Karen Shanley - My Life as a Writer, Mom, Dog Love

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Home Again, Home Again?
2011-11-20 06:15:00
Thank you to all the wonderful French families who so generously took our kids into your homes. It was a gift for them to get to experience your wonderful country through your eyes. I know one girl who won't soon forget!
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Ticks, Ticks, and More Ticks
2011-11-13 15:29:00
[caption id="attachment_3706" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="The life cycle of ticks. Source: CDC"][/caption] From the mail bag:  Deb asks, do you have any advice as to whether or not one should treat their dog with antibiotics if they find a tick on them?  I found a tick on my GSD. He was treated with, I believe, doxycycline last year after I found six deer ticks on him. Thanks in advance for any advice. Deb, the down and dirty answer is: While it's not uncommon for a physician to prescribe a dose of doxycycline for a human bitten by a deer tick as a preventative, I don't know of any vet who recommends that protocol for dogs. Your best bet is to take the tick to your vet to have it tested for Lyme. Yes everyone, it's that lovely time of year again when black-legged ticks AKA deer ticks make another big hurrah (springtime is the other time of year when they proliferate -- though they can be active all year round). The nymphal stage of this tick is active during the l...

Dogs Have a Universal Language. Why Don?t Humans?
2011-10-30 13:12:00
Cait is going on a foreign exchange program soon. We're in the countdown to liftoff, with its attendant flurry of activity. That means that along with going over packing checklists, we're running through cultural and language checklists as well. Having lived in other countries, I'm keenly aware of the fact that because all humans essentially look the same--two eyes, two ears, a mouth, etc--we tend to make assumptions that people everywhere else are pretty much like us. And therefore we can mostly accurately interpret all other people's actions and behavior through our own cultural lens. I can tell you from firsthand experience that, while some would argue that the world has gone flat and homogeneity is the new norm, there are still plenty of differences that set each culture apart. Interestingly, one of the experiences that tipped me off to this fact happened before I even had a chance to set foot outside the US. In having had the opportunity to study three languages from two...
More About: Dogs , Language , Universal

Chaos Math, Implicate Order, and Driving Lessons
2011-10-23 07:40:00
Cait is of the age where it's time for me to teach her how to drive.  For as exhilarating as she finds her lessons,  that's how nerve-racking I find them. So when we get in the car for another lesson, I take comfort in the way she falls back into our usual "long drives" routine. She starts with her customary opening line, "So what should we talk about, Mom?" As Cait has a tendency to drive a little too close to the shoulder of the road, I say, "We should talk about how you should stop listing to the right and stay in the center of your lane!" Cait makes the correction and says, "So Mom, me and my friends were talking about what would happen if someone really developed a time machine and went back in time." "What do you think would happen?" I ask, not unhappy for a diversion to help keep my heart out of my throat and in my chest. "I think it would be a disaster," Cait says. "It would change history and mess everything up." "Yes, that's one train of thought," I say. On the l...
More About: Life , Driving , Math

Twelve
2011-10-16 07:28:00
Kiera is the first dog I've lived with that has made it to twelve years old. Knock on wood--she's going strong. I tell her I just want her to make it until fourteen. (I secretly hope she'll make it past that, but I'll take whatever I can get.) As she gets older, she continues to teach me a lot about the things that matter and the things that don't. When she was younger, she wasn't allowed on the furniture. Now all I care about is that her old bones are comfortable. When she was younger, I used to take her to be groomed twice a year to help me keep her coat under control. She's always hated going, and would start shaking violently once we got there. I can't imaging stressing her in that way anymore. I don't care how her coat looks anymore. I do the best with keeping her brushed as I can. Now all I care about is that she feel's safe and happy. When she was younger, I used to make sure we'd get our walks in around town to help keep her socialized. She's always hated hav...

