Hello, friends. I’m so pleased to introduce today’s guest to Help from my Friends Friday. Throughout the years, Kathleen Donnelly has given many talks and helped authors who write K-9 novels get their facts straight. Now it’s our turn to welcome her into the published world. Please welcome Debut Author Kathleen Donnelly as she tells us how she got here and introduces us to CHASING JUSTICE. ~ Donnell
Working and Living With K-9s; When Real Life Inspires Fiction
by Kathleen Donnelly
Author Kathleen Donnelly & Sammy
In 2005 I received a job offer, to work for Sherlock Hounds Detection Canines as a K-9 handler. Sherlock Hounds is a private proactive program that deters the potential existence of drugs, alcohol & gunpowder in schools, businesses, and private homes using non-threatening detection canines. I didn’t realize that this career path would end up inspiring my writing and would help lend realism to my debut novel, Chasing Justice.
When I tell someone that I am a K-9 handler and work narcotics dogs, I get two responses. The first one is usually, “That’s so cool!” And yes, I must admit, it is an amazing job. The second response is, “Oh, your dog is so well trained!”
Well…yes and no. They are well trained for their jobs, but you can’t turn a working dog “off” at home. Living with a working dog is another story. To really understand, I have to tell you about my first dog, “Sammy.” She gave me a quick learning curve in the realities of living with a K-9.
Sammy and her handler, Kathleen Donnelly
Sammy was a rowdy black lab rescue that weighed in at around 55 pounds. She was high energy and loved her job. But to say she could be naughty at home was an understatement. Sammy taught me why working dogs have “house rules.” That really shouldn’t have been a surprise to me as I first met Sammy a few years before we partnered up. I took care of her as a pet sitter.
My first-time pet sitting Sammy, I came into my friend’s house and saw Sammy in her crate. Sweet brown eyes stared back at me. She twirled in a circle while I grabbed her collar and leash.
“Oh, you’re so cute,” I cooed to her. She responded with happy tail wags that made thumping noises on the side of the crate. “You poor thing, all locked up.”
I went over and opened the crate door. I swear she gave me a doggy grin that said, “Gotcha.”
Then Sammy squirted out the crate, dashed between my legs and bolted up the stairs where she proceeded to “check” the house as if she was working to find drugs. Or at least I’m sure that’s the excuse she was using when she knocked over the garbage, jumped on the couch and grabbed a toy that wasn’t hers before darting out the door into the yard. I managed to get her to come over to me and relinquish her illicit toy. I swear she winked at me. Okay, not really, but that was the expression on her face. I learned my lesson. I had to pay more attention when it came to caring for working dogs.
Sammy and her sweet brown eyes.
As time went on, Sammy and I bonded. I learned she had many tricks up her sleeve, but she was a fun-loving dog that lived for her toy. When I agreed to become a handler, I asked if Sammy could come home with me. That’s how she became my first official K-9.
Looking back, I now realize that Sammy treated me well since I was a rookie handler. She let my mistakes slide. Over the years, we made many busts and more importantly, she helped kids make better choices that lead to changing their lives. She was amazing to work. Although she enjoyed goofing around by doing things like rolling around on the floor to make the kids giggle, she would completely focus when the time came for her to do her job. However, when I took Sammy home, all bets were off. Her professionalism went out the door.
Some examples of things Sammy did at home before I enforced the working dog rules included eating an entire box of chocolates that I had bought for my husband for Valentine’s Day, (She didn’t even get sick!), drinking out of my husband’s milk glass when he wasn’t looking (So much for that down stay.) and grabbing food out of my hand as I went to eat it. Yes, as time went on, I understood why working dogs had different rules.
We encourage working dogs to think outside the box and to check in unusual places. Handlers train their dogs to open cabinets and drawers and jump up anywhere necessary for them to locate an odor. Sammy took her job seriously and she thought the job perks included using her skills at home to, in her mind, have fun. I quickly learned that if she was out of her crate, she had to be with me. I didn’t dare leave her alone. When Sammy retired, I of course kept her. She continued her naughty ways up to the ripe old age of 17.5. Sammy taught me so many lessons about being a handler and she prepared me for my future dogs.
There are many more stories about Sammy and the dogs I worked after her. Too many to write up here, but over the years, these stories simmered and when I decided I wanted to write a romantic suspense with a K-9 character, all my dogs played a part in developing “Juniper,” my fictional dog. And yes, there’s a lot of Sammy in Juniper.
I had no idea when I started work as a drug dog handler that I would end up taking what I learned and weaving it into a story, but I’m grateful for all the dogs who have given me inspiration and have given me their best every single day. I hope readers smile and laugh as they read Juniper’s antics—both working and at home. And know that yes, sometimes drug dogs do naughty things, but it’s all part of the fun and challenge of being a handler.
About the Book:
She thought she’d never trust again…
After losing her military K-9, former marine Maya Thompson swears she’ll never work with dogs again. But when she returns home to Colorado and accepts a job with US Forest Service law enforcement, fate brings K-9 Juniper into her life just as another tragedy unfolds.
Juniper, a beautiful two-year-old Malinois, isn’t the only new addition to Maya’s life. Josh Colten, the local deputy sheriff, insists on helping with her new case. Handsome and mysterious, he’s all anyone in town can talk about, but Maya can’t let herself like him, let alone trust him.
When Maya’s grandfather goes missing amid a growing drug war, Maya must put her faith in Josh, and her own battered instincts, to find him. But there’s a web of secrets tying her grandfather to the tragedy that brought Juniper into her life—secrets someone would kill to keep hidden.
