The Indispensable Writer Dog

Our beloved 11.5 year old dog, Sam, passed away at the beginning of this month. As a tribute to him, I’m re-running this post I wrote more than three years ago and adding a brief update at the end. -Becky

I’m reminded for the thousandth time of one key component of my career: the indispensable Writer Dog.

Ask many a writer, and they’ll tell you.  Writer Dogs (and Writer Cats) are the unsung heroes of the authorly life.  You may not have realized it, but they’re the pillars that hold up the world of publishing!

I thought I’d give you a peek into the daily responsibilities of my own Writer Dog, Sam.  He’s an eight year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and he’s the most helpful and least high-maintenance individual in my family.

He begins the day by accompanying me on chores.

Sam, riding shotgun for morning car pool.Sam, helping with the dishes.

Next, he spends time working on his fitness, so that he’ll be in shape for the harsh demands placed upon Writer Dogs.

During the Bible study we do before writing sessions, he can be counted on to pray fervently.

As I begin writing, he faithfully a) warms my feet and b) provides a soundtrack of snoring.

He makes sure I rise from my seated position regularly to let him outside and in because he knows writers need to kickstart their circulation from time to time.

Whenever I get stuck and need brainstorming assistance, he’s a whiz.

Should I get bored, he’s quick to liven things up by eating something he shouldn’t.

Any time I need revision tips, require a high-level discussion about writing craft, or want to discuss the use of metaphor, I know who to call.

I’ll confess that he’s not perfect.  Whenever I release a book, he becomes insufferable with self-congratulation for a few days.

But, really.  Sam’s very, very close to perfect.

He and I both know that he’s brilliant at his most important jobs: keeping me company, comforting me when I’m discouraged, and lavishing me with unconditional love.

We all loved Sam so very much! He was our family’s first dog and we couldn’t have asked for a better one. He was sweet and mellow, quiet and cuddly. He was a playmate for my kids and a companion for me. A precious member of our family.

In August of 2020, like so many people during Covid, we added a puppy to the mix. Because of Sam’s fabulous-ness, we went with another male Cavalier spaniel (this time a “black and tan”). For more than a year, the two dogs overlapped in our home. As his final gift to me, Sam showed Duke how to become a Writer Dog. Duke learned from his example. When I sit down to write, Duke knows it’s time to rest and he curls up in the dog bed under the desk, on the carpet near my feet, or in my lap. Sometimes, he even attempts to snore.

Thank you, my sweet Sam. For everything.We miss you greatly but we’re also tremendously grateful for the years we had with you.