Lost, Found and Forever

One day, a young girl named Beej, goes out with her dog Buddha Bear to help her neighbor, Miss Monica, find her lost dog Coco. After searching for days, they come across another lost dog who lives in a field behind a factory. This huge dog is skin and bones and totally afraid of humans, indicating a history of violent treatment by a previous owner. "Lost, Found, and Forever," tells what happens to Coco, Beej, and Buddha Bear as they attempt to rescue this South African Mastiff from a life of fear, hunger, and the dark of night. "Lost, Found, and Forever is warm, human, compelling, and is based on the author's true story.

One day, a young girl named Beej, goes out with her dog Buddha Bear to help her neighbor, Miss Monica, find her lost dog Coco. After searching for days, they come across another lost dog who lives in a field behind a factory. This dog is skin and bones and totally afraid of humans. "Lost, Found, and Forever," tells what happens to Coco, Beej, and Buddha Bear as they attempt to rescue this South African Mastiff from a life of fear, hunger, and the dark of night. "Lost, Found, and Forever is based on the author's true story. "Lost, Found and Forever" is a perfect read for young and old alike. Those who rescue dogs from pounds, neighbors, and shelters, or for anyone who merely dreams of doing that, will appreciate this tale and be in awe of and appreciation for the time and dedication that Beej and Buddha Bear show in getting their lost dog safe. "Lost, Found, and Forever" is a classic tale of someone who struggles against overwhelming odds to accomplish what they set out to do. The subtitle, "When you make a promise, keep it," is the main underlying theme of the book and is Beej's guiding principle. Tied into this theme is her brother Jimmy's adopted motto, "There is no try, there is only do or do not." The activities, actions, beliefs, and motivations of the characters in 'Lost, Found, and Forever" make for a compelling read. And maybe even a tear or two.

Leslie Yerkes is a consultant in the field of Organizational Behavior. She founded and has lead in a consulting company dedicated to supporting individual, group, and organizational well-being. Leslie learned early in life that we spend more time at work and more time with our co-workers than we do with our family and friends. Knowing this. Leslie works to help create organizations whose leadership and culture can bring the best out of each person and support them in learning how to move in the agreed upon direction under their own motivation. Leslie loves to make other people radically successful and contributing. In this work she has taken inspiration from nature and animals as the natural and animal world has much to teach us. Raising Buddha Bear from a puppy — and later taking two months to patiently earn the trust of a feral dog— required Leslie to use every interpersonal skill and competency she possessed. She would frequently say that her work with her dogs earned her a degree in Emotional Intelligence. Leslie is a story teller. She believes that life can be the teacher and that stories illustrate the journey of becoming the best person one can become. She writes a regular blog reflecting on everyday experiences that apply to life and work. She is the author of six books that illuminate stories of extraordinary organizations, leadership and working relationships. "Lost, Found and Forever" is her first children's book. Leslie's family includes: Buddha Bear the Brindle Boxer, Big Boy the South African Mastiff, and the newest additions: Crook the French Bulldog, and Nala the confident rescue kitty. Leslie Yerkes (www.LeslieYerkes.com), is author of the award-winning "They Just Don't Get It" (2005), the Best-Selling "301 Ways to Have Fun at Work" (1997) both from Berrett Koehler Publishing, and four more business books. Leslie works with organizations to launch products, re-direct enterprises that have gone off course and help steer companies through periods of rapid growth. She frequently contributes content to media outlets. She travels internationally as a lecturer and keynote speaker and has taught at John Carroll University, Baldwin Wallace University and Kent State University. She serves as an adjunct professor on the faculty of the Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of Business.