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| Photo Credit NJ Media Group – The Record |
Today we have a special treat, an interview with
Prozac, a therapy dog (with a high IQ and an even higher opinion of himself!)
on a mission to rescue blocked romance writer, Meredith Mancuso. Please give a warm Books, Chocolate and Wine welcome to author
Kathleen Gerard and Prozac.
Prozac, a therapy dog (with a high IQ and an even higher opinion of himself!)
on a mission to rescue blocked romance writer, Meredith Mancuso. Please give a warm Books, Chocolate and Wine welcome to author
Kathleen Gerard and Prozac.
Remaining Open to Love – On the Page and Off
Hi Prozac! Congratulations on serving as a dual narrator in The Thing Is. Please tell us about
yourself.
yourself.
Thanks for hosting me! I was
hoping to narrate THE
THING IS on my own, but Kathleen Gerard (the writer) made me share story-telling
duties with her female protagonist, a romance writer in grief. I think Kathleen
set up the narrative duties this way because I have a tendency to brag and toot
my own horn. With that in mind, let me cut right to the chase–I’m an adorable,
super-smart Yorkshire terrier, which is a cuddly, spunky, crafty, toy-dog
breed. And while I may be all of five pounds (give or take a few table-scraps
of rotisserie chicken now and then!), I’m also a highly accomplished and
evolved “Spirit Guide Dog,” which means I get the best of all worlds:
I come to the planet furry and with four legs, but I’m also equipped with the
unique capacity to experience a fully human perspective while also embodying
the power of the divine. I might look and act like other Yorkies, but being
blessed with unique insights into the human condition, I perceive a lot more
than your average, garden variety dog.
What’s your mission in The Thing
Is?
Is?
The job of any evolved
“Spirit Guide Dog” is to offer companionship and help people to grow
and move on to new things in life. Sometimes, however, that requires taking a
hard line—even being a little devious—to light a fire under a human. My
original mission in The Thing Is was
to serve as a Yorkshire terrier for a nice older lady who was all set to dote
on me and spoil me unmercifully until I was unexpectedly re-assigned to a
depressed, New Jersey-based romance writer named Meredith Mancuso. It’s not
until I’m dumped unwillingly into her life that I learn that canine-averse Meredith
is deep in the throes of grief (she is mourning the death of her fiancé), and
she is suffering from severe writer’s block. Ugh—nothing like a double whammy
combination slam of challenges! But
gifted as I am, I come to believe, over the course of the story, that it’s my
job to help Meredith transcend her grief (once and for all) and help her return
to the land of the living.
“Spirit Guide Dog” is to offer companionship and help people to grow
and move on to new things in life. Sometimes, however, that requires taking a
hard line—even being a little devious—to light a fire under a human. My
original mission in The Thing Is was
to serve as a Yorkshire terrier for a nice older lady who was all set to dote
on me and spoil me unmercifully until I was unexpectedly re-assigned to a
depressed, New Jersey-based romance writer named Meredith Mancuso. It’s not
until I’m dumped unwillingly into her life that I learn that canine-averse Meredith
is deep in the throes of grief (she is mourning the death of her fiancé), and
she is suffering from severe writer’s block. Ugh—nothing like a double whammy
combination slam of challenges! But
gifted as I am, I come to believe, over the course of the story, that it’s my
job to help Meredith transcend her grief (once and for all) and help her return
to the land of the living.
And just how do you that?
Well, it wasn’t easy! However,
being something of a “Human Whisperer,” I soon devise a plan (through
a comedy of errors) to launch Meredith into Phase Two of her life by enlisting
the help of some older folks in Phase Three of their lives at an independent
living facility where I visit each week as a therapy dog.
being something of a “Human Whisperer,” I soon devise a plan (through
a comedy of errors) to launch Meredith into Phase Two of her life by enlisting
the help of some older folks in Phase Three of their lives at an independent
living facility where I visit each week as a therapy dog.
Romance…where does that figure in for Meredith?
Well, to say that Meredith is
“romantically challenged” would be to say that not playing the lottery makes you Powerball challenged! In other
words, you’ve got to be in it to win it. And being around folks in Phase Three
of their lives isn’t really a romantic hotbed of opportunity for a 33 year-old,
reclusive homebody the likes of Meredith Mancuso. However, I will say this:
with Meredith, baby-steps to love—the lightness and sweetness of romance—work
best in trying to navigate the stormy seas of her own romantic vulnerabilities.
