People often ask me if my characters are based either on myself or someone I know. Most of the time the answer is no. Many of the dogs in my books however, are very much based on dogs that I have known and loved. My childhood dog was a terrier looking mix named Charlie much like Zoe’s Charlie in the Zoe Donovan series, and the adorable canine that graces the cover of every Paradise Lake Book is the spitting image of my real dog Echo. Let me clarify. Echo the real dog is not quite as perfect as Echo the book dog. My Echo is a totally awesome dog, but he is just a pet. He does not possess any special powers (other than to make me happy) and he has not been trained in search and rescue. Today’s blog will be dedicated to this huge bundle of joy.
Meet Echo as a puppy. Isn’t he cute! He has had the most kick back personality ever since we brought him home. He loves to cuddle and so do I.
Echo loves to go boating. We started him out young and he loves it to this day.
He also love swimming. The dog thinks he is a duck. If there is water he is in it. His first experience swimming was when he was just 8 weeks old. I had just gotten him and I decided to take a walk with him down to the river. There is this one spot where there is a high ledge about five feet above the top of the water. He saw the water, jumped off the ledge, and sank below the surface of the water. Yes I totally freaked out. He looked surprised when he came up for air but he seemed to love the experience and I haven’t been able to keep him out of the water since.
Echo also likes the snow. He is a dog of all seasons.
Echo is also a dog who loves the holidays. Actually I think it is the cookies that he really likes but he tends to be a good sport and accommodate my need to dress him up in all sorts of hats and whatnot.
Echo is a huge goof who loves the kids and they love him.
So there you have it. My dog Echo. Isn’t he awesome!
Echo is my third Bernese Mountain dog here are photos of the other two.
This is BJ. He was my first.
And then I got EZ. 
I am giving away a Kindle or Paperback copy (Non US Kindle only) of any Paradise Lake book currently being published. To be entered to win comment below.
Random Thoughts and Meaningless Musings 
Echo is precious. Thank you so much for sharing his story … I loved reading this. Thank you for the opportunity to win one of your books, too. 🙂
Thank you for stopping by Peggy. 🙂
I love, love, love my Rusty, he’s an awesome lab. My best buddy. But Kathi, would you consider renting out Echo? He seems pretty neat too!
LOL. Echo is a cool dog. I had a lab when I was a kid and they are awesome dogs as well. So energetic!
Kathi, Echo is beautiful. Thank you for sharing his story. I love that his special power is just making you happy. My dogs just make me happy too. I already have the books you’ve shown except Bikinis and Puppies. Don’t know how I missed those.
Dogs are the best aren’t they. They can make even the worst day a little better.
Life would not be as good without our furry companions. They are all so special in their own way, even if they don’t have super powers. Their power is being loving companions who brings us fun and peace.
Amen to that. A being who has the power to brighten any day is pretty special indeed.
Kathi, Echo is gorgeous! I’ve never had his breed, but I’ve had several cocker spaniels, and now a black lab (Roxy) and a bichon (Chloe) who are awesome too. I can’t imagine not having a dog in my life, they help make it complete.
Dogs really are God’s gift to mankind. They have the power to brighten any day.
Awwww Kathi he is an adorable big baby:) Always love to hear about others 4 legged family members. Our babies are German Shepherd’s, the youngest being Abby who is 7 months old. I am certain you have seen all my pics of her on FB:) I am loving your Friday blog. Thanks for sharing and tell Echo Hi:)
My daughter in law has a german shepherd who is around 7 or 8 months old. What a bundle of energy that one is! She is super cute but such a spaz!
I’m a small dog person but remembering the yellow labs my Aunt and Uncle always had.I spent lots of time with then and enjoyed the big dogs except if they could get the bathroom door open they’d get in the big old claw foot bathtub with me.
LOL. How funny about the dogs taking a bath with you.
Thank you for sharing Echo with us. Although I love dogs, I now live in a small condo in an urban setting. I have always felt that dogs need a yard so I have been owned by my cat for over 13 years. Pets help to make life complete.
I don’t currently have a cat due to the fact I live where there is a LOT of wildlife but I do miss having a kitty in my lap. 🙂
Oh I adore this post. What a wonderful dog. Thank you!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed meeting Echo.
Kathi, Echo is absolutely gorgeous and funny!! I’ve never been allowed to have animals, my parents wouldn’t let me, but my son had a black lab puppy years ago. He died, unfortunately. We both want to find a house where we can have pets again. Keep writing those great books!! Darcy
Thank you Darcy. I hope you get your house and your pet.
Our pets are such wonderful additions to our families– they are part of the family. Thanks for introducing us to Echo– what a sweetheart!🐶
They are like part of the family! Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Love Echo’s story and that of his progenitors. Every rescue I’ve had, and there have been many, has it’s own story. My first rescue was a collie/husky mix I found in the library, of all places! Missy was with us for 14+ yrs., a very calm, congenial dog. The next of singular note was Button-a corgi/chow mix…now there was a dog! Stubborn, loyal and playful as the dickens…I still have her hard rubber ball, with which she played endlessly. If I didn’t throw it for her, she’d grab it and give it a good bounce and chase it down to do all over again. Such joy! I miss each and every one of my dogs for their own special personalities: I’m the one who was rescued, truth be told!
I love the idea of finding a dog in a library. I may use that in a book. 🙂
Our pets can show so many sides of themselves. A dog for all seasons.
Exactly!
Being a dog lover, I absolutely loved your story and pics of Echo — sounds like one amazing dog that you had the pleasure of sharing adventures with
He is pretty awesome. He is sleeping next to my chair while I write. He lays here every day that I write. I think he thinks he is helping.
Love the pics! Echo seems like an awesome dog! Glad you found each other! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for commenting Barbara.
Aren’t you lucky to be able to have such beautiful dogs! Thank you for letting us into your life and sharing with us!
I do consider myself to be lucky. Thank you for commenting.
He looks similar to my brothers dog when we were growing up! Thanks for sharing his pictures.
Thank you for commenting Mary Jane.
Love the post. He is a beautiful dog. I really enjoy your blog.
I don’t know that I can ever live without a Berner. Echo is gorgeous and you are both lucky to have each other. My own Berner (my second) is now six and still as much of a goofball as he was as a puppy. He’s my Peter Pan dog, and a real treasure.
As you already know, I love you Echo. Such a beautiful pup and the type that captures your heard upon seeing. Puppies in Paradise would be how I would describe having a brood of pups like Echo.
I just love this huge dog. I am not sure why but I usually don’t like large dogs. But he is so loveable! , puppies in paradise.