Patrick and Cassandra Garber, of Mountain Home, Idaho, have authored a children’s book. Based on true events, the book is called “The Littlest Hound: A Lovable Italian Greyhound’s Tale.” It’s the story of their own family dog, Lola.
Patrick Garber, who’s career is military, graduated Nucla High School in 2002. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 2004 and is now a senior master sergeant.
His wife is from Pennsylvania. They have two kids, ages 4 and 6.
Their children’s book is available on Amazon, in both paperback version and also on Kindle. The book is illustrated and written in rhyming format.
“The Littlest Hound is a children's picture book with sweet rhymes that gives a glimpse into a relationship between a dog and her family,” the synopsis on Amazon states. “Told by Lola, a lovable Italian Greyhound, the reader is introduced to milestones, loving kindness, family adventures, encouragement, military deployments, overcoming adversities, growth, and aging.”
The Garbers got Lola two months after they were married, when Patrick Garber was being deployed and his wife didn’t want to be alone.
“She’s been a huge part of our lives ever since,” he said. “The book kind of captures the essence of what we owe her. She’s gotten us through a lot of challenging times … between moves and deployment. She’s always been the consistent.”
Patrick Garber said the book wouldn’t have happened without his wife’s communication and marketing skills. While they did the work together, he said she was the brain behind it.
After learning the ropes of self-publishing, the book made its debut in November. For a day or two, it was a No. 1 best seller on Amazon in the categories of children’s literature and also the military experience.
Vicki Garber, Patrick’s mother, grew up in Nucla and has lived in the area since she was in seventh grade. She taught kindergarten for 28 years in Naturita, and also third grade and special education. She told the Forum when her kids published the book, she knew exactly what she’d do. She’d take it to the Naturita Elementary School and read to the children there.
Garber did so and enjoyed it. She added she’s proud of the book.
Besides being available on Amazon, the Nucla-Naturita Visitor’s Center has a number of signed copies for sale. The Garber family also said people may visit the website thelittlesthound.com to get a signed copy. And, they invite people to follow Lola and their self-publishing journey on Instagram, too.
Patrick and Cassandra Garber said over the weekend they are not done authoring children’s books. They have a few more ideas planned, and they’re in the process of refining those and making decisions.
“It’s been a very fun experience,” Patrick Garber said. “I’m as surprised as my mom that my name is on a book.”
Patrick and Cassandra Garber said the tribute to Lola has resonated with people.
“Dogs find a way into folks’ hearts,” Patrick Garber said.
“We are hearing how it’s touched people in different ways,” Cassandra Garber added. “Adoption, moving, bringing home new new members of the family. It’s hit people in different ways, and it’s good to hear those stories.”
