The timeless tale of a boy with autism & his shelter dog

A Believer in Second Chances

Over the past 10 years, author Sandra Gerencher has been on a mission to save dogs from high-kill animal shelters. Her first rescue was P.J., the black and white Pomeranian in the story. She also adopted the orange Pomeranians Shelby and Lil Rascal, and of course, Chance, the big black Rottweiler/German Shepherd mix.

All characters in the story are based on Sandra's real life family. The book is filled with softly blended watercolor photos of her loved ones.

Her most significant adoption was her son, Terry. He was considered a special needs child because he was born with a genetic disorder known as Fragile X Syndrome. The disorder can cause many cognitive disorders, such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, mental retardation and depression.

REVIEW

Read along as this adopted dog adjusts to his new home and the boy with autism who befriends him.

Reviewed by: Warren Reed, executive director, Humane Society of Lackawanna County

EXCERPT

I saw her for the first time through the bars of the pen that I shared with my buddy, Ruffles. Following her was a little boy who was chewing on his coat sleeve and jumping up and down. He was excited - the way we in the pen get excited - every time someone walks past us, talks to us, feeds us or stops to scratch us behind the ear. Did he know what it was like to be a stray? He had a funny way about him, which I would find
enjoyable once I moved into my new home.