I am a fiction writer trying to learn how to write memoir, in small manageable bites. My dog, Cricket, is small and she bites, so I thought she could help.
Cricket is a fourteen pound Cockapoo (cocker spaniel/poodle mix), born on July 13th 2007. She has a strong grasp of the english language, when she wants to. But, most important, she is my social bridge. In the real world, she drags me outside to meet my neighbors, and random strangers with dogs who smell interesting. I’m hoping she can act as my social bridge online, as well, despite the lack of obvious smell.
update: We added Butterfly to the family on November 20th 2012. She was rescued from a puppy mill at eight years old and has added years to the life of this blog.
Butterfly before her bath
update: Miss Butterfly died at age 12 and 3/4, after almost five years of wonderfulness. It took us a year to find a new dog to keep Cricket company, but I’m pretty sure Butterfly found Ellie for us. Ellie came to us in July of 2018, a five year old Havanese, recently retired from a breeder.
I recently self published my first novel, Yeshiva Girl, with Amazon. Please check it out!
You can reach me at: cricketpages@earthlink.net
rachelmankowitz 
I’m an academic and write a lot at home. Pretty much all my writing is done with two of my cats Twinkletoes or Che on my lap or sitting in front of the laptop. Not sure how much they actually help the process, but they like to take all the credit anyway! Hope Cricket and Butterfly are helping with the memoir writing. We live in the middle of nowhere so I don’t really meet other people while out walking, but having the dogs has made me really close to my neighbour and has introduced me to lots of lovely people via the world of working dog trials. More importantly having to exercise dogs helped me get over a whole series of operations I had to have – I can’t imagine life without them. Right off to walk them now!
Even if I don’t meet people when I’m out walking, the girls make sure I meet squirrels and feral cats. The cats seem to think that if they run and hide behind bare branches, we can’t see them anymore. They’re kinda like people.
Hi Rachel – Thank you for liking my post. I like your blog and your very cute dogs. I am very fond of dogs and so are my cats :-). My Bengals have become snuggle bunnies with my dog. I write also and may contact you one day soon regarding writing coach work. Have a great day.
Great! Thank you!
Hi Rachel, I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts, and I love Cricket and Butterfly! Thanks for ‘liking’ my first post on my first every blog, about my dog Millie. It’s really an exercise in creating a blog as I’m something of a technology Luddite. I’ve had dogs all my life and couldn’t imagine life without one. Like you, my dog gets me out in the fresh air and, as she is ridiculously over familiar with people, I get to meet lots of lovely dog walkers (and the occasional unlovely one!). Fortunately most dog people (and people called Rachel) are lovely so our walks often extend beyond reasonable limits if we get chatting. Millie is sat looking at me now as she knows it’s time to pick my daughter up from school, so I’ll say bye for now from sunny (for a change) England 🙂
I love that dogs know our schedules better than we do! And congratulations on the sunny day; we could really use some of that here on Long Island.
Hello! I’m sorry about these random replies you’re getting from us…I don’t know how to post a regular comment on this blog,so I’ve decided to just reply to your already existing comments.
I love this page,and thank you for reading my blog and liking some of my posts and my About page! It really means a lot to me. I also write at home because my dream is to become a writer,and just to let you know,I emailed you about something,so make sure you check your email.
Good bye!
Love,
The Fifi and Lulu Crew
Thanks so much for visiting my blog! I appreciate it very much. 🙂
You’re welcome!
Thanks 🙂
Hi Rachel, Thank you for letting me know about all the dog blogs. It will keep Mum and I busy for a long time.
Maybe you can help me with a question please. Why does no-one leave me comments? Is there something that mum has not set up properly? Thanks KoKo
How odd! I don’t know what could be wrong with the set up. You certainly don’t lack for cuteness.There’s a troubleshooting/help page on wordpress you can check, in case it’s a problem a lot of people are having. Someone there should be able to help. Good luck!
p.s. I just went to your site and there’s no space for comments. There are options for likes and shares and a few other things, but no comments. So, in case you were worried, it’s not personal. I’m sure lots of puppy dogs are trying to send you messages through pee mail and just crossing their paws hoping the message will get to you somehow.
I like your blog!
Thank you!
“… trying to learn how to write memoir ….”
Well, if you can remember it, then you can think about it.
Think about whatever it sounded like.
Whatever it looked like.
Felt like.
What it did for you or to you or with you then.
You can almost relive it.
Then, with some time and surprisingly little effort, you can pretty much actually do that.
Finally you sit back and let the words come to you as they would have back then.
Not to Anne Frank or Ruth Bader Ginsberg or Golda or Sarah Silverman.
You.
Fiction can always fit into one genre or another, then a sub-genre just to make it interesting, and there are always elements that a reader looks for, that a writer strives for.
But you are unique. You are you own genre.
