Fido and Friend in Five

In anticipation of my new book, A DOG'S WAY HOME, debuting in just a few weeks (!!!), I'll be posting interviews on my blog celebrating the unique relationship between dogs and their people. "Fido and Friend in Five" will ask folks in the wonderful world of writing and publishing to talk about the dog(s) in their life, now or in the past, in five questions in five minutes.

To get things started, I'm going to do my own "Fido in Five" with the sheltie who inspired my book, Teddy.

How did you and Teddy find each other? I had wanted a sheltie for a very long time. I first met Teddy when he was four at Sheltie Rescue of Utah. It was love at first sight! Unfortunately, he'd already been adopted and was just waiting to go to his new home. I was heartbroken. Then, two weeks later, Barbara at SRU called me to tell me Teddy was back! The family who'd adopted him discovered the dad was very allergic to him. They were very sad to have to return him but I was thrilled. It was truly meant to be!

If Teddy could change just one thing about you, what would it be? That I ever had to leave his sight. Teddy would be happiest if we were Siamese twins!

What is your all-time favorite dog story? Oh, there are sooo many great dog stories out there--classic and contemporary. If I had to choose one, though, it would probably be Lassie Come-Home. I think it's the best of the classics. I like to say my book is my own personal love letter to those great, classic dog stories.

What makes Teddy's tale wag? Food, food, and more food!

In five words, tell us what Teddy means to you: My heart and my inspiration.

Bonus question: What is Teddy's favorite TV show? Teddy loves all the English classics on Masterpiece Theater. He's a very refined kind of guy (except when he's eating cat poop).

A Dog's Way Home is available for pre-order and will be available in bookstores March 1!