Dogs have long been symbols of unconditional love since their co-evolution with humans. Their biological predispositions and the simple, reliable ways they show affection and loyalty mark them as exemplary examples. Unlike complex human relationships, a dog's devotion is uncomplicated and non-judgmental, which provides a deep sense of emotional security for their owners.
They evolved from pack to family. Descendants of wolves, dogs’ natural instinct formed strong pack bonds. Over centuries, humans have selectively bred these animals to reinforce the traits of loyalty and companionship. This led dogs to see their human family as their pack, seeking guidance, protection, and leadership from their owners.
Dogs offer uncomplicated affection and companionship without the motives or baggage found in human relationships. Their devotion is constant and dependable, and they don't hold grudges or judge their owners. This unwavering presence is a major source of comfort and emotional support.
One of the most endearing and consistent examples of a dog's love is its exuberant greeting. Whether you've been gone for five minutes or five hours, a dog's happy welcome—with a wagging tail, licking, and excited jumping—is a sincere and reliable show of affection.
Dogs' loyalty is often demonstrated through their desire to be near their owners, whether they are following them from room to room, leaning on them, or sleeping close by. This constant proximity creates a deep and secure sense of companionship.
Dogs are highly attuned to human emotions and will often try to comfort their owners when they sense they are sad or upset. This empathy makes them incredibly therapeutic companions, capable of providing comfort during difficult times.
Why I Write Fiction from a Dog's Point of View about Unconditional Love
The first novel I wrote, Luke’s Tale, was written through the dog Luke’s point of view. It evolved because I have lived with and loved dogs all my life. Fortunately, I am lucky to have a husband and children who feel the same way. Throughout those years, I noticed all the traits in our pets that I mentioned above. So, I thought, Why can’t a dog’s unconditional love show humans how to give and receive that kind of devotion? Thus, Luke’s Tale was born. Here’s the blurb I wrote as the premise for the book:
Luke, an intelligent, 89-pound yellow Labrador retriever, has an odd ability to understand human conversations and actions. When his owner’s girlfriend, Sara Colson, discovers she has breast cancer Luke is the sole secret keeper of her disease.
Not knowing if she’ll survive, Sara leaves her boyfriend, Ashlundt Jaynes, to shield him from the pain. Luke, knowing how to give unconditional love, is the catalyst to bringing the two lovers back together and helps them stay together while Sara and Ashlundt overcome a series of life-changing events.
At the heart of Luke’s Tale is the story of two lovers and their struggle with unforeseen disillusionment to build a lasting relationship ─ and the loving, furry creature who is devoted to them beyond all reason.
They evolved from pack to family. Descendants of wolves, dogs’ natural instinct formed strong pack bonds. Over centuries, humans have selectively bred these animals to reinforce the traits of loyalty and companionship. This led dogs to see their human family as their pack, seeking guidance, protection, and leadership from their owners.
Dogs offer uncomplicated affection and companionship without the motives or baggage found in human relationships. Their devotion is constant and dependable, and they don't hold grudges or judge their owners. This unwavering presence is a major source of comfort and emotional support.
One of the most endearing and consistent examples of a dog's love is its exuberant greeting. Whether you've been gone for five minutes or five hours, a dog's happy welcome—with a wagging tail, licking, and excited jumping—is a sincere and reliable show of affection.
Dogs' loyalty is often demonstrated through their desire to be near their owners, whether they are following them from room to room, leaning on them, or sleeping close by. This constant proximity creates a deep and secure sense of companionship.
Dogs are highly attuned to human emotions and will often try to comfort their owners when they sense they are sad or upset. This empathy makes them incredibly therapeutic companions, capable of providing comfort during difficult times.
Why I Write Fiction from a Dog's Point of View about Unconditional Love
The first novel I wrote, Luke’s Tale, was written through the dog Luke’s point of view. It evolved because I have lived with and loved dogs all my life. Fortunately, I am lucky to have a husband and children who feel the same way. Throughout those years, I noticed all the traits in our pets that I mentioned above. So, I thought, Why can’t a dog’s unconditional love show humans how to give and receive that kind of devotion? Thus, Luke’s Tale was born. Here’s the blurb I wrote as the premise for the book:
Luke, an intelligent, 89-pound yellow Labrador retriever, has an odd ability to understand human conversations and actions. When his owner’s girlfriend, Sara Colson, discovers she has breast cancer Luke is the sole secret keeper of her disease.
Not knowing if she’ll survive, Sara leaves her boyfriend, Ashlundt Jaynes, to shield him from the pain. Luke, knowing how to give unconditional love, is the catalyst to bringing the two lovers back together and helps them stay together while Sara and Ashlundt overcome a series of life-changing events.
At the heart of Luke’s Tale is the story of two lovers and their struggle with unforeseen disillusionment to build a lasting relationship ─ and the loving, furry creature who is devoted to them beyond all reason.
Does a dog telling a story and having an uncanny ability to understand humans make my readers suspend disbelief?
You bet it does. But, as Jenny Lehman said in her review, “This story taught me so much more than 15+ years of therapy did about how to love. Unconditional love is something we often hear preached but not demonstrated.
These daily demonstrations between the characters are the most primal example of unconditional love imaginable. Wishing this to the bucket list of everyone I know.”
