Jesse Freidin, Lili Chin and Dr. Marty Goldstein all had dog-related careers that taught them the importance of the bond between a dog and its owner. They took advantage of this knowledge and found a way to share it with others through books.
Dog photographer with a good cause
In his work as a dog photographer, Jesse Freidin focuses on the connection between dog and human.
As a dog photographer, Jesse Freidin was able to share powerful stories about the connection between dogs and humans. He has turned his passions – photography and dogs – into a profession.
His style is unique in that he doesn’t just focus his lens on the pup. Its goal is to capture the unconditional love of a dog and its owner. Because his work is so intimate, he often stays in touch with his clients.
Dr. Robert Garofalo and his dog Fred were one of Jesse’s subjects. When both men were in Los Angeles, they met. Rob shared something with Jesse that he was emotionally incapable of earlier in their friendship. He had HIV. During their photo session, Jesse had realized that Rob and Fred had a strong bond, and now he knew why. Fred had helped lift Rob out of the depression that caused his diagnosis.
The two men spent the next seven years searching for dog owners who had HIV, and credited their pup with their joy and survival. The duo managed to find a diverse group of people willing to share their stories. Jesse had already self-published a few books and then went over to a book agent who asked what else Jesse could put together. Jesse and Rob had already turned their work into a multi-city exhibition, so why not a book? Jesse’s book agent got to work and found a publisher. When Dogs Heal: Powerful Stories From People Living With HIV and the Dogs Who Saved Them appeared in March this year. It’s a lovely collaboration that focuses on what is most important to Jesse: that by loving our dogs we learn to love ourselves.
Illustrations to help with behavior problems
What started as drawings of Lili Chin’s dog Boogie became a textbook to help other dog parents.
Lili Chin had groomed Boston Terriers for the Southern California dog rescue group Boston Buddies and had proven to herself that she could own a puppy. That’s when boogie came into her life.
Boogie wasn’t just Lili’s partner – he also became her muse. Lili started to draw dogs, more precisely her dog. Illustrated Boogie enjoys all kinds of activities over the years and is easily recognized by its signature blue eye.
To address some of Boogie’s behavior problems, Lili studied canine behavior and positive reinforcement training. The list of specialists she’s worked with reads like a who’s who of modern dog behavior and science.
One of Lili’s educational posters, Doggie Language Starring Boogie the Boston Terrier, found its way into the hands of British publishing group Summersdale Publishers, which believed it would make a great gift book. The publisher approached her twice, and the second time she agreed. Although Boogie makes an appearance in the book (it’s dedicated to him), the author and publisher found it useful to feature a number of different breeds of dogs.
The result of their hard work and passion is Doggie Language – A Doggie’s Guide to Understanding Your Best Friend, available in the US, UK, and Canada. Your publisher has announced that due to its popularity, it will be printed in Dutch, Finnish, Spanish and Traditional Chinese this year. It has received rave reviews and is touted as a visual guide to understanding the subtle cues and behaviors used by dogs to try to express their feelings.
A veterinarian ahead of its time
His own health problems enabled Dr. Marty Goldstein, Making Advances In Dog Health.
Dr. Marty Goldstein was a practicing veterinarian when he started having his own health problems. In search of something that would help him, he came across Traditional Chinese Medicine. The methods he learned improved his own health dramatically, and he decided it made perfect sense for his canine patients to deal with them. In the 1970s he became one of the first veterinarians to become a holistic veterinarian.
Ahead of his time, he was doomed by his profession, but people sought him out and traveled from everywhere to help their dying animals. Working on terminally ill pets 18 hours a day, he saw an skyrocketing number of cancer diagnoses that traditional veterinary methods couldn’t help. He proved himself time and time again and finally the industry caught up. Now, new scientific findings support the treatment methods of Dr. Goldstein.
He was driven by what he calls his favorite topic: the spiritual connection between dog and owner. His first book was supposed to help reach more people than his individual practice would allow.
Dr. Goldstein retired after 47 years as a practicing veterinarian. He is still actively working to bring the idea of integrative medicine to as many pet owners as possible. His latest book, The Spirit of Animal Healing: An Integrative Medicine Guide to a Higher State of Well-Being, continues his life goal of making a great impact on this planet for the two- and four-legged friends.
Books for children
PJ Gardner is the author of the mid-range animal series Horace & Bunwinkle. When she thought of the qualities of her main character Horace Homer Higgins III, all she had to do was look at her family’s Boston Terrier, Rosie. Reading about the adventures of the puppy Horace and his pig friend Bunwinkle gives you a good understanding of what PJ thinks would happen if Rosie fell into the same adventures.
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You may be wondering if your adorable pooch could have a feature in her own book. PJ suggests that you ask yourself the following questions:
- Does your dog make adorable faces?
- Does your dog have funny, weird traits?
- Does your dog belong to the family?
- Can your dog make you feel safe and / or loved?
- Do you have a special voice that you use to speak for your dog?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then your dog should definitely be a character in a book. Now all you have to do is write it!
