No newsletter in June and none in July, so you’ve probably forgotten about me by now.

Ah! But here I am!

Still alive. Still writing. Still juggling too much, probably like you are. Making my way through a tough summer

Here is what is happening in my world:

My time and emotional bandwidth have been consumed in large part by helping my elderly parents as they negotiate a move to assisted living (at age 91 and 92). They are still here, but I miss them desperately. I could use their advice as I find myself floundering in a foreign ocean, trying very hard to support them and be guided by love:

My Life in Paragraphs

Words have always been a balm for me and a book just out this week has been a liferaft in this unfamiliar sea. I don’t know the author, Ti Mougne, but her short memoir, Held in the Vanishing, is a balm to my struggling soul. I meditate on her words as I make the 3.5 hour drive back and forth to Lancaster.

And, of course, dogs are also helping me keep perspective amidst the challenges of this summer. Here’s the latest on Another Good Dog:

another good dog

The nonprofit I run has exploded (in a good way) thanks to some social media surges. We finally stopped tiptoeing around the reality of what is happening in our shelters — decades worth of progress has been erased thanks to unintended consequences in the name of No-kill. Here is a video created by the cofounder of our organization that explains what’s happening.

We are gearing up for the next shelter tour at the end of the month, and I continue to share stories from those visits on our blog. Here is a recent post:

Who Will Let the Dogs Out

In publishing news, I’m failing pretty miserably at promoting my latest book (read: I haven’t done more than a handful of posts). I still believe in it, but sadly helping it find an audience has fallen to the bottom of my list this summer. That said, using it myself is helping me keep moving forward even as I scramble to keep my feet underneath me. So maybe I wrote it for me.

I’m toying with creating a Live Intentionally: A Daily Journal for Living on Purpose group on Facebook or Substack where we work our way through the journal together. I think it might be a great way to kick off fall and support each other as we create our best lives. If this is something you’d be interested in, let me know by answering my poll:

I’m in the midst of finishing up the most important (to me) and most personal book I’ve written. I am equal parts terrified that it will make some people hate me and proud to have created the book I needed when I was in that hard place. I believe it will help.

The Privilege of Loving: A Dog, a Daughter, and a Journey Through Grief to Grace is scheduled to be released at the end of October.

More on the Blogs from the summer….

Writing is Not for Slackers

More stories on Another Good Dog

More shelter stories

Book Recs:

Inspiration for an Intentional Life:

Trust your instincts

We rarely think about the fact that we are animals.

We have instincts we are born with, but our world has a way of discounting them, watering them down, making us forget they are inherently ours.

Today, listen to your heart and your gut. Go where it leads and trust it.

You know what to do, you really do.

It’s been said that all the answers you ever need are inside you.

Lift up the layers and accumulated attitudes and belief systems thrust upon you. Look under all that – down at the base of you. The essential you.

Be still and listen for the wisdom, the direction, the understanding that comes from deep in you.

Trust your instincts.

(This is a mini essay like the ones in the Live Intentionally Journal. I plan to share some from the journal and others in each newsletter.)

There! I did it. I finished a newsletter despite my overloaded plate.

These days, though, I think most everyone has a lot on their plate.

Writing this newsletter is a much-needed reminder that life is good.

I hope your life is good too, no matter what you’re busy with.

And if you’re still looking for ways to spin your own overwhelm, consider grabbing a copy of my new journal. It will help you embrace your life intentionally. Here’s the link.

I hope you squeeze out a lot more summer in this last month before it all starts up again.

Despite being 60 years old (gasp!), fall still feels like the start of the year for me. It’s my favorite season, and by then, I really hope this hard summer will be over, and I will look back and be grateful for all of it - the good stuff and the hard stuff.

Be well, be present, be happy, my friends. I’d love to hear how your summer is going. Is it a good season in your life?

Cara

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And if you need a new puppy in your life (or some puppy therapy), hit me up. I’ve still got one left! Email fosterdogcottage@gmail.com

Here are a few photos to tempt you:

Things are nonstop here, of course. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I was interviewed recently on a wonderful podcast created by a thoughtful woman who is the rare soul who gets my need to add more and more and more to my world.

Most people (and by most people, I mean my husband) always respond to my announcement of a new project with protest, “You already do too much. You have to give up something else.”

Holly, my new friend, understands that adding another project or plan actually motivates me and makes me happier – instead of taking my energy, it fuels me with more.

And while she’s way up in Canada and I am unlikely to ever meet her in person, it was such an affirming moment for me when she said – “Yes! Me too! Everyone always thinks I shouldn’t take on anything else.”

My episode on Holly's podcast

NEWEST BOOK

Live Intentionally: A Daily Journal for Living on Purpose

My new journal was one of those projects. And now that it is out in the world, helping people tackle their own newest thing or inspiring them to live the life they want, I’m quietly waiting to know if it accomplished what I envisioned last year when I decided to embark on the project despite my overfull life.

If you’re one of the people who bought the journal and are giving it a try, I’d love to hear how it’s going. Email me (carasueachterberg@gmail.com) or message me here.

And if you’re curious about the journal, look it up on Amazon, or watch my video at the end of this newsletter. It’s available now in normal-book-size and large-size.

Here are two Amazon reviews of the journal:

“This is the first tracking journal I’ve actually stuck with — and I’ve tried a lot of them. I’m a self-improvement junkie, and over the years I’ve abandoned more journals than I can count. Too complicated. Too time-consuming. Too many sections that didn’t fit my life. Most got shelved within a couple of weeks. Cara Achterberg’s Live Intentionally is different. Each daily two-page spread takes just minutes, but it strikes a balance I haven’t found anywhere else.”

“This journal got me thinking in a new and better way when it comes to planning my day. The journal starts with an Intention... How do I want my day to go? What will make this a good day? How can I move toward my goals, vs. checking things off a list? My perspective and mindset change for the better when I begin my day this way! The journal has sections for gratitude, interactions with others, reading, and other things that make life worthwhile. There are also places to record your own thoughts and lists (yes, including to-do lists!) The cover is beautiful too, so I just like to see it sitting on my shelf!”

If you’re using the journal, I’d really appreciate a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. And I would be beyond grateful if you’d share your experience with your friends, who you think might also enjoy the journal.

NEXT BOOK

I’ve just begun work with the editor for my upcoming memoir, tentatively titled The Privilege of Loving: A Dog, A Daughter, and a Journey from Healing to Hope. We’re aiming for an early fall release!

Dog Stuff

The Foster Cottage is full with 9 newborn puppies and their mama, plus 3 (hopefully soon to be 2) foster dogs looking for homes of their own. You can see who is available for adoption here. (The puppies will be available for adoption in early July)

Read the Another Good Dog blog

If you’re wondering why our country is experiencing a devastating animal crisis, read my post that explains it on Who Will Let the Dogs Out:

Who Will Let the Dogs Out

I’m having a pretty big birthday this week. Wednesday, May 20, celebrates my 60th turn around the sun, AND it’s also National Rescue Dog Day!

Nick and I are escaping for a quick 2-day hiking getaway, before I come home to welcome my oldest friend (well, not my oldest friend, but the friend I’ve had the longest – since I was 2) for a fun long weekend together pretending we are still young.

In honor of my 60^th, I’m having a Facebook fundraiser for Who Will Let the Dogs Out. The money raised will go toward our InstaSupport Grant (formerly InstaGrant), which purchases much-needed resources for shelters, such as chip scanners, kennel repairs, raised beds, and more.

donate for my birthday!

I hope your life is full of what matters most to you. I’d love to hear about it. (I really would.)

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You can find this video and more on my Tik Tok channel that is mostly focused on my life with dogs: fostering, rescuing, visiting shelters, and dog-friendly travel

My latest book is available!

This book grew from my personal practices. They’ve helped me achieve goals like publishing 8 books (!) traditionally and nontraditionally, starting a nonprofit, fostering over 300 dogs, shepherding 3 amazing humans into adulthood, building a short-term dog-friendly rental business, moving to the most beautiful place on earth (imho), and creating a life I love. Crafting and publishing this journal has been a labor of love and a leap of faith.

My greatest hope is that it will help you live more intentional days, so you can get the life you want and the happiness you deserve. Whether your goals are personal or professional (or both, like mine), this is a resource to actively move yourself forward EVERY DAY in pursuit of those goals, or simply an intentional life.

This is not your typical journal, so even if you’re not a ‘journaler’, I think you’ll find it helpful. It’s not a blank book waiting for all your deepest thoughts; it’s interactive, motivational, and flexible.

There are three months’ worth of journal pages that help you plan intentional days through:

• naming goals, actions, wins, and gratitude

• planning menus, hydration, and activities

• practicing habits, reading, connections

• tracking sleep, mood, and other markers (your choice) like steps, screens, and health

• breaking down your to-dos into wanna do, should do, and have to.

