 | 18 Sep 06 |
I really want a dog. Maybe a big, lovable goofy Golden Retriever to sit by me while I’m writing, go for walks with me when I need to brainstorm and generally lavish endless love on me. Writing is lonely and I could use a friend.
I just went to PETCO to check out all the dogs looking for a home. There were adorable, and they tugged at my heart strings. Unfortunately a voice in my head keeps reminding me how much work a dog can be. They need to eat and that produces regular clean up duty. Dogs need love and attention. They tend to leave a lot of DNA evidence lying around the couches that must be collected and destroyed. Then there’s trips to the vet, and worries of who will watch the dog if we’re gone.
In other words, I want all the fun and none of the work and inconvenience. I had dogs growing up, and as an interesting aside, I met my husband at the dog pound. I was working there while he came in to do an audit. My time working at the animal shelter really reinforced my belief that I should NOT get animal unless I am committed. You don’t want to know some of the things I saw while I worked there. Some people are just cruel, and some are cruel-by-laziness.
But now let’s get to a point: I think the dream to write can often be like my dream to have a dog. Some dreamers love to talk about writing and dabble here and there at their craft, which is great for a hobby. But they don’t want the pain of the daily feeding and care of their writing to make it a career. It’s fun to talk about it, dream about it, go to conferences and get inspired.
But the inspiration wears thin when you’re at your computer day after day. When the book isn’t working. Or you think the book is working and realize at 2am that you have a plot hole the size of a Sumo wrestler and no idea how to fix it. By 6am you know you have to choice but to go back to the drawing board even though you are 200 pages into the manuscript. Or your editor calls and needs revisions on the manuscript you’ve turned in while you are on a killer deadline for the next book, and life is throwing one thing after another at you. The dream won’t sustain you through the tough times.
Only real love and desire will.
Every book has a couple of those spots for me where it’s a struggle to stay focused on work because it’s not going well. But I stick it out. I love what I do, and the feeling of getting it right far surpasses the hard times for me. I’m willing to persevere to get to the end and the incredible sense of accomplishment I get from telling the story of characters I’ve fallen in love with.
But I’m not so sure my desire for a dog is that strong, you know? An animal deserves my full commitment. My kids are older and mostly out of the house now, and I need to be sure I want to be tied down to an animal. That I’m willing lavish the dog with all the attention and love he deserves. That I’ll give up sleep when he’s a puppy or sick, that I’ll take him for walks even when I don’t need to brainstorm.
So okay, I love writing books and am willing to work and sacrifice to do it, but I am probably, maybe, possibly too selfish for a dog. Although a dog would be awesome…
How about you all? What are you willing to work and sacrifice to have?
© 2006 – 2009, Jennifer Lyon. All rights reserved.
Award winning author, Jennifer Lyon, always wanted to be a witch. Since her witch-powers never materialized, she went onto Plan B and now she creates magic in her books. In her new series, the author of the acclaimed Samantha Shaw Mystery Series (written as Jennifer Apodaca) introduces the Witch Hunters, legendary men who must overcome a curse to team up with witches and fight evil.
Subscribe to Posts 
Jen, I’m working! I’m sacrificing!
That’s my career, now onto the important dog ownership part.
I have a dog and a cat. My dog is a high energy English setter. She needs exercise. She also needs to go in and out of the house at least a dozen times a day to bark at other animals, from wild turkeys to squirrels to other dogs. The good side to this is it forces me to step away from the computer and move. The bad side is it forces me away from the computer–and as long as I’m in the kitchen putting her out the back door, the refrigerator is so close…
If you really want a dog (and I sense you do), there are lower energy dogs. Or cats. My cat is the perfect pet for me. I admit she interrupts my work sometimes, demanding a full body massage. That’s usually when I switch to my email or read blogs. I was always a dog person and didn’t think I’d love my cat so much. But I do.
by Edie Ramer September 18th, 2006 at 5:53 amI was going to say exactly what Edie said. There are low-energy, easy-to-care-for breeds of dogs, the kind who are mellow. Unfortunately, the gorgeous Golden Retriever is not one of them. I think some little dogs are pretty cool, although I never thought I’d say that. Of course I’ve gone from wanting the high-powered Swedish warmblood jumper of my dreams to a Paso Fino with a gait that wouldn’t spill a full wineglass. Age, I guess. (I don’t have either; I couldn’t afford them.)
