The Nicholberry Dispatch

FRITZ'S FAVORITE LINKS! And becoming a better human a la George Saunders

NEWS

This section of the newsletter has morphed a bit, as it was initially dedicated to all things Puppy Brain. But it’s more aptly entitled “News” now, as this is where you can check for all upcoming happenings.

Nicholberry Conversations

This pseudo podcast/webinar that

Alyson Brewer

and I co-host, and that could double as a tech fail comedy skit, has become rather popular due to our incredible guests. And it’s only getting better! Many of you follow Dr. Kerry Burnight (“the gerontologist” on Instagram) and I’m delighted to have her join us June 25th.

Dr. Kerry’s book, Joyspan, releases in August and is already generating so much buzz (hello Mel Robbins endorsement!). This book is an essential resource for a generation looking for a better way to grow older—and to help our aging parents do the same. We’ll discuss all things Joyspan and of course dogs. Always dogs.

Join us! A recording link will be sent to everyone who registers. Sign up for details HERE.

Events

Santa Monica, California

July 15^th 6pm - (Free) Ticket Required

I’m thrilled to be returning to Zibby’s Bookshop with fellow Celadon writer Kristin Koval (Penitence). We will of course discuss our books, but also the overlap between them, including the forgiveness we each reference. We are both retired lawyers and boy moms, so I suspect that we will wander down many interesting rabbit holes. Please join us, and get your (free) tickets now. Last year we sold out!

Get your tickets HERE.

East Coast

Rockport MA, Boston MA, Exeter NH, and Bedford, NY are all coming - stay tuned here!

I’m doing several events with Kristin Koval, as we are both retired lawyers who have found a second act in writing. And, we love dogs! We are excited about what our conversations will entail and look forward to meeting so many of you.

SOMETHING TO WATCH

Failures in Kindness

If you want to become a better human, watch this. I’ve been seeing a lot of commencement speech clips and while there have been a few that I have watched to completion, none quite measure up to this 2013 gem by George Saunders. Widely recognized as one of the most heartfelt and memorable graduation addresses in recent years, Saunders (Lincoln in the Bardo) shares that what he regrets most in life are failures of kindness.

“Do all the other things, the ambitious things” he says. “Travel, get rich, get famous, innovate, lead, fall in love, make and lose fortunes … but as you do, to the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness.”

A message we all need to hear right about now.

SOMETHING TO BUY

One of our Nicholberry families recently asked what my favorites are for our teenager. This is a question I get quite frequently, so in the event you are also in the throes of raising an adolescent dog (or will be), and need to find a way to help offload that exuberant energy, I got you. (Also, if you have a dreamy adult who just deserves something special, these will elevate your favorite human status in ways you never thought possible).

Kong Wobbler - he gets about 1/2 his food in this in the morning and evening (the large); Treat ball; Outward Hound Snoop (this thing is a new favorite!); Pupsicle (I freeze my own treats with this - low calorie and better ingredients); Chilly Penguin; West Paw with stopper (remove stopper before giving this, but makes freezing vastly easier); bully stick with bully stick holder (I use the small holder b/c a lot of the bully sticks are not thick enough to work in the large); lick mat (this is great either suctioned to the floor or for baths); organic baby food pouches for frozen food toys - I love these SO much because they are smelly, but add almost no calories (and are super convenient). One pouch makes a ton of toys, as I only use about a teaspoon; benebones - these can be controversial, as theoretically, a dog shouldn't chew on something harder than their tooth. But I also recognize that if they aren't given a satisfying outlet for the chewing, they can get destructive (and that can lead to veterinary intervention as well). Fritz tends to choose these right before he goes to sleep. It's more transitional gnawing than chewing. We've never had a dog crack a tooth, but watch your pup. If he is really aggressively chewing them, remove them from the rotation and see if you can meet his needs through everything above.

SOMETHING TO CONSIDER

“A dog can never tell you what she knows from the smells of the world, but you know, watching her, that you know almost nothing.” - Mary Oliver

SOMETHING TO LOVE