STRAW, Deborah 1948-

PERSONAL: Born November 11, 1948, in Concord, NH; daughter of Donald and Phyllis (Brown) Straw; married Bruce Conklin (a marketing director), May 28, 1984. Education: University of New Hampshire, B.A.; St. Michael's College, M.A. Politics: Liberal. Hobbies and other interests: Travel, animals, food, music, France.

ADDRESSES: Home—31 Pine Pl., Burlington, VT 05401. Agent—Alison J. Picard, P.O. Box 2000, Cotuit, MA 02635. E-mail—ligature@together.net.

CAREER: Writer. Community College of Vermont, teacher of literature courses, c. 1989—. Volunteer at animal shelters.

WRITINGS:

Natural Wonders of the Florida Keys: Exploring Wild and Scenic Places, Country Roads Press (Chicago, IL), 1999.

Why Is Cancer Killing Our Pets? How You Can Protect and Treat Your Animal Companion, Healing Arts Press (Rochester, VT), 2000.

Contributor to periodicals.

SIDELIGHTS: Deborah Straw told CA: "As we age, our priorities become more defined. As a younger woman, I thought my primary battle was in the feminist ring. I wrote almost exclusively about women's issues and taught mostly from women's books. But, as I have aged, my passions have shifted back to those of my childhood. Since my forties, my primary focus has been on saving the environment. My strengths lie in fostering respect for all creatures that share this planet. In my mind, the environmental crisis is the most pressing political issue."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Publishers Weekly, January 22, 2001, "Loving, Learning about, and Losing Animals," p. 319.

Total Health, January-February, 2001, review of Why Is Cancer Killing Our Pets? How You Can Protect and Treat Your Animal Companion, p. 12.

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, August, 2001, Rita M. Reynolds, "Our Pets and Cancer," p. 141.