Since I'm about to have my first book published, I thought it would be a good time to start up some conversation about how I got to this point.

My first dog as an adult was an Aussie which we named Codi Blu. She was 12 weeks of blue, copper and white fuzz. She was the last of her litter.

Codi was everything puppy and energy. I was in love, every bit as much as love can be, but it didn't seem to to both ways. Codi certinly was willing to spend time with me, love to learn, but was a lot of puppy for a first-time puppy mom.