Today I had the pleasure of interviewing one of the newest members of the Real Lives Team, a sub-group of Books Go Social.
Kelly Artieri lives with her family in western New York.
Pets have always been an important part of her life.
Though not a dog professional, she welcomes them into her home as family members, most recently with her deaf Dalmatian.
Bio
Hi! I am Kelly Artieri.
I think the first paragraph of the book is as much my biography as any other words I could offer.
My name is Kelly.
I own a Dalmatian named Vinnie.
Vinnie is deaf.
Vinnie has made a spot in my heart and changed my life forever.
I am not a veterinarian, nor a dog trainer or any kind of animal professional.
I am just a normal, using that term loosely, just an average Joe who loves dogs and welcomes them into my life.
When faced with the decision to accept a special needs dog into my home, I made the statement, “how hard can it be if you love them lots.”
Tell us about your book
My book shares the heartwarming true story of my life with a bilaterally deaf Dalmatian.
Learning to communicate without hearing can be a challenge.
While learning to navigate the soundless world around him, Vinnie's responses to his training were alternatively heartwarming and hilarious.
A Spot in My Heart is a story of overcoming obstacles and never giving up.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Everyone deserves a chance to live a life filled with love and acceptance.
When and why did you begin writing?
I wrote this book quite by accident, but now embrace it as an amazing legacy for the dog who taught me to live and love in his world.
After losing Vinnie, all the people who helped us along our path asked that I find a way to share our experiences and research, to tell Vinnie’s story.
I began journaling my notes as a therapeutic exercise, and before I realized it, I had created a manuscript.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I am a story teller.
I write like I talk, directly to the reader, and I speak from the heart with a tad of smart ass all mixed in.
Take that and mix in a topic that I am passionate about and you have A Spot In My Heart.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
The people who motivated me are just folks like me who love animals.
They helped us a great deal and continue to help others.
My message along with theirs is that these not so perfect animals are not “throw-away” animals to be disposed of because of their imperfections. They are meant to be loved and I found that I learned as much as I taught.
Other than writing do you have any hobbies?
I am a medical illustrator by degree, but currently, am working in IT.
I live on beautiful Lake Ontario with my husband and daughter.
I enjoy boating and spending time with family and friends.
I have been blessed with amazing people in my life both with two legs and four.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I now enjoy sharing my family’s story at book signings meeting new people who enjoy listening and discussing.
One of the most humbling things I have experienced through all of this is being called an author!
What an amazing experience it has been and I am finding that I have a written voice that I want people to hear.
NB
This is Kelly's first book, but she has a creative voice and an amazing story to tell.
Connect with Kelly at:
Facebook Author Page
Buy her Book at Amazon