Reading the Doggy Gazette
2011-10-09 20:41:00
In a world that leaves us little time to stop and smell the roses anymore, it especially saddens me when I see owners jerking and pulling their dogs along behind them on a leash, never letting them pause to sniff the ?news? left by other dogs who?ve gone before. And certainly not allowing time to let them update that news with their own ?reply.? Loosely, it?d be like you trying to catch up with your favorite bloggers, but every time you'd get to one of their latest posts and wanted to leave a comment someone would yank your laptop away. One of the main reasons my dogs love their walks so much is because they're allowed to read the Doggy Gazette from cover to cover, to their heart's content. But what exactly is the "Doggy Gazette" and why is it completely normal for dogs to want to "read" and "write" it? And why should you reconsider, if you haven't been allowing time for your dog to stay current with the local news? You probably already know that dogs have millions more scent...
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Life is Still Good
2011-09-18 23:30:00
As per usual, I made the trek to Cait's school to pick her up from after-school activities. She threw her too-heavy backpack on the back seat and slid into the front, pulling the car door closed after her. Before I could even ask how her day went, she launched into conversation. "Mom," she said, "You won't believe the most wonderful thing happened today." Not usually the opening line when Cait hops into the car these days, I was curious to hear more. "What was it?" I asked. Cait was so animated that I was expecting some personal great thing had happened to her. As the story unfolded, I'd discover that she was merely a witness. "You know how I told you last night that because Sarah (Cait's close friend) was a few minutes late to rehearsal, she missed out on the chocolate chip cookies the play director  made for everyone yesterday?" "Yeah," I said. "Well, he went home and baked a whole plateful to give to her today! Can you believe it?" Cait said. "How amazing is that?!" I...
More About: Life , Good

A Day in the Life of a Dog Writer
2011-09-11 07:24:00
5:00 AM: Alarm goes off (read get woken up by wet dog noses). Hit snooze button (read push dogs off bed and bury self deep under covers). Alarm goes off again (read dogs dig under covers and stick cold noses in neck and ear). Get up and take three dogs?one 11 year old Australian Shepherd, one 8 year old Border Collie mix, one 3 year old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel?downstairs to greet the day. 5:30 AM: With everyone fed, watered, and pottied, all traipse back upstairs to the office.  Three bodies settle on dog beds and one body fires up the computer to get going on the day?s writing. 6:30 AM: Wake daughter for school. Join husband for coffee. Send up my two alarm clocks to finish waking up daughter for school. Kiss husband and daughter on their way out the door.  Take Aussie for her walk. 7:30 AM: Pick up the house. Start on newspaper article about local dog parks. Gaze out window overlooking fenced backyard and watch dogs play. Laugh. Watch. Laugh. Force self to concentrate...
More About: Life , Writer

Amazon.com ? Readers Want You to Re-institute the Down-Arrow Button Next to
2011-09-04 07:16:00
Calling all fellow book lovers who buy from Amazon ! I'd like to ask for your assistance. Maybe you've noticed. Maybe you haven't. But Amazon has removed the ability to view how many reviews a reader has contributed by deleting the "?" button next to the reviewer's name. What this valuable little button used to let us do, was to see at a glance (simply by hovering over the arrow, without having to leave the page) how many reviews each reader had written. This was an important tool in helping us determine how many of any given author's friends were asked to stuff the ballot box, so to speak. For example, if a book only had all 5-star reviews (usually too good to be true), you could quickly scan the down-arrows of each reviewer to see how many had only written 1 review each, with that 1 review being for said book. Safe to say, all those one-time reviewers would be likely friends of the author, and therefore not particularly helpful in aiding us with an unbiased evaluation of the...
More About: Readers , Button , On Writing