Dogs are good in so many ways, and one is that they can MAKE you exercise. It’s six in the morning and you don’t feel like it, but you have to go out.
I favor cats, though. Cats are easy. Cats love, but in an understated way. And if you have more than one, they keep each other company when you’re gone. Not to say they don’t care if you’re gone; they do, but they keep everything in perspective. Some cats are a little more doglike, like Siamese. In the good ways.
I’ve heard that greyhounds are lazy couch potatoes. The like sleeping on doggy beds. However, I’ve also been told they’re not good with smaller pets, because they were trained to chase them. That said, there are lots of people who have cats and greyhounds.
Believe it or not, I’ve heard Pomeranians are good, and don’t yap so much. I Can’t believe I said that.
If you want a dog, research research research. A lot. I am in favor, though, of mutts. They live longer, they’re healthier, and they can be close to the breed you like. And of course you know already, Jen, the golden rule. PETCO and PETSMART: good. Pet store: bad.
BTW – if you want to know about yellow labs – read MARLEY & ME. I’m reading it now, and it’s incredible!!
by J. Carson Black September 18th, 2006 at 7:20 amPS – one thing to worry about dogs – if you’re gone a lot, it’s not fair to them. A lot of dogs suffer from separation anxiety. If you’re a stay-at-home-mom or stay-at-home-writer, that’s much better.
by J. Carson Black September 18th, 2006 at 7:21 amEdie, I’m glad to hear you are working and sacrificing! LOL! Thank you for the dog tips. English Setters are high maitenence but beautiful
And you’re right, I do want a dog, and I don’t…I’ve been driving myself crazy over this for years. I adore my friends dogs, and always have to visit with their dogs when I go see them.
Jake, a Pomeranian? Seriously? I so don’t see myself with a Pomeranian. Now a mixed breed is right up my alley. I’ve heard Greyhounds need a lot of attention, I did a littel research into greyhouse rescue. Hmm. Thanks for the tip on Marley and Me, I’ve heard great things about the book. I’ll get it. About pet stores, yeah, I know and I’m glad you added that warning. Pet stores are NOT the place to get an animal.
Cele, I love your description of Bassetts! My friends have them, and they are a crack up. They look slow moving and laid back, but they are smart and when they want something, they’ll figure out how to get it. By the way, Cele, you are not lazy! You’re so generous and willing to help!
By the way we had a bunny for years. He was a big part of our family and played out back with my three boys. We adopted him from a woman who didn’t want him and had never ever let him out of his cage. He was terrified of us, and being out of his cage, at first. But boy, did he adjust!
by Jen September 18th, 2006 at 7:26 amHmmm, maybe this is part of my problem…besides the long term vision thingie… I don’t have the will power to make myself write. In poetry I can blame it on lack of rhythm at the time, but for longer pieces, long stretches at the keyboard are essential.
I am basically lazy. I am a procrastinator to the nth degree. So much that I do things now because I’ve got a lot of mañanas. So I’ve taught myself to do it now. If not Hasta La Vista, baby.
My husband is allergic to cats, so I’ve made myself into a dog person. My last dog was a Rhodesian Ridgeback. What a wonderful, intelligent being. She was an absolute delight. BUT OH MI GOSH she was high energy, high maintenence. And she hated baths. I miss her with tears to this day.
In light of my advancing age, rapidly declining energy, and that procrastinator gene that I picked up somewhere I decided to get a low energy buddy. First lesson. No dog is low energy for the first two years of their lives.
