This is an article in "The Sun," North Ridgeville, OH.

"When Holly McCain wandered through a South Amherst flea market in February 1998,she had no idea she was about to discover a kindred spirit."
"Nearly 10 years later,McCain dedicated her latest book of poetry to the playful pal she adopted from the trunk of a car."Brown Eyes,"is a whimsical collection of bouncing poems about her relationship with her beloved Shadow,a Labrador mix."
"I wrote 'Brown Eyes' because I wanted to dedicate something to my best friend,"said McCain,who lives in North Ridgeville."
"The interesting way Shadow came into her life inspired the poem 'Where did Our Puppy Come From?'The ballad includes the verse, "Do you know where our puppy dog came from?/She didn't grow in Ma's tummy/she didn't come from a stork/No,Shadow and storks weren't chummy." The rhyming lines of options for Shadow's arrival continue until the final lines: "Where did our puppy dog from?/I believe God,I'd say/She fit in our house just right/Yes,just right that February day!"
"Adopting Shadow allowed McCain to take time to enjoy the simple things in life, she said."
"My logic is that when we become adults, we are in such a hurry with everyday life that we don't take the time to stop and smell the flowers. Puppies and pets are like angels sent from God to show us the world,"McCain said."
"Brown Eyes" is McCain's second book of poetry. She published "Star," a collection of poems about the loss of her brother. Her sophomore effort is a lighter collection aimed at children and young-at-heart dog lovers, she said."
"The 42-page tribute to her canine companion is an offshoot project of another book McCain has been working on called "February Day." After seeing the crowd's reaction during a reading of the poem "Brown Eyes"last year, McCain decided to trim the poems about her dog from the larger book and focus on a light-hearted tribute to her pooch. The book was published in February."
"Her new book has allowed McCain to make appeaarances at various book shops and events around Lorain County. During her book signings, McCain has enjoyed the reaction her work gets from kids.She happily recalled one girl whose family set up a display next to McCain at a recent book fair. Throughout the day, McCain could hear the girl, who toted a black Labrador stuffed animal, ask her mom, "Can I now?" By the end of the day, the girl's mother finally answered, "yes," and the girl ran to buy a copy of "Brown Eyes," McCain recounted."
To me, it shows how kids can connect with the book," McCain said."
"Perhaps McCain's biggest fan is her granddaughter, 5-year-old Kylee, who loves hearing her grandmother's poems at bedtime. Kylee is a guest star in the book and especially enjoys hearing "Shadow and Kylee," which includes the lines "They play on the slide/ They run through the grass/They play fetch/Shadow and Kylee's friendship is first-class."
"Brown Eyes" is available at Barnes & Noble and Boders book stores in Westlake and Elyia, as well as The Grateful Dog Bakery in North Ridgeville and the Wine Room in Avon.Copies may be purchased online at amazon.com."