Beef Casserole for the Dog's Soul

Woof – oops, since you’re not a dog, I’ll write in people-speak.

Here I am in the crucible of creating something magnificent. With my dog and three cats by my side.

I’m feeling a little trembly with the enormity of the responsibility so it’s comforting to look at my animal family and realise that this new world is for them, for them and their kin. And that I am just a channel for something bigger than me.

BIBLIOPET, my business baby, is a new niche publisher of gift books for pets. That’s right FOR pets. We will begin our celebration of pets with our charming gift book for dogs, Beef Casserole for the Dog’s Soul, a treasury of barkalicous stories for dog people to read to their dog.

Beef Casserole for the Dog’s Soul will be released on 1 July 2009. Until then I am hoping to write in our blog every day and keep you updated with any juicy details.

Let me say for now that the purpose of writing Beef Casserole for the Dog’s Soul is to give back to dogs. It is my deepest desire that a Beef Casserole for the Dog’s Soul story will be read to dogs throughout the world.

Pampered pooches, a child’s bestest friend, wise, old dogs who dodder around with wise, old folks, sick dogs, lonely dogs, dogs in shelters, dogs who are tired, dogs who are scared, dogs who are happy and dogs about to be euthanised. Dogs who live in packs of chaos, dogs who work for their food, dogs who guide people who can’t see, dogs who nuzzle the hands of people who are in hospital. Dogs who find bodies in snowdrifts, dogs who pull sleds, dogs who win Championships, dogs who save people’s lives.

I begin to think of the millions of ways that dogs have helped people and it is overwhelming. I am reminded of people including those who are depressed, addicted or lost who are given purpose as a dog owner and who find inner strength. A child who longs for a dog who is handed a puppy. A widow who is claimed by a local stray.

When I imagine a dog being read a Beef Casserole for the Dog’s Soul story I tear up. Yes! I really do. This is something very beautiful. An intimate way to celebrate our loves of dogs, and our gratitude.

We can never repay the love and loyalty, companionship and fun that dogs give us so authentically. But I do feel that by taking a few minutes to sit down with your dog and read them a story written just for them, there is a gift in that moment, a serenity of connectedness that is to be celebrated.

I look forward to sharing Beef Casserole for the Dog’s Soul with your dog, you and the world.