Friday, October 12, 2007

Deaver goes to the dogs


In the current Select Editions, you may have noticed that the author photograph of Jeffery Deaver makes room for an unusual friend. The furry face belongs to Jeff's pet Briard, Chance. Briards are medium sized, very hairy sheep-herding dogs, often tan and black. Briards and their silky shags had their heyday on U.S. television in the 1960s: one called Tramp starred on My Three Sons and there was also Fang on Get Smart. One silly fact about the Briard is that when taking a rest out working in the field, they have been mistaken for haystacks.

Over the years, Jeff has owned an eclectic variety of dogs, among them Dachshunds, basset hounds, retrievers, poodles, collies and terriers. He's also had cats and a salamander. Now 56-year-old Jeff has taken his passion for pooches to a logical extreme: he's become the proud owner of show dogs. A few years ago one of his miniature poodles placed third at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. And In 2007, the lovely Chance won Best of Breed (Briard) at Westminster.

Jeff often features dogs in his books and when he auctions off characters for his novels, the proceeds go to the American Kennel Club's Canine Health Foundation. You could say Jeffery Deaver has become one of dogs' best friends.

—Laura

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