The story of ‘Pickles’: from flood dog to loved dog

Sept. 17--When the Souris River spilled over its banks in 2011, flooding portions of Minot, many homeowners with pets relied on their local animal shelter for assistance. The Souris Valley Animal Shelter was, in turn, "flooded" with more than 500 animals.

Pickles the dog was one of those animals, and she is the subject of a newly released children's book by Bismarck author Kat Socks.

"I think her story is very touching," she said. "She was a flood dog from Minot. They had hundreds of dogs up there during the flood and, unfortunately, she kept getting returned to them up there."

That's when Mandan's Central Dakota Humane Society stepped up and took in the Border collie mix, who was believed to be about 1 year old at the time.

Shortly thereafter, Pickles was adopted by Socks' mother-in-law, who is known for taking in some "pretty tough cases," according to the author.

"Turns out, Pickles is just the sweetest dog and just really needed the right family," Socks said.

"Pickles the Dog -- Adopted in North Dakota" is the author's first book and an opportunity to "do something fun."

The 26-page publication tells the story of a young North Dakota girl who can hardly wait to bring her new shelter puppy home to the family farm and show her around.

"Pickles has never been to a farm before so she does some naughty things, because she doesn't know," Socks said, noting the real-life Pickles does not live on a farm.

In the book, for instance, Pickles pulls on a rope attached to a gate and almost lets the bull out. Feeling a little discouraged at the end of their first day together, the young girl asks her mom for advice.

"Her mom doesn't tell her what to do. She just says, 'Try something different,'" Socks said, noting she hopes children feel empowered to think through their own problems and come up with solutions after reading her book.

The pair's second day together goes much more smoothly, as the young girl comes up with a solution to distract Pickles, keeping her out of mischief.

"So there's kind of an educational element to it, too," Socks said.

The self-published book, which the author classifies as juvenile fiction for children ages 0 to 12, is illustrated by Ben Brick, of Bismarck.

"The wording of the book ... that was just kind of easy. It was more the feelings that I wanted to portray on each page. A difficult situation, expressions ... things like that," Socks said. "I don't know how Ben did it, but he just nailed everything I wanted. He's just so talented."

Brick said illustrating the book was a smooth process.

"Kat gave me a ton of creative freedom, making it really easy to make good work," he said.

Socks, who also owns a primarily online baby boutique specializing in handmade baby booties, donates 2 percent of her sales to local animal shelters. Sales of her book are no exception.

"Every animal deserves a loving home, and I appreciate all the love and support that animal shelters provide to pets in need," she said.

Socks, who also works for Dakota Capital Life Insurance Company, shares her home with her husband, Chris, and their 3-year-old son. The family has two Great Danes, of which one is certified as a therapy dog to work with children in the community.

As for the real-life Pickles the dog? You could say she's living happily ever after.

"She is super nosy and loves to check out what the neighbors are doing," Socks said. "She loves to be pet and loves to play."

Socks has numerous book signings planned in locations across the state, and "Pickles the Dog" is available for purchase at a number of local shops.

For more information, visit www.picklesthedog.com.

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(Reach Cheryl McCormack at 701-250-8264 or cheryl.mccormack@bismarcktribune.com.)

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