"Boundary Crossing" by Jane Satchell McAllister
I still feel the chills run down my spine.
After all, D-O-G is truly the perfect reflection of G-O-D.
Jane Satchell McAllister spent fifteen years as a corporate banker before returning to school for a master’s degree in library science and going to work at her local public library. She is grateful to have been chosen to lead the library as director for the last ten years of her working life. Jane is now enjoying her retirement time traveling, reading, and writing much more than was possible during her career.
Author’s Talk
Jane Satchell McAllister
Dogs have been an integral part of my life since childhood. Our German shepherd mix dog became famous at my elementary school for breaking out of the back yard and joining the kids on the school playground at least once a week, at which point either my brother or I would walk Trixie home.
As my future spouse and I discussed our upcoming marriage, I stipulated that having a dog in our home was a given. Gladly, my husband had no objections, even when dog(singular) became dogs (plural). Within two months of getting married, our first dog, Deacon, joined our home. Deacon sometimes accompanied my husband when he traveled to campus to teach. His students loved having Deacon in the classroom. I was shattered upon losing Deacon at almost 15 years of age and discovered that writing stories of her many exploits helped to assuage my grief.
My unbridled love for dogs led naturally to my serving on the board of our local humane society for over a decade. I tell people that dog rescue work is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Rescue organizations routinely rely on foster families to provide shelter and care to animals that have been abandoned, abused, traumatized, or surrendered.
So, when Missi needed to be placed into a suitable foster home, my husband and I volunteered. Each dog has its own distinct personality and character, and much of the joy of having a dog, even on a temporary basis, is discovering its nature and needs. Missi clearly needed a lot of patience, instruction, and love if she were going to blossom and come into her own as an adoptable dog. Our time with her was rich, rewarding, and truly eye-opening. I am so pleased to offer Missi’s story.
