2007 Winner, Humane Society of the US KIND Award, Best Children's Picture Book of the Year

2007 Winner, ASPCA HENRY BERGH AWARD, best Children's Picture Book in the Companion Animal category

“Buddy Unchained is a deeply moving look at a dog abandoned and adopted. The story is simple yet of vast importance, and at the end we want nothing more than to make sure that all the Buddys of the world are loved and cared for like this patient, easy-to-please pup.”— Janet Leimeister, Events Manager, The Capitola Book Store

“Buddy Unchained is a valuable tool in teaching the message of compassion and empathy toward animals.” —Lisa Desjardins, Vice-President, Aroostook Animal Welfare Awareness Group

“I wanted to say how much my nephew and I have been enjoying Buddy Unchained. He asks me to read it twice in a row each time and the wonderful and moving images make such an impression on him. I can see it in his eyes, facial expressions and comments. I would like to commend firstly, the artist’s sensitive and expressive drawings which truly came from the heart. And I would like to commend Gryphon Press for their dedication to the voiceless. I am only now learning more about Gryphon Press and will certainly consider further purchases. More importantly, it has inspired me even more so to become involved in saving animals in need.”--Catherine Ciarrocchi, book buyer

"The Gryphon Press's inspiring books bring education about empathy and the human-animal bond to children in the form of beautiful fictional picture books. These books have become an integral part of our humane education library program, since they provoke thoughtful dialogue about responsible pet care among our young participants. " --Lauren Briskin, Interim Humane Education Coordinator, Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society

In a compelling story, movingly illustrated, the issue of animal abandonment is brought to life. Maggie, a pregnant lab mix, is left behind in her people's deserted house. Discovered by the realtor, Maggie is brought to the pound where her puppies are born. When Jeff, a fourth-grader, reads a newspaper story about Maggie's puppies being adopted while Maggie is not, he learns from his teacher that Maggie will be euthanized if no one adopts her. This knowledge galvanizes Jeff and his classmates to successfully plan and petition their town council to build an animal shelter. Maggie is given her second chance—taken to the new town shelter, where she is eventually adopted. Maggie's Second Chance is based on the true story of Texas fourth-graders who founded an animal shelter in their town. The final page offers factual comprehensive information on how to help abandoned dogs.

Nancy Furstinger, the author of nearly one hundred books, many about animals, is also an editor at two children's book publishing houses. She shares her home with three rescued dogs (including Jolly—the real Maggie) and six rescued house rabbits.

Joe Hyatt is the illustrator of Buddy Unchained, an award-winning picture book used in schools and libraries around the country. He has a career painting portraits of dogs that was inspired by the portrait he made of his yellow Labrador retriever, Nola. Hyatt lives in California with his three rescue dogs, Nola, Turtle, and Holiday.

Winner of the Humane Society of the United States Youth KIND Award, best children's picture book of the year, 2009

"From the touching cover illustration to the playful depictions of Dakota on the endpapers, this empathetic tale of a puppy-mill dog will resonate with animal lovers."— School Library Journal

After rescue, Dog No. 241 finds herself in a warm, secure foster home, with a woman named Emma who names her Dakota. Eventually, a young girl, Sweetie, who is recovering from a misfortune as deep as Dakota's own, adopts Dakota and they become partners in recovery.