A
Parting Gift
One question most writers are asked
is why we decided to become a writer. For me, that’s an easy one to answer. I
became a writer because I wanted to prove I could do it. Another question, but
one not so easy for me to answer is, how I got started.
When S.J. asked me to be a guest on
her One for the Animals blog, I felt this was the perfect venue to answer that
difficult question.
I’d contemplated writing a novel for
a long time before I worked on it. I wasn’t sure if I could do it. I got the
nudge I needed in the summer of 1990. I was a teacher and it was the first day
of summer vacation. I came home excited to have a long hiatus from the
classroom. When I walked in the door that Friday afternoon, my fifteen-year-old
dog, Lito was listless. I could tell he hadn’t eaten much that day and what he did
eat, he couldn’t keep down. When his condition didn’t improve, I took him to
the vet the next morning. The news was not good—kidney failure. Lito had a
couple of weeks at the most. My wonderful vet sent me home with instructions on
how to care for Lito and what signs to look for when the time came to help him
cross the rainbow.
I was devastated. Lito had taught
me unconditional love. I couldn’t image life without him. I was grateful that
the situation occurred during the summer, and I could spend every last moment
with him. He had always been there for me and it was my turn to be there for
him. I decided I would not leave the house, except for a few quick trips to the
grocery store and the neighborhood bookstore. At the bookstore, I didn’t even
take time to peruse the bookstore shelves. I just walked in, grabbed a book off
the bestseller table, and rushed home. During that last month with Lito, I sat
by him and read one book after another. I’d always loved to read, but with my
busy schedule I managed only one or two books a month. For someone who wants to
become a writer, reading a lot is a must. During that difficult time, I probably
read twenty books. Lito’s departing gift to me was to develop a passion for
reading, which gave me the courage to write. That was twenty-seven years ago. I
have nine published books and four more in the queue. The best thing is that,
there’s not a day goes by that it don’t think of Lito and all the gifts he gave
me.
Lito was a rescue dog. I found him
at the pound in Waco, Texas. It was a difficult time in my life and I felt a
pet was what I needed to help me through my troubles. When I walked by a pen full
of jumping, squealing puppies, I noticed the tiniest one jumping the highest
and squealing the loudest. He looked me straight in the eye as if to say, “Get
me out of this mess!” I reached in and grabbed him and held him close. He
immediately calmed down and I knew at this moment, things would be alright for
both of us.
My latest book, Run Dog Run, the first in my new
animal-rights mystery series, delves into the world of greyhound racing. A portion
of the proceeds from book sales of Run
Dog Run will be donated to The Greyhound [adoption organization] Project,
Inc. If you read and
enjoy my book, a review on Goodreads or Amazon will help spread the word.
From Black Opal Books:
Run Dog Run is Kathleen’s
first mystery in the new Kate Caraway animal-rights series.
Synopsis:
Animal-rights activist Kate Caraway travels to Texas
for much needed rest. But before she has a chance to unpack, her friend’s
daughter, who is entangled in the ugly world of greyhound abuse, pleads for
Kate’s assistance. On the case for only a few hours, Kate discovers a body, complicating
the investigation by adding murder to the puzzle. Now, she’s in a race against
time to find the killer before she becomes the next victim.
Kathleen Kaska also writes the awarding-winning Sydney Lockhart
Mystery Series and the Classic Triviography Mystery Series. Kathleen is a
member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America. Although she spends
most of her time on Fidaglo Island in Washington State, she’s a Texas gal.
Except for an eighteen-month hiatus living in New York City after college, she
lived in the Lone Star State continuously for fifty years. Since then Texas has
been hit and miss—a little hit here and there, and a hell of a lot of miss.
There was a time when she thought she would happily die in Austin, but things
and weather—especially weather—changed that. When she gets homesick, she and
her husband plug in the iPhone to Pandora and select Willie—as in Nelson, (I
hope you don’t have to ask). Soon they are dancing the two-step, imagining they
are at their favorite honky-tonk in Tokyo, Texas where the mayor is believed to
be a dog. Who wouldn’t miss that?
Kathleen’s books are available
through bookstores, Black Opal Books, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and her
website.
From S.J. Francis: For more information about The Greyhound Project, an adoption
organization seeking homes for the mistreated Greyhounds: http://adopt-a-greyhound.org/
A magnificat, mistreat Greyhound
Thanks for visiting my blog for the animals. It's always great to connect with another animal lover. If you and I don't speak up for them, who will? Be a voice for the animals and put a little joy in your heart while speaking up for them.
Want to help out shelter animals without spending a dime?
Go to www.freekibble.com
Answer a question daily for dogs and cats and kibble is donated to feed them.
Click on www.freekibble.com/litter and help give litter for cats.
Another way to help feed shelter animals without spending a dime is to visit and click the big purple box at:
Until next time….hug your animals. Tell them you love them. If you don’t have a pet, adopt one. Make adoption your first option when seeking a pet. Adopt. Don’t shop. Can’t adopt. Please consider fostering one. The animal will have the taste of home and the shelter will cover the expenses. Can’t foster? Make a donation or volunteer at your local shelter. Please, don’t hunt. Unless you’re starving down in a ditch somewhere, there is no logical reason to do so. Whatever you do, however you do it, please be a voice for the animals large and small. All it takes is one to make a difference, good or bad.
Coins That Count:
Is your coin jar overflowing? Turn that loose change into cash that helps animals by donating to The HSUS at participating Coinstar machines nationwide. Where to go» Find a Kiosk near you...
https://www.coinstar.com/kioskfinder?element=Charity&parmName=HumaneSocietyofUS
https://www.coinstar.com/kioskfinder?element=Charity&parmName=HumaneSocietyofUS
Together, you and I can make a difference in an animal's life. I’m one for the animals. Are you? Thanks for visiting. Stay safe. Be strong. Be happy. Smile. Show compassion. Be nice to one another. Pass it onward. If you like what you see here, please consider signing up to become a follower. Please feel free to share this post with others.
Regards,
S.J. Francis
In Shattered Lies: "Good and bad, it's All About Family." Available now from Black Opal Books and for sale at on-line retailers and independent booksellers. “Some secrets should remain that way.”
My Black Opal Books Author Page:
http://www.blackopalbooks.com/author-bios/bio-sj-francis
My web page: http://www.sjfranciswriter.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sjfrancis419
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And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2017 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and guest and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.
"When I look into the eyes of an animal I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul." ~ANTHONY DOUGLAS WILLIAMS
- Read more at: http://emilysquotes.com/when-i-look-into-the-eyes-of-an-animal-i-do-not-see-an-animal-i-see-a-living-being-i-see-a-friend-i-feel-a-soul/
Remember: Animals don't have voices. We must be their voice. Always. Forever. Wherever. whenever. I'm one for the animals. Are you?
This was a super post. The dogs we've adopted have all been from a dog pound, so I understand that look they give you of "get me out of this mess." When my husband took me (years ago) to show me the dog he wanted at the pound, that dog's sister stretched her little paw out of the cage to hold my hand. She looked desperate. They were treated well at this pound, but they all wanted a home. She knew he'd been visiting her brother and she did not want to be left behind. We brought both of them home. S.J. has a great blogspot with all the other notes on animals here. Great post on a great blogspot. Run Dog Run should be doing well. It's being promoted all over. Good job.
ReplyDeleteHello Linda! thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your experience of adopting a pet. Two pets.
DeleteCheers! S.J. Francis
Lovely post and memory.
ReplyDeleteHello Barb! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. It is much appreciated.
DeleteCheers! S.J. Francis