People know me as a dog lover, but few know me as a writer.
If you’ve met me in “real life,” then you know I can be incredibly quiet. I’m actually great at making normal situations pretty awkward. That may be where my desire to write comes from. I suck at telling stories – at making conversation – so instead I write.
I have loved dogs as long as I can remember, the same is true about writing. My first memory of a dog is holding the water spaniel pup we got when I was 2 or 3 years old. She was a dark, curly fur-ball, and she and I didn’t grow too close. The older I get, I’ve noticed, the more attached I become to my dogs.
My parents bought a golden retriever puppy when I was 3. I remember visiting the breeder where what seemed like dozens of red dogs jumped and barked at me from behind a chain-link fence. We must have been going to choose our pup or to meet her parents.
I can’t recall life without dogs around, and it’s difficult to recall a time when I was unable to write. I remember drawing wavy lines and asking my mom what it said. I just assumed my “writing” meant something and that she would be able to tell me what. I like to think she told me it could mean whatever I wanted.
At that age, I had already lived with three different dogs. My parents had a tennis-ball obsessed black lab waiting for me the week I came home from the hospital as a newborn. I suppose Jessie had an important job – she taught an infant to love dogs.
One of my first journals was from the summer when I was 7 and we took a family vacation to the Black Hills in South Dakota. My entries are mostly lists of the different animals I spotted in the badlands, Custer State Park and “Bear Country, USA.” Among my mentions of black bears, deer, pronghorn and buffalo are several observations about dogs.
From that time, I’ve written pages and pages of fiction and nonfiction – a lot about dogs, some not. Some is good writing, most isn’t.
Just as dog lovers have to own dogs, writers have to write. And they have to be heard, too. Thank God for blogs, although I once heard the average blog has 1.5 readers. If I have three, I guess I’m doing pretty well (hi, Ma!).
At the moment, I am working on a book about the happiness of dogs, an exciting challenge for me. I will be looking at different human-dog pairs and how our dogs are happy no matter who they’re “stuck with.” As I move further along with this project, I will look forward to seeking feedback from readers of That Mutt.
Sometimes I have to remind myself how lucky I am to be able to accomplish my goals in life: Relax. Explore. Understand dogs. Write.
For me, there will always be early mornings, pen in hand, dog at my feet. There will always be late nights, glowing laptop screen, dog still at my feet.
There will always be more dogs to rescue, to train, to run. And when there are dogs, there is always more inspiration to write.
Recent Search Terms:
- what are dogs in writing
- darci stinar
- write about the dogs
- writing rescue dogs
- how to write dog blogs
What an exciting project!! I can’t wait to hear how all the details unfold. Like you, dogs and writing are my two loves, and I’m so incredibly lucky that I get to spend my days working as a writer with my dogs dozing at my feet… Cheesy as it sounds, sometimes I’m amazed that I’m so lucky!!
Thanks, Maggie! I know what you mean!
Wow! That is a big undertaking. Writing has never come naturally to me. When my friend convinced me to start my blog it was more to keep track of training, and also with possibility of generating some extra income (to spend on the dogs of course). I wish that I found as pleasure in writing as I do in reading, but it’s just never been the case.
Thanks, Marie! I enjoy your writing on your blog – AND your photography!
Can I say how I envy you guys!! All in a good way of course, can never have any meanie in me when it comes to fellow dog lovers. Thank you so much for doing this.
I live a mundane life, have a mundane office work and think of nothing but returning to my furry kids each day. That’s the average life of a singaporean I am afraid… Can’t write, but sure enjoy reading esp about dogs. They are a true gift from GOD. Still I think I am blessed to be able to share so many furry lives (yap since I came out squealing like a piglet into this world), so YES, you writers & dog Lovers are very LUCKY!
Bless you and continue to love this perfection creation aa.k.a Man’s Best Friend.
Thanks, Ludwig! Your dogs are lucky to have you!
Hi! I came across your blog while researching training tips for my two pooches. My boyfriend and I have two rescues. A lab mix named DOG who is 2 and a pointer mix named Belle. Belle we got over a year ago and just turned 3. She had been to our local pound twice in her life and will never be there again. Its been wonderful to see her come out of her shell, relax and become part of our family. It would be nice to have more time to spend individually training them but on the whole they are two wonderful pooches. Good luck with the book!
Good luck with your two rescue dogs! Belle is so lucky to finally be in the perfect home.Thanks so much for checking out my blog!
That is one of the best ideas I’ve ever heard Lindsey! Can’t wait to read it!
Thanks, Amy! Means a lot
I can’t wait to read your book, how awesome! Best of luck to you. I know you’ll be successful at whatever you attempt!
Great post Lindsay! Can’t wait to hear more about your book as you go along!
Thanks Apryl and Tammy!
Good luck with the book, it should be a good read for us!
Thanks, Dawn. I appreciate it!
[...] “dog book”? July 29, 2010 by skateswithdogs Lindsay at thatmutt.com has posted this week that she has been working on a book about happiness and dogs. It seems like more and [...]
Hi Lindsay,
My name is Chigiy. I just started a dog boarding business and a dog blog. I love your blog. I love your life. Mine is fairly similar except that I threw a couple of kids and a husband into the mix because life can never have enough chaos. I find dogs hysterically funny and fun to write about. I don’t think I have as much control over them as you do. As a matter of fact I was thinking of naming my blog the dog shouter. Come visit. I just started yesterday.
Lindsay, I love your opening to this entry because you are pretty quite in person but you sure can write! Sometimes it’s just easier for people to talk through print and thats okay! I think your book will be great, best of luck to you!
Thanks, Sarah!
Sounds like a pretty cool life! and goal. can’t waite to see the fiished product.
Thanks!