A Blink Through Time

Harry Sleet and Jez are not like others their age. They're runaways, and do what they must to survive: crypt delving or pawning goods, until one day it catches up with them in the form of one time-traveling golden retriever named Blink. They think they don't need adults, or the help of strangers, or even each other, until he arrives and alters their perception of true love and security. He takes them to dimensions in the future and past that both frighten and marvel them in the blink of an eye Questions and Answers: Question: Why make a time-travel book about a dog, and a golden retriever at that? I wanted to write a story where the time device is not some clunky machine, but a real flesh and blood being with feelings. Not only that, but also to show that a dog can heal wounds in ways that often get overlooked by their owners. In this day and age, we let politics divide us and keep us from loving one another, yet a dog is apolitical and will love you unconditionally if you allow it, and will also forgive you for just about anything you can think of, which I describe in this novel. Question: If you had to describe this book in one sentence, how would you go about it? Answer: Probably a mix of the best time-travel books from the 20th century: The Time Machine, A Wrinkle in Time, Time After Time, etc, with a few monsters from the future. It is hard to describe since there isn't that many time-travel books where the dog is the actual catalyst. There is a bit of everything thrown in, but in a nice, flowing way that is not jarring: comedy, fright, loss, sacrifice, and loyalty above all. Question: Isn't it hard to use a dog as a main character? Answer: Dogs, especially golden retrievers, talk to people in their own way. They send signals to us, but only if we're smart enough to open our eyes to recognize them when it happens. This one in particular is exceedingly smart, and you'll come away believing it is more than "just a dog". Question: Any movies similar to this? Answer: It is its own plot, but it is inspired by TRON, Gladiator and The Time Machine, with a pinch of Spy Kids. You won't be disappointed.