About Me

Born in northern British Columbia, I’ve lived and explored from Vancouver Island to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, but the Okanagan valley feels the most like home.

The bitter sweetness of life is not lost on me.

A dog is ultimately responsible for my drive to write and illustrate.

Children reading and learning to read, brings me immeasurable joy.

The kindness strangers have shown me inspires me.

Fear and pain have pushed me to not give up.

Lifelong learning with an open heart and mind is the key to success.

About Me (A Deeper Look)

There was a dark time when I’d felt I’d lost control of my life. I feared every noise and the reckless chaos of human life. Hidden under a blanket was the safest place to be. However, I had children to care for and a life to live, even if I couldn’t return to the job I deeply identified with. A professional suggested we adopt a dog into our family to help me manage. It didn’t make sense to me, but I respected the source and as an animal lover, I felt it couldn’t make things any worse. That scrappy, stubborn, little dog brought us all joy. But, she cracked me wide open and with that, opportunities to feel better started to show themselves.

It began with taking puppy classes, which led to me volunteering to help the trainer, which led to a position assisting exceptional trainers while we hiked the forests. In between the trees and trails, I learned much about dog behaviors and what dogs need from us. The last ten years I have spent my work week outside supervising, caring for and observing dogs as they play and interact with each other at the doggie daycare I attend. Spending time in nature with these delightful dogs (my own included) has improved the quality of my life and is the inspiration for my children’s stories.

I am focused on the present moment and creating a bright future. I choose to not dwell on the past.