About

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

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.

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I recently self published my first novel, Yeshiva Girl, with Amazon. Please check it out!

You can reach me at: cricketpages@earthlink.net

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  1. Prynka@MyDiary's avatar Prynka@MyDiary | May 26, 2015 at 9:29 am

    Hie…you have got an interesting blog.Keep up the good work…..Let’s stay in touch 🙂

    Prynka 🙂
    https://healthbeautyfashionandcooking.wordpress.com/

    Reply
  2. thewritesteph.com's avatar thewritesteph.com | May 29, 2015 at 1:45 pm

    Hi Rachel, thanks for visiting me at http://www.thewritesteph.com! I’m enjoying browsing your blog. I like your sense of humor and seeing your adorable pups. Wow, you’ve got a ton of followers! What is your secret? Best regards, Stephanie

    Reply
  3. Welcome's avatar PetersFoodAdventures | June 6, 2015 at 8:27 pm

    Thanks for liking How to make Caramelised Onion, Mushroom and Bacon Pizza. Have a great weekend! 🙂

    Reply
  4. lynne hoareau's avatar lynne hoareau | June 19, 2015 at 9:25 am

    I love your ‘about’ page and am thoroughly enjoying reading your blogs. Your little dogs are gorgeous 🙂 . I am trying my hand in writing, but still have a lot of work to do. Whether it will go anywhere I am not sure, but its a fabulous ongoing experience for me.

    Reply
  5. bunny and mimsey's avatar bunny and mimsey | June 24, 2015 at 1:33 am

    Hi Rachel, thanks for visiting our blog and liking my post about South Sudanese food. I do hope you are adventurous and try this easy and tasty dish,
    Cheers Mimsey

    Reply
  6. Maine Belonio's avatar Luna Darcy | June 24, 2015 at 6:25 pm

    Hi Rachel,

    Glad I found your blog! I have been reading your posts and enjoying it a whoe lot. You are awesome and definitely deserve to be freshly pressed. 🙂

    Take care! And I look forward to future posts.

    Luna

    Reply
  8. mommykens726's avatar mommykens726 | July 6, 2015 at 7:47 pm

    I nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award. I have really enjoyed reading about you and your sweet babies. https://hilllove.wordpress.com/2015/07/06/versatile-blogger-award/

    Reply
  9. Sadie's Nest's avatar Sadie's Nest | July 14, 2015 at 2:46 am

    Hi Rachel! I am nominating you for the Sunshine Bloggers Award:) Check out http://sadiesnest.com soon!

    Reply
  10. Patsy Porco's avatar patsyporco | July 23, 2015 at 3:20 am

    Thank you for being such a faithful “liker” of my posts! I really appreciate it. And I love your blog. You’re very talented.

    Reply
  11. Photo Granny's avatar Photo Granny | July 27, 2015 at 1:17 am

    Thank you for visiting my blog! I see we have dogs in common. Patrón gives me something to talk about and to center my comments around. (My son named her.) Have you started your book yet?

    Reply
  12. jwuollife's avatar jwuollife | July 31, 2015 at 8:09 am

    Cricket is such a cutie-pie. I love ‘all’ dogs, aren’t they just amazing?
    Thank you for stopping by, and good luck with your dream 🙂

    Reply
  13. The Write Stuff's avatar The Write Stuff by John G. | August 2, 2015 at 7:43 am

    As a fellow animal lover/rescuer, I applaud you for saving dogs from puppy mills. Cricket and Butterfly are the most beautiful doggies I have ever seen. I just love them!

    Reply
  14. teripal's avatar teripal | August 6, 2015 at 8:21 pm

    Nice work, I liked it. Also if you are interested in economics a bit, you can have a look at my blog from time to time:)))

    Reply
  15. harrogate50's avatar harrogate50 | August 9, 2015 at 12:01 pm

    I have told you before but, I really like your “voice” and sense of humor. I encourage you to continue writing – even though you haven’t had a novel published yet, keep trying! Also, it’s a whole new e-book world out there. You don’t need a publisher anymore but you do have to be your own marketer and you have to really work at it. Perhaps a course (online or otherwise) about marketing an e-book would be helpful? BTW, I too am a dog/animal lover and advocate for adopting rescue animals. My current four-legged companion is a 2 yr old beagle mix named Liberty – she is such a blessing in my life.

    Keep up the good work!
    Lynda

    Reply
  16. Johno's avatar Johno | August 13, 2015 at 4:20 pm

    What a lovely ‘About’ page – I’m glad I found your blog and thank you for visiting mine!

