About

This blog is dedicated to everything pets!  I have product and animal book reviews, travel recommendations as well as tips and tricks for pet parents of all ages.  I also share some of my personal experiences in raising fur babies that range from hilarious to heartbreaking.

My husband and I are very passionate about animal rescue and being a voice for the voiceless.  We currently own five rescue dogs and three cats.  Several of our furry babies are differently-abled.  Our motto is that different is beautiful!

I am also a certified therapy dog handler with Therapy Dogs International.  Together, my Chihuahua Adriel and I visit nursing homes, schools, kids' clubs, hospice patients and Autism centers.  Additionally, my three-legged dog, Penny, and I are humane education volunteers with the APA of Missouri.  We teach humane education courses to birthday parties as well as boy and girl scout groups.  I also get to read my children's book, Priceless Penny, to shed light on the importance of adopting differently-abled animals.

Penny is a tripawd Chiweenie!

Ever since I won two Young Author Awards (1994 and 1997), I knew that I wanted to be a writer. I love sharing stories and personal experiences with others. Perhaps, what I love most is connecting with the readers. I went on to earn my Associates in Arts degree at Southwestern Illinois College in 2005 and earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications: Print Journalism in 2007 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. While attending SIUE, I won the Outstanding Journalism Student Award in 2006.

I have two published books.  The first is a collection of original poetry entitled More Than Words that deals with the intense subject of love.  The second is a children's book entitled Priceless Penny.  This book chronicles the amazing adoption journey of my three-legged dog, Penny.  I am also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Independent Book Publisher's Association (IBPA), the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) and the Women's National Book Association (WNBA).

I have second blog called More Than Words, which is a compilation of my thoughts on various (and often spontaneous) topics ranging from music and marriage to fighting stigmas and stereotypes.  Please follow my blogs today!