Maggie's Second Chance by Nancy Furstinger and illustrated by Joe Hyatt is the touching, and all-too-common, story of a dog abandoned when a family moves and heartlessly leaves behind the dog or cat.
The illustrations are lovingly and beautifully done, as is the prose. "She was alone as the stars twinkled and then dimmed. Logs in the woodstove turned to smoke. Wind trailed icy fingers against the windows."
When Maggie is left behind, she is ready to give birth. In another unfortunately realistic part of the story, Maggie's pups are all adopted, but "No one glanced at Maggie. She was just another big black dog, blending into the shadows."
A very sad truth well-known to those in animal rescue is that no one adopts the black dogs or cats. Even wonderful breeds like labs are ignored if they are black.
The author paints those who work at shelters with a sympathetic brush, but unfortunately for Maggie, the shelter she is taken to is not a no-kill shelter. The kind woman there tells Maggie, "I'm sorry, girl, there simply aren't enough homes for good dogs."
Illustrator Hyatt includes an inside joke in the illustrations. At the shelter, on the counter, is another book he illustrated called Buddy Unchained, published by The Gryphon Press as well. That book also deals with compassion toward animals.
This story, based on a true story about DAWGS (Dalhart Animal Wellness Group and Sanctuary), a shelter inspired by and started by fourth graders, is not only touching but also inspirational. It illustrates the power of caring and the power of a caring teacher and children. It was the children who organized and got the sanctuary built, and it is still the children who work tirelessly feeding and caring for the rescued animals there.
This book is a great springboard for teaching lessons of compassion to students.
This book was reviewed from a final copy sent by the publisher.
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