by Cathy B Stucker

(Thank you to Cathy Stucker for this wonderful interview, which originally appeared at http://www.sellingbooks.com/jenny-pavlovic-author-interview.)

What is your most recent book? Tell us a bit about it.

My new book is the Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book, for daily use, travel, and emergencies. I wrote this book because I couldn’t find the book that I wanted for my dogs. It’s compact, with a hard cover, records pages for all of your dog’s important information, pages to insert photos of you and your dog, a sealed pocket for important records, and tips for living positively with your dog. It has a resources section with information on how to prevent your dog from getting lost, what to do if your dog gets lost, how to use a microchip effectively, how to make a disaster plan for your family and your pets, basic dog first aid, traveling with your dog, and more. I’ve learned a lot since Hurricane Katrina. I wanted to put all this information in one place to take along when I travel with my dogs, or leave with the dog sitter when I have to travel without them. I’m happy to share all that I’ve learned and hope this book will help keep dogs safe everywhere.

Tell us something about yourself.

I’m a dog lover, writer, speaker, blogger, animal rescuer, and biomedical engineer. I’ve helped rescue many dogs, and a few cats and horses, since Hurricane Katrina. My journey with rescued Katrina dog Kate changed just about everything about my life. I went down to Louisiana for a week to help care for rescued animals after Hurricane Katrina. I didn’t go down there to get a dog, but I ended up evacuating ahead of Hurricane Rita with an old cattle dog who was running out of options. Kate inspired me to write my first book, 8 State Hurricane Kate: The Journey And Legacy of a Katrina Cattle Dog, because I didn’t want her to be forgotten. Her story of being lost after Katrina with no identification represented so many lost animals. I hoped that writing her story would raise awareness about what happened down there and help me find out where she came from. Click here to learn more about Kate’s story by watching the “Do You Know This Dog?” video. 50% of book profits from Kate’s book are donated to the 8 State Kate Fund, providing financial relief for animals in desperate situations.

I currently live in Minnesota with Australian Cattle Dog (ACD) Bandit, rescued ACD-Collie mix Chase, and rescued ACD mix Cayenne. Bandit is “tough” guy who loves to herd cattle and play with his jolly ball. He’s a lot of fun. He taught me to lead or get out of the way. Chase was rescued by my friend Sarah who I met in Louisiana rescuing animals after Hurricane Katrina. Sarah lives in Virginia, where she rescued Chase from a man who was going to shoot him for chasing sheep. Chase is a very sensitive guy who actually has a talent for herding sheep. Cayenne was rescued in Tennessee after being dumped in the wilderness with her baby littermates when they were too young to leave their mom. She was very sick and was nursed back to health by a kind woman named Deb. When Cay first came to my house, it took two of us to pull her out of the crate to get her out of the car. She was practically feral, afraid of just about everything, including me. She has come a long way and just graduated from an agility class where she did an excellent job.

(Photo by L.S. Originals of Fridley, Minnesota)

One of my greatest rewards has been seeing rescued dogs recover from pasts of abuse, neglect, or trauma and begin to enjoy life. I have learned a lot from watching my herding dogs do what they were bred to do. Through working and living with them, I have become a better person and a more confident leader. After years of working with my dogs in obedience, rally, agility, herding, carting, tracking, acting tricks, and therapy dog work, with experience in TTouch, animal communication, and more, I’m beginning to feel pretty well trained! My day is not complete until I get out for at least one walk and ball game with the dogs.

How did you publish this book?

I was told that I would have to go to China to make such a journal-like book with a hard cover and special features, but I’m happy to say that I found a way to make it in the U.S.A. It will help keep people employed in Minnesota and New York. I founded the 8 State Kate Press when I self-published 8 State Hurricane Kate, and I made it a more formal business to publish the Not Without My Dog Book. This second book is much more complex, with many special features, and cannot be made print-on-demand like my first book. I’m very grateful for the people who stuck with me to help make this book a reality. I depend on wonderful editors, knowledgeable and supportive friends, an award-winning book designer, a very patient webmaster, a business consultant, and more.

How did you know you wanted to be a writer? How did you get started?

