by Johanna Raisanen, Editor, Harlequin Heartwarming
Anyone who knows me or follows me on Twitter knows I love dogs. If I see a stranger walking a dog on the street, I WILL accost the dog. Okay, just kidding. Really all it takes to get some love from a dog is to stick my hand out, which is why I love dogs.
My family has always had dogs. When I got my first apartment, I got my own dog. I always described her this way: picture a Golden Retriever, but smaller and black. I got her from a rescue and named her Potter—it was easier than naming her Hermione! She was a lovely, quirky dog. She was afraid of the kitchen floor tile and plastic bags, and she patiently put up with me waking her up with a hug because I couldn’t resist her cuteness.
She
died several years ago, and it took a while before I was ready to get another
dog. Lately I’ve been scanning the web sites of rescue organizations. The right
dog is out there and I’m going to find him/her.
One of the reasons I love Harlequin Heartwarming books is many of the stories feature characters who love dogs or other animals. Until I find my next dog, I can enjoy the warmth and companionship of Heartwarming heroes and heroines who fall in love—and who also love their dogs!
Anyone who knows me or follows me on Twitter knows I love dogs. If I see a stranger walking a dog on the street, I WILL accost the dog. Okay, just kidding. Really all it takes to get some love from a dog is to stick my hand out, which is why I love dogs.
My family has always had dogs. When I got my first apartment, I got my own dog. I always described her this way: picture a Golden Retriever, but smaller and black. I got her from a rescue and named her Potter—it was easier than naming her Hermione! She was a lovely, quirky dog. She was afraid of the kitchen floor tile and plastic bags, and she patiently put up with me waking her up with a hug because I couldn’t resist her cuteness.
This
is a picture of Potter enjoying the sunshine and daisies. Isn’t she cute?
One of the reasons I love Harlequin Heartwarming books is many of the stories feature characters who love dogs or other animals. Until I find my next dog, I can enjoy the warmth and companionship of Heartwarming heroes and heroines who fall in love—and who also love their dogs!
So sorry you lost Potter. It's funny how on my walks that I trust talking to strangers if they are walking their dog or dogs. Hope you find just the right one soon.
ReplyDeleteI love dogs, too. But for me, my heart just goes to mush for birds. I'm crazy about parrots! Unfortunately, you come across fewer parrots in the street than I'd like. ;)
ReplyDeleteJohanna, I love that you think along the lines of Harry Potter for pet names! My kids and I are huge Potter fans. So sorry that Potter crossed the Rainbow Bridge. We're dog lovers too :). Right now we have two and our younger one (age 7) looks similar to your Potter. Our older girl is 11 1/2. Neither is replaceable as individuals, of course, but like you, I'll always have room in my home for another. Since I have to face the fact that our younger girl might feel alone after a few more years, I've looked into breeds and rescue organizations. I won't adopt yet, but eventually I will and I've fallen in love with rough collies (think Lassie). So much so that I have one who 'stars' in the first book of my next series (Turtleback Beach) releasing June 2019. We actually have a rough collie rescue organization not too far away and I lurk on their website a lot ;). I'm even considering being a foster. I have a dog in my current release too because...well, does that really need explaining lol? :) Like Roz, I think it's easier to trust a dog owner because dogs just 'know'. I hope you find your next furry friend soon! And huge congrats to all the February releases!!
ReplyDeleteI always smile at dogs—and cats. So sorry about Potter but I hope, when you’re ready, that you find just the right rescue to share your home with again.
ReplyDeletePotter was ADORABLE! What a sweet little face. I can understand why you've waited for the right dog to come into your life again. The bonds we form with our pets are so strong that they continue long after they leave us. A new dog doesn't replace a former one- they just make our hearts grow to make room for one more :) Thank you for such a moving post. I'm going to hug my puppies a little tighter now; they give us so much more than we can ever give back though we try! <3
ReplyDeletePotter looks like a sweetheart. They never stay in our lives long enough. We have Roxy now, and the only one goofier about her than me is my hubby. Dogs are major characters in my books, too, because life is better with dogs. Good luck. Your next dog is out there.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty Potter was. I'm not a dog person, rather a crazy cat lady in training, but I do love other people's.
ReplyDeleteLosing our furbabies is never easy. I lost 2 of mine within 3 days of each other. It was awful and took me weeks to write again. I still look around for PJ when I sit down at the computer. I am glad you're ready to dive back into dog ownership! My husband still isn't ready. Good luck with finding that perfect new baby!!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy having dogs as characters in stories--there's just something about what they add to the stories. I don't have pets for various reasons, but if I did, I'd have a horse or two and a dog or two sharing my world. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeletebest wishes finding a new dog
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