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A Plains resident has penned a new children's book titled A Dog's Bucket List. Author Karen Olson found the inspiration to write this book from her dog, Nike. The book follows the true story of how her family found him at the top of Little Thompson Peak in 2003. A short chapter book that children from ages six to nine will enjoy, readers will follow along with Nike as he celebrates finding his new home by creating an unusual bucket list.

Olson describes the first pages as sad, whereas Nike did not have an easy beginning with his first family. Unfortunate circumstances have left Nike blind in one eye and he was soon after abandoned at the top of a mountain. "Even while he was living with this family, he had dreams of starting a bucket list," Olson said. "After he is abandoned and wandering through the woods, he begins to wonder if he can start his bucket list. The first thing on that was to find a family who would love him, and here we turn up," Olson continued. "We find him, and he finds us."

In the story, Nike finding his new family helps him realize the rest of his list is now possible. Along with finding a new forever home with a loving family, Nike's dreams include driving a car, skydiving and flying in a helicopter. As the book is told through Nike's perspective, Olson's imagination comes to life as she creates Nike's story and his vision to accomplish 18 dreams that he wants to fulfill on his bucket list.

While a bucket list may carry the stereotypical notion that it is something one does at the end of their life, Olson says not with this book. "I don't want parents or grandparents to think this is a morbid subject for kids. In this sense, it's not making a bucket list to do things before you die. Nike's bucket list is a list of fun and meaningful things he wanted to do as he was celebrating his new life and forever home."

The Olson family had Nike for 15 years, and Olson wanted to find a way to honor his life. "Nike and I just really connected. There was something about how he really needed me," she said. "I've always wanted to write a children's book. As I was looking through some writing prompts, I took the real imaginative beginning of 'once upon a time,' and started the beginning with a talking dog, and then it turned into Nike's bucket list." Olson says her book serves as a way to remember Nike and his life, "it just turned out to be the right story for me to finally write something."

Courtesy Photo

THE JOURNEY OF HOW NIKE found his family inspired Karen Olson of Plains to write A Dog's Bucket List.

A Dog's Bucket List is Olson's first published book and was released in August. As Olson moves toward the future of her writing career, she says she has some ideas for a possible collection of short stories that will be told from a variety of animals and their perspectives.

As for what she wants her readers to learn and take away from a book like this, Olson has the hope for several lessons. "While they are reading, I just want kids to have fun with it, and laugh along with Nike. I want them to see that you can have a special bond with your pet," Olson expressed. "I hope it can help build a love for animals. Plus, I want it to be an inspiration for children to think of things they might want to try and put on a bucket list."

A Dog's Bucket List is available to purchase on Amazon in a black and white paperback or as an e-book. Visit olsonkaren.wordpress.com to learn more about Karen Olson and Nike.