Anne would have her own way of expressing the joy of sharing a smuggled loaf of challah with her family; Justice Ginsberg her own way of conveying the intimidating history of living within the Halls of the most powerful “Boys’ Club” in our country; Golda could tell war stories with Churchill and FDR and the best of them from the perspective only a woman could unveil.
And Sarah Silverman is Sarah Silverman.
Farshteyn? Zayne nisht a groys shmir.
You already made it through the most challenging part, right?
Lots of great advice. Thank you!
Hey Rachel, thanks for the ‘like’ on my blog entry ‘Rain’.
You’re welcome!
Your dogs are adorable, Rachel! Looking forward to following your blog. I’m a fiction writer, sometime essayist myself. I’ve just started blogging and love it!
So glad to hear from you!
You are a wonderful person for rescuing a senior dog! They are so much harder to place, and it takes such a special soul to take them in! 🙂 I wish you luck with your writing!!!
They have a special program at the shelter near us for placing senior dogs and it just sounded like such a great idea. I would definitely do it again, and again, and again.
That’s how i am! I love the old guys! While puppies are cute and I love “ooing and awwing” over them at work, it’s the old ones that really get a place in my heart!
Thanks for visiting my Gratitude Journal blog. It’s so good that you rescued your furbabies. 🙂 We have 2 rescues – they chose us to share their lives with – how cool is that? 🙂
Very, very cool!
Hi Rachel, thanks for your like! I read a couple of your posts by the way. Great sense of humor!
Thanks for coming by!
Hi!
Buster and I are stopping by to let you know that we have nominated you for a Liebster award! You can read about it here: http://www.fetchformehuman.com/2014/04/26/really-like-us/
Have a great day!
Alix and Buster
Thank you so much!
Thank you for stopping by my blog. I too am a dog lover. I have a three year old miniature border collie/austrialian shepherd that we rescued. I have been an avid writer for many years, journaling, short essays, and the like. I look forward to exploring your blog. Already I’ve read a couple posts and have enjoyed them. Hope to see you again.
Thanks for the return visit! I met a miniature Australian Shepherd when I was on the lookout for a new dog (before Cricket). That puppy was intimidating. Much smarter than me, of course, and seemingly on speed as well.
Yes, Bell is very smart. Too smart sometimes, but has forged a spot in our family that is undeniable. It never ceases to amaze me how strong a bond one can make with an animal. They are not just pets, they are family.
I wanted to thank you for following me. I see you are a dog lover as well. My first dog (only had her for a couple days) was an Aussie Shepherd. I was four and mom made me give her up since we were traveling back and forth to San Diego and could not keep her. The next dog was a Lassa Apso (not sure of spelling), a min pin after I got married then four Boston Terriers (Mom kept a stray Shitz Tsu. which passed this last January) and most recently the Gidget and now her “sister” Sadie. Your darlings are adorable. Hope your day is wonderful!
Thank you so much! A wonderful day to you too!
You have a cool blog..
Thank you so much!
Rachel, thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for the return visit!
Thanks for the ‘like’ on ‘pet peeves’! I have lots more where that comes from. My 2 dogs & 1 cat are all rescues and I wouldn’t have it any other way. They are all so loving, and so grateful and are the only ones who can make me smile on my worst day! Your 2 are adorable!
Thank you! I have one happy and one grumpy, but it works out because they cover all the bases and keep us entertained.
Your little Cricket is so darn stinking adorable! Love that little button nose. 🐾
She’s the perfect example of how you can never just go and “look” at puppies without taking one home.
Thank you for your recent like for my blog I am glad to hear from you. May I say you have two of the cutest dogs. My two, Daisy and Wilf are Parsons Jack Russells, long legged Jacks. and as mad as a box of frogs but I wouldn’t be without them. Wilf also does a mean scream!
Bright blessings
x
Thanks for coming by! I’ve always thought that Cricket is a Jack Russell in a fluffy jumpsuit, because she jumps so high. These puppies keep us very entertained.
When I click on your blog, I respond very well to the theme. I just like the colours. I’m trying out my second theme now…thanks so much for liking ‘water’. My post for today ( should be up shortly ), is of my girls (dogs). I wonder if you can relate??
Yep, I’m an endless pit of puppy love.
you have to have to give a hug to Cricket and Butterfly from my side… 🙂
They love hugs!
🙂 mine was a hugger too..dogs are like the best thing ever
Thanks for the like, and for bringing me to your blog! Your dogs are very cute 🙂
Thanks for the visit!
Congrats! You have been nominated for the Dragon’s Loyalty award. Please collect it from http://aromasandflavours.com/2014/05/16/black-velvet-chicken-weekend-celebrations-part-2/. Have a nice day 🙂
Thank you!
Thank you so much for liking “Barking”, Rachel. We miss the two ladies, who always accompanied us on our walks in Spain. Your blog is great and I love your dogs, they are beautiful!
Thank you so much!
