Photo by Ronni Diamondstein
By Maggie Mae…with Ronni Diamondstein
In honor of the 10th anniversary of Inside Chappaqua, I want to share the top ten reasons I’m proud to write for the magazine.
10. It gets my owner out of the house: Not only does she walk me all the time, but she gets to come along with me on my interviews, take pictures–which she loves to do–and she meets the interesting folks I write about.
9. I get to showcase important causes: I was proud to interview rescue dogs and the staff at the SPCA of Westchester in Briarcliff. I hope to do more stories like this in the future.
8. I’ve learned a lot and shared what I have learned: Why it’s great for kids to have a pet and how it’s good for people of all ages to own a dog. And one of my favorite columns was why I am a child at heart and always will be.
7. I can help other pets and their owners: My friend Biscuit’s owner Gary told me that he didn’t realize dogs needed to be licensed in the state of New York and our town until he read my first column “Why I Wear My Dog Tag Proudly” in May 2010. And I’ve shared a lot of other important information on pet health, dog safety in the winter and being careful about coyotes. From the foods that are toxic for dogs to having a whistle to scare off a coyote, I am happy to pass along what I have learned.
6. I can have fun. I met my friend Rocky at Gedney Park for my story on dog parks. And it was an honor to be asked to be a celebrity dog judge at Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester’s first Dog Social last spring.
5. I get my picture taken. I’ve been in front of a camera since I was a puppy so I love when people want to pose with me!
4. I am recognized wherever I go. One day my owner was surprised when someone she didn’t know said hello to me on one of our walks into town. The woman explained that she recognized me from my picture in Inside Chappaqua magazine. I am always very happy to meet my readers!
3. I go interesting places and meet very nice people. I wrote about pet friendly lodgings and toured Crabtree’s Kittle House and Inn with John Crabtree, one of the original owners. I was so happy to visit author and animal lover, Jean Craighead George at her home and talk to her about her book, How to Talk to Your Dog. And I’ve been to Town Hall to talk to New Castle Animal Control Officer James Moore and Town Clerk Jill Simon Shapiro.
Photo by Ronni Diamondstein
2. I’ve met some very intriguing animals. I loved meeting Ronnie, a rescue dog at the SPCA and was happy to hear he was adopted after my visit. One of my favorite and scariest interviews was at Dr. Laurie Hess’s Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotic Pets. I loved meeting Dr. Hess and I was very brave to have my picture taken with her parrot Target whose beak got a little too close to me!
1. And the number one reason is Grace Bennett. In this “dog eat dog” world (I can’t believe I really wrote that!), Grace had the vision and imagination to give me, Maggie Mae Pup Reporter, and my owner this amazing opportunity to have a voice. Thank you, Grace! Congratulations! Here’s to another ten years!
Contact Maggie Mae Pup Reporter at maggiemae10514@gmail.com
Maggie Mae lives in Chappaqua with her adoring owner Ronni Diamondstein, who, when she isn’t walking Maggie is a freelance writer, PR consultant, award-winning photographer and a School Library Media Specialist and teacher who has worked in the US and abroad.
