"When I was born, no human wanted me. Life was really sad for my brother and I.
Let’s just say that things have definitely changed for the better.
This book is the true story about how I found my family."
—Buddy
From a sad start to a happy ending, you’ll love this true story of a dog who found his forever family.
In this book:
Hilarious stories and a few tear-jerking moments keep young readers engaged all the way to the end.
This books helps readers embrace and appreciate their unique family dynamics.
Rescued and Adopted
Our dog, Buddy, had a rough start in life but his story doesn’t end there! Born into a life of neglect and abandonment, he and his brother are left to fend for themselves. But through a series of chance encounters, Buddy is rescued and eventually adopted by our family.
How the “Buddy Book” was Born
It all started in early 2021. Elias had been working on a “book about Buddy” for quite some time.
One night he read his entire book about Buddy to his family before bedtime, and we were amazed at how good it was — cute and entertaining!
Then, tragically, the book disappeared! Our family searched for it high and low to no avail. We could not find the Buddy book anywhere. We’ll never know if it was accidentally thrown in the garbage when the kids cleaned up their loft area/game room or simply misplaced.
Elias was so sad, and it broke Mama Meg’s heart. ”I’ll help you redo your Buddy book, Elias.” She promised him. And she kept her promise.
At first, they wrote down what they remembered being in his book, taking photos of other unfinished drafts that he’d created.
Slowly the book grew and evolved into a chapter book about Buddy’s entire life… bringing together what Mama Meg knew about Buddy’s life before he became part of The Blended Mix family and what Elias had written.
This new Buddy book is a work of love with a sad beginning and a glorious ending! It’s much more than a story about a dog — it’s a story about the importance of family.
Family is not always made up of people who look the same or come from the same place. Families can be made of people with different skin tones and cultures, just like Buddy's family!
Author Interview
Meet the Author
Elias Belfon is a happy 3rd grader who loves spending time with his family and his favorite dog, Buddy. Whenever he isn’t feeding or snuggling with Buddy, you may find him going to school, playing video games, telling a story at the dinner table, and inviting his friends over for playdates. Elias wants everyone to meet Buddy! He loves collecting rocks and other small objects.
Elias hopes that everyone who reads this book will be inspired to adopt a pet from their local animal shelter. There are many pets who need a safe, loving, FOREVER home. He also hopes that other kids will be inspired to write books.
Meet the Co-Author
Meg Belfon is a wife, artist, business owner, and loving mama of the Blended Mix family. It was an honor for her to collaborate with her bonus son, Elias, to write and publish a book about their family’s beloved pet.
Meet the Illustrator
Author and Illustrator, Rebekah Troyer, is a much loved auntie to The Blended Mix. She has published two books about her cat, Bella, and is currently studying abroad in The Netherlands. Read the sister books to the Buddy book — a humorous series written from a cat’s perspective. These books are sure to delight young readers.
TOPICS: RESCUE DOG, PET ADOPTION, FAMILY LIFE, INTERRACIAL FAMILY, BLENDED FAMILIES