Cast of Characters

What You Need

Buddy, skinny mutt who finally finds his happily-ever-after in Ronwen, who lives alone in a cabin on Kameme Beach. Since losing her husband, Nash, and then her dog, Theo, she has taken in loneliness like a quiet friend, and didn’t even know she needed Buddy until he arrived in “a boatload of money” (literally!)

Eli Dellwater, former farmer and current owner of Looser Island’s only storage units, who loves dogs but is currently dogless, and so is glad of his newfound association with Ronwen and Buddy

Jesus, German Shephard and occasional savior who technically belongs to Unit 4 of the Maple Lane Apartments, currently rented to Genevieve Macy, who is the publisher of the online ‘zine the Looser Island Bulletin and part-time receptionist and nurse for Dr. Johnson. Genevieve is a woman with a surprisingly adventurous history.

Fergus, standard poodle belonging to Dr. Henry Johnson, who is the island’s only doctor. Dr. Johnson is old enough to retire but after his wife, Mary, passed away more than a decade ago he has no desire to spend more time in a Mary-less home. In or out of the office, if you ask him he’ll tell you, emphatically, that he does not believe in ghosts.

Shelby, Australian Shepherd(ish) dog who attached herself to Marta, twelve-year-old daughter of Susan Droske. Until two years ago, Shelby belonged to Marta’s father (though she lived with Marta’s grandmother, Apple Cart Grocery proprietress Lauren). Marta feels ambivalent about her mother’s romantic relationship with Sam (postman and poet), but then again, like many almost-adolescents, she feels ambivalent about life in general, which makes her irritable.

Uncle Albert, Dachshund companion to Danny Boy, the beloved first- and second-grade teacher at Looser Island Elementary School (unfortunate acronym: L.I.E.S.)

Theresa Scowager, manager of the Maple Lane Apartments, generally vilified because she refuses to live onsite, timely respond to tenant complaints or otherwise fulfill her duties, and possibly because she has no dog and everyone “knows” she doesn’t even like dogs. What they don’t know is how heartbreak built those walls against dogs, other people, and life in general.

Familiar Friends from Who Laughs Last and What the Dogs Know

“The Hairy Horde,” canine companions of Missy, the self-described “island delivery gal”: Buster, a mutt of uncertain heritage but absolutely certain affections; Manly, a spectacularly unneutered but mild-mannered Great Dane; Fetch, a yellow Labrador who loves to—well, ‘nough said; and Brunhilde, a beautiful but unpredictable Afghan Hound

Charlie, mostly-Newfoundland emotional support dog for Retha, who runs Retha’s Bar and Grill

Sylvia, cat-who-thinks-she’s-a-dog, who presides over The Coffee Hut owned by Amelia

Gafr the Goat, not technically a dog but treated like a pet by “the new hippie couple” Liam and Geena, and their toddler Daisy

Mazie, a small, timid mop-dog who is, paradoxically, a source of courage and strength to TeeKay, owner of Island Books

Fran and Nan, Scottish Terriers who are twins in appearance but not in temperament (Fran bosses her human, Jill, while Nan is gently encouraging and forgiving). It used to be Jack and Jill (really!) but Jack left when their closest friends, Donna and John Swartout, refused to forgive Jack because their son bought weed that had originated with Jack.

Silas, three-legged dog belonging to Ben and Caroline Breckenridge, who run The Breckenridge Inn while raising: the human children John (9), Max (8), twins Hannah and Randy (11), Kevin (17), and Rainbow (18); and the rest of the menagerie consisting of one white Rat (Marvel), three more dogs (George, Roger, and Nadine), two cats (Miss Perfect and her counterpart, Miscreant), a lizard named Storm; also seven goats whose names no one can remember (because there are only so many things the brain can hold)

Frank and Kasumi, “the old hippie couple.” The death of their dogs, Pip and JP, shortly after Kasumi was diagnosed with cancer last year, sent Frank into a spiral with devastating consequences for the Looser Island community.

Pitbull-mix Jerry Garcia, who crossed the rainbow bridge not long ago but remains in the hearts of Seth, the son of free-spirited postmistress Jenny

Dogless Sheriff Tom Haley, who has been sheriff so long his title really is part of his name

Irritable Pomeranian Pretty Boy, status symbol and kindred spirit of Cherry Duluth, Chairwoman of the Looser Island Water District Board of Directors, realtor, and island siren

Great Pyrenees Mo, hairy guardian angel of Gloria, owner and chef extraordinaire of The Dog House Café

Pug Hubert, silent Yoda to Celia Prewitt, the former school teacher and erstwhile trombone-player. Mrs. Prewitt is also the grandmother to sailor Olga

Boxer Rambo, extrovert foil to introvert Jim Perkins. Jim is the Looser Island Water District engineer, a graphic novelist, and the significant other of sharp-tongued but warm-hearted Lauren, owner of the Apple Cart Grocery

Labrador Molly, inspiration for the oh-so-wise philosophy WWMD (What Would Molly Do?), with Markus Bjorkin (island garbage collector and philosopher) and Ella Bjorkin, teacher in the Looser Island Elementary School’s blended third- and fourth-grade classroom

Note about AI: I’ve been writing stories since I could hold a pencil, and so it feels as if it should go without saying that NOTHING I share on this or any other platform or format was written by AI. I don’t even use AI for editing, after reading that some editing programs will actually add text rather than just pointing out recommended corrections and additions. I occasionally use Canva’s AI program to generate images that match the content, if I have neglected to timely ask/beg my artist friends and contributors for their art, but that is the sum total of AI’s involvement in my work.