Waggleview® with Helene Cohen Bludman, freelance writer and blogger

 

The Dog Owner:

Helene Cohen Bludman, freelance writer and blogger. My career was in marketing and communications, and three years ago I left to become a full-time writer. I blog at Books is Wonderful where I recommend books I love. I also write about midlife, parenting adult children, cooking and baking, and of course my beloved pets.

I contribute to Huffington Post, Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop, What the Flicka, Lilith, Midlife Boulevard, and more.

I love historical fiction and my novel-in-progress takes place at the turn of the 20th century.

Dog type and Name: There are two: Max and Wyatt. Both mixed breeds.

Q: If your dogs could read…

What type of books would your dogs read?

Max would read The Little House on the Prairie because he would love to run up and down those hills with lots of children.

Wyatt would read anything by Dave Barry because he loves to laugh.

Q: Why did you choose these dogs?

Max came first. We had lost our beloved Duncan just weeks before Max came into our life. Although I wasn’t sure it was the right time to get another dog, the signs were there that Max was meant to be with us. I saw his profile online. He and a few other puppies were coming to an adoption fair near our house that weekend. My husband and I thought we would go, and Max ran right up to me and licked my hand. He came home with us that day.

A few weeks later I saw a post in a Facebook group I’m a member of. There was a picture of Wyatt, a pitbull and terrier mix, with a sad story. The good news was that he was now in foster care and needed a forever home. I had never considered getting a pitbull before. Truthfully, I thought they were violent, vicious dogs. But Wyatt’s foster parents brought him to our house so we could meet him, and his cheerful, affectionate personality won us over immediately.

Max was happy to have a playmate and now we are so glad to have two dogs in the house.

Q: Do you talk to your dogs? If so, what do you talk about?

With Duncan, I felt like we could have a conversation and he would totally understand what I was saying. He knew so many words. Since Max and Wyatt are still puppies, their vocabulary is pretty small, but they understand the different tones of my voice for sure. Mostly when I talk to them I try to get them to wag their tails.

Q: If they could talk to you, what would they say?

Max would say, “Take me to the dog park.” Wyatt would say, “Let’s cuddle for a while.”

Q: If your dogs had a job or career, what would they be doing?

Max is an introvert so I think he would be a web designer or something he could do alone. Wyatt is a charmer and I see him giving TED talks about reaching your potential.

Q: What lesson in life have your dogs taught you?

I think they both have taught me about second chances and resiliency. Both are rescues and had terrible beginnings. Some dogs unfortunately carry that baggage forever, but luckily my two have responded to love and attention and are very well adjusted.

Q: How do your dogs inspire you?

Kind of related to the above, I am inspired by their tenacity and capacity to love.

Q: Where is your dogs’ favorite place to go with you?

We have recently introduced the dogs to the beach, and they love it. They race along the shoreline and get a great workout. Neither one is fond of swimming, however.

Q: Who or what do your dogs find the most interesting?

Max is entranced by golf-size balls. He can entertain himself for quite a while with them. Wyatt has an obsession with paper. He will chew on any piece of paper lying on the floor, and he also thinks it’s funny to grab toilet paper and run it through the house.

Q: What is the most annoying thing other dog owners do?

I’ve recently become irritated by dog owners who insist their dogs get to know your dogs when we’re out walking. Max is fearful of other dogs and therefore gets his hackles up. Wyatt is friendly toward other dogs, but still I am leery of letting them approach strange dogs because you never know when things can turn.

Q: What does being a responsible dog owner mean to you?

Making sure my dogs are happy and well cared for. It is just like having children.

Q: Do you ever dress up your dogs? If so, as what?

Haven’t done that yet, but I’m not ruling it out.

Q: How have your dogs changed your life?

I can’t imagine not having a dog. They add so much to my life. Their companionship, devotion and love are just indescribable.

Q: Do your dogs have a philosophy of life?

Max’s would be “Work hard, play hard.” Wyatt’s would be “Love the one you’re with.”

Q: I love my dogs because they are cherished members of my family.

Q: Have you ever made dog treats for your dogs? If so, please share your recipe.

I haven’t done it yet, but I just saved a recipe for dog popsicles.

 

WAGGLEVIEW®: These interviews are focused on leaders in business, the arts, the community, or at home. My hope in doing this is to present remarkable and respected people in their community with their beloved pets. Who can resist reading about pets and what these people do? This is a platform for people to display their talents; their own business, a new book, a deeply loved passion for a charity or their own job. It also shows their love for their pet!

Thank you Helene for taking the time to participate in the Waggleview®.

If your dogs could read, what type of book would they be reading?

Please comment below.

                              

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To read some other waggleviews, please check out this one with author Lee Gaitan or blogger Allison Hill.

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