Now released by Perpetua Press, autumn 2025.
This is the story of a boy and dog who need each other.
The dog begins life on a happy farm but soon finds himself sold to people who don’t care for him. He is moved from place to place until he is dumped in the country. Will the dangers of the country be too much for him?
Kai doesn’t know how to make friends. First, he’s homeschooled, and then his family moves to the country where Kai must attend school and deal with bullies.
He’s prayed for a dog and applied to a dog rescue, but will he ever be matched with one? Few of his family’s other mail-orders have worked out right.
AGES 6 – 12
Review
O’Malley, The Mail-Order-Dog is a heart-warming story that explores the longing for something special and the acceptance that comes with embracing unexpected blessings. The story beautifully interweaves themes of trust, longing, and unconditional love, presenting them through alternating points of view. Readers who cherished Charlotte’s Web will find similar warmth and depth in O’Malley, The Mail-Order-Dog. ~ Kathleen Templeton, author of the award-winning middle-grade novel, Jar of Tears.
Truth or Fiction?
From the author…
“O’Malley the Sheltie was my family’s first ever mail-order dog. Our son, Garrett, chose him after much research into the type of dog that would make a great best friend. The dog came to us as a tiny pup from a farm in Saskatchewan, and people mistook him for a kitten. O’Malley did not actually come from a dog rescue. Another Sheltie, Clay, a current family member, had been sold to a dog breeder, but the dog turned out too large for a Sheltie, with comical protruding ears and a large fuzzy rear-end. He was rejected for the breeding program, so we purchased him sight unseen, from the same farm, and he came to us as an older puppy via an airport. The wait for him was excruciating. When we finally received him, he was very fluffy, thirsty, and calm. He has been the sweetest dog ever! He loves anything wool–from dryer balls to socks–, high-fives, chew sticks, and fetch.”
Proceeds
A portion of proceeds from this book will go to animal rescues in Alberta. They are doing great work by taking in surrendered dogs, no questions asked.
The interior illustrations for the novel have been created by Jackie Richard, Magdalene Fine Art and Illustration.
This is Bentley’s third book for young readers. Her first two books for young readers are Escape from the Wildfire, published by Lorimer Kids & Teens (Canada 2022/USA 2023); and Summer North Coming, a poetry picture book, published by Fitzhenry & Whiteside, (2019). She lives in the country with her family, a Sheltie named Clay and a cat named Whitney Mewston who likes to sing.
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Keep reading and writing!
Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart. – A.A. Milne
Dorothy Bentley, Box 75, Station Main, Okotoks, AB. T1S 1B6.
