World's most published animal-related essay now in 36 foreign languages

Author and animal advocate Jim Willis had no idea that he would be reducing the world to tears with his tale of an unwanted dog. "How Could You?" has stopped traffic with radio broadcasts and caused listeners and readers to rush to shelters to save unwanted animals. His book has raised a substantial amount of money for animal rescue efforts.

(PRWEB) July 7, 2003 -- It has been called "Angela's Ashes" and "Tuesdays with Morrie" for animal-people, and now an essay included in a recent book from American author and animal advocate Jim Willis has literally been stopping traffic in the USA and Canada. The essay, "How Could You?", written from a dog's point of view, is believed to be the most published animal-related essay in the world and has been translated into thirty-six foreign languages, most recently Puerto Rican Spanish, Greek and Japanese.

The essay is included in Willis's book "Pieces of My Heart - Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature," from the independent British publisher AuthorsOnline, and in the USA from Infinity Publishing.com, and the book has earned a substantial amount of money for animal rescue efforts because of a fundraising discount the author arranged with the publishers. The book is currently the number one reader-reviewed animal rights title at amazon.com

The wave of radio broadcasts in North America began in April 2002, when Toronto DJ John Derringer broke down several times while trying to read the story on-air. According to Q107-FM's associate producer Ryan Parker, "We have never had such a response as we have with that story."

Other stations in major radio markets have followed Toronto's lead with the same results - drivers pulling off the road in tears, unable to drive, and whole offices dissolving in sobs. Listeners have reported rushing to local animal shelters to adopt especially older animals who face a death sentence. San Diego FM DJ Bobby Rich from the morning drive-time "Bobby & Brad Show," also added the story to his station's website and wrote "...after sharing the wonderful 'How Could You?' essay with my radio show listeners and fielding the unbelievable outpouring of calls and e-mails in response, I feel qualified and compelled to recommend this book."

Willis is one of the most published animal advocates in the world and the essay, popularly known as "HCY?" has been published in countless newspapers and print publications, usually illustrated by photos of animals taken at local shelters and in conjunction with local shelters and humane societies, but he takes no credit for the radio broadcasts.

"It is the best for-the-animals-campaign I never thought of!" Willis said. The essay is dedicated to his late Basset Hound, "Holly Golightly," who Willis adopted as a senior dog on her "last day" from a Pittsburgh-area kill shelter.

Because he also arranged a special fundraising discount for the book from both publishers, to benefit all animal advocacy efforts, he is very pleased with the amount of money his book has earned to benefit those rescue efforts. The book includes an Appendix of suggestions for helping animals and organizations, and a foreword by noted animal behaviorist and colleague of Dr. Jane Goodall, Dr. Marc Bekoff.

The book has its own website from which the essay "How Could You?" may be downloaded as a Word document, and the author encourages all media to use it: http://www.crean.com/jimwillis.

The book is available directly from both publishers and links to them are on the book's site, and it is also available from amazon.com in the USA and from amazon.co.uk in the UK, as well as from Barnes & Noble.com, or by special order from most retail book stores.