Best Pan Roasted Potatoes Recipe!
2011-08-28 07:15:00
Next to growing garlic, potatoes come in as a 2nd favorite on my list of most fun and rewarding things to grow. And they taste so much better than store-bought. The other great thing about potatoes is that you can harvest them over a few months. So when I'm looking for stuff to throw together for dinner, I can go out, dig up a few, grab whatever else is ripe, and have a delicious vegetarian meal in no time at all. And the best part of all is that it's healthy and free! Since I just collected a bunch to cook, let me share one of my most favorite Roasted Potato recipes. Simple and Delicious Pan-Roasted Potatoes Preheat oven to 400. Cut up potatoes into 1 inch pieces. Finely mince a few cloves of garlic (amount dependent on your liking for garlic). Peel and quarter a few shallots (amount dependent on your liking for shallots). Sprinkle liberally with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme. Drizzle a couple tablespoons of olive oil and toss to thoroughly coat potatoes Roast for 45 mi...
More About: Recipes , Recipe

Childhood Memories
2011-08-14 07:37:00
Memories...  Little treasures and traps that we collect over a lifetime. Longtime readers know that I've worked hard to help Cait focus on the treasures, as I try to do for myself. That's because, as a storyteller, I'm keenly aware of the power of the stories we tell ourselves about where we've been, who we are, and where we're going. Hence my desire to carry the treasures forward. One of my favorite early memories is of going to my Italian grandmother's house in the city. I'd scramble out of the car, rush to give my grandmother a hug and then run out into her walled backyard. It was filled with glorious wonders--a fish pond, a little orchard of plum trees heavy with fruit, a huge cherry tree that rained down so many cherries they carpeted the grass, and the heavenly-scented honeysuckle vines that covered the back wall. I thought of it as my own Secret Garden. Whether I was playing by myself or with siblings or cousins, I loved that I never had to stop to go inside to eat--...
More About: Life , Nature , Recipes , Childhood , Memories

Funny, Sad, and True all at the Same Time
2011-08-07 07:28:00
I was on Craigslist recently, helping a friend who is looking for a dog for her daughter when I saw this post. Having had this exact same experience of picking up a stray dog off the street and trying to find its owner without luck, I can attest to how funny, sad, and true this is. Especially the part about wanting to find the owner if only to be able to kick his sorry a**! I say "his" rather than "her" because from my many years in rescue work, I'd have to say that 9.5 times out of 10, it's a guy who dumps dogs like this. Ad found on craigslist: You aren't looking for them, but I found your two dogs. Sigh. No one is looking for these guys. And I see why. They hump everything in sight, try to dominate our old doggies, try to eat our cats and pee on everything and bark at everything. Neurotic, lick constantly. They know no commands, either in English or Spanish. They are aggressive and probably lived in a puppy mill. You dumped them, probably, and we picked them up befo...
More About: Funny , Life , Time , True

When You?re in Need of Inspiration
2011-07-31 07:03:00
All creative types run into creative blocks at one time or another -- that's a given.  But what we do to break through those blocks can vary from person to person.  When I'm stuck, I look for people and ideas that inspire me. And, often, I don't need to look any further than TED. Take a look and listen to this guy, Shea Hembrey. Unbelievable.  
More About: Life , Inspiration , On Writing

This Blog of Mine
2010-04-24 23:32:00
Back a few years ago, I had another book coming out and it’s expected of all writers to do all they can to promote their writing — including blogging. So I started this blog about my dogs and my daughter. … Continue reading →
More About: Life , Blog , On Writing , Mine

What I?m Doing For Earth Day
2010-04-18 08:51:00
Most of my readers have figured out that I?m an avid gardener, but I?ve never shared my true motivation before. Sure, it?s because I like growing things, spending time outdoors, and getting my hands dirty, but none of those are … Continue reading →
More About: Nature , Recipes , Earth , Earth Day

Scientists Decode Dogspeak
2010-04-11 17:43:00
From LiveScience:   Scientists Decode Dogspeak: Software analyzed barks sparked by fights, strangers, playtime Artificially intelligent Dr. Doolittles can understand dog barks as well or better than humans do. These findings suggest computers might significantly help people comprehend animal communication. … Continue reading →

