This Nose Knows How to Find Life's Hidden Treasures
Also, viral videos, a book update, news from a reluctant advocate.
Greetings, I’m glad you are here. In the news today,
a video about fostering dogs goes viral
a video about animal wellness in a rural community is rising in the ranks
my soon-to-launch memoir is undergoing some key developments
a story of a reluctant advocate.
But first, a story…
“Come in,” said a welcoming voice from somewhere beyond the threshold. I stepped inside Megan’s home to see a brindle-coated dog sitting obediently on the other side of the door. One eye was trained on a treat in Megan’s hand, one on me. I was calmly instructed to let Emmy meet me on her terms. Megan assured me that by giving Emmy space to develop trust I would be rewarded with nudges.
Sure enough, after settling myself into a chair on the back deck, Emmy’s nose began to sniff from my socks to my hands. Her warm nose tickled my palm, signaling her approval. I began to pet her silky ears while gazing into eyes that reflected an old soul. She soon curled at my feet.
“Sniffing brings Emmy the most joy,” Megan explained. “She loves walks, but we never get very far. She has to explore every blade of grass before moving on.”
This methodical approach has taught Megan to appreciate the unexpected mysteries of nature. She withdrew her phone from her pocket to show me a photo of a barred owl peering down from a tree that Emmy had led her to discover.
Megan and her husband Jamie adopted Emmy over a year ago. The five-year-old was found tied to a tree in a park. When her stray hold at animal control ended, Ruff Start Rescue brought her into their program. The couple fell in love with Emmy’s lab-like head and wistful eyes. It took nine months for Emmy to unfurl her layers of guarded trust to fully lean into their love. It was an immense joy and honor to both.
Experience had taught the couple that a pet's quality of life hinged on the patience and thoughtfulness of their human companions. Their first dog, Monte, had been purchased from a pet store they later discovered was a front for a puppy mill, not a connection to a reputable breeder. Monte suffered seizures within months and needed hip replacement by age six.
That difficult experience led Megan and Jamie to adoption. They welcomed Cruiser and Bella, forming a trio of water-loving pups now memorialized in a dining room photo collage. Emmy doesn’t share their water enthusiasm. But put her in a boat and cruise around a lake and her eyes light up and nose works overtime.
Emmy's journey from abandonment to beloved family member demonstrates how rescue dogs repay patience with loyalty. Her cautious nature and curious spirit have taught Megan and Jamie that life's most meaningful discoveries—whether a watchful owl or a hard-earned trust—reveal themselves to those willing to slow down and truly see.
(This post was originally published in the Quad Community Press in my monthly series “The Real Dogs of the Quad Press.)
A DNA test confirmed that Emmy is 10% labrador retriever. She is also a blend of six other breeds. What do you think those other breeds are? A few clues are shared in the story.
FOSTER COTTAGE VIDEO GOES VIRAL
People are curious about fostering pets. How do I know? Cara Achterberg, co-founder of the non-profit Who Will Let The Dogs Out, became a TikTok sensation when she invited viewers into her foster cottage. She and husband, Nick, converted an old farm building into a dog writers dream with dedicated space for puppies, adult dogs, and dreaming amongst the chaos. There’s nothing fancy in this video. It is proof that authenticity sells.
BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO BEATS PUPPY VIDEO
Not quite as popular as Cara’s post but quickly gaining speed on Facebook and surpassing my puppy video is a behind-the-scenes look at Leech Lake Legacy. Because the non-profit is four hours north of Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA), few people who support our work have yet to visit. The tour highlights the pet food and supply distribution area where donated items are given to community members in need, the wellness area where volunteer veterinarians and their teams provide services, the cat surrender area, and a few puppies. The video shows the work in progress to convert the old movie theater into a more functional space for surgeries and veterinary care and the construction of a new building dedicated to dogs.
MOM LOVES THE DOGS MORE UPDATE
I’d been pursuing a traditional publishing route for my book Mom Loves the Dogs More: A Memoir of Family Rescue when I was introduced to a number of successful self-published authors. Their enthusiasm convinced me to pivot down their path. Doing so has added a host of line items to my to-do list. The most important action happening now is the design of the book’s cover. While the designer is creating the cover, I am working with the software program Atticus to format the interior pages of the book. I am enjoying the creative autonomy associated with self-publishing!
THE RELUCTANT ADVOCATE
I’ve spent years dancing around the tough stuff related to animal welfare. Sure, I’ve shoveled my share of sh*t, been scratched by scaredy cats, and walked miles and miles with hundreds of dogs. The one thing I’ve failed to do up until now, is to use my inside voice. Last week I stood up in front of my city council in defense of a Humane Pet Store ordinance for our town. Puppy mill lobbyist from other states have interfered with a statewide ordinance. A coalition is working town by town to encourage communities to prohibit stores from selling puppies from industrial breeding facilities. The ultimate goal is to reduce the point of sale for puppy mill breeders and brokers. Was it scary to deliver a 3-minute speech? Yes, at first, and then no. There was no teacher present to grade it. I could stumble over a few words and still be effective. There was no question and answer period. I could use notes. Will I do it again? Yes. By showing up, five people making decisions in my community now know me and my concerns. I hope you consider using your inside voice, too.
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Didn’t know Cara was on TikTok!!
Fun article for me to read. I love the video of Cara's foster cottage. Talk about dedication! I also enjoyed reading about your pivot from traditional to indie publishing. Yes, it's a lot of work and there's a lot to learn, but self publishing makes so much sense to me. More and more people are making the switch.