Here’s what they’re saying about Bridging Species
Winner: 2010 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award, Dog Writers Association of America
Holiday Top Picks List, Spirited Woman newsletter
“Anyone who has loved a dog knows a special secret: They adopt/foster/teach us, not the other way round. (In fact, it often seems our dogs are winking at us when we try to be “master, ” don’t you think?)
In her gently stimulating book, Bridging Species: Thoughts and Tales About Our Lives with Dogs, Robyn Fritz strikes a rare and delightful chord that makes the symbiotic bond we share with our “fur-kids” ring especially true.
Robyn’s piquant insight into truly “bridging” with our pets is an uncommon gift, one we as animal lovers are fortunate to have available to us.
Combine this ability with a witty-yet-wise talent for communicating her understanding of the ancient arch spanning our two species, and one has little wonder why the Dog Writers Association of America bestowed Robyn’s work with the coveted Merial Human-Animal Bond Award in 2010.
We can’t imagine a more appropriate honor.”
“I was delighted to have the opportunity to read Robyn Fritz’s new book, finding myself at times laughing aloud and other times wiping away tears. Robyn’s wit, humor and deep connection to the animal kingdom exhibits a level of ‘knowing’ and ‘getting it’ that is seldom expressed through the written word. It was a pleasure to have her join me in a special “Everything Animal” segment on The Catherine Bradford Show and I’m hoping we can continue our conversation about the importance of Bridging Species on a future show!”
“Brilliantly witty, interesting and inviting, Bridging Species is a refreshing reminder of how we connect with our animal companions and them with us. Weaving the reader through anecdotes, Robyn Fritz captures life with her pack, reminding us how animals enlighten, educate and deeply enrich our walk with them through life. A fun loving read!”
Rachael Millikan, Beyond Barking Animal Communication
“A wickedly entertaining and unexpectedly poignant read that will never make you see your pet the same way again.”
Seattle reader
“Robyn captures our thoughts and feelings about our furry family members. The stories and accounts are funny and heart felt. Bridging Species is a book we all can relate to.”
Tim Link, Animal Communicator and Author of Wagging Tails and Radio Show Host, The Tim Link Show, All Paws Pet Talk Radio
“Finally, here is someone who isn’t trying to “humanize” me and my furry, four-legged friends! This author understands that dogs like me (along with the occasional cat) have much to teach humans about curiosity, resilience, gratitude and grace. Bridging Species will expand your thinking about the human-animal bond and help you create a new way of living and working with dogs.”
Bella the Boxer, Author of Secrets of a Working Dog: Unleash Your Potential and Create Success
“It’s enjoyable when a book about love between animals and their humans is sprinkled with humor and wit, with a dash of smart-aleck attitude; like cream, it rises to the top. If one considers that others, who do not currently look at their animals as family members, may take pause and consider what they’re missing if they read it, the book takes on gem-status…. I think you’ll want Bridging Species on your own bookshelf, but buy two—you’ll undoubtedly want to share it with others without giving up your own copy.”
Royal Spaniels magazine, Spring 2011
Acknowledgments: Thanks to the People Who Helped Me
The hardest book I’ve ever done? Publish my own book.
No kidding. Not even the analytical, skeptical, intuitive, optimistic cynic in me saw that one coming.
In all the years I’ve written and worked with other authors, nurtured them through the writing and publishing process, never have I had so much trouble! I astonished myself with the insecurities, self-doubts, indecisions, and writing quandaries that I routinely help other people through. I laughed at myself and couldn’t help it. I learned, again, why it’s so important to get competent outside help to develop and publish your book, whether you’re going the solo indie route or shopping it to an editor or agent.
I guess you call it living the process.
I was smart enough to hire the best designer out there: Robert Lanphear of Lanphear Design. Several years ago Bob had graciously agreed to work with me on a complex technical marketing book, and I’d promised him an art book some day. What he got was an idea for my book: a collection of essays and comic stories about how I created a family with my dogs (and cat), a small book that people could give as gifts. Bob helped me create a book that was beautiful. It it mattered.
I was also smart enough to hire a wonderful photographer, Mary Van De Ven, who is also a massage therapist and Reiki master. Mary and I actually met in Reiki class, and have become good friends. After Bob refused to let me do my book cover the way I thought it should be done I hired Mary to conduct a new photo shoot, an exhausting 5-hour process (you try to get a cat to pose politely with two dogs) that ended with me and the dogs at the beach, pretty much how Bob and I had discussed it.
Way too late I decided that I should have hired someone to go behind me and catch my mistakes. A seasoned editor, I knew better than to copyedit and proofread my book myself. So after it was printed and I noticed a glaring error, I hired Laurel Robinson to do that. She found things that made me blush. The corrections will be in future e-books. You can find her at Laurel Robinson Editorial Services.
So here’s a public thanks to Bob and Mary and Laurel for helping making my dream come true. And for the one thing no writer would ever dream of and absolutely needs: a cover that sells the book all by itself. And those T’s crossed.
© 2011 Robyn M Fritz
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