The Nicholberry Dispatch
Book news, Andrew Huberman, and a groundbreaking Parvo treatment...
Welcome to the first installment of my newsletter, where I bring you the latest insights into all things dog and a few things human. I promise to keep it brief, but will also link to some great content that just might take you down a rabbit hole. And if you know me at all, you know I love a good rabbit hole!
BOOK NEWS
Oh, we are so close now! I met with my marketing team (I have to pinch myself whenever I say this—is this really happening?!) and we will be releasing the cover and launching the presale in January. I don’t have an exact date, but like this, it will come directly to your inbox. Can I tell you how excited I am to share all things book with you? It was such fun to chronicle the eight weeks that puppies spend with us and then craft a practical guide for raising an emotionally resilient puppy. Perhaps the most stressful thing I’ve ever done, but also the most exhilarating. I’m so curious - what are you most looking forward to in it?
SOMETHING TO READ
First of Its Kind Canine Parvovirus Treatment
If you’ve raised a puppy, you remember the palpable fear of Parvo – the highly contagious, life-threatening virus that can survive the worst environmental conditions and potentially lurks on any ground surface. It’s a puppy’s viral bogeyman. While there is still no single vaccine that protects a puppy against it, there is a revolutionary single treatment showing incredible promise for any puppy eight weeks or older who contracts Parvo.
SOMETHING TO LEARN
How Your Brain Works and Changes
I have been listening to Andrew Huberman’s podcast for years and credit him for the insights I’ve gleaned about the workings of the nervous system, including the brain. Obviously there are variations with dogs, but his clear explanations equipped me to read through heavy canine research papers with a basic grammar—and learn about myself in the process. This was one of those episodes that changed everything for me and contributed to my ever-evolving perception of puppies. He discusses our “parts list” and the ability of the adult brain to change in response to experience:
“Plasticity itself is just a process by which neurons can change their connections and the way they work… you can go from things being very challenging and deliberate, requiring a lot of effort and strain, to them being reflexive...”
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER
“If I could be half the person my dog is, I’d be twice the human I am.” – Charles Yu
SOMETHING TO LOVE
Remember those terabytes of photos I mentioned? An example:
Let’s keep changing the world, one dog at a time.
Hugs,
Kerry
Ah yes - the origin story is in there! Life is so unpredictable and mine took a (fabulous) turn that I couldn't have imagined when I started down the Nicholberry path. Can't wait for you to read it!
That means so much to me - I cannot believe how encouraging and kind my Instagram community has been in this process. And what you said is part of the reason I felt convicted about including a lot of pictures and a lot of stories. Even for those who aren't currently raising a puppy, I hope it will be an interesting and enjoyable read for anyone who loves dogs.