Patti Lawson is an award-winning author, trial attorney and journalist. She is a frequent contributor to the Charleston Gazette and other publications. She writes a column titled "DOGS . . .DIETS . . . DATING," which appears in the Charleston Sunday Gazette/Mail. Patti is also an accomplished public speaker and presents seminars to civic and women's groups on a variety of topics. She and Sadie are very involved in fundraising events for shelter dogs. They live in Charleston, West Virginia.