Local woman writes book celebrating dancing dog

There's nothing like the love dog owners have for their four-legged family members, and losing them can be heartbreaking.

No one knows that better than Elizabeth "Beth" Franks, whose love for her Rottweilers, Elijah and his son, Dingo, inspired her to write a children's book, "Dingo's Pearl."

Franks, of Scott City, said she and her husband traveled around the country to dog shows for 13 years with their Rottweilers. At one time, Elijah, now deceased, was the No. 4 Rottweiler in the country, she said.

Elijah, who sired one of their best-loved dogs, Dingo, died after he returned from a dog show in Canada; he fell ill after being bitten by a tick, and, ultimately, his kidneys failed.

Since he was a puppy, Dingo used to dance alongside Franks to the Phil Collins song "Groovy Kind of Love."

The cover of "Dingo's Pearl" by Elizabet Franks. (Submitted by Elizabeth Franks)

"He was a good dog. He could jump through hoops, too," Franks said.

The book, "Dingo's Pearl," which Franks also illustrated, tells a touching tale of a dancing dog created by God especially for the purpose of greeting canine newcomers at the Pearly Gates of Heaven.

Franks said she long had been interested in writing, and after Dingo's premature death at age 1, she penned a poem and knew she wanted to publish it as a children's book -- but didn't know how to go about it.

In April, she attended a meeting of Cape Girardeau writers, which is held at the Cape Girardeau Public Library the third Saturday of the month, to find out more about book publishing.

"When I left that meeting, my head was spinning because there's so much to do to publish a book," Franks said.

One of the writers suggested she consider self-publishing her book.

Franks said she looked on the project as a way to keep Dingo with her forever, and to allow him to have a positive effect on children in the community.

Two of the dogs sired by Elijah in separate litters, Ava, 8, and Abram, 5, are still with Franks.

Abram is known for his paintings, which are sold at fundraisers benefiting Epic Pals.

"I put water color paints on his paws, and he walks around on heavy art paper," Franks said.

Epic Pals is a local group that helps children with conditions such as autism by pairing them with dogs to train therapeutically.

"It really helps the whole community, because dogs get out of shelters, it helps the children and the dogs get a loving home," Franks said.

Proceeds from the sale of "Dingo's Pearl" also will go to help the charity.

Franks will attend a book party at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Book Rack, 50 S. Plaza Way in Cape Girardeau. In August, on a yet-to-be-determined date, Franks will have a reading of the book at the Cape Girardeau Public Library, 711 N. Clark Ave. Franks also plans to have a reading at 1 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Riverside Regional Library in Scott City, 2108 Main St.

The book is available for $10 at Book Rack and at DazSpell Creations, a specialty shop at 5 N. Main St. in downtown Cape Girardeau.

"Through the book, Dingo still lives and is able to touch the hearts of children, and that's what I wanted," Franks said.

Pertinent address:

50 S. Plaza Way, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

711 N. Clark Ave., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

5 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

2108 Main St., Scott City, Mo.