Happy Thanksgiving!

I think I can safely speak for Liz and Deb (as well as for myself!) in offering our best wishes to each and every DWAA member for a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

And while this has been a difficult and challenging year on so many levels, there's still a lot to be grateful for, including:

-- our human families and friends;

-- our canine companions;

-- the privilege of being able to write about those canine companions -- and, in the process, help others to live as happily with our dogs as we do with ours;

-- a community of writers who share our passion for our dogs and for the power of the written word.

Here's to a happy and productive year ahead!

Atlanta Conference

I just returned from the conference in Atlanta last night. This is the Cat Writers Association conference with co-sponsorship by the Dog Writers. Most talks are "bi -petual", strictly about writing topics. Wonderful time with a great sense of camaraderie and major efforts made to include newcomers. I met some wonderful new friends & got to touch base with many old friends. The book signing was a success with many dog books selling well at the cat show too!
The awards dinner went until 10 pm with a buffet & no compliants despite some short speeches. The evening went with people getting their dinners, then the special awards, a 10 min break for bathroom & dessert followed by the MUSE Medallion awards. I was fortunate to win a Muse Medallion for the Cat Owners' Home Veterinary Handbook AND the Hartz Vitamin Award for Senior Cats!!
A fabulous time!
Deb E

The Power of a Photo (Or Perhaps a Word)

There is a news story on the web today with a photo of two young girls in the Congo, crying as they search for family. Reading the story makes you ache. The beauty though, is that by waving the photo, the photographer was able to help find their family & eventually reunite the girls with the mother of one of them.
Our words can achieve equally great results - not always so dramatically but sometimes quietly, like water dripping on a stone. Think of times that your words have inspired someone on to greater things or shored up someone in need.
The communicators of the world have a great power and an equally great responsibility to use that power for good.
Deb E

Leaving Behind a Legacy

One of my favorite authors passed away this past week. Michael Crichton was well known for many of his works, including "Jurassic Park", "Airframe", and a host of other best sellers. I never met Mr Crichton nor did I ever correspond with him but I certainly felt like I knew something of him through his work. He passed away much too young and I will miss the things he had yet to say and the stories he had yet to tell.

His passing brought to mind another author who was lost to us this year, Janet Kagan. She wrote science fiction short stories, an anthology of those stories, and two novels. She wasn't at all prolific - and in fact I emailed her about that one time, saying I was on pins and needles waiting for her next work. She was gracious enough to respond, had a wonderful sense of humor, and sent me a signed book plate to put in the cover of her book. Janet Kagan was a wonderful talent and every once in a while I dig out her books, "Mirabile" and "Hellspark" and re-read them.

Another of my favorite authors, Anne McCaffrey, is still with us - knock on wood - but she's in her mid to late 80s. Anne is very prolific and I think I have all 60 or so of her books - I haven't counted lately! Her son is now writing with her the worlds she has created and although he's talented, he's still learning and is yet to achieve the level of his mom. Anne has the ability to make the reader believe the science fiction worlds and characters she creates are real; she is wonderfully talented.

In thinking about these varied but talented people, I realized that writers are in a unique position. Although magazines come and go, and issues end up in the recycling bin; and books sell, stop selling, and go out of print; as writers the work we do will live on. I saw a copy of my very first book for sale on eBay for a whole lot of money - over $300 - and couldn't believe it. And someone bought it and it wasn't my parents!

Now granted, when I write I'm certainly not thinking about my legacy; I'm thinking about my audience: who will read this book and how can I best suit their needs.

But it is interesting to think that we - as writers - are in a unique position.

Food for thought.

Liz

Liz Palika

"lost" members

One thing that has come to my attention since we started working on running by petition for DWAA office is the number of top members - excellent writers, mentors, respected in both the dog & writing communities - who either have left DWAA or are thinking seriously about it. These members feel that the organization is being run almost as a private fiefdom with little input from or concern about most members. If THEY feel that way, I can only imagine how estranged the average member feels.
It is our goal to involve our members, try to provide direct & useful benefits & have an open governing style.
If that is what YOU would like from DWAA, think of joining us by voting for Eldredge, McCullough & Palika when you get your ballot.
Deb E
PS While we would like to run a platform on free duck eggs for all, the season is past!

