Kathleen & Dylan
It all begins with an idea. And Kathleen’s idea for her latest series Dylan’s Dog Squad began with her loveable Cocker Spaniel, Dylan.
Interview for LA Parent Magazine
1. How would you describe your Dylan’s Dog Squad Series?
As per Kirkus Review, “each book is a warmhearted tale of fun and adventure appealing to dog lovers of all ages.”
Dylan, an American Cocker Spaniel, and Casey, a twelve-year-old boy, and their best friend Sumo—better known as Dylan’s Dog Squad—use their search and rescue skills from Southern California to O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, to find lost kids, ghosts, forgotten treasures, bad guys, and a kleptomaniac chimp.
3. Which part(s) of your latest book, Dylan’s Villain, was most fun for you to write?
Definitely Chapter One! This is when Dylan’s Dog Squad is hired by their first client, Holly Matias, to find Bailey; the squad is so excited—until they find out Bailey is a kleptomaniac chimp.
2. Do you relate to any of the characters in the series? If so, why?
It is easy for me to relate to Dylan because the series is largely based upon his true-life experiences, adventures, and training.
In real life, an American professor and his wife, living in South Korea, bought Dylan from Walmart. I suggested dog training, but they insisted dog training would be a waste of time; especially, after Dylan destroyed their apartment, ate the interior of their new BMW, and ate their wedding pictures and negatives–they decided owning a dog was too much trouble. I took Dylan in with the promise of finding him a good home.
Within a week, Dylan was involved in agility training and learning basic American Sign Language. From there he went on to become the poster pup of success. Eventually, he became American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen certified and a service dog for hospice, could count to ten, could contact 9-1-1 with a special device, had a five-hundred word and phrase vocabulary, was bilingual understanding (English and Korean), knowledgeable in American Sign Language and performing search and rescue—all the things Dylan and Casey do in the series.
As a service dog, Dylan went with me everywhere and Dylan and I worked on his training every day. We always ended each session the same way. I would raise my right hand showing my thumb, index finger and little finger—American Sign Language for I love you.
4. What do you hope your young readers will get out of these books?
The books are about the worthwhile undertaking of raising a dog and getting a glimpse into the life of a search-and-rescue-dog. Readers will learn, along with Dylan, American Sign Language, and basic dog training skills. My greatest hope is the readers will realize Dylan is a great dog, Casey and Sumo are great boys, but as Dylan’s Dog Squad they have an unbreakable bond of friendship and are better together.