About the Author: Award-winning author, Kathleen Donnelly is a handler for a private narcotics K-9 detection company. She enjoys using her experience to craft realism into her fictional stories. Kathleen loves the beauty of the mountains, which inspired her choice of setting for her series. She lives near the Colorado foothills with her husband and her four-legged co-workers. Visit Kathleen on her website at www.kathleendonnelly.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/AuthorKathleenDonnelly, follow her on Twitter @KatK9writer or find her on Instagram @authorkathleendonnelly. –
Wonderful post, Kathleen and Donnell. So interesting! Kathleen, I wish you all the best with your writing career. Chasing Justice is an awesome debut to a very exciting series. Can’t wait to read your next one!
Thanks, Margaret, I didn’t do anything, just posted a great author and friend. Kathleen is out working with the dogs, which leaves me to ask. What do you do when you need downtime? How do you have time to write, Kathleen?
Thank you so much for having me as a guest today, Donnell! I really had fun writing up this post and reminiscing about my Sammy. As far as downtime, I love to read and get away to the mountains where I enjoy photographing the scenery and wildlife. Time in the high country is always refreshing!
Making time to write can be difficult at times, but I love writing so much that I’ve figured out how to fit it into my schedule. Since the majority of my K-9 work is in schools, I am lucky to be on a school schedule. I usually get up early, around 4:30 am, and get my writing done before I work. That happens most days although my schedule does vary. For instance this morning, one of my schools had a group of seniors going on a senior trip. They asked that I come with a dog and check suitcases, backpacks, etc. They needed me there by 6 am, so I was up at 3 am, at the school by 6 am and now I’m back home. So I’ll write later this morning. I just plan ahead each month and set aside that writing time and then do my best to never give it up. 🙂
Hi Donnell,
For some reason this didn’t post. My apologies! But here’s the answer to your questions. 🙂
Thank you so much for having me as a guest today, Donnell! I really had fun writing up this post and reminiscing about my Sammy. As far as downtime, I love to read and get away to the mountains where I enjoy photographing the scenery and wildlife. Time in the high country is always refreshing!
Making time to write can be difficult at times, but I love writing so much that I’ve figured out how to fit it into my schedule. Since the majority of my K-9 work is in schools, I am lucky to be on a school schedule. I usually get up early, around 4:30 am, and get my writing done before I work. That happens most days although my schedule does vary. For instance this morning, one of my schools had a group of seniors going on a senior trip. They asked that I come with a dog and check suitcases, backpacks, etc. They needed me there by 6 am, so I was up at 3 am, at the school by 6 am and now I’m back home. So I’ll write later this morning. I just plan ahead each month and set aside that writing time and then do my best to never give it up. ?
It came through, and I appreciate you so much, Kathleen. Can’t wait to read Chasing Justice. Obviously, everyone is as intrigued as I am. Come back soon, ya hear? xo
Thanks so much, Margaret! I’m glad you found the post interesting and thank you for the good wishes and all the help along way as I worked towards publication. 🙂 Happy Friday!
Kathleen, don’t know if you saw my question for you. First, thank you for blogging with me. I’m excited to read Chasing Justice! When I emailed you this morning you said you were out working with the dogs. That made me curious. Do you ever have any downtime away from your job, and how do you find time to write (and do they have anything to say about it:))
Hi Donnell,
Thank you so much for having me as a guest today! I reposted my answer above. Hopefully it came through this time. If not, let me know. Thanks again! This is a ton of fun! 🙂
I’m downloading Chasing Justice now! Can’t wait to read about Jupiter’s antics and learn how the story unfolds. Kathleen is the real deal!
Hi Nanci, Hope you enjoy the Chasing Justice and all of Juniper’s quirks. 🙂 Thanks!
I love reading about your experiences and am sharing this link with a friend who did search and rescue work with dogs.
Hi Vicki, I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this and thanks for sharing the link! I’m fascinated by search and rescue work. I’d love to try that someday. Hope your friend enjoys the blog post. 🙂
Hi Kathleen! I love this Sammy story, and hope to read more. In the meanwhile, I’ll have to read your new novel to get started. 🙂
Hi Francelia, I’m so happy you enjoyed Sammy’s story. She has many more. I should start writing them down. 🙂 Thanks so much!
Love this, Kathleen! So looking forward to the fantastic read! 🙂
Hi Rhonda, Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the story and hope you’re doing well! 🙂
I loved the post, Kathleen. Thanks, Donnell, for hosting Kathleen. It’s fun to learn some of the stories behind a new book.
Hi Pat, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. It was fun to remember what a handful Sammy was, but such a sweet girl. Thanks so much! 🙂
Thank you for this great post. It’s wonderful to read about Sammy and her antics. Kathleen, you know how much I love your debut novel–it’s wonderful! I also want to say thank you for the work you do–keeping drugs out of school is truly a matter of life and death.
Hi Barbara, I’m so happy you enjoyed the post and reading about Sammy. I’m thrilled you enjoyed Chasing Justice too! Also, thank you for the kind words about the work I do with Sherlock Hounds. I always hope we can help kids make better choices and maybe change the course of their lives. The dogs are amazing at connecting with the kids, even after busting them. Thanks again for reading the post today! 🙂
A really fun interview and timely for me. I just started a mystery with the K-9 as a central character. Thanks, Donnell for hosting and Kathleen for your wonderful post.