DEVIN O'BRANAGAN'S JAZZ

Okay, I'm going to launch my celebrity pet interviews with a very special one. Devin O'Branagan's Jazz was the inspiration for my creation and I owe her more than I care to admit. I like to consider myself unique--and I most certainly am--but many elements of my fabulous character were gifted to me by Jazz.

Jazz has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, so this interview was a special feat. I am a rather miraculous dog.

Like me, Jazz was an Australian shepherd. Unlike me, she had soulful brown eyes. I am a dancer, but Jazz was a singer. She was also a certified therapy dog, a real estate assistant, and Devin's special muse. Devin's new novel, RED HOT PROPERTY, was dedicated to her memory.

I will conduct the interview with Jazz first and tell you more about Devin later. I have five special questions I intend to ask every guest I have here. They are rather pithy, if I do say so myself. So brace yourself for intensity!

Talisman: I believe that, in the cosmic design, we animals are here to help people find their way. Presume I am correct (of course) and tell me what human you were born to help and what lesson you were here to help that person learn?

Jazz: I came in to teach Devin that joy can be found even in the midst of suffering.

Talisman: Do you believe in a Divine Being?

Jazz: Oh, yes! In It I move, and breathe, and have my being! I am only a small part of something much bigger. I can feel it. So could you if you try.

Talisman: Were you afraid of death?

Jazz: I didn't want to leave Devin alone. And I absolutely loved life in my physical body. But, I'm still here and I'm still me and it's only perception that has changed. Occasionally, since I crossed Rainbow Bridge, I have even been able to make Devin see me. I see her whenever I want. And when she crosses over, I'll greet her with a song.

Talisman: What do you want your legacy to be?

Jazz: Joy! I was a pure expression of joy.

Talisman: What gave you the greatest joy?

Jazz: The love I shared--and continue to share--with my family. Love is the bridge between here and there, and love never dies...

Like me, Jazz is an exceptional dog.

Devin O'Branagan is a novelist and a fundraiser for Best Friends Animal Society. Her first two novels, SPIRIT WARRIORS and WITCH HUNT, were published by Simon & Schuster's Pocket Books. Her latest novel, RED HOT PROPERTY, is the first in a series of seriocomic novels about a young single mother and her crazy adventures after becoming a rookie real estate agent. Reviewers have favorably compared RED HOT PROPERTY to Janet Evanovich's wildly successful Stephanie Plum novels.

And, of course, I am one of the stars of this new novel, so I fully expect you to read it!

Devin's website is http://www.redhotnovel.com/

Now, I would like to bring the post back to me, as I really am my favorite topic of conversation. I am a spokesdog for Best Friends Animal Society, the nation's largest sanctuary for homeless, abused and abandoned animals. I am promoting a raffle to benefit Best Friends. The winner's animal companion will become a character in the next novel in the RED HOT series of books! To learn more about this, follow your nose to http://www.redhotnovel.com/

Come back soon to read more of my sizzling interviews with celebrity pets!

DOG IS GOD SPELLED BACKWARDS

I am a very philosophical dog. I suppose that comes from hanging around with my person, Val, who is on a spiritual journey. However, Val and I have very different approaches to the same destination. Every day Val does what he calls God-bathing, which is how he describes contemplation. I, on the other hand, sun-bathe...it requires much less effort. I don't understand why humans have to complicate everything.

Twice a day Val goes to his chapel, chants his sacred word, and disappears into some inner space that provides him comfort. I, quite comfortably and at random times, lay in the sun. "Well, Tali, that's very nice, but what do you do on cloudy days?" you might ask. What a silly question! The sun is always there, whether you can see it or not.

Val developed his belief system by studying the great mystics of all ages and distilling their wisdom. I developed mine by smelling things. What my nose has taught me is that everything and everyone is totally unique. No two people smell the same, nor do any two animals, or plants, or even rocks. So, did all that uniqueness come from something or nothing? The answer is obvious to me.

Then, of course, there is the philosophical debate about being different versus conforming; this is a big issue in our home where one of us is gay and the other is a bit gender-confused. Since each and every part of creation is unique, why shouldn't we respect the uniqueness of others?

Death is another big issue in our home. I was the first to lose a loved one. I gave birth to a little girl puppy we named Amulet. I was blessed to have her for almost a day. I knew from the moment I held her that something was wrong, but it was only a mother's knowing and no one else understood the problem. So I packed a lifetime of loving into that day; and love is the bridge between life and death, and love never dies.

Then Val lost his husband, Peter, in a car accident. Val's grief was no greater than mine, but he has had a harder time finding peace. He longs for the past, where I am content with the love I still have for Amulet. You see, I love her as much now as I did then. And when I sun-bathe I sense her presence in the hidden light.

Now this is not to say I didn't grieve my loss. I didn't eat for a week, I whimpered in the sun and I howled at the moon. I still long to lick her. But that experience of grief has given me the gift of compassion and now my capacity to love is greater than it once was. And love is the thing that matters most.

Did I mention that I still smell the uniqueness of Amulet and Peter? I never forget a smell...