The Life of Gus: The Dog with the Big Head

By Sandee Roquemore-Maxwell

Gus was once a much-loved dog who lived a happy life. Then things began to change. His owner neglected and eventually abandoned him. He suffered abuse and cruelty from passing humans, deteriorating physically and emotionally. Over time, things out of his control began to shape Gus, his life, and his future.

Gus was found by local rescuers in September 2018. He was in horrific condition, so he was immediately taken for medical treatment sponsored by the Houston K-911 Rescue group. Gus had many medical issues to overcome, he had a long recovery with lots of support from people all over the world, but now he is happy and healthy. Gus has a forever family now and he is loved, pampered and cherished, as every dog should be.

Author Sandee Roquemore-Maxwell has worked with rescue dogs in the Houston area for many years. She understands that the key to a better future for animals is to teach the next generation to have compassion for those left in their care. The story of Gus reminds kids how to love their pets, and what to do if they see one abandoned, while instilling respect for animals everywhere.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Mar 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781480874206

Sandee Roquemore-Maxwell

Sandee Roquemore-Maxwell is a long time lover of our four-legged furry friends. This is the first in her series of children’s books written to help little ones see that animals are to be loved and treated with respect.

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Copyright © 2019 Sandee Roquemore-Maxwell.

Interior Graphics/Art Credit: Peggy Bordelon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

ISBN: 978-1-4808-7419-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-7420-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019934404

Archway Publishing rev. date: 3/15/2019

Contents

Chapter 1 Happy Days

Chapter 2 School Brings Changes

Chapter 3 The Move

Chapter 4 Life on My Own

Chapter 5 Friends

Chapter 6 Growing Up

Chapter 7 Trouble Finds Me

Chapter 8 Life is Hard

Chapter 9 Can I Trust Again?

Chapter 10 No Other Options

Chapter 11 A Star is Born

Chapter 12 Second Chances

This book is dedicated

to Gus, Trixie and all the other street dogs in the world.

I also want to acknowledge Laura Forma, Rob Acuna, Jr and Tom Heller for their rescue of Gus; their never-ending love and energy for street animals is amazing.

This book is also dedicated to Anna Barbosa and the rest of the Houston K-911 Rescue group, without you, so many street dogs would die a slow and painful death.

I also want to send out a special thanks to all the thousands of people who donated and cared so much for Gus.

Plus, thank you to all the networkers and street rescuers who shed their blood, sweat and tears to save lives, you are true life savers.

Kudos to Steven C Smith for his patient assistance with my computer issues, you are a computer genius.

Lastly, none of this would be possible without the support of my family, especially my rescue mentor, my daughter, Shelby Roquemore.

Chapter 1

Happy Days

H i, my name is Gus, and this is the story of