About

I’m a “dog person.” I love all types of dogs, especially spaniels. I love talking about dogs, reading dog stories, writing about dogs, and living with dogs. I’ve met some of my best friends, including my husband, through our dogs. The love, joy, and comfort dogs provide are priceless gifts that last forever.

My mission is to honor the human-animal bond and to help those anticipating or experiencing pet loss. My mission is also to promote the ways in which animal companions enhance our lives and health, such as therapy dogs.

My current canine inspirations are Holly, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, and Miles, an Welsh springer spaniel. Holly is in training to become a therapy dog. We live in the beautiful Western North Carolina mountains.

Dogs are my muses. Following the loss of two beloved dogs to cancer, I was inspired to create a tribute to them. I rummaged through musty old books and tattered magazines at countless flea markets, estate sales, dog shows, and book fairs to find poems and essays that spoke to pet loss. These comforting tributes became Angel Pawprints: Reflections on Loving and Losing a Canine Companion (Hyperion, 2000). At the request of cat lovers (including my editor) I also compiled Angel Whiskers: Reflections on Loving and Losing a Feline Companion (Hyperion, 2001).

I’m currently writing a memoir of my previous therapy dog, Baker. Our pet therapy rounds to spread smiles to hospital patients uplifted me and taught profound lessons about love, loss, kindness, and gratitude to share on this website.