Milkbones and Mothering (con't)
Based on Caley’s experience with her dogs’ genuine acceptance of her daughter, the book reveals the human side of our canine companions. As Caley told me, “If my dogs walked erect and had opposable thumbs, I would have had the two best babysitters you could ask for." Not realizing it at the time, these almost human
babysitters planted the seed for a picture book.
As a recruit to the Martin Agency from big city living in New York and San Francisco, Cantrell eased her adjustment to Richmond by satisfying her longtime desire to own dogs. First came Grover, a black Lab mix, and soon after Shelia, another mixed breed with a golden retriever coat and lab build. Thinking that her family was complete, Cantrell soon learned that marriage and the birth of her daughter, Georgia, would add another dimension to her family unit.
Upon learning that she was pregnant, Caley recognized that Grover and Shelia might have difficulty welcoming a baby into their home. After consulting with her
parents about what had worked for them, Caley tried to pave the way. First, she had her husband bring home some of Georgia’s clothes from the hospital so the dogs could absorb her smell. Once home, Caley was careful to enter the house without Georgia to reunite with her two canine babies. Then, she reentered with Georgia and sat on the floor. Grover and Sheila rushed over in an excited panic and instantly their sibling instinct kicked in. Grover became the protective older brother and insisted on positioning himself between Georgia and any new person in the house. Sheila became the nurturing older sister, sharing her milk bones by putting them under Georgia’s crib. Both dogs responded immediately during their daily walks when they heard the command, “Baby on the leash,” and neither one ever stole or chewed up Georgia’s toys in jealousy or rebellion.
Humbled by her dogs’ reaction to their new human sister, Caley found herself sitting at her computer one day with words flowing. Not exactly sure what was happening or what she had in front of her, she circulated what she had written to friends and family asking. “. . . What is this?” The response was overwhelming. Friends and family replied, “It’s a tribute to your dogs, publish it!” Caley was flattered by the suggestion, but as a mom, professor, and head of the communication strategy track at VCU’s Brand Center, there just wasn’t time.
Fast forward to a year and a half ago. Caley was finally ready to expand her multitasking abilities to include publishing her tribute. Unsure about how to proceed, Caley shopped her book idea around and looked for an illustrator. This time, the milk bones were aligned. Caley reconnected with a former Martin Agency colleague, Sarah Berkheimer, who wanted to illustrate the book. Belle Isle Books, an imprint of Brandylane Publishers in Richmond, Virginia, expressed an interest in helping her get published.
With images of what she wanted the illustrations to look like, Caley sat down with Sarah to get started and quickly discovered that Sarah’s style was not what she envisioned; it was better. It was fresh, alive, whimsical, and more importantly, it showed Grover and Sheila as only another dog owner could. From the illustration of Grover lying on his back in his dog bed with all four feet waving the air, to the final drawing of the Georgia with her arm around Grover as they look out into the future, Sarah’s drawings make you smile. As Sarah says, “I like doing fun, silly, bright drawings. I like creating eye candy.” It was a match.
The book quickly became their passion. That passion provided the fuel Caley needed to handle the business details of getting the book published and the fuel Sarah needed to carve out time to draw the illustrations. As already seasoned multitasking working mothers, the book simply got added to the list.
As for what the future holds, Caley and Sarah would love to get the attention of a celebrity dog lover such as Ellen DeGeneres or Betty White to capitalize on the publicity an endorsement at that level would bring. On a local level, they are planning to donate a portion of their proceeds to the Animal Adoption and Rescue
Foundation (AARF), a, non-profit, all volunteer, non-euthanizing organization located in Richmond, Virginia. AARF is where Caley found Grover and Sheila as
well as her two new shelter dogs, Izzie and Lance. Sadly, Grover and Sheila passed away before they got to hold the book in their paws.
