“THESE YOUNGSTERS DEMONSTRATED SO MUCH TALENT AND DISCIPLINE IN HOW THEY CHOSE WORDS, STRUCTURED SENTENCES, AND BUILT NARRATIVES...”
the article begins. “His leg was bloody, and he looked very sad. He was a stray who had been attacked by other dogs and shot with a pellet gun.” Kimberly raised money for the foster dog’s sur- gery and follow up care—and (spoiler alert!) Booker went on to be adopted! ( https://dogwriters.org/junior/a-pas- sion-for-helping-pooches/ ) “Full Circle” by 13-year-old Daly Dodsworth recounts the ripple effect of kindness. After a comforting visit from a therapy dog named Sophie while hospitalized with Type 1 diabetes, Dod- sworth later had the chance to follow a therapy dog team at a nursing home. “As we walked in, the faces in the lobby lit up, just like mine had when I had been the one receiving the visit,” she wrote. ( https ://dogwriters.org/junior/full - circle/ ) “What I’ve Learned from Smudge, Lola, and Dewey” by 16-year-old Kendle Rae Frank ruminates on the diverse les- sons her dogs have taught her. “Overall, dogs have shown me how incredible life is. The world is a messed-up place,
but knowing how pure and special dogs are makes it more bearable. They have a zest for life that can melt the stron- gest of hearts.” ( https://dogwriters. org/junior/what- ive- learned- from- smudge-lola-and-dewey/ ) Mara Bovsun, the award-winning journalist, author and editor who launched DWAA’s Young Writers on the Web and mentors participants, said she enjoys working with everyone who has contributed to the program, including the winners. “These youngsters demonstrated so much talent and discipline in how they chose words, structured sentences, and built narratives,” Bovsun said. “But even more striking was the way they used language to convey the deep love they have for dogs, without cliché or senti- mentality. It was a joy to work with such promising young writers and I look for- ward to the program’s second year.” “The torch is being passed to the next generation. I’m so grateful to Mara Bovsun for spearheading Young Writ- ers on the Web,” said DWAA President
Jen Reeder. “She is so passionate about nurturing writers of any age, and she really shines when working with young people. We are so lucky she stepped forward to provide mentorship to these budding dog writers. Congratulations to the winners!” For more information, visit: https:// dogwriters.org/event/ ABOUT DWAA The Dog Writers Association of America is the most recognized pro- fessional writing association devoted to dogs. Founded in 1935, the DWAA has grown from eight founders to over 500 members, including journalists, authors, bloggers, publicists, photog- raphers, illustrators and media per- sonalities. Under the umbrella of the human-canine bond, members cover dog competitions, health, training, res- cue, pet fashion, veterinary research, working dog organizations, animal wel- fare legislation, fundraisers and many other topics. For more information, visit: dogwriters.org .
148 • S how S ight M agazine , J anuary 2019
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