It’s a Dog’s Life

By Kathleen Rice Adams

I’ll let you in on a little secret: Few authors are in control of their own lives. Many of us have families who make unreasonable demands for things like an occasional meal and clean clothes. We also have editors and publishers (even if we’re self-published) who are unhealthily devoted to deadlines. Some of us have friends who enjoy spending time with us every once in a while…just not too often. After all, nobody wants to be seen with the clearly certifiable. That’s how rumors get started.

None of those individuals are The Bosses, though. For a good many authors, that role rests firmly in the paws of four-legged fiends…I mean friends…who evidently believe we are in desperate need of supervision.

Today we thought we’d introduce you to a few of the overlords at Prairie Rose Publications—just so you know we don’t act like loons of our own volition. We’re under orders.

Co-owner Livia Washburn Reasoner is kept in line by a menagerie.

Nicki (left) and Nora are Chihuahua Min Pins. They may be small, but they rule the Reasoner household with iron paws. Nicki is wearing a floatie in order to keep her from chewing on stitches after recent surgery. She is not at all happy about the fashion statement.

Ranger (left) is a Doberman mix and looks after Dash, a mystery puppy (possibly Great Dane and Mastiff) who most likely will be the size of a Yeti by the time he’s grown. Sammy is a Great Pyrenees-Shepherd mix, adorably furry, and long-suffering. Ranger and Sammy were rescued from an animal shelter that kills pets not adopted within a very brief time, and Dash was thrown out like trash to fend for himself in cold, rainy weather.

Snake Eyes, a leopard gecko, has a habit of disrobing in public, so it’s probably best not to encourage the behavior by giving him a lot of attention.





Co-owner Cheryl Pierson has only one master to whom she must bow, but Embry is so big that more than one would be overkill.

Embry is a Great Pyrenees. Here he is with Cheryl’s daughter, Jessica. Even as a full-grown woman, she’d barely make a snack for Embry, who also was rescued from a kill shelter when he was a puppy. His mother was an “owner surrender” and pregnant at the time her owners gave her up. Embry had eight siblings, all named for characters from the Twilight books, which were popular at the time. He has learned to tell time over the past couple of years: He usually expects brunch at 10:30 a.m. and supper at 6:30 p.m., and he tracks down Cheryl or her husband within ten minutes of his expected meal time.

Me? I’m in constant danger of lynching at the paws of tiny-but-enthusiastic outlaws known as the Hole in the Web Gang.

Dog and Underdog (top row, from left) came to live with me because they’re not “show quality.” Ed (bottom row, left) was abandoned in a cardboard box, and Li’l Ol’ Biddy was dropped off at a shelter because she’s old. Yes, I do tie a rock around Ed’s neck when the wind blows.

What about y’all? Are you owned by furry, feathered, finned, or scaly family? Tell us about them in the comments! If you’ve got a picture, send it to kathleen@prairierosepublications.net, and I’ll add it to this post. Let’s show the world what unconditional love looks like, shall we?

Reader Pet Gallery

Gabriel (left) and Gabriella own Prairie Rose Doris McCraw.

Roxie is Angela Crider's spotted tabby baby. She loves playing fetch with her Chewbacca mouse.

Cindy Jones's kids. The two on the top row appear to be criminals.

Prairie Rose Kaye Spencer's critters. Let's hope she hasn't infected them with her warped sense of humor.

Both of Prairie Rose Sarah McNeal's furry children—Lily the Golden Retriever and Liberty the cat—are rescues. (She says they rescued her.)

Mason-Dixon (left) and Daisy Duke are the Welsh Corgis who own Prairie Rose Shayna Matthews and her family. They protect the back yard from squirrels and buzzards when they're not chasing their ball.

Somewhere under the pile of fur is Prairie Rose Angel Drew, whose cats evidently believe she bears watching. She does get a mite rowdy from time to time. A third cat is skulking around out of the frame to Angel's left.








Labrador Retrievers Lily (top) and Ranger have things firmly under control at the home of Prairie Rose Kristy McCaffrey.

Rest in peace, Bob (left). Cathie Dunn and her family were honored to share your life. Toby (top) and Tiger, don't worry about that dog-adoption threat. We're sure they'll get your permission first.