Cops and their Canines . . . by Kate James

I have tremendous respect and appreciation for people who dedicate themselves to protecting us and our communities. No surprise to those of you who know me: I also have a great love of animals. What better way to combine these two things than to write about K-9 unit police officers, their dogs and love interests. This is how my K-9 trilogy came to be.

My October 1st release, When the Right One Comes Along, is the first book in the trilogy. The second book, When Love Matters Most, is scheduled for release on January 1st and will be available in select Walmart stores in February. The third book is tentatively titled When the Sky's the Limit, and is planned for release in June 2016.

An unexpected benefit of writing these stories was how much fun I had doing the research!

After obtaining the requisite security clearance and approvals, I had the great pleasure of spending a considerable amount of time with PC Jim Hilton of Ontario’s York Regional Police. PC Hilton is a K-9 expert and trainer, and is partnered with explosives detection dog, Max. PC Hilton was extremely generous with his time, knowledge and expertise, and I loved meeting Max.

I am happy to share with you some of the highlights of my day with PC Hilton and Max.

My first introduction to explosives detection police service dog (PSD) Max.

 Did you know police service dogs have their own police badges?

PSD Max’s badge.

PC Hilton was willing to put Max through some training exercises for me and demonstrate Max’s remarkable agility skills—a prerequisite for Max’s job.

PC Jim Hilton and his explosives detection K-9 partner, Max.

Would you think a police service dog could scale a six-foot barricade or climb a ladder...conditions the dogs can often face in the field while on duty? I captured the next picture while Max was demonstrating his agility skills.

PC Hilton putting Max through his agility exercises.

For all animal lovers, you’d be thrilled to see how enthusiastic and joyous Max is about doing his exercises. I was surprised to learn that Max’s positive reinforcement for a job well done is praise and a Kong toy—no treats.

PC Hilton shared with me some of the intricacies of the work he and Max are called upon to do, and the training exercises they undergo to ensure Max remains in top form. Did you know that the K-9 unit officers and their dogs have one of the most dangerous jobs in law enforcement? Read When the Right One Comes Along to find out why! :-D

Did you know that police service dogs often have their own “business cards?”

PSD Max’s “business card.”

Max’s bio is on his card. He was born on December 12, 2008 in the Czech Republic and was brought to Canada in March 2011 to become a police service dog. Did you know that most police service dogs are not bred in North America but imported from countries such as Germany, Holland and Belgium? Read When Love Matters Most to find out why!

PC Hilton even gave me reference materials to take home and peruse at my leisure!

Nothing like a little light nighttime reading.

It’s no hardship spending my time doing this type of research! I'm grateful to PC Hilton and Max for educating me with respect to the roles and responsibilities of the K-9 unit, K-9 unit officers and their police service dogs. If you get the chance to read my K-9 trilogy, I hope you enjoy it.

Happy reading and, as always, I would love to hear from you! 

Social Media Links: website, twitter and Facebook. E-mail: readers@kate-james.com

Please leave a comment. One person will be selected at random to receive a signed copy of When the Right One Comes Along.
(Check the bottom of the comments section of this post tomorrow morning for the announcement of the winner.)

Visit my website for a new interview with Heartwarming authors Loree Lough and Cerella Sechrist. They talk about their books, writing, critter track identification, real-life heartwarming romance and more!

Go to the end of this post for an advance announcement about our upcoming Fall in Love this Fall giveaway, and visit this blog on Sunday, October 4th for the details!

When the Right One Comes Along

Brought together by disaster. Kept together by love.

In the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, it’s chaos for trauma surgeon Jessica Hansen. Among the many victims, one patient stands out—San Diego Police K-9 search and rescue officer Cal Palmer.

Cal vows to help Kayla, a child orphaned by the disaster. But he needs Jessica’s help. Will their shared concern for Kayla and for Cal's canine partner, Scout, allow them to put aside their personal torments and discover the difference love can make?

When Love Matters Most

Keeping her safe 

Could their backgrounds be any more different? Rick Vasquez, a K-9 unit sergeant with the San Diego Police Department, fled drug-related violence in Mexico as a boy. Madison Long, who recently became primary veterinarian to the SDPD’s canines, is the privileged daughter of a judge. A product of his upbringing, Rick’s dedicated his life to curtailing cross-border drug trafficking and preventing other young boys from being drawn into the dark world of the cartels. But all that Rick and Madison value, including the growing love between them, is threatened by the dangers of Rick’s job, and the risks he’s determined to take…