A snapshot of Archer

I know we all think our dogs are the cutest and most special, but I have to share a verbal snapshot of Archer.

My husband, Paul, and I have three dogs. We tend to stay at three - an older dog, a middle aged dog, and then a young one. I can keep three trained, groomed, exercised, etc. When we lost our oldest dog, Dax, last January, we were going to wait a while for a puppy as my husband had a real hard time losing Dax.

Well, in April we got a call from the breeder we usually go to and she offered us a five month old puppy. She wanted a special home for this guy; he had been her pick as owner of the stud dog, but he had a retained testicle and wouldn't be show/breeding material. But personality wise, she felt he was very special with lots of potential. We fell for that hook, line, and sinker once we saw the puppy.

Archer is named for the character played by Scott Bakula on the last Star Trek show; he is charismatic, good looking, and oh what a charmer. Uh huh. He has charmed his way into our hearts, that's for sure.

But anyway, long story short. Last night I was on the sofa, reading, when one of our cats, Squash, jumped up and snuggled in next to me. Archer jumped up on the other side of her. He placed his favorite Orbee ball (his very favorite!) next to her and nudged it so it bumped her. Obviously a play invitation. She ignored him. He bumped it closer to her. Again, ignored. He reached over and very very gently, began grooming her with his front teeth. She was indignant but tolerated it. However, when he began licking her ears, she decided she'd had enough and with no claws, bopped him on the head. In his rush to be submissive, when he rolled over on his back, he rolled off the sofa. Squash said, "My job is done!" and snuggled back up next to me. Meanwhile, I'm laughing so hard I'm trying not to fall off the sofa!

Ahhh.....this is why we have pets. Laughter is good for us.

Archer was fine, by the way.

Liz

The Power of Our Vote

The outcome of today's election says it all: our votes do count. And when people desire change, it can happen.

Whether you are happy with the results of today's election or not, it is the democratic process and one that we must cherish. So few people in the world today can vote as we do.

When you receive your DWAA ballot in the mail, I hope you take the time to vote again. And yes, granted, DWAA is a very small entity when we take into consideration the national election, but DWAA is also important to us and deserves our votes.

Liz Palika

Vote!!!

Today's a historic day for our country. The stakes of today's presidential election are higher than in any other election in several generations. Taking the time to vote today -- no matter how long the lines are, no matter how confusing the instructions might be -- is a privilege too many of us may have taken for granted until now. But it's our time now: time for us to be responsible citizens, and do our part to set our country on what we each believes to be the right course for the years ahead.

And in a month or so will start a historic time for DWAA: the beginning of the first contested election for officers in many years. The stakes of that election are high for the future of our organization. By taking the time to vote then, you'll be adding your voice to those who want to have a say in DWAA's future. No matter how you vote: take the time to add your voice. It's a privilege and a responsibility that none of us should take for granted.

On the Write (Right) Track

Having spent many days this year out in the tracking fields with our dogs & seeing Kate & her 11 yr old Corgi Flash earn their TDX yesterday got me thinking about tracking & its parallels to DWAA.
When a dog is "on the track" they tend to work with purpose. They move straight ahead, ignoring distractions like woodchuck holes or deer poop. They simply concentrate on doing the "right" thing & following the correct scent.
I think that right now, DWAA is a bit "off track". As an organization we have lost our orientation to provide camaraderie with fellow dog writers/artists/photographers. The people that make up any group are the heart and soul of that group - or in this case, the scent we should be following. The more members who feel welcome, who are involved and active, the stronger that scent we need to follow will be.
So, while I am NOT recommending that everyone forgo bathing to increase their scent, I am recommending that we all get involved and leave an easier track for future members to follow.
Deb E