If you’ve read much inspirational fiction, the name Suzanne Woods Fisher is sure to be one you know. Suzanne is a bestselling author of over 40 books. She’s written numerous Amish themed books, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, children’s stories, and nonfiction. If you don’t know Suzanne’s work already, you can check out more about her and her books on her website.

Twelve years ago, she did an interview here with me here on One Writer’s Journal. Suzanne had a very busy life at that time with her family that has since grown to include some beautiful grandchildren. Also at the time, she raised puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. That was one reason I invited her over to talk writing and dogs.

This year she asked me to help get out the news about her new book, Lost and Found, that releases Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Suzanne has graciously offered to give away a copy of Lost and Found to one of you. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. I’ll pick a winner Saturday and Suzanne will send the winner, chosen by random drawing, an autographed copy of her book.

First though, you might like to read some of that interview from 12 years ago. I know I enjoyed reading it again. So here we go.

Suzanne, you have a very busy life with your writing and everything that goes along with publishing books. Tell us how you handle it all and still enjoy time with your family.

I am always writing. Nearly always! Promotion is a big side of this book gig—answering e-mails, participating in interviews, public speaking, keeping up with social media. Everything gets done…but it’s a pretty busy life right now. I don’t have much time for just having coffee with friends. As for the puppies…they are a joy! Taking a dog on a daily walk helps me get away from the computer, slow down, enjoy nature, exercise, relax a little. You just can’t take life too seriously with a puppy tearing through your house with someone’s underwear in its mouth.

Your grandfather was raised Plain. Was his background instrumental in you deciding to write about the Amish? Your Amish books come across as very authentic as well as respectful to the Amish way of life. Did your grandfather tell you about Plain living or did you experience that firsthand through visits to the Amish villages?

I’ve always been intrigued by my Plain relatives, even as a child. They have a very gentle spirit, very warm and welcoming, and I admire their focus on a simple life. My grandfather was one of eleven children, raised Old Order German Baptist Brethren, near Gettysburg, PA. He left the colony as an adult, but kept in close contact with his many siblings (and many, many cousins, second cousins, third cousins, etc.). The German Baptists (also known as Dunkards) share core beliefs with the Amish and Mennonites. All Anabaptists. Same song, different verse.

I’m a dog lover and I know there are many dog lovers out there in the reading world. You have gone a step farther than simply loving dogs as pets to raising dogs for service. How did you get started raising Guide Dog puppies?

We had lived in Hong Kong for four years with my husband’s work (he’s a corporate guy). We have four kids, and the six of us lived in an 1100 square foot apt. in a 44 story high-rise. My youngest son, Tad, wanted a dog and it just wasn’t the time in life for us. When we returned to California, the time seemed right. Another dilemma! My husband doesn’t like dogs. He told Tad that he had to convince him of a function, a solid reason, a noble purpose, to get a dog. That very week, Tad and I went on his 3rd grade field trip to Guide Dogs for the Blind and learned about the need for puppy raisers. Voila! We found the reason! Nine puppies later…we are still raising them. And my husband has grown to like (not love) our dogs.

Tell us about raising these pups. What is the same as raising any pup and what is different?

Some aspects of raising a Guide Dog puppy would be similar to having a pet: House training (my first objective!) and basic obedience. Puppies are assigned to a puppy raiser’s home at eight weeks of age and recalled back to the Guide Dogs for the Blind facility around sixteen to eighteen months for formal training. The job of a puppy raiser is to socialize the puppies by taking the pup on age-appropriate outings—grocery stores, restaurants, church, movies and concerts, doctors and dentists, bus and train rides, on and on. We also attend weekly puppy raising meetings to work on skills. The goal of preparing a puppy to become a working guide is always in front of us.

Pups can be cute little bundles of fun or at times, bundles of trouble. My daughter once had a German Shepherd pup that sometimes drove her crazy and she’s a dog lover like me. Her pup once chewed up a library book. I guess he wanted to read that badly. Can you share some misadventures you’ve had with your pups?

I think my most mortifying puppy-raising moments are when a puppy relieves in public. It doesn’t happen often, and it shouldn’t happen at all…but it does. It is very hard to look cool when you are cleaning up your puppy’s mess. Another mortifying moment was when I was in a Nordstrom ladies room , washing my hands, as my Guide Dog puppy poked her head under the stall and scared a lady.

It has to be rewarding to know the pups you raise are going to be some person’s way to a more independent life. Do you ever know any details or stories about how your pups make a difference in someone’s life? Heard an inspiring story about your pups after they leave your care?

The worst and best puppy raising moment came in a twenty-four hour period after the graduation ceremony for my first dog. Arbor was partnered with Jon, a college boy with progressive blindness. When we said goodbye, we knew we wouldn’t see Arbor again (Jon lives in the Midwest). We were thrilled that Arbor became a guide, but it really smarted to say goodbye to that big yellow lab. The next day, Jon’s mom e-mailed me to let me know they made it home and she added this comment: “Last night, Jon and Arbor walked over to a friend’s house. I can’t remember the last time Jon did that.” In just 24 hours, Arbor was changing Jon’s life! For our family, loss turned into gain.

It was fun rereading this interview with Suzanne about her dogs. Now here’s a little something about her new book that releases this week and that she has gracioiusly offered as a giveaway to one of you readers. 

Lost and Found