Tracy Ahrens of Illinois has been a journalist and editor for newspapers, magazines and websites for over 25 years. Currently she is a freelance writer for several publications. Her monthly column on raising her pets can be seen through nine websites and print publications, including: www.tailsinc.com, dogster.com, catster.com, wagthedogUK.com, American Pet Magazine and bigbarkonline.com As of 2017, Tracy had won 60 writing awards statewide, locally and nationally. She is a member of the Illinois Woman's Press Association, National Federation of Press Women, Cat Writers' Association and the Dog Writers Association of America. For years she's volunteered for animal rescue groups including the Kankakee County Animal Foundation, which she co-founded in 1994. Further, Tracy is an artist, creating graphite pet portraits. Her illustrations have been showcased on note cards for the Kankakee County Animal Foundation in Kankakee, Ill. She's donated portraits for fund-raising events at Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago, the University of Illinois Wildlife Veterinary Clinic in Champaign-Urbana, Ill.; Critter Corral guinea pig rescue in Steger, Ill.; Hospice Hearts rescue in Champaign-Urbana, Ill. and Crossroads Shih Tzu rescue based in Joliet, Ill. In the past she offered pet portraits through the University of Illinois Small Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital to help raise funds for their Humane Connection Fund. Her portrait of a cat titled "Jackson Brown" is on display at the Cat Fanciers' Association Foundation cat museum that opened in June 2011 in Alliance, Ohio. Her portrait of a rabbit named Bosley is on display in the House Rabbit Society's Rabbit Center in Richmond, Calif. Tracy has written three children's books, Cloud Jumpers, What if the Moon and Sammy Sparrow's First Flight through Guardian Angel Publishing, and two non-fiction books titled Giant Hero (Infinity Publishing) and Raising My Furry Children. Raising My Furry Children features a guest story by Steve Dale and a portion of the book proceeds is donated to American Brittany Rescue. Sammy Sparrow's First Flight is assisting nine humane organizations within the author/artist's hometown area through the sale of each copy. Tracy also published a book of poetry titled Nature will Heal by Finishing Line Press (2012). You can learn more about Tracy at www.tracyahrens.weebly.com