In between those ‘journal’ pages, you’ll get mini motivational essays, inspirational quotes, extra space to write in response to the day’s thought, plus a book journal, graphing space if you like to track your progress that way, and extra journal pages for when you have a lot to spill from your head and heart.

order your copy

I am working on creating large print and spiral-bound versions, so stay tuned for those. And if the response is positive (meaning I break even on my investment), I’ll create three more journals to make a year’s worth of intentional living.

More news

Meanwhile, I turned in the latest (bazillionth) rewrite of my novel, Maybe It’s a Sign. Fingers crossed, this is the one that catches the eye of a publisher. I’d give up all hope, except Blind Turn and I’m Not Her both took upwards of 7 or 8 rewrites.

Now to set my sights on my memoir, The Privilege of Loving: A Dog, a Daughter, and the Journey from Grief to Grace. I’m aiming for publication in late summer or early fall.

Of course, I’ve also been keeping busy in the foster dog cottage and currently have a pack of ‘littles’. Blarney Stone is a 27-pound force of smarts and smiles whose tail never stops wagging. Zarko the Magnificent is a 30-pound six-month-old puppy who is sweet, super smart, and maybe the most food-motivated puppy I’ve ever encountered. Amelia Bedelia is a 40-pound three-year-old darling who loves people, is a dream on the leash, and will follow you anywhere you want to go (or the cat, squirrel, or deer she spots). She’s also an epic bug-catcher. You can read about them and see pictures on Another Good Dog.

another good dog blog

Living intentionally means writing intentionally, and this month I share the first of a series of posts on My Life in Paragraphs blog about where to start if you want to write with intention.

my life in paragraphs

We leave this Monday for the latest shelter tour as part of my work with Who Will Let the Dogs Out. We’ll be traveling to New York, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Read about one of our recent visits to Union County Animal Control in Tennessee on the Who Will Let the Dogs Out Blog.

Who Will Let the Dogs Out

And, did you know I have a podcast? At least once a month, occasionally more often, I record Who Will Let the Dogs Out, the podcast. The latest episode shares my novel idea for post-adoption programs that can help shelters lower owner surrender rates, connect with and educate adopters, and increase support for their work.

Who Will Let the Dogs Out PODCAST

Roasted Brussels with Dates, Walnuts and Feta

(I’m on a Brussels sprouts kick, and this one is super simple, and I made it recently without cheese and it was equally good)

1 lb Brussels sprouts (trimmed and halved)

3 T olive oil

5-6 pitted dates (chopped)

¼ C chopped walnuts

¼ C crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese

1. Preheat oven to 400.

2. Toss the sprouts in olive oil and spread on baking sheet.

3. Roast for 20-30 minutes until they start to brown.

4. Add the dates and walnuts to the pan, toss, and roast for 5 more minutes

5. Transfer to bowl and toss with feta.

The Best Dog in the World: Essays on Love edited by Alice Hoffman

What a wonderful read! It’s a collection of essays written by famous authors about their dogs. This was just the heartwarming reminder I needed that dogs change lives and enrich them in thousands of ways. It was also fun to get a glimpse of the real lives of authors I’ve admired. Animals make us more human and these stories did just that.

The Jump by Natalie Keller Reinert

As a lifelong horse person who has evented and shown hunters, I really enjoyed this. I did wonder if non-horse people would like it just as much. It really is a coming of age story about relationships and trust at its core, so hopefully they will. Reinert does an excellent job of creating characters who are not one-dimensional, even horses. It was also an interesting examination of how the training of horses has evolved from force-based to cooperative-based.

One last thing!

Hopefully, you’ve already heard about this amazing giveaway that I’m a part of this week, but if not — you have until Tuesday April 14 to enter, so don’t wait!

How to Enter:

1. Tap this link: Empty Nest Next Chapter Giveaway

2. Enter your email address.

3. Be sure to respond to the confirmation email you’ll receive. If you don’t see it, check your junk folder—this step is required to be eligible to win! Thanks for participating!

P.S. After you enter, you'll have the opportunity to gain extra entries by liking, following, and subscribing to the participating authors—I highly recommend doing so to increase your chances of winning!

IMPORTANT! (Disclaimer)The Empty Nest Next Chapter giveaway runs from April 7-14, 2026. All entrants must use a verifiable, active email address and complete KingSumo’s confirmation process after entering. Random winners will be selected by KingSumo on April 15 and notified within 48 hours. This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by anyone other than the authors/writers listed. By entering the giveaway, you acknowledge that your email address will be shared with the contributing authors and will be added to their subscriber lists. You may unsubscribe at any time. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. US Residents only. Must be 18+ years of age to participate. Thank you for entering!

That’s all, folks! It was a lot, and I appreciate you wading all the way through.

I hope you’ll consider grabbing a copy of my new journal, trying it out, and then letting me know how it helped you to live more intentionally!

Click here to order a copy

I’m looking for feedback (and reviews on Amazon, please), so I can decide whether to make the next three-month journal with new content.

As always, I am SO grateful for the support you show me and my writing (and my admitted dog-problem). It humbles me that you spend your precious time with my writing in any of its forms. Please reach out if I can help you in any way.

Enjoy this much-awaited spring. It’s been a tough winter in so many ways, but I do believe that kindness and common sense will eventually prevail if we just keep taking care of each other.

Gratefully,

Cara

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How to Enter:

1. Tap this link: Empty Nest Next Chapter Giveaway

2. Enter your email address

3. Be sure to respond to the confirmation email you’ll receive. If you don’t see it, check your junk folder—this step is required to be eligible to win!

Thanks for participating! P.S. After you enter, you'll have the opportunity to gain extra entries by liking, following, and subscribing to the participating authors—I highly recommend doing so to increase your chances of winning!

You can see the faces and books of all of us below. Below that you’ll find the Substack links to their Substacks (just in case you want a preview of what they are all about!)

Participating writers: Row 1 (L to R): , , , Row 2: , , Row 3: ME!, , , Row 4: Mandy Horne, Ruthie Gray,

Feel free to share the Giveaway link with anyone else you know who might want in on this good stuff from these good women:

Empty Nest Next Chapter Giveaway

IMPORTANT! (Disclaimer)The Empty Nest Next Chapter giveaway runs from April 7-14, 2026. All entrants must use a verifiable, active email address and complete KingSumo’s confirmation process after entering. Random winners will be selected by KingSumo on April 15 and notified within 48 hours. This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by anyone other than the authors/writers listed. By entering the giveaway, you acknowledge that your email address will be shared with the contributing authors and will be added to their subscriber lists. You may unsubscribe at any time. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. US Residents only. Must be 18+ years of age to participate. Thank you for entering!

My March Newsletter is coming soon with all the information about Live Intentionally: A Daily Journal for Living on Purpose!!

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But I’m not here to talk about the weather. In fact, weather, like so much else in life, only affects us if we let it. They say, “There’s no bad weather, just bad gear.” Let’s amend that to say, “There’s no bad weather, just bad attitudes.”

That’s easy for me to say since Saturday, Nick and I are headed out of town for a month of exploring the south with our dogs. This dog-friendly road trip is part escape and part research. We will drive from Virginia to Texas and back via a bunch of southern spots (Tybee Island, New Orleans) and far flung friends and family (Charlotte, Dallas, Arkansas).

For most of our time we’ll be on Galveston Island. I plan to share our dog-friendly adventures on TikTok (and likely Facebook and Instagram), recommending the dog-friendliest destinations.

I said this is part research because we are getting ready to add a third dog-friendly rental place to our business, Shenandoah Dog Friendly Rentals. This spring, we’ll begin building a yurt! They say that learning new things and having new adventures keeps you young, so here we go.

Writing News

We are in the design phase of my upcoming journal: Live Intentionally: A Daily Journal for Living on Purpose. This journal is a tool I’ve developed from my own practice, tweaking it and adapting for the last few years. Beyond daily guided journal pages, I’ve added essays to motivate and quotes to inspire, plus plenty of blank journaling space, a reading log, and even some dot journal pages.

I’m excited, and a bit nervous, to release it into the world. I absolutely believe intentionality leads to a happier life. The feedback I’ve gotten from my beta testers reassured me that it’s a tool that will help other people too. I hope to have it available by the end of March! (Thanks to everyone who test-drove the journal page!)

My next publishing project is a deeply personal memoir. It’s also a years-long project. So, if you’ve wondered why you haven’t seen a book from me (on anything except dogs!), that’s why.

I feel as though I’ve been writing inside a cocoon for the last few years, working on this heartwrenching book and the journal. I’ve rewritten so much, dug deeper than ever, basically pulled out my heart and examined it carefully before placing it on the page.

It’s finally time to share both with the world. The Privilege of Loving: A Dog, A Daughter, and a Journey from Grief to Grace will (hopefully) be released this summer. There is still much work to be done, but by saying this out loud, I’m setting my intention to do it.

As always, I’m still blathering away on my blogs and working relentlessly to end the animal crisis in our country. Read the latest:

Another Good Dog

My Life in Paragraphs

Who Will Let the Dogs Out

Sweet Potato Salad

(My daughter Addi shared this with me. Not sure where it came from but oh-my-gosh is it incredible. I used white sweet potatoes and this now my absolute new favorite and I never thought anything would surpass Mark Bittman’s Chili-Lime Sweet Potato Salad)

Ingredients:

Dressing:

3 T finely chopped shallots (I didn’t have fresh, so I used freeze-dried and still delish)

1 T plus 1.5 teaspoons honey

1 T plus 1.5 t sherry vinegar (I didn’t have sherry vinegar, so used balsamic)

1 and ¼ t Dijon Mustard

½ t salt

½ t fresh ground pepper

1/3 C olive oil (the best you have)

For the Salad:

2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½ inch cubes (about 3 and ¼ C)

1 T olive oil

1.5 t salt

½ t pepper

1 C toasted pecans, walnuts or combination, coarsely chopped (I opted for pecans)

2/3 cup dried cranberries (I used a little less, but still YUM)

2.5 ounces crumbled feta cheese (about ¾ cup)

Coarsely chopped fresh parsley leaves, for garnish (optional, except it really did make it even yummier, I used a pretty big handful since parsley is flourishing in my hydroponic garden)

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 425. Meanwhile, make dressing.

2. Whisk shallots, honey, sherry vinegar, Dijon mustard, ½ t salt and ½ t pepper together in a large bowl. While whisking, drizzle in 1/3 C olive oil and whisk constantly until combined. (I had no helper and don’t have three hands, so I just dumped the olive oil in and whisked – still delish)

3. Toss 2 pounds peeled (I didn’t peel mine), cubed potatoes, 1 T olive oil, 1.5 t salt, and ½ t pepper together on rimmed baking sheet until potatoes are evenly coated. Arrange in a single layer.

4. Roast until starting to become tender, about 15 min. Remove from over. Drizzle 2 generous teaspoons of dressing over the sweet potatoes. Use spatula to toss to coat and spread back into single layer. Continue to roast until fork-tender and lightly browned in spots, 15-20 min.

5. Remove potatoes from oven, let cool slightly on baking sheet, about 5 min.

6. Added roasted sweet potatoes and pecans to dressing and toss to coat.

7. Holding back a handful of each for topping (I did not do this – I just tossed the whole mess together), first add cranberries and cheese to the salad and toss. Garnish with reserved cranberries, feta, and parsley. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Happy End of Winter! Hunker down and get through it because it’s going to be an incredible spring!

Want to follow our dog-friendly adventures on TikTok? Click here.

Thanks for reading - as always, I’m grateful for a few minutes of your time.

Be well and keep your heart (and your toes) warm this winter,

Cara

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CaraWrites.com

WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org

Clearly, it’s been a while since I had any news of import to share besides the never-ending foster dog/shelter dog dilemmas I can’t help but involve myself in. If you follow my Another Good Dog blog, or the work of Who Will Let the Dogs Out, you’re likely up to speed on not just the tough stuff, but also the cute stuff (currently in the form of five Jack Russell mix puppies – see pictures at end of newsletter!).

So that’s my long-winded way of saying…I have news!

I’m doing something different. It’s not like anything I’ve ever published before. And, to be perfectly honest, I’m kind of worried it will be an enormous flop. But you know, there’s nothing to be gained by sitting on the sidelines.

I’ve created a daily journal. Now, before you start backing up with your hands out, waving me off, hear me out.

It starts with my absolute belief that a life worth living must be lived intentionally. My very first book (back in 2014) was titled Live Intentionally.

And I still work to make my life intentional in every aspect.

Every day, I intentionally try to be more of the person I want to be. I take intentional steps, even tiny ones, toward the goals and dreams I have for my life.

Those dreams come in all shapes and sizes and generally have to do with aging well, staying connected to my husband and my people, building our dog-friendly rental business, saving more dogs and ending the animal crisis, and maybe most importantly, enjoying my life.

And as I approach 60 revolutions around the sun, here is one thing I know: Living intentionally requires a plan.

Otherwise, life will just fly at you, and you’ll scramble along, clutching your good intentions, and quite possibly get nowhere.

Creating my daily plan, over the years, has ranged from hastily scrawled lists to elaborate woo-woo dream journals. In the last few years, my daily plan has evolved into a one-page journal format I go through each morning (and review the next day). It takes me about 5-10 minutes, but doing this has helped me move steadily toward all my goals and to feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I think this small practice can have a big impact on anyone’s life, and I’ve decided to share this practice by turning it into a beautiful, simple journal. I’ve recently signed a contract to work with a book designer and am figuring out distribution. So this is real. (gulp.)

At this stage with a ‘normal’ book, I would seek out beta readers—people who could give it a final read and share their thoughts, recommendations, or endorsements (‘blurbs).

So… if you would like to try out my journal, let me know. I will send you an introduction to the format and a copy of the journal page. You’ll have to print out pages and put them on a clipboard or in a notebook. You can try it for a week, but I hope you’ll give it longer, maybe a month.

When you have a sense of how it is helping (or not) and any recommendations you might have, you’ll fill out a survey I’ll provide to give me that feedback.

If you have goals/dreams you are working on, this journal might be right up your alley. If you’re thinking, “I have no idea what my goals/dreams are,” this journal might help you discover them. Either way, if you’d like to try it out and share your feedback, email me: carasueachterberg@gmail.com

The latest on my blogs

Another Good Dog

My Life in Paragraphs

Who Will Let the Dogs Out

holiday post from the archives!

Cheese Casserole Bread

2 cups warm milk (105 -115 degrees)

2 pkgs active dry yeast

3 T sugar

1 T butter

½ t salt

4 ½ cup flour (I often add some whole wheat flour and also flaxmeal)

6 oz cheddar cheese cut in to ½ inch cubes or shredded

1. In a large bowl, combine milk and yeast; stir to dissolve yeast.

2. Add sugar, butter, and salt; stir until butter is melted.

3. Stir in 3 cups flour; beat until smooth.

4. Stir in remaining flour and cheese. Mix well.

5. Pour in to well-buttered 1 ½ qt round casserole dish. Cover with waxed paper; let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

6. Remove waxed paper. Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes. Loosen and remove from dish.

This bread is, in a word, Scrumptious. We have it on Christmas Eve every year with Crab Chowder (I shared that recipe in a previous newsletter, but if you’d like it, let me know and I’ll send it along.)

I hope your holiday season is underway, filled with beauty and awe, and maybe a little holiness within the chaos.

Namaste, my friends. It’s an honor to share a few of your minutes,

Cara

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Find me on TikTok or Facebook or Instagram.

You can find information about my writing, advocacy work, and books at CaraWrites.com.

And if you want to know more about homeless dogs and the heroes who fight for them, visit WhoWillLetTheDogsOut.org.

I foster dogs and puppies, so if you’re in the market for a new family member or you just love happy endings, join me in my Facebook group, Another Good Dog.

As promised, puppy pictures….

I consider the fact that you are taking a few minutes to read my writing to be a huge honor. I don’t write, just so I can post. I post when I have something worth reading.

And of late, I haven’t had a ton to say other than – why doesn’t my manuscript sell? Why do people assume books should be free? Why don’t people adopt these dogs?

Why did some awful bug eat my brussel sprouts and skeletonize my kale just when they were about to be ready?

And many, many times this past week—why does my laptop convert what I write to this odd gibberish font randomly? Do I need a new laptop? Why does this font exist?

So, while I still don’t have anything worthy of your time to share (other than the dogs DID get adopted!), I do have some excellent writing by three dog-loving writer friends who published books this month. (They are all worth paying money for!)

Plus, I wanted to check in and share a few of my scribblings, some book recommendations, and the yummiest grilled pepper salad recipe I’ve been mainlining of late.

I’ve known Cindy Ojczyk for a few years. Not only has she supported my writing, she’s also become an integral part of Who Will Let the Dogs Out, leading our Stronger Together Initiative and serving on our Advisory Committee. Beyond that, she is such a talented writer, generous friend, and advocate, so it was an honor to have the opportunity to give a little back.

Her book, Mom Loves the Dogs More: A Memoir of Family Rescue, hit home in so many ways. She shares her journey as she negotiated raising teenagers and fostering dogs, learning that both can break your heart, they can also offer healing and wisdom. Treat yourself to this lovely book. Here is a link to get your copy.

Maggie Marton is someone I only know virtually, but she is a kindred spirit, and I’m sure she would be a bestie if she lived nearby. She has generously shared her writing and advice through our mutual connection to the Dog Writers Association of America.

Her new book, For the Love of Dog: How Dogs Think and the Unbreakable Bond that Connects Us, is a beautiful memoir of her life with dogs, blending her own story (including her battle with cancer) and some of the science behind why our hearts and lives intersect so well with dogs. I didn’t want this book to end, and I hope she has another in the works. I’m sure when you read this, you will want to be Maggie’s bestie too.

Nancy Kay is another virtual friend whose determination to educate and advocate for dogs (she’s a vet) through her nonfiction and now her fiction is unflagging. Her dive into fiction is A Dog Named 647, a wonderful, important middle-grade novel that tackles the topic of puppy mills in a page-turning tale that I read in nearly one sitting. Pick this book up to be educated and entertained, or give it to a young person in your life and help the next generation bring the change we need.

The latest on my Blogs….

This summer has been a rescue rollercoaster that got pretty wild at the end…

Another Good Dog

For the first time, I traveled north with Who Will Let the Dogs Out to visit rescues and shelters who pull dogs from the south, making connections and learning a lot…

Who Will Let the Dogs Out

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when we visit shelters and why we go, here’s a super short podcast episode, where I explain that…

I may not have written a lot this summer, but I’ve read a lot, here are a few more:

Snack Pepper Bread Salad

(adapted from a recipe I found in a Costco magazine- this salad became a quick addiction, especially since my garden was overflowing with the little colorful ‘snack peppers’, basil, chives, and thyme)

¼ C + 3T really good olive oil

2 T honey

Juice of one lemon

2T white wine vinegar

2T fresh basil, chopped

2T fresh chives, chopped

1T fresh thyme, chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

Pink of salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste

1lb pepper, sliced into bite size pieces

1t smoked paprika

1t chili powder

1 loaf sourdough bread

8 oz mozzarella, ripped in pieces (or use ‘pearl’ mozzarella)

1) Prep peppers, toss in a 2-3 tablespoons olive oil, and sprinkle with paprika and chili powder.

2) Slice bread, brush or spray with oil, grill on both sides, and cut into bite-sized pieces.

3) Whisk together oil, honey, lemon juice, vinegar, basil, chives, thyme, garlic, salt, pep, and red pep flakes

4) Grill peppers 3-4 minutes or until lightly charred (or however you like them).

5) Mix everything together and serve! SO YUMMY. And it’s even good leftover and chilled for lunch the next day.

I was actually sending this picture to my daughter to thank her for the bottle of wine she brought us, but it also includes the Snack Pepper Salad

Thanks so much for sharing a few of your minutes with me. I’d love to hear from you. Maybe just like the first week of kindergarten, you could tell me what was the best thing you did this summer? Or just hit me up with your favorite summer recipe. Or just say hi – I’d love to hear from you!

Hoping summer stretches out a few more weeks,

Cara

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Because of the current situation in our shelters, I find myself saying yes to one dog and then another, until my foster cottage is stuffed with dogs in need of homes. Better here in this crowded, noisy, hot, humid, bug-infested space, than dead.

But why these and not others?

It’s a question that haunts me, but digging beyond the surface, I encounter the hard stone of reality.

And reality right now, frankly, at least for an unwanted dog, sucks.

When I pause to poke my head up and check out what is happening in the world of humans, it’s not much better.

So I go for the micro-happiness. What I can do right now, right here, in front of me.

I feel powerless to help the starving in Gaza or the forgotten in Ukraine, or even the underinsured about to be even less insured, struggling humans in this country.

But I can help these dogs. I can save these lives.

I hear you asking, “But aren’t people more important than dogs?”

Yes. Unequivocally, yes.

But dogs are not unimportant. And helping them is something I can do. Seeing them making it safely home – that is a balm for my soul.

What is saving your soul, right now? I’d love to know.

Here’s a story that can brighten your day. I’m incredibly proud of this foster moment, maybe more than any before….

Best On the Blogs….

Read about our overly full foster cottage on:

Another Good Dog

Read about a southern shelter saving lives AND serving its public:

Who Will Let the Dogs Out

Read this classic from my original blog because it has the recipe for Tomato Pie - you’ll need this recipe for August, the month of tomatoes….

Kid Friendly Organic Life

Just so you know, I am writing about things other than dogs…

Here is an excerpt from work-in-progress (Live Intentionally One Day at a Time)

Be Brave.

Brave is a strong word. We usually attribute bravery to soldiers or fireman or musclebound heroes. But bravery comes in all shapes and sizes. And bravery isn’t always big and splashy, sometimes it’s barely visible.

Bravery is living your truth even if it scares you. It’s sharing your message, your heart, your fears, and your messy self in service to something bigger than you –whether that is other people, the planet, your God, or your purpose.

It’s courage in action. It’s acting upon what you believe in your heart. Even if that action is scary for you.

Maybe it means speaking up or speaking out or speaking to power or maybe just speaking to a person you love.

Be brave today.

And then be brave tomorrow and the next day and the next.

Before you know it, your brave self will have changed everything.

Thanks for reading, and tolerating my preoccupation with rescuing dogs. It’s a worthy distraction. I hope you’re finding some worthy distractions of your own.

Wishing you peace in your being,

Cara

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My Life in Paragraphs

I guess it’s been a month of ‘firsts.’ My foster dog, Lima Bean, landed in a shelter pregnant, heartworm positive, riddled with worms, and dragging a useless leg. By some miracle, we were connected and now here she is in my foster cottage:

Last Wednesday, she had her leg amputated. In all my years of fostering hundreds of dogs, I’ve never had a tripod dog, much less nursed one through an amputation. The experience has reaffirmed something I already knew: Dogs are much stronger than people. You can read about Lima Bean and all my fosters on Another Good Dog.

Another Good Dog

A really big first that also happened recently is that the nonprofit I co-founded started a completely new way of helping shelters and rescues fund spay/neuter surgeries. Knowing that those surgeries are the key and the roadblock to solving our shelter crisis, I’ve dreamed of a solution.

Thanks to the generosity of two remarkable individuals, and the ASPCA and Miranda Lambert’s Mutt Nation, we were able to launch InstaSnip and have already given away $50,000! You can read about our new program on Who Will Let the Dogs Out blog.

Who Will Let the Dogs Out

Lest you think I am not hard at work on a book (or three), I’m going to share with you the ‘pitch in progress’ for my newest memoir. This one has been a long time coming. I haven’t been ready to talk about this experience until now. Below is our (working) pitch for (working title) The Privilege of Loving: A dog, a daughter, and a journey from grief to growth.

If you’re unfamiliar with the publishing process. Writing the book is the easy part. Once written and edited, it must be pitched to a publisher. If you have a literary agent, she does this for you. It’s a lengthy process, especially these days, as publishers are pickier than they’ve ever been.

I’ll be curious to hear your thoughts after reading this pitch. Would you pick up this book? Why or why not? While I know this is a hard subject matter, I promise that, like all my writing, it is ultimately hopeful and encouraging. We all go through really hard stuff, and I’m living proof that we can come out of it better for having made the journey.

BOOK PITCH: The Privilege of Loving by Cara Sue Achterberg

What do we do when the unthinkable happens? How do we carry on when the life we had—both the one we built and the one we imagined—is shattered?

The Privilege of Loving is a heartfelt and unflinching memoir about grief, resilience, and the painful, beautiful cost of loving deeply. In this raw and moving story, bestselling author and dog rescue advocate Cara Sue Achterberg shares the life-altering journey that began with the adoption of a puppy—and ended in tragedy.

After fostering nearly one hundred dogs, Cara finally decided to adopt one of her own. Frankie, a soulful and spirited puppy, quickly became the center of her world as her children began leaving home. She devoted herself to doing everything “right”—early training, socialization, a loving home. But when Frankie suddenly and violently attacked Cara’s daughter Addie, the unthinkable happened: Cara was forced to make the impossible decision to euthanize the dog she had loved and believed she could save.

As someone who has dedicated her life to rescuing dogs—writing books, advocating for shelters, and co-founding a nonprofit dedicated to their welfare—this tragedy struck at the heart of Cara’s identity. And yet, through the devastation, she found herself on a path of deep personal reckoning, and ultimately, transformation.

This is a story of unimaginable loss—but also of hope. As Cara wrestles with her guilt, grief, and fear that she’s damaged her relationship with her daughter forever, she also learns to hold space for complex emotions and contradictions: love and regret, healing and sorrow, strength and vulnerability. She shows readers what Post-Traumatic Growth looks like in real life—and how, even in the absence of closure, we can choose to keep living with open hearts.

Throughout the book, Cara also speaks directly to those who have faced the agonizing choice of behavioral euthanasia:

• It’s not your fault.

• Aggression is complicated.

• Love alone cannot always save a dog.

• And sometimes, letting go is the most loving act.

Interwoven with the mother-daughter dynamic at the core of the story, readers will recognize themselves in Cara’s longing, guilt, and ultimately, reconnection. This memoir is both an intimate portrait of one family’s heartbreak and a universal meditation on what it means to keep going after your world falls apart.

Why now?
In the wake of the pandemic, millions of families have adopted dogs—many without fully understanding the complex emotional and behavioral needs these animals may bring. The Privilege of Loving offers a compassionate, candid look at what happens when best intentions aren’t enough—and how we can find our way through the guilt and grief to something deeper and more sustaining.

