I grew up on the road, which is to say, my family moved across the country more than a few times—from Northern California to Nevada, then Utah, and back to Indiana, my birth state. My life was filled with adventure but also the turbulence of change. As a kid moving from one school to another, I gravitated toward reading and exploring rather than socializing as adolescents and preteens do. My mercurial childhood set me up for life as a freelance writer. 

I’ve also had a great fondness for animals since childhood. While living on a rural Indiana farm, I was around cows, chickens, horses, and—my favorite—goats. I was a member of 4-H and showed my Nubian goat, Ellie, at fairs. During my free time, I would explore the local woods, fields, and ponds, watching white-tailed deer, red foxes, skunks, and groundhogs. I felt I was most myself when I was surrounded by woods and animals. 

At one point, as my mother has reminded me, I “tamed” a feral cat who resided in the woodshed behind our home. I would sit patiently every day after school waiting for the wildish furball to come out, inch by inch, over a few months. Eventually, she became my friend; of course, this friendship was encouraged by the pieces of baked chicken I fed her as a peace offering. 

Decisions, decisions: The college years

Along with my passion for the natural world, I was deeply interested in psychology and mental health. My goal was to obtain a master’s degree in social work and eventually work with domestic abuse survivors. I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology and began working in a residential home for children who had been abused, neglected, or otherwise fallen through the cracks of the foster care system. But this career, while rewarding, left me drained.

While I was working at the children’s center, a staff member in the communications department asked me if I would be interested in joining their team as a fundraising specialist. She had heard from another coworker that I enjoyed writing, and given the job requirements, I seemed like a great fit. This opportunity kicked off my career in communications.

The turbulent years of running a business

I married my Canadian significant other in 2002 and relocated to Toronto, Canada. He was an artist and graphic designer and wanted to start a branding firm. With my experience as a copywriter, I agreed to take up this goal with him. Running a small business is an adventure, and we spent long hours and weekends at the office to establish our burgeoning business. 

In my role, I worked with clients who represented a variety of industries from health care to industrial products to automobile manufacturing, including Mercedes Benz, McDonalds Canada, Boys and Girls Club, and the Cancer Society. Of course, as anyone who has ever managed a small business knows, you have to wear many hats. I was a ghostwriter, copywriter, business developer, human resources and payroll specialist, and much more. But over the years, I also gained insight into many different industries, including pet care. 

By 2008, I was writing copy for Zoocheck Canada, WSPA, and the Toronto Humane Society. Writing on behalf of animals appealed to me since I have been a pet caretaker for several cats over the years. I would have considered myself exclusively a cat lady until the staff of an animal nonprofit asked me to foster a 12-week-old puppy, whom I later adopted. 

Life in the desert 

I moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 2009 because I missed the Southwest. During my college years, I had taken some time off to travel, and in doing so, I inadvertently stumbled across the former mining-turned-ghost town of Jerome, Arizona, population 400. When I arrived in Jerome, I fully intended just to stay there over the weekend, but something else happened. I loved the funky, creepy vibe of the old buildings and local lore, so I found a job and an apartment and stayed for one year. This short foray in the desert prompted me to relocate to Arizona full time, and I’m still here today. I adore hiking, backpacking, and roaming around the Sonoran desert.

Over the next five years, I worked in marketing communications for a local nonprofit, but the old itch to do my own thing never left me. In 2014, I took a risk and leaped into freelancing. I immediately connected with marketing firms focused on veterinary services, along with taking on side jobs writing for pet-based magazines. Pets and writing are my passions, so I naturally want to stay in this arena.

I write poetry and essays on the natural world when not writing for others. After 15 years in Arizona, I still love the desert, despite the 115-degree temperatures in July, and live here with my mini-golden retriever, Blaze.

The path to Rumpus

In late 2023, I contacted Rumpus Writing owner Sarah Rumple through an introductory email, and now I’m delighted to be a member of the team. It’s an honor to work with such talented, hardworking professionals. I look forward to continuing to grow as a freelance writer and to providing content to support the veterinary community nationwide.