Lisa Begin-Kruysman, Author "Dog's Best Friend" - Will Judy, Founder of National Dog Week and Dog World Publisher

 

Paperback Available on Amazon

Publisher: McFarland (September 10, 2014)

Pre-order Kindle

Publisher: McFarland (October 31, 2014)

 

For many, Rockefeller Center evokes the images of happy ice-skaters and the lighting of America’s most famous Christmas tree. But for me, the Lower Plaza of this iconic New York City location conjures nostalgic scenes of dogs jumping through hoops, herding sheep, showing off their obedience skills, and prancing and parading in elaborate parades!

The last week of September, from the period of the 1930s through the 1950s, canines took over Rockefeller Plaza in celebration of each year’s greatly anticipated observances of National Dog Week, established by Captain William Lewis Judy, a man clearly ahead of times. Judy published Dog World magazine for four decades and in 1928 launched NDW to officially honor man’s best friends for all the ways they served humans.

Judy, a minister, teacher, lawyer, decorated WWI soldier and ultimate dog-professional was also among the first to write about the spiritual connection between dog and human.  With humor, honesty, and intelligence, Judy’s writings positively influenced a new generation of dog ownership. He even helped to establish the DWAA (Dog Writers Association of America), giving the dog-writing profession the respect it deserves.

I recall the day I first read about Judy and his volumes of magazines, books and dog-training materials. Reading about Judy’s life inspired me to be an author. It hasn’t been easy. As someone with no connections in the dog world or publishing scene, I was truly an underdog writing about an obscure topic. I had to get my bark on and remain positive in my goals even in the face of rejection. But I prevailed and this week, I am happy to report that my book about this man and his contributions to Dogdom has been released. Dog’s Best Friend: Will Judy, Founder of National Dog Week and Dog World Publisher (McFarland & Co.) is now available.

I began writing this book with my beautiful Portuguese water dog, Hooper curled up at my feet. But in 2012, during a six month period, my husband battled a major health problem, Hooper passed suddenly, and Hurricane Sandy devastated our community. My husband is well now, and we are still picking up the pieces in the aftermath of that catastrophic storm, but Hooper is now a just happy memory, and I find strength in our sweet dog, Teddy, who came to us while I tried my hand at fostering.

In weathering all kinds of storms, I always seek refuge in my writing. With a pen and a pad, I can get my thoughts down anyplace, anytime and find an emotional safe haven. Reading the words of Judy has always put me in a good state of mind, and when I see those old photos of dogs living it up in mid-town Manhattan, it gives me hope that perhaps someday, all dogs can have their week celebrating under a golden September sun as thousands of adoring dog-lovers cheer them on under the watchful gaze of Prometheus.

 

About The Author:

 

 

Lisa Begin-Kruysman is an award-winning author and blogger.  A graduate of the University of Connecticut, she has studied writing with the Institute of Children's Literature, The Society of Children's Writers and Book Illustrators and the Highlights Foundation. A former Human Resources Associate in the entertainment industry, she currently resides in Ocean County with her husband Rich, and foster-to-forever dog Teddy. Through her artwork and writing, she aspires to educate and enlighten the world about the unique bond that exists between humans and their dogs and to ultimately improve the welfare of dogs across the nation. 

Please be sure to check out her blog dedicated to the National Dog Week Movement with over 200 posts related to all things dog!

Also by the Author:

Buy On Amazon

 

Something's Lost and Must be Found: Seven Short Tails of Inspiration on a Long Leash  Published 2011

An engaging Short Story Collection (aprox. 25,400 words) for dog-lovers and fans of Inspirational fiction; inspired by the search and rescue dogs of the soul. Based on the first one-hundred posts of a devoted Dog-blogger. Now with a seventh story! A pawsitively dog-friendly read. A portion of all downloads will go to help some animals in need.

 

Links:       Author's Web      Nationaldogweekbook's Blog                                      

                    Author Facebook Page        Twitter @dogweek  

                    Amazon       Amazon Author Page

 

The Writing Process Blog Hop Tour

Australian writer, children's author, and poet, Helen Ross has tagged me in a Writing Process Blog Tour.  Helen is also an educator and workshop presenter. Check out her site and learn more about this talented lady from down under. You can read her post, on which I was one of those tagged, on the blog tour here .

Helen's children's books were featured on Book Talk on June 20, 2012. You can read that post by clicking here . I met Helen in cyber space when I found her delightful blog Helen Ross Writes in 2010, right after The Unfaithful Widow was released. I asked  her to review my memoir and we have been cyber friends ever since. I'd love to meet her one day in person and chat over Margaritas. Thanks Helen for tagging me in this tour. I am honored to be included!

