When my husband and I lost our dog, Klaus, to lymphoma, we were devastated.  He had just turned six. We attempted chemotherapy, but in the end, cancer won. Then, just like that, the happy, ‘I’m-so-excited-to-see-you’ doggie dance and dog kisses were gone every time we entered our front door. Weeks later, my husband turned to me and said, “Since you love to write, you should write a children’s book about a dog named Klaus.” It was one of those ‘light bulb’ moments, and I wondered why I hadn’t thought of it myself.

For years, I wrote poetry and had a few poems published, but I always dreamed of writing a children’s book. So, I sat armed with pen and paper and wrote. I allowed my imagination to whisk me away to an early morning walk with Klaus. Writing helped me work through the grief of missing my sweet Klaus. When my story, Klaus’ First Winter, was complete, I tucked it away and had plans to someday use this book as a vehicle to help animals. I didn’t know at the time how that would happen, but I did know some day it would happen.

Here I am, years later, with two published books: Klaus’ First Winter and Christmas with Klaus.

My love of books and for animals have merged together to create a children’s book series that entertains as it educates. I serve on a volunteer committee for Friends of the Providence Animal Care and Control Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to supporting the animals at the Providence Animal Shelter. A percentage of all book sales, both hard cover and kindle, are donated to Friends of the PACCC and helps contribute to funding the Mobile Grooming Program at the shelter. I am a member of the Association of Rhode Island Authors and live in southern New England with my husband Ernie and our rescue dog, Jax.  I am a passionate advocate for making a difference by adopting at your local animal shelter.  Currently, I am writing the third book in my series.

My books can be purchased at retails store across Rhode Island: Stillwater Books, Barrington Books, Imagine Gift Store, Jack’s Snacks-A Dog’s Bakery, Somewhere in Tyme, Petals Gift Store, Woodlawn Gardens Florist, Tally’s Religious Gifts (Christmas book only at Tally’s) and online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  They can also be purchased in Webster, Massachusetts at Booklover’s Gourmet.

Hope to see you on Saturday, December 1 at the RI Author Expo!

About my books:

Klaus’ First Winter

Take a stroll with Klaus the dog through a charming New England neighborhood and meet some of his friends along the way. On this adventure, you will discover, alongside Klaus, how Sally Squirrel, Billy the Eastern Bluebird, and Freddie Frog survive the cold and snowy winter months. Have fun while learning about migration and hibernation on this fascinating autumn morning walk.

Christmas With Klaus

When Denise and Ernie carry a tree into the house, set it in a stand, and waters it, a baffled and curious Klaus wonders why. Klaus turns to his friend Pebbles, who is a dog too, for the answer. Join in the excitement as Klaus plays in snow for the first time, discovers an ornament with his name hanging from a tree branch and learns about Christmas traditions and the reason for the season.

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram:

https://www.facebook.com/deniseflagg.author/

https://www.instagram.com/denise.flagg.author/

Visit my website at https://www.deniseflagg.com/.

For more information about Friends of the Providence Animal Care and Control Center, visit http://www.friendsofpaccc.org/.