Car Dogs

Filmmaker Amanda Caminetti sits in the audience at the Academy Awards, nominated for Best Environmental Documentary. Margo Robbie and Josh Groban are about to announce the winner, while Amanda thinks back to the new millennium when her career began its journey from clueless high school student to the adventurous woman she's become.
When 17-year-old Amanda, a big daydreamer, explodes the microwave for the third time, her parents dole out an edict to make her focus: Drive the family dogs, Bridget and Lucky every day for a half hour, pull over and write about an interesting house, person, whatever on her route and give a detailed family report weekly.

She's mortified. But then 80-year-old Bernice, who she helps during her rides, starts changing her life. During visits, Amanda learns Bernice worked for the Roosevelt family at Meadow Croft, flew planes for Jackie Cochran during World War II and still flies a Piper Cub. A digital/video gift from Amanda's successful author Aunt Debbie, comes just in time to film, with help from her friend Alicia, a local dirtbag in the act of popping off baby Canada geese. They race to the local newspaper editor with their story ultimately becoming heroes.

Tasked with reading Without Lying Down: Frances Marion and the Powerful Women of Early Hollywood by Cari Beauchamp as inspiration, Amanda's hilarious daydreams morph into supportive visits by Frances and her actress friend Mary Pickford, along with a feisty noblewoman from the year 1000, as she films Bernice and begins environmental videos.
This hilarious, poignant story, in each woman's voice, includes magical realism and raises the bar on trusting wise older friends and family and finding confidence to develop your passion.

Endorsements
"Awareness can change everything and pays off! This fun story about a budding filmmaker showcases bravery, heart, turning hesitation into purpose and never giving up on a dream!" - Jared Martino, actor, producer, Creative Director, Love Wins Productions
"A thoroughly delightful read. Chuckle and tear up at times with Amanda Caminetti, and her dogs, Lucky and Bridget." - Linda Maria Frank, author of The Annie Tillery Mysteries and The Buccaneers Series: The Buccaneers of St. Frederick Island: Sibby's Secret