We started writing our kids’ dog books about seven years ago, after our dog, Lucy, died suddenly at the age of 6.
To help us overcome our grief, we decided to write a book, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence,” about how a dog named Lucy instilled confidence in the boys on a soccer team. The aim of the book was to keep Lucy alive in our hearts.
We never, ever expected that we’d appear on the Today Show, write two more books, create our own audiobooks with the voices of Michael and friends, and visit with kids worldwide, through Skype in the Classroom, about our writing and publishing experience! We also created Roving Reader Leaders, a book club that encourages kids to review books in parks, gyms, libraries and book stores. (For now, during the pandemic, that club is taking place online). The kids have also interviewed popular authors, including Troy Cummings.
Shortly after Lucy died, puppy Hudson (pictured above, with Michael) came into our lives. He became a lovable character in our third book, and even provided some voice-over barking in the audiobook!
Now Hudson is almost eight years old, and he was recently diagnosed with arthritis in his front legs. That diagnosis is an important reminder of how precious he is to us, and how much love and laughter he brings into our lives. He still takes long walks with us, loves to chase balls and, like a true golden retriever, offers us his sad eyes when we have to leave him alone in the house for a few hours. At night, when he sleeps beside me, with our new kitten snuggled against him, I often wake up to check on him. When he’s napping in my home office, I pet and kiss him as often as possible.
Also like a true golden retriever, he lets the kitty sleep on the soft dog beds I’ve placed around our house. If my older son’s dog comes to visit and tries to eat Hudson’s food, Hudson steps back and lets her have the first bite.
Our next kids’ dog book is all about dogs. It takes place in a town run by two dog-loving characters, Mayor Ally (based on Michael’s sister) and Assistant Mayor Vera (based on Michael’s surrogate grandma, an immigrant from Ukraine). In the book, every day is a different holiday honoring our tail wagging friends. The town has a dog-themed name. Vera and Ally rehabilitate residents who break the law or get out of line by ordering them to read to Lucy in the library. After that, the wayward residents often rush to the humane society to adopt a dog.
Email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com with questions or comments. Let us know if you’d like to do a Skype visit with your kids to chat about our writing adventure!
And don’t forget to watch our book trailer, which features puppy Hudson romping with 5-year-old Michael: