Libertyville Author Pens 'The Animal Warrior'

Braille was deaf and blind in one eye. Tied up at an animal control facility at 7 months, she was moved to foster homes. She almost lost her life getting lost in a snowstorm.

But Sandy Kamen Wisniewski said the dog never lets her handicap stop her. Braille has the courage and strength of a lion and has beaten the odds.

“People look at her and they smile and say if she can act this way and be this way, then why can’t I?” Wisniewski said.

Surrounded by animals much of her life, the Libertyville resident said so many stories stay with her.  She wrote her third book, The Animal Warrior hoping that these stories will educate readers on how to care for animals, and inspire them to believe in miracles.

“The ongoing situations I was blessed to be involved in that really made me realize how precious life is, how many awesome, amazing people there are out there and how resilient animals are in face of adversity,” she said.

The book features 64 chapters, each one an animal's story. Wisniewski said the book was designed so readers, particularly children can read a chapter or read the book cover to cover.

Wisniewski first talks about her early years.

"So many people ask why am I crazy to do the work I do. It is my childhood and the animals that drove me to the path I have taken," she said.

In her first story, Fly Fly Away, she recalls a bird named Buddy that her father had given her while she was living with him. Whenever she walked into the spare bedroom, there was a little bird to greet her.

“Somebody wanted to see me. Even when I felt so unloved, he loved me,” she said.

The final chapter, “Mota and Heidi” shares the tale of two dogs and how the pain after they died inspired her to create Animal Education and Rescue in 2003.

In addition to finding homes for rescue pets, the non-profit organization helps the community. Through pet therapy, animals visit nursing homes and home-bound individuals to bring joy to others. They also visit schools and community centers where they teach kids about proper pet care and treatment.

In the book, Wisniewski describes one rescue that became a miracle. After discovering seven puppies at the anti-cruelty society that could not be treated, AEAR found homes for six. The seventh, who was named Gracie, waited months and finally was adopted by a family.

Gracie's cage was set in one of the children's bedroom to keep the son company because he could never sleep through the night. That evening, when the mother awoke, she was wondering why her son had not gotten up. She went to check on him and saw a pillow and blanket beside Gracie’s cage where he was sound asleep.

“Gracie was this boy’s saving grace,” Wisniewski said.

Each time Wisniewski shares a story, tears well up in her eyes.

“They bring people such joy and such happiness. People have a tendency to judge each other even though they don’t mean to. If someone is sad, they can wrap their arms around an animal. They don’t judge you. They don’t care. They will just be there.”

Wisniewski said she wants adults and children to see they can all be an animal warrior.

“We can choose to turn our back on an animal in need or we can choose to step up and made a difference,” she said. “That is what I want kids in the future to be doing.”