December 2022 Blog

 DogVinci 
"The Dog that paints from his heart"

(My First Children's Book)
Written ​by Yvonne Dagger
Illustrated by Olivia Menghini

Dagger Illustration by Olivia Menghini 2022

My December 2022 Blog

Me? Write a book...Never!!​
​Umm...On second thought...maybe, just maybe I can.

I had never thought of writing a children's book. Until, of course, Dagger entered my life. Writing was not something that I felt I excelled in. Oh, sure, I wrote many papers in college and was even on a panel of writers in the Honors College. But, write a children's book? Nah. That was just so much of a reach for me. Until a four legged dog named Dagger entered my life. 

Dagger has given me the courage to do so many things. Things that I had once thought were out of my league to even try...like teaching him how to paint! Wow! That was an experience in itself!! Professionally, I'm a fine artist not a dog trainer. So, training Dagger was a completely new experience for me. I learned from Dagger's tutor that from the beginning of our instructions, she was actually tutoring me. I laughed when she told me that. She said that Dagger knew what he was doing...it was me that needed the training! I needed the confidence to show him that I was in charge. I was the alpha dog. As soon as I learned that he felt successful with me training him, I felt successful too. Dogs are very intuitive and know a lot more than we give them credit for. I learned that too!!

Dogs help us connect with others and even break barriers. I see this first hand as a volunteer Canine Companions NER Board Member. I've been a Board Member for Canine Companions for 11 years now. It's one of the most rewarding jobs I've ever had. I've witnessed children who never spoke a word before in their lives begin to speak when they are matched with a Skilled Companion Dog. Attending a graduation in person or virtually is heartwarming and gratifying to me. Canine Companions provides Service Dogs, Skilled Companions, Facility Dogs, Hearing Dogs and PTSD Dogs to children, adults and wounded veterans free of charge. Our recently added PTSD Program is a life saver for veterans. I could go on and on writing about this wonderful organization and the amazing dogs they provide. Dagger was born into the Canine Companions Family in Santa Rosa, California on October 6, 2012.  Even though Dagger was released from Canine Companions program due to fear issues, his exceptional nature has opened up a world of creativity, learning and community service. Through Dagger's excellence, I've been encouraged to do the things that I may have been apprehensive trying. Exploring new and unchartered territories while having a dog by your side can open up a whole new and exciting world. It has been quite a journey for me having Dagger by my side.  Dagger's the one who taught me that it's okay to make mistakes and have patience with myself.  He's just such a special dog. 
When Dagger does his painting demonstrations and workshops people witness his charisma. It makes my heart sing to see how he brings out the best in everyone he meets. I was always asked at our workshops, why I haven't written a children's book about Dagger yet. My response was always, "Me??? Oh, not me...That's for someone else to do." Then when the pandemic kept us all isolated, our DogVinci Workshops and in-person meetings came to a screeching halt.  Suddenly, I had the time to think about what all of these great people were prompting me to do while we were traveling from library to library and school to school sharing Dagger's talent. It was then that I began to think about the prospect of a children's book about Dagger.  Should I write a book? I'm not sure if I can, I thought. As time past, I began to feel the need more and more to write about my amazing dog.  I thought that it would also be a great legacy to leave for everyone. As my creative prowess emerged, my first thought was, "Wow, There's so much to say about Dagger's journey so far." I reached out to educators and family for their guidance. Coming up with a beginning, a middle, and an end was one of the hardest things for me to do. So, I've started writing about his life which is pretty interesting. I knew that illustrating was not my expertise, so I was fortunate to locate a wonderful illustrator for the book. For months now we've been working tirelessly on this creative endeavor. I'm still in the writing stage.

Before I decide on my finished book, I've been investigating the publishing stage. I reached out to my friends on Facebook and voila...they came through...as they always do! I'm hopeful that soon everyone will get a chance to read the first book about Dagger. 

I'm full of confidence that this is the opportunity I needed to share Dagger's story through a book...maybe even a series of books.  After all, Dagger lets his  light shine for everyone to see as he lives his life in a real world as a canine artist. Why not continue to let his light shine through a book...literally!!

Remember inside of all of us is a light
that needs to shine for all to see.
Let your light shine! 
Your light will then encourage someone else's light to shine,  
​Have a Happy and Blessed Holiday Season!!
Be well and stay safe!
Happy tales to you,
xoxo Yvonne