Questions About Fiona Finds Her Purpose: The Story of a Black Lab, Two African Wild Dog Pups, and Their Brief Encounter

by Karen Rieser (Goodreads Author)

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Where did you get such an interesting idea?

Karen Rieser I worked as a volunteer at Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, MI. To be a docent I was required to take weekly classes for several months. This is where…moreI worked as a volunteer at Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, MI. To be a docent I was required to take weekly classes for several months. This is where I learned about AZA zoos and aquariums and species survival plans among other things. I spent many happy hours over the course of two years volunteering imparting knowledge of these precious animals and promoting respect for their place on Earth. At a volunteer luncheon I heard one sentence..."We had to get a canine foster a couple of African wild dogs." I was worried about the canine after her job was done. Sadly, I had to give up my volunteering as we moved three hundred miles away. The idea haunted me...I needed details. I decided to create a fictional beginning, middle and the end to this story. I researched African wild dogs, went to my docent notes, took ideas for other animal encounters, and relied on general knowledge. For example, the unique acquisition of food from farmers I witnessed at a wild cat sanctuary. 'The plan' involved my knowledge of scent for canines and a faint memory from Steinbeck's Red Pony where they used cranberry juice to make the pony smell like the foster mother. The Foxmoore Area Zoo is a compilation of every zoo I have visited. Fiona was actually a good friend's dog found on the streets of Kalamazoo without her puppies. I have also been fascinated by cheetah - dog relationships....you can read about many such friendships. I wanted to tell a story that would promote humane treatment of all life...my underlying message. This is a work of realistic fiction I needed to write to answer my feelings and thoughts.(less)

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