Your pets are important to you. Include them in your memoirs.

Bea Sheftel

If you are an animal lover you probably have had many pets in your life. My first pet, that I remember, was Chrissy, a black cockerspanial who came into my life when I was very young.

She was such a special dog I wrote an article about her called A Dog's Life. It was a memoir article but I sold it to Guideposts Books for their series Listerning to the Animals. Even though the story was very much about my family and our feelings towards this wonderful dog, it was universal enough to be published. The emotions of loving a loyal dog are common to many people. That's what writing and selling sections of your memoir writing is all about. What you experience might be particular to you but yet the emotions are common to many.

So was there a special pet in your life? Have you considered writing about that pet? Perhaps you could write a memorial to the memory of your dear friend?I have included a link to a site that specializes in memorializing pets. There is beautiful music, poetry, essays and even a ceremony to honor your pet. Whether your pet has recently died, or passed many years ago, you will find comfort in this web site.I hope you will write about your pet. Don't worry about the style.

Sit down, remember your animal friend, and let your heart pour the words onto the page. You can always fix it up later. For now, give yourself permission to recall, rejoice, and cry. Our pets are very special to us. Sometimes I think they are animal angels. Other times I think they are like my children.What do your pets mean to you?Write about them. If they are important in your life now, or were important when you were younger, then they belong in your memoirs.