The Story Behind Drewsilla the Shelter Puppy by Karen Carew Oakes

I started writing childrens stories in my 30’s. The stories were inspired by the events in my childrens lives. My children experienced bullying, divorce, and the death of a classmate. The story Drewsilla the Shelter puppy is also a true story. My daughter and son inlaw were looking for a dog to adopt.   Drewsilla, chose them as they walked by her cage.  Drewsilla, was a very shy, withdrawn dog. She and her litter mates had been abandoned with their mother who had been hit by a car and left to die. The puppies were taken to the local shelter to be taken care of. 

They chose to go to the local shelter to give a dog a new chance in life. They had done their homework and went to the shelter looking for a dog that appeared on the website for the shelter. They never actually saw the dog that they had come for.

The reason I chose to have Drewsilla’s story published was due to a chance meeting of a local established author. This author had come to my place of business celebrating her new book that had just been released. We struck up a conversation that changed my life.

I had told her that I had written a series of childrens books and attempted to publish them 20 years ago. I had received good reviews but at that time most publishers were not using outside writers.

Drewsilla was the most current story and I decided to take a chance and self publish.

I chose Archway Publishing. I used actual photos for the illustrations and they captured the characters very accurately. I included actual photos at the end of the book of Drewsilla with her new family.

This book was my way of testing the waters. I am thrilled with the way it came out. I was able to tell my story on a local program, Great Day SA, here in San Antonio, Texas. 

I am working on illustrations for my series as of this writing.

About the Author

Karen Carew Oakes, has been writing for many years and her articles have been included in the Lutheran Advent, as well as an article in several magazines. She is a mother and grandmother. She lives in Helotes, Texas with her two schnauzers Ella and Mackenzie. Her stories are based on true experiences her children encountered growing up.

Visit her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/karencarewoakes.  

About the Book:

When Drewsilla and her siblings are tiny puppies, an accident steals their mother away. A kind stranger rescues them and takes them to a shelter, where the staff works around the clock to care for the pack of newborns. Soon, her brothers and sisters begin to thrive. Drewsilla has a beautiful black coat, intelligent eyes, and ears that stand straight up.

Drewsilla, though, is scared. She seems afraid of everyone and everything and hides in the back of her cage when families come to visit. As her friendly siblings each get adopted, lonely Drewsilla remains. The staff even worries that she might never find a home. Then, one day, something amazing happens.

The Johnsons come to the shelter to look at another dog and see Drewsilla, who miraculously finds the courage to stop hiding and say hello. All shelter dogs deserve the chance to find a loving family, and this is the true story of Drewsilla -- how she overcomes her fears, finds her family, and gets a second chance at a happy life.

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