Gibson

There are animals in all of my books, mostly dogs, pets of characters. They play a role in our lives, so they work themselves into fiction. I’m currently reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, the first novel written by American author David Wroblewski. It was a New York Times Best Seller in 2008. It’s considered to be a retelling of Hamlet in rural Wisconsin.

Dogs are a big part of the story because Edgar comes from a long line of dog breeders and trainers. He is mute and spends a great deal of time in the barn with the dogs. I've only read twenty-five percent of the novel, but I highly recommend it. The setting is beautiful, and the writing is gorgeous.

Now, here’s where threads start to emerge, and I see connections that I didn’t plan on. Several years ago I met two women, one who lives in Texas and the other, Sue, lived in Wisconsin. They are friends who’d read some of my books and who took trips to the beach together after meeting while playing a game on the internet. Sue tracked me down to surprise her friend with a signed copy of my book as a birthday gift. I’ve lunched with them since meeting them and it’s amazing, they’ve made this connection. Their personalities suit each other, and they can literally finish each other’s sentences.

Sue, the one from Wisconsin, had a dog named Gibson. He was a handsome dog and a huge part of her life. We’re friends on social media, and following Sue, meant following Gibson. So, I was saddened to learn, earlier this month, that Gibson passed over the rainbow bridge.

At the time of Gibson’s passing, I was finishing a novel, and it occurred to me that one of the main characters needed a dog. I’d given him one, but he hadn’t picked it up from the shelter or named the dog yet. I messaged Sue, because I’d kind of been hypnotized by Gibson’s gaze and wanted to name the dog Gibson. She said yes!

So, in my latest cozy mystery series, book three (no title yet), introduces Marty Garcia. He will continue to be in books four and others, I haven’t plotted yet, with Gibson at his side. They are both devilishly handsome and kind.

As a footnote, I would say I’d never thought that people could develop a friendship over the internet that translated into real life activities. However, it’s true. I also wouldn’t have thought I could look at a photo and know a dog named Gibson.