My First Book Review - from Library Journal...I'm thrilled!

TALES FROM A DOG CATCHER Starred Book Review:
April 1 2009 issue of Library Journal

Duffy-Korpics, Lisa. Tales from a Dog Catcher. Lyons: Globe Pequot. Apr. 2009. c.256p. ISBN 978-1-59921-498-6. pap. $16.95. PETS


The title of Duffy-Korpics’s memoir conjures up visions of a mean-spirited civil servant netting strays and taking them to a dingy shelter where a dire fate awaits. The author, a social studies teacher, worked her way through college as an animal-control officer in an upstate New York town.

Writing in a style reminiscent of James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small, she recalls her experiences in 22 vignettes that dispel and replace stereotypes with an image of a compassionate individual concerned with animals and people alike. Like Herriot, she is a gifted storyteller and an astute observer. While describing incidents involving a constantly barking Pekinese, a hostage-taking feral cat, marching turkeys, voyeur raccoons, and many other creatures, she gives us a peek into the loving relationships we have with our pets and the sometimes cruel and careless ways we treat them.

At times amusing and heart-wrenching, this memorable book deserves wide readership. Highly recommended for public libraries.


—Florence Scarinci, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City NY.

A Nice Moist Day at the Movies

I recently had the unique opportunity to see Slumdog Millionare...an outstanding and inspirational film. What made it even better, was that this was an actual movie for adults. I rarely get the chance to go to the movies unless I'm with a posse of 12 year old giggling girls who seem to know the words to every song in High School Musical 3 even before the movie is released. It's either that or something featuring animated penguins.

This was quite the rare occasion. I was actually giddy walking into the theater. Two thirds of the way through the movie, I ran out for a few seconds to visit the ladies room and ran back in so I wouldn't miss any more than I already had. It was dark. Really, really dark. I waited a bit for a scene with more light...none came. So, I stumbled down the aisle on my way back to the approximate location of my seat and quickly sat down. I couldn't figure out why it was so cold. Then...I wondered where that really bad odor was coming from? It sort of reminded me of Grand Central Terminal in the pre-Rudy Giuliani days. It was overpowering, but the movie was almost over and this was an honest to goodness REAL MOVIE FOR GROWN-UPS! I had to stick it out, who knew when this opportunity would come again?

Finally I realized that this wasn't my seat. Also, it wasn't just cold. It was wet. Very wet...I'm talking sponge here. It wasn't soda or fruit punch or water. Nope. It was the end result of what happens when one consumes large quantities of soda, fruit punch or water.

When the credits started to roll, I tied my jacket around my waist and stomped out to my car.
Those animated penguins are looking better than ever.

The Differences between Dogs, Kids and Adults...

After teaching for almost twenty years, I've been reflecting a lot on the past. Of course much of this has to do with the book which had me immersed in writing and re-writing and editing and editing, and did I mention editing? Mostly however, it's about remembering - and realizing that the transition I made from a job surrounded by dogs to a job surrounded by kids was pretty seamless. The reasons for this are many, but to mention a few;

Dogs don't know life is short, they live in the moment and experience every moment of it with total abandon. Sleeping in a warm spot of sunshine - incredible! Dinner - even more incredible! Dogs can sense who they can trust, and who they can't. Something new and exciting could happen at any moment - and a dog is ready for it. If you treat your dog with respect and affection, they will reward you with complete loyalty.

Kids understand that life is not endless, but they don't dwell on it -they make the most of it. Whatever they are feeling they feel with intensity and sincerity. They'll tell you what they think, whether you like it or not, and more likely than not, it will be the pure unadulterated truth. Kids are ready to have fun at the drop of a hat. If you treat them with respect and value their opinions, they will reward you with complete loyalty.

Adults know life is short, and they still waste precious moments on things that don't matter. They feel guilty for enjoying the simple things in life, or angry at those who don't. They're always waiting for the other shoe to drop. They schedule meetings in order to schedule subcommittees to schedule more meetings. And sometimes if you treat them with respect and affection and value their opinions, they'll turn around and hurt you simply because they need to feel powerful in some distorted way.

Dogs don't do that. Kids don't do that.

The adults I like the most are the ones that in some ways, never grow up. Like my friends and family who can make me laugh so hard that I can't breathe, or who tell me I look like total crap when I'm sick.

Adults like my 71 year old Uncle who had a bike accident when he was 10, and this year decided that he was going to get back on it and try it again and sent me a photo of himself on his new bike with the caption "60 years later...I'm no quitter!"

So if someone ever tells you that you are lazy as a dog, or as immature as a child, it may not be the worst thing in the world.

Actually, it may be a compliment.

Tim Schulz, a veteran of two wars, my cousin and now a student accepted to Columbia University!

Nobody deserves it more. After signing up for the Army on September 10th, 2001 - the day before the world changed forever....he served first in Iraq in intelligence and just when he was able to come home, was told he was stop-lossed and sent back to Afghanistan...days before Christmas. He came home older obviously, but wiser and focused and with a wider world view. He wanted to complete his degree, but so many schools seemed wrong as he was past the average college student mentality....parties, fraternities....these things no longer fit into the vision he had for his future. After a few false starts he located the Middle Eastern Language and Central Asian Cultures program at Columbia University. They recognized what a unique, and brilliant young man he was, with so much to offer the world. He will be starting in the fall and bringing along his beautiful wife Christina and a new baby boy who will get to be part of this incredible journey.

From Scots Immigrant Coal Miners to blue collar workers to the Ivy League. His ancestors who all worked hard to help each generation achieve just a bit more than they could - are smiling down on him now. In Ancient China, there was a major belief that our ancestors guided us in our decisions and helped us along in our quests to better our lives. I believe our ancestors are doing alot of celebrating right now! I know of no one more deserving than Tim. His service to our nation was recognized and rewarded...the many lessons he learned in Iraq and Afghanistan have added to his incredible potential. My wish for the future is that all of our veterans are given these same opportunties they deserve...I am so proud of him.

U.K. Release Date

The UK release date for Tales from a Dog Catcher will be May 29th, 2009. Globe Pequot International Group is in discussions with a local UK magazine that wants to feature one of the chapters in the book. I'll know more soon....I'm very excited about it.