Pet Friends of Irwin to benefit from book sales about rescue dog

Apr. 7—Sales of a children's book about dog adoption will benefit an Irwin nonprofit animal rescue organization.

Pet Friends Inc. partnered with Marianne Spampinato of Johnstown, who wrote "Betsy the Rescue Dog." The sale is timed to coincide with the sixth anniversary of her adoption of Krissy, a border collie-terrier mix, from the Irwin group. Spampinato has since renamed the dog Galla, who was rescued from a dog hoarder.

The book, released in late 2020, is intended for children ages 5 through 9. Spampinato said she got the idea for the book after covering nonprofit animal rescue events while a freelance writer. She sought feedback from the owner of a local children's bookstore and that resulted in her contacting a local counseling ministry to develop the parental discussion guide. Working with a humane society, her book includes a parental guide and information concerning animal abuse and rescue organizations.

The Irwin rescue will receive $6 from the sale of each book through April 25 if buyers use the form posted on the Facebook pages of Betsy the Rescue Dog or Pet Friends (Irwin) or by by emailing Spampinato at mts1304@gmail.com.

The book costs $25 if mailed to the buyer, but just $22 if picked up during the Pet Friends Scavenger Hunt fundraiser scheduled for May 22 in downtown Irwin.

Spampinato said she will autograph each book purchased during the promotion and will include special inscriptions on request.

Unautographed hardback copies of "Betsy the Rescue Dog" are available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. E-books are available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Play and iTunes.

Joe Napsha is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joe at 724-836-5252, jnapsha@triblive.com or via Twitter .