Local Veterinarian Bob Fuselier and his grandson Deaglan Gresham during a recent visit to the Los Alamos Daily Post. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.comBob Fuselier is both a veterinarian and grandfather, making him ideally suited to write a children’s book about dealing with the fact that we will lose our pet to death one day.
His recently published “Tip and Blue” tells the story of a young boy and his two dogs, one of which is nearing the end of her life.
Tip and Blue’ book cover. Courtesy image“I didn’t feel comfortable with a lot of books on this topic,” Fuselier said. “I wanted to write a book that was about death, but also about the relationship with someone we love and what remains.”
The book is written in four line stanzas that rhyme. This format, along with the charming illustrations by James Kelly, makes it ideal for even the youngest children, but Fuselier has discovered that older kids and adults also love the book.
“It reminds them of their pets when they were youngsters,” he said.
Fuselier drew on his own memories of his dogs during his childhood in rural south Louisiana and the dogs he’s had during his time as a parent, as well as his experiences with children dealing with the loss of a pet in his veterinary practice, and perhaps most importantly, his experience as a grandpa.
“Deaglan (Fuselier’s 5-year-old grandson) asked me, ‘are you going to die?’ Fuselier remembered. “That’s a tough question for a grandparent.”
Dealing with the question inspired the words on the final page of the book,
In 16 short pages, Fuselier captures a whole lot about the experience of loving and losing someone you care for.
“Tip and Blue” is the first in a series of children’s books Fuselier has planned. His experiences as a grandpa have provided him with plenty of material, in addition to sparking his poetic talents, he said.
“As a teenager, I hated poetry,” Fuselier said. “I guess my English teachers would be happy!”
In Los Alamos, “Tip and Blue” can be purchased at Pet Pangaea in Central Park Square, CB FOX on Central Avenue and the Animal Clinic of Los Alamos at 127 Eastgate Dr. It also can be purchased at www.lulu.com. The book is published by Garcia Publishing.
