Everyone thinks (or should think) that their own dog is the best; the prettiest, the smartest, the most talented. I know people who talk to their dogs non-stop when they walk them. Because she’s so smart, I don’t talk to Savannah on our walks. I have a reason.

Esther was my first collie. Son Luke and I were convinced that she was the smartest, most talented dog in the world. We talked to Esther. We prayed with Esther. We sang with Esther. But because she was so smart, talking to Esther backfired. When we did something that displeased her or told her something she didn’t want to hear—she talked back. Loudly.

So Savannah and I take quiet rambles. I allow her to lead and enjoy the sounds of nature. Today when I walked her, I stopped when she stopped to sniff and just stood quietly watching her. That’s when it hit me. I write mystery books. Savannah reads mystery books.

Today she discovered one scent out of all the others that captivated her. She followed it around and around, checking it out from all angles. She zoomed into the center to experience the origin. Then she followed the scent out one direction at a time as if following the threads of a spider web. Savannah loves meeting and greeting everyone—human and animal—but several people passed with their dogs while Savannah focused on the captivating scent to solve the mystery of who or what made it. She was engaged in solving a mystery.

People often ask me where I get the ideas for my books. Without reservation, hesitation, or apology—I answer, “From God.” And God gives me many of these ideas when I’m walking Savannah. Perhaps because the two of us are quiet as we explore, Savannah picks up her mysteries from input through her nose and God whispers the mysteries meant for me into my heart.

Soon-to-be released “The Beard Murders” not only sprang from one of these whispered sessions with God, whenever I found myself stuck as I wrote, I grabbed a leash and took Savannah for a walk. From the characters to the plot to the incidents that pack action into “The Beard Murders, God spoke the details into my heart.

The same with my work-in-progress and three other titles and starts, one set here in Scotland, the other two undecided at the moment. Meanwhile…Savannah sniffs and ferrets out her own mysteries while I stand back and wait for God’s inspiration.

“God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery…Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27.

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