How far would you go to rescue a junkyard dog? Best-selling author, speaker and organizational business coach, Leslie Yerkes, found out in 2013 when she discovered a forgotten, feral South African Mastiff eking out a subsistence living in a neighborhood factory field.
Yerkes‘first children’s book, “Lost, Found & Forever: When You Make a Promise, Keep It,” chronicles her heartwarming journey rescuing the oversized and undernourished pooch who -- in the end – wound up
rescuing Yerkes. Big Boy, as he came to be known, eventually joined Yerkes, her other dog Buddha Bear, and her aging mother, as a family member. .
This real-life rescue story couldn’t end with the first book but is retold by Big Boy himself in “Your Forever Dog: How It Feels When Someone Loves You”. This highly illustrated, hard cover, heartwarming story – targeted for animal lovers of all ages. The 45-page hardcover book tells the story from the voice of Big Boy the rescue dog, available now on Amazon and at www.YourForeverDog.com for $19.99.
This adventure of rescuing Big Boy changed Leslie’s life and she has devoted the last eight years to becoming an animal rescue advocate, in addition to maintaining her busy client schedule as owner of Catalyst Consulting Group, Inc. in Bratenahl, Ohio.
I had a chance to interview the author to learn more.
The first two books in the series include the word "forever" - why is it important for people to make a strong commitment to their pets?
The word forever is about a dog or cat or animal finding its forever home. Animals are unconditional in their devotion to us and we need to learn to return that commitment. An animal cannot voice their needs or take care of themselves independently of us. When we choose a dog or can or another kind of pet it will require us to put them first in our planning and daily activities. It is a commitment for the long term and not when it is convenient. During the first year of the pandemic many families raced out to find a furry friend from the shelter to keep them company while they were at home. In the second year a significant number of people returned the pet, finding the commitment too hard. If you cannot commit to the long-term, consider fostering. Or if you cannot commit, consider funding a rescue organization. There are many ways to share in the love of an animal.
How can books like this help rescue dogs?
I hope that my children's books will help to teach the lessons of kindness and to be an advocate for rescuing and fostering animals. Animals have much to teach us, if only we take the time to listen and to learn. Though my stories tell the real-life rescue of Big Boy. He enriched my life as well.
What inspired the other books in the series?
The first book,'Lost, Found and Forever: When You Make a Promise Keep It' tells the story of Big Boy's rescue. It is written for a youth audience (ages 9 - 14). In the second book, 'Your Forever Dog: When You Find Someone Who Loves You' the story is told from Big Boy's perspective in a highly-illustrated, hard-cover book for all ages. Coming up this year is the final story in the series entitled 'Hello - Good-bye: You Left Footprints on My Heart'. After five wonderful years together, Big Boy developed cancer. This story tells of how to say good-bye to your loving dog-friend. And how to open your heart to the future with other animals.
Our family now has two French Bulldogs, along with my original dog, Buddha Bear. The Frenchies are very funny and will have a series of their own starting with 'Crook the Curious: Adventure With A Cheeky French Bulldog'. Stay tuned.
Three more books about Big Boy are in development. Book three is “You Left Footprints on My Heart: the Story of Life After Big Boy.” Book four: “Tales from a Junkyard Dog” is from Leslie’s perspective. Book five is “The Amazing Adventures of Curious Crook, a cheeky French Bulldog,” about a little dog with a big personality who channels Big Boy. Yerkes’ books are published by Lost Dog Books, Bratenahl, Ohio.
About Leslie Yerkes & Lost Dog Books
Leslie Yerkes (www.LeslieYerkes.com), is author of the award-winning “They Just Don’t Get It” (2005), the Best-Selling “301 Ways to Have Fun at Work” (1997) both from Berrett-Koehler Publishing, and four more business books. Leslie works with organizations to grow healthy organizations, re-direct enterprises that have gone off course and help steer companies through periods of rapid change. She is a sought-after coach, consultant, and facilitator for developing leaders and managers, devising strategy, developing systems and enhancing capability. Her mission is to create healthy and sustainable working environments and working relationships. She frequently contributes content to media outlets and travels internationally as a lecturer and keynote speaker. Leslie also serves as an adjunct professor on the faculty of the Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of Executive Education.
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