Inside Abandoned: Casey

I can hardly believe I am typing this–my book, ABANDONED: Chronicling the Journeys of Once-Forsaken Dogs, is officially released tomorrow, October 1, 2024, just in time for National Adopt-A-Dog Month!

Thank you so much for your support! ABANDONED is the #1 New Release for Animal Rights on Amazon! It is my great hope that this book raises awareness about many dogs in need and helps compel people to consider dog rescue and adoption, especially in light of the dog overpopulation crisis. There are so many dogs in need of forever homes.

Today, I am sharing an individual dog’s photographs and story from my forthcoming book, ABANDONED, released tomorrow!

In ABANDONED, each dog’s story is emblematic of the 2.2 million dog adoptions that take place in this country each year—but they are also a reminder that due to our dog overpopulation crisis, 1 million rescues do not result in adoption annually.

Pictured immediately above on the left is Casey’s photograph before adoption; and pictured on the right Casey’s photograph after adoption. Roughly one year separates the two above photographs.

Casey, a two-year-old Yorkshire Terrier Mix, was seized along with 130 dogs from a puppy mill in Virginia. Upon his arrival at a Maryland rescue organization, he was covered in feces, malnourished, experienced intestinal issues, and suffered from cyptorchid, or “undescended testicles.” He was fearful of new people and spun in circles after being in a cage most of his life.

 “Words cannot describe the condition he was in,” the rescue representative reported.

After six months Casey was adopted by a family who couldn’t resist his cute face on the rescue organization’s website. “Giving Casey a good home and watching him progress has been one of the most rewarding experiences we have ever had,” his adopter reported one year later. “He has adjusted beautifully. Casey spent the better part of the first two weeks with us in his carrier.  Since that time, he enjoys following me everywhere, receiving belly rubs, and getting lots of treats!”

Casey is just one example from ABANDONED illustrating how dog rescue and adoption not only changes the lives of the dogs, but it simultaneously enriches the lives of the human companions as well. My sincere hope is that ABANDONED helps compel people to consider dog rescue and adoption, helping many dogs in need find permanent, loving homes, especially with our current dog overpopulation crisis in this country.

31 people endorsed ABANDONED including: Dr. Jane Goodall, Sally Mann, Susan Orlean, and John Grogan, to name a few, along with other New York Times bestselling authors, artists, and Presidents of large dog rescue and animal welfare organizations. 

And, if you have not pre-ordered your copy of ABANDONED, I hope you will consider ordering ABANDONED today! Many thanks for your support!

I am donating a portion of my royalties, earned from the sales of this book, to the SPCA International, helping dogs in need around the globe. You can read more here and here.