Long Beach woman writes children’s books about foster dogs for charity

LONG BEACH, Miss. (WXXV) — For the past nine years, one Long Beach woman has opened her heart and her home to hundreds of foster dogs — giving each one a second chance at a better life. Now, she’s turning their heartwarming journeys into children’s books, sharing stories of rescue, hope, and the power of love.

These four-legged friends have stories worth telling — and now, those journeys are coming to life in children’s books, with a goal of inspiring the next generation and supporting a local rescue.

Over the last nine years, Tired Dog Rescue volunteer Laura Messina has fostered over 200 dogs and helped them find their forever homes.

“There’s such a need here that we can’t say ‘No.’ There’s always somebody else waiting to get some help, you know?” said Messina.

Now, Messina is bringing these rescue stories to life through rhyming children’s books, taking young readers along on each dog’s journey from foster care to a forever home. Through every page, she’s sharing a bigger message — that a little kindness can go a long way, and every animal deserves love, compassion, and a second chance.

“My stories are the hard cases. I like the medical cases. I like the biters. I like the ones that have been traumatized, and then they blossom. So, I like to show that those dogs aren’t broken. They just need somebody that’s not gonna give up on them,” she said.

The impact doesn’t stop at the story’s end. All proceeds from book sales go directly back to Tired Dog Rescue, helping provide the care these dogs need.

“I was just hoping to kind of inspire the younger kids to just say that dogs aren’t toys – they’re a commitment. We need you to be committed so that maybe in the future we’ll have less dogs to rescue,” said Messina. “that kindness starts at a young age. and, you know, a fun story with a little special twist at the end that the dog gets adopted and you get to help the rescue.”

Two of Messina’s books are already available on Amazon — Denzy and the Big Happy Grin and Diachi and the Wiggly Wise Eyebrow. But, she’s not stopping there — two more books are in the works.

Messina also hopes to take these heartwarming stories beyond the page, visiting schools and libraries to inspire young readers.

“Anything to help the rescue – help the dogs. Even if it helps one dog, two dogs get the medical care they need and get them into a good home and send that message that… most of the people that volunteer with us aren’t getting any younger, like me. And we need this next generation to step up and help, and volunteer, and correct some of the problems… that dogs are lifelong commitments — they’re not toys,” she said. “They’re not ‘Oh, it’s a cute puppy’ for a year and then they’re gone. So, that’s what I’m hoping to resonate with people.”