I always liked to write and thought that I would write a book ‘someday’. Then I got busy with daily life. When I was 5 years old, I created a little book about “the dog who couldn’t say roof” and tried to sell it to my mom. No kidding. Isn’t it ironic that 40 years later, I wrote a book to give a voice to Kate and all the lost Katrina animals. I guess I had that in me all along and Kate inspired me to put it out there.

What do you believe is the hardest part of writing?

The hardest part of writing is finding the time to do it on a daily basis and keeping your momentum if you have to spend most of your time doing something else to support yourself. I think we would have many more creative and inventive people if they could find a way to make a living doing what inspires them.

How do you do research for your books?

My books so far have mainly been ‘researched’ via my life experience. In both cases things that happened to me and that I learned along the way provided the basis for the book. While writing the Not Without My Dog Book, I consulted with experts and searched online to fill gaps in my knowledge and make sure my information was current. Writing the book was a great opportunity for me to learn. (Author’s note: Noah’s Wish provided significant information on disaster preparedness and caring for injured animals.)

Did you learn anything from writing this book? What?

I learned from creating this book—because this process has been one of creation and design in addition to writing—that my engineering background is useful in ways that I never knew before. I’ve also learned from creating both books that if you are open, clear about your intentions, and keep moving in the direction of your dreams; people and opportunities will appear before you.

Are you working on your next book? What can you tell us about it?

The Not Without My Dog Book is my next book, but don’t be surprised to see a Not Without My Horse Book or a Not Without My Cat Book in the future!

What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?

The best advice that I can give came from a horse named Ruby. Her message was, “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something” (click here to read the rest of the story.) I also want to repeat that if you are open, clear about your intentions, and keep moving in the direction of your dreams, people and opportunities will appear before you. I’m very grateful that I took a chance by going down to Louisiana by myself to help care for rescued Katrina animals. I was compelled to go and my life hasn’t been the same since, because I acted on something that mattered to me. I’m very grateful for all the friends I made along the way, all the people who supported Kate and me, and all the people and animals who appeared in my life when I needed them most. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t taken a risk and overcome fear to follow a compulsion to do something to make a difference.

What are you doing to promote your latest book?

I’m well-networked on Facebook, in a way that I wasn’t when my first book came out in 2008. I now have blog, newspaper, radio and TV contacts, friends across the country from my Katrina animal rescue experiences, an e-mail list, and a long list of Facebook friends. I’m also promoting that this book is made in the U.S.A. I think it’s important that we support U.S. industry if people in this country want to be employed. Go into any store and look at the photo books and journal-type books. I dare you to find even one (other than mine) that’s made in the U.S.A. The Not Without My Dog Book will be sold online and eventually in pet supply stores and gift shops, maybe even at the Minnesota State Fair and beyond. It may also have a corporate sponsor… stay tuned!

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

Click here to learn more about my books, read my blog, see videos, find my press room, and more. Click here to listen to recent radio interviews. Click here to become my friend on Facebook and here to become a fan of 8 State Kate Press on Facebook. I update my friends on Facebook most often. Subscribe at http://www.BookTour.com to be notified of my upcoming events. Subscribe to “8 State Hurricane Kate” and “8 State Kate” videos at http://www.YouTube.com to be notified when new videos are uploaded.

I want to say one more thing… please turn off all electronic devices today and give your undivided attention to the animals in your life. They are much more complex than you may realize and they have a lot to give and teach you. Please pay attention to them and do your best to understand them and give them a great life. This world will be a better place once we change our attitudes toward animals, appreciate their wisdom and beauty, love them, and stop throwing them away.

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“Not Without My Dog” Resource & Record Book!

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• Keep your dog safe inside, away from the commotion, when you know she will be upset by loud noises.

• Teach and reinforce confident behavior in your dog. Don’t inadvertently reinforce timid behavior by reassuring your dog when she’s scared. Behave confidently and encourage her to be brave.

• Learn Tellington Touch (TTouch) methods to help your dog relax and be calm in stressful situations. The TTouch hands-on methods, body wrap, and labyrinth can release tension and increase body awareness. Learn more at http://www.TellingtonTouch.com and in the book Getting in TTouch with Your Dog by Linda Tellington-Jones.

