Uncaged’s Feature Authors introduce you to their devoted writing buddies, and the devotion goes both ways

I love it! My rescue mutt, Patch, is the best writing companion an author could ask for. He is constantly by my side to keep me company and yet quiet and patient when I am writing (except when it’s mealtime). He knows when it’s time for a break and is the best distraction I could ever ask for. He likes to take road trips to Rancho Mirage and Arrowhead, and is great in the car.

I am also planning on getting a puppy very soon. Hopefully I am just days away from adopting a shepherd/huskie mix from a friend. The goal is to get Patch a playmate and for me to have another companion for years to come.

How do you choose? We live on a quarter horse ranch, and we’ve had numerous pets. Several years ago, we rescued this beautiful girl, our Reba, in a small- time, local animal shelter. It cost $15 to adopt her. We also had a large mixed breed dog named Domino. I’ll never forget the day we brought Reba home. We penned her briefly outside, near the other dogs and the house so she could get used to her new home. Reba was the perfect, fluffy, girl and remained quiet throughout the day. She showed interest in playing with Domino, though he had no desire to play with her. In the early evening, a coyote howled somewhere in the distance, and Reba barked. It wasn’t just any bark; it was the biggest, lowest, most threatening bark I’ve ever heard come out of a dog. It surprised us, coming from her. It was the bark of a much larger dog. It was also the bark that made Domino take notice. I called it the “Dang, Baby!” bark because it fit Domino’s reaction. We still tease him about Reba’s initial communication. From that point on, those two were besties, and even at their respective ages of 9 and 12, they still play together as much as two old dogs can. This is my favorite picture of Reba. She wouldn’t stay in the truck with Domino when we drove out through the pasture to check the fence. At one stop, she jumped out and moved alongside us at a safe distance.

AUTHORS AND THEIR PETS

Pets and companions come in many shapes and sizes. From furry to feathered to hairy and scaley - there is a place for all of them. Authors have a special relationship with their pets - whether they remind them to get up and take a break or they inspire their writing. Meet the critters that share their love and devotion to Uncaged Feature Authors.

JADE LEE & Cinnamon MARY LANCASTER & Toby

I have a fat, happy cat named Cinnamon. (My kids call her Cinnabun because when she curls up, she resembles that very chunky delicious treat.) She loves sitting on my lap. (She looks good on those colorful leggings, doesn’t she?) But she gets annoyed by all the typing. She’ll put her chin on my wrist and try to stop me from working. My job, according to her, is to scratch right behind her ears where she loves it. And I’ll confess, she usually wins for a while, but eventually, I’ll have to work. She’ll curl up on the bed in a huff until I’m done. Or until dinnertime. Then she’s a spry kitten as she leaps into the kitchen.

This is Toby the jug (JackRussell-pug cross). We’ve had him since he was nine weeks old when we gave him to my daughter as a birthday present. He’s six now and owns all of us! He’s a mad, bouncing thing (I based Spring in The Deserted Heart on him!), as eccentric as the rest of the family, but the best natured dog in the world. He loves us, other people, other dogs, food, walks and particular stones – not necessarily in that order.

A.J. MCCARTHY & Kelso and Bosco

Kelso is a nine-year-old Pugzu, which is a mix of a Pug and a Shih Tzu. He stays very close to me, lying on the floor or couch nearby, no matter where I am. His snoring accompanies me while I’m working or writing. Because of the pandemic, he missed his appointments at the groomers, and he resembles a floor mop now, so I’ll share some photos from his days as a handsome boy. I also have a new grandpuppy, Bosco. He’s a Cane Corso mastiff, and at only four months, it’s clear he will soon be bigger and stronger than his adopted grandmother. This photo shows my son Alex hugging Dumbledore, his best friend. Alex feeds him every day and gives him plenty of love, and Dumbledore is a good sport about all of it. A Siamese cross, he is incredibly affectionate with my children while proving his mettle as a hunter and warrior by chasing his favorite toy

mousie and the odd moth.

CRAIG DILOUIE & Dumbledore JERRY HARWOOD & Noah

This is Noah. He is my best bud. He is 13 years old, has crooked legs, barks whenever he is unhappy, and spends his day sleeping. Beyond that, he is my sidekick from the moment I walk into my house until I leave. He has a bed beside my writing area and in the kitchen. He has his own section of the couch.