As a writer, how do you know when the work day is done? For Dean Koontz, it’s when a golden retriever throws your hand off the keyboard at exactly 5pm. A self-described “workaholic” who has written more than 100 books, Dean says adopting his first dog Trixie transformed his schedule and his life. Dean opens up about Trixie’s mystical side, what it’s like to care for a “perfect soul” and the jealous rage he felt when her debut book (co-written with Dean) outsold his own first novel. And he talks about coping with the immense grief of losing Trixie and how he and his wife Gerda knew they were ready to love another dog.

Dean and Gerda adopted all three of their golden retrievers through Canine Companions for Independence, which trains service dogs for adults, children and veterans with disabilities at no cost to the client. When a dog has a “career change” (ie. doesn’t make it through training or can’t work as a service dog for whatever reason), it goes up for adoption to the general public. Or, say, to a world famous author who’s about to get a whole lot more exercise walking.

You can keep up with Dean and Elsa on Instagram here and on Facebook here

And you can find all his books on his website here

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Furball Confidential is created and hosted by Jen Moroz

Talia Schlanger is our producer

Talia also co-created our theme music with David Travers-Smith, with Brian Kobayakawa on bass

Reza Dahya does the video and sound design and editing

Dani Stover does our social media

Our show artwork is by Adrian Forrow

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