HSUS Honors Children’s Book Pushing Shelter Adoption
Description
By Joey Wahler
July 23, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. -– The importance of adopting and caring for dogs from shelters is the message behind a children’s book that has been honored by the Humane Society of United States.
Author Maribeth Boelts and illustrator David Walker have won the 2008 KIND Children’s Book Award for “Before You Were Mine.” The award, given annually by the HSUS, recognizes an exceptional children’s book with a humane message about animals.
" ‘Before You Were Mine’ exemplifies the best of what we look for in a children's book," said Cathy Vincenti, manager of publications for Humane Society Youth. "While promoting animal shelters and the adoption of older dogs and cats, it also gently illustrates the plight of homeless animals.
“At the same time, it highlights the importance of the close bonds that often form between children and their pets."
In the book, a young boy ponders what his adopted dog's life might have been like before he was in his life. He imagines his beloved pet in various situations -- with a loving family forced to give him up, misunderstood for his puppy antics, neglected in a backyard, and roaming the streets.
Finally the boy concludes, "Maybe it doesn't matter what happened before you were mine ... because now, you're home."
From her home in Iowa, Boelts told Pet Pulse that her family has adopted shelter dogs, including a 1-year-old Rottweiler mix, named, “Dixie,” that they took in three years ago.
“When we brought here home, the question kind of began in my mind, you know, ‘What happened to her before she was ours?’ ” Boelts said. “Because all the shelter knew was that they had found her in a state park running by herself. And no collar, no tags, no nothing.
“And so for about a year we wondered as a family what her life could’ve been like, and we imagined what it could’ve been like. And we looked for little clues in here behavior that might give us some idea about her past history.”
Finally, like the boy in her book, Boelts concluded that Dixie’s roots mattered little compared to the fact that she had found a home.
“Dogs live in the right now kind of frame of mind,” she said. “And so what matters most is right now, and home is what matters the most.”
For children reading the book, Boelts said, “the message would be, look to shelters and rescues when considering a pet. And don’t be afraid to adopt an older dog, even if you don’t know their history.
“I’m hopeful that the book teaches children responsible pet ownership. You know, we don’t put our dogs on chains in the backyard with empty bowls. And we don’t scream at them, ‘Bad dog!’ And different things like that.”
Living in Iowa, where residents and their pets are still recovering from the recent flooding disaster, has reminded Boelts of the importance of shelter adoption, she says.
“Our shelters are just overflowing with animals,” Boelts said. “And it just makes me sad to see people walk into the pet store, and go to the puppy mills when there’s so many wonderful, available, needy pets that would make great additions to any family.”
“Before You Were Mine” is Boelts’ 25th book.
“I’ve gotten a really good response to the book,” she said. “I hope it touches people’s hearts, and it seems like it’s doing its job.”
July 23, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. -– The importance of adopting and caring for dogs from shelters is the message behind a children’s book that has been honored by the Humane Society of United States.
Author Maribeth Boelts and illustrator David Walker have won the 2008 KIND Children’s Book Award for “Before You Were Mine.” The award, given annually by the HSUS, recognizes an exceptional children’s book with a humane message about animals.
" ‘Before You Were Mine’ exemplifies the best of what we look for in a children's book," said Cathy Vincenti, manager of publications for Humane Society Youth. "While promoting animal shelters and the adoption of older dogs and cats, it also gently illustrates the plight of homeless animals.
“At the same time, it highlights the importance of the close bonds that often form between children and their pets."
In the book, a young boy ponders what his adopted dog's life might have been like before he was in his life. He imagines his beloved pet in various situations -- with a loving family forced to give him up, misunderstood for his puppy antics, neglected in a backyard, and roaming the streets.
Finally the boy concludes, "Maybe it doesn't matter what happened before you were mine ... because now, you're home."
From her home in Iowa, Boelts told Pet Pulse that her family has adopted shelter dogs, including a 1-year-old Rottweiler mix, named, “Dixie,” that they took in three years ago.
“When we brought here home, the question kind of began in my mind, you know, ‘What happened to her before she was ours?’ ” Boelts said. “Because all the shelter knew was that they had found her in a state park running by herself. And no collar, no tags, no nothing.
“And so for about a year we wondered as a family what her life could’ve been like, and we imagined what it could’ve been like. And we looked for little clues in here behavior that might give us some idea about her past history.”
Finally, like the boy in her book, Boelts concluded that Dixie’s roots mattered little compared to the fact that she had found a home.
“Dogs live in the right now kind of frame of mind,” she said. “And so what matters most is right now, and home is what matters the most.”
For children reading the book, Boelts said, “the message would be, look to shelters and rescues when considering a pet. And don’t be afraid to adopt an older dog, even if you don’t know their history.
“I’m hopeful that the book teaches children responsible pet ownership. You know, we don’t put our dogs on chains in the backyard with empty bowls. And we don’t scream at them, ‘Bad dog!’ And different things like that.”
Living in Iowa, where residents and their pets are still recovering from the recent flooding disaster, has reminded Boelts of the importance of shelter adoption, she says.
“Our shelters are just overflowing with animals,” Boelts said. “And it just makes me sad to see people walk into the pet store, and go to the puppy mills when there’s so many wonderful, available, needy pets that would make great additions to any family.”
“Before You Were Mine” is Boelts’ 25th book.
“I’ve gotten a really good response to the book,” she said. “I hope it touches people’s hearts, and it seems like it’s doing its job.”
