Given the skills, would Snowball write like him, too?
According to ASPCA, every dog has a canine-ality, the way we humans have personalities. They’ve even established assessment criteria to help you determine your best pooch match.
Of the many special dogs I’ve had in my life, a few top the charts. Each one relates to a writing personality, in my humble non-professional opinion. Keeping in mind that I’m not a psychologist—i.e., I may be way off!—which one sounds like you? (FYI, dog comparisons are huge compliments in my book. You’re welcome!!! ;))
Nikki: The Savvy Spaniel
I fell in love with dogs because of Nikki. In her illustrious 13 years, she fulfilled her role as family dog—playing, exercising and tending to her humans—to a tee. When she had puppies, though, nothing came before them. She was a loving caregiver, through and through.
Nikki reminds me of you writers who wear multiple hats—parent, teacher, student, full-time day gigger, blogger, novelist. (The list goes on…) You’re a natural teacher, giver and friend. If you have a downside, it’s your tendency to please others before and more so than yourself. Lucky for all of us, your compassionate, loving nature radiates in your work, and you pass your creativity and stories on to others.
Eunice: The Tenacious Trooper
My friends, Tom and Heidi, lovingly took Eunice in after she was injured and abandoned. Though she was already upward in years and her back legs no longer worked, she was one of the happiest, sweetest dogs I’ve encountered. A lover of all-things-edible, this beagle could hunt down and snatch up any morsel in the neighborhood—no matter how much time or effort it took.
If you are a tenacious trooper, you pursue your creative goals with fierce determination. You plod along slowly, but smartly; every step counts and rushing seems impossible. You see the challenges life throws your way as opportunities and never, ever give up. You have a hearty appetite for life and take time to enjoy the sunshine. Though you may feel that accomplishments seldom come easy, Eunice’s legacy is proof that your work will pay off.
Zoe: The Determined Dasher
Some might call Zoe my furry other half. She’s about that big. When I first adopted her, she’d sprint after squirrels at the park, only to leave me “skiing” behind her. (Picture a waterskier on dirt, and a dog in place of the boat.) She’s determined, passionate and fast—when she wants to be. When she doesn’t, it’d be easier to sway a concrete wall. Much like her owner *clears throat* accomplishing feats she’s disinterested in takes discipline and reinforcement. (Yep, I’m totally buying new jeans once I finish my taxes…)
If you’re a determined dasher, you pursue your goals with gusto supreme. You enter writing furies and could stay there for weeks on end. When faced with a deadline, you meet it, probably early. Without some discipline, your passionate nature could cause you pain, and patience doesn’t come easy. That same passionate, go-getter attitude keeps you moving forward and opens doors. As long as you guide with logic and remind yourself to take breaks, you do just fine.
So I’m dying to know. Does a particular pooch resonate with you? If not, what pet or animal matches your creative style?
Speaking of dogs, a quick shout out to author/blogger/animal behavior extraordinaire, Amy Shojai who landed a publishing deal for her thriller, Lost and Found. CONGRATS, AMY! Check out her fantastic blog here.
As the crazy dog lady, I really love this post. Me? I’m Dasher, no question.
I could have guessed that, Prudence!
I’m definitely in the Savvy Spaniel camp! My first (canine) love was a Brittany Spaniel, and our canine/personalities complemented each other perfectly.
Aren’t spaniels fantastic? Ours was a Springer.
We adopted our last few animals from shelters.
I wrote a poem about the experience. Thank you August for sharing this.
http://fiercebuddhist.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/death-row/
Touching poem! Adoption and rescue are fantastic ways to go. In many ways, it seems the animals “rescue” us.
love dogs
I’m a Savvy Spaniel, with a dash of Determined Dasher.
Given that my real puppy is a mix of boxer and pug (and possibly chihuahua) that seems appropriate.
LOL! I love it. Appropriate indeed, Amber!
Love this post, August! It is so true that people look like their pets, too. Here in Venice, the average age is 78 and I’m surrounded by fluffy white dogs…lol. Okay, I’d have to say the multiple hat spaniel would be me. What a lovely group of dogs you got to grow up with!
Hi Shannon! I thought of you and Abbey with this one. Hilarious about the fluffy whites… LOL
Oh, that explains why I’ve started growing a tail. (Or is that tale?)
Ha! I suspect you’re cultivating both.
My first dog was a Yellow Lab that was a great teacher to me.
Then I had a stray that looked like a miniature German Shepard with a curved tail that was a busy bee, goofball, and life of the party.
Skip a few to Bloodhounds and now a Jack Russell Terrier that both have the last trait of being Free Spirits. No breed has impressed me so much as the Bloodhound. I can see why they have been the breed of Royalty down through the years. Very loyal once they bond to you though it may take some time.
I recently added bloodhounds to my novel. Fantastic animals! As are all dogs.
