Charlie Damitz and friend. (Courtesy photo)

Charlie Damitz, co-owner of the Harvard Veterinary Clinic on Ayer Road, leads a double life. He keeps our pets healthy by day and writes children’s stories by night. His latest book, Diving for El Corazon, tells the tale of a young boy who befriends a school of dolphins. Damitz has been writing children’s books ever since his wife, Sue, suggested he write down the stories he was telling their three young children; his first book, The Giant Egg, was published in 1986.

Charlie grew up in New Jersey, where he developed his love of the sea while spending summers at the shore. He studied biology at Allegheny College in Meadville, Penn., and attended veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania. He now resides in Bolton and has lived in the same house for 35 years.

A common thread that runs through Damitz’s work is a desire to teach. In his latest book, a magic ring called El Corazon allows the main character, Paco, to breathe underwater like a fish. Through Paco’s many adventures, we learn about the sea and some of its creatures. Teaching also shows in his work as a vet, where he takes time to explain the procedures and medications used, so owners can take an active role in their pets’ care.

The clinic in Harvard is a satellite of the Nashoba Valley Veterinary Hospital in Westford, which Damitz started in the 1970s and now owns with his partner, Steve Fromer. Conveniently located next to the Harvard Kennels, the clinic tends to treat a lot of dogs with separation anxiety. Besides dogs, Charlie also gets, “cats, hamsters, rabbits, and whatever else comes in the door.”

“We have a nice clientele and it’s much slower paced than your typical hospital,” he said. “We’re not constantly running a half hour behind, with a full waiting room. I just take my time and enjoy the work.”

“Dr. D.” relates easily to children and has taught creative writing at North Andover Elementary and the Wawecus School in Worcester. At the latter he held a weekly course for third- and fourth-graders, of which he said, “They were great kids and came up with a good little story. We really had a lot of fun with it.”

Part of the learning process was to send the story to publishers. As an added benefit, the students learned how to deal with rejection letters.

Visitors to the Damitz home are greeted by three adorable pug dogs. The older two, Ben and Jerry, are parents of the third, Chunky Monkey, who was part of a litter named for ice cream flavors. The house is also filled with pug-related items such as coasters, statues, and Christmas ornaments. Charlie named another of Ben and Jerry’s litters after Peanuts characters.

“We used Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Linus, but not Snoopy,” the doctor said, “because that would be unfair to the other puppies.”

A big Charlie Brown fan, Damitz proudly displays a sketch of all the Peanuts characters signed by Charles Schultz. It’s hard to imagine the tall, thin, 67-year-old doctor as being similar to Charlie Brown, but he considers himself to be. And apparently others agree because Damitz, whose real name is William, has been called Charlie ever since his youth.

Charlie’s earliest writings were professional articles for publications like Dog World Magazine, but, like Charlie Brown, Damitz never thought he had talent. He enjoyed writing enough to stick with it, though, and after a few writing courses, he started having some success. Charlie even wrote a weekly column for the Harvard Post and the Bolton Common called “Ask Dr. D.”

What does frustrate him, however, is publishing. He says that in his first book, The Giant Egg, the editors drew the dog to look like a person. And his second book, The Shot Not Heard Around the World, was never marketed. “I go online periodically to look for reviews, but it seems like no one’s read it,” he said. “But educators I’ve shown it to say it’s a great aid for teaching the history of the Revolutionary War.”

Even with two books to his credit, Charlie struggled to find a publisher for El Corazon. He described what many authors experience after sending out query letters.

“You wait four or five months before hearing anything; then you get a little postcard that says ‘thanks, but no thanks,’” he said.

After receiving more than 20 such rejections, he was ready to give up. But then he sent his story to Barbara Seuling, the famous children’s author, for evaluation.

“She loved it and suggested I keep sending it out,” he said. “Not long after that, a publisher called me and said, ‘I really like your story.’ I’m so glad I didn’t give up.”

But fiction writing is a hobby for Damitz, and he doesn’t plan to retire on this book’s royalties.

“I write because it’s fun,” he said. “If it sells and makes money, even better.”

If the book does do well, he’ll take time off from veterinary practice to visit his children. While his son Brad, and grandson William live close by in Woburn, his other son, Karl, lives in California. His daughter Meredith is currently working in American Samoa but soon plans to move to Hawaii.

Charlie mostly wants this book to open doors for his other writing. He hopes The Giant Egg will regain some popularity and perhaps become an Easter classic. He’s also considering further adventures for Paco and the magic ring.

Like Charlie Brown, whose good intentions and determination have helped him through life’s pitfalls and misfortunes, Damitz continues writing because he likes sharing knowledge and loves the process. With this latest book, he may find his talents are appreciated after all. If not, at least he enjoys trying.