Writer Dobie Houson is here today and we’re
chatting about her non-fiction book, Devotion
– Humans and Their Four-Legged Soulmates.
Bio:
Dobie Houson is
an activist for animal rights, an animal communicator, and the award-winning
author of Finding Forever: The Dogs of Coastal German Shepherd Rescue and
Four-Legged Wisdom: Sacred Stories from an Animal Communicator.
An ardent
activist for animal rescue, Houson is founder and executive director of Finding
Forever, a foundation dedicated to raising money and awareness for animal
rescue causes through the arts.
A lifelong
animal lover, she has worked with dogs, cats, and horses. But it was her desire
to understand and connect with animals on a deeper, more meaningful level that
ultimately led her to study animal communication, including honing her
telepathic skills. She has trained with some of the country’s most respected
intuitive counselors and animal communicators and, today, is a sought-after
teacher and trainer herself.
A professional
communicator and prolific writer, Houson contributed to Why We Ride: Women
Writers on the Horses in Their Lives, a popular anthology edited by writer
and literary agent Verna Dreisbach.
When she’s
not working with animals, Houson serves as director of marketing research for
The Ken Blanchard Companies, a global consulting firm specializing in
leadership and talent development. Her research has been published in many
world-class academic journals.
Welcome, Dobie. Please tell us about
your current release.
Devotion celebrates the magical
connection between humans and their four-legged soulmates. Written
by an animal communicator, this beautiful and heartwarming collection of short
stories honors the love, courage, and unbreakable bonds these amazing partners
share as they navigate life. Anyone who has ever looked into the eyes of their
beloved animal companion and wondered what they were thinking will fall in love
with this book. The author, a passionate animal lover, donates a portion of all proceeds
to animal rescues and sanctuaries.
What inspired you to write this book?
I love
animals and I think they have so much to teach us. I also believe they assist
us in ways we never imagined. As an animal communicator, I’m often blown away
by their wisdom, honesty and humor. Devotion is my third book and I love
meeting new people and writing their stories. But my favorite part is handing
their story back to them to review and having them be so touched by what their
beloved pet has told me. And I love to give back so being able to animal
rescues and shelters who so desperately need funds feeds my soul.
What exciting story are you working on
next?
I’m starting
to connect with people and scout out stories for my next book which will be
similar to my last two – short stories about the amazing connections between
people and their pets.
When did you first consider yourself a
writer?
I’ve always
written. And I’ve always loved it. I remember when I was about 10 my dad asked
me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I responded that I wanted to be a
writer. He sort of laughed and said “You’ll never make money doing that.” And I
responded back, “Watch me.”
Do you write full-time? If so, what's
your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find
time to write?
By day, I’m
the Director of Marketing Research for The Ken Blanchard Companies. So I do
write in my day job but it’s skewed more toward white papers and ebooks and
infographics. My research team has won several awards for our academic level
papers. It’s a fast-paced place. Our founder is the author of The One Minute
Manager. I joined the organization right before the book found its way to
bestseller status.
When I’m
working on a book I write on the weekends. And once I publish a book I give
myself a few months off.
What would you say is your interesting
writing quirk?
Probably the
fact that I can talk to animals. But I’ve also got a keen sense of humor and
love to make people laugh. Often, I cry while I write because as the words flow
out of me, they touch my heart and soul.
As a child, what did you want to be when
you grew up?
A
writer.
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