A great addition!
Our bichon has human eyes. She has whites and irises just like ours! I swear she can see right through me and can read my mind…..
Amazing. I wouldn’t put it past her!
Savvy spaniel here!
Fun post August!
Hmmm, is there a pooch who’s creative style is mired in self-doubt? A basset hound, perhaps? Then I guess that’s me.
Fun post!
Aw… My sister fostered a basset named Rudy for a while. Adorable!
I bet you doubt yourself lots more than others do.
I think I must be the Tenacious Trooper… I like rescue dogs anyway.
My first couple of dogs were mutts and I adored them. They disappeared when I was visiting friends for the night. Hmm. My last dog was a Dane. Loved her, After she had to be put down for illnesses that were killing her I couldn’t bring myself to get another dog. I haven’t given dogs a lot of thought since that loss, but for the purpose of this post I would say I am between The Tenacious Trooper and The Determined Dasher. I bounce back and forth, depending on what the family duties will allow.
Hmm… Tenacious Dasher perhaps? Sounds like you, Debra, in great ways.
Love all these doggies! I’m the spaniel, even though I could use more dasher and trooper in my life. My doggie is an almost 17 year old Blue Healer. She is fiercely loayl, stubborn, smarter then most humans, and hardworking. Not so much me, but very much like my husband:)
Where is the loopy yellow lab? The one who proudly pounces around with a new treasure (tree limb longer than she is). Loyal to a fault? Persistent. Confident in her voice. Laughably clumsy? Stands on her head for butt rubs?
That would be me. And, my dog. Except for that last sentence. I don’t do that.
Honest.
Ha! Okay. Loopy Yellow Lab has been officially added to the pack.
I think I’m a mix of all of those, what a fun post!
Awwwww…fabulous post August! I love it! Ahhhhh dogs. I definitely take after the spaniel (have always wanted one). My little NS Duck Toller keeps me hopping and happy….
If I have a match it should be The Tenacious Trooper My black Lab keeps me company while writing which is where I’m headed next.
I LOVE dogs! I’d be a Savvy Spaniel, with maybe a bit of the Tenacious Trooper mixed in
Fun post, August!
What a great post! And thanks so much for the shout out. I’m not sure which doggy personality type best mirrors mine, there are “kibbles and bits” of each, I think. *s*
I had a dog named Oz that was really funny and fun but a total wuss and sort of odd. He was like the Woody Allen of dogs.
“A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of” Ogden Nash. Sorry, I wanted to post a quote about dogs, but all I could think of was this one about a door.
Ha. Thanks for the laugh!!
Hmmm, I’m more of a cat person myself. But I’d have to go with savvy spaniel. In fact, my earliest memories include Sandy, a gorgeous ginger cocker spaniel, and our first family pet.
Fabulous post! I think I must be a mix…which I guess makes sense as my best fur-babies have been mutts, LOL. And I think your Zoe must be related to my Roxy
I am a mix of all of those….a veritable mongrel, that’s me. =)
I read this last night while watching TV and it had me in stitches. I’m such a Savvy Spaniel! Oh, how I wish I could be more like your Zoe, but nope. Spaniel it is. What a fun post!
Hmm… Perhaps the fur is always sweeter on the other dog? (It made sense in my head. LOL)
Funny, there’s a lot of Spaniels in this group! And I’m right there along with them.
I’m a determined dasher. I always beat my own deadlines. I forget to eat, don’t shower, and skip some essential activities to finish my task.
Fun post august. I am definitely a determined dasher. yep that’s me – even if it takes forever.
What a great post! Only you would be able to link canine personalities with writers, August! Not sure which doggie I am though, they all resonate with me! Lol. Though I am liking the Tenacious Trooper a lot…
Maybe you’re an entire pack!
I’m that annoying dog next door that just barks and barks and barks and barks until you want to kill yourself.
Oh wait, that is the dog next door.
Tenacious Trooper without a doubt or an apology, although I admit to learning life from my beagles, including Zen. Who else but a beagle?
Great post, August!
Karen
I’m probably a combination of all three, really. I’ll pursue a goal like crazy, love to play, multi-task, and throw in undiagnosed ADD!
We now have a mini-Australian Shepherd puppy (7 months old). He’s a shy, energetic sweetheart.
Well I guess I’d have to say I’m most like Eunice although my legs still work most of the time and I’ve never worn plastic Easter eggs. (Well there was that one time in the hot tub, but we won’t go there.)
Me and Eunice, give us enough time and rope and we’ll make you a big ole knot that’ll never come untied!
Interesting way to compare writing styles, too.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Adorable post! I’m definitely a combo of Zoe and Nikki
I love this blog post! I always wanted to have a dog but due to momentary circumstances I cannot have one. My sister does have four and whenever I’m with her I enjoy being around her dogs! I rescued two cats and love them. I like your writing!!