Finding the Eye of the Hurricane
2010-04-04 12:11:00
Maybe you’ve noticed that life seems to be speeding up lately. It sure has sped up around here. Cait has been going through a period where’s she’s been given the opportunity to practice not over-reacting.  This is not an easy … Continue reading →
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Just one more?
2010-03-28 12:07:00
I try not to overdue the “cute” dog stuff here.  After all, I Can Haz Cheezburger has that market cornered.  But I got such a good smile from this, I had to share. A Dog’s Life Do these guys know … Continue reading →
More About: Funnies

Crufts 2010 Freestyle Winner
2010-03-21 11:40:00
Crufts is the largest dog show in the world. It’s held in March every year. And while it has all the usual judging of Best of Breed, etc., I love watching the agility and freestyle parts of the program. Talk … Continue reading →
More About: Freestyle , Winner

One of My Favorite Recipes ? Orange Salad
2010-03-14 07:28:00
With all the anticipation of getting ready for my gardening season, I’ve been cooking up a storm testing new recipes.  Cait is always very happy when this happens.  As she was munching and I was preparing, we got to talking … Continue reading →
More About: Recipes , Orange , Salad

If You Could Create a School From the Ground Up?
2010-03-07 19:54:00
Spring cleaning is well under way around here. There are several projects already in varying stages of completeness. Living in an old farm house means there’s a never-ending supply. Fortunately, Cait usually likes to help. It’s a chance for us … Continue reading →
More About: Life , Ground , School

Sing Like Nobody?s Listening
2010-02-28 23:02:00
Cait loves to act. LOVES to act. And she’s actually pretty good at it. But all her middle school plays are musicals. Which means that to get a decent part, she must also sing well.  But, um… she, ah… doesn’t … Continue reading →
More About: Life , Sing

Reason #34 for Not Getting a Dog
2010-02-21 07:30:00
There are a hundred reasons not to get a dog. And only one reason to get a dog. On the Don’t Get A Dog side, Reason #34 is: Mud Season Muddy Yard Muddy Dog Muddy Floor. So don’t say I … Continue reading →
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Hitting the Dusty Trail
2009-09-20 08:00:00
I’ll be leaving in a few days to head out for another Walkabout to spend time in my belonging place. It seems every so many years, it’s just something I need to do. To get out and spend time in a natural landscape that speaks to me. That’s partly because I live in a landscape that I would not choose, if I had a choice — Upstate New York, in the Adirondacks. It’s not that there’s not lots to love about the area. It’s just that I do best with lots of big open space. And lots of sky. And hardly any trees. Because trees, you see, where I live in the Adirondacks, close in space and create walls and tunnels and corridors and barricades to broad sweeping views and… well you get the idea. There are so many trees where I live that I have to admit that at times I find it downright claustrophobic. Where I’m going, there aren’t enough trees to create walls or tunnels or corridors and broad sweeping views are the order of the day...
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My Writing Tools
2009-09-13 07:48:00
I’ve been writing since I was eleven years old, when I wrote my first book. I first started writing in my father’s old Air Force writing kit. I’d just replace the notebooks after I’d filled them. When I’d finish writing a story long-hand, I’d type up the final version. (I was probably the only eleven-year-old back then who had her own typewriter.) The tools have gotten more sophisticated over the years. Being the tech geek that I am, I had one of the first home computers when they came out in the early 80’s. Back when they were still big, clunky machines that often crashed just for the heck of it. Back before the internet was widely available, when research still meant a trip to the library. Back when printing out a manuscript meant tearing each piece of paper, page by page, off one long perforated ream, after the painfully slow dot-matrix printer had finally stopped clattering. I’ve progressed through the years all the way up to my cu...
More About: Tools , Writing , On Writing

Times Have Changed. Or Have They??
2009-09-06 17:39:00
I grew up in the country where there were many more animals per square mile than people. There were no cell phones, no internet, and certainly no malls or McDonalds dotting every corner. Essentially, there was no instant gratification. During summers, especially, we kids had to learn to be resourceful if we wanted to get together and have fun. Otherwise the specter of boredom loomed large. I’ve always lived near and loved the water. So, of course, one of the first things I bought myself when I’d saved enough money was this. Granted, she was used and had seen better days… But she still had a lot of sea-worthy miles left on her. I practically lived on that thing during the summers. And there were always plenty of willing friends only too happy to play first mate. Over the years, I’d taught many a friend the finer points of sailing. But wait… that’s not me!  Who are these kids zipping back to shore? Could it be…? Like mother, like daughte...
More About: Times

Pure Voice, Pure Love
2009-08-30 08:39:00
Michelle O’Neil over at Full-Soul-Ahead! is someone I very much admire.  She knows I’m nuts about my dogs and sent this to me. I hadn’t seen it before. Maybe you haven’t either. Though I’m not conventionally religious, something about the pureness of gospel singer  Wendy Francisco’s voice in this song just moves me. And the lyrics…, well, see what you think. Click here to view the embedded video. Leave A Comment©2009 Author Mom with Dogs. All Rights Reserved.
More About: Voice , Love , Pure

Latest Lyme Disease Info and Treatment for Dogs
2009-08-23 21:04:00
Cait’s little boy hasn’t been feeling so well. Feverish, tired and achy, all Wink wants to do is rest quietly. It’s sad to see this normally effervescent little guy so under the weather. (Though, in a day or so, he should be back to his normal self because he’s been started on Doxycycline, the antibiotic of choice for Lyme.) Wink has been unlucky enough to contract Lyme Disease . I say unlucky because once a dog is infected with Lyme, it can never be fully cured of it, at least at the present time. Let’s hope that changes in the not-too-distant future. Since I live in an endemic area, and every dog I’ve had since living in this house (going on two decades) has become infected–despite my best efforts–I’ve made it a mission to keep up with the latest research and effective protocols. For the Cliff Notes Version (continue reading after this section if you’re interested in more in-depth info below) First! Statistics indicate th...
More About: Dogs , Info , Treatment

Stick THAT in Your Happy Box!
2009-08-16 17:54:00
Having recently gone through a growth spurt, Cait was in need of some new clothes. So off to the Mall we went.  We always concentrate our efforts in this one particular store, because we always have good luck finding cloths that fit and that Cait will actually wear. The tradition is to make our way around each department — shoes, pants, tops, etc.– until, at the very end, we come to the fancy dress section.  This is where the fun begins. You see, Cait has always loved playing dress-up and still does.  So the first time we came upon the glittering racks of evening wear, she thought she’d died and gone to heaven. When it didn’t occur to her that there was anything wrong with “just trying on the dresses,” I squashed my initial impulse to say no and instead said, “Sure, why not?” She had a blast, and I must admit so did I. Ever since, we’ve always saved time for the gowns and party dresses. The rules are that she’s allowed to ...
More About: Nature , Recipes , Happy , Stick

I Can See! I Can See!
2009-08-09 08:39:00
It’s miraculous! I can now see without needing to have two pairs of glasses on my person at all times!  Sing it with me now! Hallelujah! To what do I owe this miracle? A marvel of modern invention. Yes, we’re talking contacts. I don’t know why it took me so long to do something about it, but I finally went to the optometrist and asked what my options were. As happens to most of us after we pass the age of 40, I’ve become both near and far-sighted, and so need glasses for both close up and distance. So — the options…  I could keep doing what I’d been doing for the last several years and continue to switch back and forth between glasses.  I could pay a lot of money for a pair of progressive lens glasses. But with the way I lose glasses, I thought that not a prudent choice. So I decided to opt for something different. Like one of the many versions of multifocal contact lens.  I tried the contacts and had no problems getting them in or out,...
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