Overview

When an eleven-year-old and a rescue dog take on city hall, democracy gets a whole lot furrier-and a whole lot more real. In the quiet suburb of Avon, Ohio, The Ruff Patch Dog Rescue is more than just a haven for abandoned animals-it's a community where broken spirits learn to trust again. But when corporate developer Slade Creller sets his sights on the property for a luxury shopping complex, he underestimates the opposition: Mikey Cook, an eleven-year-old volunteer with a smartphone and an unshakeable sense of justice, and Franklin, a 115-pound Rottweiler who's about to redefine political activism. What begins as a simple fight to save a dog rescue evolves into a masterclass in grassroots democracy. As Mikey digs deeper into municipal records, he uncovers a web of corruption stretching from city hall to corporate boardrooms. But this isn't your typical David-and-Goliath story-because David has four legs, a talent for strategic sitting, and the moral authority that only comes from unconditional love and second chances. Through the lens of animal welfare, The Ruff Patch exposes the fault lines in American democracy: How do communities resist when money talks louder than votes? What happens when corporate influence collides with authentic grassroots organizing? And can a rescue dog with PTSD and a beagle with anxiety really teach us more about courage and integrity than most elected officials? This is democracy in action-messy, hilarious, and surprisingly effective when guided by the simple principle that kindness isn't naive, it's revolutionary. As Franklin demonstrates through his legendary ""sit-in"" that brings down a corrupt mayor, sometimes the most powerful political statement is refusing to move when you're standing for what's right. The Ruff Patch is a celebration of community organizing, a sharp critique of corporate influence on local politics, and a reminder that the values we claim to cherish-loyalty, protection of the vulnerable, and putting community welfare over profit-are most clearly embodied by the rescue animals we often overlook. It's a story about healing trauma, building coalitions, and discovering that democracy works best when it includes voices that can't be bought, intimidated, or convinced to compromise their principles. In a world where political cynicism runs deep and authentic change feels impossible, this novel offers something rare: hope backed by strategy, humor grounded in truth, and the revolutionary idea that saving democracy might just require learning from those we've rescued-and who have rescued us in return. Because sometimes the most important battles are fought not in Washington, but in your own backyard-with treats, belly rubs, and the unwavering conviction that every life has value

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Walter A. Cook is what locals in the Great Smoky Mountains call a ""Halfback""-not the gridiron kind, but the breed of human who fled the cold out of New England, got sand in his shorts and shoes down in Florida, and then retreated to the relative sanity of Franklin, North Carolina before he could be swallowed whole by a condo developer or eaten alive by invasive iguanas. He's the kind of guy who's lived enough lives to make a cat jealous and like that cat is still alive. Armed with a couple of degrees (actual framed ones, not honorary tattoos from dive bars), Walter's sold sailboats to dreamers, served drinks and grouper sandwiches to schemers, and baked dog treats for pooches who were much more appreciative of his cooking art. This wasn't the plan. The plan went off-road years ago-detoured by fate, folly, and a muse named Mary Susan, who is part co-conspirator, part soulmate, and wholly responsible for making the detour look like destiny of life's dreams. Walter's trajectory reads like a Jimmy Buffett B-side: part memoir, part misstep, full of motion. There's tragedy in the tequila and magic in the moonshine, and through it all, he's embraced the chaos with a grin and a shrug that says, ""The GPS lied, but the view's pretty damn nice."" He's telling stories now, layered with wit, grit, and that ""I'm old enough not to care"" disdain for the absurdities of modern civilization. So, if you're ready for crooked politicians, eccentric small-town heroes, and a dash of environmental vengeance, saddle up. Walter may not know exactly where he's headed, but he promises the ride will be worth it and the view will be loved. You in?

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