While Dexter has been home recovering from a successful bionic elbow surgery in Milan, Italy . . . he won a book award! That dog is unstoppable!

The California Reading Association recently announced the winners of their prestigious EUREKA! Awards for nonfiction books and Dexter, The Stand Up Dog was among them! I’m so excited for this honor, as it will get Dexter’s inspirational story of hope, determination, and adaptability in front of even more kids who need to hear it.

To read more about Dexter and the backstory to his story, check out this recent interview with me and Kentee (Dexter’s mom) in Foreword Magazine: Having a PAWS-itive Mindset! A Conversation with the Creators of Dexter: The Stand Up Dog.

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Way to go, buddy!

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I’m wondering if you’ve heard about Dexter, the Stand Up Dog? Dexter is a Brittany Spaniel who was in a car accident as a pup and lost one front leg and full use of his other front leg. After healing, Dexter adapted by teaching himself how to walk on his two hind legs! This all happened during the pandemic, so his owner shared his story of resilience on Instagram and his story of strength and persistence went viral.

His children’s book released in September and during the launch, something happened to Dexter. He wasn’t walking the same way and with the same vigor as before. X-rays showed that the pins in his front elbow had come undone. Now Dexter is in Milan, Italy, getting ready for a rare surgery. They are going to give him a BIONIC ELBOW! Yes, it’s incredible! I highly recommend you follow his story as it continues to unfold on Instagram.

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Sending big hugs to Dexter and his family from across the pond! We’re all rooting for you, buddy!

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