    Reply
  17. Rebecca Trono - Dog Listener of Vermont's avatar Anonymous | August 13, 2015 at 10:42 pm

    Hi, Rachael! Thank you for “Liking” my blog post, “Our New Arrival”, I so appreciate it! Best, Rebecca

    Reply
  18. itsgoodtobecrazysometimes's avatar itsgoodtobecrazysometimes | August 17, 2015 at 12:18 am

    Hi

    Thank you so much for finding my blog and liking posts

    Reply
  19. annarashbrook's avatar annarashbrook | August 17, 2015 at 2:32 pm

    Thanks for liking my stuff on Swingle! I thought I was following you until I clicked on the blog -ooops, now am and looking forward to reading more! Am in the same position with wanting to put my blog into a book, but the story isn’t over, and there’s such a mix of personal stuff and Austrian life, don’t know how to untangle it for the market! Best wishes!

    Reply
  20. A FitBit Kind Of Life's avatar Bridgette's Digits 🔛 An Epic Weight Loss Journey | August 23, 2015 at 12:35 am

    Cricket is too cute! Awww
    ~bridgette

    Reply
  21. itsgoodtobecrazysometimes's avatar itsgoodtobecrazysometimes | August 25, 2015 at 7:04 pm

    Hi

    Thank you so much for finding my blog and liking a post

    Reply
  22. Jon's avatar Jon | September 5, 2015 at 9:55 pm

    Hi Rachel, thanks for dropping by the website and listening to the Dad’s Diary podcast. I appreciate you taking the time to like the post and I hope you’ll continue to come back and enjoy future episodes too.

    Reply
  23. Moke's avatar Moke | September 5, 2015 at 10:41 pm

    Hi Rachel – I always love it when you pop up on my blog. I thoroughly enjoy your posts and your life with the beautiful Cricket and Butterfly. Thank you and love Moke xxx

    Reply
  24. Talia (Hey-Talia.com)'s avatar Something to Taco 'Bout | September 14, 2015 at 6:06 pm

    HI Rachel! I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your support of my blog “Peaches and Puppies”! Your likes were so appreciated for someone just starting out in the blogging world. I just wanted to let you know that I changed my site from “Peaches and Puppies” to “Something to Taco Bout”.

    Keep up the awesome posts, I love following you!

    –Talia

    Reply
  25. maggie rose gray's avatar mrothwarren | September 25, 2015 at 4:03 pm

    Thank you for visiting my blog! I very much appreciate it, and have been enjoying reading yours. I also admire the time and effort you’ve put into building a great network.

    Reply
  26. Arlene's avatar Arlene | October 4, 2015 at 2:22 pm

    Thank you for liking my post “Sully Saturdays # 2” on OUR RETIRED LIFE.
    I have read two of your posts and liked them.
    You have a interesting blog. I think it is worth following to get a really good sniff. 🙂
    Arlene

    Reply
  27. Ruta's avatar Ruta | October 5, 2015 at 2:43 pm

    Hey,
    Thanks for visiting my blog – https://roamingruta.wordpress.wordpress.com and linking my post on Beetroot Dessert. I hope you will try this simple recipe and will like it…
    Cricket and Butterfly are very cute…. !!!
    You have a very interesting blog…!!!
    All the very best for your dreams..

    -Ruta

    Reply
  28. laurenjeffreywriter's avatar laurenjeffreywriter | October 7, 2015 at 12:32 am

    I had a maltese named ‘Cricket.’ The perfect name for a tiny fluffy dog. 🙂

    Reply
  29. Tony's avatar Tony | October 12, 2015 at 2:26 pm

    HI, Rachel! Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking a post. I, too, have a canine companion. Should have put her picture into the dog post.

    Reply
  30. Nancy Owens's avatar Practical Advisor | October 26, 2015 at 5:54 pm

    Hi Rachel! I enjoyed looking at all the family and pet photos. Not sure how you found my blog but thank you for stopping by. Hope we stay in touch.

    Reply
  31. SueT唐 梦 琇's avatar SueT唐 梦 琇 | November 3, 2015 at 10:46 pm

    You are a treasure for rescuing Butterfly from the puppy mill. Hope you both have a wonderful life. I have two dogs and one is a rescue dog (had her for over ten years and she still is scared of most things…so who knows what happened to her in her previous life) but now she has a wonderful life.

