Annette De Pasquale adepasquale221@gmail.com www.annettedepasquale.com www.jessiethepitmix.com Annette De Pasquale is a public school educator, a pit bull advocate, and a healthy living advocate. She has rescued many dogs, but Jessie was her first bull breed rescue. After adopting Jessie, Annette became involved in advocating for the breed by volunteering to walk dogs at the local bully rescue and by networking with various educational and advocacy groups around the world. After researching and networking, Annette decided that one of the best ways to reach out was to use her writing talents to help dogs worldwide.

Q: Why did you choose to self publish? A: Over the span of 1 ½ years, I was rejected by over 20 publishing companies. A friend suggested self publishing. One thing led to another, and I crossed paths with Dan and Peggy at Clovis Book Barn. He edited my story, put me in touch with an amazing illustrator, and the rest is history! Q: How did you come up with the idea to write a story about your dog? A: The more I researched the bull breeds, the more I realized they are just like any other

dog. They are goofy, loving and affectionate dogs who crave attention and love people. I want to educate people so that they can experience what I have experienced. The bottom line is to get these dogs out of the shelters and into loving homes. Q: What makes your book different from other dog books? A: I wrote Jessie in first person. I thought if she told her story, it would be more meaningful. Her story touches lightly on the stigma of the breed without dwelling on it. It allows kids and adults to relate to her feelings. Q: Can we expect more books about Jessie? A: Yes, I just submitted my second book for publishing last month. It is another real life adventure with more subtle education about the breed. Hopefully, Jessie’s story will bring about an awareness of the overbreeding that takes place in many communities, as well as a movement toward promoting adoptions of bull breed dogs. At any given time, animal shelters have a large number of adoptable dogs considered bull breeds. Annette spends time visiting animal shelters, reading to students, and promoting adoption and responsible dog ownership which includes spaying, neutering and training.

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