I wrote Elvis the Pound Dog for three reasons.
1. For our daughter, Penelope.
Every story I write is for her.
When I wrote What Happened to Zoey, it was to help her process losing her best friend—our family dog, Mocha. It was a way to help her navigate grief, to give her words when she didn’t have them.
I wrote Elvis the Pound Dog for a different reason. I wrote it to show her that it's possible to open your heart and love again. That no love is ever lost, it just takes new forms. And that somewhere out there, waiting in a shelter, is a dog hoping for a little girl just like her.
Kids have an incredible capacity for compassion. But compassion is something that must be nurtured—through the stories they hear, the experiences they have, and the values we teach them.
Learning about shelter animals shows kids that every life has value, even the ones that have been forgotten. It teaches them that helping others—no matter how small the act—can change someone’s world. And maybe, just maybe, if enough children grow up believing that kindness matters, the world they inherit will be better than the one we leave behind.
2. For shelter dogs, especially senior dogs.
Every year, millions of senior dogs enter shelters—often because, like Elvis the Pound Dog, their owners pass away and there’s no one left to care for them. Only 25% of them will ever find a home. The other 75%? They don’t get a second chance.
I’ve volunteered in shelters my whole life. I was often the person tasked with writing bios and fun backstories to help overlooked animals get noticed. Because sometimes, all it takes to save a life is a story that makes someone stop and listen.
So when I decided to write a book about pet adoption, I knew it had to do more than just tell a story—it had to help change the ending. That’s why $1 from every book sold goes toward helping shelters lower adoption barriers. Because these animals deserve more than a lonely goodbye. They deserve a forever home.
3. For you, my readers and supporters.
The world is heavy right now. There are so many problems that need solving, so much cruelty masquerading as greatness. But I’ve always believed that a country is only as great as the way it treats its most vulnerable—the young, the old, the sick, and yes, even its animals.
Fixing a broken system takes radical love backed by action. Just because something is hard doesn’t mean it isn’t worth doing. And when we solve one problem, we build the courage to tackle the next. No one is coming to help us. We have to help ourselves.
Shelter overcrowding is a systemic issue, but it has a clear solution.
Every 90 seconds, a dog or cat is euthanized in a U.S. shelter simply because they don’t have a safe place to call home. About 7 million homes in America are planning to add a pet to the family in 2025. If just 6% chose to adopt instead of purchase, we would end the unnecessary euthanasia of cats and dogs in our nation’s shelters. That’s how solvable this issue is. That’s how straightforward it is to get our country to no-kill.
The best of humanity can be seen in the reflection of a dog’s eyes.
For thousands of years, from the wilderness to the cities, they’ve stood by our side—guiding us, protecting us, giving us the space to be our best selves. And in return, we have shown them both our best and our worst.
They have never abandoned us. We should not abandon them.
"But, Auntie Angie, Will This Book Make My Child Beg for a Dog?”
I hear you! As a parent who has had her share of the puppy-eyed pleading, I completely understand the concern. You want your child to learn empathy and kindness toward shelter animals, but you also don’t want to set up expectations for something your family isn’t ready for right now.
First, let me say this—reading Elvis the Pound Dog doesn’t mean you have to adopt a dog! This book is about teaching kids compassion, not pressuring families into pet ownership. There are so many ways to help animals in need without bringing one home, and this can be a great opportunity to have that conversation with your child.
How to Talk to Your Child About Pet Adoption (Without Promising a Pet!)
Before reading the book together, try saying something like this:
“We’re going to read a story about a shelter dog named Elvis and how he finds a family. It’s important to know that not every family is in a place to adopt a pet, and that’s okay! But even if we can’t bring a dog home, we can still help animals in need in other ways.”
After reading, if your child expresses a desire for a pet, acknowledge their feelings while setting clear expectations:
“I love that you care about animals! Right now, our family isn’t ready to adopt a pet, but there are so many ways we can help shelter animals. Would you like to make and donate some treats or toys? Maybe we can volunteer together or even sponsor a pet’s adoption fee.”
Ways to Help Without Adopting:
🐾 Volunteer to walk dogs or play with the animals. They need socializing and extra love!
🐾 Foster a pet short-term (if your family is open to it).
🐾 Support your local shelters by donating food, treats, blankets, or toys.
🐾 Host a birthday fundraiser for a local rescue instead of receiving gifts.
🐾 Follow local shelters on social media and share their posts about adoptable pets.
Best Friends of NWA has some excellent resources to help you and your child find the opportunities that best fit your level of desired support.
The goal of Elvis the Pound Dog isn’t to make every family adopt a pet—it’s to teach kids that small acts of kindness can change a life. And that’s a lesson that will stay with them forever, whether they grow up with a pet or not.
So, if you’re looking to do a little good in a world that doesn't require a whole lot of extra money or energy, join me on this mission. I can't do it without you.
And I wouldn’t want to. ❤️
With Love,
Auntie Angie