Weston Grad Co-Authors Children's Book on Dogs

When author and journalist Scott Fayner was trying to decide what his next project would be, he looked around him. And saw dogs. Lots of dogs. 

That's because at the time, Fayner was working at a dog daycare facility. Talk about drawing inspiration from your daily life.

He also saw co-worker Katie Bazaz, a 2007 Weston High School graduate, who Fayner said was a perfect fit for his co-author.

"When I got the idea for this project I knew I needed someone with knowledge of dogs, as well as a visual side, to be my co-writer/editor," Fayner said. "Katie was the only person I could think of who would be able to give me what I needed to do this right, and [definitely] the only person who could handle me on a daily basis."

Fayner said he grew up with dogs and knew a lot about dogs, so the idea just seemed natural to him.

"I wanted to help children learn from a young age about breeds and their characteristics and energy levels, so when they grow up they'll have a better knowledge about which ones to choose," he said. "If you have a breed like a Jack Russel Terrier in an apartment when you work all day they will ruin your house, and they end up in pounds, so it was a great project to help try to prevent that."

"The ABCs of DOGs" takes children through all different dog breeds from A-Z, with two dogs for each letter of the alphabet.

“I guess the Z page would be my favorite," Bazaz said. "It was kind of a mixed concept. The Z page, we didn’t have a breed for that page, so the kids get to make up their own breed. It’s more interactive."

Although Fayner had experience with writing, Bazaz did not, and neither had any experience with publishing. 

"Katie had never been a part of something like this, but and she was really great," Fayner said. "I never could have done this without her."

Bazaz described herself as someone who "likes to try and do everything," so Fayner's project proposal was an opportunity she fully embraced.

“My goal was to teach younger kids about dogs so that when they grow up they’re going to know all that," Bazaz said, adding that she didn't grow up knowing much about dogs. “Every dog has the potential to be a great dog if they have the right owner. And we wanted to set that up young.

“We want a new generation where dogs are treated better just because they have the right owner," Bazaz continued. "It’s not just, 'Oh, this dog's really cute; that's what I want.'"

Through his work on the book, Fayner said the most interesting thing he learned was more about smaller breeds of dogs.

"I've always liked big dogs, so I looked at smaller breeds as one type, like they were all the same," he said. "But they really are not and have all different personalities.

"I also learned it's not easy to write a book," he said.

The book is currently on sale at Sooki, a women's clothing and boutique store in the South End owned by Fayner's mother, Suzan Griffith. It is also available through Amazon.com and the book's website.

And maybe it isn't just for kids.

"What’s funny is that a lot of adults read it and they’re like, 'I learned so much!'" Fayner said.