In Mommy’s Boy, you share with readers the immense comfort you found in your rescue dog throughout your most trying times. What inspired you to share your story with readers?

I initially began just jotting down memories of Benny so I wouldn’t forget them as time passed. But after a while, a theme emerged that not only was Benny my doggie soulmate and like the child I could never have, but he also helped ease my anxiety and shyness around new people so I could just be myself. And in that way, among others, he literally changed my life, so I wanted others to know the incredible impact a pet can have on a person’s life.

I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?

The most difficult thing for me to write about was the day Benny passed away and the grieving process that followed. For the most part, reliving Benny’s younger years was an enjoyable trip down memory lane that made me smile and even laugh during a time when I was still crying every day over losing him. However, when I wrote about his passing, not only was I retraumatized all over again, but it was difficult to put into words all the emotions I was feeling: heart-wrenching sadness and grief coupled with immense gratitude that I got to be his mommy; guilt; second-guessing my decisions; anger that we didn’t get more time with him, and just missing every single thing about him. But at the same time, expressing all those emotions–both physically and “on paper”–was very therapeutic.

What is a common misconception you believe many people have about adopting a pet?

My experience has mostly been with dogs, so my answer mainly applies to them. First, you can’t go into it thinking that a pet is going to seamlessly fit into your home. There will be a learning curve and it will likely change how you live your life. You need to commit to giving them the proper attention they deserve on a daily basis. Unlike cats, dogs need to go outside to potty and need fresh air and exercise, some breeds more than others, of course. Owners also need to carve out some time each day to play with and snuggle with their pet, help it socialize with other dogs, and teach it good manners. Unlike cats, which can be more independent and solitary, dogs are pack animals and your family will be its pack.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from your experience and Benny’s story?

The most important thing I’d like readers to realize–which is a big reason why I wrote Mommy’s Boy–is the profound impact a pet can have on one’s life, particularly those dealing with shyness, anxiety, sadness, loneliness, even depression. It wasn’t until after I adopted Benny that I realized how sad and lonely I’d been for such a long time–so long that it had simply become a way of life for me. It was like I’d been sitting alone in a dark room for years, and when Benny came into my life, suddenly my world was filled with light and my heart overflowed with love. In the book, I say: “He ignited a spark in my heart that had been dormant for years, and he brought so much light into my life that I felt like I was Dorothy Gale, stepping from the black-and-white of Kansas into the vibrant technicolor world of Oz.” That’s exactly what the unconditional love of a pet can do for a person. And there are SO many dogs and cats out there in need of a good, loving home, so I hope the story of Benny and me encourages others to rescue a pet.

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