Tag Archives: slow dog

September 25, 2023 · 8:00 am

Slow Dog celebrating 1-year anniversary

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since I published my children’s book, Slow Dog.

What started out as a whim turned into an exploration and finally a finished product. Along the way, I gained a new respect for the craft that goes into creating children’s books. I’ve been pleasantly surprised and grateful that Slow Dog has received honorable mention and finalist recognition in multiple book competitions. I hope others will be encouraged to take a leap when it comes to creative endeavors.

Slow Dog has visited multiple cities and copies have been donated to free little libraries, an animal rescue book fair and a free library at a women and children’s shelter. I hope to do more charitable work involving Slow Dog in the future.

In honor of the 1-year anniversary, the e-book version of Slow Dog is half-off through the end of September.

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July 17, 2023 · 8:00 am

Slow Dog a Purple Dragonfly award winner

I’m pleased to announce that my children’s book, Slow Dog, received Honorable Mention awards in two categories of the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards. This contest is focused solely on children’s books, so it’s extra special to me that Slow Dog was selected among the winning titles.

Sometimes nudging yourself out of your comfort zone can lead to good things. If you are on the fence about pursuing a creative endeavor of your own and doubting your abilities, I hope you can take some inspiration from this post. Whether you are sharing your caregiving journey or something completely unrelated, you won’t know what your capable of until you try.

I also can’t help but think about Dad’s unfinished novel. I know he would be proud of my modest success as a writer, because it was one of his unrealized dreams.

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April 22, 2023 · 5:31 pm

Slow Dog a winner in the Firebird Book Awards

I’m thrilled to announce that my children’s book, Slow Dog, was selected as a winner in the Firebird Book Awards hosted by Speak Up Talk Radio.

Winning any award is an honor, but it’s even more special when it’s a contest founded by author and podcast host Pat Rullo of Speak Up Talk Radio. Rullo and her show have long been a supporter of caregivers and encouraging caregivers to share their stories. Contest fees support charitable efforts: handmade pillowcases and children’s books are sent to women and children experiencing homelessness.

I appeared on Speak Up Talk Radio in 2018 to discuss my book, The Reluctant Caregiver.

You can see all of the winners at Speak Up Talk Radio and enter the next quarter’s contest.

Slow Dog was inspired by my rescue dog Murphy. If you are interested in donating to animal rescue, please consider voting for Murphy in a calendar contest being held by PAWS Atlanta. Voting ends April 28. Thank you!

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December 31, 2022 · 4:49 pm

Wishing you a happy, healthy new year

Another year is in the books. As we look back on 2022, it’s easy to focus on the negative, but I hope you will cut yourself some slack and take time to celebrate what went well this year. Finding those good moments can be difficult when one is in a challenging caregiving situation. One suggestion that I’ve seen online is to get a jar and write on a slip of paper one good thing that happened each week. At the end of the year, the jar will be filled with highlights. If you are more digitally inclined you could keep a spreadsheet or use an app. It’s a simple way to make sure you don’t overlook your achievements.

My biggest achievement in 2022 was publishing my children’s book, Slow Dog. I began the year taking a course on writing for children, where I came up with the idea but waited until the summer to get serious about the project. If I had waited any longer, the book may never have existed as I got laid off from my job just two months after it was published. Timing is everything and sometimes the universe gives you a nudge just when you need it.

I hope 2023 will bring you good health and success in what matters to you.

Photo by Moritz Knöringer on Unsplash.

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November 19, 2022 · 2:24 pm

Celebrating Murphy’s 9th birthday and senior dogs everywhere

Friday was Murphy’s 9th birthday. Well, that’s the day we’ve chosen to celebrate. With rescue dogs, details like date of birth remain a mystery. Murphy could actually be 7 or 11 or any age in that range. Rescue animals reinforce the idea that age is just a number.

Murphy received yummy treats and a giant stuffed gator toy.

We have a gift to offer in return. Now through Nov. 22, the e-book version of Slow Dog is free! Please share with family and friends and maybe even give a copy as a gift over the holidays.

Thanks to all of you who have purchased a copy. Slow Dog is now an Amazon best seller!

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September 17, 2022 · 3:25 pm

I’ve written a children’s book!

Slow Dog is available on Amazon.

I’m excited to announce that I have written a children’s book, Slow Dog. I never expected to write a book for kids, but my rescue dog Murphy inspired me to take the leap.

Sometimes it’s rewarding to step outside of our comfort zone and look at life from a different perspective. When I adopted my senior mixed breed dog Murphy, I knew one of the challenges for me would be to adjust my fast-paced life to his decidedly slow-paced one. It was a deliberate choice as I knew it would benefit my overall well-being.

While Slow Dog doesn’t have any specific ties to dementia, it does celebrate moving at one’s own pace. That’s a helpful lesson for all caregivers.

Slow Dog is available in paperback and e-book formats on Amazon. Part of the proceeds will benefit metro Atlanta animal rescue organizations.

A big thank you to illustrator Lana Lee who captured Murphy’s special spirit so well.

Murphy with his book, Slow Dog.

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