Joanne George, is a veterinary technician and author. She heard about a puppy mill not far from her clinic and decided to embark on a rescue mission with her co-workers. During this mission she met a dog who had been born without eyes and who suffered from dwarfism. He was also very anxious because of his time at the puppy mill.
George decided that this special dog, who she named Smiley, needed special care and she delivered it and then wrote a book about it. She wrote a book about loving Smiley and how he taught her patience, understanding and acceptance.
Smiley became a wonderful therapy dog. The story of the journey is told in George’s book Smiley: A Journey of Love, which won the Hackmatak Children’s Choice Book Award (English nonfiction winner).
The award is decided by children in grades 4 to 6 in Atlantic Canada who vote for their favourite books from a shortlisted selection over four categories. What a book! What a story! What a lady and what a dog!
