Tracy's columns are now being published monthly with Wag the Dog UK,
Tails Pet Media Group, Big Bark, Catster.com and Dogster.com. Here are the links:
www.tailsinc.com www.wagthedoguk.com www.catster.com www.dogster.com www.bigbarkonline.com
"Raising My Furry Children" ... NEWS!
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Winner of the 2012 Illinois Woman's Press Association Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest - Second Place, Non-Fiction/Humor book! Judge's comments: "The author's writing simply exudes a genuine passion for her subject matter." Winner of the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Illinois Woman's Press Association Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest - Second Place & Third Place "Columns" division! Judge's comments (2011): "Fun, personal looks at life with pets." Judge's comments (2012): "Delightful. Stories told with love and humor." Judge's comments (2013): |
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published by Weaving Dreams Publishing
It all began with writing a diary of short essays for my own benefit to remember situations I experienced with my first three pets: Speckles, a Brittany spaniel; and my cats, C.D. and Desdemona.
The book of essays grew and I contacted Pet-Times newspaper in Chicago asking if they would like to print one, as a guest column, per edition. They did. From there, I started to solicit my columns to other publishing companies. One appeared in Pets: Part of the Family magazine. Recently one appeared monthly in Russell Publications newspapers in the far-south suburbs of Chicago.
Through my volunteer work with different humane organizations, I realized that these stories could help other pet owners develop bonds with their pets like I have and make others laugh and learn about raising their furry children.
Years ago, I titled my book "Raising My Furry Children" – highlighting the fact that for most pet owners, these creatures are like their children. Today, descriptions of "furry children" and being a "pet parent" are noted in books, magazines and newspapers across the country.
I begin my book with a true story about two cats left in a cardboard box outside of local animal shelter. A note was taped to the top of the box briefly telling why the owner could not care for the cats anymore and a couple of facts on the cat’s personalities. It made me reflect on the lives and personalities of my pets and that most every pet has a unique biography waiting to be shared.
My book is accented by 48 pet portraits and pet-related drawings I have created for pet owners over the past few years.
Steve Dale, pet expert and certified dog and cat behavior consultant, has contributed a guest story for my book in honor of his Brittany spaniel and to help American Brittany Rescue. Dale is author of the weekly syndicated newspaper column "My Pet World" (Tribune Media Services). He is also host of nationally syndicated radio programs. Dale is a frequent guest on local and national radio shows. He was a regular on WGN-TV, Chicago for two years, and hosted the multi-award winning Pet Central on WGN radio for 12 years. Aside from this, Dale is an author and has written forewards and been a contributing author for various books. See his Web site at http://www.stevedalepetworld.com.
Behind every pet is a pet parent, and "Raising My Furry Children" is a testimony of being one of them. Through this book I share my human-animal bond experience through fun, everyday moments with my cats, Desdemona, Chocolate Drop, Joan of Arc and Captain Jack Sparrow, and Brittany spaniel, Speckles.
"Raising My Furry Children" will make pet-loving parents laugh and learn about their pets through the experience of a fellow pet parent, strengthen the pet-human bond, possibly help decrease animal shelter euthanasia rates, and by purchasing the book, help homeless Brittany spaniels through American Brittany Rescue.
A second "Raising My Furry Children" is already in progress, focusing on the ongoing antics of my cats Joan of Arc and Captain Jack Sparrow, along with new members of the family, a shelter cat named Forest and a shelter dog named Trucker.
The book of essays grew and I contacted Pet-Times newspaper in Chicago asking if they would like to print one, as a guest column, per edition. They did. From there, I started to solicit my columns to other publishing companies. One appeared in Pets: Part of the Family magazine. Recently one appeared monthly in Russell Publications newspapers in the far-south suburbs of Chicago.
Through my volunteer work with different humane organizations, I realized that these stories could help other pet owners develop bonds with their pets like I have and make others laugh and learn about raising their furry children.
Years ago, I titled my book "Raising My Furry Children" – highlighting the fact that for most pet owners, these creatures are like their children. Today, descriptions of "furry children" and being a "pet parent" are noted in books, magazines and newspapers across the country.
I begin my book with a true story about two cats left in a cardboard box outside of local animal shelter. A note was taped to the top of the box briefly telling why the owner could not care for the cats anymore and a couple of facts on the cat’s personalities. It made me reflect on the lives and personalities of my pets and that most every pet has a unique biography waiting to be shared.
My book is accented by 48 pet portraits and pet-related drawings I have created for pet owners over the past few years.
Steve Dale, pet expert and certified dog and cat behavior consultant, has contributed a guest story for my book in honor of his Brittany spaniel and to help American Brittany Rescue. Dale is author of the weekly syndicated newspaper column "My Pet World" (Tribune Media Services). He is also host of nationally syndicated radio programs. Dale is a frequent guest on local and national radio shows. He was a regular on WGN-TV, Chicago for two years, and hosted the multi-award winning Pet Central on WGN radio for 12 years. Aside from this, Dale is an author and has written forewards and been a contributing author for various books. See his Web site at http://www.stevedalepetworld.com.
Behind every pet is a pet parent, and "Raising My Furry Children" is a testimony of being one of them. Through this book I share my human-animal bond experience through fun, everyday moments with my cats, Desdemona, Chocolate Drop, Joan of Arc and Captain Jack Sparrow, and Brittany spaniel, Speckles.
"Raising My Furry Children" will make pet-loving parents laugh and learn about their pets through the experience of a fellow pet parent, strengthen the pet-human bond, possibly help decrease animal shelter euthanasia rates, and by purchasing the book, help homeless Brittany spaniels through American Brittany Rescue.
A second "Raising My Furry Children" is already in progress, focusing on the ongoing antics of my cats Joan of Arc and Captain Jack Sparrow, along with new members of the family, a shelter cat named Forest and a shelter dog named Trucker.
If you'd like to contact Tracy Ahrens, please e-mail her at mylittleforie@yahoo.com
Speckles
