Macy, who was adopted by a Jamesburg couple, is the subject of her owner’s new book, “Macy the Lonely Pit Bull Finds a Home.” A knock on the door of the Jagemann home in Jamesburg, Middlesex County, is greeted by tremendous barking. As the door opens, the vision of a 65- pound pit bull, with scars on its face and ears, does nothing to ease the anxiety stemming from the boisterous woofing.
However, once the canine’s story is told, the initial fear turns to empathy. And as the Jagemanns detail how Macy, a 5-year-old pit bull, came into their lives, one might briefly forget the dog is even there, if it weren’t lying peacefully on the floor with its paw gently resting on one’s foot.
Macy, who was abused and weighed less than 30 pounds before being rescued, is affectionate and gentle. Her story is the subject of Todd Jagemann’s children’s book, “Macy the Lonely Pit Bull Finds a Home.”
Todd is used to other people being anxious when they meet Macy, and he himself had to be convinced when his wife, Robyn, found the dog on petfinder.com.
“She sent me a picture and naturally, like everybody, I saw ‘pit bull’ and I was like, ‘What are you, crazy?’ ” he said.
Robyn, however, fell in love with Macy immediately.
“I stumbled across her story and her picture and I just felt that she was the dog for us. She was in such bad shape, abused, but she was still so sweet,” she said.
Through Pet Rescue of Mercer, the Jagemanns met Macy and Todd began to warm up to the idea of adopting Macy. Robyn, who previously worked at an animal hospital, continued to do research and provide information to convince Todd.
“They’re great dogs. They’re great with kids and great with people,” Robyn said. “They’re smart, they make great therapy dogs.”
Once they welcomed Macy as a member of the family, the Jagemanns were initially nervous about introducing her as a pit bull, due to the breed’s reputation.
“We used to say she was a terrier mix, but now we’re very upfront about it and it does feel like a lot more people are a lot more open,” Robyn said. Despite initial hesitation, Macy was well received by friends and family who began telling the Jagemanns that the dog could be a great “ambassador” for the breed.
Todd then began writing a children’s book about Macy’s story. Robyn helped with the editing, and her sister, a teacher in California, provided advice about how to write for children. Todd, who has a background in communications, found that the writing came somewhat naturally. The same could not be said for publishing and promotion.
“That’s been the hardest thing,” Todd said.
The book was published through an online website inMarch 2011 and has been sold at various pet stores in the area with a portion of the proceeds benefiting rescue centers, including the one that rescued Macy.
Todd and Robyn hope to reach children and alter their perception about pit bulls.
“We’re teaching kids when they’re young about the breed, to try to change their minds,” Todd said.
To purchase the book in paperback or as an e-book, visit www.lulu.com.