Jill’s New Book has just been released:
HAPPENSTANCE: The Romance of Audrey Hepburn and Jean Pierre is a book about two dogs who met by happenstance: a true, love-at-first-sight encounter. Neither Audrey Hepburn, an 8-pound Italian Greyhound / Chihuahua mix, or Jean Pierre, a 14-pound Rat Terrier / Chihuahua mix, were previously much into other dogs. Jean Pierre is an independent guy, and Audrey Hepburn simply cannot tolerate other dogs.
Audrey Hepburn
Jean Pierre
One day at a park, accompanied by their entrusted humans, each dog immediately ran toward the other; touching noses, and frolicking in tandem through the high green grass. It was startling for Jean Pierre’s human, Avery, and for me. We had never seen either of them engage with another dog in quite that way, and have never seen them individually respond that way since.
The meeting felt so fated and profound, that we brought them together as much as possible to explore their kismet.
Over the next years, I planned a number of official dates, activities, and celebrations, with Audrey Hepburn and Jean Pierre enthusiastically involved in this unfolding. That is how this romance came to be documented and can now be shared with you.
For their first official date, Audrey and Jean Pierre went to Gabriel’s, a fabulous and authentic Mexican restaurant north of Santa Fe. They ordered margaritas and had guacamole made fresh at the table.
For their first official date, Audrey and Jean Pierre went to Gabriel’s, a fabulous and authentic Mexican restaurant north of Santa Fe. They ordered margaritas and had guacamole made fresh at the table.
For their next date, Jean Pierre decided to invite Audrey to go skinny-dipping at Abiquiu Lake. Audrey had never been swimming before. They laid out their beach towels, tossed off their bathing suits and JP patiently showed Audrey how to do her best dog-paddle.
On Valentine's Day, Jean Pierre and Audrey Hepburn went to an old-fashioned, authentic soda fountain, with red-leather round seats, and a fully mirrored wall. They decided to share a banana split with heart-shaped dog biscuits on top.
In the fall, they decided they wanted to go to the New Mexico State Fair and walk the midway together. They rode some fun rides, went to a few concessions, ate food they had never heard of before, played some games, and won souvenirs.
Jean Pierre’s humans decided to get married, so he asked Audrey Hepburn to the wedding. She wore her famous pearls, and they basked in the garden sun, shared champagne, and gobbled down wedding cake.
Soon after, Jean Pierre’s humans had a baby boy, and the four of them moved to Washington state, not a quick drive away. Audrey Hepburn grieved for so many months, and never dipped her paw in the love pond again. Jean Pierre made some four-legged acquaintances in Washington, but never found anyone as compelling and attractive as Audrey Hepburn. And so, their romance of happenstance came to an unexpected end. I put these stories away, sad that there was no happily-ever-after ending.
Many years passed, and one day, there was an unexpected visit from Jean Pierre, who flew into town to see his beloved Audrey Hepburn one last time. Their reunion was magical.
This book explores the idea that love can enter one’s life serendipitously, like happenstance, if we are as lucky as these two four-leggeds: Audrey Hepburn and Jean Pierre.
It is a book written from a dog’s perspective, for adults and children alike, especially dog and animal lovers, with colorful and fun photography and stories about the joy of relationship.