Buddie: Lovable cocker spaniel helps author Strange on her own journey
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: June 11, 2008
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times
Buddie is a lovable cocker spaniel who truly believes that the only way to get to the backyard is through the house, a journey now featured in a children’s book written by Pamela Strange of Santa Paula and illustrated by Anna Measures of Oxnard.
“The Only Way To Get To The Backyard Is Through The House” tells of young Buddie’s world with his owners - Danielle and Justin - and snippets of others in his neighborhood - from his house companion, the caged bird J.C., to a wild blue heron to a napping orange cat across the street. Lucky for Buddie that he has Pamela, who has a degree in English literature from the University of South Florida, to help him find his way.
Written almost eight years ago, “I was inspired by my cocker spaniel, who truly, truly believed the only way to get to the backyard was through the house.... I wanted to make a book that was fun, but also to show that although dogs don’t talk, they think,” which Pamela demonstrates through Buddie’s observations on his companions and surroundings.
Pamela has “always had dogs, I’ve had an awful lot of unconditional love that they give you,” even when you might forget to give them a pet. “Even when dogs aren’t treated very well they love back... dogs just have such a wonderful spirit.”
Published by Xlibris in February, the first run of 100 hardback copies of Pamela’s book has sold out and she is also releasing it in soft cover. A recent book signing at Blanchard Community Library brought out about 50 people who enjoyed a program - featuring Donna Nelson - crafted to complement the story.
“The subtleness behind Buddie’s story is of course there are more ways to get to the yard than just the house,” and Pamela said the story has appeal “from 2 to 102... we’re all on a journey and we’re travelers: a child wondering what to do with their life as adults, and as an adult dealing with senior years. Find your way, enjoy the journey, it’s a positive exploration. For Buddie, it’s such a learning adventure... I’m pretty proud of it.”
And proud of the reaction from readers: “One little boy came up to me after the book signing and said ‘Thank you for sharing your book with us.’ Another person told me they have to read the book to their cat” that can’t seem to wander at will. “Everyone has a Buddie,” whether, said Pamela, it be of the feline or bird variety.
One goal Pamela had for her book was top-flight artwork. “I wanted a good artist, and Anna was one of Dorothy Orr’s students,” and the noted artist and art instructor recommended watercolorist Anna to Pam. “When I when contacted her we just clicked,” holding work sessions in an area restaurant that they developed such a strong fondness for, “when we finally got the book in we met there and had our picture taken.”
Pamela said she plans to look up a 5th grade teacher she met who told her that “Not many people out there are excited about prepositions,” as in her book “prepositions are just kind of there.... She’ll be quite pleased and is in my stack of people” she plans to contact.
Admittedly Pamela wanted to have her book published traditionally, but “Unless you are famous or infamous it’s very hard to break into.... I finally decided to publish my first book,” after careful study, with Xlibris, one of the giants of the industry.
Pamela discovered, “If you want your book your way, the only way is to publish yourself,” which is a far cry from years past when an author had to commit to “ten-thousand books... Now it’s publish on demand, and that makes it much more affordable.”
Although adventures remain for Buddie in the future - Pamela envisions an intercultural relationship at “doggie day care where Buddie meets up with a French poodle, perhaps pets with disabilities” - she also wants to write other genres of books for children, such as a junior high school mystery series. Then it’s on to “what I call positive fiction... I would like that area in the bookstore to be twice as big” with stories that “give you those value pieces” of character and action.
Pamela gives kudos to J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series of books that “got kids excited about reading,” an activity she fears might be swamped by electronics and television. “Being curled up and reading a book is such an adventure,” and in the past she created bookmarks for Blanchard Community Library’s youngest patrons to “entice children in pursuing a book as an adventure.”
A Santa Paula resident since 1996, Pamela has been married to Dr. Roger Strange since “12-22-02 at 12 noon.” Her dedication in the book thanks Roger, “who always believes in and encourages me,” and illustrator Anna, “who brought life to the pictures in my head and heart.”
Pamela or Anna can be contacted at strangemeasures@yahoo.com.