    Reply

  32. Pingback: The Respect Award | Sometimes I Cook

  33. triciaroxane's avatar triciaroxane | November 11, 2015 at 10:42 pm

    Hi Rachel! I nominated you for the Respect Award, you can check it out here http://sometimesicook.net/2015/11/11/the-respect-award/ ♥

    Reply
  34. triciaroxane's avatar triciaroxane | November 17, 2015 at 3:56 am

    Haha long time no comment! I’ve nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award! If you’d like to participate you can check it out here http://sometimesicook.net/2015/11/16/the-blogger-recognition-award/ 🙂

    Reply
  36. TheBrownCigar's avatar wordstoryaday | December 1, 2015 at 3:20 am

    Thank you for visiting my blog! 🙂 Cricket is adorable!!

    Reply
  37. Ellen Hawley's avatar Ellen Hawley | December 2, 2015 at 5:14 pm

    As a fiction writing struggling to write not memoir but personal nonfiction, I want to ask you a very important question: Can I borrow your dog?

    Reply
  38. chixpix's avatar chixpix | December 14, 2015 at 12:31 am

    Happy holidays & thanks for your loyalty! (And Cricket & Butterfly’s too)

    Reply
  39. Merry Hearts Medicine's avatar Merry Hearts Medicine | December 14, 2015 at 5:18 am

    Sweet photos. I grew up with a black cockapoo until I was 12. (She was older than I was when she died — 15 years!)

    Thanks for liking my post about deviled eggs. Have a great day!

    Reply
  40. A Kinder Way's avatar A Kinder Way | December 21, 2015 at 9:24 pm

    Hello! I wanted to let you know that I nominated your blog for a Liebster award.
    http://akinderway.com/2015/12/21/the-liebster-award/

    Reply
  41. jarmilascooking's avatar jarmilascooking | January 3, 2016 at 4:44 pm

    Dear Rachel,
    thanks for your continuing support – it makes me come back to your site and check it regularly. Although I’m not very much into dogs, I do like the way you write about them – and lots of other interesting topics.
    Have a great 2016 and keep writing!

    Reply
  42. celialadygarden's avatar celialadygarden | January 11, 2016 at 3:55 pm

    My dear lady, thank you for visiting my little bliss ( blog is such a vulgar word) and liking my post. Love your little ‘babies’, I cannot imagine life without a little furry companion, they give us so much love and ask for very little.
    I shall enjoy reading your posts now that we have connected.
    Kind Regards
    Celia

    Reply
  43. lucykharris's avatar lucykharris | January 12, 2016 at 7:57 pm

    I adore dogs, it’s nice to meet a fellow blogger who does too, you’ve inspired me to feature my dog in a future blog post! Keep up the good work 🙂

    Reply
  44. Tony's avatar Tony | January 13, 2016 at 5:01 pm

    HI, Rachel. I wanted to thank you again for your continued support of my blog. I appreciate your liking posts even though I do not stop by and acknowledge each one. I share your love for a canine companion. Mine is a ‘failed’ Teacup Poodle who was the runt of the litter, but now stands 11 inches tall and weighs almost 14 pounds. Clearly not a Teacup. Keep up the good work!

    Reply
  45. Bob Mills's avatar Bob Mills | January 17, 2016 at 6:51 pm

    What an interesting blo you have my friend. I love that you have a rescue dog as well.
    Just wanted to thank you so much for visiting and now following my own. I shall be back to read more about you soon.
    Take care
    Bob

    Reply
  46. Life Lessons of a Dog Lover's avatar Life Lessons of a Dog Lover | January 26, 2016 at 6:56 pm

    Cricket and Butterfly are two beautiful dogs. I am looking forward to reading more about them. I love your interesting perspective on your dogs and life.

    Reply
  47. Margret Abbott's avatar Three Pups and a Couple of Kitties | January 30, 2016 at 12:56 pm

    Hi Rachel, we nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award! Take a look:
    https://twopupsandakitty.wordpress.com/2016/01/30/blogger-recognition-award/

    Reply
  48. Samantha's avatar ortizsam | January 31, 2016 at 12:02 am

    Hey Rachel, thank you for checking out our page and liking our blog! We appreciate it
    -on behalf of Dogs Meet World-

    Reply
  49. Mark's avatar Mark | February 1, 2016 at 4:19 pm

    Hi Rachel,

    Thank you for ‘liking’ and following my blog, I hope you found it of interest. I really like you stuff, just need to sit and read through some more of it! Thanks again, Mark

    Reply
  50. Fairy's avatar Fairy | February 2, 2016 at 10:46 am

    Thank you for ‘liking’ my blog. I will definitely be back to read some more.

    Reply
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