Fact Meets Fiction: The Origins of Murray Falls
One of my closest childhood friends' father was Murray Fowler, DVM—a remarkable veterinarian who served as a professor at UC Davis and worked with the Sacramento Zoo for 24 years. "A pioneer in zoological medicine, he played a pivotal role in creating the first veterinary school program dedicated to caring for captive and free-ranging wild animals."
But to me, Murray Fowler was more than just a brilliant veterinarian. During a difficult time in my family’s life, he was a kind and steady source of support.
My favorite memory of him? The day he brought home a baby gorilla to take care of for about a week. After school, I would rush to Linda’s house, and we would hold him, change his diapers, and feed him his bottle. It was an experience I’ll never forget, and when it came time to name the fictional town at the heart of my story, Murray Falls felt like the perfect tribute.
Fictional Background:
In the world of my book, the town of Murray Falls was founded when the Redmund and Owens families settled in the area, and the village became a thriving town. Its most breathtaking feature was a towering waterfall, which George Redmund Sr. named after his grandmother’s maiden name—Murray. Over the years, as the town grew, so did its connection to wildlife conservation, leading to the creation of the George Redmund Zoo and its renowned efforts to protect endangered species. Tourists all year round go to Murray Falls to hike to the Falls, enjoy the quirky town, and spend time at the Zoo.
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