So I decided I wanted a Bassett. I researched, found a regional breeder, and waited for a litter. It was well worth the wait. Arlo is my best bud, constant companion, my cuddle buddy in the evenings on the couch (because what husband doesn’t want his recliner to himself?) and on the night’s my husband is out of town, Arlo isn’t. He’s now over two years old and has my energy level – finally. He doesn’t suffer seperation anxiety (which I think some breeds are more prone to than others.) But darn he hates baths.
For anyone considering a bassett I have these words of warning.
by Cele September 18th, 2006 at 7:57 am1) They are not little dogs. The are big dogs on short legs. Arlo weighs 70 pounds
2) They have long bodies that can reach the freshed baked gingerbread on the counter
3) They do shed a lot
4) They are highly intelligent
5) They are very loving, and people oriented
Jen – one thing to think of is a dog who is older than two years, as Cele said. There are so many good dogs – both mutts and purebreds – looking for homes. If you see the breed that you think will work best, you could contact their rescue group. They have them for every breed.
I can’t have a dog (four cats, plus, I hate picking up dog poop) so I put them in my books. Virtual companions.
by J. Carson Black September 18th, 2006 at 9:02 amI have a dog and cat and the animals are great to help teach kids responsibility. One is responsible for feeding the dog and making sure she has water; another is responsible for feeding the cat (they share a water bowl–not my choice, but you can’t tell a cat they can’t drink out of a dog’s water bowl. If I put a water bowl up where her food it, she knocks if off the table. Yep.)
I’m definitely more of a cat person. I like dogs. My husband loves dogs. I love cats. My husband didn’t like cats until we started dating. He learned very quickly that I was not getting rid of my cat and I would have a cat for the rest of my life. He learned to like Nixon a lot, in fact I’d catch him petting him or–gasp–calling for him to jump in his lap. He cried when we had to put Nixon to sleep (he had cancer.)
As far as writing, you’re analogy is fantastic, Jen. I couldn’t agree with you more.
by Allison September 18th, 2006 at 9:28 amI’m a cat person, hubby is a dog person. Therefore, we have no pets. LOL I’ve always enjoyed that cats are alone people like me. Dogs demand alot. Not that they don’t give back much more, but they are needy. LOL
by Amanda September 18th, 2006 at 9:39 amJake, I love the term “vitual companion!”
Allison, that’s so cute that your husband fell in love with your cat. I’m more of a dog person, but cats are okay.
It’s more fun to think about this then figuring out my last plot issue in my current book!
by Jen September 18th, 2006 at 10:07 amAmanda, cats are more independant than dogs. It’s turning out to be really interesting to see who is a cat person and who is a dog person!
by Jen September 18th, 2006 at 10:10 amAh, but what does that say about the muskrat person?
by J. Carson Black September 18th, 2006 at 11:19 amJen,
My dog is my shadow. He’s a little shih tzu, but that said, he’s VERY high energy. He jumps like a RABBIT. He’s also a “talker” and when he wants something he will NOT shut up. It’s not good when you are trying to concentrate on a scene or work through some difficult issues in a book.
But I wouldn’t trade him for anything.
by Natalie September 18th, 2006 at 11:26 amJake, now I’ve got that stupid song, Muskrat Love in my head! Don’t ask me how I got that from your question, but I did! Oh God, I’m trapped in Muskrat Love…someone help me, LOL
Natalie, your dog sounds adorable, although didn’t I hear that he’d recently hooked up with some dog gang? Have you managed to reform him? I’ve known a few dogs who do that talking thing, and it’s too funny. How can you resist him when he does that?
by Jen September 18th, 2006 at 11:52 amSorry, Jen!