In the end, adult children and relatives often visit older people and check in
on them. If someone’s in the right place, at the right time—especially with a
clever Spirit Guide Dog on their side—it’s very possible love can bloom…catch
my drift?
“romantically challenged” would be to say that not playing the lottery makes you Powerball challenged! In other
words, you’ve got to be in it to win it. And being around folks in Phase Three
of their lives isn’t really a romantic hotbed of opportunity for a 33 year-old,
reclusive homebody the likes of Meredith Mancuso. However, I will say this:
with Meredith, baby-steps to love—the lightness and sweetness of romance—work
best in trying to navigate the stormy seas of her own romantic vulnerabilities.
In the end, adult children and relatives often visit older people and check in
on them. If someone’s in the right place, at the right time—especially with a
clever Spirit Guide Dog on their side—it’s very possible love can bloom…catch
my drift?
What makes you qualified to guide Meredith in the romance department?
You’d have to read the book! But
with my doleful eyes and moist little nose…the way I endearingly tilt my head
at high-pitched sounds…the glee-filled wag of my short, docked tail…and how
my tiny paws rarely touch the ground, as I always serve as someone’s arm
candy…why, I’m cuteness and love personified! Most everyone I meet (outside
of the postman) falls madly under my spell. What additional qualifications
could I possibly need?
with my doleful eyes and moist little nose…the way I endearingly tilt my head
at high-pitched sounds…the glee-filled wag of my short, docked tail…and how
my tiny paws rarely touch the ground, as I always serve as someone’s arm
candy…why, I’m cuteness and love personified! Most everyone I meet (outside
of the postman) falls madly under my spell. What additional qualifications
could I possibly need?
Any strategies or advice you can give readers out there who might be
like Meredith—greatly wounded by love, but still open to romance, be it on the
page and/or in real life?
like Meredith—greatly wounded by love, but still open to romance, be it on the
page and/or in real life?
Well,
I’m not afraid to say it—dogs can always teach humans a thing or two because:
I’m not afraid to say it—dogs can always teach humans a thing or two because:
a)
We have a great attitude. (We fall down and get up. We shake ourselves off and
forgive and forget.)b)
We explore every opportunity. (We follow our nose, wherever it leads.)c)
We relentlessly believe in “being ourselves” (Accidents on the
carpet, doo-doo and all!)d)
We greet everyone with enthusiasm. (The tell is in the wagging tail!)e)
Loyalty! Loyalty! Loyalty! (Enough said?)f) We go to great lengths to protect those we
love. (And sometimes even those we don’t!) andg)
We love unconditionally.
In the end, you have to remain
open to love (on the page and off) and believe that anything is possible.
Dogs…they never quit on love—and neither should anyone whose heart is still
beating!
open to love (on the page and off) and believe that anything is possible.
Dogs…they never quit on love—and neither should anyone whose heart is still
beating!
Thanks for joining us, Prozac!
If you’d like to learn more and spend more time with Spirit Guide Dog,
Prozac, and his romantically challenged mistress, Meredith—I encourage you to
read THE THING IS by
Kathleen Gerard! It’ll be time well spent…Woof-Woof!
If you’d like to learn more and spend more time with Spirit Guide Dog,
Prozac, and his romantically challenged mistress, Meredith—I encourage you to
read THE THING IS by
Kathleen Gerard! It’ll be time well spent…Woof-Woof!
The Thing Is
Can a woman mired deep in the
throes of grief have her heart and soul rallied by a therapy dog named Prozac who
has supernatural wisdom and a canine Mensa IQ?
throes of grief have her heart and soul rallied by a therapy dog named Prozac who
has supernatural wisdom and a canine Mensa IQ?
Meredith Mancuso is depressed. Ever since the death of her
fiancé, she has shrunk from the world. Even with her successful writing career,
she’s not motivated to work. When her sister, Monica, begs for a favor,
Meredith wants nothing more than to say no. But she’s ultimately roped into
pet-sitting an orphaned Yorkshire terrier named Prozac.
fiancé, she has shrunk from the world. Even with her successful writing career,
she’s not motivated to work. When her sister, Monica, begs for a favor,
Meredith wants nothing more than to say no. But she’s ultimately roped into
pet-sitting an orphaned Yorkshire terrier named Prozac.
