The Writer's Dog: The Insta Edition
Highlights and links to the four-legged assistants behind their writers
Welcome!
Lots of writers have dogs. And Cats. And all kinds of animal companions. They feed our souls even as they sometimes distract from the writing itself. Right now, I’m a writer without a dog, something I hope will change in the coming year. For now, though, I’ve been getting so much pleasure from the dogs of others that I wanted to spread the joy.
I came across this fun look at some famous writers and their dogs and it hit me: why don’t we get to know some writers through their four-legged companions? So, earlier in 2021 we launched Spark’s new regular feature: The Writer’s Dog. Okay okay, we will also feature the cats of writers and, if there are animals I’ve been too narrow minded to imagine right now, then... let’s just see where this goes.
We also post highlights of the interviews on Instagram. Here is a gallery of the companions behind some wonderful writers. Click the title and you’ll get the original post with the full interview. Click the Instagram post and you’ll find the highlights in a little slide show. We will add more to this page every time we run a new interview so check back often! You can also follow us on Instagram by clicking the button below:
#1: Meet Lenny, The Canine Assistant to Novelist Kristen Tsetsi
“Known for: “My gift of communication. I use my body, nose, ears, and eyes (for facial expressions, mostly), so there's no risk of not being understood. I am also known for understanding English. I don't speak it, naturally, but at least 15 words or commands make sense, somehow.” [Editor’s note: Her EARS are the BEST. Also - we didn’t know how to do the slide show until after this interview so check the post to get all of Lenny in her glory.]
#2. Meet Hula and Grapes, Canine Assistants to Memoirist and Environmental Activist Sari Fordham
“Known for: Hula is known for getting sprayed by a skunk on three separate occasions (Two a.m. spa treatments are amazing.) and Grapes is known for hunting lizards and bringing their carcasses into the house (That lady can really jump!). We bring the fierce to chihuahua-mixes.”
#3. Meet Huckleberry, Canine Assistant to Writer Yi Shun Lai
“Something you should know about my writer...Fan of nuclear-orange colored cheese-flavored snacks and stroopwafels. Does not share these with me. This is all you need to know.”
#4. Meet Daisy, Canine Assistant to Writer Bobi Conn
“Known for… Snoring like a grown man when I nap. One time, my writer was in a Zoom meeting for work, and her boss thought someone was doing construction in the room – he specifically thought someone was drilling through a brick wall. So yeah, I’ve got an impressive snore.”
#5. Meet Smokey Pete, Canine Assistant to Novelist R.D. Kardon
“What I live for…my writer and mom, R. D. Kardon. And bully sticks.”
#6. Meet Yukon, Canine Assistant to Novelist and Editor Andria Williams
“Expert at…Chasing squirrels, snuggling, patrolling yard, banging into screen doors in a mad dash for squirrels and then jumping back, affronted. I also translate the Classics. I particularly love Diogenes, who considered dogs the most virtuous of creatures. My translations are scratched into a patch of bark along the side-yard; my people keep covering them up; I feel very misunderstood about this.”
#7. Meet Louie, Feline Assistant to Poet, Playwright, and Novelist Sandra DeHelen
How I help Sandra … I rescued her from depression following the death of her sixteen year old Manx/Maine Coon Asia. I keep her busy, cuddle with her through the night, and amuse her with my antics. I tell her when it’s time to get up and start writing, I remind her to take time to play, I show her that one can be creative with nothing more than a shadow to spark inspiration.
