My Mother’s Dream

My mother has always wanted to write a children's book-a true story about a dog she saved from a life of mistreatment.  This has been a life-long dream of hers and now at 58 years old, she accomplished this goal.  She finished the book and titled it, Sheba:  A Life in a Box, a True Story.  My mother has always been an animal lover and contacted Peta (People for the Ethical Treatmeant of Animals) about her story, inquiring about how to possibly get the book published.  She was given some leads and names of some publishing companies.  Long story short, Dorrance Publishing has offered to publish her book.  They have sent her a contract, but it costs $6,400.  Unfortunately, she is financially unable to afford this.  I have decided to reach out through this fundraiser in order to possibly help my so deserving mother achieve this dream.  I believe her book has such a strong and important message for children and I feel it could make a big difference in the lives of so many pets out there.  Through the story of her dog, Sheba, children will learn compassion and kindess.  Here is some background about my mother:

My mother, Teresa, has a motto..."care for all living things."  She is very selfless and makes sure everyone and everything is cared for.  From a tiny ant, to the many feral cats in her garage, she makes sure every creature has a fair chance.  And about fifteen years ago, when my grandmother (her mother) became ill with a brain tumor, she made sure she had the best chance at life too.  Instead of putting her in a nursing home, she brought her home and she and my father cared for her around the clock.  She sacrificed her own life in order to make sure my grandmother had the quality of life she deserved.  Although my mother would not have had it any other way, financially, this took quite a toll on my parents.  Caring for my grandmother was costly, and eventually, this caught up to them.  At one point, my father worked three jobs to try to make ends meet.  In 2002, we sadly lost my grandmother, but we took solace in the fact that she was comfortable, at home, with her family when she peacefully passed in her sleep. 

After the passing of my grandmother, my mother tried to put the pieces back together, but my parents were never fully able to recover from the finanical burden.  My mother worked at an insurance company for five years, but was then laid off.  Everything pretty much snow-balled after that.  My parents unfortunately hired a poor attorney with poor advice.  They filed for bankruptcy, and lost everything...their car, their 401K, and most upsetting, their house, for which they lived in for 12 years.

It's been about 7 years now since my parents lost the house and they have been living in a rental.  They are extremely hard workers and have never had financial assistance.  My mother and father have their own health issues now and at 71 years old, my father is still working two jobs.  Really, all they need is a break.  Now that my mother has finished writing her book, she so needs to feel a sense of accomplishment.  Contributing to this cause would make her dream come true.  This past December, my husband and I gave my mother her first grandson and I know she would love to pass this book onto him and teach him to "care for all living things."

UPDATE: Simon & Schuster are also interested in publishing her book!  Their price is less, $2,000.  That is our new target!