One of Houston's worst animal cruelty cases becomes a children's book

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - When dog rescuers came across a street dog named Gus last fall, they all wondered the same thing. How could a dog in that condition even be alive?

A shoelace was tied so tightly around his neck, his head was at least twice the size it should be.

"There was no way you could look at him and miss there was something wrong," said Sandee Roquemore-Maxwell.

Maxwell knew there was something special about Gus.

Not only did he survive having the shoelace wrapped around his neck, he became the poster dog for animal cruelty in Houston. His story of being forgotten and left behind happens too often here.

"For those of us who treat our dogs like family, it's hard to believe it happens, but it happens all the time," Maxwell said.

Maxwell wrote this children's book called The Life of Gus The Dog with the Big Head.

There are sad moments in the book.

"I really can't read it without crying even now," Maxwell said. "But I'm very tender hearted."

But like Gus's life, the book has a happy ending and is full of teachable moments.

"I'm really hoping children will go home and say hey mom, it's not really good to keep our dog outside all winter long when it's freezing, and it's not good to keep them tied up with no exercise," said Maxwell. "I have such high hopes for a little bitty book."

All the proceeds from the book will go to Houston K-911 Rescue Group.

The book can be purchased on line on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble.