I'm priviledged to live with two incredible dogs, Lucky and Kota. Kota - a goofy, laughing, tail-chasing dog - was the inspiration for Zoe in DOG DAYS. Zoe narrates the way I think Kota would speak, if she chose to. I also think Kota would be thrilled to wake up one day and find she had human hands and (therefore) access to everything in the kitchen. If anyone makes a joke at our house, Kota is sure to laugh at it. You wouldn't know it from his modest demeanor, but Lucky is a two-time award winner at the PAWS of North Kitsap and Bainbridge Island WagFest! He's won the pet-and-owner lookalike constest and best tail-wagger contest. Lucky is part ridgeback, which gives him the dog equivalent of a tough-guy leather jacket. He has no tolerance for misbehavior by other dogs (subject to his own sense of right and wrong), and he usually spends most of his time at the dog park refereeing and letting the others know when they've broken protocol. Other fun dogs I'm lucky enough to know.... Gilly is a rescue dog who had to have cataract surgery - and now leads a zippy new life! Logie and Phoebe share a home in Washington state. Logie has a passion for Frisbees (he made up his own Frisbee game) while Phoebe is more of a gourmand. Katie lives in the Seabeck area, near Hood Canal. Blake is a twin. No, not with this bear! With her Norwich terrier brother, Jake. Jolie lives with her new "forever family" mom in Southern California. Norman shares his home (but not his blue chewy toy) with five other dogs.