Special Bend teen, dog star in children’s book series

Bend’s famous three-legged dog has jumped from the champion Frisbee course into the pages of a new children’s book –and so did a Bend girl who stepped up to help feed hungry animals in a novel, high-tech way.

First-time Bend author Brooke Smith recently published the first book in her series titled “Mimi and Maty to the Rescue!”

The books are based on local friends who are quite a pair.

Smith’s daughter, 16-year-old Mimi Ausland, first met Maty the three-legged dog at the Humane Society of Central Oregon when the youngster was just 9.

The two were instant friends, sharing a special bond, Smith said.

Later, Mimi went on to create a website, www.freekibble.com to help shelter dogs and cats across the country. Her website has donated more than 8.5 million meals to shelters in the U.S.

Maty, the other heroine of the series, survived abandonment and a leg amputation to become the first three-legged dog to compete in the World Canine Disc Championships.

The series follows the fictional adventures of Mimi and Maty helping other animals.

Smith said that already, the response from the public is amazing.

“It kind of blows me away,” Smith said Wedmesday. “Kids just love it, and I think it’s Mimi’s and Maty’s spirit that I was just lucky enough to try and capture.”

Mimi said she is honored to be a part of the whole experience.

“My mom is just so awesome,” she said. “And it’s just something that I can always have, and remember, and just really treasure being a part of.”

Smith said the book is moving up on many charts, including No. 1 on Amazon’s Movers and Shakers, #1 Hot New Release of children’s literature, and #2 Best Seller of children’s literature.

“Mimi and Maty to the Rescue! Book one: Roger the Rat on the Loose” is available online at Barnes and Noble and Amazon, and will hit bookshelves next week.