Two simple steps to becoming an author of pet-care books. 1) Get a pet. 2) Write a book.
It wasn't quite that easy for Edie Jarolim, Ph.D., author of the new book Am I Boring My Dog?: And 99 Other Things Every Dog Wishes You Knew. Her inspiration for the book didn't come the instant she adopted Frankie, her mixed breed. But once she had the idea in her head, the former travel writer forged ahead until she'd produced a handy, how-to compendium for anybody thinking of getting a dog -- or who just got a dog and doesn't have the first clue what to do with it. And yes, there's tons in it for the veteran dog owner, too.
How did you make the transition from travel writer to pets writer?
It was actually because my dog got diabetes. When I had to start giving him two insulin shots a day, I couldn't really travel. So I started looking for other topics.
What kind of reactions has the book received from dog owners?
Most people say, ''Thank you for asking that question, that was something I would never have asked.' Like dogs eating dog poop, for example. People are hugely embarrassed about that but so many dogs do it.
Where did you do most of your research?
I went to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference. I learned so much about training and just about dog care in general. The organizer of the conference, Dr. Ian Dunbar, has a website called Dog Star Daily that is a great resource.
Is there anything you found out that you wish you didn't know?
Now that I've done so much research, I see people doing things that I know or I feel are very bad, like using hack collars on dogs. And I saw this one guy punch his dog! This dog wasn't doing anything but straying off the path a little bit. What can you say? You can't go up to somebody who's punching a dog. If they're feeling OK about punching the dog, there's nothing you can say that maybe wouldn't make them punch you.
Did you find that even seasoned dog owners have misconceptions about how to care for their pets?
People are really surprised at the dog food chapter, about the importance of reading labels and the fact that there's very little nutrition in most dog foods. It's the same controversy that's been going on in the human food industry -- people read labels now.
Your book sticks to topics of concern for owners of just one dog. Any plans to get a second dog?
Not at the moment, because -- well, my dog would be rather distraught to have a little companion. He's not a very social dog to begin with. And the diabetes is also a problem, as far as expenses. Plus, I'm home all day, so he doesn't need the extra companionship! You shouldn't get a second dog to keep the first dog company -- if you don't want a second dog.
It wasn't quite that easy for Edie Jarolim, Ph.D., author of the new book Am I Boring My Dog?: And 99 Other Things Every Dog Wishes You Knew. Her inspiration for the book didn't come the instant she adopted Frankie, her mixed breed. But once she had the idea in her head, the former travel writer forged ahead until she'd produced a handy, how-to compendium for anybody thinking of getting a dog -- or who just got a dog and doesn't have the first clue what to do with it. And yes, there's tons in it for the veteran dog owner, too.
How did you make the transition from travel writer to pets writer?
It was actually because my dog got diabetes. When I had to start giving him two insulin shots a day, I couldn't really travel. So I started looking for other topics.
What kind of reactions has the book received from dog owners?
Most people say, ''Thank you for asking that question, that was something I would never have asked.' Like dogs eating dog poop, for example. People are hugely embarrassed about that but so many dogs do it.
Where did you do most of your research?
I went to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference. I learned so much about training and just about dog care in general. The organizer of the conference, Dr. Ian Dunbar, has a website called Dog Star Daily that is a great resource.
Is there anything you found out that you wish you didn't know?
Now that I've done so much research, I see people doing things that I know or I feel are very bad, like using hack collars on dogs. And I saw this one guy punch his dog! This dog wasn't doing anything but straying off the path a little bit. What can you say? You can't go up to somebody who's punching a dog. If they're feeling OK about punching the dog, there's nothing you can say that maybe wouldn't make them punch you.
Did you find that even seasoned dog owners have misconceptions about how to care for their pets?
People are really surprised at the dog food chapter, about the importance of reading labels and the fact that there's very little nutrition in most dog foods. It's the same controversy that's been going on in the human food industry -- people read labels now.
Your book sticks to topics of concern for owners of just one dog. Any plans to get a second dog?
Not at the moment, because -- well, my dog would be rather distraught to have a little companion. He's not a very social dog to begin with. And the diabetes is also a problem, as far as expenses. Plus, I'm home all day, so he doesn't need the extra companionship! You shouldn't get a second dog to keep the first dog company -- if you don't want a second dog.
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