Written for children and their families by Joe Ozier, ‘Shea’s Lounge: The story of a runaway dog that found her forever home’ invites readers to recount the author’s real-life adventure of rehoming a Border Collie that had spent two years living on Florida’s streets. Ozier quickly had to accept that Shea had traits and behaviors he couldn’t change, and that a loving home of acceptance was the key to giving Shea the life she craved. Through his uplifting story, Ozier strives to raise awareness for the adoption of shelter animals and help readers prepare for the process of accepting often-troubled dogs into their homes.
Fresno, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/09/2014 -- When Joe Ozier wandered into a Florida animal shelter to research his developing new musical, he had no idea that he’d be leaving with a Border Collie that would literally change his outlook on life. Ozier faced both triumphs and defeats when opening up his home and his heart to Shea, an experience so gratifying that he has released the story as powerful new children’s and family book.
‘Shea’s Lounge: The story of a runaway dog that found her forever home’ gives a rare insight into just what it takes to successfully adopt a shelter dog. The story is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
Synopsis:
Shea’s Lounge is the story of Shea, the Runaway. A female Border collie who spent two years living alone on the streets of Florida. One day, while she was begging for food from the local fire station, Shea was captured and taken to the closest animal shelter by a fireman who felt sorry for her, and wanted her to find a real home. On the very first day she was available for adoption, Joe entered the shelter “just to look around”. When he heard Shea woof at him, it was love at first sight. Joe was clearly informed by the shelter’s staff that Shea was a runaway. That idea didn’t hit Joe until he brought her home. Shea quickly found a way out of Joe’s fenced yard and ran as fast as she could go.
After several escapes and re-captures by Joe, the local shelter, and by nearby neighbors, Shea once again found herself back in another filthy alley, staring at the garbage and the loneliness she had always known. Suddenly, Shea had a vision of the man who gave her his food, his home and his love. She remembered how his gentle touch made her feel, how his soft voice sounded to her, and mostly, how he always had a full bowl of food for her to eat at anytime. Shea suddenly realized what her instincts were now telling her to do, and she ran as fast as she could go, straight back to Joe’s house. She anxiously waited for him to return home, while sitting on her new favorite lounge chair.
“Many people feel that they need a dog in their life, but they don’t realize the lifelong implications of it,” explains Ozier, who recently founded ‘Way of a Dog’, a canine training service that helps people mentally, physically, emotionally and psychologically connect with their animals. “They find that the dog may have traits that don’t gel with their idea of a harmonious relationship. I hope my story proves that extending love and support to the dog, and understanding their challenging behaviour traits, is the best way to change their mindset to actively seek out the domestic family lifestyle. There was a time when Shea ran away so often that I could have resigned to losing her forever. On that one day, her instincts clicked, and She came home to me and never ran away again.”
Continuing, “I hope that the book wakes people up to the fact that tens of thousands of dogs are sitting in shelters, right now, looking for a home. Avoid breeders and give these animals a new lease of life; change what you can about your dog, and learn to accept the rest – it will literally change your own life.”
The book’s engaging narrative is supported by stunning illustrations that bring the story to life, making it an ideal addition to any home or classroom.
‘Shea’s Lounge: The story of a runaway dog that found her forever home’ is available now in two formats.
Ebook - http://bit.ly/1rgW4ow
Paperback - http://ebay.to/ZdGvXX
About Joe Ozier
Joe Ozier has been a writer since his early teens, having dabbled in Science Fiction, Poetry, Lyrics and Haiku’s. He graduated with a degree in Geology in 1981, then turned his focus to Video production for the next two decades. He began writing Stage Plays and Musicals after moving to Florida in the late 1990’s, to pursue acting. Joe’s career as a Stage, Film and Television Actor, as well as Print Model, gave him an invaluable education in the importance of presentation to one’s audience. Joe has produced nine original stage plays and musicals to date.
Joe’s love for dogs and his developing knowledge of their behavior began with his family dogs. From his childhood experiences, this led into his first show and a ten year endeavor entitled, “ Shep The Musical”. Joe spotted Shea at the local Humane Society and realized that Shea had “that something special”. Shea was a runaway that was caught just a week earlier. As he quickly discovered, Shea was also an escape artist. Shea’s savvy street smart spirit became the true story of Shea’s Lounge. In 2011, Joe began professionally connecting dogs to their people under the name…Way of a Dog. Joe loves going to work and teaching dog owners how to get into their dog’s heads. Shea’s Lounge, a Family and Children’s book, is Joe’s first professional publication.