‘They just need time and love’: Hamilton author touts rescue dogs with children’s book

Like her namesake, Ladybug is temperamental and quick to take off when scared. She also has a spotted tongue.

Her adoption profile said “she didn’t have a lot of love before now.” The three-year-old Shar-Pei mix was rescued from a San Antonio, Texas shelter minutes before she was euthanized.

When she first came to Niagara Dog Rescue, she was “terrified”.

“She was so scared,” said Yogyata Suri, who Adopted ladybug with her husband, Harjit, in May 2020. “She was at the bottom of her crate, and it took four volunteers to get her out.”

In a new children’s book, “Ladybug the Shy Rescue Dog“, Suri, first-time author, tells their story of adoption.

In simple rhyme, Suri, a former early childhood educator, paints a portrait of Ladybug — her fears and favorite activities, like squirrels, hikes and walks with her friends — and the challenges and rewards of rescuing a dog .

She hopes her book will encourage families to consider saving, not buying, their next pet.

“They may be shy, but they come,” she said. “They just need time and love.”

Suri, who is now 30, grew up with dogs but only learned about pet adoption as an adult.

Polo, a lifeguard from Ladybug's walking team, with the book.

“I’ve had family dogs before, but they always had these happy, wagging tails,” she said. “I didn’t really grow up with an idea of what a rescue dog was.”

When the couple first brought Ladybug home, she was in danger of running away, hiding under tables and having to be carried up the stairs of their townhouse, which she didn’t know how to use .

Armed with patience, cheese – her favorite dish – and the determination to give their dog another chance at happiness, Suri and her husband worked hard to build trust. Ladybug’s confidence slowly grew, and she felt comfortable in her new mountain home with a small group of friends, also rescued.

Mishka, a lifeguard from Ladybug's walking team, with the book.

“We used to go to Home Depot and Canadian Tire and Winners just to let people know about it,” she said. “She’s still scared now, but not as scared as before.”

In December, Ladybug was diagnosed with incurable breast carcinoma, a type of cancer.

“It really broke our hearts because she was doing so well,” Suri said. “It was just a very difficult time for our family.”

Because Ladybug doesn’t like being manipulated by strangers, the couple opted out of chemotherapy. Instead, they focus on her happiness during this phase of her journey, which Suri shared on instagram.

Earlier this month the vet told them the cancer had spread and he only had weeks to live.

Louistor, a lifeguard and member of Ladybug's walking team, with the book.

Suri hopes sharing her story will “build a legacy” for Ladybug.

“Through a book she will live forever and people will get to know her,” she said.

The book was published on March 22 and, for two days after its launch in early April, was the No. 1 best-selling children’s book about dogs on Amazon. It has been listed in the online seller’s top 100 book list.

But Suri, who is already working on a second book, defines success differently.

“If I can get a person to consider saving because of the book, I would consider that a huge success,” she said.

To learn more about Ladybug, visit LadybugTheRescue.com.