The Privilege of Loving is a powerful, honest, and ultimately uplifting exploration of how love breaks us—and how it also puts us back together.

If you have thoughts on this pitch, I’d love to hear them. Meanwhile, here’s the books I’ve been loving and the lastest favorite recipe:

Caesar Salad Dressing

(adapted from a recipe I found in the newspaper and tore out without noting its source – sorry, whoever you are, but thanks for the inspiration!)

1/4 C mayo (I’m tempted to try sour cream, but haven’t yet)

2T really good olive oil

1-2T fresh lemon juice

1/2 t Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 t anchovy paste

1 (or more) garlic clove, crushed

1/4 t salt

fresh ground pepper

1T water (optional - for thinner dressing)

Whisk all ingredients together thoroughly. Enjoy on fresh lettuce. Add fresh parmesan, grilled chicken or shrimp, and/or homemade croutons.

And just in case you don’t follow me on TikTok, here is one of my latest videos:

Thanks for reading (and watching). Hope your summer is full of wonder and you never hesitate to embrace the possibilities all around you!

Gratefully,

Cara

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Between a shelter tour and a foster cottage full to the brim with dogs, plus dealing with my over-achieving gardening ambitions, I just couldn’t get it together to put out a newsletter earlier this month.

My plan this year was to send out two a month. So far I’m batting 500.

Sigh. Of course, I could cram another one on you before the end of the month, but the dogs and the gardens haven’t let up.

And, I’m putting final edits on a manuscript for my agent to start pitching, so there goes any extra bandwidth I might have.

I did blog, however. It’s an addiction I simply can’t quit. I hope you’ll click on some of the stories below.

Latest Blog Posts from:

Another Good Dog (life with foster dogs)

What Overcommitting with dogs looks like

Rescue Roller Coaster

My Life in Paragraphs (writing and life)

Write amidst the chaos of life

Who Will Let the Dogs Out (shelters and rescues)

Shelter with 1 Employee in GA

Making Open-Intake Work

What happened on shelter tour

My Latest Book Recs!

Garlic Scapes Pesto

This is the time of year that you can find garlic scapes at farmer’s markets (and maybe in your own garden if you planted garlic last fall). This is a once a year treat for us. Last night I made a huge batch of this and served it over Palmini (hearts of palm noodles) and it was A-mazing!

1/4 cup pine nuts

3/4 cup coarsely chopped garlic scapes*

Juice and zest of 1/2 lemon

1/4 teaspoon salt

A few generous grinds of black pepper

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

*Or use half scapes and half herbs such as basil, dill and chervil

Combine the scapes, pine nuts, lemon juice and zest, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Pulse about 20 times, until combined. Pour in the olive oil slowly through the feed tube while the motor is running. When the oil is incorporated, transfer the pesto to a bowl and stir in the grated cheese. If you plan to freeze the pesto, wait to add the cheese until after you've defrosted it.

How about some adorable (adoptable) puppies?

Thanks for reading. I’m always humbled that out of all the masses of words flung at you daily, you chose to read mine.

I hope you are able to enjoy all the wonders of summer, and remember to savor each one of them, stockpiling them in your heart for winter.

Best,

Cara

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To learn more about my writing, my books, and my blogs, stop by my website:

CaraWrites.com

This Saturday (tomorrow if you’re reading this the day I sent it), I’ll be doing a book signing with my favorite sparkly-haired octogenarian at her adorable well-curated store The Shop on Main in Edinburg, VA. If you’re in the area, please stop by, if not for me and my books, but to meet Joan and enjoy my homemade chocolate chip cookies, which are incredible (promise – and I’ll add the recipe at the end of this email).

I’ve been quite prolific on my blogs of late, here are a few highlights:

I dabbed my toe into TikTok and one of my videos this week went viral, topping out at 1.1 MILLION views!

Me on TikTok

My Life in Paragraphs

My foster cottage is full – meet a few of the latest residents:

Another Good Dog

I’m finally hitting my stride with the Who Will Let the Dogs Out podcast, give it a listen:

My podcast on WWLDO

And, read about how volunteers are transforming this busy rural shelter in Tennessee:

Who Will Let the Dogs Out

A Little Bit Healthy Choc Chip Cookies

½ cup butter

½ cup coconut oil

3/4 cup white sugar (or succanot or a combination)

3/4 cup rapidura (or brown sugar or a combination)

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 eggs

¼ cup ground flaxseed meal

1 cup organic white flour

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

½ cup almond meal

½ cup coconut flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt (I use celtic sea salt)

2 cups grain sweetened dark chocolate chips (or use a good chocolate chip like Ghirardelli’s – cheap chips cheapen the cookie in ways other than price)

Optional – ½ cup white chocolate chips, nuts, and/or raisins

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375.

2. Cream butter, oil, and sugars. Add vanilla, eggs, and flaxseed. Beat well. (If it’s cool out and I’m using coconut oil it will be kind of hard, so I beat it much longer than if I do when it is warm to ensure that it is evenly spread through the batter.)

3. Mix together flours, almond meal, baking soda, and salt with whisk. Add to batter. Beat until mixed well. Add in chocolate chips.

4. Use mini ice cream scoop or melon baler to drop small tablespoons on to greased pan (or baking stone)

5. Bake for 8-10 minutes, depending on the size of the cookies and whether you heated the pans. It also depends on your oven, so watch your cookies carefully the first few times.

Thanks for reading!

I heard this saying this week, and it was a lightning bolt moment for me:

There is more than enough drama and discord to go around these days, but I hope you will hold fast to those words. Take care of your soul and your story. Put your energy into the things that evolve you instead of wasting it on what doesn’t actually matter. Your heart will be happier for it.

Be well, friends,

Cara

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If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know that, with the exception of a handful of books, I basically give away all my writing for free.

It’s not that I don’t value the work I do; it’s just that 75% of what I write is in the service of saving dogs. And if a few words of mine have the power to inspire someone to foster or rescue or get involved, I don’t want anything getting in the way of you reading them.

The same goes for the nonprofit work/writing I do. If my ideas, experiences, or what I write give animal shelter or rescue staff or volunteers more tools, ideas, resources, or inspiration, that’s all the payment I need.

But….I do write other things. Like this newsletter, occasional novels, essays, My Life in Paragraphs, and motivational stuff on social media about living intentionally.

Attempts at Making Money Writing

If for no other reason than to chip in my share of the money Nick and I give to Who Will Let the Dogs Out and our fostering work, I’ve been trying to find a way to make my writing pay.

Last year, I did a little coaching. Which was fun, but I found it hard to keep boundaries with it. I want to help. And I feel guilty charging to help other people. But more than that, it created a new stress in my life because I thought about my coaching projects even when I wasn’t working on them.

So I explored finding a way for people to pay for my writing optionally; I added a link for Buy Me a Coffee, which is essentially a way for people to throw me a few bucks if they especially liked something I wrote. (I’ve made $30 in six months, so that’s not so lucrative.)

When I moved my newsletter to Substack, I couldn’t bring myself to charge people to read my writing, so I made it free with a paid option that gives you nothing more than the knowledge that you’re supporting my work.

Six months later, I finally got my first paid subscriber! (Thanks, Demi! You continue to be an inspiration and the biggest supporter of writers I know. Everyone check her out at Year of the Book Press)

Any-who, Coffee cups and paid subscribers aside, I’ve been working on a few other projects that I don’t plan to give away for free. I’d love to hear your thoughts on them.

Potential Money-making Projects

The idea for Live Intentionally Every Day grew out of my year of setting daily intentions on social media (2023). It will be a motivational/inspirational book with a short motivational essays, inspiring pictures from my sunrise walks, and maybe a few quotes and /or journaling prompts. I’m in the midst of editing and gathering, but hoping to have it ready to publish by the end of summer.

Here's a sample essay:

Remember who you are.

It’s easy sometimes to get dragged into other people’s drama, empathetic as we are.

We want to be good listeners, good friends, good coworkers, or bosses.

But it’s important not to lose your own essence. Don’t blur your own edges trying to find common ground. Remember why you do what you do, and believe what you believe. Stick with your own heart and trust it to motivate your actions and words.

You don’t have to agree, and you certainly don’t need to emulate.

You can support and question and sympathize without ceding your own integrity.

Don’t lose sight of who you are and who you want to be.

It’s your difference that gives you something to contribute – agreement isn’t the goal, understanding is.

Remember who you are and be that person everywhere, all the time, with everyone.

And a few sample pictures:

The second project is a Live Intentionally Journal, a daily journal that invites you to write your own intention every day. It also includes features like gratitude lists, habit-building trackers, to-do lists, should-do lists, and heart/prayer concerns. I’m noodling around with it and added spaces for more daily intentions, like what you plan to eat, how you plan to move, who you plan to connect with, and books you’re reading. And, of course, there's room for journaling.

