Greg Kincaid at home with his dogs
Editor's note: Greg Kincaid's first novel, A Dog Named Christmas, hit shelves on Tuesday. The book tells the story of a special young man who inspires his entire town to take in dogs from the local shelter.Greg lives on a farm in East Kansas with his wife, Michale Ann. He and his family had always taken in stray dogs who "found them," but after writing the book, Greg was inspired to adopt from a shelter. He will be blogging here each week about his search (on Petfinder, of course!) for the perfect dog.
This fall, Christmas came early. On my wish list was launching my new book, A Dog Named Christmas, finding a good truck and, finally, settling on the perfect dog to go into it.
In October, I finally found the right truck. It's a real beauty -- a 1982 Ford F-250 with only 80,000 miles. The search took me several months, but the book was worse: That was about nine years from start to finish. The effort that went into the truck and book were significant, but picking the right dog ... I had no idea! It was quite a journey, but I can't remember when I've had more fun.
To research A Dog Named Christmas, I had the privilege of visiting shelters and meeting some of the most amazing people -- many of whom have made it their life's task to care for creatures who want nothing more than a home, a place where they belong. Before I wrote this book, I had never been inside a shelter. In my mind, it would have been too painful. Like most of us, it was easier to pretend that the problem didn't exist and, even if it did, it wasn't really my problem. Frankly, like some of the characters in my book, I was carrying around a flawed perspective.
I learned something important in my visits.
I no longer see shelters as sad institutions filled with poor
pets who need to be rescued. Shelters are filled with brave animals
ready to step into our lives and enrich and empower us in ways we may
not have imagined. I'm not sure it even makes sense to talk about
"rescuing" when -- as many times as not -- they're the ones heaving the
lifelines in our direction. However much we give to these pets, they
give back twice as much. So really, isn't the rescuing mutual?
After I finished the book, I had this vague sense that my muse was trying to tell me something: I needed rescuing!
Surely in all the shelters I'd visited, there had to be at least one dog up to the task. Admittedly, it was going to take a special dog to care for me. Apparently, I have issues. I don't always mind and my wife insists that I need to kept on a very short leash. I've spent plenty of nights in crate training with the hope that my messes might be confined or eliminated. It really hasn't worked all that well.
I knew it was going to take a long and hard search to find a dog up the task of rescuing me. In my mind, the size of the project dictated one big dog. While I was searching for the perfect truck, I started to also frame in my mind exactly what it was going to require to save me. Over the next several weeks, I'm going to share with you how I got to a dog fully up to the task.
After I finished the book, I had this vague sense that my muse was trying to tell me something: I needed rescuing!
Surely in all the shelters I'd visited, there had to be at least one dog up to the task. Admittedly, it was going to take a special dog to care for me. Apparently, I have issues. I don't always mind and my wife insists that I need to kept on a very short leash. I've spent plenty of nights in crate training with the hope that my messes might be confined or eliminated. It really hasn't worked all that well.
I knew it was going to take a long and hard search to find a dog up the task of rescuing me. In my mind, the size of the project dictated one big dog. While I was searching for the perfect truck, I started to also frame in my mind exactly what it was going to require to save me. Over the next several weeks, I'm going to share with you how I got to a dog fully up to the task.
I just finished listening to the book on CD and I loved it. Our family in the last 2 years has adopted 2 dogs (lhasa apso/cairn terrier & yorkie/poodle) & 2 cats (siamese/cornish rex). What a pleasure to have these animals in our lives. Yes, I stumbled across some shelters that set standards so high I could never have met them. But there are many shelters out there that are not this way and will work with the family to obtain the pet that seems best for their family/home/etc. I found that the breed specific shelters are the pickiest & hardest to meet their requirements. Where as shelters that take in any breed, mutt, dog, cat, rabbit, snake, etc. are willing to work with you. There is a an adoptable pet for any one that is willing and able to give the love and care it deserves. Do not be turned off and stop searching if you run into difficult shelters. Keep searching as I did, you will find your forever pet. I am looking forward to my retirement years as I will get involved with fostering and/or will be adopting more pets. Thank you for a wonderful story. The Thier Family.
My experience with dog rescues has been horrid. The rules and regulations have gotten ridiculous. I applied for an '"inside" dog according to the rescues terms and was told I could not adopt because I did not have a fence and dog liked to be outside 10-12 hours a day. So are they inside or outside dogs? It appears these rescues do not want to adopt out their dogs as no home is perfect. I do not think these groups would even qualify Pres. elect Obama. I did my research and found the perfect dog, unfortunately the Humane Society, which is easier to adopt from, has none, so I am now forced to go to a breeder which I did not want.
I think the rescue groups need to take a hard look at their policies. I do understand there are some bad people out there, but most of us just want to love a dog and have taken the time to research a specific dog.
I purchased your book this morning and finished reading it about 2:30 PM this afternoon. What a great book! I am going to reread it again right away, something I only do for really good books.
My husband and I have fostered 2 dogs this year so far. One was a great success and is now in his forever home. The 2nd one was a challenge and we were not quite so successful but we did get him much healthier before he moved on to another foster home.
May many people and dogs be blessed by the wonderful idea in your book. We were!
Lisa,
Believe it or not, I have not yet had time to listen to the tape. It was released in England a couple of weeks ago and several listners really enjoyed it. I can't wait to hear it. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Today a lady told me that she was so impressed by the rescue theme in the book that she cancelled her decison to breed her dog and decided instead to tell potential puppy buyers to go the shelter! I think this little book will save some lives for our animal friends and enrich ours at the same time. Thanks again for your kind words. If you would like an autographed copy of the book, please send along with return postage to:
Greg Kincaid
32455 W. 135th Street
Olathe, Ks. 66061.
Greg Kincaid.
Dear Mr. Kincaid, I listened to your book on tape as I was diving across country to pick up a rescue dog from kansas. I cried with happy tears. It is a lovely book. My daughter is now listening to it. I have three rescue dogs that mean the world to me. I don't know how I could live without the humor they bring to my life. Dogs have so much to teach us. I often use them as examples when discussing various life situations with my kids. I look forward to your next book. I hope you have found that perfect dog, or he/she has found you. We should all have a dog's love.
Kathy,
Thanks so much for your nice feedback on my book! I really appreciate it. It's nice to know that readers are having as much fun reading it as I did writing it!
Greg Kincaid,
I just finished your book, Greg, & I absolutely loved it! I read it in two days! It's the best pet book I've ever read!!! Keep writing!
I have written several short stories about my pets! We own 2 wonderful dogs & a cat. (Roxie, Sandy, & Stubby)
And, yes Bern, to be sure, "A Dog Named Christmas" has a happy ending!!
We got a Sheltie who had been left all alone in his home for days and he has been the best boy.
Suzy is soooo cute.
You'll just have to read it to find out! But I will tell you that we at Petfinder like the book for its strong pro-adoption message. Also, on the jacket flap of the book, you'll find a message to look on Petfinder.com to find adoptable pets near you! :)
Kudos! Looking forward to hearing more. At the risk of spoiling a surprise, does the book have a happy ending?