Sass and All That! An Interview with Sassafras Patterdale (Lowery)
10th Recipient of the Goodnewsforpets Human-Animal Bond Award
Editor’s Note: Sassafras Patterdale (Lowrey), is the 10th recipient of the CWA Goodnewsforpets Human-Animal Bond Award for her book: Claw This Journal: An Activity Book for Cats and Their Humans. We are proud that the award received the most entries in the 2024 CWA Communications Contest and thrilled to catch up with this esteemed author and discover what went into making this great entry and more.
Sassafras’s books have been honored by organizations ranging from the American Library Association to the Dog Writers Association of America and the Cat Writers Association. Sassafras is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Certified Trick Dog Instructor, and a Fear Free Certified Professional. Sassafras writes about training, enrichment, and the human-animal bond. Their work has appeared in leading publications, including The New York Times, WIRED, Apartment Therapy, and The American Kennel Club. Sassafras has taught nationally about the sport of Trick Dog, and their dog Sirius is the three-time #1 Newfoundland in the American Kennel Club National Trick Dog competition. Sassafras lives, writes, and trains in Portland, Oregon, with their two dogs.
How long have you been writing about pets, specifically cats?
I have been writing about pets professionally for over 15 years. I won a CWA Muse Medallion award for a magazine article I wrote for Catster Magazine in 2021 about trick training for cats, and the winning of that award directly led to the publisher wanting me to write Claw This Journal: An Activity Book for Cats and Their Humans! It’s such a fun full-circle moment for the book to be honored in the CWA awards.
Why is the CWA Goodnewsforpets Human-Animal Bond Award meaningful to you?
We absolutely love everything you are doing at Goodnewsforpets. I am so incredibly honored to have been awarded the Goodnewsforpets.com Human-Animal Bond Award for my book Claw This Journal because this book is all about helping people find ways to add enrichment into their cat’s daily life. Winning this award was such a surprise, and my hope is it will inspire people to get creative and have more fun with their cats!
Speaking of inspiration, what inspired you to write Claw This Journal: An Activity Book for Cats and Their Humans?
I am really passionate about helping people find ways to have more fun with their pets, and create more enrichment in their lives. I found that the importance of cat enrichment doesn’t get as much attention as it should. When planning and writing this book, I was excited to have the opportunity to center fun and realistic things that cat guardians can do to provide more enrichment into their cat’s routines.
What is so special and unique about our human-animal bond with cats?
Everyone’s relationship with their cat is so unique, but overall I think the most special quality of our connection with cats is the unconditional love that they provide to their people. No matter what is happening in the world, when you go home, your cat is there to greet you and spend quality time with you.
You’ve now won two CWA awards. Do you have any tips about preparing an award-winning CWA entry?
I really think the key to success is writing about what you are passionate about. Your enthusiasm for the topic will come through in your writing which will help other people to be inspired and interested in it.
What are your three top tips for writers just starting their writing journey?
My top three tips for writers who are just getting started is to 1) write as much as you can. The way to get better as a writer is by practicing. 2) Don’t be afraid to get your work out there. It can be nerve-wracking to start sending work out, but if you aren’t putting it into the world, nobody can read it. 3) Have fun! Even if writing is your job, I think it’s important to always find ways to have fun with what you are creating. I think the joy of the work comes through and is a big thing that readers connect with.
What are your three top tips for writing about cats that are different from writing about dogs?
My biggest tip about writing about cats that is different from writing about dogs is making sure that what you are creating is cat-centered. Sometimes, people will write things that are really about dogs but just trade cats in. Although there are many similarities between dogs and cats in terms of their need for exercise and enrichment, they are different species and don’t always approach play or training in the same way. So, for example, there is a dog version of this book that came first (Chew This Journal), and while there are a lot of similarities between the books, I completely rewrote it for cats because I wanted to make sure that the activities I included were things cats and cat guardians would actually enjoy.
You’ve written for several national publications. Can you share any tips about what it takes to getting published nationally?
I’m very lucky that writing is my full-time job, and over the years, I have written regularly for a variety of publications, including large national newspapers and magazines. My biggest advice is to start small and build up a strong portfolio. The more work you put into the world, the more experience you are gaining, which can help you land those big writing opportunities.
Do you have any favorite social media platform to promote your work, and why?
My current favorites are Facebook and Instagram. I find that they are both great for connecting with animal-loving readers.
Is there anything else you would like to add for Goodnewsforpets readers?
Thank you so much for the award! It was such an honor to receive, and I hope readers enjoy my books!
Thank you Sassafras and congratulations again. Watch for news of the upcoming CWA 2025 Communications Contest at catwriters.com.
To learn more visit www.SassafrasPatterdale.com
Links to Sassfrass’ social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sassafraslowrey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sassafraspatterdale
Here is a look back at last year’s winner and the past recipients:
Congratulations to Dusty Rainbolt: Latest Goodnewsforpets.com Human-Animal Bond Award Winner
