Heart Trouble for ZZ follows a playful dog who receives a lot of help from his loving family when he has a difficult time remaining calm after being diagnosed with a heart condition. Where did the idea for this story come from?

I love golden retrievers. I have had many of them over the years.

When I got my newest English golden retriever, Zawadi, (his nickname is ZZ), he was a handful. Just kooky!

But that was okay, I loved him regardless.

Then, I took him to the vet for his first check-up.

They told me they thought ZZ had a heart problem!

What…?

A heart scan was done, and I had to wait days for the results.

I was a crazy dog mommy, trying to keep both ZZ and me calm.

One of the worst weeks.

Then, I thought, If this is tough for me, it must be even harder for ZZ. He’s just a puppy! He doesn’t understand what’s happening.

Then…ding, ding, ding! The idea of Heart Trouble for ZZ came to me.

Is there anything from your own childhood experiences included in ZZ’s story?

When I was young, my family had an absolutely nutty dog called “Maxwell Smart.” I included some of his antics in this story.

The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Zoe Saunders?

Zoe was a dream to work with. Every day, she would send me a page she worked on to get my approval or for me to tell her what to “tweak.” She took any suggestion with a positive attitude and changed anything I asked for. Zoe is quite talented! I was amazed at the variety of expressions she was able to give to ZZ! After six weeks of working with her daily, I had Zoe withdrawal when the book was completed!

Can young readers look forward to more books from you soon? What are you currently working on?

Yes, I have three more picture books coming out in 2025.

Fried Taters is about a little girl in W.V. who is on a quest to find potatoes so her grandmother can fix her fried taters again.

LillieMae’s Safari Hat (Zoe illustrated this book too!) is about a girl who goes on safari wearing her favorite hat, but when it blows off her head, different baby animals find it and use it for their own devices!

Old Long Snout is about a shy little girl who befriends an invisible pig that helps her overcome her loneliness and timidity.

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Embark on an unforgettable adventure with ZZ, the lovable golden retriever pup whose resilience and zest for life shine bright in ‘Heart Trouble for ZZ.’ Join ZZ as he navigates the challenges of a heart condition with unwavering determination and the support of his devoted family. This heartwarming tale is more than just a story about overcoming obstacles—it’s a celebration of unconditional love, courage, and the joy that pets bring into our lives.

A must-read for animal lovers, ‘Heart Trouble for ZZ‘ promises to uplift and inspire readers of all ages. Don’t miss out—order your copy today and discover why ZZ’s story is touching hearts everywhere!