Ratzo - Order Your Copy
"Ratzo" was researched in Florida and Arizona, both at greyhound race tracks -- like the one above in Phoenix -- and at rescue centers for retired racing greyhounds. The picture above is the cover I made for the pocket folder where I kept information about greyhounds and the manuscript as I was working on it. I pictured Josh as looking something like the boy in the picture (a little taller maybe!). I like to collect pictures that go with the research I do for books. They help me get into the fictional world where I need to be to find both character and story.
The main character in "Ratzo" was named Josh because my youngest son asked me to use his name. After he saw me use his older brother, Will's, name in the book "Buzzard Breath," he decided it would be O.K. to lend me his name.
The main character in "Ratzo" was named Josh because my youngest son asked me to use his name. After he saw me use his older brother, Will's, name in the book "Buzzard Breath," he decided it would be O.K. to lend me his name.
"Ratzo" was researched in Florida and Arizona, both at greyhound race tracks -- like the one above in Phoenix -- and at rescue centers for retired racing greyhounds. The picture above is the cover I made for the pocket folder where I kept information about greyhounds and the manuscript as I was working on it. I pictured Josh as looking something like the boy in the picture (a little taller maybe!). I like to collect pictures that go with the research I do for books. They help me get into the fictional world where I need to be to find both character and story.
The main character in "Ratzo" was named Josh because my youngest son asked me to use his name. After he saw me use his older brother, Will's, name in the book "Buzzard Breath," he decided it would be O.K. to lend me his name.
This Associated Press photo of a "Weiner Dog" race, i.e. using short-legged dachshunds as a sort of comic-relief racing dog,, helped inspire one of the sub-plots in "Ratzo." These dogs are coming our of a greyhound-size starting gate.
Although there is undeniable cruelty in the sport of greyhound racing, it is a joy to see these magnificent dogs in motion. Running is, after all, what greyhounds are born to do.
The main character in "Ratzo" was named Josh because my youngest son asked me to use his name. After he saw me use his older brother, Will's, name in the book "Buzzard Breath," he decided it would be O.K. to lend me his name.
This Associated Press photo of a "Weiner Dog" race, i.e. using short-legged dachshunds as a sort of comic-relief racing dog,, helped inspire one of the sub-plots in "Ratzo." These dogs are coming our of a greyhound-size starting gate.
Although there is undeniable cruelty in the sport of greyhound racing, it is a joy to see these magnificent dogs in motion. Running is, after all, what greyhounds are born to do.
Think About It: Race horses run around a track because a jockey is in the saddle, urging the horse on. Why do greyhounds run around a track? Why are so many people opposed to greyhound racing? Why do other people like it? When there are two sides or two differing opinions, does that mean one must be wrong and the other right? If so, why? If not, why not? What is a "gazehound"? Why do greyhounds have tattoos inside their ears? Why do they wear muzzles at the racetrack?
Good sources for more information about greyhounds are:
The Greyhound Project www.adopt-a-greyhound.org
Greyhound Network News www.greyhounds.org/gnn
The Greyhound Project www.adopt-a-greyhound.org
Greyhound Network News www.greyhounds.org/gnn
