A fascinating author to interview: Martin McKenna
Author of the memoir: 'THE BOY WHO TALKED TO DOGS'
Published by Skyhorse, also available on Audible. com
Contact: martinmckennadog@hotmail.com
Once I was an illiterate Irish street kid who ran away from home to escape bullying. I ended up living rough with a pack of 6 stray dogs for 3 years in the countryside around Limerick. Now my memoir, THE BOY WHO TALKED TO DOGS could be the next big Irish classic.
Hi,
my name is Martin McKenna and I believe
your audience would be fascinated by my unusual childhood.
Here's my story...
I grew up in Ireland in Garryowen, Limerick in a
large family of 10 and I'm one of identical triplets. Although an
extremely charming man sober, my father could drink for Ireland. When he did, he had a
violent temper. I had severe hyperactivity and had such bad learning difficulties that I couldn't even read and write my own name
properly and was nicknamed Stupid Boy by one bully teacher.
When I was 13 I got so sick of the constant bullying at home and school, I climbed out my window and ran away. I ended up living rough along the railway line and started hanging out with some stray dogs. There were 6 dogs who became part of my pack but others drifted in and out. I slept in farmers barns at night with the dogs to keep warm and dry.
These
dogs became my family and taught me the rules and customs and language
of the Dog World. They also taught me a lot about myself. I lived with
them for 3 years but then as I started to grow up, their world seemed a little boring and restrictive - so I returned home. Later I
immigrated to London and traveled around Europe, working on building sites. When I was 13 I got so sick of the constant bullying at home and school, I climbed out my window and ran away. I ended up living rough along the railway line and started hanging out with some stray dogs. There were 6 dogs who became part of my pack but others drifted in and out. I slept in farmers barns at night with the dogs to keep warm and dry.
Later I came to Australia and started sharing my information about dogs with people. I was invited as a guest on a radio show and the phone lines went crazy and I quickly built up a national fan base from the cities to isolated Aboriginal communities sitting around a radio at the campfire.
Over 15 years, I became Australia's top dog
whisperer. I wrote my memoir, 'THE BOY WHO TALKED TO DOGS' to apologize to my mother. I'm afraid I nearly broke her heart when I ran away. She never stopped trying to get me to
return home. This story might sound a little sad to strangers, I guess, but I'm actually a pretty
happy, positive man. I really loved the freedom and adventures I shared with my pack of stray dogs back in my teenage years.
You can see me on Youtube at: the dreadlock dog
man. Life has taught me to laugh a lot and dare to try new things. I now
paint poetry on large abstract canvases and am represented by a
gallery, The Brush Off Gallery in Nimbin, Australia.
I love sharing my inspiring story with people - I always get great feedback - and people say my story cheers them up! Thank you, Martin. My email is: martinmckennadog@hotmail.com Want a great read for St Patrick's day? My memoir, THE BOY WHO TALKED TO DOGS is a wonderful story for anyone thinking about Ireland.
Here's some great interviews I've already done:
ABC Radio Interview with Phillip Adams
ABC Radio Interview with Margaret Throsby
The Irish Mirror Interview
A Series of Writing Tips for Writing.ie
RTE Radio Documentary about Martin McKenna
