I double-majored in undergraduate school at New York University (NYU) in elementary education and print journalism. I didn’t know which path to take after graduation, so I pursued jobs where I could maybe write about education.

dogbook.jpgAlso an animal lover, I was thrilled to find work at the American Kennel Club (AKC) in their public education department focusing on kids. I conceived and shepherded into print (with the help of many others) The Complete Dog Book for Kids.

Adapted from the AKC’s The Complete Dog Book (considered by dog enthusiasts as the “bible” of the dog world), the children’s book took two years to complete. It remains the first and only book for children from the AKC.

The publication date was 12 years ago today. I define this date as my publishing career anniversary. I became the associate editor of the AKC Gazette soon after the book was released. A few years later, I went back to NYU to get a master’s degree in publishing.

I’ve had many opportunities over the years to use my editorial jobs to cover topics that I believe in, so I’ll always be grateful for having birthed this book. (And no, I get no financial compensation if you buy the book?just personal satisfaction!)

Being grateful is an important ingredient of what keeps me going. Always remembering to be grateful for the good things in my life, big and small, has been—and continues to be—an effective tool for managing my state of mind.