(Do you think Helen's sweet kitty looks a little nervous to be on a Writer With Dogs blog? We are pet friendly here and embrace cats and other author pets too.  Here kitty, kitty . . . you are purr-fectly charming. ) 


So what is this all about?

The Writing Process Blog Tour is simple. I answer four questions about my writing and then tag other authors to continue the tour and answer the same four questions on their blogs. Then they tag authors they know and it continues on . . . You can see who I've tagged at the end of the post. I am so pleased to bring this tour to the USA!


The questions!


1. What am I working on?

I am not moving as quickly with my writing as I usually do. I've become distracted like a pup with its head out a car window, smiling as the breeze blows across my face,  just enjoying myself, going nowhere in particular. Perhaps my excuse is it's summer. But then . . . other seasons have their own sirens. Maybe I am just a bit tired!

Writing my first novel was exhausting for a gal who is used to short essays. Danger In Her Words was released February 2014. I've completed a month long blog tour with WOW! Women On Writing to promote my book online.  It required different interviews and one-of-kind posts I had to write on topics such as; the healing power of dogs, girlfriends, how to make a book trailer.  I've just revamped the format for this blog. I've updated my website.  All of that is very exciting - but it is not pulling together the books I see ahead of me. Writing marketing material is not the same as completing a new book, but it is equally as important if you want anyone to see your work.

I still dream big. I believe your heart and mind should be full of possibilities - in doing so wonderful things are accomplished. My dreams include my dog memoir, a children's book, an odd little series on my Chihuahua Chloe,  and another novel with a sixty-five year old heroine designing her destiny. My goal is the dog memoir by mid fall. I have six dogs that are waiting for the moment of fame and I promised them their stories would be told. Perhaps I will stop sniffing the air out my window, as intoxicating and refreshing as it is, and get back to the business of my dreams . . . tomorrow. Today I want to be Scarlett, tomorrow I will want to be a writer again.


2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

The one thing I focus on  . . .  dogs. My personal essays are chock-full-of-dogs. I've written short stories that revolve around dogs. My novel had a very spunky little pup that helped save the day. Perhaps my work is overrun with canines more than most.


3. Why do I write what I do?

Non-fiction memoir - It's cheaper than therapy. It clears my head. It's a social process. I live alone with six dogs so writing is my way of communicating with the world. I started writing when my husband died and found that it gave me purpose. I think writing from the heart, be it about sorrow, or joy, or dogs, is a way to reach out to others and form friendships that would never have been made in my daily life. Nothing makes me happier than to have someone comment on what I've written or contact me directly. Those are the perks of writing I love. I live a fairly simple life - which sounds bigger than it is on paper - but I like to journal about it. As one who talks about everything - writing about everything - seems very natural. I write because I have to, it brings me pleasure and I hope my stories do the same for others. Fiction is a different critter for me and I am trying to get a leash on it.


4.  How does my writing process work?

I don't have a schedule - and I mean any schedule. I am retired from my career with the federal government and my time is my own - except for the doggie demands. In the morning after I run them into the yard - because they gang up on me about 7am for breakfast - and are relentless until I get up - I grab my coffee and sit at the computer. Most mornings I work on my blogs that promote other authors or do PR of some sort. My personal writing is more an evening thing - a late evening, early morning thing. I am up usually until 3am.

The most amusing aspect of my writing (to me and I recently discovered this about myself, although I knew it, just didn't acknowledge it) is that when I write my personal stories - I have to post them somewhere. That is why I have so many blogs - both public and private. I write on my blog, correct it until I am happy with it, and have to find graphics to go with the post. I was just part of a 24 Day Health Challenge  - where we were to keep a journal. I couldn't write until I set up a private blog, gave it a header, backdrop, and illustrations to go with each entry. That is when I realized I was blog crazy. The good part - my blogs are my online files - so when I need something - I know where to find it.

Writing fiction - short stories- or my first novel - is all done in Word and kept in files in my Dropbox.


Next - Tag you're it!

The authors, artists who write and illustrate, and more below - have been featured on my Writer With Dogs blog or will appear here soon with their favorite canines.

I am stealing the lovely words of Helen Ross to take the pressure off those I've tagged. As she so gently wrote when she tagged me : Please do not feel you have to participate – quietly ignore if you wish. And if you are happy to participate, just do when you can do.

Tag and Go:  Valerie Connors, Beth Rommel, Jayne Martin, Kerry Alan Denney, Barbara Techel, Elizabeth Cassidy .

Remember the rules - take the four questions above, answer them on your blog, and tag more writers to do the same!

Thanks again Helen for including me in the tour!