J.F. Riordan's Touching Essay on Her Beloved Dog in 'But Still They Sing'

The Enduring Bond Between J.F. Riordan and Her Beloved German Shepherd, Moses: A Touching Essay in "But Still They Sing."

Being a pet mom and a novelist can be a challenging balancing act, but pets can provide inspiration for stories and teach the patience needed to succeed as a writer. In her upcoming book of essays, "But Still They Sing," J.F. Riordan draws inspiration from her beloved German Shepherd, Moses, who inspired the touching essay "On Moses." Riordan shares her special bond with Moses, his unique personality, and the heartbreaking process of watching him decline and pass away. In this article, we'll scroll through Riordan's tweets to understand the inspiration behind "On Moses."

J.F. Riordan is no stranger to incorporating her experiences as a pet mom into her writing. In fact, she also penned a book titled "My Dog Pete." You may recall us covering Pete's story in a previous article.

"But Still They Sing" Book of Essays

J.F. Riordan, the award-winning author of the North of the Tension Line series, presents a heartfelt collection of essays in "But Still They Sing." Her lyrical prose style captures the peculiar isolation and intensity of the pandemic lockdown while marking the contrast of nature's ruthlessness with human suffering. Riordan observes the natural world precisely, from a bathtub spider to a tree-borne cluster of raccoons. Her essays are deeply insightful, personal, and alternately soulful and humorous. "But Still They Sing" offers the comfort and companionship of a humane voice to anyone in search of solace.

J.F. Riordan's book of essays, "But Still They Sing," is expected to be published on July 11, 2023.

The book consists of 194 pages. It takes 2-3 hours to read the book, making it a relatively short read. The book is available in paperback and ebook formats, priced at $14.95 and $9.99, respectively. The book is published by Beaufort Books and is set to be released on July 11, 2023.

A Touching Essay: 'On Moses'

J.F. Riordan is expressing her struggle with the grieving process and the pressure she feels from others to move on from losing Moses. Let's avoid making the same mistake and understand this special bond during all its phases.

Choosing the Name Moses

When J.F. Riordan and her husband brought home their new German Shepherd puppy, they argued about what to name him. Riordan insisted on the name Moses, inspired by the biblical figure and her love of the movie "The Ten Commandments." Despite not being a particularly religious choice, the name suited the puppy well.

A Special Bond

Riordan felt a strong sense of destiny and inevitability in her relationship with Moses. She describes Moses as her soulmate and expresses her deep love for him. Riordan acknowledges that some people may not understand the intensity of her feelings for Moses, but it was a special connection that just "was."

Moses' Personality

Moses had a fierceness about him that Riordan hadn't seen in her other dogs. He was protective and respected by people who met him. Moses had a passion for butter and was a skilled splasher in the lake. Riordan shares anecdotes illustrating Moses' personality and quirks, such as his love of digging and tendency to bark at strangers.

Training and Obedience

Riordan initially feared Moses, but she eventually learned how to handle him. Moses was highly obedient and did things because he knew he should. Riordan recounts an incident where Moses refused to let her leave without him, even if it meant sitting outside in sub-zero temperatures. Moses was also trained to be a therapy dog and visited nursing homes to brighten residents' days.

The Last Days

Moses' health began to decline due to an injured back and arthritis pain. Riordan sought medical treatment, including acupuncture, chiropractic, and laser therapy, but something still didn't seem right. Moses was eventually diagnosed with a tumor, and Riordan reflects on the heartbreaking process of watching him decline and eventually pass away. She describes the difficulty of knowing when to let him go and the pain of saying goodbye.

Conclusion

Through "On Moses", Riordan provides insight into the intensity of the grieving process and the deep connection that can be formed between a human and their animal companion. With "But Still They Sing" set to be published on July 11, 2023, readers can look forward to more of Riordan's heartfelt observations and personal connections to the natural world.