‘My pet project’

Orysia Dawydiak loves to write. She is also passionate about animals and animal behaviour.

The P.E.I. author has combined her passions in “Rika’s Shepherd”, a new book about a young shepherd and her adventures.

“It’s a pet project that I’ve been working on for decades. It’s very close to my heart, more than my other books,” says Dawydiak, of the novel which will be launched Saturday, Sept. 22, 2 p.m., at the Confederation Centre Public Library in Charlottetown.

Whether it’s dealing the loss of lambs due to a coyote attack, choosing and training a guard dog or understanding canine-human relationships, Dawydiak has reached into her own experiences as a scientist/animal breeder/ sheep farmer to create plausible storylines.

“Versions of the incidents, described in the book, have happened to my own dogs and to me in my own life.”

“Rika’s Shepherd” is the story of Rika, a happy, energetic girl in control of her life and her small flock of sheep. She’s been helping her father, Willem, run their farm and household and has begun training a new border collie pup. But Rika’s orderly life unravels with the discovery of a deadly attack on her flock.

With the help of a young veterinarian and an eccentric protection dog breeder, Rika takes on more responsibilities. When an unexpected visit shakes up her world, Rika begins to accept the changes she cannot control.

The novel was inspired by Dawydiak’s interest in the animal and human worlds and how they intersect.

“I write because I get excited about the things that I’ve learned, and I want to share them. This book is just that. It comes from decades of experience, my desire to share and maybe educate.”

For example, Dawydiak has After writing “Livestock Protection Dogs” Orysia Dawydiak wanted to share her experiences working with these dogs. She has penned “Rika’s Shepherd”. The fiction book is published by Acorn Press.