FRI., JAN 4, 2008 - 4:38 PM – Wisconsin state journal

Middleton girl writes dog-owner manual

Kiera Wiatrak

It all went to the dogs. But for 11-year-old Alexandra Franzen of Middleton, that was the point.

Alexandra, author of "For the Love of My Dogs," wrote the book last summer with the intentions of donating profits to the Dane County Humane Society, a plan she has followed through on. Since the book came out in November, Franzen has donated more than $400 in profits to the Humane Society.  "I think she 's realizing now that just helping a little bit, just by helping one dog at a time, one person at a time, has an impact, " Alexandra 's dad and publisher Patrick Franzen said. "The importance of giving back -- that's something we can't instill too much in her. "

Both Alexandra and her dad emphasized that not only were the animals at the Humane Society benefiting from her book, but the dogs of people who read her book gain a lifelong advantage as well.  The book, self-described as "a practical guide to training and caring for your new puppy, " is packed with the essentials for dog owners, including grooming, bonding, training and preparation.  "I wanted to help kids who are getting a dog to know what they're doing," Alexandra Franzen said of writing the book.

Patrick Franzen added that the topic was particularly appropriate for his daughter to choose because of the long history the family has with dog ownership.   "Having the opportunity to get Reggie, (Alexandra) just learned a lot on just the basics and practical stuff with dogs," he said. "(My wife and I) were fortunate enough to learn from our parents."  Apparently, Patrick and Lisa Franzen passed on their love for dogs to their daughter.  "Not having any siblings, Reggie is just a bigger part of Alexandra's life," Patrick said. "  They’re really close companions and we’re lucky and fortunate for that. "

However, just because Alexandra was already knowledgeable about the subject didn't mean she didn't have her work cut out for her. She wrote the book over the summer, during which she spent an hour a night researching and writing.  "It was tough some nights when it was really nice outside," Patrick said. “We'd say, OK, we’ve got to go work on the book tonight ' and her friends were outside playing, you could hear them. "

Alexandra agreed that it was difficult at times to muster the motivation to leave her friends behind and go inside to write.  "Sometimes I wanted to play with my friends but then I had to work on the book," she said.  However, Alexandra said it was all worth it, especially because of the direct benefits it had on the people around her.  "That’s where we really saw the need -- her friends wanting to get a dog and having a hard time convincing their parents they were ready for a dog," Patrick said. "I think Alexandra wanted to make the book really simplistic, too, in terms of what is some practical stuff."  Patrick added that Alexandra didn’t 't have to worry about the competitive publishing process since her parents own their own publishing company, Proactive Publishing.

"The platform was there to really take some solid ideas Alexandra had to help her friends," Patrick Franzen said.  And that’s exactly what she did. Alexandra sold her first copy when her neighbor showed up at her door to pay in quarters, setting the precedent for many more of Alexandra's friends.  "She's gotten a lot of positive feedback," said Lisa Franzen, Alexandra’s mom. "Some of the parents have said that with her writing book, it has inspired their kids to set a goal and do something. "

To buy the book

The paperback price for "For the Love of My Dogs" is $12; the e-book price is $15. The book can be ordered at www.executivecareersuccess.com/reggie