Blessed with spiritual wisdom and a high IQ, Prozac is an
active pet therapy dog. To heal broken-hearted Meredith, he rallies his fan
club at Evergreen Gardens, an independent living facility, where he visits each
week.
active pet therapy dog. To heal broken-hearted Meredith, he rallies his fan
club at Evergreen Gardens, an independent living facility, where he visits each
week.
Prozac and the community of resilient older folks
challenged by losses of their own propel Meredith, often against her will, back
into the land of the living. Meredith learns that most people carry some sort
of burden, but it’s still possible to find meaning, purpose, and joy—and
sometimes, even love—along the way.
challenged by losses of their own propel Meredith, often against her will, back
into the land of the living. Meredith learns that most people carry some sort
of burden, but it’s still possible to find meaning, purpose, and joy—and
sometimes, even love—along the way.
Reviews for The Thing Is
“A
story brimming with humor and heart, and an ending that’s as unexpected as it
is satisfying.” — Claire Ashby, New York Times and
USA Today bestselling author of When You Make it Home
story brimming with humor and heart, and an ending that’s as unexpected as it
is satisfying.” — Claire Ashby, New York Times and
USA Today bestselling author of When You Make it Home
“Great story! Unexpected, delightful, uniquely
creative…Kathleen Gerard not only understands the canine brain, but she gets
people too. The Thing Is reminds us of how intricate and
interwoven relationships are—and Prozac teaches us about grace and
unconditional love.” — Melody Carlson, author of The Christmas Joy
Ride, Finding
Alice, and The
Christmas Dog
creative…Kathleen Gerard not only understands the canine brain, but she gets
people too. The Thing Is reminds us of how intricate and
interwoven relationships are—and Prozac teaches us about grace and
unconditional love.” — Melody Carlson, author of The Christmas Joy
Ride, Finding
Alice, and The
Christmas Dog
“Everyone could use a
little Prozac. Kathleen Gerard’s heartwarming and uplifting book will have
you heading to a pound as soon as you put the book down (if you can ever manage
to do it). An absolute page turner, The Thing is provides all
the proof you’ll ever need that dogs are truly nothing less than Four Legged
Angels.” — Mary Curran Hackett, author
of Proof
of Heaven and Proof
of Angels
little Prozac. Kathleen Gerard’s heartwarming and uplifting book will have
you heading to a pound as soon as you put the book down (if you can ever manage
to do it). An absolute page turner, The Thing is provides all
the proof you’ll ever need that dogs are truly nothing less than Four Legged
Angels.” — Mary Curran Hackett, author
of Proof
of Heaven and Proof
of Angels
“A truly humorous twist on the issue of human frailty
interacting with animal charm…offers a
new take on grief recovery, which is both lighthearted and
insightful!” — Trudie
Barrares, Amazon “Vine Program” Top Reviewer
interacting with animal charm…offers a
new take on grief recovery, which is both lighthearted and
insightful!” — Trudie
Barrares, Amazon “Vine Program” Top Reviewer
“Kathleen
Gerard captures the powers of caring, connection, and resilience in her
wonderful novel, The Thing Is. Prozac, the book’s funny and wise
canine hero, helps humans of all ages overcome their losses and grief, find
happiness and adventure, and renew their joy in love and life.” — Susan Sipprelle, award-winning documentary filmmaker at Tree of Life Productions (Over 50 and Out
of Work; Set for Life;
Soldier On: Life
After Deployment)
Gerard captures the powers of caring, connection, and resilience in her
wonderful novel, The Thing Is. Prozac, the book’s funny and wise
canine hero, helps humans of all ages overcome their losses and grief, find
happiness and adventure, and renew their joy in love and life.” — Susan Sipprelle, award-winning documentary filmmaker at Tree of Life Productions (Over 50 and Out
of Work; Set for Life;
Soldier On: Life
After Deployment)
Buy Links for The Thing Is – Amazon,
Barnes
and Noble, iBooks,
Kobo
Except from The Thing Is
Always keep a camera close by at weddings, baptisms, and bar mitzvahs.
