In his book, When the Dogs Bark, life-long westsider Bill Roushey, Jr. takes readers on a poignant journey through life, marriage, children, relationships, and his dad’s cancer battle. Through it all, dogs remained loyal and steadfast by his side, teaching him so much about relationships and life without words. Roushey’s five dogs are featured in the book, which spans the course of 26 years.
Roushey’s great-grandparents were the first generation to move to western Monroe County from Pennsylvania, laying their roots here for future generations. Bill graduated from Spencerport High School in 1975. He met his wife, Patty, when he was attending college at Robert Wesleyan, and they settled in North Chili where they raised their two sons. Bill spent many decades working in plastics manufacturing at Chili Plastics and then transitioned to a job in facilities management for his church, Pearce Memorial. He never imagined he would be the author of a book, nonetheless two. “It happened by accident,” Bill chuckled.
Bill first began writing to journal his relationship with his dad. His father was the one person who had the most significant influence on Bill’s life, but for a time in his young adult years, he abandoned his dad’s ideals and chose his own path. Years after having his own family, Bill and his dad grew closer. Their relationship became even stronger as they partnered to retrace their family history and genealogy. As their bond strengthened, Bill’s father was diagnosed with prostate cancer. “I kept journaling to express my feelings and to make sure I did not forget these moments with him,” Bill said.
Bill’s father lost his cancer battle at the age of 67. That led Roushey to self-publish his first book in 2006 called Junior’s Hope, memoir by a Father’s Son. “My mom was my biggest fan,” he said. The book sold a modest 400 copies, but Bill did not write it with expectations other than to preserve the memories of his beloved dad.
Roushey says his life has been enriched by the relationships he had with his five dogs over the years: Sheba, Lady, Lucky, Maximus, and Jake. “I was profoundly affected by the death of my dog, Lucky, which led me to write about our relationship.” Lucky was an abandoned puppy found floating down the Erie Canal. Lucky’s life was saved when he was rescued, and eventually, he became an impactful part of the Roushey family.
As Bill began journaling his life events, he reflected on the impact that the love and loyalty he shared in his canine relationships had on the ups and downs of life and all that it taught him about life, marriage, children, and even his faith. These writings led to Roushey’s newest book When the Dogs Bark.
“I realized humans can have a spiritual connection with their dogs just as a person can have a spiritual connection with another person or with God. It was a 15-year journey to author the book. I got busy with life and put the manuscript aside several times. Then one day I came to the realization that if I was going to call myself a writer, I better finish this manuscript,” Bill said.
When the Dogs Bark is now available at Lift Bridge Book Shop in Brockport, Higbie’s in North Chili, Amazon, and will be on Book Bub through December with a special 99-cent digital download. The book has already sold 3,000 copies and is a must-read for anyone who loves dogs.
Bill and his wife, Patty, live in North Chili with their two dachshunds, Brody and Herbie. When asked if he foresees authoring another book, Bill replied, “When The Old Man and the Sea meets For the Love of the Game might be my first fictional book.”
For more information on Bill Roushey, visit http://www.authorbillroushey.com.
North Chili resident Bill Roushey, Jr. with a copy of his second book, When the Dogs Bark. Photo by Karen Fien.
