Children’s book author to visit Ritzville Library

Kathy Taylor, a resident of Odessa, is traveling to the Ritzville Public Library to read from her book “Rocky’s Road Home” on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m. Taylor is bringing along Rocky, the star of the book, and the library is provided fun, dog-themed craft projects for the children after the reading.

October is adopt-a-shelter-dog month and Rocky is an example of a shelter dog that made a lifetime of difference for one family.

Taylor received Rocky in January 2010, who was delivered across two states from Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter in Trinidad, Colo. 

Rocky, a Schipperke mix was found on petfinder.com and was listed as available for adoption. Since Taylor’s boyfriend had a female of the same breed, she had been looking for a male playmate and knew that this dog was a perfect fit for her home.

Considering it was the middle of winter and over a twenty-hour drive to the shelter, Taylor put out a call on the Internet to help get Rocky home. Within a couple of weeks, Taylor was put in touch with an organization called “Operation Roger,” who attempts to match up transports for shelter dogs going to forever homes. A husband and wife trucking team from Laveta, Colo. agreed to pick up the dog and deliver him as far as Spokane where Taylor could then bring him home.

Taylor was inspired by this journey and compiled their story into the children’s book, “Rocky’s Road Home.”

“Rocky’s Road Home” is a heartwarming and inspiring story about this dog’s journey with the truck drivers, and their two cats, as well as a humorous look at everyday life from a dog’s perspective. Taylor wrote this story with the hope that others will open their hearts and homes to an adoptive animal in need.

Children and dog-lovers of all ages are encouraged to attend the program. Taylor’s book is available for purchase at the library during the reading and also before the event.

For more information about Taylor and Rocky or to purchase the book, visit http://www.createspace.com/3598282. To learn more about the event at the library, contact Kylie Fullmer at 659-1222.