DEB FITZPATRICK’s book Kelpie Chaos follows a family as they raise a kelpie puppy called Zoom!
Good Reading for Kids asked Deb about puppies and what she loves about dogs.
What sparked the idea for Kelpie Chaos?
A few years ago my own family brought home a kelpie puppy, and feel completely in love. One day when I was out walking him, I met another dog-walker who told me a story about her Dad’s kelpie, who would spend all day on site with him on jobs in the country. One day he disappeared … and what happened next became my story.
What can you tell us about Zoom?
Zoom is a kelpie-cross and was born on a farm. His owners have enough working dogs so have to give the puppies away. They find homes for most of the puppies but there’s one left and it looks like he might get sent to the pound. That’s when Max and Eli step in.
Zoom is black all over except for a small white flame on his chest. His ears are like satellite dishes. He likes catching flies and collecting socks. And he loves sniffing smells and following his nose. Sometimes this leads him directly to cold chips that were once hot chips, and he wolfs these treats down before anyone notices.
What are some of the important lessons Eli and his family learn about raising a puppy?
Eli and his family are great dog owners and take the job of raising a kelpie puppy seriously. Training a young pup is good fun and hard work! But one thing Eli and his family come to realise is that different dog breeds have different character traits and all puppies have their own distinct personalities. As dog owners, we need to accept who our dogs are, and try to understand their needs. Just like people, really!
What was your favourite part of writing this book?
Sharing the love and companionship a dog can bring was the truly wonderful thing about writing this book. I was filled with joy as I wrote! I also love being an advocate for dogs whose owners are feeling frustrated with them. Dogs are loving and want to please us. They deserve our best efforts to help them live their best lives.
Do you have a pet dog? If so, what do you love most about your dog?
Oh my goodness, YES, I have a dog. Unsurprisingly, he is a kelpie-cross! He is intelligent, handsome and a beautiful, loving companion. I love how affectionate he is! No walk is too long (though some are too short!).
Describe this book in three words.
Kelpie Chaos is loving, warm and adventurous!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Deb Fitzpatrick is the author of 10 books. Her novels have received awards in Australia, been published in the US, and optioned for film. Deb has a Master of Arts from UWA, loves using stories from real life in her writing, and regularly teaches creative writing to people of all ages. In her early writing days, Deb did all manner of jobs to fund her writing, including making bad coffee, cleaning houses, supervising university exams, and helping kids cross the road safely as a crosswalk attendant, or ‘lollipop lady’. She lived for several years in the cloud forest of Costa Rica and still pretends to speak some Spanish. Deb loves bushwalking and shares her life with a lovely family and their kelpie, who is absolutely not a failed sheepdog.
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