It is in it’s second printing now in hardback.? Destry Ramey is a lovely woman who dedicated her life to working with children and had to leave her work due to cancer.? She and her pugs (also cancer survivors) are all in remission. A percentage of the proceeds go to pug rescue.

I hope that you will visit the website and read about her book.? If you think you would like the book, you may either purchase it at this site or request her book at your favorite books store.? Perhaps you know someone who would enjoy it for a holiday present.

Thank you Ms Diller for your kind words, support and encouragement as an author.

By

Theresa-Marie Wilson 11/8/2007

Inspired by her love of two furry, four-legged friends, Pismo Beach resident Destry Ramey has beaten cancer and written a series of books offering life-lessons to children.

As a pediatric nurse practitioner for 30 years, Ramey spent her life caring for the needs of children. In 2006 when she was told for the third time in her life that she had cancer, Ramey had to put her own health first and underwent six months of chemotherapy and major surgery.

It was while staying in Seattle to undergo treatments for ovarian and abominable cancer, having already beaten breast and cervical cancers, that Ramey bonded with her son’s dogs, Hunter and Ramona. In the little black pugs, Ramey found the energy and love she needed.

“They were just a little Godsend,” Ramey said. “They never left my side. They were a constant healing energy for me. They absolutely helped save my life.”

It was during her ordeal that Ramey decided to pen the first in a series of children’s books thereby allowing her to continue her life work of helping kids. What About Me? is the first in The Adventures of Hunter and Ramona Pug series, which deals with contemporary, real-life issues such as abandonment, adoption and fitting in.

The book tells the story of a young man, a character Ramey based on her son, who, while in Spain, decides to adopt two female pug puppies to take back home with him. Hunter, a male pug fearing separation from his sister and best friend, pours on the charm. Through a series of furry antics, Hunter convinces the young man that his rightful place is with his sister Ramona.

In future books Ramey’s playful pugs along with their siblings Kippy and Egress tackle issues like self-esteem, race, learning disabilities, obesity, abuse and neglect.

“I wanted to deal with some of the problems that children face,” Ramey said. “If it happens to the pugs, the children realize they aren’t the only ones dealing with the problem.”

Celebrating a year of being cancer free, Ramey recently returned to work as a flight attendant for Sky West Airlines. Her new career will allow her to continue writing what she hopes will be a 10-part series.

“Basically, I wanted to help the children understand things in a non-threatening way,” Ramey said. “At the same time this is Hunter, Ramona and my way of paying it forward for the blessings we have.”

A percentage of all book sales are donated to the Pug Rescue Network. Subsequent books in the series will also benefit children’s charities.

What About Me? was initially self-published through BookSurge LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon.com. The new edition, published by Central Coast Press, is a soft cover with additional artwork and a slightly different story.

Illustrated by Akasla, copies of What About Me? are available on Ramey’s Web site www.pugadventureseries.com, Borders, Barnes and Noble and other locally owned stores on the Central Coast.

Patty

Ocean Beach Mainstream Association

Children who struggle with being different will identify with Destry Ramey’s playful puppies in her new children’s books in “The Adventures of Hunter and Ramona Pug Series.”

PISMO BEACH, CALIFORNIA – author Destry Ramey will be reading and signing her new book “Why Am I Dark?” August 1, 2009 from 11am – 3pm at B-Wise Book Supply in Arroyo Grande, CA.

The Adventures of Hunter and Ramona Pug Series is inspired by a special friendship with Ramey’s son’s pugs and her own experiences as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, which allowed her to observe how children deal with and respond to crisis situations as well as the everyday obstacles of growing up.

Why Am I Dark? the second book in Ramey’s series inspires children to accept that “Everything that makes you different, makes you special!” Children meet Hunter, a dark-furred pug who faces rejection because of the color of his fur. It is his courage and sister’s wisdom that help him discover the importance and value of being different.

Destry Ramey began her series while battling her third cancer. She found that her son’s pugs provided her with an incredible amount of “healing energy” which she was able to return to them when they developed a similar cancer.  All three of them are now doing well.

Engaging full-color illustrations and a little bee named “Sylvester” will delight elementary readers and pug lovers of all ages. It is through the eyes of these two gregarious, warm and loving pugs that the challenges facing today’s children and parents are addressed. Future adventures will tackle: obesity, attention disorder and disabilities.

Event location:
B-Wise Book Supply
1314 E Grand Ave
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420-2422
(805) 481-2060

Visit the pugs at www.pugadventureseries.com or contact Destry Ramey at destryramey[AT]pugadventureseries.com