&
Leaving the Wild
with Author Gavin Eheringer
Denver journalist and photographer Gavin Ehringer
is the author of eight books, most recently
‘Leaving the Wild: The Unnatural History of
Dogs, Cats, Cows and Horses,’ as well as ‘Rodeo
Legends,’ and ‘Rodeo in America,’ co-written
with sociologist Dr. Wayne Wooden, and more
than 3,000 articles. He has written for America’s
Horse, Chronicle of the Horse, Horse & Rider
and Western Horseman, Dog Fancy/Dogster,
and The Dog Channel Online, and is a manytime
American Horse Publications award winner
for feature and column writing. Gavin lives by
the writing tenet ‘write what you know,’ based
on years of practical experience working as a
ranch cowboy, animal trainer and competitor
(his dogs compete in herding, agility, obedience
and canine disc). We saddled up to learn the
story behind this modern day Renaissance man.
HIS: I’d really like my new book, ‘Leaving The Wild,’
to reach bestseller status. I worked long and hard to
make the book a reality.
HERS: What motivates you to get out of bed in the
morning?
HIS: The need to make a living, and the fact that I
really like coffee.
HERS: What would the closest person in your life say
if I asked them, ‘What is the one characteristic that
they totally dig about you and the one that drives
them insane?
HIS: I’ve had an adventurous life and have good stories.
On the flip side, I am absent minded and forget
people’s names all the time.
HERS: If you worked outside the horse world what
would you be doing?
HIS: I write about lots things; I sometimes wish I’d
pursued surfing stories more. Fiji in December is a lot
more welcoming than Oklahoma City!
HERS: If I were to ask your friends, ‘Give me three adjectives
that best describe you,’ what would I hear?
HIS: Intelligent. Persistent. Helpful.
HERS: Tell me something that’s true that almost nobody
agrees with you on.
HIS: According to Neil deGrasse-Tyson, ‘Toilet bowls
drain however they’re designed to circulate water.
It’s irrelevant whether you live above or below the
equator.’ But most people believe the myth.
HERS: What never got the chance to be included on
your résumé?
HIS: Musician. I love playing guitar, but I pretty much
suck.
HERS: How old were you when you had your first paying
job and what was it?
HIS: I was 12 when I got my Social Security card. I
mowed the lawn at The Little Church on the Prairie
and had to pay taxes!
HERS: On a scale of one to 10, how weird are you?
HIS: At least a seven.
HERS: Give me an example of a time when you
solved a difficult problem.
HIS: Is this a job interview? I solve problems each day!
Writing involves a lot of thought about fitting pieces
together. Like solving a puzzle.
HERS: What’s your superpower or spirit animal?
HIS: Hmm. I’ve always been moved by owls. Owls are
mysterious.
HERS: What is your favorite quote?
HIS: “You can only impress so many people in life, so
choose them carefully,” by my dad, Bill Ehringer.
HERS: How would you describe yourself in one word?
HIS: Unique.
HERS: If we’re sitting here a year from now celebrating
what a great 12 months it’s been for you, what
do you hope you achieved?
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