Newsletter – August 9, 2024
We had to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Angel, about two-and-a-half years ago and we still miss her dearly. In my biography on the back of The Most Amazing Museum of Los Angeles I said that we lived with two cats—now one— and “the ongoing presence of a dog named Angel, who really truly was an Angel.” She would be eighteen this month and I want to tell you about how she appears on the cover of my book.
In chapters 10 through 12, there is a dog in Eveningwhere that Leah and Vanessa refer to as Yin-Yang because of the tag on her collar. Angel often sat with me as I wrote MAMLA so I described her: “The dog appeared white in the twilight, but its short fur had a light tan shade that gave it a soft and warm feeling.” If you look at the picture above from the corner of my book cover, you’ll see that light tan and if you zoom in on the collar, you’ll see the Yin-Yang symbol.
Here’s the thing.
When I sent my description of the book’s visual elements to BookBaby I only said there was a dog with a Yin-Yang tag on the collar. I didn’t say she was part yellow lab with a sleek runner’s body (part whippet, perhaps) but when I saw the cover design I immediately knew it was Angel. What a gift! She made her way into the book just as she had made her way into our hearts.
Tuesday morning I came across my neighbor around the corner who was with his son, walking an old chocolate lab who was huffing and puffing his way down the sidewalk. This was the end, my neighbor said, the tumor was blocking his breathing passage and they had to say goodbye. He wiped a tear from his face as he told me about it. There wasn’t much I could say except “I’m sorry.” So few words for such deep emotions.
About an hour later on my way home I saw a woman in scrubs standing on the sidewalk in front to their house. She was filling out paperwork on a clipboard. As I got closer I saw my neighbor at the back of his pick-up truck stroking the body of his beloved family pet. I stopped long enough to rub his shoulder a few times. I had no words, but he said thank you and I walked home. He was in tears and mine started soon after.
They say our pets—our fur babies—teach us how to love and how to deal with loss. I suppose they do, but couldn’t they stick around just a little longer? I sure do appreciate you and what you bring to my life.
Be safe. Be well.
Ta-Ta For Now, My Friend.
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Eric Margerum 