Thank you for liking my pages. I’m enjoyed going through your postings and also discovering you’re a fellow writer (beyond the blog). You describe yourself as a turtle, and I’m probably more like the jackrabbit bouncing all over the place; but in the end I’m sure we both accomplish what we were put here to do by following our hearts.
I hope so! Thanks for visiting.
Thanks for stopping by my site! 🙂
You’re welcome!
THX dear storyteller, like your’s…:-)))
Thank you!
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for liking my post, great blog you have here.
Kind regards
Wayne
Thank you!
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for liking my post (of a dog on the back of a ute, of course).
As soon as I saw it, that little dog made me think of Cricket. I don’t think she’d enjoy traveling in the tray either! But maybe I’m wrong?!
All the best,
Deb
Cricket believes that she should be the one driving the car. She rests her head on the driver’s shoulder and tries to steer. She doesn’t even believe in sitting in the back seat!
Thanks for stopping by my blog – hope you are feeling better and that Cricket and Butterfly are well. best wishes, Moke
Thank you!
Now I see it’s a she! 🙂
I have a toy poodle myself, and they are awesome!! What a cute mix though!:)
Hi Rachel! Thanks for liking my blog. I’m following you now because I LOVE dogs! I grew up with them but now have two cats, Rachael and Micah. I’m also following you because memoir writing sounds interesting, and you sound interesting! 🙂 Keep smiling.
Thank you!
Cool blog.
Thank you!
Rachel
Many thanks for being a loyal reader. Every one of your likes is greatly appreciated. And your dogs are adorable!
Thank you!
I enjoyed reading your blog and have started following you. And thanks for stopping by my blog and liking my post! Much appreciated. I love your doggie stories!,
Thank you so much!
My pleasure! Us doggie mommas gotta stick together right?! 🐾
Absolutely!
I’m glad to have found someone as crazy about dogs a a me!
I did a blog on May 16 about my dog training class, you might like it. It was hectic?
Thanks for liking our post. So glad to find you. Great blog. Following you now and hope to keep a conversation going.
Paws up,
Jill and Junior
Thanks for visiting!
Best of luck with your writing. I finished most of my YA novel with a Jack Russell in my lap. Made it harder to reach the keyboard sometimes, but I was never alone 🙂
A Jack Russell who sits still, that must have been a wonderful book!
You are a star! Passing on the Shine on award to your blog.
Details here – http://weliveinaflat.com/blog/shine-on-award/
Please do not feel obliged/obligated to respond or pass on the award if you do not want to. This is done in the spirit of fun and sharing your great blogs only. 🙂
Have a great day!
Thank you so much!
thanks…dear bird viewer…:-))) like your´s…
Thank you!
Hi Rachel,
Thank you so much for liking my post! I love the connections you make with meditation and dogs. They are so connected to nature and energy and we can learn so much from them. Lily wasn’t the original focus for my blog, and yet her illness is intricately linked to empty spaces. Journaling her last days through my blog is a form of therapy for me right now.
I’m new to blogging and am still trying to work out the bugs.
You’re doing great! Thanks for coming by!
Hello,
Thank you for the like on my post “FAK! Pina Coladas”. I love your blog, it’s so adorably wonderful! Your poochies are cuties. Have a wonderful day! 😀
Thanks for the return visit!
Thank you for stopping by my blog.
You’re welcome, and thanks for the return visit!
Hi Rachel! Oh no! I almost neglected your blog in my list of fifteen!!! I remedied that…. Your blog always makes me smile and I love your poochies. You’ve been nominated for Very Inspired Blogger (I just typed Blooger) – here are the details: https://popforunpop.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1213&action=edit&message=1 All the best! -p
Thank you! It’s so sad that the term is blogger instead of blooger; I think that would be much more fun.
Bertie and I have nominated you for a Leibster Award http://bertieandme.wordpress.com/2014/07/14/leibster/. You are one of our most loyal followers, and while I’m not well enough to follow your blog regularly I think the antics of Cricket and Butterfly are brilliant 🙂
Jak x
Thank you!
Hi Rachel. Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking it. I loved the raccoon story.
Thanks for the return visit!
You have a fine blog and a wonderful dog!
Wishing you a wonderful Sunday,
Dina
Thank you!
Thanks for checking out Elle & Pear! Your dogs, Cricket and Butterfly are so cute and sweet! Have a great weekend!
You too! Thanks for stopping by!
Interested and intrigued by your blog. Very impressive! Looking forward to your next posts. Please follow back if you will. Thank you!
Thank you for visiting!
Thanks for liking my post 🙂 Your dogs are so cute – look forward to reading more about them 🙂
Thanks for the return visit!
youre dog is sooooooo adorable! hihi and so are you 🙂 hope you meet more people with Cricket 🙂
Thank you!
Thank you for stopping by Storyteller. That’s some family name you have there. 🙂 — Ray
Thank you!
What else could I say? 🙂