Meet the DryWrites.com Co-Pilot: Dog Inspiration For Writers

Pippa, DryWrites.com co-pilot and lap queen, basking in the sun.

I sit at my desk each day to write, transforming my lap into a throne. A small canine claims it without fail. Whether I’m crafting a novel, a blog post, or content for social media, the scene repeats. My lap becomes her undisputed kingdom.

Meet my micro influencer, Pippa.

As her emotional support human, I proudly carry a role striving to give her the best life possible. Back in 2023, her previous owners decided she wasn’t the right fit, leaving her to wander the suburban streets of St. Louis for reasons unknown. Once the shelter found her, she was extremely malnourished, weighing barely 7 pounds. We'll never know how long she was "in the wild", but when we all meet Jesus, that's one of the questions I'll be sure to ask her.

A few days later, my wife and I stepped into the adoption room, meeting Pippa for the first time. Her stunted nose and matted fur greeted us, paired with a calm demeanor that amplified her cuteness. Her first move was to lie on the floor and lift her right paw in a curious salute—begging for something I still can’t decipher. An hour passed, we signed a few papers then we walked out together, embarking on our new life.

Princess Pippa, Nap Aficionado.

Pippa expressed her gratitude immediately. She peed on my shoe.

Sure, she waited until we were outside the shelter, which earns mad respect. Still, my toes were soaked the entire ride home, a glorious mess that tested my patience. C'mon, babygirl.

Nearly two years later, Pippa has woven herself into our family fabric. She doesn’t bite or jump on furniture, preferring to sit like a plush doll, sighing until she grabs my attention. The twist? If I sigh back, she growls—apparently, ladies don’t appreciate that. Who knew?

She's extremely quiet as her barks come rarely, only when she desperately needs to go outside. It's interesting watching her shake her whole body to muster a tiny “woof.” Like the Silver Surfer pulling energy from his board, she draws all she can from her toes and out comes an “excuse me, sir” bark, not a “let me out or I’ll bite your Achilles” threat. Adorable.

I know she's a girl dog, but let’s talk age anyway. One recent day, we ended up at an animal hospital because Pippa hadn’t shown her usual “zoomies” for days. It had us concerned. The vet delivered unsettling news. Our supposed 3-1/2-year-old might actually be 8-1/2, judging by the wear on her teeth. Our regular vet never hinted at this discrepancy, leaving us conflicted. For now, we stick with 3-1/2, hoping for five extra years with her.

Dogs can be a mixed blessing, and we’ve been mostly fortunate. We lost a 12-year-old ShihPoo in 2018, a companion since she was six weeks old, and I swore I’d never open my heart again. Seven years later, I’m surrounded by four puppy beds in my home office, spoiling my chunky little girl with comfort and attention.

I know Pippa sees me as her emotional support human, based on the constant need to have some part of her touching some part of me all day. But, we could probably flip the title’s direction and it would still ring true.

Lady Pippa, Conqueror of Treats.

Perhaps that's the point. Love and kindness flow both ways, a lesson that extends beyond dogs. Us humans should pay attention to that these days.

I write amidst this chaos. Pippa rules my lap while her quirks inspire tales. I chuckle at her salute. I grin through wet toes and belly rubs (her belly, not mine). I learn from her sighs.

This throne belongs to us, shared daily.

Pippa, my very own dog inspiration for writers, steadies me.

She teaches me patience. I offer her treats.

Together, we build a story.