• Use a body wrap to apply gentle uniform pressure to help your dog stay calm. The Thundershirt™ is relatively new and is similar to a traditional body wrap. I use a 3 inch wide, 5 foot long bandage to make a body wrap for Chase. I’ve been using this method for a while and I think it’s cooler than a thundershirt. It’s inexpensive, can be adjusted, and is easy to take along when traveling. Technically, what I use on Chase is a Half Wrap, according to the TTouch book mentioned above. This is what Chase looks like in his Half Wrap (notice the safety pin at top left in the first photo):

Be careful to place the safety pin away from the spine and joints, and don’t leave your dog unattended while wearing this. If you don’t want to fiddle with the bandage, you can try the Thundershirt™.

• Give Rescue^® Remedy for Pets (http://www.rescueremedy.com/pets), Calm Shen from Herbsmith, Inc.™ (http://www.herbsmithinc.com), or Comfort Zone^® (http://www.petcomfortzone.com) to help calm your dog. Be sure to use the versions of these products that are made for pets (the Rescue^® Remedy pastilles made for people may contain xylitol, which is toxic to pets). Consult your veterinarian about using these products along with medications. The first time you use any product, stay with your dog to observe her response. I learned from healer Lena Swanson that often people don’t get the desired results from Rescue^® Remedy because they don’t use it early enough and often enough. It’s important to give your dog Rescue^® Remedy before the storm (or fireworks) begins and continue to give it regularly throughout the event.

• Learn how to give calming signals to your dog by reading Turid Rugaas’ book, On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals or exploring her website, http://www.TuridRugaas.com.

• Ask your veterinarian to check your dog for health problems that may cause behavioral problems.

Please keep your dog safe inside during the 4^th of July weekend and during loud storms, and use the techniques above that work best for your dog. You’ll both be glad you did.

This post includes information from the Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book by Jenny Pavlovic

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We were fortunate to have a booth next to Allen and Linda Anderson with their Angel Animals books. Allen and Linda have a new book coming out in November, “Dogs and the Women Who Love Them: Extraordinary True Stories of Loyalty, Healing and Inspiration” (see poster on right in the photo below). 8 State Kate’s story is included in this wonderful book!

Thanks to our generous friends and family, Cay and I raised $450 for the MVHS, toward our goal of $555 (to match the amount we raised last year). If you’d like to support the MVHS, you may still donate at http://www.firstgiving.com/jennypavlovic. Last year, the MVHS helped over 3,000 animals in need.

Cay did a great job mingling and meeting people. I was very proud of her. It was hard to believe that just a couple of years ago, she was afraid of everything. Look at her now! Thank you to Deb Foster in Tennessee, Homeward Bound Rescue in Minnesota, and Sue Cameron-Day in Ontario for saving Cay and her littermates.

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Chase is a great example of a wonderful dog who found himself in a dangerous situation and thrived when given a second chance. So many wonderful animals are out there looking for that second chance.

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"Sunday" in Kentucky with one of her puppies

I first met Lynne in December of 2008 at an anniversary party/fundraiser for Safe Hands. This dedicated group first came together over Katrina animal rescue and continues to regularly bring homeless dogs from Harlan, Kentucky (where most have very little chance of surviving) to rescue and new homes in Minnesota. They have saved hundreds (maybe thousands) of dogs in the past few years. Lynne knows me through 8 State Hurricane Kate and my work with cattle dog rescue. Lynne told me that she knew of a transport coming up to Minnesota from Kentucky on Saturday and asked if I could find a safe place for the mama dog. I forwarded Lynne’s message to contacts between Kentucky and Minnesota and spoke with my guardian angel about this mama dog. Then amazing things began to happen.

Eileen (in WI), who manages the AuCaDo Rescue Fund, offered funds and began posting. Lise (in WI) offered to foster the mama dog (named “Sunday”) and Shannon of New Hope ACD Rescue in Arizona offered to sponsor her. Diana in WI offered to take care of Sunday temporarily until Lise could take her. Julie offered to take care of Sunday overnight in the Madison area if needed. Emily offered to drive Sunday from Madison to Diana’s house. Lynne made sure Sunday had vetting prior to travel and got on the transport from Kentucky to Wisconsin. All of this came together in just a few days! I’m relieved and happy to say that Sunday (now “Sunny”) arrived safe and sound in Wisconsin yesterday!

