“Rose In A Storm” is up on Amazon and bn.com. The cover hasn’t been finished yet, but in a way, this makes the existence of the book seem real, genuine. It’s going to be published on October 12. It was the most difficult book I’ve ever written, and the one  I’m the most excited about. It took a lot of work and help, and I wrote it during one of the most painful periods of my life, which, in some ways, helped.

Yesterday, to mark the day, I took Rose and went for a walk on the path with her. I was reminded of how much in sync we are. How well we know each other. She always waits for me.

I don’t spend as much time alone with Rose as I used to, and it felt good to walk on the path with her. It brought back a lot of memories, especially of that amazing time when we both came to the farm, and she and I just sort of figured out how to run it together. There I saw Rose’s bravery, intelligence, determination and great heart. We had many adventures together – belligerent rams, lambing, coyotes, rabid feral cats and raccoons, wild pigs and the challenges of running  a farm during one blizzard after another.

Rose never failed to meet the test. She was there in sub-zero weather, and when I fell down and when I hurt myself.  When I hurt my spine in a series of falls, Rose was the only dog I had who wouldn’t leave me alone in the house, not even to go eat or eliminate. I had to crawl to the door to let her out so she could see me.

I am proud to have written a novel inspired by her. The Rose in the novel is not this Rose, but was definitely guided by her. I thank her for yet another gift, one of the most creative experiences of my life.