Sheila Ruble is the author of Fire Pony and Don't Park on a Pig, as well as the co-author of Listening to Stones. Several of her poems have been selected for inclusion in regional anthologies of western writers. Inspired by true events, Fire Pony is her first middle-grade novel. Originally from Colorado, Ruble has lived most of her life on a small ranch in south-central Montana. Now retired, she served for many years as a 4-H leader and a U.S. Pony Club instructor and also gave private lessons in dressage and dog obedience. Ruble continues to volunteer with Pet Partners, a national organization devoted to providing animal therapy to those in need. An avid amateur photographer as well as horsewoman, she can usually be found during nice weather at her cabin in the Absaroka Mountains. She and her husband, Bob, raised two daughters and over the years have owned an assortment of animals, including dogs, cats, donkeys, sheep, horses, and the occasional goldfish. Ruble is presently working on a sequel to Fire Pony, as well as a new book of poetry for children about real animals she has known on the ranch.
