The inspiration for my “Boomer’s Tales” series for children has been the relationship between children and pets. As a child, I grew up having cats and dogs. When I, as an adult, had finally settled down in a place where I could have a dog, I fell in love with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I had stayed in a home while I was performing in an opera in Harrisburg, PA where my hostess had a Cavalier. I’ve included a photo of the breed from a book that resembles her Cavalier and my present Cavalier.
There are several different colorings of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: Tri-color, Black & tan, Ruby, and Blenheim (depicted in the picture). Cavaliers were at first companion dogs due to their affectionate and gentle nature. Back in the 16th and 17th centuries in England, this breed was a favorite of King Charles I and his son, King Charles II. During the early part of the 18th century, the 1st Duke of Marlborough began to use Cavaliers for hunting.
Learning about the history of the Cavalier brought up memories of my childhood, I remember talking to my pets. I would tell them about my feelings, something I didn’t always express to my parents. The idea of having a child in my books who has a stutter, which is interfering with making friends, inspired me to create a puppy with whom she could share her thoughts. In the series, the stories are told from the perspective of the dog. This relationship between the two encourages her to come out of her shell and explore the world around her.