Following my dorky, weird passion

LAST WORD

ISABELLE SOUTHCOTT

Have you ever dreamed of doing something you love that’s a little bit weird ?

Do you have an idea that you’ve toyed with but haven’t pursued because others might think you’re just a little bit crazy? I have and I did. Those who know me, know how much I love my Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. I’m one of those crazy dog ladies. My childen lovingly joke that I love Jigs and Zunga more than I love them. While this isn’t true, my fur kids are a big part of my world.

When I told the crew here at qathet Living magazine that I’d written a poem about Jigs and Zunga, they didn’t bat an eyelash. In fact, they encouraged me to turn it into a book.

And so I did.

Some people might think I’m crazy to write a book starring my dogs and I’m okay with that because I am crazy – crazy about my dogs. They are my weird, wonderful, dorky passion. They bring me joy and happiness. Because of them, I’ve made many new friends, travelled across the country to meet other like-minded Tollermaniacs and attended Tollermania in Nova Scotia last month.

My little red dogs encourage me to lace up my hiking boots every morning and take them for a walk. They also inspired me to write my first book, Toller Tales, Jigs and Zunga Take a Trip.

The incredibly talented cartoonist Graham Harrop, who incidentially grew up in Powell River, did the artwork for the book. He helped me take an idea I was passionate about and make it a reality.

I can’t begin to explain how much fun I’ve had creating this book! How satisfying it is. I’ve wanted to write a book for a long, long time but never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d write a whimsical, children’s book about Tollers.

Never say never.

When your dream wakes you up at 3 am, you can’t ignore it any longer. When the words to Toller Tales rolled around in my head preventing me from sleeping, I knew I had to get them down on on a sheet of paper.

This wasn’t the first time a zany, wild, dorky idea woke me up at night. It happened with qathet Living magazine 17 years ago and it happened last year when I was deciding if I wanted to raise puppies. (Jigs had her first litter this summer).

My dreams propel me in new directions. This time they’re lighting the way for the next chapter of my life. At the age of 60, I can finally say: “I’m an author”! How cool is that?

If you have a dream, chase it. Don’t worry if it’s a bit quirky or if it’s not the perfect time.

Follow it for as long as you can, for as far as you can and with any luck, your crazy, quirky dream will come true.

BOOK LAUNCH

When: Saturday, November 19, noon – 3 pm

What: Toller Tales: Jigs and Zunga Take a Trip book launch and signing with the author, and special guests Jigs and Zunga.

Where: Tourism Powell River, 4760 Joyce Avenue.