You bet it does. But, as Jenny Lehman said in her review, “This story taught me so much more than 15+ years of therapy did about how to love. Unconditional love is something we often hear preached but not demonstrated.
These daily demonstrations between the characters are the most primal example of unconditional love imaginable. Wishing this to the bucket list of everyone I know.”
After writing a lot of vampire novels told through the eyes of wolves and dogs (yes, about unconditional love), I wrote two more somewhat paranormal stories with the same intent: The Reincarnation of Charlie as Penn Scripter and Caddy’s Tale.
Again, all the dogs I’ve had inspired me.
We had a real Luke who was my model for Luke’s Tale. We had a Charlie, the model for The Reincarnation of Charlie, and my niece’s family had a Caddy, the inspiration for Caddy’s Tale. Are you seeing a pattern here?
Charlie took a bit of a different twist. Here’s the premise:
What if, after death, we were somehow allowed to take care of those we leave behind? Charlie Wolf looked forward to a long life.
But what he wanted was not in the cards. Charlie had it all. A loving wife, a booming business, and a horse ranch that made them both happy. Then he was gone.
Soon after his death, Charlie's spirit discovers his wife, Remi, could not recover from losing her soul mate. Remi lost interest in life and even her will to compete in horse shows. The loss of her husband sent Remi into a downward spiral of hopelessness.
Charlie knew that the one thing he had to finish was making sure that his wife Remi could go on.
This is their story and how the universe allowed Charlie to end it.
Paranormal? Yes. But this is what Michael P. Meyer said in his review of it:
“The author captures the true definition of unconditional love. After reading this book, I realize we often think we are loving unconditionally yet we place conditions. Charlie is able to work through this fine line of conditional and unconditional love to save his wife. A story of hope and love told by Charlie....you will have to read to understand Charlie's journey from earth, to afterlife, and back to earth. This book is a fast read....I do warn that you will want to set aside a block of time to read because once you start reading you will not want to stop.”
Again, all the dogs I’ve had inspired me.
We had a real Luke who was my model for Luke’s Tale. We had a Charlie, the model for The Reincarnation of Charlie, and my niece’s family had a Caddy, the inspiration for Caddy’s Tale. Are you seeing a pattern here?
Charlie took a bit of a different twist. Here’s the premise:
What if, after death, we were somehow allowed to take care of those we leave behind? Charlie Wolf looked forward to a long life.
But what he wanted was not in the cards. Charlie had it all. A loving wife, a booming business, and a horse ranch that made them both happy. Then he was gone.
Soon after his death, Charlie's spirit discovers his wife, Remi, could not recover from losing her soul mate. Remi lost interest in life and even her will to compete in horse shows. The loss of her husband sent Remi into a downward spiral of hopelessness.
Charlie knew that the one thing he had to finish was making sure that his wife Remi could go on.
This is their story and how the universe allowed Charlie to end it.
Paranormal? Yes. But this is what Michael P. Meyer said in his review of it:
“The author captures the true definition of unconditional love. After reading this book, I realize we often think we are loving unconditionally yet we place conditions. Charlie is able to work through this fine line of conditional and unconditional love to save his wife. A story of hope and love told by Charlie....you will have to read to understand Charlie's journey from earth, to afterlife, and back to earth. This book is a fast read....I do warn that you will want to set aside a block of time to read because once you start reading you will not want to stop.”
And then, I was inspired by the true story of my niece Lee and her husband Mal. Caddy was their dog, and while I fictionalized their life… Caddy, Lee, and Mal in real life exemplified unconditional love. Here’s the premise:Lily Loggins falls in love when she pulls a drowning pit bull puppy out of the ocean. Who would have thought this one act would set Lily down a path she never expected.
Golfer Micah Moore has two goals – to win the PGA Grand Slam and marry Lily the girl of his dreams. When he sees the exhausted puppy in Lily's arms, he's certain he's added another love to his life. He didn't anticipate the important role the dog would play in his future.
In an ugly twist of fate, Lily and Micah's lives together are marred by tragedies until a life force beyond their understanding influences their destiny and leaves them forever altered.
The paranormal in this one sort of sneaks up on you… the story is fiction, of course, However, as Janet D. Dixon said in her review:
“What a beautiful story of unconditional love between humans and a dog with a beautiful soul. Even through its tragedies, Caddy knows exactly what her humans need from her even before they do. If you’ve ever had a special dog in your life, this book is for you!”
So, if you love dogs and need a good roller coaster ride bouncing between laughter and tears, you might enjoy these treasures from my heart. I hope you will.
Golfer Micah Moore has two goals – to win the PGA Grand Slam and marry Lily the girl of his dreams. When he sees the exhausted puppy in Lily's arms, he's certain he's added another love to his life. He didn't anticipate the important role the dog would play in his future.
In an ugly twist of fate, Lily and Micah's lives together are marred by tragedies until a life force beyond their understanding influences their destiny and leaves them forever altered.
The paranormal in this one sort of sneaks up on you… the story is fiction, of course, However, as Janet D. Dixon said in her review:
“What a beautiful story of unconditional love between humans and a dog with a beautiful soul. Even through its tragedies, Caddy knows exactly what her humans need from her even before they do. If you’ve ever had a special dog in your life, this book is for you!”
So, if you love dogs and need a good roller coaster ride bouncing between laughter and tears, you might enjoy these treasures from my heart. I hope you will.
Unconditionally,
Carol
Carol
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