Fido and Friend in Five: Kathryn Fitzmaurice!

Kathryn Fitzmaurice

I am super-psyched to have author Kathryn Fitzmaurice and her dog, Holly in our
Fido and Friend spotlight today! The lovely Kathryn is the author of the equally lovely and wise middle-grade novel, The Year the Swallows Came Early. In her book, Kathryn explores what happens when her young protagonist's carefully planned-out world starts to go wrong the year she turns eleven. Suddenly, her father is jailed, her best friend's erstwhile mother returns, and the swallows that make their annual migration to her hometown make a surprise appearance.

The Year the Swallows

Kathryn, husband, and two sons share their lives in Monarch Beach, California with their dog, Holly. Let's see what Kathryn and Holly have to say about each other:

1. How did you and Holly meet? Holly and I found each other in Newport Beach, California.  She was a birthday gift for my ten year old son, Hugh.  He made us promise him that when he turned ten, we would get him a dog.  She has become my dog, though.  We all say she's Hugh's, but really, she's mine.  She follows me everywhere.  She likes me best.  :)


2.  So what makes Holly's tail wag?  Holly wags her tail at just about everything.  But especially when people come over.  Or when we come home.  She acts as if she hasn't seen us for ten years.


3. What's your all-time favorite dog story?  My favorite dog story is Where the Red Fern Grows.  Best dog story ever. 

"Who, me?" says Holly

4.  If Holly could change just one thing about you, what would it be?  Holly is a bossy dog.  If she could change one thing about me, she would have me listen better to her orders.  For example, she would have me throw her green ball more, or take her on two walks a day, instead of one.      


5. In five words, tell us what Holly means to you:
Holly is the dog that made me love dogs.  I tell her her everyday how if we hadn't gotten her, I would never have become a dog person.  Just writing this makes me tear up.  I can't imagine not having a dog because of her.  She brings us unending joy and happiness.  (I know, way more than five words...)


I know--once you start gushing about your dog, it's hard to stop! Many thanks to Kathryn and Holly for stopping by Fido and Friend in Five. To find out more about Kathryn, you can visit her at her website and follow her on her blog. www.kathrynfitzmaurice.com    www.kathrynfitzmaurice.blogspot.com