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Dear Reader,
Today is my last day of vacation, I'll be back on Monday, and book club reader and author Dianne Ochiltree is filling in for me today. Dianne has been a 'Dear Reader' book club subscriber since early 2006. She is giving away an autographed copy of her picture book, Pillow Pup which had as its inspiration, the same family pet featured in her guest column. Dianne would love to hear from you, and when you send her an email you'll be entered in the drawing for a copy of her book. Send your email to: DianneOchiltree@ochiltreebooks.com and put 'Dear Reader Giveaway' on the subject line.--Suzanne Beecher
From author Dianne Ochiltree...
Like most puppies, our family dog was supposed to be a pet "for the kids." I'd never had a dog as a kid myself, but suspected it was something two growing boys should have. My husband had grown up with dogs and knew precisely how valuable a childhood experience caring for a puppy can be. He wanted to pass along the same kind of fond memories and valuable life lessons to his own sons. So that is why, one early spring day over 11 years ago, a yellow Labrador retriever puppy walked into our lives and hearts.
As you may already have guessed, the kids' new puppy quickly became Mom's 'new best friend.' After years of obedience classes, I want to say that this now-very-large (and well-mannered) adult dog at my feet proved to be an excellent student...and teacher.
One of our favorite 'classrooms' is the hiking trail that we share each morning. Here, my Big Yellow Dog has given me countless lessons in joy over the years as we walked the woods silently together, her wagging tail up and her wriggling nose down. She delighted in galloping ahead of me, then circling behind me before dropping to a trot at my side, all the while savoring the unique sights, scents, and sounds the world was offering to her that day. More than any other creature on earth, dogs know the beauty of living in the present. Anyone who has had a dog in his or her life surely knows it, too.
These days, our walks in the woods are of the kinder and gentler sort. We now take shortcuts to avoid climbs too steep for her now-ailing hips. Our daily circuits are half what they were in her prime--now only thirty minutes or so--and yet, her discovery of the day's gifts bring just as much joy as it always has. My Big Yellow Dog unfailingly hits the trail with the unbridled enthusiasm of youth. Once on the path, she teaches another valuable lesson: the fine art of growing old.
Sometimes she needs to crawl over a fallen log instead of leaping over it. No complaints. She does it--gracefully or not--and goes on her merry way.
Sometimes she brings me a stick to toss, and she has to hobble to fetch it instead of running for it. No whining. She delivers it--eventually--with her usual gusto.
Sometimes her rear legs go out from under her. She just pulls herself up. No big deal.
As my Big Yellow Dog rounds the corner into old age, she is still joyfully living in the moment, whatever that moment might be. She's teaching me that as your body ages, your spirit can stay as young as a pup's--as long as you stay on the trail, and sniff out the joy.
Thanks for listening, and thanks for reading my good friend, Suzanne. It's true that it's so good to read with friends!
You can reach Dianne at: DianneOchiltree@ochiltreebooks.com
Dianne Ochiltree is a nationally-recognized author of books for the very young. Her latest picture book, Lull-A-Bye, Little One, was a featured title in the 'Imagination Library,' the Dollywood Foundation's childhood literacy program, in 2007 and 2008.
SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT BIG THRILL? Read the "Between the Lines" feature interview with Jeffery Deaver then read about great thrillers from: Jaime Rush, Matt Hilton, Bev Vincent, Tom Piccirilli, Laura Childs, Stephen Jay Schwartz, Piet Steyn, Darrel Bain & Stephanie Osborn, Jason Pinter, John Lutz and Gregory Lamberson. Go to: http://www.thrillerwriters.org
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