pet connection

When I wrote my first book, “Dogs For Dummies,” more than a decade ago, I did it on my own, with veterinarians and trainers to review it and make suggestions for changes. But because the only name on the cover was mine, the book was written in personal style. Friends said when they read it they could hear my voice in their head.

I’m not sure if that was a good thing or bad thing.

The 10 books since “Dogs For Dummies” have all had veterinary co-authors — renowned veterinary cardiologist and VIN founder Dr. Paul Pion on “Cats For Dummies,” the incredible avian specialist Dr. Brian Speer on “Birds For Dummies,” and of course, my writing partner, “Good Morning America” veterinary correspondent Dr. Marty Becker on the eight books we’ve written since … uh … 2006 (no wonder I’m tired!), with various other co-authors, including Dr. Becker’s daughter, Mikkel. Since 2007, Dr. Becker and I have also collaborated on the syndicated pet page for newspapers as well, along with an even larger team that includes co-blogger Christie Keith, behaviorists Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp and DogCars.com editor Keith Turner.

All of which means my outlets for boring readers with the details of my life have become rather limited. Hence, I blog.

But sometimes I get the opportunity to share my life with the newspaper readers, and today I’ll be starting on one of those stories. Morgan Ong, the Pet Connection’s director of photography, is coming over today to shoot my chickens — with a camera, of course.

Backyard chickens are booming, and so I’ll be writing about them for the newspapers. I’ll be hooking up with my “Birds For Dummies” co-author Dr. Brian Speer for some avian expertise. In addition to his academic props — he’s one of only a handful of veterinarians certified in avian specialty care in the U.S. and Europe — Brian has shared his life with just about every bird you can imagine, from turkeys and chickens to parrots and raptors to ostriches and emus.

I love writing about pets, but some assignments are more fun than others, and this is definitely one of those.

My chickens are ready for their 15 minutes of fame. Maybe more, if I ever connect with the public radio reporter who has been trading voicemail with me for a week.

Yeah, I love my job.

Elsewhere: Police in the U.K. are now expected to be “sensitive” when turning police K-9s loose on suspects who may be afraid of or allergic to dogs. I’m with Therese on this one: If you’re afraid of or allergic to dogs, don’t commit crimes and you won’t have a problem with police dogs. … and while you’re at Therese’s blog, post a note of encouragement for her dog Lydia, who has cancer.