I’m still not positive how I will publish it or what it will cost. I have a lot of homework to figure out the design part, so for now I’ve been making templates and trying them out.

Here is one of my working journal pages, but I’ve already realized I prefer lines to write on, want more multiple choice, and am finding the mantras a bit hokey, so this one is definitely still evolving:

I’d love your feedback

So? What do you think? Suggestions? Bring them on. You can comment here or message me at CaraSueAchterberg@gmail.com.

And if you know of a great design/publishing option for either project, pass that along too.

Latest Links

I’d love to start a movement: Put down your phone and pick up a book. Read about it on My Life in Paragraphs:

My Life in Paragraphs

My sweet little starving pup from Memphis is thriving and once again proving the power of security:

Another Good Dog

On a recent shelter tour I went back to the dog pound in Tennessee where I found Miss Fanny Wiggles:

Who Will Let the Dogs Out

I really enjoyed the conversation I had with Penny Ellison on her podcast, The Animal Advocate, hope you do too:

The Animal Advocate Podcast

I hope you're finding ways to feed your soul this week and letting the spring weather inspire you to get outside for a forest bath, or at least a walk. Hold fast to nature and fresh air and friends that matter. Let it quiet the noise blasting forth from so many places. Take care of yourself and the ones placed in your path.

Best,

Cara

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Checking in with you from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. How are things with you?

And don’t just say fine.

Unless, of course, they are simply fine and you have nothing else to add.

Most of us answer any request about our well-being by rote. It’s a programmed verbal dance we do countless times a day.

But what if we started honestly answering?

What if we took that question seriously?

And, more importantly, what if we honestly wanted to know and listened to the answer?

As our world seems to pull apart, breaking into an us/them mindset, I think we need to find more ways to connect. And being authentically interested in the welfare of others, especially the ones placed in our path, is a good place to start.

So, the next time someone asks how you are, try giving them an honest answer. I bet it brings a pause. And maybe that pause will be followed by real connection.

And how is my writing going, you ask?

It’s a wee bit stalled at the moment. Which is frustrating as ideas seem to be spinning in my head but never make it onto the page. Every attempt is shanghaied by this mini task-masker stomping around my brain, telling me not to start anything new until I take care of all the unfinished projects.

Starting is so much more delicious than trudging through.

Finishing is awesome, but it comes with its own set of ‘now whats,’ and sometimes I wonder if that is what is holding me up.

No matter, I’m going to seize upon the promise of spring and jump-start a few of those projects languishing on my laptop. Hopefully, by the next newsletter, I’ll have something real to share.

Meanwhile, I’ve been blogging, of course, so I hope you’ll click on a button below.

I’ve got another Memphis rescue to share with you. Read the latest post on Another Good Dog and meet Wishbone (and see Happy Jack’s happy ending!)

Another Good Dog Blog

I’ve been pondering deep things over on My Life in Paragraphs. What is it we all really deserve? Click over to the blog to find out.

My Life in Paragraphs Blog

As always, I have a story to share of our shelter visits, here’s one on Who Will Let the Dogs Out blog:

Latest on Who Will Let the Dogs Out

I’ve finally taken the plunge and jumped on TikTok. I have a lot to learn about making those amazing videos, but it’s a great place to vent. I also put up a video of my favorite waterfall. Check me out Tiktok!

Find me on Tik Tok

Of course, I can’t leave without sharing a recipe I’m loving.

Coconut Poke Cake

(This is serious, serious, serious YUM. It is not healthy. It is not hard. It is just AMAZING. Promise. Perfect for Easter, too, if you’re into that kind of thing.)

1 pkg (18.25oz) white cake mix (or make cake batter from scratch like I do, I just kept this ingredient in there in case you want a short cut)

1 (14oz) can cream of coconut

1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (16oz) container cool whip (or make real whipped cream from cream if you want serious yum)

1 (6oz) pkg flaked coconut

1. Prepare mix and bake (or make cake from scratch). While still hot, using a fork, poke holes all over top of cake.

2. Mix cream of coconut (NOT coconut milk), condensed milk together. Pour over still hot cake.

3. Cool cake and frost with whipped topping and top with coconut

4. Jelly Beans optional (but seriously, don’t you have enough sugar already?)

That’s all folks. I’m super proud that I made myself get this newsletter out. This morning I thought, “There’s no way a newsletter is happening this week.”

But you know what? I’m in charge of me, not my obligations or my mood or my dogs. So I just buckled down and got it done. No matter the gray, cold day. No matter the distractions. No matter the lack of any real content (sorry).

How about you? You’re in charge of you. I hope you take that seriously.

And me being in charge of me, I’m going to go curl up on the couch by the woodstove and wait out this last gasp of winter with my pups and my latest puzzle.

Be well, my friends. (And I really would love to know how you are doing, even if it’s ‘fine.’)

Bring on Spring!

Cara

You can find links to all my blogs, books, and writing endeavors on my website:

Cara Writes

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Sorry I’ve been a bit AWOL. I’ll blame it on the dogs (as usual).

I’ve just returned from a shelter tour, and after nearly 175 shelter and rescue visits, this one was a huge eye-opener.

What we saw and heard made it clear what is likely the biggest driving force behind the overwhelmed shelters and the increased stray population all across the country. I feel like a minnow swimming upstream against a pack of sharks, but clearly, things are getting worse by the day, so I will keep talking and writing. Please read my post on Who Will Let the Dogs Out Blog. It’s probably the most important one I’ve ever written (and you know I’ve written hundreds).

Read Who Will Let the Dogs Out Blog

After you’ve read it, if you’re compelled, please share it everywhere/anywhere you can. I’m still looking for a bigger microphone, but for now, all I have is you.

We have a new foster dog headed my way this week. His name is Jolly Jack, and he has a special story, intertwined with the issues of what I wrote about in the WWLDO post. It’s not a short read, but you can also get the cliff notes on my Cara Sue Achterberg, writer Facebook page.

Read Another Good Dog blog

The latest news on my fiction (and writing-about-anything-other-than-dogs) is that my agent, Tina, continues to gather more rejections for the latest manuscript, Maybe It’s a Sign. She soldiers on, and I trust in her belief, but the doubting gremlins are all about.

Meanwhile, I’m well aware that I have been neglecting My Life in Paragraphs blog, but I’ve finally added to it. I’m still planning to finish the Bird-by-Bird bookclub, but for now, I’m wrestling with how hard to go at several situations I could write about, so this is how I’m handling that struggle at the moment:

Read My Life in Paragraphs

Once upon a time, I wrote a book called Cowboy Mom. It was a memoir about trying to train a difficult horse and raise a complicated daughter. I have never tried to publish it. If you’re curious, you can read the first chapter on my website. I apologize for the writing — this was the early days of my writing career.

Cowboy Mom Chapter One

One Pot Hamburger Helper

Note: This one is super easy and generally a kid pleaser. It can also be dressed up with fancier cheese, added veggies, fresh herbs, different protein options, and various pastas. It takes no time and makes a lot.

1 lb ground beef (or turkey burger or fake burger crumbles)

1 T ketchup

1 t Dijon mustard

1 t garlic powder (or 1 T fresh garlic finely minced)

1 t onion powder (you can also add other spices to make it interesting)

½ t salt

¾ t pepper (or white pepper)

1 ½ Cups macaroni (we use whole wheat)

3 ½ C broth or water (or coconut or almond beverage)

½ C sour cream

2 C shredded cheddar cheese (or any cheese, really, it’s fun to mix it up)

1. Cook beef in large skillet over med heat.

2. Reduce heat to low and add ketchup, mustard, seasonings, macaroni and broth. Stir.

3. Cover and simmer 12-15 min until noodles are cooked.

4. Turn off heat, stir in sour cream. Stir in cheese until well combined.

That’s it for my March Newsletter. Hopefully, next month I’ll get back in the groove of two newsletters a month (but don’t count on it). Reality check: we all have plenty of email and you won’t miss hearing from me more than once a month!

I hope you are getting tiny tastes of spring. Hopefully, this long, hard, weary winter is coming to a close.

But what I really hope is that you are finding your own voice and using it in the places it is needed most.

Take good care of the people in your midst (including you).

Talk/write soon. I really do love hearing from you,

Cara

(You can learn more about me, my books, my blogs, and ALL the dogs at CaraWrites.com)

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How are you liking this winter?

Me?

Not so much. I’m already scheming to find a way to take a winter vacation somewhere warm next year. Surfing Airbnb is how I’m surviving.

While there is not a lot of writing news (another press passed on the novel manuscript, but two others are reading it, and my personal hope candle is flickering but my agent seems undeterred), there is lots of dog news and plenty of great feedback/reviews/opportunities surrounding the release of Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues.

