Percy is an 80 pound, fun loving Red Nose Staffordshire Terrier who is afraid of most anything new and our teardrop camper, Ladybug 🐞 was no exception! Always curious, he was the first one to bolt out the door when the camper appeared in our driveway AND he was the first one to whip around and quickly head back inside, seeking safety from this strange contraption. Being ever-so-nosy, he eventually and very cautiously began to get acquainted with Ladybug, but only after running away and hiding in the bushes multiple times before deciding this camping business might not be so scary after all.

Our friends dropped by to see Ladybug, at which point, always wanting to be the center of attention, Percy burst through the crowd, jumped inside and lay down, as if to say, “I’ve never been scared of this thing a day in my life!” From that point on, Percy and Ladybug became pretty good friends and he came to understand that camping meant going on lots of fun adventures and sometimes even campgrounds with dog parks, his favorite!

The author and her husband were not looking for Percy but he was looking for them! Having recently lost their 10 year old pit bull rescue, Georgia, they were looking for another adult pittie in need of a loving home. Having become frustrated, unable to find one who was friendly with dogs, cats and children, all present in their home, they called off the search for the time being on January 3rd, 2021. The very next morning at 10 am, the author received a text message from her neighbor and friend Adrienne, of a 7 week old, blockheaded Red Nose Staffordshire Terrier who needed a home. As they say, the rest is history! Percy’s heart is as big as his head and he has the personality to match! He brings happiness to so many people who know him. Sharing his story and his shenanigans is the perfect way to spread the good news about what wonderful dogs pit bulls and pit bull type dogs can be!

Joy Corley worked in many different capacities in the field of social work until retiring in 2021, after 24 years as a Care Coordinator at Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Joy became a lover of children’s books after her son Clay was born in 1982.

Lauren Reeves is an illustrator with a Master of Fine Art from Western Connecticut State University. Having several published works including "Andy in the Attic," Lauren has been creating fantastic digital paintings for children's books, commissioned drawings, architectural coloring, and whimsical pet portraits for years. When she's not in her studio, Lauren can be found at conventions meeting new friends, or outside exploring the natural world for inspiration.