Sunday, now "Sunny" safe in Wisconsin

As I mentioned, Lynne and I met in Minneapolis. Eileen and I met online over Kate, when Eileen read Kate’s story in 2005 and offered help and encouragement. Eileen knew Diana and asked if she could help. Emily and I met in Wisconsin in 2006 when she helped transport my rescued dog Chase to me. Emily did post-Katrina animal rescue and helped found Orphan Animal Rescue & Sanctuary in northeastern Wisconsin (http://www.orphananimalrescue.org/). I knew Shannon and Lise through their work with New Hope Cattle Dog Rescue & Rehoming in Arizona (http://www.newhopecattledogs.com). Lise had recently moved back to her childhood home of Wisconsin. Julie and I had recently reconnected after 30 years at our high school reunion in Madison, WI. Julie is active in Rottweiler rescue.

Although Lise and I haven’t met yet, I’m fortunate to have one of her limited edition handmade pop-up books, Mattie Came to Stay. This beautiful book tells the touching stories of different foster cattle dogs, who came from a puppy mill, the streets, and a family who had a baby and didn’t want the dog any more. When Lise fostered Mattie, she couldn’t let Mattie go to the adoption event, thus “Mattie came to stay”. I cry every time I read this book, about its touching stories with happy endings, and with gratitude for those who work so hard to make those happy endings come true. This beautiful book was made to benefit New Hope ACD Rescue. My copy was a gift from Bazza in Florida after he adopted Billabong (who we rescued from Roicy in Lafayette, LA in Sept of 2006) and after he read 8 State Hurricane Kate (Billabong’s story is told in chapter 17).

Last week I was reminded to pull my Mattie Came to Stay book off the shelf and read it again. Amazingly, I first heard of Lise Hawkos through this book and her work with New Hope ACD Rescue when she lived in Arizona. But I recognized the Hawkos name from a family that lived in the apartment next door to us in Middleton, WI when I was in kindergarten (way back in the 60’s!). Turns out, Lise is from this same family, with roots in Wisconsin herself. Her father is from the same family as the father of my childhood friend and neighbor, Teri Hawkos. Now Lise is back living in Wisconsin (not far from my relatives) and I’m sure we will meet in person some day. What a small world. What wonderful people we meet through this network. It’s amazing how we all become connected.

During this same week, DeAnne Racz of ACDRA (www.acdra.org) helped my friend Sarah in Virginia (www.lostfantasystables.org) find a new home for Possum, a 15 year old cattle dog whose owner recently passed away. Sarah and I met in Louisiana doing Katrina animal rescue, and Sarah also rescued my ACD-X Chase. I give two thumbs up to two happy endings in one week. And I thank the guardian angel who brought us all together.

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Finding Your True Passions in Life: What I Learned from My Journey with 8 State Hurricane Kate

Kate’s Story

What Have Dogs Taught Me About Love, Life, and Myself?

Outside of the Box

Cayenne the Agility Dog

Heart of the Horse

The “Not Without My Dog” Resource & Record Book: Look Inside and View the Video

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Often as children we’re very in tune with our passions, but as we get older we get bogged down with responsibilities and forget what used to make us tick. When I teach a community education class called, “How to Discover Your True Passions in Life: What I Learned from My Journey with 8 State Hurricane Kate”, I encourage people to set aside quiet time to reflect on the following questions, to help get back in touch with their true passions. Please comment below to let me know how these questions worked for you.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

• What did I love to do most when I was a kid?
• Do I still spend time doing that? Do I miss doing that?
• How could I create time to spend on that activity now?
• Have I had a strong urge or calling that I’ve been ignoring or resisting?
• What would happen if I stopped resisting that calling?
• What part of myself do I miss or want to develop more?
• What opportunities do the people and animals in my life present?
• How can I better follow my intuition and listen to my inner voice?
• What is holding me back?

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NEW BOOK EVERY PERSON WITH A DOG NEEDS–Announcing the “Not Without My Dog” Resource & Record Book! Author Jenny Pavlovic says, “When I couldn’t find the book I wanted to keep all my dog’s information in one place, I made it myself. This book includes everything you need for your dog, with a records section, a resources section, and tips for understanding your dog better.” Look inside at http://tinyurl.com/y438s9q and view the video at http://tinyurl.com/ydllqn6. Special Online Offer Good Through April 30th!

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