You’re Bringing Me a Baby?! is now available from the publisher at www.belleislebooks.com, from amazon.com, and can be ordered from fine booksellers everywhere (Hardcover, $15.95 retail). For more information, or to interview the author or illustrator, contact the publisher.
babysitters planted the seed for a picture book.
As a recruit to the Martin Agency from big city living in New York and San Francisco, Cantrell eased her adjustment to Richmond by satisfying her longtime desire to own dogs. First came Grover, a black Lab mix, and soon after Shelia, another mixed breed with a golden retriever coat and lab build. Thinking that her family was complete, Cantrell soon learned that marriage and the birth of her daughter, Georgia, would add another dimension to her family unit.
Upon learning that she was pregnant, Caley recognized that Grover and Shelia might have difficulty welcoming a baby into their home. After consulting with her
parents about what had worked for them, Caley tried to pave the way. First, she had her husband bring home some of Georgia’s clothes from the hospital so the dogs could absorb her smell. Once home, Caley was careful to enter the house without Georgia to reunite with her two canine babies. Then, she reentered with Georgia and sat on the floor. Grover and Sheila rushed over in an excited panic and instantly their sibling instinct kicked in. Grover became the protective older brother and insisted on positioning himself between Georgia and any new person in the house. Sheila became the nurturing older sister, sharing her milk bones by putting them under Georgia’s crib. Both dogs responded immediately during their daily walks when they heard the command, “Baby on the leash,” and neither one ever stole or chewed up Georgia’s toys in jealousy or rebellion.
Humbled by her dogs’ reaction to their new human sister, Caley found herself sitting at her computer one day with words flowing. Not exactly sure what was happening or what she had in front of her, she circulated what she had written to friends and family asking. “. . . What is this?” The response was overwhelming. Friends and family replied, “It’s a tribute to your dogs, publish it!” Caley was flattered by the suggestion, but as a mom, professor, and head of the communication strategy track at VCU’s Brand Center, there just wasn’t time.
Fast forward to a year and a half ago. Caley was finally ready to expand her multitasking abilities to include publishing her tribute. Unsure about how to proceed, Caley shopped her book idea around and looked for an illustrator. This time, the milk bones were aligned. Caley reconnected with a former Martin Agency colleague, Sarah Berkheimer, who wanted to illustrate the book. Belle Isle Books, an imprint of Brandylane Publishers in Richmond, Virginia, expressed an interest in helping her get published.
With images of what she wanted the illustrations to look like, Caley sat down with Sarah to get started and quickly discovered that Sarah’s style was not what she envisioned; it was better. It was fresh, alive, whimsical, and more importantly, it showed Grover and Sheila as only another dog owner could. From the illustration of Grover lying on his back in his dog bed with all four feet waving the air, to the final drawing of the Georgia with her arm around Grover as they look out into the future, Sarah’s drawings make you smile. As Sarah says, “I like doing fun, silly, bright drawings. I like creating eye candy.” It was a match.
The book quickly became their passion. That passion provided the fuel Caley needed to handle the business details of getting the book published and the fuel Sarah needed to carve out time to draw the illustrations. As already seasoned multitasking working mothers, the book simply got added to the list.
As for what the future holds, Caley and Sarah would love to get the attention of a celebrity dog lover such as Ellen DeGeneres or Betty White to capitalize on the publicity an endorsement at that level would bring. On a local level, they are planning to donate a portion of their proceeds to the Animal Adoption and Rescue
Foundation (AARF), a, non-profit, all volunteer, non-euthanizing organization located in Richmond, Virginia. AARF is where Caley found Grover and Sheila as
well as her two new shelter dogs, Izzie and Lance. Sadly, Grover and Sheila passed away before they got to hold the book in their paws.
You’re Bringing Me a Baby?! is now available from the publisher at www.belleislebooks.com, from amazon.com, and can be ordered from fine booksellers everywhere (Hardcover, $15.95 retail). For more information, or to interview the author or illustrator, contact the publisher.