Last week I wrote a guest blog for Huffington Post columnist Sarah Fader titled, Dogs are A**holes, a parody of her article, 3-Year-Olds are A**holes. Well, it seems my dogs are intent on having the last laugh. Feeling that I misrepresented their sensitive nature, they are insisting that I write a book that tells their opinions about love and romance. In short, a book that details lessons in love…from my dogs. The nerve.
My first reaction was to roll my eyes skyward and remind them that I’m the romance author around here. But then, I took a closer look and seeing them cuddled up against each other, their preferred sleeping position, I realized, my dogs are onto something. People could learn a thing or two from them.
My husband is used to the fact that I regularly talk to my dogs. Although occasionally he listens in on the conversation, he’s learned that the dogs are somehow more equipped to help me work through plot points and critique the dialogue in my books. They even know a surefire cure for writer’s block. Without fail, they’ll roll onto their backs and graciously allow me to scratch their tummies. Just as fast as a flea can jump, I begin to feel better about any procrastination. Yep, my dogs know where it’s at.
So I realized that perhaps it’s time that I not only talk to them, but also observe — listen, so to speak. As a romance writer, I’ve written about good relationships and bad ones, flawed heros and perfect demons. Each story and relationship stemmed from my imagination…or did it? Could it be that I’ve learned a few things about love from my dogs? After all, they never stay angry, always enjoy each other’s company, and will remain loyal until the day that they die.
Coming this fall…”What a Bitch! Lessons in Love I Learned From My Dogs.” Sign up for my newsletter to learn more.
