Over the years I’ve worked as a janitor, a vet tech, a dog trainer, a security guard with a big red doberman, a graphic artist, a technical illustrator, a newspaper illustrator and a toy designer. Now I make my living as a freelance illustrator.  It’s nice to sit down.

When I was very young, my feet rarely touched the ground. I leapt down the hall of our little house in Torrance, sidestepped along book shelves, crawled over tabletops and leap frogging chairs to get to my goal: The TV. I’d switch on cartoons  and take one final leap onto the red naugahyde couch where I’d slow my racing heart and wait for my family to get up. No way was I going anywhere near the floor. That was Willy’s world. Willy was our miniature dachsund and I was terrified of him. Maybe he nipped me with his puppy teeth – I don’t remember. Whatever the reason, I was petrified of that 6-pound brown dog.

One morning we were headed somewhere fancy. My sister and I had on matching patent leather shoes and white dresses. We were waiting by the front door, when Willy came walkin’ up. I was about to bolt, but my big sister Sharon – who I never disobeyed – grabbed my arm and ordered, “You stand still. Let him sniff your shoe.”  I watched his wet nose leave a breathy smudge on my shiney shoe. Finally Sharon said “Pat him.” I froze.“PAT HIM NOW.” So I did. Again and again, and there ended my terror of Willy and began my lifelong love of dogs. 

I hope “Don’t Lick the Dog” is a gentler guide to meeting dogs. Most dog bites happen to children between the ages of 4 and 9. Dogs & kids do not naturally go together. Or at least not all of them.

  My 70- pound poodle, Andy, is afraid of kids. He looks like a tall stuffed animal with his sweet brown   eyes and curly hair. And, of course, he’s the one of my 3 dogs that kids want to pat. He’ll slink behind me, where he knows he’s safe. But let’s say you have an Andy-type dog, and you have kids, and their friends just came over to play. How do you make sure everybody is safe?  …besides shutting a door in between them… which is not a bad idea, actually. But hopefully – you’ve read them “Don’t Lick the Dog!”  My book gives basic information on meeting new dogs safely. It’s written for 3-8 year olds. A big colorful picture book with simple rhyming messages kids can remember. Like, how to hold your hand for a dog to sniff, or give a treat without getting your fingers nibbled. Other pages deal with jumping, barking, licking dogs, or shy or growly dogs. First ask the owner if you can pet the dog. Stand still. Don’t stare. Turn your side and let him sniff your shoe. Just like Sharon said.