Joan Lowell Smith is an award-winning reporter and pet columnist. For the past 15 years, she wrote the weekly pet column for The Star-Ledger newspaper, New Jersey's largest daily. In her 40-year career, Joan has also written for the New York Times and New York Daily News. Additionally, she has worked as an editor, public relations consultant, speech writer, and television and radio talk show host. Among many accolades for her pet writing, Joan has received four Maxwell awards from Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) and two Muse Medallions from the Cat Writers' Association, Inc. (CFA). She currently lives in New Jersey with her dog, Timber.