I recently read a statement that said, “The core of all successful writing is empathy rather than ego.” – Austin Hackney What a powerful statement and how true! As a writer, you may be writing about an event from your life, which can easily lead you towards the “I am writing for me” area. Of course, writing can be therapeutic, but in the long run, if you are sharing your writing, then you are writing for the reader and you need to keep what they want and need in mind. Put you

Lady Mum and Dexter are taking their evening walk out in the field as Lady Mum is watching the sky turn all kinds of dark when her phone starts blaring a Tornado Warning siren. "Dex, time to head back bud. Storm's a comin." "Ah man...we just got out Here! I don't wanna go in! Watching the sky as the wind suddenly picks up, Lady Mum says, "Now Dex. We have to get back now!" Back in the house, Lady Mum grabs the emergency basket, Dexter's leash, bowl, water, lantern and snacks

It was a regular Saturday in the Realm. Lady Mum and Dexter had taken their early morning walk. Once back at the house, Lady Mum took care of her weekly chores and was getting ready to go to the grocery store. As she headed out the door, she turned back to say to Dexter, "Be a good boy Dex, I'll be back in about an hour." Dexter, sitting and leaning against the wall, turned sad eyes to her and softly said "okay." One hour later, Lady Mum returns. She enters the house and is g

Lady Mum comes home from work each day to find Dexter's inherited recliner facing the window. Each night she turns it back to face the living Room. The next day, she comes home and it is once again facing the window. "Dex, how do you get that chair turned each day?" Dexter looks at Lady Mum, glances toward the chair, turns and walks into the kitchen without saying a word. Lady Mum follows him and finds him sitting against the wall with his head hanging. "Aww, Dexter. You're n

Lady Mum and Dexter take their first adventure to the Conneaut Lake Bark Park. "Lady Mum! What IS this place?" Lady Mum explains, "This is the Bark Park Dex. We take long walks here." Walking around the 65 acre park, Dexter doesn't know where to go first. "Oh my gosh! Let's go over there! Wait! Over here! Wait! What's over there?" Laughing, Lady Mum says, "Let's go this way Dex. We're gonna walk and learn today. Training time." "Learn. Training. Ok. I remember. I have to list

Lady Mum comes home from work to a very exuberant Dexter. After a long walk in the rain and supper, Dexter begins racing around the house. Upstairs and onto the bed, a giant leap off and back downstairs into the dining room. Back upstairs with a jump on the bed and another giant leap to the floor. Racing around the house like a crazy thing. Ears flapping and a huge smile on his face. Lady Mum stands out of the way watching, laughing and cheering him on. "Wow Dex! Look at you

Dexter has found the perfect spot to sit and watch the action outside. "Lady Mum? We going for a walk?" "Dex, we just went for a long walk half an hour ago." Dexter heaves a big sigh and turns to look out the window, acting very deprived. Chuckling, Lady Mum asks "What do ya see out there Dex?" "Pretty sure that's a squirrel. If I was out there, I could chase him." "Oh, I am positive you would be a good chaser. We need to learn a bit yet." Turning to look at Lady Mum, "I'm sm

Lady Mum found this box thing. She keeps putting my toys in it. I help her by taking them all out. She was walking around talking to herself, saying "I wonder where we should keep this Dexter? Where it won't be in the way." She put the box thing by the big long chair and went in the kitchen. I thought that was a silly place to put it. So I drug it over to my chair. I hear Lady Mum ask me what I'm doing, so I jump in my chair and wait. In she comes, laughs and says "Dexter! Th