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No pets allowed

My father was career military. The 8 of us were forever moving around the country, including overseas. I played with Poppy's beagles (photo of Dudley & Sammy) every visit, but I wanted my own dog! My first pet? A beloved turtle! With a "Brownie" camera, I proudly took his B&W photo. A year later, my heart broke. Someone suggested the "flush" treatment. My mother, however, wrapped my poor turtle in material from her sewing basket, put him in a tiny box, and we buried him out back. I never forgot that day...

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Animals forever

I've always been an animal lover, as has our family. My mother's side bred and trained AKC beagles. My husband's New England side preferred "gun dogs" and cats. I love 'em all. My first pet was a "horned toad" I caught as a child in Texas. I kept him outside in a open box filled with dirt, rocks, and water. When he escaped, I searched for new critters.

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Pets allowed

While in the Navy, I met a career Navy man. He asked me what I'd like for an engagement gift. I said, A DOG, & his promise that my pets would never be left behind. He agreed, if they were banned from the kitchen, & none were snakes. I love snakes, but a new Irish Setter & a diamond ring comforted me--a lot! As we say in books, "And so it began..."

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Animals on paper

I sold my first book to YES! an animal-loving editor. Since then, I use the names of my real-life pets in all my books. I've loved them all dearly--tiny or huge--especially my dogs. Unlike my horses or birds or guinea pigs, the dogs physically protected me, a young Navy wife with children, from intruders...5 times! Not all my canines had glowing police reports. Some were heroes who survived past abuse to trust people again. Others were gold medalists who made sad children laugh. All dogs--brave, skittish, smart, or "terminally clueless"--have gifts to share. These, my favorite canine stories, some fiction, some real, some both, written by me--are my thanks to all you readers and animal lovers.

© Anne Marie Duquette. All Rights Reserved. Authors published works: PaperBackGems