I’m heading out next week on a 12-day, 13-shelter/rescue tour with two book presentations/signings squeezed in along the way. The book has been live in the world for just two weeks, but the five-star reviews are piling up on Amazon. (If you’ve read WWLDO, please give us a review on Amazon or Goodreads - you’d make my day.)

I’m looking for more opportunities to do book presentations/signings, so if you have a dog-hearted community interested in setting up an event, please reach out. If I can get there in person, I will; if not, I’m happy to zoom in with my book presentation (featuring lots of Nancy’s great photos).

Also, flummoxed by the cost/difficulty of creating an audio book, I’ve decided to release it chapter by chapter on our podcast. The first one is up, and now that we have a talented volunteer gearing up to take over, they should improve from here. They will also be released (with pictures) on the WWLDO Youtube channel.

Spring can’t get here soon enough and I, for one, hold no faith in that blasted ground hog who says it’s still a long ways off. I hope you’re holding your own this winter, and maybe your week was brightened, like mine (and Fanny’s), by the Eagle's incredible win in the Super Bowl.

Click on for the latest blogs, book recs, and of course, a favorite recipe!

My puppy room is empty and here’s why:

Read how one small puppy created this mayhem:

Another Good Dog Blog

Rescues and shelters and people and dogs really are Stronger Together.

Read about our new program on the Who Will Let the Dogs Out Blog:

Who Will Let the Dogs Out Blog

Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits

(Cooking Light)

2 cups flour

2 ½ t baking powder

½ t salt

5 T chilled butter, cut into small pieces

¾ cup buttermilk

3 T honey

Preheat to 400.

1. combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl; cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Chill 10 minutes

2. combine buttermilk and honey, stirring with a whisk until well blended. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture; stir just until moist.

3. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead lightly 4 times. roll dough into a (1/2 inch thick) 9 x 5 rectangle; dust top of dough with flour. Fold dough crosswise into thirds as if folding a piece paper to fit into an envelope). Re-roll dough into a (1/2 inch thick) 9 x 5 rectangle; dust top of dough. Fold dough crosswise into thirds; gently roll or pat to a ¾ inch thickness. Cut dough with a 1 ¾ inch biscuit cutter to form 1 dough rounds.

4. Place dough rounds, 1 inch apart, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 400 for 12 minutes or until golden. Remove from pan; cool 2 minutes on wire rack.

These are the biscuits I made for camping trips, and the kids scarfed up! A little lot of extra work – but so worth it. They melt in your mouth. This would be a great recipe to try on a icy gray morning.

Order your copy of my newest book, Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues one of two ways:

Buy directly from us (using Paypal, venmo, or pay by check). This helps us send free copies to shelters and rescues. You can also buy one for a shelter or rescue and pick which one. Just fill out this form:

Direct from us

Or get an digital or paperback version from Amazon:

Amazon

That’s all folks! Thanks for reading all the way to the end! I hope you are making it through this challenging winter with your happy intact.

If you like what you read and think someone else might too, please consider sharing!

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If you’re busy on other platforms, look for me there too. I’m most active on Facebook, Instagram, and Substack. You can find links to me all-over-the-internet here.

All my other links

If you’ve got a question, suggestion, or just want to chat, please reach out.

You can also reach out by email: Cara@wwldo.org

Well, here’s the thing. None of us have time. Me, especially. Or at least we don’t think we have time.

In reality, we all have time. Plenty of it. We just have other priorities (many absolutely valid) that take time from whatever it is we really wish we could be doing.

But some of us (holding the mirror up right now), create priorities and shoulds and demands that aren’t technically any of those things. We just assume they are.

In her book, Dear Writer, You Should Quit, Becca Syne advocates that whenever we run up against one of these shoulds, we must question the premise. As in, I should be the one to take the minutes for this meeting or I should be the one to feed the cat or put away the laundry, or whatever. But -- Should you?

Here is a quote I underlined in the book:

Don’t should on yourself.

So, I’ve been questioning those shoulds and decided to toss a few of them. I will protect my time and my creative energy and give it to the projects that have been languishing until I ‘have time.’

It feels a little illicit. And it’s not without its guilt.

What about you? Are you shoulding yourself? What’s one should you can toss? Create space for how you really want to be spending your time.

Book news is boring, so I’ll keep it brief:

1) The newest dog book drops January 28 on Amazon, but you can get a copy early (and support our effort to get free copies to shelters and rescues by purchasing yours here (remember to slide the ‘tip’ bar down to zero).

2) All of my books (Except Live Intentionally which I’ve run out of and haven’t gotten more since I’m still considering an update) are available at The Shop on Main Street in Edinburg, an adorable shop that my adorable friend Joan just opened. All the books are also, of course, available at online retailers.

3) My latest manuscript, Maybe It’s a Sign, is out on submission with several publishers – send all the good juju. It’s an incredibly hard time to sell a book, but thankfully, my agent is optimistic enough for the both of us.

4) I’m enjoying life over on Substack. If you’re there, reach out and find me. I plan to post a few other projects via Substack. My Dry January project on SS is almost over (thank goodness!). Substack is a great place to be, mostly because there are no ads and no constant videos blaring in your feed.

The latest on the blogs….

The puppy is STILL here. Which makes absolutely no sense. Read why:

Another Good Dog

I had a magical moment this past week, read about it on:

My Life in Paragraphs

Here is an excerpt from the new book and the low-down on why I wrote the book and what I hope it accomplishes:

Who Will Let the Dogs Out

If you’re, like me, in the homestretch of Dry January, you might enjoy reading about my journey:

Dry Me

This Month’s Best Recipe:

Dave’s Crab Chowder

(Shirley Pigliacampi)

½ cup chopped onion

½ cup chopped celery

3 T butter

3 cups milk

1 16oz can cream corn

3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (or fake bacon)

1 cup cooked potato cut in 1/2” cubes (optional)

¼ t salt

¼ t thyme

1 bay leaf

¼ cup dry sherry

16 oz crab

1. In a large soup pot, Sauté onion and celery in butter until tender.

2. Add remaining ingredients except sherry and cook 15 minutes or until heated.

3. Add sherry and cook 2 minutes more.

4. Remove bay leaf and serve.

You can also add bay scallops. I don’t always use cream of corn either (too much sugar), so I add regular corn and a little cream. Be sure to use the sherry – it’s the key ingredient. We have this soup on Christmas Eve every year. (Shirley P is my other mom, I’ve tinkered with the recipe but the credit goes to her.)

Thanks for spending a few minutes with me…

That’s all folks! Thanks for reading all the way to the end! I hope you are making it through this challenging month with your happy intact. I also hope you are not shoulding yourself — life is much too short.

If you like what you read and think someone else might too, please consider sharing!

Share

If you like what you read and you aren’t already subscribed – please do (it’s free and I promise not to flood your mailbox

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If you have a thought on this one, please share it:

Leave a comment

If you’re busy on other platforms, look for me there too. I’m most active on Facebook, Instagram, and Substack:

Link to all the Links

If you’ve got a question, suggestion, or just want to chat, please reach out at Carasueachterberg@gmail.com or message me on Substack:

I’ve decided that despite all the ugly out there, this is going to be a beautiful year.

How do I know? Because beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say. And we can all collectively decide to behold a beautiful year, no matter what.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how much not just our destiny—but our days—are completely in our own hands. We don’t need to wait until we’re successful or rich or move to a new place or insert-your-aspiration-here to be happy and content (which are pretty much the same thing).

It’s all perspective. If you don’t think you have a good life, all you need do is wander over to Walmart or consider the person who is sleeping on a vent tonight, to realize you’ve got it good.

Or at least better.

But who knows, maybe that person wandering through Walmart, dragging five kids with snotty noses, believes their own life is wonderful. It’s up to them.

Just like it’s up to you.

How’s that for a little ‘go-get-em’ speech to start the year?

But honestly, I have been thinking about what success is and whether I have enough of it. I’ve been reading a book titled, Dear Writer, You Should Quit by Becca Syme. She starts the book by encouraging everyone to ‘question the premise’.

If the premise is ‘I’m successful if I’m selling lots of books and making lots of money,’ the question is—‘Who says?’ (She encourages you to ask this in a high-pitched sing-songy voice.)

I think success is

1) doing the things that make your soul happy

2) believing you have enough

By those standards, most days I am a wild success. My definition of ‘enough’ has changed over the years, but after a year spent getting rid of over 1500 possessions (5 a day!), I still think I have more than enough.

As far as doing the things that make my soul happy. Writing, fostering dogs, helping shelters, hiking in the mountains, walking at sunrise, reading lots of books, spending quality time with good people, my list is pretty endless. I hope yours is too.

As we head into 2025, these might be good questions to ponder:

Do you do the things that make your soul happy?

Do you have enough?

If your answer to both is YES, then you, my friend, are a resounding success.

