Dog-Ma, The Zen of Slobber Interview

Dog-Ma, The Zen of Slobber – Spotlight and Author Interview

Today we bring you Dog-Ma, The Zen of Slobber – Spotlight and Author Interview
Earlier, Libby’s Library was honored to do a review of Dog-Ma, The Zen of Slobber – So this time around, Gabe will have his turn!
Dog-Ma…For dog lovers everywhere…….Barbara’s vivid and dramatic stories, told with a wicked sense of humor, will make you laugh out loud. She definitely gets what living with rescued dogs (nine of them!) is all about. This book will inspire you with the couple’s unstinting love, devotion, and respect for dogs as family members. You’ll be glad to include it in your treasured collection of great dog books.
When Barbara meets her future husband, Ray, it is love-and dog-at first sight. Over the course of thirty-two years, seventeen relocations and nine dogs, their mutual love of dogs guides them on their unconventional path. The love that Barbara and Ray get in return is literally lifesaving, with one dog attacking a lethal intruder and another discovering Barbara’s cancer. Her own survival story underscores the story of how her dogs become survivors themselves.
Each new dog adds its own dynamic to the family, sometimes upending it. From Turbo (whose Spock-like ears may have provided super powers), Barbara learns about the will to live; Lexington demonstrates incredible patience and an inexplicable love of golf; Madison teaches that laughter is truly the best medicine and that the whole “nine lives thing” is not reserved just for cats; Morgan should be sainted for tolerating Izzy, who is as cute as she is bad. Barbara is certain that somewhere in doggie heaven there is a poster that says “If you are sick, injured or in need of really expensive medical care, FIND THESE HUMANS!”

Interview by, Gabriel GoodBoy:

Gabriel – Woof woof, so Barbara, my mom believes that Dog Hair is a clothing accessory – what are your thoughts?
Barbara – Oh, I totally agree. A little fuzz always adds texture to any outfit. Think of it as wearing a sweater with everything! For awhile when we only had black dogs, my wardrobe choices were easy. I wore black. Then we rescued a Dalmatian and a Brittany at almost the same time. That introduced brown and white into my wardrobe overnight. It was truly a fashion dilemma. I worked in the fashion industry for decades. It was always amusing when I would arrive at a fashion show and the event coordinator would meet me at the door with a panicked look and one of those sticky roller thingys and demand I “ stop and stay” while I got de-fuzzed! You know, now that I think of it, I never got a treat for that. Seems unfair, huh Gabe?
Gabriel – The holidays are coming up, and some people are thinking of getting a dog or cat (cough, gag, sputter) as a gift for their children. Mom and I aren’t thrilled with that idea. Would you like to weigh in on the subject?
Barbara – While every home should have at least one pet (and I do empathize your cat “allergy”), they are never good gifts. A great idea is to make up a gift certificate for a shelter in your area to give as the gift. You could even cut out several photos of currently adoptable pets in the area to include on your “certificate”. Then the whole family can help in the selection process. If the kids pick out their own shelter pet they will be more likely to help with its daily care. It’s also a great way to introduce kids to the plight of throwaway animals. Parents, it’s a great idea to fill out your application ahead of time so the kids can make their choice and take their selection home without waiting too long. Remember Adopt, Don’t Shop.
Gabriel – I’m a rescue myself, and so is the little squirt*. and mom would like to get another dog or two that need a good home. Now I’m totally against this (because it’s bad enough having to share her with el Squirto), but as the old saying goes, “If Mom’s Happy – Everybody’s Happy”. Dad says “NO WAY”. Since you live with such a big crew, do you have any suggestions on how to talk him into letting mom get another doggie or two?
Barbara –Tell mom that the batting of eyelashes always worked well for me! It can be very persuasive. Once dad got one new puppy kiss he would be under their spell.
Here’s how I look at it: Deciding to get multiple dogs is really a mathematical equation, Gabe. One dog creates the mess of one dog. Two dogs create the mess of four dogs. And so on… If mom is willing to deal with the work, I say more power to her! If you become her little helper and keep the new ones in line, you will always be first in line for mom hugs and kisses. I promise! More playmates are always more fun!
Gabriel – Baby Girl thinks that dog slobber is gross, but mom tells her to lighten up, and that dog slobber is great for the skin. Do you think that there might be a future market in dog slobber based beauty products?
Barbara – My thought is that dog slobber would be best used in the glue market. I find it better than super glue for most things. Cooper used to carry his food to our wood coffee table to eat. Yes, he thought he was a person, deserving of a proper dining spot. If he had a thumb, he would have liked fine cutlery, I believe. That slobber needed a jackhammer to get it off of the table. I suppose that could translate to the beauty market, especially for us older ladies to tighten up the wrinkles! Now… if you want to talk about doggie-tongues… there not a better exfoliator in the world!
Gabriel – Mom has some great stories to tell about all her other furbabies. What guidance would you give to a new writer?
Barbara – Write down everything. Every little story. Don’t worry about an order or a theme. Just write down things so you don’t forget them. Take lots of photos, too. They can help you to remember the stories. Eventually, all of your little quips will start to make sense and a story will form. It took me over twenty years to start writing my book. I had it in my head – now THAT’S a scary place – but I didn’t write them down. When I started to work on a book I had to get help from friends and family to remember so many stories. Fortunately, my husband and I had been telling our tales to many friends over the years, and everyone remembered them quite well. I had a lot of people to thank on my acknowledgment page for all of the help they provided!
Gabriel – I was wondering if you might like to go to lunch sometime…I’ll be happy to take the “doggy bag”?
Barbara –I bet you would! What would you like in your doggy bag, Gabe? Izzy goes to restaurants with us quite often but she is not allowed to have the doggy bags. She has very bad allergies. She would gladly give you hers. She sits right under the table like a proper little lady until we are finished. She loves watching everyone go by. Sometimes the nice restaurant people bring her a bowl of water on a hot day. She always says ”thank you”.
Gabriel – Dogs in the people bed – Mom says yea and dad says nay. Your view?
Barbara – Oh, that’s easy. An absolute Yea! They are cozy and warm to snuggle with. Cooper used to sleep under the covers with his head on the pillow! He knew how to pull the blanket back up over himself, too! Gus is our only dog that didn’t like sleeping in the bed. He preferred his own bed on the floor, but his bed had to be right next to me. He was my guardian and protector.
Gabriel – I was wondering if you might like to go to lunch sometime…I’ll be happy to take the “doggy bag”?
Barbara –I bet you would! What would you like in your doggy bag, Gabe? Izzy goes to restaurants with us quite often but she is not allowed to have the doggy bags. She has very bad allergies. She would gladly give you hers. She sits right under the table like a proper little lady until we are finished. She loves watching everyone go by. Sometimes the nice restaurant people bring her a bowl of water on a hot day. She always says ”thank you” with a kiss.
Gabriel – In conclusion, would you be so kind as to offer your best piece of advice for a new owner, or prospective owner, of a rescue dog?

Barbara – Rescue dogs may have had a tough life. They may need time to adjust to a new home. Give them time and lots and lots of love. Don’t overlook the dogs in shelters that have special needs. The love you get in return when you rescue a dog who is deaf, blind or has other special abilities is un-matchable. Also, don’t overlook senior dogs. It makes me so happy when I see them adopted and able to live out their final years in a forever home.

Gabriel – Thank you so much for speaking with me today. Sit. Shake. Good Girl. Mom give her a treat!