That was the cardinal rule of
survival I’d devised when trying to navigate my life as a shining example of
unexpected spinsterhood. The world, I’d learned, traveled in pairs—like Noah’s
Ark—or with families. But people, perfumed and ready to party, could never
resist mugging for a photo. Latching on to a camera could create a sense of
security and purpose, something to hide behind. In my case, I had a tendency to
cut off people’s heads in pictures. But that didn’t matter. Aiming a camera—a
point-and-shoot or even just my smartphone—and pressing the shutter was a
simple enough task that could occupy my time while couples were out on the
dance floor.
survival I’d devised when trying to navigate my life as a shining example of
unexpected spinsterhood. The world, I’d learned, traveled in pairs—like Noah’s
Ark—or with families. But people, perfumed and ready to party, could never
resist mugging for a photo. Latching on to a camera could create a sense of
security and purpose, something to hide behind. In my case, I had a tendency to
cut off people’s heads in pictures. But that didn’t matter. Aiming a camera—a
point-and-shoot or even just my smartphone—and pressing the shutter was a
simple enough task that could occupy my time while couples were out on the
dance floor.
The thing was that, after a
while, there were only so many pictures to take and so many trips to make to
the ladies’ room. At some point during social events, I always found myself
alone at my table, surrounded by empty chairs, dirty plates, crumbs, and soiled
napkins as I slugged back another sip of wine and wished—wished so hard that it
hurt—that they’d hurry up and bring out the cake to signal that the party would
soon be over.
while, there were only so many pictures to take and so many trips to make to
the ladies’ room. At some point during social events, I always found myself
alone at my table, surrounded by empty chairs, dirty plates, crumbs, and soiled
napkins as I slugged back another sip of wine and wished—wished so hard that it
hurt—that they’d hurry up and bring out the cake to signal that the party would
soon be over.
That was the very dilemma I was
facing at the bar mitzvah that day. The firstborn son of my old college
roommate, Sarah, was celebrating his coming of age, while I was sitting alone
at my empty table. I forced an admiring smile as dolled-up couples and
pimply-faced teenagers crowded the dance floor, shaking and shimmying to a live
rendition of “That’s the Way I Like It.”
facing at the bar mitzvah that day. The firstborn son of my old college
roommate, Sarah, was celebrating his coming of age, while I was sitting alone
at my empty table. I forced an admiring smile as dolled-up couples and
pimply-faced teenagers crowded the dance floor, shaking and shimmying to a live
rendition of “That’s the Way I Like It.”
At first, I didn’t even realize that
Sarah’s youngest, five-year-old Jed Jr.—JJ—had climbed onto the chair next to
mine. But when I felt a tug on my sleeve and heard him ask, “How come you
don’t have a husband?” his presence was announced, loud and clear.
Sarah’s youngest, five-year-old Jed Jr.—JJ—had climbed onto the chair next to
mine. But when I felt a tug on my sleeve and heard him ask, “How come you
don’t have a husband?” his presence was announced, loud and clear.
“How come you don’t have a
wife?” I countered.
wife?” I countered.
“‘Cause I’m too
little,” he said. “What’s your excuse?”
little,” he said. “What’s your excuse?”
I laughed. JJ certainly had no
inhibitions. And he was a real cutie. His fair skin, disheveled angelic-blond
hair, and saucer-like blue eyes guaranteed he’d break hearts someday. “Well,
not everyone is married.”
inhibitions. And he was a real cutie. His fair skin, disheveled angelic-blond
hair, and saucer-like blue eyes guaranteed he’d break hearts someday. “Well,
not everyone is married.”
“Mommy says your husband
died.” Thanks, Sarah!
died.” Thanks, Sarah!
“He was my fiancé. Not my
husband.”
husband.”
“What’s a fiancé?”
I had to stop and think. Even
though I wrote books for a living, award-winning romantic sagas with convoluted
plots and subplots, my trying to define the word fiancé for a precocious child
was like reconciling the meaning of the universe into a single sound bite.
though I wrote books for a living, award-winning romantic sagas with convoluted
plots and subplots, my trying to define the word fiancé for a precocious child
was like reconciling the meaning of the universe into a single sound bite.
“Well, before people get
married, they get engaged, like when a man gives a ring to his future bride.
