The backstory on what inspired the Rudy in Rudy's Rescue

​In 2017, at the beginning of my “Rudy” writing adventure, my sponsor and I were driving through New Mexico and this dog caught my eye.At first, I thought he needed to be rescued!A quick visit with his owner revealed that this dog did not need rescuing. In fact, he is a helper to his owners with the menagerie of rescued animals on their little ranch. When I offered to pay for grooming, his owner said, “Oh, no! He’d freak out. This is a cow dog, not a city dog. He sleeps with the pigs and cows. He'll only tolerate gardenhose baths."The owner gave me permission to use the pictures I took ofE.Z. Kiel online.E.Z. Kiel has been an endless source of inspiration while writing.Unfortunately, his owner passed away not long after I took these pictures. May he rest in peace. He was one of the sweetest men I’ve ever met, and no doubt, E.Z. Kiel misses him with his whole heart.