The Yellow Dog Project

A few weeks ago, I visited my parents in Connecticut.  My parents share their home with an 11 year old yellow Lab named Phoenix.  As a Labrador, Phoenix has a heart of gold.  As a geriatric Lab, Phoenix has a plethora of health problems: extensive osteoarthritis, some suspect degenerative neuropathy, lipomas, a locally invasive connective tissue sarcoma, and laryngeal paralysis.  This last issue resulted in a permanent tracheostomy just before Christmas (we lovingly call it her "blow hole"). 

Phoenix before her permanent tracheostomy

Phoenix after

I accompanied Mom to one of Phoenix's re-check appointments during my visit.  While standing in line waiting to pay the bill, an ad on the bulletin board near the checkout desk caught my attention: The Yellow Dog Project. 

Checking out their website when we got home, I came upon a brilliant grassroots movement amongst knowledgeable, compassionate, and proactive dog owners.  This project tackles the challenge of owning a, as the website puts it, "dog who needs some space".  This relatively broad category is somewhat vague for a reason: it encompasses many different types of dog situations and personalities. 

"Dogs who need some space" can include dogs recovering from a medical procedure, handicapped dogs, dogs undergoing rehabilitation or training, and dogs that just, you know, don't really want strangers all up in their business.  Owners of such dogs know exactly what I'm talking about.  My dog Shadow falls into this last category.

My girl Shadow

Shadow, a 10 year old black Lab mix is from a whole different personality universe than Phoenix.  Whereas the Pheener Beaner has a smile to share with the world, Shadow can be fear-aggressive.  When we walk in the woods and her unleashed canine counterparts bound down the trail to greet us, well, Shadow doesn't want to especially say "hi" and join in the fun.  A common conversation that then follows goes something like this:

Other dog owner: "Don't worry, she's friendly!"
Me: "Well, mine's not!"

This usually results in the other dog owner scrambling to gather his/her companion on the leash and out of our way and, I will note, occasionally give us a dirty look.

Enter the Yellow Dog Project.  The idea is simple: if you have a dog like Shadow, or a dog that fits into the broad category of "dog who needs some space", tie a yellow ribbon (NOT around the ol' oak tree) around the dog's leash in plain sight, giving a visual clue to other dog owners that your dog doesn't want to or can't play or otherwise interact with strangers.  Pretty neat, right?

Not quite what I'm talking about here. Unless this tree "needs some space".

The only problem here is this project requires a two-way street.  If I tie a ribbon on Shadow's leash but no one knows what this ribbon means, then it's a pointless exercise.  Hence, today's blog.  I'm here to shout from the rooftops about this awesome idea and strongly encourage everyone to pass it along.  The website has tear sheets to download and print off at your convenience - please do so and hang them up in your vet clinics, at the groomers, at the kennel, at dog shows, at your stable, even on your refrigerator.  I wish they made bumper stickers for this. 

My only question is: if I start also wearing a yellow ribbon myself, will people get the same message?

If you gave a dog a query letter...

I don't think there's a writer out there who enjoys crafting a query letter.  If you know one, send him my way.  I'd like to shake his hand and then submit him for psychological testing.

Depending on the project, the query may take as much time or longer than the actual writing for the project did.  I know this was my case when I first started freelancing articles to magazines.  Writing one thousand words telling readers why their pets benefit from annual wellness exams?  No problemo.   Writing three-hundred words telling editors why my one thousand words are pure gold? Ug.

The query process can be quite painful

However, in the freelance business, queries are a necessary evil.  They are your foot in the door, your chance to sell yourself.

Still, wouldn't it be nice to have someone else do this dirty work for you?  I don't have a secretary, an assistant, or even someone to take in my laundry.  But I do have pets.  Which got me thinking: if I could get my dog or one of my cats to write my query letters, how would that turn out?

Dog's Query Letter:

Dear Missus Editor,

Hi.  I just wrote something that I think you will think is great.  It's sort of long and exciting, with a little sadness in the middle, but then happiness comes in again and the end is really good.  There are people in the book and a dog.  The people sometimes interact with the dog, but not too much.  This creates drama.  There is also food in the story.  Lots of food.  And outside.  And walking.  But no squirrels.  Or cats.  Which is why the story is sort of sad (no squirrels) but really great (no cats). 

I think the genre is fiction, but you can tell me what you think.  Also I think you'll like the dog character a lot. 

I really really really hope you will love my book as much as I love my book.  You can call me any time and I'll answer.  Ask me anything you want.

I can't wait to meet you!

Your new best friend,

*paw print*


Cat's Query Letter:

Attention Editor:

This is merely a formality.  I am submitting this article for publication in your magazine.  I am fine with North American rights and would like twenty copies of the magazine before it hits the shelves.  If you request, I can return one autographed copy to you.

If you must know details, the article is roughly 2000 words and includes tips on how to keep your cat well-fed and entertained.  I realize your word limit on features is only 1000 but I simply could not cut anything out.  Every word is pure gold.

If you need to contact me to negotiate payment, I'll be on the couch, or, if it's in the afternoon, in the west-facing window. 

Sincerely,

*paw print*