Tyrone, GA – Heather Russell, well known Tyrone Speech Therapist, has just published her first book: “Tails” of the Collie Lama. This book is written for children in the 8 through adult age group and is an attempt to help them “Think for themselves, take care of themselves and be true to themselves.” Mrs. Russell draws from over 30 years experience as a public school and private practice speech therapist for the material for this book.
Mrs. Russell stated recently, “This started as a story about an agility dog who thought she had to herd sheep. Then my husband John said, “Why not write a story using the name “Collie Lama”? That was the spark that started the creative process. Since I was working full time I had to write “Tails” of the Collie Lama after work. I sat down at my computer in the quiet of the night in my home office with our dog Ian by my chair and started typing the words to this story. Before I started to type I would look out my office window, up through the trees and into the night sky and say, “Okay, Lord, what do you want me to say tonight?” Thus, this book was truly a Divine Collaboration. Ian, normally very active, would quietly lie at my feet as I typed until I was finished with what I was meant to write that night.
“I was compelled to write this story after working with children for over 30 years as a speech therapist and after being a ‘Mom’ to a border collie. My understanding of children, combined with my love of animals, especially dogs, and most especially Ian, inspired this story. Finally, my husband’s and my love for the ‘heather-laden hills of Scotland’ gave me the location for ‘Tails’ of the Collie Lama.
“Over my long career I have encountered many children who have come from as many backgrounds as one could imagine. I’ve worked with children who are highly intelligent, mentally challenged, outgoing, shy, confident, unsure of themselves, cherished by their parents, and even a few who have been abused by family members. Several personality types have resonated with me, particularly those lacking in self-confidence. I feel the wisdom of the Collie Lama ‘Take care of yourself, be true to yourself, think for yourself’ – especially needs to be shared with these children and all the children of the world. My dear friend and former Principal of East Clayton Elementary School (where I taught for many years), Dr. Betty Brittain, gave me these words in the beautiful epistles she shared with friends and family after she retired.
“So as with many projects there was not just one event that started the process. It was a combination of incidental comments, deep relationships, a stray idea or two, persistent effort, and God’s love that created this work.”
Mrs. Russell is a product of the Georgia educational system. She attended high schools in Atlanta and Jonesboro. She graduated summa cum laude from Clayton Junior College in Morrow with an AA degree in Language/Literature and from the University of Georgia in Athens with a B.S.Ed. and M.Ed. in Speech and Language Pathology.

ISBN- 13 978-0-9740959-0-5

Published by: Blythe Spirit Publishing, Tyrone, GA 30290
770 487-0601
www.collielama.com