Did you ever hear of that?”
married, they get engaged, like when a man gives a ring to his future bride.
Did you ever hear of that?”
“Of course. Everybody’s
heard of that, dummy.” So much for
little Prince Charming!
heard of that, dummy.” So much for
little Prince Charming!
“Well, before the wedding,
that’s what a bride or groom is called. After the engagement ring is given, you
would say, ‘He’s my fiancé,’ or in your case, you would probably say, ‘She is
my fiancée.'”
that’s what a bride or groom is called. After the engagement ring is given, you
would say, ‘He’s my fiancé,’ or in your case, you would probably say, ‘She is
my fiancée.'”
“How did your fiancé
die?” What’s taking so long with
that damn cake?
die?” What’s taking so long with
that damn cake?
“Well, the thing is…”
I froze and stared at a tiny
drop of red wine that had spilled on the starched white tablecloth, suddenly
transported back three years to the night of my thirtieth birthday…
drop of red wine that had spilled on the starched white tablecloth, suddenly
transported back three years to the night of my thirtieth birthday…
Kyle and I were having a beautiful, candlelit dinner on the patio at
Andrea’s, my favorite Italian restaurant. We watched a mango-colored July sun
slip down into the evening sky.
Andrea’s, my favorite Italian restaurant. We watched a mango-colored July sun
slip down into the evening sky.
Kyle held up his glass. “Happy birthday, Meredith. I’m looking
forward to spending all of your birthdays with you.”
forward to spending all of your birthdays with you.”
That was the same thing he’d said when we’d first celebrated together
on my twenty-third birthday…
on my twenty-third birthday…
Our bellies full of pasta, crab-filled calamari, veal parmigiana,
espresso, and tiramisu, we walked arm in arm back to the lot where we’d parked
the pickup. Kyle kept whistling the birthday song…
espresso, and tiramisu, we walked arm in arm back to the lot where we’d parked
the pickup. Kyle kept whistling the birthday song…
A St. Florian medal and a replica of Kyle’s fireman badge dangled from
a chain looped over the rearview mirror. I leaned toward Kyle, and the light
from the dashboard illuminated the warm pools of his brown eyes as I pressed my
lips tenderly to his…
a chain looped over the rearview mirror. I leaned toward Kyle, and the light
from the dashboard illuminated the warm pools of his brown eyes as I pressed my
lips tenderly to his…
And then a jolt—the urgent sound of a fist rapping upon the driver’s
side window. “Yo, get a room! We’re waitin’ for this spot. You leavin’ or
what, dawg?”
side window. “Yo, get a room! We’re waitin’ for this spot. You leavin’ or
what, dawg?”
My heart pounded in my chest.
The menacing, crazed face of an eighteen or nineteen-year-old kid
filled the square window frame. He was wearing a ski cap, and lots of gold
chains surrounded his neck.
filled the square window frame. He was wearing a ski cap, and lots of gold
chains surrounded his neck.
Kyle reached to open the door.
“Don’t,” I said, my fingers firming around the sleeve of his
polo shirt and his rock-solid arm.
polo shirt and his rock-solid arm.
“You only promised me
dinner, not fireworks. C’mon. Let’s go.”
dinner, not fireworks. C’mon. Let’s go.”
“No,” Kyle snapped. “This is exactly what’s wrong with
the world.”
the world.”
Even with both my hands clamped to his arm, Kyle swung open the door
and forced the kid to take a step away.
and forced the kid to take a step away.
“You stay here,” he ordered. “I’ll be right back.”
“Kyle, please,” I pleaded, but he broke free from my grasp
and hopped out of the car…
and hopped out of the car…
About Kathleen Gerard
Kathleen Gerard’s work has been
awarded many literary prizes and broadcast on National Public Radio (NPR). Kathleen’s woman-in-jeopardy novel, IN TRANSIT, won
“Best Romantic Fiction” at the New York Book Festival. To learn more
visit
awarded many literary prizes and broadcast on National Public Radio (NPR). Kathleen’s woman-in-jeopardy novel, IN TRANSIT, won
“Best Romantic Fiction” at the New York Book Festival. To learn more
visit
Ruth, Thank you for hosting Prozac (and me) and featuring more about THE THING IS! 🙂 Kathleen