PBR:  Before we start, I want each of you to know I’m a dog lover – in fact, quite extraordinary with my past appreciation for a border-collie/lab mix I had in my life, which died a couple of years ago. So your book hit some raw nerves with me.  Was this one of your intentions when writing your book – to open emotional wounds of readers thus heightening your book’s impact?

Yes, I am very happy to have Alvin in my life; he was a rescue Dachshund we located three years ago in Texas.  Alvin was the unfortunate recipient of “demodex” a disorder he received from his mother at birth.  Another result of the devastating “Puppy Mill” process.  Dealing with Alvin’s chronic disease reinforces for me daily for appreciation for Alvin.  I cannot imagine the day in the future when Alvin won’t be there to greet me when I arrive home at night.

PBR:   I’m curious how the dynamics of creating the story, and working the character development occurred between both of you.  Frankly this question would be a right-side/left-side question to one person, but here we have two people writing one literary work. How did you both work together on this?

As an Internist, seems obvious the main character is a physician.  Our combined experience working daily with ill patients brought a realistic background and realism to this project.  In this case, applying negative outcomes we see in human medicine to a possible catastrophic outcome for the canine population.  Mladen and I collaborated on various chapter plots and methods for telling story, while trying to keep a tight focus on realism.

PBR: Who’s idea was it to write this book?

Ø Orrin had the concept, again fear of Alvin dying in light of his medical issues, while dealing daily with patients in flu season.  The thought of dogs dying akin to fear of global pandemic in humans came together.  

PBR:  Have the two of you teamed up on other prior literary work?

Not on literary projects, but many other endeavors.

PBR: The credibility and authenticity of your medical details seem highly accurate, to my layman’s understanding.  How real is the threat of a virus such as the one you wrote about?

Very real, every year we are at risk seeing a global pandemic in human population.  How fearful should we be our lives in hands of the pharmaceutical companies charged in production of these vaccines?  It is inevitable we will deal with a strain of flu or other biological which is resistant to medications.  Now that’s in respect to humans, there are many canine viruses; anything is possible.  Humans in some cultures have a close connection to avian and swine populations, causing higher risk of virus jumping from these vectors to humans is a real possibility.

PBR:  In our review we talk about Hollywood picking up screenplay rights.  Have you been in touch with the movie industry and do you have any plans to peruse this media?

No contact yet. We hope to get the word out as best we can.  A great review we hope will bring us closer to this goal.  We are planning to increase our exposure; utilizing a publicist to extend our current reach.

PBR:  I notice you both generously are donating a portion of your earnings to animal charities. Tell us about that please.

One of the goals is to enlighten people on what dogs do for us on a daily basis; this appreciation goes beyond the dog lovers.  We also support all the good work the ASPCA does in all their endeavors for all animals on a daily basis, and feel part of the proceeds from this project should support their efforts.

PBR:  Are you working on any sequel or new novel?

We are working... 

PBR: We certainly wish you the best of success with Unconditional Loss, and with all of your plans for the future.  Thank you both once again for joining us today.