'M' (no it | | | | day. But it quickly dawned on me that you don't |
| wasn't from my mother) about the book I had | | | | need to write a book to make a person's day. No, |
| written: "I just wanted to tell you that your book | | | | you can do it just by sharing a smile, a joyous hello |
| was so funny that I laughed so much. I got the book | | | | or a random act of kindness. |
| at the co-op near the hospital where I just finished | | | | Next time you're out and about, smile and say hello |
| going though tests for my Liver Diseases which I | | | | to the first person you see. Guaranteed you'll get a |
| have been fighting with about twelve years. Anyway, | | | | smile back. Hey, it's all about making the world a |
| by reading your book it lifted my spirits, and laughing | | | | better place. To that end, Bo is doing his part. He |
| makes me feel better. | | | | donates 10% of his proceeds to help homeless |
| Keep up the good work and thank you again." | | | | dogs...and cats. But after reading 'M's e-mail, he now |
| When I originally wrote Bad To The Bone: Memoir Of | | | | has bigger goals. He wants to become the |
| A Rebel Doggie Blogger as a Christmas present for | | | | ambassador for all shelter dogs. |
| my wife it was intended for her eyes only, and to | | | | Who better to speak about dog adoption than a |
| make her laugh. It was 2006 and our rescue dog, Bo, | | | | rescue dog? Especially, one who is not short on |
| was getting on in age. Some would say he was in | | | | words and wit. Bo has always barked about the |
| 'bonus time.' I wanted to give my wife, Lisa, | | | | potential a shelter dog has to change a human's life, |
| something to have long after Bo was no longer with | | | | given the opportunity. One lonely, frightened dog |
| us. Rather than writing it through my eyes, I decided | | | | sitting in cage staring back at you in a shelter can |
| to use Bo's 'voice' and write the book through the | | | | make a bigger difference in your life than you would |
| eyes of man's best friend. The result, a combination | | | | ever expect. So, when election time comes in |
| of 'I Love Lucy' meets 'Marley.' | | | | November, look over your local ballots, look for Pet |
| When Lisa read it, she thought other dog lovers | | | | Ambassador, and check the box next to Bo. If |
| could relate to the crazy antics that happen when | | | | elected, look for Bo howling the benefits of shelter |
| you own a dog. She found Bo a literary agent and | | | | dog adoptions to any who'll listen. |
| then in July 2008 Bo put paw to paper on a contract | | | | Thank you 'M' for giving Bo something truly worth |
| with Kensington Books. Never in a million years did I | | | | barking about! |