I have a cat who does that. Talk, talk, talk. Sometimes we have conversations, I’ll meow too. It goes like this: her: wah! me: wah! her: wah! me: wah! You get the idea.
by J. Carson Black September 18th, 2006 at 12:05 pmWe have three dogs and a devil cat. My husband rescued Britt, a gorgeous Rotty. We also have ‘the girls’ two shih tzus who are love bugs. My cat, who I found as a kitten one day walking with my daughter is sure he is a shih tzu. Although he does punk ‘the girls’ regularly. My household is quite active.
by Karin September 18th, 2006 at 12:34 pmI’m neither a cat or a dog person, I’m an animal person period. I’ve had everything from 16 foot boas to iguanas, to ferrets to dogs and cats and birds and fish.
Jake, can you do that kitty conversation again, I sounds facinating.
Karin, it will be in my next book. That will be the entire text.
by J. Carson Black September 18th, 2006 at 1:04 pmKarin you are an animal lover! I’m impressed!
by Jen September 18th, 2006 at 1:53 pmGreyhounds make awesome companions! Loving couch potatoes, LOL.
Ever since I saw a writer cringing at her little output for the yearat a writer’s meeting, this issue has been a little pet peeve of mine. I think we don’t do enough encouraging of writers who just want to write for fun; amateur writers are a great blessing for the industry and we should take every opportunity to encourage and be thankful for them.
They make better readers, they fill RWA with more members so we can afford awesome conferences, and they have fun, besides! Amateurs learn to paint just for fun (and buy and appreciate more art); amateurs learn piano just for fun (and go to more concerts and appreciate music more). So why shouldn’t writers be the same way?
‘Amateur’ used to be a noble word. I think it should be, still.
As to writing when the writing gets hard … I’m not sure it’s love and desire that keep me going. When the going gets hard, it’s sheer stubborn will that gets me through. I feel about as much love as I feel during the last ten minutes of exercising, when I feel like I’m going to die!
I still am thankful to be a writer, but still … the love comes at different points of the process, for me.
PS: LOLOL … I talk to my cat, too! Yesterday, I even answered DH with a meow. Oooh … I probably shouldn’t admit that, huh?
by spyscribbler September 18th, 2006 at 3:25 pmSpyscribbler, you made some great points about amateur writers. I encouraged all three of my kids to write for fun, mainly to get past the fear AND because I learned so much about them through their writings. But also…writing opens up possibilites. One never knows where a hobby might lead…
Oh man, that last ten minutes of exercising is a great analogy!
by Jen September 18th, 2006 at 5:42 pm‘I talk to my cat, too! Yesterday, I even answered DH with a meow. Oooh … I probably shouldn’t admit that, huh?’
lol, I think we’re all a little off our rockers when it comes to our pets. I too have found myself meowing in an animated conversation with my cat. But I will never admit having the same type of converation with my hubby.
by Karin September 18th, 2006 at 7:27 pmI’m with Karin. I’m an animal person. You name it, I’ve owned it. That said, I’m a dog person. A BIG dog person. My 70 lb Am Staff is my itty-bitty girl.
If domesticated cats came in an XXL I might be more interested in them, and if I didn’t always have the vague feeling that they’re thinking, “In our proper milieu I’d be eating you right now.†LOL! I loved the bob cat we had when I was a kid, but we lived in the mountains then, and he could run free and just come in to be petted when he liked.
by Tonda/Kalen September 19th, 2006 at 7:40 amTonda, a bob cat? Wow, that would be awesome as long as he didn’t get cranky at me
You wrote about cats thinking, “In our proper milieu I’d be eating you right now.†LOL! Now I’m little scared of cats!
by Jen September 19th, 2006 at 9:42 amIf you insist on a dog, my vote goes to the Schnoodle (poodle/schnauzer). Smart, loving and small enough to take with you on road trips. We also have a Great Pyrenees. While adorable and gorgeous and smart, BIG and BARKY. All night long. Night after night. And we must leave her behind when we go away.
by Meretta September 19th, 2006 at 1:48 pmUnlimited Music Downloads
I see you have some nice information about music and entertainment.
by Unlimited Music Downloads May 5th, 2007 at 8:08 pm