My Writing Mascots: How My dogs Keep Me Sane
Writing is often a solitary endeavor, filled with long hours of staring at a screen, battling plot holes, and occasionally arguing with characters in my head. But in my world, I’m never truly alone. My dogs, Willow and Zoey, have made sure of that. They are my writing mascots, my constant companions, and sometimes, my biggest distractions (in the best way possible).
Meet The Mascots
Zoey
Zoey is a 10-year-old, 35-pound mystery mix who looks like a mini Doberman. She came into my life because her previous owners couldn’t handle her boundless energy. My mom dubbed her “Zoe-nado,” and even though age has mellowed her out somewhat, the tornado still emerges the second she steps outside. She’s bossy, opinionated, and fiercely protective of me. She also hoards toys like a dragon guarding treasure and somehow always knows when I need emotional support.
Willow
Willow is a two-year-old Belgian Malinois, the definition of a “velcro dog.” She is glued to my side at all times, making sure I don’t get too lost in my fictional worlds. She’s also ridiculously smart—so smart, in fact, that I’m pretty sure she understands everything I say and just selectively chooses when to listen. (A skill I respect but do not always appreciate.)
Writing with Willow and Zoey
When I’m deep in a writing session, you’ll usually find at least one—if not both—of them curled up under my desk on a pile of fuzzy blankets. They provide emotional support, occasional comic relief, and a built-in excuse to get up and stretch (because Willow absolutely will not let me sit for too long).
Their presence has even inspired my stories. My character Ira is a mix between Zoey and my late dog, Hope—a German Shepherd-Husky mix who was the happiest, most affectionate dog I’ve ever known. Hope had a way of smiling like she was part human, and she’d physically grab my hand with her paw if I ever dared stop petting her. I have plenty of pictures of her wedging herself under my arm while I tried to write, demanding attention.
The Best Kind of Distraction
Zoey and Willow may not write any words themselves, but they certainly keep my creativity flowing. Watching them interact, play, and get into mischief gives me endless material for my stories (and sometimes my social media posts). They remind me to take breaks, to step outside, and to appreciate the small joys in life—like the satisfaction of a freshly dug hole in the backyard (them, not me) or the thrill of chasing them around the house yelling, “What are you eating?!” (Spoiler: it’s usually leaves.)
No matter what stage of the writing journey I’m in—drafting, editing, or painstakingly figuring out marketing—my dogs are there. They are my fluffy cheerleaders, my steadfast companions, and the best coworkers a writer could ask for.
Would I be as productive without them? Maybe. Would my life be nearly as fun? Absolutely not.
And now, for your viewing pleasure, here are some real-life photos of my loyal writing mascots… as well as some AI-generated images of them as warriors, English noblemen, and whatever else my imagination has conjured up!
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