The path to literary success is rarely straightforward, and for Terry Kay’s novel, To Dance with the White Dog, it was paved with more obstacles than triumphs, at least initially. This heartwarming story, which revolves around an aging man and a mysterious white dog, faced rejection from over 20 major publishers before it finally found its audience and captured hearts worldwide. What is it about this seemingly simple tale that resonated so deeply, transforming To Dance with the White Dog into a beloved book translated into more than 20 languages and recognized more widely than its author himself?
The genesis of To Dance with the White Dog is rooted in a deeply personal experience. It began not as a novel, but as a poignant anecdote about Terry Kay’s own father, T.H. Kay. As Terry recounted, during his father’s final days, a stray white dog appeared and offered unexpected comfort. This skittish animal, in a way that defied explanation, seemed to understand and respond to the elder Kay’s grief after the passing of his wife. The most striking image Terry shared was of the dog placing its paws on his father’s walker, appearing to “dance” with him, a silent communion of companionship in the face of loss.
This touching story first saw the light of day in Atlanta Weekly, a magazine then edited by Lee Walburn, the author of the original article and a long-time friend of Terry Kay. An initial piece celebrating T.H. Kay, titled “T.H. Kay, Proprietor,” was followed by a sequel, spurred by Walburn’s encouragement, focusing specifically on the dog. This second piece, aptly named “The Strange Dance of the White Dog,” hinted at the deeper emotional resonance of the narrative, but even then, Terry Kay was hesitant to expand it further.
His reluctance, as he later explained, stemmed from a few factors. Firstly, he was wary of comparisons to other Southern writers, particularly Pat Conroy, known for his intense and often turbulent family narratives. Kay worried that a story centered on his own father might be perceived as derivative or fall into similar thematic categories, overshadowing the unique gentleness of his story. Secondly, Kay was facing a creative and professional crossroads. While he had published three novels prior – The Year the Lights Came On, After Eli, and Dark Thirty – his income was primarily from freelance work and a demanding public relations position. This corporate role drained his creative energy, leaving him feeling creatively stifled and uncertain about his path as a writer.
However, desperation, as Walburn notes, can be a potent catalyst. Feeling trapped in a “creative fog” and yearning for a more fulfilling path, Terry Kay made a courageous decision. He resigned from his corporate job, taking a leap of faith with three years of savings as his safety net. He rented a modest motel room and committed to writing the story that had been gently nudging at him – the story of his father and the white dog. In a burst of focused creativity, he completed the first draft of To Dance with the White Dog in just two months, without revisions.
The initial response from New York publishers was disheartening. Despite acknowledging the story’s warmth and emotional appeal, rejection letters poured in, citing concerns about its marketability. It was deemed too gentle, perhaps too Southern, and lacking the dramatic angst that was then prevalent in contemporary literature. Undeterred, Terry Kay’s agent turned to Peachtree Publishers, a smaller, Atlanta-based publishing house. Margaret Quinlin, the head of Peachtree, recognized the story’s potential and offered a contract.
The publication of To Dance with the White Dog in 1990 marked a turning point. Word-of-mouth spread quickly. At his first book signing in Oxford Books, Terry Kay was astonished by the turnout and the immediate connection readers felt to the story. One woman bought ten copies, declaring them her entire Christmas gift budget. This organic enthusiasm was a sign of the profound impact the book was beginning to have.
The book’s reach extended far beyond local bookstores. An unexpected endorsement from nationally syndicated radio host Paul Harvey catapulted To Dance with the White Dog into the national spotlight. Harvey’s heartfelt recommendation to listeners who valued their elders ignited a surge in demand. But perhaps the most remarkable chapter in the book’s journey unfolded in Japan.
Kazuo Kinoshita, a bookstore manager in Narashino City, Japan, was deeply moved by the Japanese translation of To Dance with the White Dog. His personal commendation sparked initial sales, which then snowballed. Yuri Iwasaki, a sales representative, recognized the cultural resonance of the story in Japan, where reverence for elders is deeply ingrained. An expanded advertising campaign followed, and within a year, orders in Japan surpassed 1.5 million copies. The book’s themes of aging, respect for elders, and finding solace in unexpected companionship resonated profoundly with Japanese readers. To Dance with the White Dog even inspired a children’s book adaptation and a movie release in Japan, further solidifying its cultural impact.
The overwhelming success of To Dance with the White Dog brought Terry Kay both recognition and new challenges. The pressure to replicate its success led to creative paralysis and even a period of depression. However, with the support of friends like Pat Conroy, he navigated this difficult phase and continued writing. He went on to write Shadow Song, which earned him significant book contracts, and eventually The Book of Marie, which he considers his best work, though it achieved more modest sales. In 1993, a Hallmark Hall of Fame television movie starring Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn further amplified the book’s popularity, introducing To Dance with the White Dog to an even wider audience.
While Terry Kay has written numerous novels and received accolades, including induction into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame, To Dance with the White Dog remains his most enduring legacy. It is a testament to the power of simple stories, told with sincerity and heart, to transcend cultural boundaries and touch upon universal human experiences. The story of Sam Peek and the mystical white dog continues to be passed from reader to reader, a quiet testament to the enduring appeal of compassion, dignity in aging, and the unexpected comfort that can be found in the most unlikely of companions.