I didn’t blog often over the holidays, but I’ve got a couple links for you:

In My Life in Paragraphs, I reflected on the last year of lighting my load and lightening my life:

My Life in Paragraphs

If you’ve wondered what the heck it is we do at Who Will Let the Dogs Out, you can read all about the impact we had in 2024:

2024 Impact of Who Will Let the Dogs Out

And if you’re sober curious or doing Dry January, you can take a peek at my Dry Me Substack, chronicling my month of sobriety (WARNING: this one is unedited, painfully honest, and possibly boring).

Dry Me

And just in case you need a little more New Year’s inspiration, here’s a post from 15 years ago on my oldest blog, Kid-Friendly Organic Life:

Garfield (the cat) vs Augustus Gloop

My Next Book!

The official publication date is January 28, 2025, but you can get an early copy AND support our effort to give these books to shelters and rescues for free by buying direct from us!

Get your copy!

Baked Coconut Chicken Nuggets Recipe

· ⅔ C olive oil

· Pinch of salt & pepper (to taste)

· 1 tsp garlic salt

· 2 TBSP Caribbean Citrus Seasoning blend or whatever seasonings you like

· 1 container of Panko Bread Crumbs

· 1 C unsweetened shredded coconut

· 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Mix all ingredients together except the chicken, panko bread crumbs, and coconut. Stir to blend.

3. Divide the oil mixture into two cups.

4. Put cut up chicken in a medium size bowl.

5. Pour the one container of the oil mixture over the chicken. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

6. Combine the bread crumbs and coconut together. Toss to blend.

7. Remove chicken from the refrigerator and toss with ½ of the bread crumbs and coconut.

8. Return to refrigerator for 10 minutes.

9. Remove from refrigerator and drizzle for the second time the oil mixture and then toss with the bread crumbs for the second time.

10. Bake at 475 degrees for 15 minutes.

11. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.

12. Serve with a variety of dipping sauces.

Wow! That was a lot in my first issue of the year!

Thanks for reading. Hope your 2025 is full of books (and dogs)!

Sending you the very best words & the happiest of days,

Cara

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First off, apologies if you feel like you’re being hit over the head with this news, but….

I have a new book coming! And it’s not just any book. It’s more important than me telling dog stories. I do that all the time. Mostly to get dogs adopted or just because dogs are fun and fun to write about.

This book, though, could be not just a great read, but a life-saver and a game-changer. Anyone with a pulse who reads the news knows that shelters everywhere are struggling. Too many dogs are dying and too many dogs are lingering in shelters and too many dogs are suffering in abysmal conditions.

But more than that, too many people are working their hind-end’s off trying to help. And there is never enough money, time, homes, or other people to help. We’ve GOT to change the narrative.

My hope is that this book can start the conversation. It can help people think differently about our shelters. It can pull them out of the rut we are in bickering about terms and practices and motivate us to work together to fix this.

(Stepping down off my soapbox now….)

You can learn more about it on any of my blogs this week — pick the flavor you like most:

My Life in Paragraphs

Another Good Dog

Who Will Let the Dogs Out

Sorry, if you’re new here, I’m not usually so pushy. Mostly, I share inspiring stuff like this:

I also share book recommendations like these:

And usually (but not always), I pass along a phenomenal recipe, like this one:

Cheese Casserole Bread

2 cups warm milk (105 -115 degrees)

2 pkgs active dry yeast

3 T sugar

1 T butter

½ t salt

4 ½ cup flour

6 oz cheddar cheese cut in to ½ inch cubes or shredded

1. In a large bowl, combine milk and yeast; stir to dissolve yeast.

2. Add sugar, butter, and salt; stir until butter is melted.

3. Stir in 3 cups flour; beat until smooth.

4. Stir in remaining flour and cheese. Mix well.

5. Pour in to well-buttered 1 ½ qt round casserole dish. Cover with waxed paper; let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

6. Remove waxed paper. Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes. Loosen and remove from dish.

This is my absolute favorite bread. Scrumptious. It definitely is not something the author of Good Energy would recommend, so save it for special days like we do. You know I’ll be making it for Christmas eve. If you wanted to make a little bit healthier, you could substitute some healthier flours and cut the sugar back (I might be doing that, but don’t tell my family).

One thing you can ALWAYS count on in my newsletter, though, is for a dog or two to show up. How about these three cuties, my newest foster puppies arriving this weekend and ready to go to forever homes by Christmas!

That’s all I’ve got for you this week. I know it was heavy on the DOGS. But what better distraction from the CRAZY cold (at least here in the Shenandoah Valley) and the upcoming holidays and whatever else is weighing on your heart.

I hope this year is sliding happily into home for you. Sending my best wishes for a calm and centered week. Remember what’s important and let go of what isn’t.

Breathe,

Cara

You can learn more about me and my writing by going old-school and checking out my website:

CaraWrites.com

I’d love to hear from you:

If you haven’t subscribed yet, I’d be honored if you would:

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Namaste.

Hi Friends! I’m glad you found me here on Substack. I’ve been writing this newsletter forever, for a long enough time (trying to be accurate but really not sure how long), but this is the first time in this space. I write it to pile all my blog links, book recommendations, publishing news, cool links I think you might like, and one killer-recipe in one place. Oh, and sometimes (okay every time) a few dog pictures.

But mostly, I write to stay connected with YOU. I’m very excited when I get a message back in response to my newsletter, so never hesitate to tell me what you think (even if what you think is that I’m rambling on and on, avoiding getting to the point, or you have a thought about the state of publishing, or you are tired of all my dog stories and think I should tell you more about Hazel-cat).

Here is Hazel-cat (see I’m not always ALL dogs):

If you’re new here…

I’m super happy you showed up. Maybe you’ve read one of my books, or adopted a dog from me, or met me at a writer’s conference, or follow one of my blogs, or maybe you have no idea how you ended up here. No matter, I’m thrilled you’re here! I promise never to take your time for granted. You have so many options when it comes to reading, so I’m honored you’re sharing a few of your minutes with me.

How this will work…

I plan to publish this newsletter twice a month. But we all know how futile plans can be. Still, expect me to show up in your inbox twice monthly.

So here goes…

The latest on the blogs:

My Life in Paragraphs

Latest post on My Life in Paragraphs takes a little hiatus from our ongoing bookclub focused on Anne Lamott’s stellar book, Bird by Bird. It explains a little about how I ended up here on Substack and the challenge of losing money as a writer.

Another Good Dog

Another Good Dog this past week featured my current foster dog, Leche, a beautiful Husky. I’m learning a lot about the breed, mostly that they are smarter than I am, have a lot in common with cats, and that I better have a plan when I click on that leash.

Who Will Let the Dogs Out

This week’s post announces my new book! It’s been five years and over 150 shelter visits in the making. We are launching a campaign to get copies into the hands of the shelter and rescue people who need it. Just in case you’re tempted to skip the post, here’s the video explaining it:

If you want to jump straight to our Indiegogo Campaign, click here.

Throwback post

This is a post from my first blog, Kid Friendly Organic Life, that I wrote in 2011 titled Dangerous Soup. It’s my response to the ‘news’ that BPAs are dangerous. That was 14 years ago and so much of what I wrote on that blog that seemed ‘alarmist’ at the time has become common knowledge. Still, the post has helpful information and some good recipes, so give it a read.

Leftover Potato Pizza

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil, butter, or coconut oil (or a combination)

2lbs (or however many you have) potatoes or sweet potatoes, diced

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

2-3 teaspoons Italian seasoning

2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

1 cup cooked chicken breasts, chopped (or ground turkey breast, beef, or pork, cooked)

1 2.25oz can sliced black olives

⅛ cup sliced garlic

¼ cup chopped green onions

¾ cup diced tomatoes

Directions

1.     In large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium high heat. Add potatoes, salt, ground black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 3 minutes over medium-high heat.

2.     If using raw potatoes, lower heat to low-medium, cover skillet and cook for 5 minutes (longer for sweet potatoes) - without stirring or lifting the lid. Lift lid, stir and reduce heat to low, covering skillet again and cooking for 3 minutes.

3.     Remove from heat and remove lid. Let cool a touch - pre-heat oven to 400.

4.     Leave potatoes in skillet and evenly distribute garlic. Then add mozzarella cheese, chicken, olives and sliced garlic.

5.     Bake, uncovered, for 7 minutes then add green onions and tomatoes, bake for an additional 5 minutes.

My favorite combo is sweet potatoes with ground turkey, but you can put anything you want on the potatoes. It’s a loosey-goosey recipe that always works (and is awesome leftover and warmed up in the microwave).

That’s all folks. Thanks for reading. I’m kind of liking this Substack thing already. I’ve met lots of interesting folks and the format is super simple (as evidenced by the fact that I figured it out). I’d love to hear your thoughts or an update on your stories. If there is anything you’d like to see in this newsletter or you’ve got a question, fire away, I’m all ears. If you really want to make my day, share this publication with your own crew.

Make today amazing,

Cara

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One last dog pic just because it makes me laugh (this is My Boy Otis giving me the hairy eyeball when I tried to save him from sliding off the couch).

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