Sunday night with a fire in the woodstove, an adult beverage in hand, and John sitting across from me on the sofa, we tuned in on Facebook live to watch as Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) announced the winners of the 2020 writing competition.

Since 1935 DWAA has been helping writers spread the word about all things dog. What’s not to love about that, right?

Every year they sponsor this competition to recognize the best essays, articles, blogs, websites, photos, and books, plus a new category this year from young writers.

I’m not sure if it was because of Covid and everyone had more time to write plus the fact many were home more with their pets, but the host, Carol Bryant shared that this year they received many more entries than usual.

I was honored when I received notice late last year that I was a nominee in two categories for my latest memoir, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am:

Regular Category

Human/Animal Bond

Special Award Category

Rio Award – profiles a dog who changed someone’s life in a profoundly positive way sponsored by award-winning journalist, Jen Reeder and her husband, Bryan Fryklund in honor of their beloved Labrador retriever mix, Rio.

No matter what, I was honored to have been placed among the nominees. Though secret be told, my heart was really drawn to the Rio Award – I could just feel something deep and special about it and though I don’t know Jen and Bryan or their story with Rio, it just felt right at home in my heart and the impact dogs have had on my life.

So yes, truth be told, I was thinking how lovely it would be to win the Rio award. And just before they announced the winner of the award, my heart began to flutter, and when they announced my name, yup, I got very emotional and teary-eyed. I’m not ashamed to admit to that!  🙂

Writing I’m Fine Just the Way I Am was one of the hardest books I’d written to date in regards to sharing the shame I’d carried for most of my life that repeated often in my life in different circumstances. But it was Gidget, my dear, sweet, and wise Buddha dog who so lovingly walked beside me to help me heal.

And so it was beautiful to be recognized in this way.

After my name was announced I jumped up from my chair, ran to what I call my ‘wall of love’ with photos of all the dogs I’ve had to date in my life and photos of John and myself. I grabbed the photo of Gidget and said, “We did, Gidget! We did it!” and I kissed the photo of her.

The next morning lying in bed, I took a moment to connect with Gidget and thank her once again for all she was (and still is!) to me. In my heart, I saw myself rubbing her belly, and kissing the side of her face, both of which I could never get enough of doing when she was here on the physical plane.

A big congratulations to all the nominees and winners – and in the end – I’d say without a doubt in my mind that we are all winners for the opportunity to have the love of animals in our lives. 

XO

Barb