Life lessons from when Betty bounced into our lives.

Last summer, our neighbor mentioned a little pup in need of a home.

We weren’t looking for another dog. In fact, we already had three, and life felt full enough as it was. But somehow—despite all logic—the mini Australian Shepherd found her way to our house. And from that first day, Betty felt like she belonged.

Betty is smart, sweet, and surprisingly snuggly for a herding dog who believes she’s always on duty. She can curl herself into a little ball beside you, soft as velvet, but in the next moment, she’s watching the door with laser focus, making sure everything is in order.

Here’s the twist, though—the part no one expects when they see her submissive wiggles or get one of her generous kisses at home. Betty. Does. Not. Like. Strangers. 😅 She can be positively rude and unyielding to anyone outside of her circle. More than once, I’ve had to explain that no, she isn’t mean. She’s cautious. She’s careful. She’s simply determined to decide for herself who’s trustworthy and who isn’t.

At first, it felt like a challenge. How do you help a dog who’s so affectionate with her family but suspicious of the world at large? But as we worked with her, trying to help her feel safe and confident, I started to see something deeper in Betty’s personality. She was reminding me that instincts are a gift, but they can also become a wall if we never let anyone past them.

That realization clicked in the most unexpected place: while I was writing Book 3 of the It’s a Wonderful Dog series.

In Summertime, I knew Bear Bailey needed a companion—a smaller dog whose presence would offer contrast and balance. When I thought about what that character should be like, Betty came to mind almost instantly. Her quirks, her puppy personality, her fierce protectiveness mixed with sweetness—all of it became the perfect mirror for one of Bear’s summer life lessons:

Use your instincts—but don’t confuse suspicion with wisdom. Sometimes, an open heart is the bravest thing of all. 💛

That life lesson, drawn straight from life with Betty, found its way into the heart of the story. Because isn’t that what our dogs do best? They teach us. They reflect back our own fears, strengths, and hopes in ways we might not recognize otherwise.

For me, Betty is a reminder that love requires risk. Opening your heart—to people, to new experiences, even to strangers—takes courage. It’s easier to stay closed off, to bark from the sidelines. But true wisdom knows when to step forward instead of pulling back.

Betty’s still a work in progress, and so am I. But she’s also a gift, nudging me toward patience, persistence, and understanding. I’m grateful for her every day—even when she insists the mail carrier is up to no good.

So please welcome Betty, part of the inspiration behind our Summer Book of the Season. She may not like strangers, but in her own way, she’s helping readers everywhere learn the bravery of keeping an open heart.

📚🐾 It’s a Wonderful Dog – Summertime is available now, a gentle reminder of the lessons our dogs leave us with and the ways they shape every season of our lives.