Maude's Change of Heart

Maude's Change of Heart is a gentle children's picture book about pet adoption, patience, and trust.

Adopting an adult animal is a very different experience from the adoption of a kitten or puppy. Here the author shares the experience through the voice of her adopted cat Maude.

Maude, a long-haired cat who has lived in several homes, needs a new place to belong. She arrives frightened and unsure. Adjusting to a new environment and another cat takes time. After the house grows quiet, Maude slowly begins to feel safe. Night by night, she discovers comfort, connection, and the meaning of a forever home.

Told from Maude's point of view with warmth and emotional honesty, this story speaks to children and adults alike about resilience, compassion, and the quiet ways love helps us heal.

The story was developed from real-life events. Maude's point of view is fictional and assumed by the author, who adopted and homed the cat for the rest of her life.

The author has been the adopter of several cats who otherwise would have been "left behind". Some of her pets were left with her and some she was asked to adopt, due to a change in the owner's situation. Each cat was in the author's home for the duration of their life.

This is the first of many stories the author will share in this series.